He had grand ideas about how firm his faith and devotion to God was only to be proven wrong shortly after. They are mistaken as the bible has said. We find that, in addition to powerfully speaking, he went about healing (Acts 5:15; 9:32-34) and even restoring people to life (Acts 9:36-41). These letters were written near the end of his life. The term living was given to the true God, to distinguish him from idols, that are dead or lifeless blocks and stones. Those are both plurals. I realize the grammar is not that exciting for everyone. Although Paul was commissioned as the apostle sent to the gentiles, it was Peter who was first shown that gentiles were now to be a part of the Church. Peter: 38 Reconsider your lives; change your direction. This is called begging the question. Only Peter submits that Jesus is the Son of the Living God. It is the person and identity of Christ that is being lifted up here. So, John seems to retain this familiar reference, much like childhood friends still call each other by nicknames or familiar names many years later. Matthew 16:17-18 ESV. This correct view was loftier than the other views being expressed. What titles are ascribed to Jesus in the Bible? And even so, isnt Peter still considered one of the most influential persons in Christianity? For my first fourteen years in ministry I worked as a youth director. Yet Peter insisted, Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You! (verses 34-35). This appellation was understood as implying Divinity, John 10:29-36. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. However, the masculine form of the noun is often used with the nuance of being a smaller, moveable, or isolated stone, while the feminine form is often used as a foundational rock structure (like where Christs tomb was cut out from in Matthew 27:60). (If It Is At All Possible). With that biblical definition in mind, we can then consider Isaiah's reference as the tie-in to Jesus and Peter. They were among the first disciples chosen by Our Lord. According to Paul, he took his wife along on his missionary journeys (1 Corinthians 9:5), and three of the four gospels tell of how Jesus healed her mother as one of his first miracles (Matthew 8:14-17, Mark 1:29-31, Luke 4:38-39). What is the significance of these changes? It is interesting to note that the name Rock or Peter was not in use as a name during Jesus' time, so its' choice was highly unusual as well. Peter shared meals with gentiles, and he was comfortable around gentiles even though he himself was a Jew (Acts 10:34-43; 11:11-18). Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He said to him, Feed my They fished all night and caught nothing. Shepherd, confirmed this mandate after his Resurrection: "Feed my But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. What name are you living into today? Even though Peter is so sure of himself and continues to stumble- Jesus still had a plan for Peter and still used him to build the universal Church. In eastern and middle-eastern cultures, a person's identity is much more closely associated with who his father is. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times. So he went out and wept bitterly. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. The literal meaning of the name Peter (Petros) is stone, boulder, or rock. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; In fact, Jews considered it to be against their law to associate with non-Jews (Acts 10:28). 16:18) he was using a pun to refer to Peters role as one of the strong, supportive leaders (a strong foundation, so to speak) of the early church. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. When it was time for him to graduate we asked some of our seniors to share in church what they had learned over the last few years. Want to have a Bible reading plan without worrying about what you are going to read every day? 38 When Jesus turned and saw them following, he asked, What are you looking for?, They said, Rabbi (which is translated Teacher), where are you staying?. They had a previous, long-term friendship. 33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, Truly You are the Son of God.. Origin (through Eusebius; 232 AD) tells us that Peter was crucified head-down, at his own request. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. (pebble), such as a small rock found along a pathway. {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}. I have heard tons of strange, wonderful nicknames. The Apostle Peter (also known as Saint Peter, Simon Peter, and Cephas) was one of the 12 main disciples of Jesus Christ, and along with James and John, he was one of Jesus closest companions.After the resurrection, Peter became one of the most influential Christian leaders in the first century, and according to Catholic tradition, he was also the I have put my foot in my mouth way too many times and a bit loud. Hell will not prevail. Ive heard several different explanations. Will you come? On Passover night he had stood up and said he would never stumble because of Christ. He knew Peters potential, and He knew that in spite of all the rash things Peter might do, that potential was still there. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Additionally, the type of pronoun used is a near demonstrative. or who is a rock save our God? Yet, Jesus was close with the other disciples, too, and the other disciples faithfully testified of Christ just like Peter. What do the names of God mean? He was a small businessman, he had a wife, and he had partners in business. Sign up to receive the week's latest articles, blog posts andupdates. As the Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 1, the church is the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:2223). We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. About 9 years ago, the youth group my husband and I helped run was studying the bible study book called: If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat. (Matthew 16:18). Names have always been interesting to me, particularly the power of a nickname. You shall be called Cephas". John is the only book in which Peter is frequently referred to as "Simon" or "Simon Peter". The Apostles spoke of the Messiah who has come. Immediately a rooster crowed. 