Pastor’s Bible Class
Thomas Road Baptist Church
Lessons From Peter’s Life Dr. Elmer L. Towns
Lesson 3: Peter confesses Jesus is God February 3, 2008
A. INTRODUCTION
1. “When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, ‘Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?’ So they said, ‘Some [say] John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed [this] to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’ Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ” (Matt. 16:13-20).
2. As far from Calvary as possible, and still be in the Promise Land:
Caesarea = Caesar
Philippi = Philip
Coast = Foot hills of Mount Hermon
Head waters = Jordan River
3. Jesus asked questions about His humanity. “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man am?” (v. 13).
4. The disciples answered:
John the Baptist = famous for preaching
Elijah = went to Heaven without dying
Jeremiah = came before Messiah
One of the prophets = Moses (Deut. 18:18)
5. Jesus asked personal questions. “But who do you say that I Am” (v. 15).
a. All must answer now.
b. All will answer then. “Every tongue will confess” (Phil. 2:11).
B. THE CONFESSION BY PETER
1. The Christ, means Messiah (Anointed), the coming Son of David to conquer Israel’s enemies and rule on the throne.
2. The Son of the Living God. Peter confessed His Deity. The early church studied the Trinity:
Equal in nature
Separate in person
Submission in duties
3. Simon Bar-Jonah, i.e., human Sonship in contrast to Divine Sonship.
4. Contrast:
Some human didn’t tell you this.
My Father told you this (Revelation).
C. PETER’S ROLE
1. You are Peter (m) Petros = little loose stone. On this rock (f) Petra = ledge rock which is his confession.
2. “I will build My church” (v. 18).
-“I” – Jesus is the church planter.
-“Will” – Jesus will plant churches in the future.
-“Build” – Greek constant building.
-“My” – the church belongs to Jesus, not a pastor, deacons, or people.
-“Ecclesia” – the church is a group of out-called one.
What Is The Church?
Called from the world – separate
Called together – worship and serve
3. “Gates of Hell” the church is attacking, Satan is defending.
4. “Rock” (v. 18).
-Rock is Jesus. He is the foundation of the church (Eph. 2:20).
-Rock is message-confession.
-Rock is Peter.
-Rock is soul winner.
5. “Keys to the kingdom” (v. 19).
-Our soul winning releases unsaved from sin.
-Peter is Pope who releases people from Hell.
-Keys are a message of salvation.
-Peter’s confession that Jesus is God.
D. PETER REBUKED
“From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men’” (Matt. 16:21-23).
1. Jesus’ death and resurrection shouldn’t surprise disciples (v. 21).
2. You can quickly go from usefulness to block God’s plan (v. 23).
3. Why call Peter Satan? He was doing Satan’s will.
4. You can quickly go from “mindful of the Father Revelations,” to “mindful of man’s corrupt plans.”
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
To receive this lesson, log on to www.elmertowns.com. You will find it under Sunday School lessons. To email Dr. Towns, eltowns@liberty.edu. For more information on the class, log on to the Internet for TRBC Home page at www.trbc.org/pbc.
