RE: “At the very moment we open our mouths to speak of Christ the divine revelation that transformed Peter is transforming us, and it also transforms the people in whose midst we speak.”

Were all who heard Jesus or the Apostles “transformed”? Even contemporary experience -- including that of full-time missionaries -- tells us that what follows from hearing God’s message may be belief or unbelief, interest or indifference, love or hate. Here are just a few pertinent Bible verses:

“The wind blows where it wishes….” (John 3:8 ESV)

“[T]hey may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand….” (Mark 4:12 ESV)

“A sower went out to sow....” (Matthew 13:3ff ESV)

“Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, ‘We will hear you again about this.’ So Paul went out from their midst. But some men joined him and believed….” (Acts 17:32-34 ESV)

“[My word] shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11 ESV)

But what can we know of God’s purposes in a particular instance of Christian witness?

“[God says], ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.” (Romans 9:15-16 ESV)

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” (Romans 11:33 ESV)

It is simply our calling to declare (1 Peter 2:9) and demonstrate (Eph. 2:10) the mercies of God in Christ. And it is “only God who gives the growth.” (1 Cor. 3:7 ESV) However faithful or bold our witness, God "transforms" people when he pleases.