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Matthew 16:18-19. The Context. Jesus asks His disciples, “Who do men say that I am?” They give various answers “But who do YOU say that I am?”. The Context. Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Based upon that “confession”, Jesus said:. The Context.
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The Context • Jesus asks His disciples, “Who do men say that I am?” • They give various answers • “But who do YOU say that I am?”
The Context • Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” • Based upon that “confession”, Jesus said:
The Context • “Blessed are you Simon, Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father in heaven…”Matt. 16:17
The Context • “…And I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it.” Matt. 16:17
What was the rock? • Catholicism says that it was Peter, but grammatically that is not possible. • Peter (Petros) means a small stone (& is masculine), where as the rock Jesus spoke of (Petra) means a boulder or cliff (& is feminine).
What was the rock? • “Upon this rock” is reference to the confession of Peter, “You are the Christ.” • That is the foundation of the church He would build
“Upon this RockI Will Build My Church” Matthew 16:18
What is the church? • From Greek, Ecclesia means to call out of. • In describing the body of Christ it is reference to the body of the saved • Universally – Ac. 2:47, Heb. 12:23 • Locally – 1 Cor. 1:2, Gal. 1:2
It is HIS Church • In God’s eternal plan – Eph. 3:10-11 • He is its head – Eph. 1:22-23, 4:15; Col. 1:18 • Savior of the body Eph. 5:23
It is HIS Church • Purchased with His blood – Acts 20:28, Eph. 5:25 • That is why we call ourselves, “churches of Christ.” NOT a title!
“MY church” • A singular collective noun • Only ONE Eph. 4:4-6 • Many congregations, but they were in complete agreement – Jn. 17:20-21, 1 Cor. 4:17, 7:17, 16:1Rev. 2 & 3,“Hear what the Spirit says to the churches”
He built His church • Not the building – the people! • He taught church/kingdom was in near future– Matt. 16:18-19, 4:17; Mark 9:1, Matt. 16:28
When was His church established? • Prophesied – Isa. 2:2, Dan. 2:31-44 • Kingdoms –1st – Babylon (626-539 BC) 2nd - Medo-Persian (539-332)3rd – Macedonian (332-63 BC) • The 4th kingdom – Rome (63BC -476 AD) - when Christ was born and lived – cf. Luke 3:1, Mark 9:1
Where was His church established? • Prophesied – Isa. 2:1-4, Joel 2:32 (Zion reference to Jerusalem) – cf. 2 Sam. 5:7, 2 Chron. 5:2)
How would His church established? • Prophesied –Joel 2:28-32 With power cf. Acts 1:4-8 – instructed to go to Jerusalem and wait
His church established? • Pentecost – Acts 2:1-4 • Fulfilled all prophesies. Peter even quotes Joel 2:28-32 • Acts 2:47 – the Lord added to the church…
His church established? • AFTER Pentecost, spoken of as in existence – • Col. 1:13 • Acts 8:12, 8:1-3, 5:11 • 1 Cor. 4:20 NOT a physical kingdom. • Epistles written to churches
Which church belongs to Him? • There are many factors that help us determine the true church: • Respect for pattern • In worship • In work • In organization • In name • In doctrine
Which church belongs to Him? • Another factor is to note its origin. Does your church meet the test of Jesus in Matt. 16:18-19 • Denominations have their origins with men which disqualifies them from being the TRUE church!
Which church belongs to Him? • NOT authority for denominations – 1 Cor. 1:10-13, John 17:20-21 • When they boast of their founders they prove they are NOT the true church!
Are you a member of His church? Matthew 16:18