Our Text …
15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. 16 But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. 17 Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not. 18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself. 19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
“Simon Peter” … John used both his names in our Passage. A sad few verses where Peter denies the Lord!
When we first meet this man in John’s Gospel he is known as Simon. Andrew his brother is bringing him to Jesus! “He first findeth his own brother SIMON, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.” John 1:4, Simon his natural name, his birth name.
But very soon Jesus changes his name! “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.” John 1:42, where the Aramaic (Hebrew) name Cephas is (in meaning) identical to the Greek name “PETER.”
Simon, his old name. Peter, his “new” name!
This scenario is a “parable” or an “illustration” of a truth evident in each Christian’s life. He or she has “two natures.” One is the old nature (our flesh which is still with us) … the other is the “new man” (Paul calls it) … we are spiritually “born again,” with a “new nature” indeed! We all have a Simon side and a Peter side!
This may be best authenticated in Scripture by Paul’s amazing 7th chapter in the Book of Romans.
“15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:15-24, clearly an upward “pull” and a “downward” pull!
The solution to this dilemma … Romans chapter 8, the Holy Spirit of God! He helps me overcome the tendencies of the old nature and also helps me build the desires and inclinations of the new nature!
Wow!
How did I forget to say this in the video class?
One more thought …
Peter stood by the fires of the world and got into trouble. Paul counsels the younger Preacher Timothy to … “stir up” the gift of God that was in him! This verb means “KEEP THE FIRE ALIVE!” That’s the right fire to stand near, the fire of Holy Spirit fervor!
Watch the class today …
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Old Dr. M. R. DeHaan (a Bible teacher of yesteryear, long in Heaven now) used to say that when this Andrew’s brother is called “Simon” it’s an indication that he had been living under the influence of his old nature. And when the Lord calls Him Peter, his new nature was operating well! BUT WHEN HE WAS “SIMON PETER,” both the good and the bad were evident! Something to think about!
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