In the New Testament, Peter the Apostle is one of the most significant of JesusÆ twelve apostles. Simon ben Jonah is PeterÆs original name, but when Jesus encountered Simon and his brother fishing he said: ôThou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is interpreted Peter.ö There are numerous mentions of Peter, later Saint Peter, during his apostolic life in the New Testament Gospels and Acts. It is in Act 15:14 that PeterÆs original name was ôSimonö or ôSimeon.ö
As Peter, which translates in Aramaic as ôrock,ö it is shown that Christ viewed Peter as the ôfoundation rock,ö according to Matthew, and Perkins argues that Peter serves as ôthe basis for the tradition of Christian practice.ö Though Peter will deny Jesus three times before he is crucified, Peter is viewed as a model for Christians to follow. This is primarily because his virtues are accompanied by weakness which is overcome through Jesus, similar to the condition of humankind. This is why Peter is so significant among the twelve apostles of Christ.
Simon ben Jona, rechristened Peter by Christ, was one of the twelve original disciples or apostles of Christ. His life is featured to a significant degree in the New Testament, particular in the Gospels and the Acts. According to Kirsch, Simon was the son of Jona or Johannes, born in Bethsaida according to John 1:42, 44, a town on Lake Genesareth. PeterÆs brother Andrew and another member of their town would also become apostles of Christ, attracted by the concept of penance. While fishing on the East bank of the river Jordan, Christ sought out Peter and his brother. This is when he rechristened Simon ben Jona: ôFlesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter and on this rock I will build my church.ö At this meeting, Jesus also said to Peter, who would one day travel extensively preaching His mess...