This is a study of Jesus changing the name of Peter and others of His disciples. God also changed people's names, and so like father, like son. Name changing is a bid deal in the Bible.

1. JESUS WAS A NAME CHANGER
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
John 1:42 42And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus
lookedat him and said, "You are Simon son of John.
You will be calledCephas"(which, when translated, is
Peter).
Why did Jesus change Simonto Peter?
In the New Testament, Jesus changedSimon’s name, meaning "Godhas
heard," to “Peter,”meaning "rock" whenHe first calledhim as a disciple
(John 1:42). It was Peterwho declaredthat Jesus was "the Messiah, the Son
of the living God" (Matthew 16:16).
Question:"Why did Godsometimes change a person's name in the Bible?"
Answer: When Godchanged a person’s name and gave him a new name, it
was usually to establisha new identity. God changedAbram’s name, meaning
"high father," to “Abraham,” meaning "father of a multitude" (Genesis
17:5). At the same time, God changedAbraham's wife's name from “Sarai,”
meaning “my princess,” to “Sarah,” meaning “mother of nations” (Genesis
17:15). This name change took place when God gave Abraham the covenant of
circumcision. God also reaffirmed His promise to give Abraham a son,

2. specificallythrough Sarah, and told him to name his son Isaac, meaning
"laughter." Abraham had another son, Ishmael, through Sarah's
handmaiden, Hagar. But God's promise to bless the nations through
Abraham was to be fulfilled through Isaac's line, from whom Jesus descended
(Matthew 1:1–17;Luke 3:23–38). Isaac was the father of Jacob, who became
"Israel." His twelve sons formed the twelve tribes of Israel—the Jews. The
physical descendants ofAbraham and Sarahformed many nations. In a
spiritual sense, their descendants are even more numerous. Galatians 3:29
says that all who belong to Jesus Christ—Jew,Gentile, male, or female—are
"Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise."
God changedJacob’s name, which meant "supplanter," to “Israel,” meaning
“having powerwith God” (Genesis 32:28). This happened after Jacobhad
takenEsau's birthright (Genesis 25)and stolenEsau's blessing (Genesis 27),
fled from his brother to his uncle Laban (Genesis 28), married Leah and
Rachel(Genesis 29), fled from Laban (Genesis 31), and then wrestled with
God as he prepared to meet Esau. Jacobhad tricked his brother, been tricked
by his uncle, tricked his uncle (Genesis 30), and was now going through his
brother's territory to escape his angry uncle. He'd heard that Esauwas going
to come out and meet him and feared for his life. That night, Jacobwrestled
with a man, who later identified Himself as God and is considereda
theophany or perhaps a pre-incarnate Christ. Jacobheld on to the man until
he obtained a blessing. It was at this point that God changedhis name. No
longerwould Jacobbe a supplanter and trickster. Rather, he would be
identified as having "struggledwith God and with humans and . . . overcome"
(Genesis 32:28).
In the New Testament, Jesus changedSimon’s name, meaning "Godhas
heard," to “Peter,”meaning "rock" whenHe first calledhim as a disciple
(John 1:42). It was Peterwho declaredthat Jesus was "the Messiah, the Son
of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). Jesus replied to him as "Simon son of
Jonah," saying that he was blessedbecause GodrevealedJesus'identity as

3. Messiahto him. He then referred to him as "Peter" and said that Peter's
declarationwas the basis, or "rock," onwhich He would build His church
(Matthew 16:17–18). Peteris also often seenas the leaderof the apostles. Jesus
occasionallycalledPeter“Simon” at other times. Why? Probably because
Simon sometimes actedlike his old self instead of the rock God called him to
be. The same is true for Jacob. Godcontinued to call him “Jacob” to remind
him of his pastand to remind him to depend on God’s strength.
Why did God choose new names for some people? The Bible doesn’t give us
His reasons,but perhaps it was to let them know they were destined for a new
mission in life. The new name was a way to revealthe divine plan and also to
assure them that God’s plan would be fulfilled in them.
https://www.gotquestions.org/name-change.html
What does John 1:42 mean? [⇑ See verse text ⇑]
Andrew's response to just about everything is "bring it to Jesus."He has
already told his brother Simon that the man he's met is the "Messiah,"
meaning "The Anointed One." The Greek term is Christos, which eventually
became the English word "Christ." This is the fifth of John's sevennames of
Jesus in chapter 1. Jesus immediately tells Simon that he will have a new
name: "Cephas." This is actually an Aramaic word meaning "stone." In the
original Greek, Johntranslates Cephas as Petros, from which we getthe
English name "Peter." Peter's friends probably thought it was strange that
someone knownto be emotional and unstable was now going by the name
"Rock,"but he would eventually earn that title. Long before he'd done
anything worth noticing, Jesus could already see his potential, and gave him a
name worthy of his future. The Hebrew term bar literally means, "sonof," so
Simon Barjonahis literally "Simon, Sonof Jonah(or sonof John)."
https://www.bibleref.com/John/1/John-1-42.html

4. Why did Jesus change Simon's name to Cephas (Peter)in John 1:42...?
...if He had no intention of making Peterthe foundation of His Church? My
Catholic friend saidPeter was the rock referred to in Matthew 16:18. I also
read somewhere that the greatmajority of Westernscholars concurwith the
interpretation, that the "rock" was Peter, not Jesus himself or... show more
Peteris frequently given a primary role is many of the events of the New
Testament
Matthew 17:1-8 Peteris there when Jesus is transfigured on the mountain.
Also in LuKe 9:
Luke 22:8-10 Jesus sends Peterand John to prepare the room for the last
supper.
In John 20:3-8 Peterand the other disciple go to the tomb together, but the
other disciple lets Peterenter first.
In John 21:15-19 Jesus talks directly to Peter, indicating that Peteris the
leaderof the Apostles.
At PentecostPetermakes the speech.

5. As leader Peteris the one who addresses the Sanhedrin both times.
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Peterwas one of the earliestof Jesus’disciples, being led to Jesus by Andrew,
a disciple of John the Baptizer. (John 1:35-42)At this time Jesus gave him the
name Cephas (Peter) (John 1:42; Mr 3:16), and the name was likely
prophetic. Jesus, who was able to discern that Nathanaelwas a man “in whom
there is no deceit,” couldalso discern Peter’s makeup. Peter, indeed, displayed
rocklike qualities, especiallyafterJesus’death and resurrection, becoming a
strengthening influence on his fellow Christians.—John1:47, 48;2:25; Luke
22:32.
At Matthew 21:42-44 it shows that Jesus is the chief conner stone(rock),
because it was Jesus who was rejected, Peterwas like a rock when it came to
truth, un movable. Verses 42-44 show that Jesus was referring to himself, not
Peter. ) 42 Jesus saidto them: “DidYOU never read in the Scriptures, ‘The
stone that the builders rejectedis the one that has become the chief
cornerstone. FromJehovahthis has come to be, and it is marvelous in our
eyes’? 43 This is why I sayto YOU, The kingdom of God will be taken from
YOU and be given to a nation producing its fruits. 44 Also, the personfalling
upon this stone will be shattered. As for anyone upon whom it falls, it will
pulverize him.”
One thing you should consider is that the church was talking about a different
Peter) · According to "The Two Babylons", this is said: These celibate priest

6. have all a certain mark set upon them at their ordination; & that is the
clericaltonsure. The tonsure is the first part of the ceremony of ordination; &
it is held to be a most important element in connectionwith the orders of the
Romish clergy. Now as Rome setso much importance on this tonsure, let it be
askedwhatwas the meaning of it? It was the visible inauguration of those who
submitted to it as the priest of Bacchus(a pagangod). This tonsure cannot
have the slightestpretense of Christian authority. It is indeed the "tonsure of
Peter," but not of the Peterof Galilee, but of the Chaldean "Peter" ofthe
Mysteries. The Arabians acknowledgeno other gods than Bacchus &
Urania[ie, the Queenof Heaven](who priest were forbid to marry).
So again we find that the religious practice that is so common among the
clergyis nothing but of pagan origin.
Jesus renamedSimon, Peter(the rock), because he was the rock on which
future generations would learn to follow and acceptChrist. Rock has been an
acceptedfoundation for building since building was conceived. Christ
followers were born into belief in Christ because the disciples were believers,
and Peteris identified as part of the foundation.
It is simply used to distinguish him from any other Peteror Simon and to
recognize the before/afterthe name change that this is the same person. Jesus
did change his name from Simon to Peterso you have to think of it more as
Simon--->Peterrather than a full name.
BecausePeter(or Petra)means "rock" andJesus saidPeterwas the rock he
would build his church on. I've never really understood anybody arguing it.
Even protestant scholars agreePeterfounded the church. And why would
Jesus change Peter's name and then immediately say"On this rock I will
build my church" if he was talking about Himself?

7. Peteror Petros literally rock . BecauseSimon was stubborn and unmovable
like a rock. Jesus hada habit of changing peoples names to fit their
personality. Once we get to Heaven, it is statedin Revelationthat we will all
have a new name! Jesus continues to change names!!
First off, pray about it. You likely are, but this tends to be a 'my computer
doesn't work/Did you turn it on?" type of deal.
i dont know if ur a sensible personor a religious crazy, because the title of ur
question is a very valid issue, whereas the contentof what you say below
seems a bit doubtful. there is a very really question of whether simon was
really called kepha (cephas)and if so why. there is also a very really question
about what connectionsimon really had with the city of rome if any. since he
was a leaderof the judaizers, and since it seems unlikely that he would have
spokengreek, sending him to rome seems bizarre. and i am not sure that we
know of any jews bearing a nickname like kepha.
Peter/Cephas means stone...Jesus is the rock
2 Sam 47The LORD liveth; and blessedbe my rock;and exalted be the God of
the rock of my salvation.
3The God of Israel said, the Rock ofIsraelspake to me, He that ruleth over
men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
16And Simon Peteransweredand said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the
living God.
17And Jesus answeredand said unto him, Blessedart thou, Simon Barjona:
for flesh and blood hath not revealedit unto thee, but my Father which is in
heaven.

