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NASB | Matthew 16:16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 16:16 Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of the living God." |
Bible Question:
(Matt.16:15-19) Which church was Jesus refering to to Peter ? A God of Love would not want to confuse His children with so so many different denominations and doctrines,would He ? |
Bible Answer: Great question! Jesus was making reference to HIS Church, not a denomination or a group's interpretation. In this scripture Jesus makes Peter aware of the revelation of truth that he alone gave to him. He explained further that his Church would be built upon that very same revelation of truth. Once the "Comforter" or Holy Ghost hit the scene in Act 2 the Church was ready to be born. The revelation of truth was once again given of God, through Peter’s lips. This was the foundation and core principle of the Church. As a matter of fact, many were added to the Church based on the message that was preached by Peter. The message of truth hasn't changed and shouldn't change. Denominations have changed and beliefs have changed, but God changes not. The disciples never preached a message that was contrary to the message preached by Peter that day. Yet, some Churches today teach a very different message. We are forced to evaluate our doctrine and belief systems. Do we still believe the 1st sermon ever preached after the Holy Ghost was made available to man? Has man changed the interpretation, voted on a doctrine or watered down the message through years of "great ideas" and power struggles. Jesus, the God of love spent week after week, month after month and year after year training his disciples in sound doctrine. They ate it, drank it and breathed it and after Jesus' death they delivered it. As they administered the prescription for eternal life they warned the Church that there would be others that come after them, that would try to teach a different doctrine. He warned them because it wouldn't be obvious. Remember the first description of Satan in the garden was that he was "subtle". The message Peter preached in the upper room on the day of Pentecost was free but it didn't come cheap. Act 2:38 is foundational truth, but it is just the foundation. Feel free to explore the rest of the Word of God to build a great monument to Jesus on that foundation. I hope this was helpful! |