Posts Tagged Peter
On This Rock I Will Build My Church
Posted by Darrell in Christian, Misunderstood passages on August 15, 2010
The Catholic church as well as many people mistakenly believe the rock that Jesus spoke of was Peter, and that Peter was given the keys to the kingdom.
A surface reading of Matthew 16 will give that impression. To understand the correct meaning of what Jesus meant requires more than an understanding of history, it requires a revelation from the Holy Spirit.
If we go back to Matthew 16:19 and what Christ is saying just before that also helps. “Simon Peter said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God’, and Jesus said, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-jona, for flesh and blood did not reveal this to you but my Father which is in heaven’.
And He says, ‘You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church”. Now here He’s talking about the declaration of Peter (You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God) is the Rock upon which Jesus is going to build the church.
‘And I will give you the keys of the kingdom’—now He’s not talking to Peter, He’s talking to all the disciples who are there. And He says, ‘I’m giving you the keys to the kingdom; meaning, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven. They had the freedom, in delivering the gospel to people, to make an eternal difference. What they did on earth would be seen in heaven. People who are…. Evil spirits and habits that were bound on earth would be bound for the world to come and it was saying that those who were loosed from those things would be loosed in the world to come.
What they did on earth would last for eternity is all that Jesus is saying. Of course the Catholic church believes that Peter was given the keys to the kingdom and there is a statue of Saint Peter in the Vatican. And in the hand of Saint Peter’s statue are these keys. The statue of St. Peter’s hand came up missing. The hand was attached (it had been repaired once before so it was attached with a metal rod), and they discovered one day that someone had stolen Peter’s hand and so you could say the Vatican lost the keys to the kingdom.
God does not deliver the power of salvation to any one mortal. Of course, the rock upon which the church is built is not the apostle, but rather Jesus Christ. Peter didn’t see himself as the foundation of the church; rather, he says in Acts 4:11 that Jesus Himself is the chief cornerstone.
That’s why the church, empowered by the living Christ, is able to break down the gates of hell. Filled with God’s Spirit, Christ’s church is to conduct aggressive spiritual warfare, rescuing lost souls from the enemy.
The Dead Know Nothing
Can a relative that has died and believed to have gone to Heaven see you when you’re taking a shower?
Not many people talk about this question but I’m sure it has crossed many a mind! The answer is a no! The truth that’s taught in the Bible is very clear on this subject, but most people, even professed Christians ignore the correct Biblical answer.
The Bible says that the dead know nothing! Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6, 10 “The dead praise not the Lord.” Psalms 115:17.
Jesus called death a “sleep” John 11:11-14. Before I read the Bible for myself and studied this particular subject in great depth, I found it mysterious or strange that we go to Heaven or hell before we are even judged!
If this would be the case, then God would not be a righteous judge! Someone who died a thousand years ago or more, and went to hell would suffer torment a lot longer than someone who would die and go to hell right at the end of the world. Think about that for a minute! I have good news, that’s not the case.
The dead sleep in the grave until Jesus returns at the end of the world. In death, humans are totally unconscious with no activity or knowledge of any kind. Time has no meaning, therefore, to you, just as soon as you die (in the twinkling of an eye) Jesus will be here. The man that died a thousand years ago (depending on if he is saved or not) and you will rise at the same moment. To each of you though, it will seem as though no time has gone by since you kicked the bucket!
Most people hang on to a very few cloudy verses that they say points towards an immortal soul that pops out of the body at the moment of death and flies away at death, but that idea is not at all biblical. There are hundreds of verses that proves that the dead are dead, and stay dead until Jesus returns. If you would like to learn more about this truth for yourself pray about it and then do a detailed Bible study on this topic.
“The body without the spirit is dead.” James 2:26. “The spirit of God is in my nostrils.” Job 27:3.
The spirit that returns to God when we die is the breath of life. Nowhere in all of the Bible does the “spirit” have any life, wisdom, or feeling after a person dies. It is the “breath of life” and nothing more.
“So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more.” Job 14:12. “The day of the Lord will come … in the which the heavens shall pass away.”
2 Peter 3:10.
If the dead are really dead and can’t communicate with the living, how can the mediums and psychics talk to my dead relative.
The truth is that they can’t. They may be communicating with something, but it ain’t your peeps! It’s actually the fallen angels (demons) that got thrown out of Heaven along with Satan! It’s in the Bible, and God plainly warns us about it.
The Bible Says that after death a person: returns to dust (Psalms 104:29), knows nothing (Ecclesiastes 9:5), possesses no mental powers (Psalms 146:4), has nothing to do with anything on earth (Ecclesiastes 9:6), does not live (2 Kings 20:1), waits in the grave (Job 17:13), and continues not (Job 14:1, 2).