8. 18And I sayalso unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will
build my church; and the gates ofhell shall not prevail againstit.
19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and
whatsoeverthou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and
whatsoeverthou shalt loose onearth shall be loosedin heaven.
20Thenchargedhe his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus
the Christ.
All throughout the bible Jesus/Godis referred to as a rock;
Chief Cornerstone...<< 1 Corinthians 10 >>
King James Version
1Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our
fathers were under the cloud, and all passedthrough the sea;2And were all
baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;3And did all eat the same
spiritual meat; 4And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of
that spiritual Rock that followedthem: and that Rock was Christ.
Peterwas sent to the Jews, Paulto the Gentiles
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100529111144AAsChPC

9. God: the name changer
January29, 2013~ Kayode Adegbehingbe
Genesis 17:15: And Godsaidunto Abraham, As for Saraithy wife, thou shalt
not callher name Sarai, butSarahshallher name be.
In a number of occasions inthe bible we see Godchanging the names ofpeople.
The first one was the change inthe name ofAbram to Abraham (Genesis 17:1-
8).
Abram to Abraham
Godchangedthe name of Abraham to signify the change he is going to bring to
his life. Abram meant exaltedfather, while Abraham means fatherof many.
Thatnew name is linked with the determination of Godto do the impossible in
the life ofAbraham, which was to cause himto have a child with his very old
wife Sarah, andthrough that child be the fatherof many nations.
Firsthe was going to be the father of twelve nations in one, fromthe sons of
Jacobhis grandson. ThenthroughJesus he was going to be the father of
spiritual nations (fromvarious ethnic groups), whichconsistsofallthe nations
of the world. He is truly the father ofmany nations (Galatians3:6-9).
Saraito Sarah
As a womanwhose casewasallbut hopeless, she hadresignedherselfto her
state ofbarrenness. Atthe age ofabout90, whatelse wasshe supposedto do?
But the birth ofthe child was to be directly traceable to Godand not to her. In
that change ofname (to mother ofnations), Godwasdeclaring itbefore it
happened so that whenit happens there canonly be one cause ofit- the mighty
hand ofGod. She became the embodiment of the miracle which she carriedfor
nine months and thereafternursed.
Jacobto Israel

10. This was one ofthe mostremarkable changes ofname in the bible, as it is
linked with characterchange. Jacobwas a name derivedfrom how he emerged
from his mother’s womb. He came out secondas a twinwith his hand holding
the ankle ofthe firstborn, Esau(Genesis 25:20-26).
Thatname is connectedwithbeing a trickster, conniving. Thatcame to a head
both in the wayhe traded for the birthright ofEsauand whentogetherwith the
mum he beat the brother to the blessing from their aging father. He left the
same impressionin the house of Labanwhere he servedfor 20 years (Genesis
31).
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Israelmeans prince (Genesis32:28), whichis reflective ofroyalty, andhas to
do with a change from a life of struggle to a life of settledblessings.
Simon to Peter
This is anotherchange ofname standing as the testamentofthe transformation
work ofGod. Petermeans rock, pointing towards a distinctchange in
character(John1:42).
What Godwants is to transform lives, bringing change. The name changesare
either prophetic in mature, specificallyregarding whatGodwill do, orthey
have to do with characterredefinition.
Many people have personalityissues like JacobandPeter, whichdescribes who
they are. It may not be basedon a biological name (onthe birth certificate) but
a characterone.
Godis committed to changing the characterofpeople. There is no hopeless
situation character-wise; allcango throughthe process ofconversion. Change
canhappen in the core ofour being.
Paulhad whatcanbe calleda quintessential conversion. He once described
himself as a violent man, a murderer but he later became a source ofthe
messageoflife to others (1Timothy1:12-17).

11. There are instances whenGod, insteadofwaiting fora name to be given and he
changes italong the line; (according to biblical tradition, it is the father who
names the child), Godreveals suchprophetic names to the fathers because of
the importance of prophetically channeling the destiny of the child right from
the wordgo; forexample Samson, Jesus, Johnthe Baptistetc.
Godis interestedin your prophetic destiny and though you may not have a
name deliveredby an angel, realisethatyoustill have a potently significant
prophetic destiny. There is a will of Godfor you to fulfill onthe earth
(Ephesians 2:10), it’s beyondyour nomenclature, it is your spiritual definition
basedonyour alignment with your destiny under God.
There are various names that we bearin the New Testament; one ofitis being a
child of God(John1:12). Thatis a spiritual definition, that is the guaranteedof
a functional relationship with God, andwe are calledby his name, Christ-ians
(Acts 11:26).
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Thatwe are new creatures (2Corinthians 5:17) is anotherformof spiritual
definition, and the meaning is that old things are passedawayandthe newness
obtained from the resurrectionofJesus is now made available to us (Romans
6:4).
Following this legacyofprophetic re-definition, Jesus promisedthose who
overcome a new name that only they themselves wouldknow onthe day of
resurrection, whenJesusChristcomes back (Revelation2:17).
We should be carefulto only callourselves whatGodhas calledus. Ata time
when I was in depression, Iusedto callmyself a dead dog. Idon’t know if you
callyourselfby a similar name now, but stop. You don’t have the right (read

12. my lips) to callyourself by anything other than Godhas calledyou, purpose,
character, destinyand selfdefinition-wise. Itis disrespectful to your maker.
The head and not the tail (Deuteronomy28:13, 44) is yourname and that
should form the fulcrum ofyour perceptionofyourself and your approachto
life.
There was a man who thought he was a nobody, but God through an angel
came to him telling him about a re-definition ofhimself; that man was Gideon
(Judges 6:11-21). Godcalledhim a mighty man ofvalour, not basedonwhere
he was but basedonhis prophetic destiny, which Godwas wellaware of. What
Godcalls him became a prophetic precursorfor him to experience change into
a mighty man ofvalour indeed.
The callof Godto the fivefold ministry is also a naming. Paul, manytimes said
that Godcalls him to be apostle. Thatis a functional position and not a just a
label. He manifests that same calling to suchan extent that he eventually had
the reputation of turning the world upside down for the gospel.
His “name” was changedfrompersecutorto apostle. Godalsowants to bring a
change into your life in that manner, since he is the name changer.
He changedthe name ofthe children ofIsraelfrom slaves (inEgypt) to a
formidable nation by the strengthof his hand. It doesn’tmatter how bad
things are now, there is a grace ofGod, his divine ability that would deliver the
change youwant to you. It is not in the nature ofGodto watchas things
deteriorate, he is willing and ready to bring his hand ofchange to bearon
people and situations eventually.
Hannah experiencedthe name-changing God(1Samuel1:1-2:11, 18-21). Once
she was a barren womanbut laterhad her name changedby Godinto mother
of six. Afterwards she sang a song inpraise of the Godwho changes names,
bringing suchradicalchange thatcanonly be attributed to him.
https://dailymedit.wordpress.com/2013/01/29/god-the-name-changer/

13. Simon, Cephas, Petros, Petra
What's in a name?
Simon, son of Jona, was a fisherman of Galilee. It is by the name of Simon
that Jesus talks to the apostle through the scriptures. There are three events
where there are exceptions to the use of his name. Let's look at the three
exceptions and a fourth reference to wrap it all up.
Prophetic Naming
Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus for the first time.
John 1:42 At that time Jesus said:Thou art Simon the son of Jona:thou shalt
be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
This is the Greek form of the Aramaic word for stone;not a small stone nor a
big stone, just a stone. This is the very first time that Simon sees Jesus. He
never heard him preach, teachor do any miracles before this moment. When
Jesus saw Simon he gave him a prophetic name which would reflect a
fulfillment of God's plan for him. Three future acts by Simon that would set
him apart for a specialministry. There are only two times recordedin
scripture where Jesus calls Simonby the name of Peter.
Confession
The first of two times that Jesus refers to Simon by the name of Peter.
Matthew 16.16 And Simon Peter answeredand said, Thou art the Christ, the
Son of the living God.
Understand that Simon saying that Jesus is the Christ is not the full
revelation. Andrew knew that Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ, when he
went to get Simon his brother. They followedJesus becausethey believed he
was the Christ. What setthem apart from the rest of the people who would
follow Jesus is the understanding that Jesus is also "the son of the living
God."

14. Matthew 16.17 And Jesus answeredand said unto him, Blessedart thou,
Simon Barjona:for flesh and blood hath not revealedit unto thee, but my
Father which is in heaven.
This is the revelation, that Jesus was the Son of the living God, that made the
difference from all previous "Christs(?)" that came upon the scene during
those days. It is the "blasphemy(?)" that gave the Sanhedrin its excuse to have
Jesus crucified.
Another prophetic naming...
Matthew 16.18 And I sayalso unto thee, That thou art Peter(Petros), and
upon this rock (petra) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not
prevail againstit.
At this point Jesus uses the Greek word for a small rock (Petros)and for a
large rock (petra) insteadof the Aramaic based Cephas (a stone). This was by
design. It is the Petros (the man) declaring the petra (the foundational belief
of the Christian Church). It is this belief that Jesus is the Christ and the Son
of the living God that will stand againsthell and gain salvation. Everything
rests on these two points.
Promise to Peter...
Matthew 16.19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven:
and whatsoeverthou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:and
whatsoeverthou shalt loose onearth shall be loosedin heaven.
Here is his future ministry: binding and loosening. There is mention in
scripture that whateveryou forgive a man will be forgiven and that which you
retain againsta man will be retained (John 20.21-23). This is one example of
using the keys of the kingdom. It is the most important of the uses. It is the
ministry of forgiveness and restoration. The first unique opportunity to do
this is done to Simon. It is the main ministry of the church.
Denial

15. Now we come to the night that Jesus is going to be betrayed. At the last supper
Jesus prepares Simon for his part in the night and a future fulfillment of his
promise.
Luke 22.31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satanhath desired to
have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that
thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthenthy brethren.
Then comes the secondof two times Jesus refers to Simon with the Greek
Petros.
Luke 22:33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into
prison, and to death. 34And he said, I tell thee, Peter(Petros), the cock shall
not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowestme.
We know that Simon did deny Jesus three times that evening. What was he
denying? That he knew who Jesus was... thus denying that Jesus is the Christ,
the Sonof the Living God. He rejectedthe petra, the foundational belief of the
church, out of fear. Bravery in a secludedfield among friends was replacedby
cowardice ona cold night among the enemies of Jesus. All eleventasted this
fear. Not one came forward as witness for Jesus. Whattorment of soul as they
saw him suffer at the hands of his foes? Whatguilt they must have felt after
they saw Jesus die on the cross?
That is the confessionand denial of Peter.
Restoration
We know that Jesus rose three days later. He visited the disciples Sunday
evening. He was with them for many days. Yet things were still not quite right
betweenSimon and Jesus. The next thing to happen is... Jesus restores Simon
John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saithto Simon Peter, Simon, sonof
Jonas, lovestthou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou
knowestthat I love thee. He saith unto him, Feedmy lambs. 16He saith to him
againthe secondtime, Simon, son of Jonas, lovestthou me? He saith unto
him, Yea, Lord; thou knowestthat I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my
sheep. 17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovestthou

16. me? Peterwas grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovestthou
me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowestall things; thou knowestthat I
love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feedmy sheep.
Three times Simon denied knowing Jesus...three times broke faith with the
"petra" revelation. It is at this time that Jesus gives Simon the opportunity
three times to renew his confession. How does he do that? By asking Simon if
he loves him. With eachconfessionby Simon of his love for Jesus, Jesus tells
Simon to feed my lambs. To feed those lambs with the truth... that Jesus is the
Christ, the Son of the living God. Everything else in the gospels restupon that
truth.
Then come the fate-filled words that Simon longed to hear... follow me.
Summation
Though Jesus usedthe name Simon in friendly situations he used the name
Peterwhen emphasizing the confessionand againfor the denial. It is amazing
that Simon adopts the name Peterto keepthe confessionand denial foremost.
That he is restoredas Simon by Jesus afterwardis the mark of forgiveness
and restoration. It is Simon's testimony. It is his ministry: Acts 2, to the Jew
first and Acts 10, to the Gentile world second.
author: JosephRaymond
Why does Paul call Peter“Cephas” in his writings?
In John 1:42 Jesus calledPeteras Cephas.
Jesus lookedathim and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called
Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).
But throughout the Gospels, Peterwas calledas Peterand his books also
calledin his name I Peterand II Peter.

