Page 295 - Bible Writers Theology Original

my Church..." (singular). This Church is built upon the revelation of Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:18; I Corinthians 12:12-14,27). It is clear from this pas sage that the Church is the Lord's, purchased by His own blood (Acts 20:28). This Church has been called the Church of Jesus Christ, and He is the head over it (Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18). Qearly, the Church is the creation of God (Ephesians 2:10), and rests upon the revelationofJesusChrist. This
revelation consists of the flesh, blood, and Spirit of God (John 1:14; John 6:53; I John 4:1-3).
The Church is built upon the rock Jesus, as it was revealed to the rock Peter, or "Cephas". Peter could be considered the founder of the New Testament Church, as he was one of the first to receive the revelation. "When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disci ples, saying. 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. He saith unto them. But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said. Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him. Blessed art thou Simon Baijona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father whichisinheaven. AndIsayalsountothee.ThatthouartPeter,andupon
this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail againstit. AndIwillgiveuntotheethekeysofthekingdomofheaven:and \vhatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatso
ever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:13-19).
This revelation gave Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven. This was
the key of revelation which entitled Peter to become the founder of the New Testament Church, preaching thesalvation message onthe day ofPentecost
(Acts2:14-41;8:14-17;10:24-48). Therockthatthechurchwasbuiltuponis that Rock, (revelation of) Jesus Christ, not the rock, (revelator or founder) Peter (Ephesians 2:20). There are many member "rocks" in the universal Church, built upon the foundation of the Rock, the Lord Jesus Christ. Any church that desires to be built upon the Rock must be baptized into the body ofChrist by putting on Christ (I Peter 2:5; Galatians 3:2!^.
Peter, Paul, and all the apostles confessed to the revelation of the heaven ly Rock, Jesus Christ. Matthew confessed of Him that He was God (Matthew 1:22-23). John confessed of Him that He was the Word made flesh (John 1:1; 10:33; I John 1:1-3). Thomas confessed of Him to be God incarnate (John20:28). LukeconfessedofHimthatHeisGodintheflesh(Acts20:28). Paul confessed His true identity to the Romans (Romans 9:5), to Timothy (I Timothy3:16),toTitus(Titus1:3),andtotheHebrews(Hebrews1:8). Allthe apostles could be considered founders of the church. They all pointed to the
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