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Read Introduction to 2 Peter
 

“Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

 

Simon Peter

The authors of the New Testament epistles always sign their names at the beginning of their writings. In every New Testament Epistle, there are two basic landmarks: the writer and the addressee. First, we come to the writer, Peter. Peter was at once a slave and a follower of the Lord Jesus. This is all he says of himself, just those two things. These two ideas balance one another. Although Peter was an apostle, he was a slave to Jesus Christ.

“Simon” is the Greek spelling, and “Peter” is the Hebrew spelling. Simon is the name given to him at birth. Peter is the name given to him by Jesus. Peter did not use his name “Simon” in the first epistle. “Peter” is the Greek translation of “Cephas.” Jesus gave him the name “Peter.” “Peter” is the label most commonly used of him in the New Testament. The double representation “Simon Peter” may indicate that Peter writes to both Jews and Greeks.

Peter here uses both his names of Simon and Peter. Another name for Peter “Cephas” is an Aramaic word meaning” “stone.” Peter then became his new name when he became a believer.

John 1:42, And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said” “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” [translated as a stone].

Peter was Simon, the son of Jonah, that would be equivalent to Simon Johnson today.”

“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter‘ ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” (John 21:15).

We also know that Peter was married, for he had a mother-in-law (Mark 1:30).

PRINCIPLE:

We should not be afraid to identify ourselves with the Lord.

APPLICATION:

Invariably Peter identifies himself with Jesus Christ. It may make a good copy for the news to know where you stand regarding the great leaders of the day. However, that makes no impression on God whatever. What counts in God’s eyes is whether we identify with Christ. When you meet those without Christ, are you courageous enough to advertise who you are?

The question of your eternal destiny revolves around the question” “What do you think of Christ”?” Your answer to that question will determine your eternal destiny. The issue is not whether you are Protestant or Catholic. Denominations have nothing to do with salvation. The issue of your salvation revolves around your embracing Jesus as your Savior.”

“Saying’ ‘What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He? They said to Him “The Son David”‘ (Matthew 22:41).

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