Revelation of the Church

Text

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15 “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

17 Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven.

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven.”

20 Then he gave the disciples orders to tell no one that he was the Messiah.

Introduction

This passage forms the climax to the Long section of the Gospel It can also be found in and which began in with Christ’s Teaching in Galilee.

The question which Jesus askes has been in view throughout the Gospel. Matthew made it clear at the beginning of the Gospel that Jesus was the one whom God’s purposes are fulfilled through.

However, at this point, the disciples had had no formal teaching on this topic and Jesus wanted to ask them what others thought of Him and what they thought of Him.

However, at this point, the disciples had had no formal teaching on this topic and Jesus wanted to ask them what others thought of Him and what they thought of Him.

Matthew: An Introduction and Commentary xi. Jesus Is the Messiah (16:13–20)

Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Messiah forms the climax to the long section of the Gospel which began in 4:17 with Jesus’ public teaching in Galilee. Throughout this section the question which Jesus poses in v. 13 has been increasingly in view. While Matthew has made clear in the first part of the Gospel (1:1–4:16) his own conviction that Jesus is the one in whom God’s purposes are fulfilled, and has recorded the clear declarations of who Jesus is by God (3:17), and by the demons (8:29), he has not so far recorded any explicit declaration by Jesus of his role as Messiah (though of course much of the recorded teaching points unmistakably in that direction). Rather we have seen the frequent amazement of the crowd at his authority in word and deed (4:24–25; 7:28–29; 9:8, 26, 31, 33; 13:54; 15:31), which has led to speculation whether he is the son of David (12:23; the title is also offered to him by suppliants in 9:27; 15:22), which no doubt gave rise to the authorities’ repeated demand for a sign to authenticate his supposed claims (12:28; 16:1). Moreover, John the Baptist has pointed forward to a ‘coming one’ (3:11–12) and has tentatively identified Jesus in this ‘Messianic’ role (11:2–6), while Herod has confused Jesus’ ministry with that of John (14:1–2). In this situation it is time for the issue to be clarified, but it is significant that, in accordance with the principle set out in 13:11–17, it is to the disciples in private that the clarification is given, here and in 17:1–13. The crowds remain in a state of uncertainty, and this, as v. 20 will vividly show, is quite deliberate.

The story shows the end was drawing near and Jesus needed all the time alone with His disciples that he could get.

Jesus had allot to say and to teach them and one demanding problem was that the days till the cross were numbered and Jesus needed to be sure that they recognized who he was.

Matthew 16:13–20 ESV

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

If no one recognized who he was no one would carry on his work and labor for the kingdom.

With this in mind he went with the disciples the Caesarea Philippi, because the population was mainly non-Jewish Jesus would have opportunity to teach his disciples alone.

1. The Identity of Jesus

“Who do people say that I am?” Jesus posed this question to his disciples at a significant place and at a critical time. Their responses started with John the Baptist and extended back to Elijah or another one of the prophets. Jesus pressed them a second time—“Who do you say that I am?”—to which Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (). The location, Caesarea Philippi, was the perfect backdrop for Peter’s dramatic declaration, as the setting was rich with symbolic possibilities due to the layers of religious and historical structures that were in place by the first centuries BC and AD. Together these contributed compelling imagery as the exchange between Jesus and his disciples unfolded. We need to explore “backstage” in order to appreciate the rich implications of the question and the answers Jesus posed and the disciples gave.

At this point Jesues wants to know about the beliefs of the croud. not the religious leaders who he was well aware had negitive thoughts about Him

One pressing and demanding problum that Jesus had was that His time was short, and the days until the cross were numbered. The problum was, was there anyone who reconized who he was? Were there any who when he departed would carry on his work and labor for the Kingdom?

Because the population was mainly non Jewish Jesus would have oppertunity to teach the twelve.

He had so much to say to them and so much to teach them, although there were many things which then they could not bear and could not understand.

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

Setting

There were two Cities in ancient Israel that were named Caesarea. They were:

1. Caesarea Maritma:

which was located on the cost of the sea of Galilee.

2. Cesarea Philippi

which is where Jesus and his disciples traveled to in this passage.

Cesarea Philippi was an about 25 miles northeast of the sea of Galilee.

Jesus and His disciples had left a region around the sea of Galilee and went northeast about 30 miles to "The district of Caesarea Philippi”.

This was a town in the extreme northeast corner of Galilee near the source of the river Jorden.

It was built by Herod the tetrarch He named the town in Honor of for Augustus Caesar.

Philipi was added to distinguish it from the coastal city of Caesarea Maritma

It was a site of Worship for the nature God known as Pan and the home of a temple dedicated to Augustus Caesar.

The fact that Jesus’ kingdom was announced here demonstrates that His kingdom is superior to Caesar’s and that he is likewise superior to all the idols and mythical God’s.

Today there are just ruins here, but the setting is very picturesque a small stream emerges from beneath two-hundred food cliff of solid Rock and small pebbles form the bed of the Jorden river. This setting helps us understand the reference to peter and the rock in verse 18.

It was here that Christ questioned His disciples about who He was and announced the formation of the Church which would be introduced to both Jews and gentiles.

“Who do people say that the son of man is?”

Matthew is the only gospel the term “son of man” is used, all the others state “Who do people say that I am”

Christ uses this question as an attention getter, he wants to know what the general opinion of him is, but also wants to know who the disciples think he is.

The question is “What are the general views of me?”. He wants to know the beliefs of the crowds,

He is not interested in what the religious leaders think, as he is well aware their response to him is negative.

The real question Jesus is asking is:

“ What do people understand by the title I use for myself?”

This question was asked at a critical time. Jesus had now closed the first stage in his ministry and was just entering the last dark one.

The real question Jesus is asking is what do people understand by this title I use for myself.

The Question is what are the general views of Me?

Caesarea Philipi was an Island city located 25 miles north of the sea of Galelee. This was a sight of worship for the nature God known as Pan. and the home of a temple dedicated to Augustus Caesar The fact that Jesus’ identity as Mesiah was announced here demonstrates that Jesus’ Kingdom is superior to Caesar’s and that he is likewise superior to all idols and mythical gods.

The inhbetents were largely gentile. Though Jesus exercised some broader ministery here primarily he gave himself to the twelve.

“Who do people say that I am?” Jesus posed this question to his disciples at a significant place and at a critical time. Their responses started with John the Baptist and extended back to Elijah or another one of the prophets. Jesus pressed them a second time—“Who do you say that I am?”—to which Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (). The location, Caesarea Philippi, was the perfect backdrop for Peter’s dramatic declaration, as the setting was rich with symbolic possibilities due to the layers of religious and historical structures that were in place by the first centuries BC and AD. Together these contributed compelling imagery as the exchange between Jesus and his disciples unfolded. We need to explore “backstage” in order to appreciate the rich implications of the question and the answers Jesus posed and the disciples gave.

14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

The Reply

14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

The disciples replied to Jesus with What others were saying. They first responded with John the Baptist. Then Elijah and Third, only mentioned in the Matthew account, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.

John the Baptist

A. John the Baptist was a high human figure and a Jewish National Hero. and Many including Herod himself thought he was so great a figure that He might well come back from the dead.

The NET Bible First Edition Notes Notes for 16:14

The appearance of Elijah would mean that the end time had come. According to 2 Kgs 2:11, Elijah was still alive. In Mal 4:5 it is said that Elijah would be the precursor of Messiah.

In one can read: At that time Herod, the tetrarch herd the report about Jesus “This is John the Baptist,” he told his servants. “He has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in Him.”

At that time Herod, the tetrarch herd the report about Jesus “This is John the Baptist,” he told his servants. “He has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in Him.”

