John 21: Peter as a Shepherd

Feed My lambs, tend My sheep, feed My sheep: why the Apostle Peter wrote so strongly against false teachers.

Pastor Alan Counts

7/31/20252 min read

A realization that I had never noticed provided me with a clear understanding of why the Apostle Peter was harsh in his writing regarding false teachers and prophets. In John Chapter 21, after the resurrection of Jesus. Peter received the great commission directly from Jesus. 1. Feed My Lambs. 2. Tend My Sheep (Flock). 3. Feed My Sheep. The focus on the word "tend" means shepherd/pastor. The word shepherd or tend in this verse (John 21:16) is an ongoing imperative command to the second person plural from the Shepherd who calls the under-shepherds. Meaning that Christ calls the shepherd He wants to feed and protect his flock. (Ephesians 4:10, 11). In 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Paul writes what the qualifications for an overseer but doesn't tell Timothy to appoint a bishop. This is something Jesus reserves for Himself. The "Fivefold Ministry" has hijacked the imperative command Jesus gave to Peter. They say they are prophets and apostles of Ephesians 4:11, and the other offices are subject to them. These men/women claim to be leaders within the universal body of Christ. The messages they bring are based on a dream they may have had, an experience they or someone else had, or a biblical text taken out of context. These people are deadly to the soul and will lead people away from Christ. Matthew 24:4 Jesus says, "Beware that no one deceives you." Back to "tending" the sheep. God is still calling under-shepherds to shepherd His flock. I used the word “tend” intentionally. Tend is more than just feeding the flock God has given to the individuals He has called as shepherds. Tending the flock or folding (Sheep Fold) the flock was a common practice in ancient times. When the sheep had been fed and watered, at the end of the day, the shepherd would count them and bring them into the sheepfold. The shepherds would then lie at the door of the enclosure and protect the sheep from predators. It’s quite simple to understand why Peter wrote what he did. He was following our Lord's command and protecting the flock.

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