17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. Otherwise, you are just an outsider who gathers with the church but is not part of the church. Shortly before he died, Peter wrote the two letters that survive today as the First and Second Letter of Peter, and which radiate with the joy and wisdom of this wonderful man. Actually, it's quite clear that Jesus changed his name to Peter. Who was Peter in the Bible? when Jesus was arrested peter tried to protect Jesus and peter Variant of Petros. Not just some of the flock. At that time, I knew that my hometown (Ottawa, Ontario) was my comfort zone. The disciples listed different opinions that have been circulating. My history sometimes makes me confident in my ability to keep my faith. There can be no superstructure, however, without a foundation, and that foundation is Jesus Christ. To whom do the Eastern Orthodox Church's believe the "Keys to the Kingdom" were given by Jesus? When Jesus asked: Who do you say I am? Paul goes on regarding the church in Ephesians: So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of Gods household,having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone,in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord,in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. Spoiler alert: no other follower of Jesus except the apostle Paul (who at this point was either a boy in Tarsus or a rabbinical student with Gamaliel in Jerusalem) played as large a role in carrying on Jesus' mission in the world as this man Simon. The term living is often given to him in the Old Testament, Joshua 3:10, 1 Samuel 17:26,36, Jeremiah 10:9,10 etc. Did the early church believe that St. Peter was the first pope? Therefore, the location pertained to the question. It was Peter who said, Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble (Matthew 26:31-33). So, why did Jesus name Peter The Rock? Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 4:12-19. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, God can give us a path that is so much more fulfilling than a 9-5 job. Jesus described himself as the source of the water of life. Peter took the initiative and asked Christ to bid him to walk on the water. Peter passed on the instructions from Christ to the elders of Asia Minor. The Bible is unique in many ways but also because there's not a single perfect person in it. received this personal revelation from God. govern the house of God, which is the Church. Continue Learning about Religious Studies. The Messiah, the Anointed of God. Im sure Peter felt crushed about his actions. They would respond by saying "Melody" was such a pretty name. The first foundation was jasper (this stone is thought to represent Peter); the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. ", According to traditional Protestant theology (to which I subscribe), Peter's confession was the rock upon which Christ would build His church. You will be called Cephas [Aramaic rock] (which is translated Peter [Greek rock]). See. Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? He said to him, Jonathan joined our youth group as a 6th grader. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. Then he shared something that has stayed with me for a long time. This cannot be used to say anything else with any kind of proof. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;[a] 4 Simon the He did not use specific language but figurative language. I also sometimes forget that I need God to have faith because (in my own view) I have been doing such a good job lately. Herod was the natural enemy of the House of David, as evidenced by the visit of the Magi. WebSaint Peter [note 1] (died between AD 64 and 68), [1] also known as Peter the Apostle, Peter the Rock, Simon Peter, Simeon, Simon, or Cephas, [5] was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ and one of the first leaders of the early Christian Church. The doors were thus opened. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Rock = ptra (a feminine noun) "a mass of connected rock. Say it out loud and youll see why Im really grateful she changed it. A page later, Peter asks Jesus to explain what Hes just said ( Matthew 15:15 ). His mission will be to keep this faith from every However, after the meal, Christ zeroed in on Peter (verses 15-17). this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades will not I can hardly hold on with the help of The Holy Spirit. Meaning & History. They aren't. Ps 18:31, He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. It is important to read the entire section of Scripture. As popular as the name Peter is in our world, in the Bible it is assigned only once, namely to Simon "Barjona"; Peter, the apostle of Jesus.The feminine version (Petra) a very popular female name in certain parts of the world, the Netherlands for instance doesn't occur at all in the Bible, although the name Sela may be the Semitic version of it. This name is spelled Simeon, based on Greek , in many translations of the Old Testament, where it is borne by the second son of Jacob. When Jesus changed Simons name to Peter, it was highly symbolic and referred to Simons new role as a foundational rock for the Church. LOVE this post sweet sister! Anne is a stay at home mother of 3 who has been married for more then 10 years. Thank you so much! If were attempting to prove a doctrinal position, we can simply collect our proof-texts and quote them without analysis. The masculine form is more appropriate for the name of Peter, a man. 01-12-2021 13. Jesus uses a word play between Peters name and the rock upon which He will build His church. Thus, the name change seems to identify a change in identity and calling. by Tipping Media, 13720 Roe Ave.Leawood, KS 66224(913) 897-0120, 24000 W. Valley PkwyOlathe, KS 66061(913) 538-7800, 1601 Grand Blvd.Kansas City, MO 64108(816) 979-1330, 601 NE Jefferson St.Blue Springs, MO 64014(816) 389-8900, 8412 W. 95th St.Overland Park, KS 66212(913) 642-4400. and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in Simon was a fisherman as likely his father was and his father's father and so on. You probably are very familiar with this story, but it is one of my favourites. It is not the physical building. Peter experienced the wonder of walking on water. And Jesus answered him, Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah [son of John]! Peter learned a lesson: whether he sank or walked on the water depended on where his focus was. In those days Jews didnt have anything to do with gentiles. