Saint Peter’s role in Christianity is very important.

First he is treated as a model for

Christians to follow. Peter’s mistakes such as the three denials of Jesus are treated as
symptoms of man’s state of sinfulness or weakness which can be overcome through
faith in Jesus. After Jesus’ resurrection, Peter traveled widely to preach Jesus’
message and convert people to Christianity. In Acts, Peter is portrayed as a model
disciple for others to emulate. Second, the gospels describe Jesus as calling Peter his
“rock” upon which the future church would be built. Because of Peter’s martyrdom in
Rome, traditions developed which led to the belief that the most important Christian
church organization was located in Rome — not in cities like Jerusalem or Antioch
where Christianity was older or where Jesus actually visited. Because Peter was given
a unique leadership role, the places where he was martyred has taken that role over
and popes today are regarded as the successors of Peter, the first leader of the Roman
church. Catholic belief that the church in Rome leads the entire Christian church is
based on the belief that Jesus gave this job to Peter who, in turn, founded the first
Christian church in Rome.

Peter is the first to confess that Jesus is the Messiah as well as the only one
depicted actively denying Jesus later. In Acts, Peter is depicted as traveling
widely to preach about Jesus. Little information about Peter is contained in
these early sources, but Christian communities filled in the gaps with other
stories to fulfill theological and communal purposes. Because Peter was a
model for Christian faith and activity, it was important for Christians to know
about his background and personal history.

Saint Peter played a huge role in the history of the Church. First and foremost, he is
held up as a role model for Christians to emulate. The three denials of Jesus, for
example, are treated as signs of man's sinfulness or weakness, which can be cured by
faith in Jesus. Second, according to the gospels, Jesus refers to Peter as his "rock"
upon which the future church will be established. Peter’s martyrdom in Rome
developed traditions. The Catholic belief that the church in Rome leads the entire
Christian church is based on the belief that Jesus appointed Peter to this position, and
that Peter then established the first Christian church in Rome. Peter preached Jesus'
message and converted people to Christianity all over the world.