The Apostle Peter Series

#8~ THE APOSTLE PETER 1-25-14

The New Testament gives a more complete picture of Peter than of any other disciple, with the exception of Paul.

~Peter also called Simon; Simon Peter's father's name was John sometimes referred to as Jonas or Jonah. -- We know nothing more about his parents.

~Simon was a very common name. There are at least seven Simons in the Gospel accounts.

Among the Twelve apostles were two named Simon,

1. Simon Peter.

2. And Simon the Zealot.

3. In Matthew 13:55, Jesus' half brothers are listed, and one of them was also named Simon.

4. Judas Iscariot's father was called Simon as well John 6:71.

5. Matthew 26:6 we read that Jesus had a meal at the home of a man in Bethany called Simon the leper.

6. Simon the Pharisee -- Jesus ate at his home, in Luke 7:36-40.

7. And Simon the Cyrene, the man ordered to carry Jesus' cross partway to Calvary. -- Matthew 27:32 .

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* But the Lord gave him another name. Luke introduces him this way:

>Luke 6:14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,)

~ Why would Luke mention the fact that some times the Lord Jesus would refer too Simon Peter as such? -- Simon, (whom he also named Peter,)

~ Listen, Jesus had a purpose in calling Peter by his old name "Simon" at times.

~He was sometimes known as Simon, & sometimes as Peter, and sometimes as Simon Peter. There is a reason, listen.

~ When Jesus first met Simon, he fit James's description of a double-minded man unstable in all his ways James 1:8.

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"Peter" was sort of a nickname, it means "Rock, a stone" The Aramaic equivalent was Cephas.

> 1 Corinthians 1:12 Paul said - Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; [Peter] and I of Christ.

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* We read about the first time Jesus meets Simon Peter.

>John 1:40-42 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. --- 41He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

42And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, a stone.

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* Why would Jesus some time refer to him as Simon, his old name?

~When we see that in Scripture, it is often a signal that Peter has done something that needs rebuke or correction.

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~ It's much like the names "Jacob & Israel" there's many verses in the bible that both names occur; I believe the reason is because; "Jacob" is a picture of the old man, the flesh. We each have a sinful, carnal nature that we inherited through our fleshly birth. In the New Testament, this sinful nature is often referred to as the "old man." Romans 6:6.

~ The name "Israel" is a picture of the new man. -- Ephesians 4:24 "And that ye put on the new man, -- He was called Jacob when he displayed his old conniving ways.

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* Simon Peter can be thought of with the same understanding much of the time, though not ever time.

~ By nature Simon was out spoken and often spoke when he should have kept quit.

>Matthew 26: 31-35 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

32But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

33Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

34Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee,** That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

35Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

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~ Listen, Jesus the Son of God, plainly told Peter that he would deny Him 3 times, -- any clear thinking person should know, that what ever Jesus said was the way it would be, but not Simon Peter.

Our dear brother Simon Peter was making promises that he could not keep, Jesus said so. ---

~Why did Jesus changed Simons name too Peter? -- It seems that Jesus wanted the nickname to be a continual reminder to him about who he should be.

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And from then on, whatever Jesus called him was a reminder to him of his actions. --- If He called him Simon, He was signaling him that he was acting like his old self.