The Rock of the Early Church
Cephas is the Aramaic name given by Jesus Christ to the Apostle Simon, whom we know best by his Greek name, Peter. The name Cephas holds deep theological meaning, as it signifies the rock foundation upon which Christ declared He would build His New Testament church.
The Significance of a New Name
The encounter where Simon received his new name is recorded at the very beginning of the Apostle’s ministry. It occurred when his brother Andrew first brought him to meet Jesus:
“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.” (John 1:42, KJV)
The key to understanding Cephas is its dual translation:
- Aramaic: The original name given by Christ was Cephas ($\text{Kephas}$).
- Greek: The Gospel writer (John) provides the Greek interpretation, $\text{Petros}$ (Peter), which also means “a stone” or “rock.”
By giving Simon this new name, Christ was not merely offering a nickname; He was announcing a change in identity and destiny. From a wavering fisherman, Simon would be transformed into a cornerstone figure of the Christian faith.
The Rock of Revelation
The most famous declaration involving this name occurred after Peter made his profound confession of faith. Jesus uses the Greek form of the name but confirms its underlying rock-like nature:
“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:16-18, KJV)
The “rock” ($\text{petra}$) upon which the church is built is not Peter himself, but the divine confession he made—the foundational truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Peter (Cephas) was the first to articulate this truth by divine revelation, making him the initial, leading stone in the foundation.
Cephas in the Early Church
The name Cephas is used prominently by the Apostle Paul in his letters, particularly in his rebuke of the church at Corinth and in his defense of the Gospel’s purity against legalistic influences in Galatia. Paul consistently uses the Aramaic name when referring to Peter as the recognized leader of the Jewish Christian faction in Jerusalem:
“But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches. … Every man according to as he is called, in that abide with God. … Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? … Now I say this, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 7:17, 7:20, 1:12, KJV)
Paul’s use of Cephas underscores the authority and distinct ministry that Peter held among the original apostles.
The Prophetic Lesson of Cephas
The dual name of Simon (Simon/Cephas/Peter) serves as a profound model for the believer:
- Transformation by Christ: The change from Simon (meaning “he has heard”) to Cephas (“a rock”) is a testament to the transformative power of salvation, where Christ remakes a person to fulfill a divine purpose.
- The Unchanging Foundation: The very meaning of the name reminds the Church that the only unshakeable defense against the forces of apostasy and the gates of hell is the unshakeable truth: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Cephas is the enduring symbol of the believer who, by receiving divine revelation, is made strong and steadfast to hold the line of truth.