Suppose we think about some names and their meanings: Yes all the flowers with all their beauty,and just how nice they are to be near.When we think of the roses and their beauty.Oh yes we can change the name to most anytime we want but the rose will have the same sweet smell, and be just as red,yellow,or white. So changing the name of the rose does not change the rose.To really change the rose,we would need to change the rose before attempting to change its name.

The name changing has been done for about as long as history its self.In the long ago a name was used for more than just identifying a person.Yes even to the point that their name would tell you a great deal about the person.

Back in Biblical times names would be changed when a person's station in life was changed.Yes even as their prosition in life changed,their names very often would be changes also.

The following is just a few of those changes.

GENESIS
17/4
As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

17/5
Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

Yes Abram,was given the name of Abraham because he was to to become father of many nations.So Abram was given a name that was more fitting of a man being father of many nations.

GENESIS
32/27
And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.

32/28
And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

32/29
And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.

32/30
And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

JOHN
1/41
He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

1/42
And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

Now Simon simply means"hearing"to the more meaningful Cephas-with the meaning--A Stone.

Peter's new name was supposed to be an indication of his character,Yet he was impatient,as is often revealed by his words and actions,sometimes we may wonder if the choice of his new name was a wise one.

But Peter finally proved that the weakest character in the hands of God can become a very powerful force in the faith.It is true that Peter did deny Jesus three times,and threatened to quite and go fishing:

OH but wait!!!
The whole story has not been yet told,just that before the day of Pentecost.Now suppose we look at the day of Pentecost and there-after.

This is one of the greatest examples that I can think of as to what what can happens when one of us being filled with the Holy Spirit and fully sold out in the service of our Lord.

It was Peter who preached at pentecost when three thousand were saved.He reminded the Jews they crucified The Lord Jesus Christ,the promised Messiah. He preached to many of the same individuals that their screaming was heard crying crucify Him.Knowing they just might crucify him too.But Peter was now fearless now.yeseter was now like a rock or stone.

ACTS
4/5
And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

4/6
And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

4/7
And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

4/8
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

4/9
If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

4/10
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

ACTS
4/11
This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

4/12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

4/13
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

In a latter year Peter died the martyr's death. tradition has it that when the time came for Peter's crucifixion he ask to be placed on the cross head down because he was not worthy to die in the same manner as his master.

No more shifting and running for Peter,no more cowardice, He was now firm as a stone.Ofcourse that great change in Peter was the work 0of the power of God.No other power can so change a man.But the power of God needs the man's willingness to choose his opinion that God gave him back in the Garden of Eden. God gave man the power of choice,So finnally the choice.

And the same is true in our lifes today,The same power that was available to Peter is available to us today.Yes God will give us the same power that He gave to Peter.However if we use this power is strictly to each of us.

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