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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Read it please …

10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? 12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, 13 And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. 14 Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

Class yesterday (it’s usually the next calendar day before I post the “I forgot to say” Article) discussed the wicked, apostate High Priest of Jesus’ Day! His lineage did much damage to the Cause of Christ. “Annas” means “humble” but he was not!

By why are names such as these, Annas and Caiaphas and Malchus, in this short Paragraph? I believe they add a touch of historicity to the Passage. God’s Word is accurate, infallible even, in every area it addresses, including local events. So, the Holy Spirit at times lets us verify the Text, if we so desire.

One commentator equated Peter’s sin of denial with Judas’ sin of betrayal. Personally, I disagree. Peter repented, but not Judas.

The “Caiaphas” Prophecy, mentioned in verse 14, was clearly meant as EVIL against Jesus. But God turned it into GOOD! That “Good” being our very salvation!

Recall Genesis 50:20 please. Jospeh is speaking to his brothers … “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”

Wow!

Peter, the essential sword we need as we pursue our Ministries is “the Sword of the Spirit!” Read Ephesians 6:17, Paul’s classic “whole armour of God” Passage.

Peter denied. But Jesus faithfully gave (before Pilate) a “good confession!” Notice 1 Timothy 6:13, an old Preacher to a young one … “I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession.”

Adam was “driven out” of the Garden of Eden, due to his sin, Genesis 3:24. Jesus was willingly “led out” of the Garden of Gethsemane, to obtain our eternal salvation!

I am particularly enjoying these John Lessons. And as always, you are invited to watch the whole video …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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Our Text …

“1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. 2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. 3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? 5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. 6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. 7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. 8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: 9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.”

Jesus is being arrested! One of the preludes to the Cross of Calvary, this Apprehension. One Preacher said: “In the Gospels (particularly John) the Cross is not an accident, it is the Goal!”

Here 600+ men fall backwards at the mention of the Name “I AM!” Compare that fact with Psalm 27:2 … “When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.”

And Psalm 35:4 … “Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.”

The Greek verb “to betray” is “paradidomi.” It grammatically mean’s “to hand over.” Judas handed Jesus over to the Pharisees! They handed Jesus over to the High Priest. He handed Jesus over to Pilate. Pilates handed Jesus over to Herod. Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate. Pilate handed Jesus over to the scourgers. They handed Jesus over to the executioners. But in reality, Jesus handed Himself over to Death, even the Death of the Cross! (“Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” John 10:17-18)

And truthfully, even John 3:16 has God the Father handing Jesus over to the whole wide world to come and die and thereby save its lost inhabitants. Yes, the verb “gave” in John 3:16 is that Greek verb “paradidomi!”

These two words … “I AM” … and one writer (commentator) broke out into song … “ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME!”

Remember that in the Gospel of John Jesus knows everything! He is omniscient! “Proof Texts” indicating such knowledge include … John 1:48, 2:24-25, and 5:6. Add then john 6:61, 7:28-29 and 8:14!

Oh, what a Saviour!

If you’d like, go to our YouTube channel and watch the class now.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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Actually, I think most of my material was taught in class. That happens occasionally.

But his I omitted …

Jesus the Great “I AM” (translating “EGO EIMI” particularly emphasized in John’s Gospel) speaks (in John 17:26) three closing words to His Father … “I IN THEM” in English, but “EGO EN AUTOS” in Greek! Either way, we know (intimately) Jesus God’s Son, His “EGO” at that. (His eternal EGO makes my little ego complete, fulfilled! “He is our life,” Paul preaches in Colossians 3:4.)

The John 17 Prayer ends with a meaningful “hina clause.” a Statement of Purpose. “Father, that (‘hina’ in Greek) the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Note this. The Upper Room elongated Sermon began way back in John chapter 13. Where another “hina clause” opens the whole Section … “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that (hina) he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.”

Both Clauses deal with Jesus’ disciples, those who believed on Him! Both these “Purposes” still today rest on our Lord’s Heart … where He is still praying them for us! Yes, from the Father’s Right Hand in Heaven! Our welfare, our “Peace!”

How’s this Word Picture (yet thrilling Reality) of our being made “perfect in one” in Jesus? (Quoting John 17:23.) He is the HEAD of the Church, with us being the body of the Church! (Head and body … organically made as one!)

Oh yes, one more thing …

Heaven is promised us Christians, from the very second we believe in Jesus. Yet Jesus still prays for the Promise to become Reality! (“That they may be with Me,” verse 24.) My point being that God loves it when we remind Him of His previous Words, His Promises!

Ezekiel 36:36-37 verbalizes what Jesus did here …

“Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the LORD have spoken it, and I WILL DO IT (PROMISE) will do it. Thus saith the Lord GOD; I WILL YET FOR THIS BE ENQUIRED OF (PRAYER) by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.”

Wow!

Now, watch the video if at all possible …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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I am captivated by the thought of Jesus praying, not only for His contemporary disciples, but also for believers to come! Our Lord certainly had faith in the growth of His Church!

If you recall, Jesus in Matthew 16:18 resolutely said “I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH!”Future saints!

And this Church (including those of us who been saved over the past few years), millennia after Jesus waked the earth … will be some day be … “glorious, not having spot or wrinkle, holy and without blemish!” Quoting Ephesians 5:27!

No wonder our Lord so earnestly prays for those who “shall believe” on Him!

In this 17th chapter we have Jesus praying as our Mediator to His Father. Obviously having our needs and burdens and trials on His Heart! This is a fulfillment of Bible typology. When Israel’s High Preist went into the Holy Place to commune with God … he wore an outer covering on his chest called a “breastplate.” On it were engraved (on twelve precious stones) the names of all the tribes of Israel! They were, so to speak, on his heart! Let’s then praise God for Jesus our great High Priest! Who wears us on His Heart, in His Heart!

I tried in the Lesson to depict this One-ness between the Father, Son, Holy Spirit … a Unity into which we Christians are invited to participate!

Here are some One-ness verses that might help to further illustrate. The Harmony that exists between believing Jews and gentiles, for example. “For he (Jesus) is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us (Jews and gentiles). Ephesians 2:14

Furthermore, Colossians 2:2 says that we Christians are to be “knit together in love!” Sounds pretty unified!

1 John 1:3 pictures this as well … “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

Wow!

EVERY BLESSING WE HAVE, EVERY POSSESSION WE ENJOY … IS A RESULT OF THE INTIMATE UNION WE HAVE WITH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST!

Now, if you can, watch the whole Lesson …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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