Revelation of Jesus, but Not of the Gospel
Posted October 14, 2005
Matthew 16:13-20 says, "When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? v.13
Jesus asked his disciples here, "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?"
And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. v.14
There were various responses to his question.
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? v.15
He then asked them, "But whom say ye that I am?"
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. v.16
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. v.17
Jesus states in this verse that Peter is blessed, and that flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto him, but the Father. We see here that you cannot with flesh and blood study and know Jesus, but he has to be revealed to you by the Father.
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church;.........v.18
If we study the Greek definitions we see that the Greek word applied for Peter is "petros" a piece of rock. The word for rock is "petra" a mass of rock. Since the Greek word for Peter is a piece of rock and the Greek word for rock is a mass of stone, it would be intellectually dishonest to say that God would build his church on a smaller stone. So the rock that God is building his church upon, has to be Jesus Christ, and he is referred to as the stone that the builder's rejected.
In Peter's first epistle, he explains who the church was built upon.
I Peter 2:6-10 says, "Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. v.6
Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, v.7
And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. v.8
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: v.9
Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." v.10
Peter writes in verse 6 that Jesus is the chief corner stone. In verse 8, he calls him the rock of offence. It is clear that God built his church upon Jesus and not Peter.
Matthew 16:18-23 continued.
....... and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. v.18 continued
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. v.19
It tells us here in verse 19 how to attack the gates of hell.
Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. v.20
Jesus began to preach the gospel to them, after Peter had received a revelation of him.
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. v.21
Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. v.22
It is clear from these passages of scripture that Peter had a revelation of Jesus with no revelation of the gospel. When Jesus began speaking the gospel, Peter rebuked him.
But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." v.23
Jesus spoke to Peter, "Get thee behind me, Satan." He also stated that Peter is a stumbling block to him. He explains why, because he savors not the things of God, but those that be of men. People that walk in the flesh savor the things of men.
In Matthew 26:31-35, "Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. v.31
But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. v.32
Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. v.33
Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. v.34
Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples." v.35
Jesus tells the disciples that all will be offended. He specifically told Peter, "That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice." Peter's response was, "Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples."
In Luke 22:53 Jesus said, ".....this is your hour and the power of darkness."
Luke 22:54-62 states, "Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off. v.54
And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. v.55
But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. v.56
And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. v.57
And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. v.58
And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. v.59
And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. v.60
And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. v.61
And Peter went out, and wept bitterly." v.62
We can see in Luke 24 that these people did not have a revelation of the gospel.
Luke 24:44-48 says, "And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. v.44
Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, v.45
And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: v.46
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. v.47
And ye are witnesses of these things." v.48
Here is where Jesus opened their understanding and gave them a revelation of the gospel. Their revelation occurred after his resurrection, and that is why they could not stand against the power of darkness, because they did not have a revelation of the gospel. Jesus had a revelation of the gospel and walked in the gospel, before the cross. This is why he as a man could endure the power of darkness, the cross, descend into hell, and be raised from the dead on the third day. In verse 49, He tells him to wait in Jerusalem for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which was poured out on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2.
God bless you,
Doyle Davidson
