Confess Who Jesus Is

¹³When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” ¹⁴They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” ¹⁵ “But what about you?” He asked. “Who do you say I am?” ~ Matthew 16:13-15

The world has many opinions of who they believe Jesus is, but that doesn’t matter to Christ. The only thing that matters who you say Jesus is. The world won’t stand for you on Judgment Day; we each have to answer for ourselves. Matthew 16:13-30 tells of Peter’s confession of Christ. Jesus asked His disciples first, who the world thought He was, but that did not get His attention. He was looking for more, for someone to seek deeper, someone to acknowledge who He was. So He asked directly – probed deeper.

¹⁶Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, … ¹⁹I 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.” ²¹From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
Matthew 16:16-19, 21

Upon Peter’s confession of who Jesus was, he received several things:

1. A blessing
  - Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah
2. Authority
  - I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven
3. Power
  - Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
4. Inside knowledge
  - From that time on Jesus began to explain to His disciples [what would happen to Him]

Peter received authority when Jesus handed over the keys to the Kingdom. What does that mean? The practice of bestowing a ceremonial “key to the city” dates back to medieval times. Feudal lords protected their cities with high walls and imposing gates. All manner of legal papers and customs taxes were required to enter and exit. A “key to the city” gave an important diplomat or merchant the authority to pass at will.

So, once we acknowledge and accept who Jesus is we have the privilege of:

1. Being blessed by God
2. Coming into His presents at will
3. This binding and loosing is a misconception by the Pentecostals. It says “Whatever you bind…” not whoever you bind. It refers to things, rules, and regulations. That is why it is so important that a pastor be a man of vision, foresight, and great Biblical knowledge, for it is he who has to give an account for the souls that are given him.

God reveals to His people an understanding of His Word as well as things to come. There is much privilege that comes with confessing who Jesus is.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Confess Who Jesus Is.

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