17. But why did Paul call Peter, Cephas (Galatians 2:7-14, I Cor. 1:11-13, I Cor.
3:21, I Cor. 9:5 and I Cor. 15:5)? In some occasionshe also calls him as Peter.
When I askedmy mom, she saidPaul was rebuking Peterin the name Cephas.
Is this true? Or is calling Peteras Cephas normal?
At times, Paul and Peterhad disagreements as in Galatians 2:11-16:
11 When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposedhim to his face, because he stood
condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he used to eatwith
the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he beganto draw back and separate
himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belongedto the
circumcisiongroup. 13 The other Jews joinedhim in his hypocrisy, so that by
their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. 14 When I saw that they were
not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I saidto Cephas in front of them
all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it,
then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewishcustoms?
15 “We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles 16 know that a personis
not justified by the works ofthe law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too,
have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ
and not by the works of the law, because by the works ofthe law no one will
be justified.
How was their relationship as fellow apostles?
paul-apostle peter
A goodquestion, and an important one. Was Peterin the confrontation the
same as the man Paul habitually addressedas Cephas, orKephas – Waeshael
Jun 22 '13 at 21:49
Petermeans "stone" in Greek, while Cephas is "stone" in Aramaic.
That verse is confusing in the NIV; the KJV is clearer:

18. John 1:42 (KJV) 42And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheldhim,
he said, Thou art Simon the sonof Jona:thou shalt be called Cephas, which is
by interpretation, A stone.
Christ was speaking in Aramaic, and would have calledSimon "Cephas."
John wrote his gospelin Greek, so he included the note for his readers that
"Cephas" meant"a stone."
Brian Koser
I've always beentaught that in Matthew "...Peter, andupon this rock..." has
two different words for Peterand rock, the former meaning stone and the
latter referring to rock, something bigger. Have others been taught this? –
Mirror318 Nov 29 '13 at 7:47
@Mirror318 Theyare slightly different, Petros (masculine) and petra
(feminine) for the man and that whereupon the Church is built respectively.
But that's due to peculiarities of Greek grammar, and any attempt to say
"Peterwas'tthe rock" is very difficult to maintain. – lonesomedayFeb6 '14
at 8:27
This is a very easyquestion to answer, and I'm not sure why the obvious
hasn't been clearly enough stated:Πέτρος (Petros)is simply Greek (naturally,
because the New Testamentwas written in Greek)for the name Jesus actually
gave him in Aramaic: ‫אפיכ‬ (Kefa—Rock).
In Greek, Kepha is transliterated (not translated)as Κηφᾶς (Kephas—a
representationof the Aramaic name with the necessaryGreek grammar
'salting'), but is sometimes translatedinto the Greek, and so you see Πέτρος
(Petros—the equivalent of ‫אפיכ‬ in Greek;Rock, Stone).

19. St. Paul might have used kepha to emphasize St. Peter's role (as his name
signifies)as the Rock or leaderof the Church (such as emphasizing that he
had to even rebuke the 'Rock'of the Church, when it was called for).
We see that Jesus, whenHe first called Peter(not later in His ministry is he
given the new name, as is a common misconception)to be His disciple, gave
him a new name. As we know from Scripture, this always signifies a new role
or significance for the person: e.g. Abram (high father) to Abraham (father of
many).
John 1:41
He findeth first his brother Simon, and saith to him: We have found the
Messiah, whichis, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus.
And Jesus looking upon him, said: Thou art Simon the sonof Jona: thou shalt
be called Cephas [still a Greek transliteration of Aramaic Kepha], which is
interpreted Peter[i.e. which in the Greek in which this is written, is Petros].
Then later, Jesus reveals the reasonbehind the name change:
Matthew 16:16-19
Simon Peteransweredand said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.
And Jesus answering, saidto him: Blessedart thou, Simon Bar-Jona [Ar. for
'Simon, son of John']: because fleshand blood hath not revealedit to thee, but
my Fatherwho is in heaven. And I sayto thee: That thou art Peter[Petros*];
and upon this rock [petra*] I will build my church, and the gates ofhell shall
not prevail againstit. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of
heaven. And whatsoeverthou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in
heaven: and whatsoeverthou shalt loose onearth, it shall be loosedalso in
heaven.
* A name for a man cannot be the bare (feminine) word for rock in Greek
(Petra) and so is made into a masculine name form: Petros. It has nothing to
do with a big rock and a small rock;such is nonsense and destroys the
grammaticalconnectionof 'this' with 'rock'—'Thouart Peter. And in other
news, something nothing to do with little rocks, upon this huge cliff I will
build by Church.'

20. He is making Peter the 'rock' upon which His Church is built in the sense that
He is entrusting him with the authority of 'steward'in His Kingdom of
Heaven on earth. In saying what He does the way He does He harkens back to
a passagein Isaiah where the same language is used of Eliakim:
Isaiah22:20:-23
And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servantEliakim the
son of Helcias, and I will clothe him with thy robe, and will strengthenhim
with thy girdle, and will give thy powerinto his hand: and he shall be as a
father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Juda. And I will lay
the keyof the house of David upon his shoulder: and he shall open, and none
shall shut: and he shall shut, and none shall open. And I will fasten him as a
peg in a sure place, and he shall be for a throne of glory to the house of his
father.
This investment with authority (seenthroughout Acts etc) is the sense in
which Peter, the exemplar in the professionof the Faith in Christ as Messiah
and Lord, the Son of the Highest, is the 'rock'of the Church. The hinge
around which the unity of Faith is justly pivoted, per its institution this why
by the Lord Jesus Himself.
St. Paul clearedup any disputes he had with St. Peteras we see in Acts 15.
Maybe Paul calls Peter(Greek)Cephas (Aramaic) because his actions in Gal 2
denote an Old Testamentmindset regarding Gentiles?
Let me start by saying that in v6-9 PeterJames and John recognises Paul's
gift and anointing in reaching out to the Gentiles. In other words they
recognize that Salvation through the Gospelis for gentiles too.
Paul notes that Peterhad no problem dining with the gentiles until "certain"
Jews from Jerusalemcame to visit him in Antioch at which point he began to
disassociatehimself from gentiles. Paulnotes that these "certain" Jewswere
"pro-circumcision" (no circumcicion;no salvation). What makes this

21. especiallybad is that they are men of influence and other Christians started
doing the same thing - even Barnabas who was with Paul a long time.
Paul's contention with Peteris that he (Peter)was not acting in consistency
with the truth of what he knows in the Gospel(salvationis for everyone and
not just the circumcised). Since Peterwas one of the 3 disciples closesto Jesus
I guess it was assumedthat Petershould have knownbetter. (If Paul who was
not one of the 12 disciples understood this then surely Peterwould understand
it more) and even more so that in v6-9 Peter, James and John understands the
need to bring gentiles into the fold.
So the way I see it; Paul is using the old schoolname Cephas because ofthe
old schoolwayof thinking especiallyafter recognizing that reaching out to the
gentiles is important and being influential men, they have causedother
christians to avoid gentiles too. The effects of v11-14 seemto take awaywhat
they did in v6-9
This use of differing names is an interesting study and similar to Jacob/Israel
name change and name use in the OT (howeverI am unable to find out why
Jacobwas usedafter the name change).
Just my 2 cents anyway
I believe possibly he chose to call PeterCephas because he was identifying
both the church and the personPeterwho was jewish and Church.
One lessonmight be. We, both as God's children and as members of the
church should not disallow what God has allowed. Jesus wouldcall him
(fallible: Simon Peter)as (Peter: positionally correctand one of the 12
apostles, and(Cephas: Jewishand Church).
I could be wrong and can't wait to find out from the man himself. Hope this
helps. :)
Thou art Peter(ou ei Petrov). Christ responds to Peter's emphatic thou with
another, equally emphatic. Peter says, "Thouart the Christ." Christ replies,
"Thou art Peter." Petrov(Peter)is used as a proper name, but without losing

22. its meaning as a common noun. The name was bestowedonSimon at his first
interview with Jesus (John i. 42) under the form of its Aramaic equivalent,
Cephas. In this passage attentionis called, not to the giving of the name, but to
its meaning. In classicalGreekthe word means a piece of rock, as in Homer,
of Ajax throwing a stone at Hector ("Iliad," vii. 270), or of Patroclus grasping
and hiding in his hand a jaggedstone ("Iliad," xvi. 734).
On this rock (epi tauth th petra). The word is feminine, and mean a rock, as
distinguished from a stone or a fragment of rock (petrov, above).
Used of a ledge of rocks ora rocky peak. In Homer ("Odyssey," ix. 243), the
rock (petrhn) which Polyphemus places atthe door of his cavern, is a mass
which two-and-twenty wagons couldnot remove; and the rock which he
hurled at the retreating ships of Ulysses, createdby its fall a wave in the sea
which drove the ships back towardthe land ("Odyssey," ix. 484). The word
refers neither to Christ as a rock, but to Peterhimself, in a sense defined by
his previous confession, and as enlightened by the "Fatherin Heaven."
The reference ofpetra to Christ is forced and unnatural. The obvious
reference of the word is to Peter. The emphatic this naturally refers to the
nearestantecedent;and besides, the metaphor is thus weakened, since Christ
appears here, not as the foundation, but as the architect:"On this rock will I
build." Again, Christ is the greatfoundation, the "chiefcorner-stone," but the
New Testamentwriters recognize no impropriety in applying to the members
of Christ's church certain terms which are applied to him. For instance, Peter
himself (1 Pet. ii. 4), calls Christ a living stone, and, in ver. 5, addresses the
church as living stones. In Apoc. xxi. 14, the names of the twelve apostles
appear in the twelve foundation-stones of the heavenly city; and in Eph. ii. 20,
it is said, "Ye are built upon the foundation of the apostles andprophets (i.e.,
laid by the apostles andprophets), Jesus Christhimself being the chief corner-
stone."
Equally untenable is the explanation which refers petra to Simon's confession.
Both the play upon the words and the natural reading of the passage are
againstit, and besides, it does not conform to the fact, since the church is
built, not on confessions, but on confessors - living men. "The word petra,"

