Simon Peter had just confessed that he believed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God. It was a huge statement and maybe even surprised the brazen fisherman. But Jesus quickly stepped in to remove any sense of pride from Peter; and then to set before the trainee apostles a mission which was impossible – except for God.
Peter’s confident announcement owed nothing to his intellect or Bible knowledge. The truth came from God the Father. It was a gift to Peter, as was the faith to believe that it was true. While the revelation came from God, the faith to believe it became embedded into Peter and enabled him to see the identity of Jesus clearly. That was rock-solid faith, built upon the unchanging character of God - the Father, Son and Holy Spirit - all sharing the same character.
The mission of the church would depend on the apostles’ teaching. If they did not believe it, they would not have had the courage to preach it in the face of potentially lethal persecution. The gospel they preached was that Jesus Christ, who was crucified, was God in a human body; and that His resurrection demonstrated the eternal life which would be given to all who believe in Jesus. That truth and the faith God would give to those who heard the message, was so secure that it would act as a battering ram to break down Satan's strongholds forcing him to release people he has held captive.
The 'keys of the kingdom' are the gospel truths which free people from evil lies which act as barriers to faith. When the apostles announced freedom from sin, Satan and hell through the gospel, all heaven would agree. That continues to be the work of the church. Every believer has the right (and shares the responsibility) to announce Jesus as God the Son to a spiritually sick and dying world. As you grow in confidence that what you have believed about Jesus is also eternally important for your friends and colleagues, you must share it – and pray that God will give them the ability to believe and develop a rock-solid saving faith.
Rock-solid Faith
Matthew 16:17-20
Jesus replied, 'Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 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.' Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. (NIVUK)
Prayer
Heavenly Father. Thank You for the people who explained the gospel to me: and thank You for giving me the faith to believe it. Forgive me for hiding Your gospel from other people through fear or weakness. Please help me to be bold about Jesus, and please give my friends and colleagues the faith to believe in Him. In His Name. Amen.
Bible Book
© Dr Paul Adams