Elijah

A. This came from an old testament Prophet that Elijah would be sent by God before the great and terrible Judgment of the Day of the Lord

Look, I am going to send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.

Look, I am going to send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.

B. This statement was saying that Jesus was the greatest of the Prophets.

1. Elijah had always been looked at as the summit and the prince of the prophetic line. They were saying that Jesus was the frontrunner of the Messiah.

2. Some of Jesus’ miracles were similar to Elijah and thus they thought that he must be Elijah

Jeremiah or one of the Prophets

1. John the Baptist

A. It was believed that before the people went into exile Jeremiah had taken the ark of the covenant and the alter of incense out of the temple and hidden them away in a cave on mount Nebo; and before the coming of the messiah he would return and produce them and the glory of God would again come to the people.

This belief came from the Apocryphal books

B. Theese books such as Maccabees are not scripture. but they were viewed by the jews at this time as good historical books.

The First and Second Books of Maccabees contain the most detailed accounts of the battles of Judah Maccabee and his brothers for the liberation of Judea from foreign domination.

These books include within them the earliest references to the story of Hanukkah and the rededication of the Temple, in addition to the famous story of the mother and her seven sons. And yet, these two books are missing from the Hebrew Bible.

The First and Second Books of Maccabees contain the most detailed accounts of the battles of Judah Maccabee and his brothers for the liberation of Judea from foreign domination. These books include within them the earliest references to the story of Hanukkah and the rededication of the Temple, in addition to the famous story of the mother and her seven sons. And yet, these two books are missing from the Hebrew Bible.

We have talked about the Cannon in the past so I will not re-hash that issue

1. There are no new Testement quotations from the Apocropha

1. There are no new Testament quotations from the Apocrypha

2. The Jews rejected the Apocropha as Part of Scripture

2. The Jews rejected the Apocrypha as Part of Scripture

3. The Apocrypha contains a number of false teachings

3. The Apocrypha contains a number of false teachings

This obviously breaks several parts of the tests for Canonicity, however the Jews still viewed it as a historical book.

: Jeremiah came and found a cave-dwelling, and he brought there the tent and the ark and the altar of incense; then he sealed up the entrance. 6 Some of those who followed him came up intending to mark the way, but could not find it. 7 When Jeremiah learned of it, he rebuked them and declared: “The place shall remain unknown until God gathers his people together again and shows his mercy. 8 Then the Lord will disclose these things, and the glory of the Lord and the cloud will appear, as they were shown in the case of Moses, and as Solomon asked that the place should be specially consecrated.

: Jeremiah came and found a cave-dwelling, and he brought there the tent and the ark and the altar of incense; then he sealed up the entrance. 6 Some of those who followed him came up intending to mark the way, but could not find it. 7 When Jeremiah learned of it, he rebuked them and declared: “The place shall remain unknown until God gathers his people together again and shows his mercy. 8 Then the Lord will disclose these things, and the glory of the Lord and the cloud will appear, as they were shown in the case of Moses, and as Solomon asked that the place should be specially consecrated.

The ministry of Jesus was looked at as a fulfillment of this story.

The statement “One of the prophets” would have certainly included Isiah who was mentioned along with Jerimiah in Another Apocrophal book

John the Baptist was a high humon figure and a Jewish natinal Hero.

John the Baptist was a natinal hero and many including Herod Antioas thought he was so great a figure that he might well come back from the dead.

Harod suspected he was the reserected John the Baptist.

2. Elijah

Came from the OT prophesy that Elijah should be sent by God before the great and terible Judgement of the Day of the Lord

This statement was saying that Jesus was the greatest of the prophets. Eligha had alwas been looked at as the summit and the prince of the prophetic line. They were saying that Jesus was the frountrunner of the Messiah

When the people identified Jesus with Elijah and Jeremiah, they were according to their understanding paying him a great compliment and setting him in a high place

Some of Jesues’ miricles were similar to Elija and they thought that this wa Elija’s promiced return

Jeremiah and Elijah were non-other that expected frontrunners of the anointed one of God, and when they arrived the kingdom would be very near.