23. says Edersheim, "was usedin the same sense in Rabbinic language. According
to the Rabbins, when God was about to build his world, he could not rear it on
the generationof Enos, nor on that of the flood, who brought destruction upon
the world; but when he beheld that Abraham would arise in the future, he
said: 'Behold, I have found a rock to build on it, and to found the world,'
whence, also, Abraham is calleda rock, as it is said: 'Look unto the rock
whence ye are hewn.' The parallelbetweenAbraham and Petermight be
carried even further. If, from a misunderstanding of the Lord's promise to
Peter, later Christian legend representedthe apostle as sitting at the gate of
heaven, Jewishlegend represents Abraham as sitting at the gate of Gehenna,
so as to prevent all who had the sealof circumcision from falling into its
abyss" ("Life and Times of Jesus").
The reference to Simon himself is confirmed by the actual relation of Peterto
the early church, to the Jewishportion of which he was a foundation-stone.
See Acts, i. 15;ii. 14, 37; iii. 13;iv. 8; v. 15, 29;ix. 34, 40; x. 25, 26;Gal. i. 18.
Source(s): http://www.godrules.net/library/vincent/...
Welcome to C.SE. This is good(I like the sourcing). When you getthe chance,
please check outour tour and specificallyHow we are different than other
sites. – Affable Geek Feb12 '14 at 15:49
add a comment
0
It seems to me that there are two reasons forname change. One, I infer, is the
entire alteration of the souland therefore the name as we'll to symbolize new
life, like Saul to Paul. Another, seems to me, to be a change of role in
situations like Jacobto Israeland Simon to Peter/Cephas. I am 17 and still
studying, but from what I have read today this appears to make the most
sense to me. As a Catholic, I believe Peter was calledto the role of "rock" for

24. Christ's church. Seeing how large a role that is I could definitely interpret it
as a rock of his bishopricol church and his confirmed name. Just as Jesus
loves and respects his mother, yet refers to her as woman when she is acting in
her human role of woman, it could be this same distinction of role, rather than
a degrading of the person referenced. I don't know if this helps, but it's my
best inference:) Happy Sunday!
This answerwould be a lot better if you could add references showing that
this is a common understanding, and who teaches/believes it. On this site,
we're not looking for personalinterpretation, but rather focusing on what
various Christian groups teach. See How we are different than other sites?
and What makes a goodsupported answer? – David Stratton Feb 2 '14 at
21:56
Name changes probably do accompanycharacteror role changes, but in this
case Peterand Cephas mean the same thing: rock. So why does Paul use the
Aramaic version in some of his letters? – curiousdannii May 31 '14 at 13:24
add a comment
-1
In 1 Cor 15 v.4-5,why does Paul saythat after his resurrectionChrist, "was
seenof Cephas, then of the twelve.." Firstly it suggests thatCephas might
have been one of the 70 disciples, rather than Peterthe Apostle; secondlyit
omits the two Marys mentioned as the first to see the risen Christ in Matthew
28 v 1-10?
Welcome to Christianity.SE. We're generally looking for a little more than
this in answers. I see how this is related, but it doesn't really resolve the
question. Would you considerediting to expand this to fully address the

25. original question? You might find What makes a goodsupported answer? a
helpful reference. – Caleb♦ Aug 15 '13 at 8:03
1
Rather, it probably means "first seento Peter, then to the rest of the twelve."
– John Peyton Aug 15 '13 at 15:06
https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/7188/why-does-paul-call-
peter-cephas-in-his-writings
What's in a name?
John 1:42, Matthew 16:18
2 August 2009
WoodleyBaptist Church
Morning service
Introduction
An easyquestion to start: does anyone know who Harry Webb is [Cliff
Richard]? ReginaldDwight [Elton John]? Florian Cloud de Bounevialle
Armstrong [Dido]? Jennifer Anastassakis[JenniferAniston]? Maurice
Micklewhite [MichaelCaine]?
In celebrity life, a name change seems to be more the rule than the exception.
People's names matter — your name is your identity, and you want that
identity to be right. So up and coming celebrities will choose themselves names
that suit their aspirations.
This morning we will be looking at some name changes, but our case is a bit
different. In our case eachname is chosenand given by God.

26. A name change is significant
It's wellknown that people's names are often important in the Bible. So when
Adam calls his wife Eve, it's significantand we should pay attention. When
Rebekahgives birth to twins and names one of them Jacob, Deceiver, it's
significant. Or when Isiah names his son Maher-shalal-hashbaz, there is a
goodreasonfor it. And when Hosea's waywardwife bears a son and the Lord
says to name him Lo-ammi, Not My People, a heart-wrenching point is being
made.
So we should be interestedin people's names in the Bible. And we should be
especiallyinterestedwhen people's names are changed, because it is always
very significant.
For example, we find Abram and Sarairenamed Abraham and Sarahright
after God renews his covenantwith them, to make Abraham the father of a
multitude of nations.
We find Jacobrenamed Israelright after he had spent a night wrestling with
God. He encounteredGod, and as a result God changedhis name. He was no
longerJacobthe deceiver, but Israel, the one who wrestles with God.
And when in Hosea, his son Lo-ammi, Notmy People, is renamed by God,
You are my People, it signals a turning point in the book, and in relationship
with God.
It works the other way as well. The Babylonians understood very well the
significance ofnames. So when they came and conquered Jerusalemand took
its people into captivity they were carefulto change their names as well, so as
to completely cut off their former identities. We see this at the beginning of
the book of Daniel. Daniel, meaning God is my Judge, is renamed
Belteshazzarwhich honoured the pagangod Bel, instead of Israel's God. And
the same went for his three friends: Hananiah was renamed Shadrach;
Mishael, Meshach;and Azariah, Abednego.
So name changes in the Bible always mark very significant events, and often
flag up big changes in relationship with God.

27. Perhaps the nearestanalogywe have today is with marriage, when it's still
customary, at leastin English speaking countries, fora woman to change her
surname to that of her husband.
Whateveryou think of the patriarchal and practicalimplications of that, it
does mark a very significant event. The change of name is a very public
statementof a change of relationship, a commitment to a new life. The old
single life is put behind; the new name marks the start of a new joint life.
In the same way, when God changes people's names in the Bible, it marks the
start of a new relationship, or a new phase in relationship with him.
A name change for Simon
So, in view of all this, what are we to make of our text in John chapter 1?
Jesus lookedathim and said, You are Simon son of John. You will be called
Cephas (which, when translated, is Peter).ref
Andrew, Simon's brother has just met Jesus, andthe first thing he does is to
find Simon and tell him "We have found the Messiah". And he brought him
to Jesus.ref
And the first thing Jesus does is to change Simon's name: "You will be called
Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter).ref
This is all a bit baffling until we remember that Jesus and his disciples spoke
Aramaic, but when the Gospels were written down, they were written in
Greek. And of course, we read them in English. So John gives us both the
Aramaic and Greek forms of the name. The Aramaic word "Kepha" and the
Greek "Petros"(whichwe anglicise as "Peter")both mean "Rock".
Jesus is saying to Simon sonof John: I am changing your name. From now on
you will be calledRock. Or"Rocky" if you must.
But we must understand that this is more than simply a nickname. Jesus isn't
saying to Peter, "Oh, I've got anotherdisciple called Simon in mind. I'll tell
you what, let's call you Peterso we don't all get confused." There was another

28. disciple calledSimon — Simon the Zealot — but that's not why Jesus
renamed Simon sonof John.
We cansee that in the reading from Matthew chapter 16 where Jesus re-
confirms the renaming of Peter: I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock
I will build my churchref.
Peterwill be a rock not only by name, but by nature as well. He will be
foundational in the church that Jesus is planning build.
When Jesus renames Simon it's not simply a nickname. Simon has met God
face to face, and God did what God does:he changedhis name. As Peterhe
now has a new relationship and a new purpose in his life.
So, what was "Rocky"about Peter? Whatdid Jesus see in him that prompted
him to call him a rock?
Well, frankly speaking, Peterisn't portrayed as very solid at all in the gospels.
Over the next few weeks we're going to looking at a few episodes from Peter's
life. Next week we'lllook at the the occasionwhenhe tries to walk on waterat
Jesus'bidding, and he begins to sink, crying Lord, save me!. I guess he didn't
exactly sink like a rock, but it's not exactlya solid performance, is it?
Then we'll be looking at the passagein Matthew 16 that I read earlier,
straight after which Jesus turns to him and says "Getbehind me, Satan! You
are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but
the things of men"ref.
Peterhas deeply misunderstood Jesus'plan to die, and tries to argue him out
of it. So here Peteris not so much like a foundational rock, but a stumbling
block to Jesus.
Again, the week afterthat we will find Peterdenying Jesus just before his
death. Three times he told a blatant lie, he calleddown curses on himself and
he swore to them, "I don't know the man"ref. But it wasn'tthe lies that
mattered so much as his betrayal of his friend and his Lord: abandoning him
at the last. Some rock.

29. In other episodes we find Peterconstantly falling asleepin the Garden of
Gethsemane as Jesus prays his heart out. We find him babbling with fright at
the transfiguration. We find him rebuked by Jesus for cutting off someone's
ear with a sword. And so on and so on.
After a while you might begin to think that Jesus was being a bit ironic when
he named PeterRocky. Something like Eddie the Eagle Edwards, if you
remember him: Britain's favourite ski-jumper who did anything but soarlike
an eagle.
What did Jesus see in Peter? Knowing that all this was to come, what was it
that prompted Jesus to declare Petera rock?
Well, the passagein Matthew 16 is key. Despite all his human failings, Jesus
could make Peter rock-like becausehe knew and trusted one thing. When
Jesus askedhis disciples "who do you sayI am?", Simon Peteranswered,
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God".ref
And it is this statementthat prompts Jesus'famous words, you are Peter, and
on this rock I will build my churchref.
Humanly speaking, Peterwas far from solid. But he did have one solid,
unshakeable belief: that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. That
was enough. With that foundation Jesus knew that he could build on Petera
church that would shake the world.
So when Jesus first met Simon, he knew what was coming. He knew exactly
what kind of man Simon was. Yet he named him Peter, the Rock, a name
which has stuck for two thousand years.
It's highly significant that Jesus did this when he first met Peter. Peterdid not
earn this name for himself, but Jesus first gave him the name, and then gave
him the ability to live up to it.
And that's how he always deals with us. Jesus always takesthe initiative. we
never deserve what he gives us. But it doesn't stop him giving. That's what
grace means:God's goodness to undeserving people.
A new name, a new start

