MARK 3:16 ( AND SIMON HE SURNAMED PETER )

Often in scripture we see where God changes the names of people once they begin to walk with God and, Christ becames a part of their life. We see that announced here concerning Simon Peter. As far as teaching is concerned, I can see how it could relate to getting married. Once a young lady is married to a young man; her last name becomes his, signifying that she is now a part of him. Bacically, she goes where he goes and so on.

Now, actually this act might begin long before marriage. When a young man picks his wife; she and he then cease from dating or persuing any other person. In other words; they become one.

Supposingly, that’s the same picture we see in the born agin experience. Although we become one with Christ, yield ourselves to him, seeking to do his will, our actual marriage to Christ will not take place until we are with him in heaven.

In this article, in the mind of Christ, Peter has given his life to follow Christ. In ( Matthew 4 ) we see the same thing. Here, in ( verse 18 ) And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. Now, look at the very next verses: ( 19-20 ) And he said unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. ( 20 ) And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.We see in ( Mark 3:16 ), The verse in the title; that Jesus ( surnamed ) ( Simon ) and gave him the name ( Peter ).

All through the gospels, we see that ( Peter followed Christ ). We don’t see where is ever goes back to his nets to fish. I’m going to go ahead and show you this verse of scripture and I’ll make my point. ( John 21:3 ) Simon Pater saith unto them, I go a fishing. They all say unto him, We also go with thee.

Let’s look down a few verses:( Verse 15 ) Jesus talking to Peter. Notice what he calls him ( Simon, Son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Jesus adresses him by this name here three times, each time asking him if he loves him.

The Bible says here that ( they all went with him ). We also see in scripture where all the apostles ( forsook Jesus) just before the crucifixion. However, the only apostle Jesus points out as being wrong is Peter, then and now, why?

Jesus Christ himself, at that time appointed Peter to be a leader. For example, ( Matthew 16:18 ) Thou art Peter, upon this tock will I build my Church. ( Matthew 16:19 ) And I will give unto thee the ( Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven ).

When Jesus called ( The Man ) he ( Surnamed Peter ) by his worldly name, he’s making the point about ( Peter ) going back to what he was doing before he began to walk with Christ. He asked him three times ( as Simon, Son of Jonas ) do you love me? To put it in my ( country boy ) way of speaking: If you love me then why are you going back to do what you did in the world?

The Apostle Peter, being the leader at that time of the Apostles; was going through a bad time. Jesus Christ had been crucified and, he or they didn’t understand all that was happening. Jesus had done his best to help them understand and, to get them to ( wait ) as spiritual things would unfold.

The Apostle Peter, being the leader was leading in the wrong direction. Simon had forgotten his ( Surname ) given him by Christ. He had gone back to doing the things that he done before he met Christ, to being ( Simon ) again.

Our faith is not based on circumstanses around us or, what we might face each day. As believers, we all are ( leaders ) ( 1 Peter 2:9 ) But we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that we should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvel[ous light.

The darkness of this world has nothing to do with the faith we say we have. ( I ) love Jesus Christ. When I was born again, I ceased from being my father’s son. My Father now is God the Father and, My eleder brother is Jesus Christ. I never want Christ to call me my anything other than my ( Surname ) the name he has given me as I follow him.

When I face hardship, I don’t want to turn to the things of this world. I want the world to see Jesus Christ in me when things are at the worst in my life.

If you are born again then, you are my brothers and sisters. Right now we might be going through some terrible times, look up, your redemption drawehr nigh!

I can relate to Simon Peter because I have been there, went back to the world, returned to my former self in doubt and weakness. But, also like Peter, I now walk in unity of the Spirit of God. I have learned that my returning to the world is not an option. My desire is to allow Christ to be seen in me by the people of this world and to finish my course with Christ Jesus as my Lord.

Marshall Clayton

2 Timothy 1:7