Jesus answered, "You are blessed, Simon son of Jonah. No person taught you that. My Father in heaven showed you who I am. So I tell you, you are Peter. And I will build my church on this rock. The power of death will not be able to defeat my church. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. When you speak judgment here on earth, that judgment will be God's judgment. When you promise forgiveness here on earth, that forgiveness will be God's forgiveness."
—Matthew 16:17-19
Key Thought
Why do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?
What difference does it make if we don't call Jesus the "Christ"?
Where is the basis for the apostles' authority in the early church?
The answers to all of these questions and more are found in this one little passage. The apostles have authority because Jesus granted it to them. Their teaching about Jesus and authority to teach the Church are from God. Their insight is divinely driven.
We trust the apostles' witness, not just because they were eyewitnesses of Jesus' life and resurrection, but also because God has revealed the truth about Jesus to them. In a world that distrusts any authority and of diverse opinions, we are called to obey these teachings and recognize their authority because they are from God. So like the early Christians, we look to the authoritative word of Scripture to be our basis for authority as we are guided by the Holy Spirit to use it appropriately in our lives.
Today's Prayer
Father and King, thank you for revealing your will to human beings who could convey it in words we can understand. Thank you for taking average everyday men and women and making them vessels of your holy truth. Give me a heart that yearns for truth and a will that seeks to conform to your revealed will. I want you to be honored in my words and actions. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Jesus went to the area of Caesarea Philippi. Jesus said to his followers, "I am the Son of Man. Who do the people say I am?" The followers answered, "Some people say you are John the Baptizer. Other people say you are Elijah. And some people say that you are Jeremiah or one of the prophets. " Then Jesus said to his followers, "And who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered, "You are blessed, Simon son of Jonah. No person taught you that. My Father in heaven showed you who I am. So I tell you, you are Peter. And I will build my church on this rock. The power of death will not be able to defeat my church. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. When you speak judgment here on earth, that judgment will be God's judgment. When you promise forgiveness here on earth, that forgiveness will be God's forgiveness." Then Jesus warned his followers not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.Matthew 16:13-20
Related Scripture Readings
You believers are like a building that God owns. That building was built on the foundation that the apostles and prophets prepared. Christ himself is the most important stone in that building. That whole building is joined together in Christ. And Christ makes it grow and become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Christ you people are being built together with the other people (the Jews). You are being made into a place where God lives through the Spirit. — Ephesians 2:20-22
Then Jesus said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. I praise you because you have hidden these things from the wise and smart people. But you have shown these things to people that are like little children. Yes, Father, you did this because this is what you really wanted to do. "My Father has given me all things. No person knows the Son—only the Father knows the Son. And no person knows the Father—only the Son knows the Father. And the only people that will know about the Father are those people the Son chooses to tell. — Matthew 11:25-27
{The believers continued to meet together.} They used their time to learn the teaching of the apostles. The believers shared with each other. They ate together and prayed together. — Acts 2:42
Ⓒ 1996-2017 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.
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—Matthew 16:17-19
Key Thought
Why do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?
What difference does it make if we don't call Jesus the "Christ"?
Where is the basis for the apostles' authority in the early church?
The answers to all of these questions and more are found in this one little passage. The apostles have authority because Jesus granted it to them. Their teaching about Jesus and authority to teach the Church are from God. Their insight is divinely driven.
We trust the apostles' witness, not just because they were eyewitnesses of Jesus' life and resurrection, but also because God has revealed the truth about Jesus to them. In a world that distrusts any authority and of diverse opinions, we are called to obey these teachings and recognize their authority because they are from God. So like the early Christians, we look to the authoritative word of Scripture to be our basis for authority as we are guided by the Holy Spirit to use it appropriately in our lives.
Today's Prayer
Father and King, thank you for revealing your will to human beings who could convey it in words we can understand. Thank you for taking average everyday men and women and making them vessels of your holy truth. Give me a heart that yearns for truth and a will that seeks to conform to your revealed will. I want you to be honored in my words and actions. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Jesus went to the area of Caesarea Philippi. Jesus said to his followers, "I am the Son of Man. Who do the people say I am?" The followers answered, "Some people say you are John the Baptizer. Other people say you are Elijah. And some people say that you are Jeremiah or one of the prophets. " Then Jesus said to his followers, "And who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered, "You are blessed, Simon son of Jonah. No person taught you that. My Father in heaven showed you who I am. So I tell you, you are Peter. And I will build my church on this rock. The power of death will not be able to defeat my church. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. When you speak judgment here on earth, that judgment will be God's judgment. When you promise forgiveness here on earth, that forgiveness will be God's forgiveness." Then Jesus warned his followers not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.Matthew 16:13-20
Related Scripture Readings
You believers are like a building that God owns. That building was built on the foundation that the apostles and prophets prepared. Christ himself is the most important stone in that building. That whole building is joined together in Christ. And Christ makes it grow and become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Christ you people are being built together with the other people (the Jews). You are being made into a place where God lives through the Spirit. — Ephesians 2:20-22
Then Jesus said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. I praise you because you have hidden these things from the wise and smart people. But you have shown these things to people that are like little children. Yes, Father, you did this because this is what you really wanted to do. "My Father has given me all things. No person knows the Son—only the Father knows the Son. And no person knows the Father—only the Son knows the Father. And the only people that will know about the Father are those people the Son chooses to tell. — Matthew 11:25-27
{The believers continued to meet together.} They used their time to learn the teaching of the apostles. The believers shared with each other. They ate together and prayed together. — Acts 2:42
Ⓒ 1996-2017 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.
