A New Name
You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas (which is translated Peter).(John 1:42)
The gospels and Acts show Simon’s development into his new name, including times of failure when the Lord again called him “Simon.” (See John 21:15-17)
Our New Name
We also are growing into a new name that will be given to us in heaven.
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.(Revelation 2:17)
Our Growth
Our growth into a new name started when we came to saving faith in Christ.
1. New Creatures
We, Christians, are new creatures
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.(2 Corinthians 5:17)
2. Being Transformed
We are being transformed
Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.(1 Corinthians 6:11)
3. Learning to Walk
We are learning to walk after Christ
and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.(Ephesians 4:24)
and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—(Colossians 3:10)
4. God is Working on Us
God will keep working on us until the day of Christ
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)
Be Encouraged
What encouragement! We are not like we were before coming to faith in Jesus Christ. God is working in us, making us ready for our new names.
Hallelujah!
