Simon Peter, a "rock" that "heard"
Jesus' metaphorical statement to Simon Barjona, calling him by the new name Cephas ("a stone" in Aramaic) in the Gospel of John, or Peter ("a piece of rock" in Greek) in the Gospel of Matthew, has corresponding details in the circumstances of Peter's
birth, and corresponding "signs" (miracles).
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. Numbers 20:7,8
Jesus' statement about Peter's name in the Gospel of John:
"Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas," which is by interpretation, A stone. John 1:42
Jesus' statement in the Gospel of Matthew:
"Thou art Peter [Greek Petros], and upon this rock [Greek petra] I will build my church" Matthew 16:18
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For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: Isaiah 44:3
Corresponding details in the circumstances of Peter's birth:
Peter's original name (in the Greek text) was Simon Barjona. Simon is Greek for the Hebrew name "Simeon". Since Simeon means "heard", and Peter means "rock", Simon Peter was a "rock" that "heard."
Matthew 16:17, John 1:42, Acts 15:7-14, Genesis 29:33
Barjona means "son of Jona," which means "dove". The Holy Spirit descended "like a dove" when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist," and is the "living water" that Jesus gives.
John 1:32, John 4:10, John 7:37-39
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This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Acts 2:32,33
Corresponding "sign" in the works (miracles) which Jesus did:
John the Baptist was a "voice" speaking in the wilderness. Simon Peter was a "rock" that "heard." Jesus is the giver of the "living water" of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the "living water" that Jesus gives.
On the day of Pentecost, visitors to Jerusalem hearing Peter and the other believers in the upper room praising God in languages which they had never learned, but which the visitors to Jerusalem understood, confirms that Jesus poured out the "living water" of the Holy Spirit on the believers in the upper room.
Peter then exhorted everyone to repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus, and receive the Holy Spirit, saying that the "promise" [of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit] is to three groups of people:
- "You" - those Peter was speaking to on that day.
- "Your children" - the children of those Peter was speaking to on that day.
- "All that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call" - all future generations and all nations.
Acts 2:14-39
Note: For more information on this topic, see Dr. Jim Feeney's The Baptism with the Holy Spirit is for You Today and John Brown's Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
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