The belief that we don’t really die when we die began when Satan lied to Eve at the very beginning. “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die.” Genesis 3:4. “That old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan.” Revelation 12:9.
Does it really matter one way or the other what we believe happens when we die? Yes, it does. Misunderstanding this subject will almost certainly allow you to be deceived by Satan about this and other subjects including the Battle of Armageddon in the last days. If you know for certain that the dead are actually dead, the Devil and his demons will have a hard time making you believe that you are being visited or led by one of your dead relatives.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that the unsaved go straight to hell and the righteous go straight to Heaven at death! The Bible couldn’t be any clearer, that the unsaved don’t go to hell as soon as they die, but are reserved in the grave until the day of judgment to be punished. Jesus taught this truth in the well-known parable of the Wheat and Tares. But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.’ Matthew 13:29, 30.
Now follow the words of Christ as He explains the meaning of the parable: “He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 13:37-42.
Isn’t what Jesus said plain and simple? It is so clear that a child can understand it. He said the tares represented the wicked people, and that they would be cast into the fire “at the end of the world.”It was in the harvest.
The harvest is the end of the world that the separation would take place, and He plainly stated, “.” How can anyone twist these words of Jesus? The whole idea of the wicked going to hell at the time of death contradicts our Lord’s specific teaching that they would be cast into the fire at the end of the world.
Since the judgment also takes place after Christ comes we can see how impossible it would be for anyone to be punished before that time. Justice demands that a person be brought into judgment before being punished. Peter declared, “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.” 2 Peter 2:9. That certainly makes sense, doesn’t it?
Read more about this interesting Bible topic here.
The truth from the Bible says something totally different than what the majority is teaching and believing!
Unbelievable!
Jesus repeated the history of Ancient Israel
The book of Matthew reveals that Jesus repeated the history of ancient Israel, point by point, and overcame where they failed. Notice these parallels between ancient Israel and of Jesus Christ:
Yet there is more. Remember that the name “Israel” not only referred to Jacob, but also to his descendants, who became Israel. The same principle is seen in the New Testament.
For example, the Lord had told the ancient Israelites, “And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.” Exodus 19:6. In the New Testament, Peter applies these exact words to the church: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.” 1 Peter 2:9.
Likewise, right after Paul’s statement in Galatians chapter 3 about Jesus being “the seed,” he then told his Gentile converts [a Gentile is any person who is not of the Jewish faith], “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:29. Thus in the New Testament, the name Israel not only applies to Jesus Christ, but also to those who are born in Christ-His church! In other words, all true Christians are now God’s spiritual Israel.
Double Vision
Have you ever been hit hard on the head and then started seeing double? Well, from what we have studied, the Christian world needs a loving bonk on the head with this New Testament truth so that more people will start “seeing double” about the subject of Israel! According to the New Testament, there are now two Israels. One group is composed of literal Israelites “according to the flesh” (Romans 9:3, 4). The other is “spiritual Israel,” composed of Jews and Gentiles who believe in Jesus Christ.
Paul wrote, “They are not all Israel, which are of Israel.” Romans 9:6. That is, not all are part of God’s spiritual Israel who are of the literal nation of Israel. Paul continued, “That is, They which are the children of the flesh [physical descendants of Abraham], these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.” Romans 9:8. The children of the flesh are only natural descendants of Abraham, but the children of the promise are counted as the true seed. Today any person-Jew or Gentile-can become a part of this spiritual nation of Israel through faith in Jesus Christ.
God Looks on the Heart
Just as there are two Israels, there are also two kinds of Jews!
Also, the seven last plagues that are found in Revelation 15 and 16 talks about the angels that pour out the vials of God’s wrath. It’s just before the second coming of Jesus because the seventh of the seven last plagues is synonymous with the coming of the Lord.
There’s a lot of similarity between the seven last plagues and the plagues that fell on Egypt.
The plagues fell on Egypt just before the Children of Israel were liberated from their slavery. The plagues are going to fall on this wicked world just before Spiritual Israel, God’s people, are liberated from the world that is in bondage to sin. And so, just before the second coming, there will be a period–based on some things in Revelation and Daniel, I have good reason to believe the period of the plagues is all going to fit within one years’ time, perhaps even just over a month. When you look at the severity of these things, you can imagine how long the world can go on with the fresh water supply being blood, or the oceans being blood, and most of the population of the world lives either by rivers or oceans, and men being scorched with great heat. And another reason, how long did the plagues last that fell on Job, it was just a matter of weeks when you read the context.
How long did the plagues last that fell on Egypt; again it was in the matter of within a couple months’ time, and so for these reasons, based on those stories, the plagues will probably fall just with a few months. And it says in Revelation, “All of her plagues come within one day”, and a day in prophecy is a year. So within a year’s time it all happens.
