“13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 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. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:13-19, KJV).
Loved ones, Peter offered the definitive answer to our subject question: Jesus Christ was the Son of God. Peter had not learned this from some other man, but from God Himself. Exactly how this revelation may have been given to Peter is not stated, but the truth of our Lord's identity is not a matter of doubt for Peter, nor should it be for us. Everything we know about Jesus validates Peter's confession.
In addition to Peter's confession and the Lord's own acknowledgment that He was the Son of God, we have the testimony of John the Baptizer. Further, on at least three occasions the voice of God was heard from Heaven proclaiming Jesus as His Son. Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament regarding the Messiah, and what He did and said gave proof of who He was (John 5:30-39).
How important is His divinity? It was on the basis of His divinity that He would build His church. The church was built upon “the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20). The bedrock foundation of the church is Jesus, the Son of God. There is no other foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11). The church was not built by or upon Peter. He was given the keys to the kingdom or church, which he used to open the gates to all (Acts 2 and 10). Peter nor any of the so-called “popes” were ever the head of the church. The church has but one head, Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:18). There are many sincere people who still do not understand these fundamental truths. Believe and obey Jesus to enjoy endless bliss. Reject him, and there is no hope (John 12:48). God is so good. Love you. Samuel – 12 July 26
