Gaining Spiritual Stability (Peter)

GracetoYou.org ^ | 1993 | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

[metmom]

The twelve apostles included "Simon, who is called Peter" (Matt. 10:2).

Jesus can make an impulsive and vacillating Christian as stable as a rock.

The first disciple Matthew's gospel names is "Simon, who is called Peter" (Matt. 10:2). He was a fisherman by trade but Jesus called him to be a fisher of men. John 1:40-42 records their first encounter: "One of the two who heard John [the Baptist] speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He found first his own brother Simon, and . . . brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, 'You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas' (which translated means Peter)."

"Peter" means "stone." "Cephas" is its Aramaic equivalent. By nature Simon tended to be impulsive and vacillating. Apparently Jesus named him Peter as a reminder of his future role in the church, which would require spiritual strength and stability. Whenever Peter acted like a man of strength, Jesus called him by his new name. When he sinned, Jesus called him by his old name (e.g., John 21:15-17). In the gospel of John, Peter is called "Simon Peter" seventeen times. Perhaps John knew Peter so well he realized he was always drifting somewhere between sinful Simon and spiritual Peter.

For the next few days we will see how Jesus worked with Peter to transform him into a true spiritual rock. It was an amazing transformation, but not unlike what He desires to do in every believer's life.

You might not have the same personality as Peter, but the Lord wants you to be a spiritual rock just the same. Peter himself wrote, "You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 2:5). That occurs as you "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:18). Make that your continual aim.

Suggestions for Prayer

List the areas of your Christian walk that are inconsistent or vacillating. Make them a matter of earnest prayer, asking God for wisdom and grace as you begin to strengthen them.

For Further Study

First Peter was written to Christians in danger of severe persecution. Read that epistle, noting the keys to spiritual stability that Peter gives.

[metmom]

Studying God’s Word ping

[KMG365]

I read this every time I see it on Free Republic, although I never comment. I appreciate you posting this. Thank you.

[metmom]

Thanks for your encouragement.

[MurphsLaw]

Well, just some thoughts to add...
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The twelve apostles included "Simon, who is called Peter" (Matt. 10:2)

St. Peter was actually thought of more than just being included….. The actual verse is:
2 And the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, ………
And about translations….

'You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas' (which translated means Peter)

The derivation of Cephas comes from the Aramaic – “Kephas” which truly means Rock. (Translated "Petros" in Greek- is where we get the anglicized "Peter" we say today)
And when Christ renamed him when he very FIRST met Peter, the Lord did so in not a meaningless “nick-name” sort of way….Christ did nothing that was meaningless……Christ gave Peter a position of preeminence among the Apostles, that would even rub St. Paul the wrong way later… And this name change for a Jewish man like Peter was made in the same way ie. Abram was to Abraham, Jacob was to Israel, etc. … but no jewish man was called “rock” before Kephas (Peter).

So what did Christ want from, or for, his “Kephas”…?

Christ told Peter “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matt. 16:19). Christ entrusted in Peter, and later the others, the authority that guides for the forgiveness of sins and the making of disciplinary rules fir huis Church he promised, as Christ was set to depart this world. Peter alone was promised something else also: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 16:19) After the Ressurrection, It was Peter alone who Christ asked his -3 times, “Do you love me?” Then Christ gave Peter the authority he earlier had promised: “Feed my sheep”. And Christ told Peter alone…. “satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail;… Jesus Christ tells us he prayed for the faith that Peter would not fail and would be an able guide for the others to follow....and we have tried.. “You are Kepha, and on this Kepha I will build my Church” (Matt. 16:18) ….. So keep in mind just how special Peter was to Christ……one of the 12 yes…..but much more as well…