30. A question to finish: Do you ever wish you had a new name?
Do you sometimes long for a completely new start? A new identity in which all
your failings and disappointments and bad circumstances are left behind and
you canstart again with a cleanslate?
Sometimes a complete change of identity might seemlike the only way out.
For someone with huge debt, or a criminal record, or whose misdeeds have
been spread all over the Internet, leaving the old name and the old life behind
might seemvery attractive. Moving on without any consequences. A new
name and a new start. It happens all the time in crime thrillers, doesn't it:
fake passports, fake ID, an anonymous life.
But not many of us, I guess, are in the position where we feel we need to do
something so drastic. How wrong we are.
Because, ofcourse, Godhas a record. He has a list of our debts. He sees and
knows every misdeed, every unclean thought in our minds and hearts. And
they are all in his book againstour names, waiting to be read out in
judgement againstus on the lastday.
How can we escape?If only we could have a new name! We need to appear
before God with a new name so that when God turns to the page, he doesn't
find all the old junk filed againstour old name, he finds the page blank with
no charge againstus. A cleanrecord; the old record againstus lostforever.
It's fanciful; it's unjust; frankly it's clutching at straws. But this is exactly
what Jesus promises us.
In the book of Revelation, in its unique symbolic language, Jesus says this:To
him who overcomes... Iwill give a white stone with a new name written on it,
known only to him who receives itref.
In the ancient world, jurors at a trial would vote with stones:black for guilty,
white for innocent. Jesus says that at our trial before God we will be declared
innocent. Not because we are innocent, but because we will be tried under a
different name, a name with no recordattachedto it. We will be given a white

31. stone, with a new name on it. All our failings, all our crimes againstGod, will
be lost forever, recorded againstthe old name. Our record will be clean.
How do we getthis new name that we need so much? In just the same way as
Simon became Peter. If we encounterJesus for ourselves, if we continue to
trust that he is the Christ, that he is the only one who can save us, then he will
give us a new name and a new start.
Peterwas just as fallible as you and I, and yet Jesus made him the rock on
which he built the church and gave him the keys to the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus gave him a new start, time and time again, which he signified by giving
him a new name.
If we keepon trusting that only Jesus cansave us, then, like Simon Peter, he
will give us a new start and a new name. And how badly we need it.
© Copyright 2009, BenEdgington.
Why did some people's name change in the Bible?
Through the course of interactionwith His people, God occasionallychanged
someone's name. It was generallydone to establisha new identity that God
wished them to embody.
The practice wasn'tlimited to Jews. Royaltyfrom Assyria to Judah to Ancient
Egypt to China often took different, public, names when they took the throne.
It is tradition for a new Pope to take the name of a former pope whom he
wishes to emulate—eversince Mercurius was named pope and thought it bad
form for a Catholic pope to have the name of a Roman god. English royalty
occasionallygo by their middle names.

32. Mostof the changednames in the Bible were changedby God. Here is a
partial list:
Abram – Abraham: high father – father of many. At the time, Abram wasn't
father of anyone directly, although he was the patriarch and acting father of
his clan. God changedhis name as a sign of His promise that Abraham would
be the father of many nations. (Genesis 17:5)
Sarai– Sarah: my princess – mother of nations. Despite Sarah's doubts, God
intended her to be the mother of many nations as well. (Genesis 17:15)
Jacob– Israel: supplanter – he who has the power of God. Jacobrose to
position by manipulating his brother into giving him his firstborn birthright
and then tricking his father, Isaac, into giving him the firstborn blessing. God
wanted to make it clearthat it was He who gave Israel powerand position, not
his ownconniving ways. (Genesis 32:28)
Simon – Peter:God has heard – rock. On his ownPeter was not a rock. He
ran hot and cold depending on the circumstances.With the Holy Spirit,
however, Peterbecame the stabilizing influence for the new church. (John
1:42)
There were also a few characters who wentthrough a name change that was
not ordained specificallyby God.
Naomi – Mara:beautiful – bitter (Ruth 1:20). After her husband and sons
died, Naomiattempted to change her name to Mara, or bitterness, to reflect

33. her hard circumstances.Neitherhistory nor her daughter-in-law Ruth
indulged her, and before long, God again blessedher with a family.
Saul – Paul: Some think that God changedSaul's name to Paul after his
conversion, but this isn't true. "Paul" is Greek for the Jewish"Saul." Since
Paul was a Roman citizen and witnessedto the Greek-speaking world, it was
reasonable forhim to take a more familiar form of his own name. (Acts 13:9)
Joseph– Zaphenath-Paneah:When the Hebrew Josephcame into the service
of the Pharaoh, he was given a new Egyptian name. (Genesis 41:45)
Daniel – Belteshazzar:When Daniel was takeninto captivity to Babylon, and
then takento the court of Nebuchadnezzar, he was given a Persianname to
replace his Hebrew name. See also Hananiah/Shadrach, Mishael/Meshach,
and Azariah/Abednego. (Daniel 1:7)
Hadassah– Esther:The JewessgirlHadassah(Myrtle) was also given a new
name, Esther(star), when she was takento be in Xerxes court. Incidentally,
the name of the king, Ahasuerus, is a Jewishname, given in honor for
Xerxes's decisionto save the Jews. (Esther2:7)
Finally, there is a name change for all believers: God says, "To the one who
conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white
stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows exceptthe one
who receives it" (Revelation2:17). When we reachheaven, God will also
change our names. Perhaps it will represent our own changedidentity as we
transition from sinful to holy. https://www.compellingtruth.org/name-
change.html

34. Why did Jesus change the name of only three of his apostles?
Postedon January 21, 2013 by jsu1486n
Standard
“He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James
the sonof Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name
Boanerges, thatis, Sons of Thunder); Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew,
and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus,
and Simon the Cananaean, andJudas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” Mark
3:16-19
I am questioning why did Jesus change the name of only three of the twelve
men he chose for his apostles?Thatseems bias that he would choose only
three to give a new name to. Did he change their names because he expected
them to be greatermen then the rest? Was it because ofthe lineages?Another
way to analyze the changing of their names may be that, they were so
tarnished they had to be changedbecause oftheir reputations. The verse that
is in Mark 9:2 “And after six days Jesus took with him Peterand James and
John, and led them up to a high mountain by themselves.” revealsthat he had
favoritism towardthe three men over the rest. If he really did think so much
of the three men, why would he include one that would later deny him? “Peter
said to him, “Eventhough they all fall away, I will not.” And Jesus saidto
him, Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the roostercrows twice, youwill
deny me three times””(Mark 14:29-30). Jesus obviouslyfavored these three
men. There are numerous accounts throughout Mark where he and the trio
are secludedfrom the others. What was so specialabout these men over the
others?
If someone’s name is changedby someone else,that person is then ownedby
the personwho changedit. “So, think about how Peterand the other disciples
heard and understood what Jesus was indirectly claiming through the
changing of Simon’s name to “Peter.” Jesus believedthat he had the same

35. right to reassigna person’s name—and therefore a person’s life calling and
destiny” (Cunningham). As Brent Cunningham expressedit the changing of
the names representedJesus’ownershipof them. This could be a good
possibility for the changing of the names.
http://www.brentcunningham.org/?p=316
R. J. Krejcir describes one of the disciples as, “The unnamed Disciple, Johnis
the other one of the two, brother of James, who describes himself as the
beloved Disciple, or the Disciple whom Jesus loved. He was the writer of this
Gospel, three Epistles, and Revelation(John 21:20-24). Known as the Sonof
Thunder, he seemedto be quick in judging others (Luke 9:49, 54). Jesus called
to him from the cross with His last few words, telling him to care for His
mother (John 13:23; 19:26-27). He was among the first to see the
Resurrection(John 20:2-8; 21:7)” (Krejcir). The way that John describes
himself as the one that Jesus loved, lets us know that he was favoredover
some, or so he thought. I wonder how the other disciples felt over this
favoritism.
http://70030.stablerack.com/images/John135-51.pdf
“Says that he appointed 12, designating them (naming them) apostles .And
then he actually gave names to some of the apostles themselves. Simonhe gave
the name Peter—Rock. James andJohn, gave the name Boanerges,Sons of
Thunder. This was a very strange thing to do. What did it mean? Why was it
important? The primary way Jesus works,primary way he changes people is
by giving them a new name. By new name, mean a new identity, a new
destiny. He changes the trajectory of your life He workedthat way with the 12
Apostles, works that way in the lives of all of his people”(notes). The choice of
changing only three disciple’s name was a way that Jesus showedownership.
He also did it to show that he could change anything or anyone if people
believed in him. The steadfastfaith in Jesus that the three men showedcould
have been the primary reasonthey were chosenover the others.

36. http://www.christcovenantcullman.org/sermonnotes/notes-11-19-06.html
WHY WAS SAUL’S NAME CHANGED TO PAUL?
Today we begin to look at the text of Paul’s SecondEpistle to the Corinthians.
From the very first verse there is plenty to meditate upon: “Paul, an apostle of
Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother” [2 Corinthians
1:1].
It is an epistle of Paul, who as Saul of Tarsus was convertedto Christ on the
Damascus Road[Acts 9:4-6]. Some years later the Holy Spirit and the church
in Antioch sent out Barnabas and Saul on their first missionary journey [Acts
13:1-5]. It was during that journey when he and Barnabas were ministering in
Cyprus that Saul’s name was changedto Paul. “Then Saul, who also is called
Paul…. “ [Acts 13:9]. From that point on he was always knownas Paul.
There are severalinstances in the Old TestamentofGod changing people’s
names. Abram’s name, meaning “Exalted Father” was changedto Abraham,
which means “Fatherof a Multitude” [Genesis 15:5]. Sarai’s name was
changedto Sarah meaning “Princess”[Genesis15:15-16]. Godchanged
Jacob’s name to Israel, meaning “Prince with God” [Genesis 32:28]. Perhaps
most famously, Jesus changedSimon’s name [meaning “he has heard] to
Cephas [Peter]meaning rock or stone [John 1:42].
There is no indication that God changedSaul’s name as He did Abram, Sarai,
Jacoband Simon [Peter]. There are two possible reasons whySaul changed
his name to Paul:
Firstly, to identify himself with the people he workedamong. He was calledto
minister to Gentiles. Paul is a Roman name. We know that he counted his
Jewishbackgroundas loss for the sake ofChrist [Philippians 3:1ff]. Paul
wrote, “To them that are without law I became as without law … that I might

37. gain them that are without law … I am made all things to all men, that I
might by all means save some.”
Secondly, he changedhis name to make a statementof belief. “Paul” means
“little”; “Saul” means, “desired”. He abandons the name that prophesied of
favour and honour, to adopt a name that bears upon its very front a
professionof humility. His very name is the condensationinto a word of his
abiding conviction: “I am less than the leastof all saints.” There is an ever-
increasing sense in Paul’s letters of humility. He moves from, “I am the least
of the apostles, who am not worthy to be calledan apostle” [1 Corinthians
15:9], to later calling himself “less than all the saints” [Ephesians 3:8], and
near the end of his life writing to Timothy, “Christ Jesus came into the world
to save sinners, of whom I am chief” [1 Timothy 1:15]. It is not even “I was
chief” but “I am chief”. John Bevere says that the fear of the Lord and
humility are the “powertwins” [“Drawing Near” by John Bevere page 132,
2004]
Questions:
Why do you think God changedpeople’s names?
What do you think is the meaning of humility? Why did this become
increasinglyimportant to Paul?
If you could change your name what would you change it to and why?
http://www.michaelrosswatson.com/2017/01/11/why-was-sauls-name-changed-
to-paul/
Commentary on John 1:35-51
Gilberto Ruiz | 1 Comment