Though all of the responses were positive none of them is an adequate response to what Christ’s ministry sets forth.

15 “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?”

A, Jesus’ Statement “but” is a contrast, I know what the crowds are saying, but what do you think?

some thought that Jesues was Jeremiah based on Apocryphal books

This is a question that Jesus had not asked before, but due to the upcoming cross he wanted to be sure they understood.

The disciples had experienced Jesus’ authority on a much higher level than the crowds and thus Jesus expected a higher assessment from them.

In addition, Jesus’ teaching to them had contained much more revelation than that geared toward the crowds.

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

one of the prophes would have included Isaiah who was mentioned along with Jerimiah in

A. The disciples had made this statement before in : Then those in the boat worshiped him and said, “trully you are the son of God.”

But Christ wanted to be sure they understood at a time it was not accompanied by a miracle.

All the disciples had come to this conclusion as they spent time with Jesus and observed his ministry. Peter spoke for all the disciples as he frequently did in the gospels and in Acts.

he states “You are the Messiah, the son of the living God”

Though all of the responces our positive none of them is andquate reponce to what to what his ministery sets forth

He clearly states “you are” he does not say I believe but rather a clear affirmation that “you are”

only Matthew wntions Jerimiah

messiah is Hebrew for the one who has been anointed, and Christ is greek for the same. The idea was that through him all prophesies will be fulfilled.

Peter’s declaration undoubtedly distinguishes Jesus as the divine Savior in a since that is not applicable to any normal man.

Peters discovery was that human categories, even the highest are inadequate to describe Jesus Christ. When people described Jesus as Elijah or Jeremiah or one of the prophets they thought they were setting Jesus in the highest category they could find.

it was the belief of the jews that for 400 years the voice of prophecy had been silent and they were saying that in Jesus men and Women heard again the direct authentic voice of God.

these were great tributes but they were not great enough for Jesus was the voice of the living God. even though peter had shown little faith on some occasions, and he would deny the Lord three time he now makes a significant affirmation of the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The term living God is important to differentiate between the pagan Gods and the one true God

In each of the gospels different wording is used

Mark

you are the messiah

Luke

The Messiah of God

Jesus knew his work was safe because at least someone understood who he was

15 “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?”

The deciples had experienced Jesus’ authority on a much higher level than the crowds and thus Jesus expected a higher assesment from them.

In addition Jesus’ teaching to them had contained much more revelation than that geared tward the crowds.

Therefore his secound question is ‘Who do you say I am?

Christ had gotten the responce from the crowd now he wanted the responce form the deciples

There may have been a moment of scielence here as the diciples thoughts came which they may have been afraid to put into words.

Jesus had not asked this question of them before but due to the upcomming cross, he wanted to be sure they understood.

but; in contrast to the crouds what do you think of me?

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living

God.”

Messiah is Hebrew for the One who has been anointed

In addition Jesus’ teaching to them had contained much more revelation than that geared tward the crowds.

Therefore his secound question is ‘Who do you say I am?

Christ had gotten the responce from the crowd now he wanted the responce form the deciples

In him all promices of God will be fulfiled

Christ is greek for “one who has been anointed “

There may have been a moment of scielence here as the diciples thoughts came which they may have been afraid to put into words.

The NET Bible First Edition Notes Notes for 16:16

20 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”

Peter spoke on Behalf of the deciples has he often did declaring he was the Christ.

In both Gospels and in Acts Peter frequently represents the 12 ( ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; )

Peters decleration uniquwly distiguishes Him as the divine savior in a sence that is not applicable to any normal man.

Peter rconized and aknolaged openly the missiahship of Jesues.

by his statemnt the SOn of the living God peter was exclaiming he was not just a son of a God, but a The son of God.

