Season 4 Podcast 139 The Stories of the New Testament, Matthew Ch 16:13-28, Pt 3, “The Chief Cornerstone.”

Season 4 Podcast 139 The Stories of the New Testament, Matthew Ch 16:13-28, Pt 3, “The Chief Cornerstone.”

We know that the sermon on the mount established the doctrines of Christ. There was never a sermon before nor after that has its equal.  But it would be difficult to find a chapter more pivotal than Matthew Chapter 16. Everything is about to change dramatically. People are still uncertain of who Christ is, but here Christ definitively declares unto his apostles his true title.

13 ¶ When Jesus came into the coasts of Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

Notice that even with all of his miracles none outside the twelve apostles actually claimed that he was the Christ who should come. The people were not yet ready to accept him as the promised Messiah.  They flocked to him because of his miracles. Then Jesus asks his disciples.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

It is no surprise that Peter is the first to answer, and his answer is startlingly absolute, unambiguous, and definitive.

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Christ knows that the end is near, and he must prepare his disciples to teach the people that he is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, the Savior and Redeemer of the world, but even with Peter’s declaration, the apostles are not ready to carry the mantle. He teaches them one of the greatest lessons they will ever learn. It is a lesson that every Christian must learn for himself or herself. 

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Peter and the other apostles are taught that even though they have been standing in the presence of the Mortal Messiah, no one can know that Jesus is the Christ without personal revelation from heaven. John the Revelator records.

Revelation 19:9-10

“And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

All who have a testimony of Christ must have the spirit of prophecy. Jesus says to Peter.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Peter, as we know, means rock but the pronoun reference does not point to Peter. It points to revelation from heaven. The Lord does not build his church upon Peter. Peter, the chief apostle who takes on the mantle of leadership after Christ’s death, is not a substitute for Christ. Christ taught.

Matthew 21: 42-44

“Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.”