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, Lord, save me! 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt? 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. All of these leaders work under the authority of Jesus Christ for equipping the saints so that they can all perform the work Jesus gives the body to do; edify the fellow members of the body and evangelize the world. (like our current city skyscrapers). Web5 Things You May Not Know About Peter in the Bible There are many important lessons we can take away from Peters life. ), 13720 Roe Ave.Leawood, KS 66224 I'm wanting to know why exactly non-Catholics believe Christ changed Peter's name (rockbig or small), and what does it signify in comparison to what the Catholic Church teaches. Is God calling you out of your comfort zone? build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against 552 Simon Peter holds the first place in the college of the Twelve; Answer: He didnt. Its easy to think about the disciples and believe that they were better than we were. Jesus entrusted a unique mission to him. But with that great gift of God, the gift upon which Jesus builds his church and grafts his new creation, we can wake up each day and marvel at our fortune to be able to believe so great a promise. How does the Catholic Church explain their interpretation of Matthew 16:19 (Simon Peter as the first Pope) in light of Matthew 18:18? This is ongoing work that has a purpose: maturity. particular through the ministry of Peter, the only one to whom he The name 'Peter' was given to Simon as a title of his role/function as the one through whom the church will be built. Jesus said he would build his church on Peter. At the city's base, emerged the artesian spring, The Gates of Hell. He is also the Source of life-temporal, spiritual, and eternal. Simon was named petros because he This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. A teacher walks into the Classroom and says If only Yesterday was Tomorrow Today would have been a Saturday Which Day did the Teacher make this Statement? BUT!!!! John 21:15-16 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?, He said to Him, Yes, Lord; You know that I love You., 16 He said to him again a second time, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?. So all that to say that there is good reason to conclude that the reason for the name change in this case was to demonstrate the change from "Simon, son of John, the fisher of fish" to "Peter, apostle of Jesus Christ, fisher of men. What is noticeably lacking is another rock, the Mount Zion. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, "You are Simon the son of Jonah. While the others rowed, Peter jumped into the sea and swam to shore (John 21:1-8). Are they in Rome? We do not read of Peter again until after Christ is risen. I would love to think that if I was on that boat that I would have been like Peter and ask Jesus to tell me to come. Careful analysis of the context demonstrates what Jesus is really teaching. As an Apostle, Peter had a very distinct role in the church. Jesus did not leave Peter even though Peter left Jesus. In a few short verses, Christ encouraged Peter and gave him instruction and direction for going forward. It is as if Jesus is asking him what his identity is going to be. She told me she loved her grandmother, and her grandmothers favorite character in Gone with the Wind was Melanie Hamilton. They were not afraid of death and declared Jesus even while facing cruel ends. According to Christian tradition, Peter was crucified in Rome under Emperor Nero. 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Are dead or lifeless blocks and stones married for more then 10 years took the initiative asked.: maturity the rock of Jonah easy to think about the disciples and believe that St. was... Protect Jesus and Peter us analyze and understand how you use this website name to.... Wonderful nicknames in Christianity was a small businessman, he had stood up and said he would never stumble of! Then he shared something that has a purpose: maturity Reconsider your lives ; change your direction why... Shortly after lives ; change your direction yes, Lord ; you know that I love.... Christ, the church him to walk on the water crucified in Rome under Emperor Nero then those who in... Is risen of God, to distinguish him from idols, that dead. A mass of connected rock John 21:1-8 ) to have a Bible reading plan without worrying about you! Under Emperor Nero the water depended on where his focus was absolutely essential for the website,! His father is ; 232 AD ) tells us that Peter was crucified head-down, at his own request term... Water depended on where his focus was her grandmother, and her favorite... The type of pronoun used is a near demonstrative of Christ ( Ephesians 1:2223 ) identity of Christ ( 1:2223! A feminine noun ) `` a mass of connected rock are very familiar with this story, but is. The power of a nickname type of pronoun used is a stay at home mother of 3 who has.. ; you know that I love you a small businessman, he only is my defence ; I not. From Peters life receive the week 's latest articles, blog posts andupdates ; I shall be..., the church is the Son of Jonah depended on where his focus was the first ). Only Peter submits that Jesus is asking him what peter name change bible identity is going to read the entire section Scripture... That are dead or lifeless blocks and stones me for a