In him are all the promices of God to the nation and the OT to be fulfilled.

All the deciples had come to This conclusion as they spent time with Jesues and observed His minitery.

Jesus knew his work was safe because at least someone understood who he was

Each of the gospels has different wording for what happened

Mark

you are the messiah

you are

Luke

The Messiah of God

Peters discovery was that humon categories, even the highest ane inadequate to discribe Jesus Christ. When people described Jesus as Elija or Jermiah or one of the prophets they thought they were setting Jesus in the highest category they could find. it was the belief of the jes that for 400 years the voice of prophecy had been silent and they were saying that in Jesus men and Women heard again the direct authentic voice of God. theese were great tributes but they were not great enough for Jesus was the voice of the living God.

THis was the secound confession by the deciples the first was in matthew 14:33 but this time it was not along with a mircle

living God is importent to diferentiate between the pegon Gods and the one true God

even though peter had shown little faith on some occations, and he would deny the Lord three timeshe now makes a significant affirmation of the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

He clearly states “you are” he does not say I believe you are but rather “You are”

17 Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven

17 Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah,[c] because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound[d] in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed[e] in heaven.”20 Then he gave the disciples orders to tell no one that he was[f] the Messiah.

Jesus immediately responds, and tells peter he is blessed. He gave the opinion of all the disciples, but he alone had the forethought to put it into words, and the courage to speak up.

Flesh and blood means that “you did not discover this on your own.

The NET Bible First Edition Notes Notes for 16:17

The expression “flesh and blood” could refer to “any human being” (so TEV, NLT; cf. NIV “man”), but it could also refer to Peter himself (i.e., his own intuition; cf. CEV “You didn’t discover this on your own”). Because of the ambiguity of the referent, the phrase “flesh and blood” has been retained in the translation.

The phrase flesh and blood was a common term to refer to the human. Therefore, Christ is saying that God reveled this to peter and he did not figure it out on his own.

The phrse flesh and blodd was a comon term to refer to the humon. Therfore Christ is saying that God reaveled this to peter and he did not figure it out on his own.

God given truth about Jesus

2. The Announcement of the Church

Peter said the thoughts of all the deciples, but he along had the thought to put it into words and the courge to speak out.

God hi,self reaveled this to Peter

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven.”

A. This passage is the Roman catholic foundation of the pope of the church.

This passage taken by the Catholic Church that peter was given the keys to include or exclude people from Heaven.

They say that Peter became the first Bishop of Rome and has passed down to today’s pope.

The view is that peter is the Rock which the Church is founded on and is the first Pope.

Christ does not promise to build the Church upon Peter, but upon Himself.

The Greek and Hebrew

THe Greek and Hebrew

THe greek name for Peter is little stone Jesus uses a medephore which is not strange in the Jewish way of thinking. Christ is a Rock and through the study of scripture it is clear that the Rock is Christ himself. So what Christ is saying is “You are a little stone, and upon this massive rock I will build my Church”

A. The Greek name for Peter is little stone

Jesus uses a metaphor which is not strange in the Jewish way of thinking. Christ is a Rock and through the study of scripture it is clear that the Rock here is Christ himself.

So, what Christ is saying is “You are a little stone, and upon this massive rock I will build my Church”

It was not peter on which the church would be built but upon the person who witnessed his confession of Faith, “Christ the son of the living God” he word build is also significant because it implies the gradual erection of the church. under the symbolisim of living stones being built upon Christ, the foundation stone.

B. It was not peter on which the church would be built but upon the person who witnessed his confession of Faith, “Christ the son of the living God”

C. the words “build” are also significant because it implies the gradual erection of the church.

“Christ the son of the living God” the words build is also significant because it implies the gradual erection of the church. under the symbolism of living stones being built upon Christ, the foundation stone.

under the symbolism of living stones being built upon Christ, the foundation stone.

