The Confession of Peter - Mark 8.27-30; Matt 16.13-20; Luke 9.18-21

　

It is important to understand the geography of Caesarea Philippi as it sits at the foot of Mt. Hermon, the highest peak in the Holy Land. The city was built against a cliff rock, an area that tourists visit today. There is a cave there that the river Baniyas flows by. In those days the river came from out of the cave, and the cave was referred to as the “gate of Hades.” Many animals were sacrificed there to Greek gods. Jesus is going to use the geography of the place to make a point to the twelve (I was there).

He asks them. “Who do men say that I am?” They tell Jesus there are many opinions. They recognize Jesus’ supernatural person, but aren’t sure themselves. Jesus asks them, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answers for the group, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus answers with words that have been misinterpreted by the Catholic Church. “…And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Peter (Petros, a masculine singular noun)--a small stone, a small pebble. Just like all these small stones in the river.

Petra (feminine singular noun)--a massive cliff-rock, like the rock that over shadows the city of Caesarea Philippi.

The RockYou are Petros, a small pebble, but from the massive cliff rock, I will build my church--I am the massive rock the church will be built on--Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah is the truth the church will be built upon. In the O.T. the word “rock” symbolizes the Messiah. Let the Bible interpret itself!

Gates of Hades“The gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Hades was a term for death Ps 9.13; 107.18; Jonah 2.6; Job 38.17; Is 28.10. Physical death will not destroy the church--it will actually become stronger and purer.

Keys“I will give unto you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.” The Church is part of the Kingdom Program. The purpose of the keys--a symbol of authority (Is 22.20-24). For the purpose of opening the door to the ethnic groups of that time. Peter will open these doors to three ethnic groups--Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles. Acts 2, 8, 10

1. Jews--Pentecost. 2. Samaritans--After Phillip preaches to them Peter is sent to lay hands on them to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit--Peter opened the door. 3. Gentiles--Peter goes to Cornelius’ house. Once Peter opened these three doors the door stayed open for others to continue on. Peter had the keys to open the doors--the authority.

Binding
Asur (to bind)--Judicial sense, to punish. Legislative sense, to forbid.

Mutar (to loose)--Judicial sense, not to punish. Legislative sense, to permit.

This is not meaning spiritual warfare of binding demons and loosing individuals. It has specific Jewish meanings of that day. Peter is given authority to change things formally forbidden and to forbid things formally permitted. One example was taking the gospel to Cornelius, a Gentile, and entering into his home. Later this authority was used to permit Gentiles not be required to become circumcised to partake of the covenant. At first only Peter received this authority, but all the apostles received it after Jesus’ death and resurrection. There are many rabbinic writings of the day explaining binding and loosing.

The Church cannot loose in the legislative sense--no church can make up rules that are not scriptural. In the judicial sense they can excommunicate a person from fellowship.

Binding and Loosing This has been misinterpreted as concerning spiritual warfare. It is meant to be used in a judicial sense in dealing with the discipline in the church. To bind is to punish--to loose is not to punish. The church has judicial legislation which will be recognized in heaven in these situations. If done correctly, the discipline is recognized in heaven.

Notes from: The Life of Messiah from a Jewish Perspective by Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum