Tradition says the apostle Peter was late in life when he took pen in hand to write circular letters to Christians across Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey and parts of the Middle East). According to custom he began by identifying who it was that penned the letters. The opening verse of both letters connects the writer to what the readers knew about him. In other words, the opening verse of both letters provides a glimpse into how Peter was known to early Christians.
In the letter known as 2 Peter, the writer begins with the name given him at circumcision — Simon. This Greek name is a derivative of a Hebrew word meaning “he has heard.” In Hebrew the name also can be translated “Simeon,” like the name of the one who recognized Jesus as the promised Messiah when Joseph and Mary took the baby to the temple in Jerusalem.
In fact, the King James Version of the Bible as well as some modern translations of Acts 15:14 refers to Simon as “Simeon.”
The first circular letter (1 Peter) did not contain the name “Simon” but now the writer may have felt the need to reference his Jewish background as a way to identify with the readers (probably Jewish Christians) beset by false teachers trying to draw them back into the practices of their former religion.
‘Piece of rock’
The first circular letter began with the word “Peter” which is the second word in the follow-up letter. Like “Simon,” “Peter” is a Greek word meaning “a piece of rock” like a pebble one might throw. It translates the Hebrew word “Cephas” which also means “stone.”
To the ear of that day, the name “Peter” or “Cephas” may have sounded strange. Scholars say neither was a common name given to men or boys. Instead, “Peter” was more like a nickname much like someone today might be nicknamed “Rocky.”
The Gospel of John tells of Jesus giving Simon that nickname the first time they met. John 1:35 shares how Jesus immediately recognized Andrew’s brother as “Simon, son of John.” Then Jesus added, “You will be called Cephas” — which when translated is “Peter” (John 1:42).
The nickname stuck
Matthew provides more insight into the nickname. At Caesarea Philippi, the Bible says it was “Simon, son of John” who declared Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus then called him by his birth name and described him as “Peter” — a stone because of his confession (Matt. 16:18).
Whatever the reason, the nickname stuck. Most New Testament references refer to the man as “Peter” and the letter writer used the name to identify himself as he did in his first circular letter.
In the second letter the writer refers to himself as “a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ.” Both servant and apostle go with the phrase “of Jesus Christ.” The word for servant, “doulos,” is frequently translated (some say better translated) as “slave.”
The first thing Simon Peter wanted people to know about him was that he was under the authority of Jesus. Being a servant of Jesus was a way of being with Jesus. In John 12:26, Jesus said, “Where I am My servant will be. The Father honors the one who serves Me.”
To the writer it was a great honor to be a servant of Jesus. It was something of which he would never be ashamed.
The writer also was an apostle of Jesus Christ, a fact he emphasized here and in the first letter.
“Apostle” means “one sent.” An apostle is an envoy, ambassador or messenger commissioned to carry out instruction of a commissioning agent. Hebrews 3:1 refers to Jesus as an apostle of God. Acts 14:4 refers to Barnabas and Paul as apostles. Romans 16:7 names Andronicus and Junies as apostles.
When used like this, the word designates a function rather than a status. It points to one sent by God to bear witness to the gospel.
“Apostle” also designates a specific group of Christ-followers — the 12 disciples. In fact Paul said the office of apostle was God’s first gift to the Church (1 Cor. 12:28).
In these letters the word “apostle” embraces both meanings. The writer told his readers he was sent by Jesus Christ to bear witness to the gospel because he was 1 of the 12 disciples. The apostles had been with Jesus in His earthly ministry. They had seen the resurrected Lord and witnessed His ascension. They had received the commission to preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations. Their teaching set the normative message of the Church. Their word countered the heresies of false teachers.
The apostles represented servant leadership at its best. Their experience with the Master and their service in the community of believers earned them the leadership given by the Church.
Simon Peter was always in Jesus’ innermost circle. Peter made the famous confession at Caesarea Philippi. Jesus appeared to him after the resurrection. Peter preached at Pentecost. It is no wonder that none questioned Peter’s right to lead as an apostle.
Power grab
Some critics fault Simon Peter for describing himself as an apostle. The description is a power grab, they assert.
But just as it is hypocrisy to pretend to be something one is not, to deny what God has done through one’s life is ingratitude.
The writer never claimed authority in himself as he addressed the believers of Asia Minor. Rather, he expressed humility and fortitude in equal measure in describing himself as a servant of Jesus Christ who had been commissioned by the Risen Lord to preach the gospel and make disciples.
Perhaps that is why Paul described Peter as a “pillar” of the faith (Gal. 2:9).
Simon, son of John, was changed completely by his time with Jesus — his name, personality, priorities, even his view of himself. What is being changed in you because of your time with the Lord? How do you want to be known by those around you?
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