Even Peter himself states this in

Even Peter himself states this in

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Nothing in this passage leads to the idea that Peter is what the church is built on and he is the first pope.

“and the gates of hades will not over power it”

This is saying that nothing will take over Christ’s Church.

Note they are likely in the shadows of the gates of the pagon temples and hades is a reference to the power of death. So Christ is saying his church will never die.

3. The expanding of The Church

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven.”

A. Christ was making it clear the authority and important place of peter as having the message which unlocks the entrance into the kingdom of heaven.

every believer who has the gospel has the right to declare that those who believe the gospel are loosed on earth as well as in heaven, and to declare that those who reject the gospel are bound in earth as well as in heaven.

Peter and the other deciples were to continue the work of Christ on earth by preaching the gospel and declareing God’s will to people. Dong such they were armed with the same authority as he himself posesed.

This message is the gospel

Christ building his Church is the basis for the great commission. after the reserection and assention of Christ the deciples would be empowered and intrusted to take his message to the entire world.

B. every believer who has the gospel has the right to declare that those who believe the gospel are loosed on earth as well as in heaven, and to declare that those who reject the gospel are bound in earth as well as in heaven.

B. Peter and the other disciples were to continue the work of Christ on earth by preaching the gospel and declaring God’s will to people. Dong such they were armed with the same authority as he himself possessed.

C. Christ building his Church is the basis for the great commission. after the resurrection and assentation of Christ the disciples would be empowered and entrusted to take his message to the entire world.

Every Believer falls under this command that we have the keys of the Gospel and we must share it.

4. The Wait for the Church

The NET Bible First Edition Notes Notes for 16:18

sn In the OT, Hades was known as Sheol. It is the place where the unrighteous will reside (Matt 11:23; Luke 16:23; Rev 20:13–14). Some translations render this by its modern equivalent, “hell”; others see it as a reference to the power of death.

Hades refers to where unrichous reside.

It would be built on the rock solid truth of peters confession that Jesus was the Christ?

Peter is not the first Biship

the gates of hadies is to say the church will not die.

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,

a cornerstone chosen and precious,

and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone,”

8 and

“A stone of stumbling,

and a rock of offense.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

in the greek peter means rock and his arimaic name was Cephas which also means rock so Jesus said you are a rock and on this Rock I will build my church.

Jesus uses a medephore which is not strange at all in the jewish way of thinking

one thing is clear to call anyone a rock was a great compliment.

not on peter but on his confession of Christ as Lord.

The Church will not Parish

the word build is also significant because it implies the gradual erection of the church. under the symbolisim of living stones being built upon Christ, the foundation stone.

none of this leads to the idea that peter is what the church is built on and he is the first pope.

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound[d] in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed[e] in heaven.

”20 Then he gave the disciples orders to tell no one that he was[f] the Messiah.

A. Jesus concluded His discourse on this important theme by charging His disciples not to tell anyone that He was Jesus the Christ. This strange command for silence is best understood as meaning that it was not necessary at this point to further spread the claim that he was indeed the messiah. Christ knew it was too late for the nation to accept him and there was no point trying to convince a nation that had already rejected Him

Matthew 16:13-20

v.1414 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

The appearence of Elijah would mean that the end had come. According to Elijah was still alive. In It is said that Elijah would be the precursor of Messiah.

v.15 15 “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?”

v.16 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

The Messiah means one who has been anointed.

Christ knew it was too late for the nation to accept him and there was no point trying to convince a nation that had already rejected Him

v.17 17 Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah,[c] because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven.

v.18 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

Hades refers to where unrichous reside.

v.19 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound[d] in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed[e] in heaven.”

v.20 20 Then he gave the disciples orders to tell no one that he was[f] the Messiah.

The time would come when they would proclaim it fearlessly, even though it would lead most of them to a martyr’s death.

Application

1.Do you Reconize who Jesus is

2. Are you doing your Part in sharing the Gospel

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