PETER'S CONFESSION OF CHRIST

Matthew 16:17-20

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi,

He asked His Disciples,

'WHO DO PEOPLE SAY THE SON OF MAN IS?'

14 They replied,

'Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah;

And still others, Jeremiah or one of the Prophets.'

15 'BUT WHAT ABOUT YOU? He asked.

'WHO DO YOU SAY I AM?'

16 Simon Peter answered,

'YOU ARE THE CHRIST,

THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD.'

17 Jesus replied,

'BLESSED ARE YOU, SIMON SON OF JONAH,

FOR THIS WAS NOT REVEALED TO YOU BY MAN,

BUT BY MY FATHER IN HEAVEN.

18 AND ON THIS ROCK,

I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH,

AND THE GATES OF HADES WILL NOT OVERCOME IT.

19 I WILL GIVE YOU THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN;

WHATEVER YOU BIND ON EARTH

WILL BE BOUND IN HEAVEN,

AND WHATEVER YOU LOOSE ON EARTH

WILL BE LOOSED IN HEAVEN.'

20 Then He warned His Disciples

Not to tell anyone that He was the Christ.

(Matthew 16:17-20)

The only way Christ Jesus can be received

Is as the Christ, the Son of the Living God,

And this Reality can only be revealed by the Holy Spirit.

It is upon this Rock, this Reality,

That Christ Jesus builds His Church,

And the Gates of Hell will not Overcome it.

Those who understand this Reality,

And receive Jesus as the Christ of God,

Are given the Keys of the Kingdom of God.

Then, whatever the Christian binds on Earth,

Is bond in Heaven,

And whatever they loose on Earth,

Is loosed in Heaven.