I've been thinking about how various bible characters who where given
new names, both in the Old and New Testament
Just to name a couple of examples
Abram was changed to Abraham(meaning "father of many nations,"
see Genesis 17:1 - 5)
his wife's from Sarai to Sarah (which means "mother of many
nations," see verses 15 - 16)
Simon, was called Peter, which means a little stone (John 1:40 - 42).
Jesus gave the brothers John and James a rather humorous designation
of 'the sons of thunder' (Mark 3:13 - 17)!
Anyway it got me wondering if God has a new name in mind for all of us;
and/or what do you think your new name is. (
I don't know why but the
name beloved came to mind as I was typing out the question. Maybe that's
mine or maybe it applies to us all).
The new names seemed also to reflect the potential that the people had in
them, rather than where they were at.
I recently heard this as well and thought it was really good:
The devil knows your name but he calls you by your sin, because he is
the accuser. God knows your sin but he calls you by your name, because
he is your redeemer.
This is an interesting verse as well.
Isaiah 43:1 NKJV
[1] But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And
He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed
you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.
Matt 16.13-20
[SUP]13 [/SUP]Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” [SUP]14 [/SUP]And they said, “Some
say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” [SUP]15 [/SUP]He *said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” [SUP]16 [/SUP]Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” [SUP]17 [/SUP]And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you,
Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal
this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. [SUP]18 [/SUP]
I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. [SUP]19 [/SUP]I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” [SUP]20 [/SUP]Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ.
This passage contains 4 of greatest revelations that Jesus taught us about our new identity in him and following him and that every son and daughter of God should get and understand....Paul expands this truth in 2 Cor 5.17
Revelation 1: Divine Divinity:
We learn who Jesus is from the Holy Spirit-
Father revealed to Simon Barjona, who Jesus was to Simon Barjona
Revelation 2: Divine Identity in Christ:
We are who God says we are
Jesus changed Simon Barjona to Peter
Revelation 3: Divine destiny:
We are the church and we are given gifts and a purpose to help advance the kingdom of Heaven
Peter was to to build the church on the chief cornerstone, the rock, Jesus Christ
Revelation 4: Divine Authority in Christ:
We have the authority and backing of Jesus Christ to do his will on the earth as it is done in heaven..
Peter was given divine authority from Jesus to do his will on heaven and on earth...