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Sometimes we see a movie that wows us and we rush to tell others about it.
We want them to go see it for themselves so they may share the experience we
had. This is what happens in John 1:35-51.
One disciple after another encounters Jesus andhas a transformative
experience that leads him to tell others, so they too will “come and see” this
man from Galilee and be changedby that experience. In John, the way the
community of disciples grows is more like the “sleeperhit” whose box office
successresults from “word of mouth” than from a well-funded advertising
blitz.
While standing with two of his own disciples, John the Baptist sees Jesuswalk
by and signals him out as “the Lamb of God.” BecauseofJohn’s testimony in
1:29-34, the reader knows something about what this entails. But John’s
disciples, absentthe previous day, do not. So they leave John and “follow”
Jesus to find out for themselves who Jesus is.
True to the Fourth Gospel’s penchantfor using simple language that works
on two levels, to “follow” connotes more than a literal walking after Jesus.1 It
functions as a technicalterm for discipleship (8:12; 10:4, 27; 12:26;13:36;
21:19, 22)and anticipates that their movement of leaving John to “follow”
Jesus means they will cease being John’s disciples and become disciples of

39. Jesus (cf. Matthew 4:22; Mark 1:18; Luke 5:11). This “decrease”in the
amount of his own followers is a mark of John’s successas witness, notof his
failure as preacher(cf. John 3:30).
Jesus asksthese two disciples a deceptively simple question: “What are you
looking for?” At one level, the question asks why they are walking after him.
But fundamentally, this is the existentialquestion askedof any potential
disciple: What do you seek when you come to follow Jesus?2
Their response also works ontwo levels. Ostensibly, they want to know where
Jesus is staying because it is getting late in the day and they too need a place to
stay. But since the Greek word translatedas “stay” is menô, a term that in
Johannine vocabulary signifies a permanent remaining or abiding (e.g., 12:46;
14:17;15:9), their question essentiallyasks where Jesus does permanently
abide, reflecting the innate desire of any disciple is to be in Jesus’presence
always.
The two disciples do not know this yet, but ultimately the place where Jesus
resides is with his disciples, as he says in the FarewellDiscourse(14:23;15:4).
In the meantime, Jesus invites them to “come and see,” aninvitation that at
one level means to go and look at where he is staying but at a deeper level is
an invitation to approach Jesus with the openness to see him through the eyes
of faith.3
Spending time with Jesus transforms them, as seenin the change in titles they
use to refer to him. At first they callhim “rabbi,” a title of respectto be sure.
But when the disciple identified as Andrew speaks ofJesus in verse 41, he
refers to him by the more significant title of “Messiah.”
This is one of only two places in the New Testament(the other is in John 4:25)
where the Hebrew word is transliterated in the Greek as Messias (hence John
includes a note that in Greek the term means Christos, the name and title of
Jesus more familiar to John’s early Christian readers). Use of the Hebrew
emphasizes that Andrew has come to see Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish
messianic expectations.4

40. They have to tell others about this. Others must “come and see” whatthey
have seen, so Andrew tells Peterand brings him to Jesus. Justas their
experience of Jesus changesthe first two disciples from mere followers to
devotees, Peter’s experiencewith Jesus leads to a transformation of his
identity, from Simon to Cephas/Peter, a name basedon the word for “rock”
(kepha in Aramaic; petra in Greek).
John’s versionof Peter’s name-change omits any indication that it has to do
with Peterbeing the “rock” ofthe church, as is the case in Matthew 16:17-18.
Moreover, in the Synoptics it is Peterwho identifies Jesus as the messiah,
marking a crucial turning point in the relationship betweenJesus and the
disciples (Matthew 16:13-20;Mark 8:27-30;Luke 9:18-20).
In John, both Peter’s name-change and the disciples’identification of Jesus as
messiahoccurat the beginning of their time with Jesus, andit is not Peterbut
Andrew who calls Jesus messiah(in fact, Peterhas no dialogue in verses 40-
42). In light of these differences, John’s conceptionof discipleship comes
across as much less hierarchical.5 There is no one “rock” ofthe church among
its members. Instead, discipleship entails a shared responsibility among the
members of the community to bring others to Jesus and speak the truth about
him.
The pattern that occurs the next day is similar. Jesus speaksfirstto the
potential disciple, Philip, whose response ofaccepting Jesus’invitation to
“follow” him entails finding another potential disciple of Jesus, Nathanael.
Nathanaelis skeptical, however. The difficulty for Nathanaelis less that
someone who fulfills the messianic expectations setby the JewishScriptures
has emergedthan it is that this personis the “sonof Josephfrom Nazareth.”
Nothing is said in the Scriptures about the messiah’s origins in the humble
Galileanvillage of Nazareth.6
Bethlehem would be a more appropriate place for his origins (Micah5:2), as
the synoptic infancy narratives maintain. The Gospelof John says nothing of
Jesus’ties to Bethlehem because in the theologyof the Fourth Gospel, neither
Nazarethnor Bethlehem speaks to Jesus’true origins, which is with God in
heaven (1:1, 14).

41. When they meet, Jesus lauds Nathanaelas “truly an Israelite in whom there is
no deceit” because Nathanaelhadacceptedthe invitation to “come and see”
without letting his own initial prejudice getin the way of seeking Jesus.7This
sets Nathanaelapart from other descendants ofJacob -- the patriarch also
named “Israel” who was famous for his deceitfulness (Genesis 27:35) -- who
deny the possibility of seeing Jesus as the Messiahbecausehe does not meet
their preconceivedexpectations ofwho the Messiahis supposedto be.
Nathanael’s encounterwith Jesus transforms him from skeptic to believer.
While the reader of John’s Gospelknows that Jesus is not really the son of
Josephbut the Son of God (1:14, 18, 34), Nathanael’s experience ofJesus’
foreknowledgeand piercing ability to know him convinces Nathanaelthat
Jesus is more than the son of a man from Nazareth, as Philip had told him. He
has seenJesus forhimself, rather than take Philip’s word for it, and Jesus has
wowedhim.
By proclaiming Jesus “SonofGod” and “King of Israel,” Nathanaelconfesses
that Jesus truly comes from God and is Son of God, not sonof Josephfrom
Nazareth, and that Jesus is the messianic king foretold by the Scriptures of
Israel(see Psalm2:6-7 for one passagethat presents God identifying the king
of Israel as “my son”).8 He also calls Jesus “rabbi,” encapsulating the
experience of the earlier disciples who beganwith a lessertitle for Jesus
before coming to view the greatersignificance ofhis identity.
Jesus’response to Nathanael’s confessionmight read like a rebuke, but it is
more like a trailer for more wondrous experiences ahead. Thoughthe
disciples have already had transformative experiences ofJesus, Jesus’glory
will not be revealedto them until the wedding at Cana (2:11), and his most
impressive feat -- his resurrection-- is yet to come.9 Jesus’closing statement
in verse 51 is addressedto all disciples, both in the narrative and among
John’s readers (the “you” is plural).10 John 1:51 uses the image of Jacob’s
ladder (Genesis 28:12)to interpret Jesus as the Sonof Man who serves as the
link betweenheaven and earth (see also John3:13; 6:62).
Jesus’prediction that his disciples will see God’s angels ascending and
descending on him is never literally fulfilled in the narrative of the Gospel.11

42. To those of us who ask when we will have such an awesome experience ofthe
divine in the world, the logic of 1:35-51 provides a simple answer:“come and
see.”
One of the disciples receiving this invitation in verse 39 is never named. He
represents us, John’s readers who, like the named disciples in this passage, are
invited to see for ourselves how the divine may surprise us, transform us, and
upend the prejudices and categorieswith which we expectto encounterGod
in the world
https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1916
If you’re ever on the island of Anglesey, Wales, be sure and visit a town with
one of the longestnames in the English language.
It’s the quaint little village named
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. No joke. (The
short form is Llanfairpwllgwyngyll).
The name means: “The Church of St. Mary in a hollow of white hazel, near to
the rapid whirlpool, and to St. Tisilio Church, near to a red cave.”
As strange as that mouthful may seem, it strikes me as quite biblical. A name
in the Bible is often a description of the person himself or herself—orof what
the parents would like their child to become.
God gives names as well. Even more significantis when He changes a name.
In fact, did you know God will give you a new name?
What’s in a Name? Plenty.
Have you ever found out what your name means?

43. My wife’s name means: “Pure.”
My brother’s means: “Gift of God.”
You know what my name means? It means: “WagonMaker.” (Hey, at least
I’m not walking.)
More significant than a name given at birth occurs whenGod changes a
name. Abraham, Sarah, (Jacob)Israel, and Peterare a few of the new names
the Lord gave to people.
When God changes a name, it indicates that something new has happened or
will happen to that person—a new relationship, a new characterquality, or a
new phase of life. We see this somewhattoday when a wife takes the name of
her husband. It represents a change in her life, both in the eyes of God and of
society.
Simon’s New Name: Peter
My favorite name change in the Bible is Peter. His original name, Simon, is a
Greek nickname that means:“snub-nosed.” (And you thought “wagon
maker” was bad!) Actually, Simon is a derivative of the Hebrew name,
Simeon, which means: “Godhas heard.”
Jesus changedSimon’s name the moment they met. Jesus lookedathim, and
said:
You are Simon the sonof John; you shall be calledCephas (which is
translated Peter). —John1:42
Petermeans: “Rock.” Jesus laterrevealedhow Peterwould be a rock:
Peter’s greatconfessionat CaesareaPhilippi that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son
of the Living God,” representedthe bedrock upon which Jesus promisedto
build his church (Matthew 16:16-18).
Peter’s repentance after his failure would enable him, in the words of Jesus,
“when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32).