The intensity will be different in different parts of the world, the same way it was in Egypt. But God promises to protect His people all through those plagues, just like He protected the Children of Israel through the plagues that fell on Egypt. We don’t need to be afraid; that’s why we should memorize Psalm 91.
Can somebody be truly saved without keeping the Ten Commandments?
Can a person be saved without keeping the Ten Commandments?
The answer is yes.
Of course, there are going to be many people saved, and no one is saved by keeping any law. We are saved by grace alone.
However, at the same time, nobody will be saved who willingly disobeys. The Bible says, “If we continue to sin willfully after we know the truth, then there is no sacrifice for sins” (Hebrew 10:26). So at that point it is open rebellion against God. And how can God accept that into heaven?
In Mark chapter 10 Jesus said to the rich young ruler, ‘Come and follow me.’ And He actually asked him to be an Apostle. No one will ever know what the history would have ever been but God’s plan for that young man was to be a follower. And he went away. He chose not to because he loved his money more.
So we can choose to follow the Lord. We can choose not to follow Him. I believe we have a choice. Now because God knows everything, some people think that He’s making it happen; but just because someone knows something doesn’t mean that they’re forcing people to make choices. God gives us the freedom to choose. He may know what we’re going to do, but that doesn’t mean He’s making it happen.
We couldn’t choose to love God if He had pre-programed us and made us love Him. That’s not love. God’s plan for everybody is to be saved. 1 Timothy 2:4 says God who will have all men to be saved. And then God says in 2 Peter chapter 3 He’s not willing that any should perish. So that’s God’s perfect Will; but many will perish because they don’t choose.
Remember that many are called but few are chosen. I believe many are called but few will choose to respond, and so we all have freedom of choice. That’s why Jesus invites everybody in The Great Invitation: whosoever will, let him come. Come unto me all who are weary and heavy laden. And not all will choose. Judas chose to turn his back on Jesus. Jesus knew what Judas would do, but He didn’t make him do it.
Blessings,
Darrell B
Priorities
PRIORITIES
By Duane Huffstutler
PRIORITIES
Every once in a while something will be said that we don’t quite agree with or something will be done that we don’t think should be done at the time and it may get under our skin. It comes down to how the person sets his priorities. Everyday we set priorities on everything we do. Whether it is reading our Bible or praying. If we get woke up before it is time to get up and there is something important to do; do we stop and take time with God first or do we just go ahead and do what we must do first? Which has priority?
The definition of Priority is something given meriting attention before completing alternatives. Everyone has their own opinion as to where to set the priority and it is based on what they have been taught. Who is right? Everyone will answer to God as to how he set his priorities, right or wrong.
Let’s look at how some people set their priorities. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 but seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you. If you set your priorities with God being first he will take care of everything else you need. Jesus set his priorities with the will of God being above all things. In Luke 2:49 Jesus was 12 years old and was not found in the caravan as they were going home. When Mary and Joseph found him they questioned him but he answered, how is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
At 12 years old Jesus had already set his priorities to do the will of the Father. How did he know what he was supposed to do everyday? As you study the Gospels you find that Jesus withdrew himself and prayed. As you study deeper he would be alone each morning before daylight and talk with the Father. God would give him instructions and guide him by the Holy Spirit. Then there will be no question as to what the priorities are.
Let’s look at the person named the 2nd most in the Gospels, Peter. Some say he was always messing up and sticking his foot in his mouth. I disagree he wanted to know everything he could know about Jesus Christ the Messiah. He would ask questions when no one else would. He would do things that no one else would do because he wanted to know. He had set his priorities to know Christ and to become as close to him as he could. He didn’t care what it looked like.
What about Paul? He persecuted the Christians with zeal. When Christ got a hold of him on the road to Damascus, he changed his perspectives and his priorities and his priorities became to spread the word of God no matter what it cost him. He was beaten and stoned and shipwrecked but he kept his priorities with God first.
Where are your priorities? I don’t want your answer that is between you and God, who by the way already has the answer. So if you tell yourself anything less than the full truth you are only lying to yourself. Are we any better than Christ himself, who being filled with the Holy Ghost needed to talk to the Father? That we can go through the day, the week, the month or the year without talking with the Father. If you can I guess the information was planted inside of you when you were born so that you don’t need the Father to tell you where your priorities should be. The rest of us need that daily time with the Father.
Just think about itwhat has priority in your life?
Duane L. Huffstutler, Written 2008, Faithwriters.com
Duane L. Huffstutler is the Sunday School Director at Oak Grove Pentecostal Ministries in Bonifay Florida. With the Lord’s help he has written many short devotions and a few long articles all to be used for the glory of God.
Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS-MAKE A WEBSITE
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