Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

Matthew 17:4

And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.

Mark 9:5-6

But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.

Luke 9:32-33

I have no doubt that this trio of disciples was more afraid than probably any previous time in their lives. And Peter’s actions show what can happen when we act in fear without rational thought. As Luke records he “doesn’t know what he is saying.”

By suggesting they build three tabernacles Peter is putting Jesus on the same level as Moses and Elijah. I will discuss this in greater detail in my next article but the idea that Jesus is just another prophet is pure evil and no different than what Islam teaches.

Say, O believers, “We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us; and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and his descendants; and what was given to Moses, Jesus, and other prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them. And to Allah we all submit.

Surah Al-Baqarah; 2:136

Another thing to consider is what Peter suggests they build – a tabernacle. A tabernacle is a dwelling place. Peter is once again suggesting that Jesus not go to Jerusalem! This is the exact same error he committed when Jesus said, “Get thee behind me Satan.” Peter again speaks before he thinks!

This is a huge lesson to all men of God who are called to preach. Peter will be one of the most known Apostles after Jesus’ ascension but that does not mean he has the right or authority to speak things different than what the scriptures teach. He most certainly repents of this error and points us all toward the Bible as our only source of truth when he writes:

For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

2nd Peter 1:16-20

Perhaps the “majority church” that claims Peter as their first leader should take a lesson from Peter and stop adding to and taking away from the word of God! No man, or organization of men, has the authority to ignore scripture when speaking in God’s name.