44. The Lord saw past Simon’s imperfections to what he could be and what would
be. It’s the same with us.
God Will Give You a New Name
Like Peter, Jesus seesin you what you canbe—regardless ofwhat you are.
God knows what we are and loves us just the same, but He loves us enough to
not leave us that way (Philippians 1:6).
God loves us just as we are, but His love won’t leave us as we are. He is
changing us. (Tweetthat.)
Whoevertrusts in Jesus for forgiveness ofsins, the One who is the “Name
above all names,” receivesa new name—“Christian”—andalso a new life, a
new purpose, and a new destiny.
Look at what Jesus promisedto all who believe in Him:
I will give him . . . a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he
who receives it. . . . I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of
the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes downout of heaven from
My God, and My new name. (Revelation2:17; 3:12)
Just look at those names Jesus will bestow on you!
A new name known only to you.
The name of God.
The name of Jerusalem.
Jesus’new name.
Your new name is either the name of Jesus Himself, or perhaps, like Peter,
Jesus will give you a brand new name that represents the change He has
brought about in you.
Hopefully, it won’t be as long as
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.
https://waynestiles.com/god-will-give-you-a-new-name/

45. Why Did God Change People’s Names In The Bible?
by Jack Wellman · Print · Email
T
here are severaloccasions whenGod changeda person’s name, but why does
He do that?
Abram to Abraham
God calledAbram (before his name was changedto Abraham) out of
paganism. We don’t know why God calledAbram and not others. It simply
says “the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred
and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of
you a greatnation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you
will be a blessing” (Gen12:1-2). It doesn’t saywhy God chose Abram over
someone else, justas Goddoesn’t tell us why we were chosenand others were
not. Clearly, it was not because ofwho we were, but because ofWho God is,
“So Abram went, as the LORD had told him” (Gen 12:4). There is no
indication that Abram said, “Who are you Lord?” or that he hesitatedor
thought about it before going. It only says he went as the Lord commanded.
God knew Abram believed God because he obeyed God, so “WhenAbram
was ninety-nine years old the LORD appearedto Abram and said to him, “I
am GodAlmighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my
covenantbetweenme and you, and may multiply you greatly” (Gen 17:1-2).
That’s when God said “No longershall your name be calledAbram, but your
name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of
nations” (Gen 17:5). God changedAbram’s name, which means “exalted

46. father,” to Abraham, meaning “father of a multitude.” God changed
Abraham’s name because ofthe changedrole he would have in the
future…the father of a multitude of nations. That’s why God changedhis
name to Abraham.
Saraito Sarah
Abraham’s wife Saraialso had a name change. We read the accountin the
same chapter where God changedAbram’s name to Abraham where “God
said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not callher name Sarai,
but Sarahshall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a
son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples
shall come from her” (Gen 17:15-16). Sarai’s name was changedto Sarah and
for the same reasonGod changedAbram’s name. Saraisignifies “my
princess,” as if her honor were confined to her own family, but Sarah signifies
a “princess,” whichmeans she is now a princess of many and not just those in
her immediate family, so just as Abraham was now to be called the father of
many nations, Sarahwould be calleda princess among many nations. God
changedSarai’s name due to her role in history. God changes names because
names have meaning in the purposes and plans of God.
Paul and Peter
In one of the most remarkable conversionstories in the Bible, Saul had just
receivedletters from the Jewishreligious leaders to travel and purge the
church from Judea. This basicallygave him the authority to beat, imprison,
and in some cases,stone believers to death. He had already consentedto have
Stephen stoned and killed (Acts 7:58). In Acts 9:1 we read that “Saul, still
breathing threats and murder againstthe disciples of the Lord, went to the
high priest and askedhim for letters to the synagoguesatDamascus, so thatif
he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them
bound to Jerusalem” (Acts 9:1-2). Saul was on a mission…a mission to destroy
the church, but we know that Jesus saidnot even death can prevail againstthe
church (Matt 16:18), so Jesus has an encounterwith Saul on the Damascus
Roadand says to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me” (Acts 9:4)?
Saul must have been confused. How was he persecuting Jesus when he didn’t

47. even know Him? Becausethe church is the Body of Christ and anyone who
persecutes the church actually persecutes the Lord Jesus Christ. After Paul
was commissionedto be the Apostle to the Gentiles, Saul’s name was changed
from Saul (which means destroyer) to Paul (which means little or small). Saul,
the destroyerof the church, now became Paul the small or the Apostle Paul; a
man humbled by God a thorn in the flesh. Then there’s the case ofthe Apostle
Peterwhose name was Peterbut then changedto Cephas. Jesus changedhis
name from Peter(petros for “smallrock” or “stone”)to Cephas (which means
“rock”). GodchangedPeter’s name to match what he would be in the
church…a rock as far as stability is concerned.
New Names
Believers are told that when they enter the kingdom, God will give them a new
name. What that name will be, we just don’t know, but we do know He will
give us all new names. Perhaps like in the case ofAbraham, Sarah, Paul, and
Peter, our names will reflectour roles in the kingdom or our personality or
character. Godseems to callthings or people by what they do or the role they
serve, like with Isaiah who proclaimed salvationand his name means “The
salvationof the Lord,” or Ezekielwho gave encouraging verses forIsrael’s
future, and his name means “Godwill strengthen.” Jesus’and Joshua’s name
mean the same thing: “God is salvation.” That’s appropriate because Jesus
would save His people from their sins.
Conclusion
God has a new name for you and it’s ready to be revealedwhen Christ returns
with the New Jerusalem. With God, as with people, names have meaning, so to
the “The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God.
Nevershall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and
the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes downfrom
my Godout of heaven, and my own new name” (Rev 3:12). What name you’ll
be given may be closelytied to what you will be doing in the New Jerusalemor
what you did while here on earth. The Apostle John wrote, “To the one who
conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white
stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows exceptthe one

48. who receives it” (Rev 2:17). What that name will be for you and for me, I have
no clue; I do now there’s a new name coming, and Godnever names
something or someone without purpose and meaning. It’s strange how our
own children’s name fit them, and these names were selectedbefore they were
born. Forexample, Andrew is our oldest. His name means “manly,” and he’s
6 foot 2, 210 pounds. God knew them by name, even before they were born.
God knew what He was doing, even if we didn’t know at the time.
Readmore: https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/why-did-god-
change-peoples-names-in-the-bible/#ixzz60hKYTyL9
God Renaming People
MostRelevantVerses
Isaiah62:2
Verse Concepts
The nations will see your righteousness, And all kings your glory; And you
will be calledby a new name Which the mouth of the LORD will designate.
Isaiah65:15
Verse Concepts
"You will leave your name for a curse to My chosenones, And the Lord GOD
will slay you But My servants will be calledby another name.
Revelation2:17

49. Verse Concepts
'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches To him
who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give
him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows
but he who receives it.'
Genesis 17:5
Verse Concepts
"No longershall your name be calledAbram, But your name shall be
Abraham; ForI have made you the father of a multitude of nations.
Nehemiah 9:7
Verse Concepts
"You are the LORD God, Who chose Abram And brought him out from Ur of
the Chaldees, And gave him the name Abraham.
Genesis 17:15
Verse Concepts
Then God said to Abraham, "As for Saraiyour wife, you shall not callher
name Sarai, but Sarahshall be her name.
Genesis 32:28
Verse Concepts
He said, "Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel;for you have striven
with God and with men and have prevailed."
Genesis 35:10

50. God said to him, "Your name is Jacob;You shall no longer be calledJacob,
But Israelshall be your name." Thus He called him Israel.
1 Kings 18:31
Verse Concepts
Elijah took twelve stones according to the number of the tribes of the sons of
Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, "Israelshallbe your
name."
“I Will Change Your Name”
When you feel forsakenorrejected,
when you feel like a failure or a piece of dirt,
when you feel inadequate or deficient,
when you feel unloved or unchosen,
hear the word of the Lord through Isaiahthe prophet
Isaiah62:2b,4,5b
…you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will bestow…
No longer will they callyou Deserted,
or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah [“my delight is in her”],
and your land Beulah [“married”];
for the LORD will take delight in you,

51. and your land will be married.
…as a bridegroom rejoices overhis bride,
so will your God rejoice overyou.
Isaiah’s messageis for post-exilic Israel(Isaiah 56-66). The people had
returned from Babylonian exile only to find themselves still oppressed, poor,
and seeminglyabandoned to their fate. They lived under heavy Persian
taxation and were harassedby regionalprovinces. Jerusalem’s walls were in
ruins. Famine and poverty were rampant. The return did not meet
expectations;it was not all that it was crackedup to be. Where was the glory
of the restoration, the return to the land of promise? The promises of God had
seemedto fail. Israel had been desertedand the land was desolate;Israelwas
rejectedand ruined. The people of God were losing hope.
Isaiah56-59 outlined Judah’s sins, but Isaiah60-62 proclaims a messageof
grace and salvation. Isaiah62:1-5 is the climax of that message. Godwill not
give up on Israel. He has chosenJerusalem;it is his city. He will not relent.
His love endures for ever. He will change Jerusalem’s name, just as he did
with Abram, Sarai and Jacoblong ago.
Names Matter
God reveals his own characterthrough his names. Yahweh-Yireh is the Lord
who Provides (Gen 22:14). Yahweh-Shalomis the Lord of Wholeness (Judges
6:24). Yahweh-Mekedeshis the Lord who Sanctifies (Ezk 37:28). The name
“Yahweh” means “the one who is” or “I am that I am.” The name of God
matters as it defines him and our names matter too because they define us in
many ways.
What others callus matter. They matter because in our woundedness we
assimiliate those names within oursleves. “Sticksandstones…but names will
never hurt me” is a lie. When, as pre-adolescents, we were labeled“different”
or “weird” some of us internalized a life-long stigma in our ownminds. Such
language and experiences shapedour core beliefs. When we were constantly
picked laston the playground, we were named “unchosen.” Whenwe were

52. abandoned by a parent, we were named “unworthy.” When we were abused,
we were named “worthless.”
What we callourselves matters. If, at our cores, we callourselves “worthless”
or “pathetic,” it will shape how we relate to people. It will shape the nature of
our marriages, our parenting, and our relationships. It will shape our
churches. Indeed, self-righteousnesswithin our congregationsis often more a
matter of maintaining our own self-image and ignoring the truth about
ourselves than it is about the welcoming, forgiving holiness of God.
What God calls us truly matters. And it matters more than our own
inadequate and inaccurate views of ourselves. How we hear God–the seive
through which we filter God’s word to us–oftentwists God’s naming. Though
intellectually we may hear God say“beloved,” if our core is filled with shame,
hurt, pain and abandonment and if our image of God has been shaped by
pictures of Zeus holding lightning bolts ready (even eagar!) to inflict
retribution, what we hear is not “beloved” but “loathed.” Since we believe–at
our core or gut–that we are not worth loving, we cannotbelieve that God
could actually love us in the midst of our shame, abandonment, and sin.
My Names
Only recently have I recognizedwith any depth the significance of other’s
names for us and our names for ourselves. In recentmonths I have
discoveredthat at my core–inmy own self-image–Ihad lived with some names
that have negativelyimpacted me. Whether self-generated, orimposed by
others, or impressed upon me by circumstances, these names nearly destroyed
me earlierthis year. Here are a few of my “old” names for myself.
Forsaken. I felt this intensely when Sheila died in 1980 afteronly two years
and elevenmonths of marriage. I felt it againwhen Joshua was diagnosed
with a terminal genetic defectand then died at the age ofsixteen in 2001.
Why, God, have you forsakenme? Will you forsake me forever? Why are you
picking on me? Is there something wrong with me that you rip my joy from
me and every day fill my heart with sorrow?

