Thou Art the Christ, the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:15-16)

2023-02-25

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (Matthew 16:15-16)

Everyone must decide who Jesus is. Peter correctly identified Him as two things: the Christ and the Son of God. He is the promised coming King from David’s line who would redeem the world. He is also Deity.

Jesus answered: “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 16:17). The Father reveals the Son to us. “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:44).

Because Peter confessed the Lord, he was told this: “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. 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 16:18-19).

He was the first “stone” to be laid to build His glorious church (the names Peter and Cephas both mean “stone” or “rock”). This church is built by the Lord Himself, so it cannot be destroyed. Individual congregations may come and go (Revelation 2:5), but the church of the firstborn, positioned in heaven, remains forever (Hebrews 12:22-23).