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THE K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
and, second, His nature as the Divine One— the Son of the Living God; the true Messiah and the Divine Son of God. This testimony which had al ready been given by Jesus Himself in the working of miracles, and now in clear, unmistakable, comprehensive terms by Peter, embodies the essentials for man’s salvation. (1 John 4 :15). “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” (2) The Foundation Rock, vs. 18-20. There is blessing in testimony. “If we confess Him, He confesses us.” Blessed Peter! He had already been given the title (Mark 3 :16). “Thou art Petros (a fragment of stone) and upon this Petra (a rock) I will found my church.” Whether Christ meant that He Himself was the Rock, as He is called in Psalms, or whether the con fession itself is the Rock, it does not matter much for either could be true. We are sure He did not mean to build His church upon a papacy, with Peter as the first Pope, for Peter had a wife and a mother-in-law, and that would never do for a Pope. Here is the first mention of the church in the Bible. The church was to be built. It did not yet exist. (1 Cor. 3:10; Eph. 2:20; Eph. 5:25-27; 2 Tim. 2 :19). Jesus Christ is both the Founder and Foundation, and the Finisher of the church. “Other foundation can no man lay” (1 Cor. 3 :11). He is also the Corner-stone (Eph. 2:20 ). Faith puts us upon the foundation, and hell itself cannot prevail against us. Floods* may come, but we cannot be moved. We are settled and steadfast upon the Rock Christ Jesus. Whoever makes the con fession which Peter made is built upon the Rock and built into the structure of the temple of the living God. Peter had also the keys to open the door, which he did at Pentecost to the
was in man (John 2 :25). He knows the hearts of men; perceives their thoughts. He was seeking to draw out the disciples and prepare the way. for His own testimony concerning Himself. The question developed the fact that the Jews were impressed with the truth that He was a great man, but they did not recognize His high claim as the Messiah. He was a disappointment to them. He failed to fulfill their expecta tions and high hopes. Some, with guilty consciences like Herod, believed Him to be John the Baptist (Matt. 14:2). Others thought He must be Elijah (Mark 6 :15). They confused the ad vents and looked upon Him as the forerunner of the Messiah. While the philosophers said “He is one of the prophets,” the faith that had existed among them during the early part of His ministry had largely died out. The second question propounded by Him was far more important: “Whom do ye say that Xam?” “You have been with me; heard my messages; seen my works; what do you say?” He had said to them, “Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of heaven,” now—“What is your verdict?” This question involves the person and work of the Son of God and its answer involves the destiny of the soul of every human being. The man who is the mouthpiece of the disciples, answers the question. Peter, — impetuous, appealing, strong of per sonality, sometimes right and sometimes wrong, but always the first to act and speak—answers, and this time he is right, and his reply has well been regis tered “The Great Confession.” (Rom. 1 :4; Heb. 1 :5). It was not by human wisdom that Peter spoke these splendid words. They were given Him of our Lord’s Father, through the Holy Spirit. The answer embraces two essentials — first, His office as Messiah, the Christ;
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