53. Failure. I have felt this most deeply since my divorce. I failed at the most
important relationship in my life. During that trauma I was disillusioned,
confused, and deeply hurt. I now own much more of the causes ofthat divorce
than I did in 2001, but this only increases my sense of failure. The name,
seemingly, only gets more apporpriate with time.
Deficient. One of my early core beliefs is “I am not enough.” Consequently,
emotionally I have sought approval and the most effective mode which I found
was through work. Approval-seeking became anaddiction. I am a
workaholic. Istuffed myself with addictive behavior in order to feelgood
about myself, to gain approval, and connectwith others. But ultimately it was
an empty feeling. Whatever approval I receivedwas never enough; I always
needed more and was envious when others receivedacclaim. And I needed
more because atmy core–somehow, someway–Ihad been named “Deficient.”
What is your name? How have you been named? What have you felt in your
gut and believed at your core that has shaped how you see youself, others and
God?
I am only beginning to understand the names I have worn. But I know there
is something better. Godhimself has named me. Those are the names I want
to internalize; I want to see myself and others through the lens of God’s
naming.
God ChangedMy Name
Israeland I have chewedsome of the same dirt.
Forsaken…Rejected…Desolate. Indeed, we have all worn these names in one
form or another. But there is goodnews–there is gospel. Godchanges names
and only he can truly do so. To try to change my own name is an illusion,
futile and another attempt to fill what is lacking by my own efforts. God must
name me and, when he names me, he makes it true.
Isaiahprovides a startling image for us which enables us to enter this story
emotionally as well as intellectually. Yahweh’s new name for Israel is “My
delight is in her”–the one in whom he delights. He loves her, enjoys being
with her, and yearns for her presence. Yahweh’s name for Israelis

54. “Married”–he unites himself with his people for the sake ofintimacy; he
wants to know his bride. Yahweh rejoices overhis people like a bridegroom
rejoices overhis bride–his joy surpasses a wedding celebration.
This is how God feels. This is the truth about his people. “I will rejoice over
you,” declares Yahweh. The king of the cosmos does notsit on his throne
without emotionalengagementwith his creation. Quite the contrary, God
choses his bride, delights in her, dresses her in a bridal gown, and celebrates
her with dancing and festivity.
This is how God feels about us. Our past self-stylednames are false names–
they are no longertrue if they ever were. We have new names–names
bestowedby God. No longer are we “Forsaken”but we are “Chosen.” No
longerare we “Failure” but we are “Married.” No longerare we “Deficient”
but we are “Blessed”! Thoughhe knows the depths of our hearts (which are
not always pretty), he loves us just as he loves his own Son (John 17:23).
God’s word to eachof us is “You are beloved; you are the one in whom I
delight.” He welcomes us, dressesus in festive robes, spreads a table of the
best food and the finest wines, and spends the evening dancing with his bride.
God wants us and he stands in applause as we wear the names he has given
us….Chosen…Beloved…Married…Blessed.
The lyrics of D. J. Butler’s “I Will Change Your Name” speak the essence of
this text; hear them, believe them. It is the word of God through Isaiah to each
of us.
I will change your name
You shall no longer be called
Wounded, outcast, lonely or afraid
I will change your name
Your new name shall be
Confidence, joyfulness, overcoming one
Faithfulness, friend of God

55. One who seeksMy face.
**Sermon(audio here) delivered at Woodmont Hills Church of Christ on
December28, 2008**
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"A ChangedName"
Contributed by RayScott on Apr 20, 2004
based on 26 ratings
(rate this sermon)
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Scripture: Revelation2:17
Denomination: Baptist
Summary: The Bible records 4 specific places where Godchangedthe names
of individuals. We have been given the name "Christian". Like Abraham,
Israel,Peter& Paul, our new name bears a responsibility to live up to that
name.
1 2 3 4
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56. “A Changed Name”
Revelation2:17
INTRODUCTION:Revelation2:17 – all turn
A name is something to be proud of. I’m proud of the name “Scott”. It was
such a greatname, that they named a country after us … “Scotland”!
I’ve had some strange sounding names in my congregations … Bebermeyer,
Dudenhofer, Simansky, Leinonen. Some famous people even change their
names (see Almanac).
Some preachers have goodpreaching names … Dr. Gordon Cross, Rev.
Wayne Jacobs,Dr. David Jeremiah.
I’m not always going to have the same name I have now – Rev. 2:17. Someday
I’ll have a new body … and a new name to fit that glorified body. 2 Cor. 5:17
– “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:old things are
passedaway;behold, all things are become new.” We will even have a NEW
NAME!
I don’t know what my NEW NAME will be … Have you ever wondered?
Maybe it will be a name to match our character. How about “Daq” … the
Hebrew word for “thin”! OR … “Trichinos” … the Greek word for “hairy”!
OR … “Kalos” … the Greek word for “beautiful”!
I think our NEW NAME will reflectour POSITION as a Child of God. When
a child gets ADOPTED, theyget a new name. When we getto Heaven, our
ADOPTION will be complete (Romans 8:23), and we will geta NEW NAME.
MEANWHILE, God has given us a NEW NAME to tide us over. Acts 11:26 –
“And the disciples were calledChristians first in Antioch.” When they were
first called“Christians”, it wasn’t said in a very nice way. It was meant to
CONDEMN andDEGRADE … a name of scornand ridicule … said with a
sneer. It means “a followerof Christ” … the criminal … the executedOne …
the blasphemer … the imposter! Today, it would be like being calleda
“Judas” … a “Osama BenLaden”.

57. HOWEVER … the followers of Christ were PROUD of that name and title.
They later adopted it for themselves. Theybegan to call THEMSELVES
“Christians” … with PRIDE. It’s a title, a name, given to US when we’re
saved.
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On severaloccasions, GodCHANGED the names of certainselectpeople.
There was a REASON, and a LESSON for us in doing so. God wants US to
see that we need to CLAIM the name that He has given us … “Christian”. Are
you PROUD to be called a “Christian”? Do you live up to that name?
It was a CUSTOM to change the name of a personwhen a great event
occurredin their life. The King of Egypt changedJoseph’s name to Zaphnath-
Paaneah. NebuchadnezzarchangedDaniel’s name to Belteshazaar. Hananah,
Mishael& Azariah’s names were changedto Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego. Eachname had a particular meaning when it was changed.
When GOD changeda name, He had a reason. He wantedthem to live up to
their new name … just as He wants US to live up to OUR new name …
“Christian”.
We see 4 EXAMPLES in the Bible where GOD changeda person’s name:
1.- A CHANGE OF FAITH – Genesis 17:1-5, 15-16 – all turn.
It seems like Abram & Saraiwere MISNAMED from the very beginning.
ABRAM = ‘exaltedfather’ (he had no children) … SARAI = ‘my princess’
(she had no heirs). They had no children … he was 99 … she was 89 … there
was no human possibility!
THEN … one day God told Abram that He was going to change his name. I
can just hear Abram say, “Thank you, Lord … I get kidded so much about
my name … ‘exalted father’ … yet, no children!” “Why, just the other day a

58. strangercame in on his camel and he askedmy name. Then he asked, ‘How
many children do you have?’ I said ‘None!’ He laughed all the way out of
sight. Thanks for changing my name!” “Whatare you changing it to? ‘Aqar’,
which means ‘barren’? It would be so much more appropriate.” THEN, God
told Abram, “No, insteadof Abram, ‘exalted father’, I’m changing it to
Abraham, ‘father of a multitude’. I’m changing Sarai’s name from ‘my
princess’to Sarah, ‘Princess ofmany’.” I canjust see Abraham say, “Oh, no,
Lord, why don’t you just leave wellenough alone!”
Why did God do this to Abram? Why change his name like that? God had a
LESSON for him. “Abraham, I have given you a PROMISE ofmany children
… I am Almighty God … trust in Me and I will do the impossible!” “Claim
that name, Abraham … live up to your new name … and you will see that I
will live up to Mine!” (see 17:1).
With their new name came a NEW COMMITMENT … a NEW TEST OF
FAITH. When Abram acceptedhis new name from God, he displayed his
trust in God. There was a NEW NEED to put his faith in Almighty God … in
His powerand faithfulness.
God is telling US today … “Your new name (“Christian”) will foreverreflect
My powerand faithfulness.” NOW, we can look back and see Abraham as the
“Fatherof the Jewishnation”.
You and I have a NEW NAME … and He is showing us in the name
“Christian” that He is STILL the God of the impossible … the God of power
and might. We are to CLAIM that name … we are to LIVE UP TO that
name. AND … as we do, we will see God live up to His name … “I am the
Almighty God”.
2. A CHANGE OF PLANS – Genesis 32:24-28– allturn
“Jacob”= ‘trickster, schemer, conniver … to trip somebodyup’. He tricked
his brother into trading his birthright for a bowl of chili. He deceivedhis
aging father Isaac into granting him his final blessing, which Isaac had meant
for Esau. He lived with his Uncle Laban for 20 years and eachone tried to

59. out-trick the other … Jacobjust about met his match! Jacoblived up to his
name, “trickster, schemer, conniver”.
BUT … God had something else planned for Jacob. Jacobwas usedto doing
things his own way … making his own plans … being his own boss …
scheming to getwhat he wanted. AND … it always gothim into trouble. God
had better things planned for Jacob. In order to accomplishthese things in his
life, his life must change.
God started out with a CHANGED NAME. THEN … He said, “Claimthat
name … live up to that name.” JACOB = “trickster” … ISRAEL = “the
prince and power of God”. “Jacob, youare now going to do things God’s way
… because … you are the ‘Prince and Powerof God’. No more scheming. No
longerthe ‘Prince and PowerofJacob’.”
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Why do we always think OUR WAY is better than GOD’S WAY? Why do we
plan, scheme, make decisions anddirect our own life … without considering
God and His plans? Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge
him, and he shall direct thy paths.” This is the “Israel” way!
After Jacobbecame Israel, we see his life CHANGE. He facedup to the
results of his scheming life and he got things straightened out with Esau. He
fathered many sons, who are to this day known as the “Children of Israel (not
Jacob)” … the “12 Tribes Of Israel”. His life was CHANGED, when he had a
CHANGE of Masters … a change of plans …and let God direct his life.
WE ALSO have a NEW NAME … “Christian” … a ‘follower of Christ’. We
need to CLAIM that name … LIVE UP TO that name … AND … follow Him,
not our own plans and schemes. Whenwe do, we will see Godbless us. If we
don’t, we will see our life in a shambles … like Jacob.