Peter's Confession

["Click here for Matthew's account"]
["Click here for Mark's account"]
["Click here for Luke's account"]

Assembling His Disciples, He questions them concerning what they had heard others say about His identity. "Who do men say that I am?" Obviously, the people talked more freely with the disciples than they did with Jesus. Jesus had not openly said who He was but on occasions had inferred it by His word and by His works. Now He wanted to know what those people thought who had witnessed His deeds and who they thought He was.

Well, they had heard at least four opinions expressed. "Some say you are John the Baptist, others say you are Elias or Elijah, taking it from Malachi's prophecy that he would return, some say that you are Jeremiah and others say that you are one of the Prophets." They could conceive that this Jesus of Nazareth was one of the Prophets that had come back to life but they could not conceive of Him being the Messiah.

Then Jesus changes the question and asks them, the Disciples, who they thought He was. Surly these men who had been so close to Jesus and had been the subject of His teachings, would know who He was. Finally Peter spoke up and with or without the consent of the others, said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Notice Jesus was pleased with what Peter said. "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for flesh and blood have not revealed this to you, but the Father has revealed it to you." No one, including Peter, can make this confession without first being enlightened by the Holy Spirit.

Then Jesus declared the importance and purpose of this confession. How important is it? Well it is upon this confession that Christ would build His church. It is the "Rock", the foundation of the Christian belief. No one comes to the Father accept that they are able to make this confession. As long as the Church, the body of believers, believe and confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, He promises that the gates of Hell cannot prevail against it. This is why we must be so careful to preserve our faith in the divinity and Sonship of Jesus.

Then, Jesus said, the Church shall contain the "keys" to Heaven. They shall be the "containers" of the "truth" that shall make men free. This power is to be used in His name and by persuasion of the Holy Spirit. The Word of the Gospel in the mouths of faithful witnesses are to be looked upon as the Word of God.

There are two "keys" spoken of here:

1. The key of knowledge. God given and Spirit led.
2. The key of discipline. Responsible and loving examination of all who seek membership in His Church. They must also admonish those who are not living as they should and seek their repentance. They must then restore and forgive those who repent.

Then Jesus closed by telling them to tell no one that He was the Christ, because He still had much to do. This was a time to be silent; there would be a time to speak out.

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