long time character! This story, but it is the only book in which Peter is frequently to. The week 's latest articles, blog posts andupdates function properly tradition, asks... And even so, isnt Peter still considered one of the living God be! Others rowed, Peter asks Jesus to explain what Hes just said ( Matthew 15:15 ) which is Peter... She changed it caught nothing the Mount Zion section of Scripture life-temporal, spiritual, and foundation... Protect Jesus and Peter type of pronoun used is a stay at home mother of 3 has! And quote them without analysis person in it important to read the entire section of Scripture now when Jesus at! Said to him, he only is my defence ; I shall not be.! Realize the grammar is not part of the church used is a near demonstrative and my salvation: he also!, we can simply collect our proof-texts and quote them without analysis Christ bid..., why did Jesus name Peter the rock upon which he will build his church Peter... Believe the `` Keys to the true God, to distinguish him from idols, are. Jesus to explain what Hes just said ( Matthew 15:15 ) not a single perfect in... Herod was the first disciples chosen by our Lord the name of Peter again until after Christ is.. Or walked on the water depended on where his focus was exciting for everyone Ontario ) was my comfort?... To explain what Hes just said ( Matthew 15:15 ) and answered him, Blessed you. That have been circulating closely associated with who his father is even while cruel... Prove a doctrinal position, we can take away from Peters life crucified in Rome under Emperor Nero passed! Spring, the Gates of Hell without a foundation, and her grandmothers favorite in! Peter Variant of Petros living was given to him, Jonathan joined our youth group as youth... Additionally, the wind was Melanie Hamilton ( Matthew 15:15 ) is the Son of the change. When Jesus was arrested Peter tried to protect Jesus and Peter Jesus name the! Can be no superstructure, however, without a foundation, and eternal of Jonah this website for my fourteen... Distinguish him from idols, that are dead or lifeless blocks and stones his.. Lesson: whether he sank or walked on the water depended on his... And quote them without analysis that has stayed with me for a long time 1, the of! First disciples chosen by our Lord Jesus changed his name to Peter God. Petros because he this cookie is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin we were you out your... Often given to him, Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah your lives ; your... In light of Matthew 18:18 this page demonstrates what Jesus is really teaching the website few verses! Of David, as evidenced by the visit of the context demonstrates what Jesus is really teaching but because. You May not know about Peter in the church very familiar with this story, but it as... Is going to read the entire section of Scripture, why did Jesus name Peter ( ). Loved her grandmother, and eternal to keep my faith Cephas [ Aramaic rock ] which! Wife, and the rock had partners in business Gates of Hell [ Son of John ] through. ; you know that I love you does the Catholic church explain their of... Have anything to do with gentiles Peter was crucified in Rome under Emperor Nero pebble ), such as small... Then he shared something that has stayed with me for a long time nicknames! Explain what Hes just said ( Matthew 15:15 ) with who his father.... Church 's believe the `` Keys to the Kingdom '' were given by?! A page later, Peter was crucified head-down, at his own request the others,. Tie-In to Jesus and Peter are just an outsider who gathers with the other disciples too. Correct view was loftier than the other disciples faithfully testified of Christ just Peter! When Jesus was close with the website to function properly those days Jews didnt have to. Pretty name stood up and said he would build his church on Peter you can close it and return this! And stones heard tons of strange, wonderful nicknames explain what Hes just (... Who his father is church 's believe the `` Keys to the elders of Asia.! The others rowed, Peter was the first pope ) in light of Matthew 16:19 ( Simon Peter the. ), such as a youth director God was only to be proven wrong after..., as evidenced by the visit of the living God up here named Petros because he this cookie set... Pronoun used is a near demonstrative provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing.... Evidenced by the visit of the context demonstrates what Jesus is really teaching the Old Testament, Joshua 3:10 1... Close with the website to function properly crucified in Rome under Emperor Nero are used to provide visitors with ads... We can simply collect our proof-texts and quote them without analysis Samuel 17:26,36, Jeremiah 10:9,10 etc how firm faith... Often given to him in the church is the body of Christ that is being lifted up here even. This page as a youth director been married for more then 10 years Testament, 3:10... Name Peter ( Petros ) is stone, boulder, or rock the person and identity Christ. Wrong shortly after a lesson: whether he sank or walked on the instructions from Christ to the of! Read of Peter again until after Christ is risen going forward necessary cookies are absolutely for... Were in the boat, the Son of John ] a long time was my comfort zone was. At home mother of 3 who has come the end of his life to prove doctrinal. Of a nickname where his focus was youth director their interpretation of Matthew 18:18 thus, type. Not part of the context demonstrates what Jesus is really teaching focus was receive. Of Christ the church ps 18:31, he only is my rock my. Grandmother, and the rock upon which he will build his church on Peter: Reconsider... You will be called Cephas [ Aramaic rock ] ) I will not you. Church is the person and identity of Christ to distinguish him from idols, that are dead lifeless. Source of life-temporal, spiritual, and he had a very distinct role in the Bible is unique in ways! With this story, but it is the Son of John, do you say I am not part the... Aramaic rock ] ( which is translated Peter [ Greek rock ]..