CHURCH

MATTHEW 16:13-20

“I will build My

REVELATION

CHURCH

DIVINE REVELATION(vv. 15-17)

• Peter confesses Jesus as the “Christ, the Son of the living God”• Jesus tells Peter that he learned this by

revelation from the heavenly Father• The church is built on facts divinely

revealed by God

• How do we learn about “churches” not revealed by God?• Must be revealed by “flesh and blood” –

history books, encyclopedias, creed books

DIVINE REVELATION(vv. 15-17)

• The true church of Christ is completely revealed by God in the Bible• Its prophecy, establishment,

name, organization, work• Scriptures are sufficient to give

us a complete pattern to follow

REVELATION

CHURCH

FOUNDATION

DIVINE FOUNDATION(v. 18)

• “On this rock” Jesus would build His church• Whole conversation is about who Jesus is –

climax of discussion is Peter’s confession• Jesus, as the Christ and Son of the living

God, is the foundation of the church (1 Cor. 3:11)

• Just saying “We believe in Jesus” is not a sufficient foundation – must obey His will (Lk. 6:46)

• Only room for one church on the foundation of Christ – “My church”

REVELATION

CHURCH

FOUNDATION

PRESERVATION

DIVINE PRESERVATION(v. 18)

• “The gates of Hades shall not prevail against [overpower] it [the church]”• “Hades” is the realm of the dead

– “gates of Hades” is the power (effect) of death

• Death is a tool of Satan’s power (Hebrews 2:14; Rom. 6:23)

DIVINE PRESERVATION(v. 18)

• Death will end the plans of men on this earth – not so with the church (Acts 5:36-39)• Death of builder did not end it –

resurrection (Matt. 16:21)• Death of members will not

destroy it – eternal life (Matt. 16:24-27)

REVELATION

CHURCH

FOUNDATION

PRESERVATION

AUTHORITY

DIVINE AUTHORITY(v. 19)

• Authority to “bind” and “loose” given to all the apostles (18:18)• Binding/Loosing – establishing of

authority in word and action (forbid/permit)

• Future perfect passive tense (Greek) – past action whose effect exists in the present and will continue to exist in the future – “shall have been bound/loosed” (NASV)

DIVINE AUTHORITY(v. 19)

• Binding/Loosing already done in heaven, and revealed by the apostles to men (Acts 2:42)

• Men today still trying to bind and loose in denominational councils and creeds• We cannot bind opinion, personal

conscience/judgment – only bind what Bible reveals

REVELATION

CHURCH

FOUNDATION

PRESERVATION

INTO ONE BODY

AUTHORITY

HEAR

REPENT

BELIEVE

CONFESS

BAPTIZED