Simon Peter

In Twelve Ordinary Men, MacArthur points out an interesting fact about Peter.

Jesus not only gave him a new name when He called Simon, but He continued to use the old name as well. When Peter was doing right, Jesus called him Peter, but when Peter messed up, Jesus reminded him by calling him Simon again.

Sometimes Peter did a good job, and sometimes he didn't.

According to MacArthur:
"Peter was exactly like most Christians--both carnal and spiritual. He succumbed to the habits of the flesh sometimes; he functioned in the Spirit other times. He was sinful sometimes, but other times he acted the way a righteous man ought to act. This vacillating man--sometimes Simon, sometimes Peter--was the leader of the Twelve."