Sunday, May 4, 2014

THE 'ROCK'


  1. Doctrine of Christ... (2 John 9)

    Are you building your life and Church on Christ and His Word? When faced with conflict between human philosophies, opinions, theologies and the PLAIN WORDS OF CHRIST, where do you gravitate?

    We build on Christ when we make a right confession on Christ. Jesus said that to Peter in Matthew 16:17-18. Well, this is what Peter (Petros, masculine noun) confessed to Jesus: "You are the MESSIAH, the Son of the living God" (v.16).

    [Jesus never established a position called "the chair of Peter" (pope). Peter is only a pebble (petros). Jesus gave five-fold services to the Church, in Ephesians 4:10-13 ... and Peter was an apostle in it ]

    [ In the first century in the epicenter of Christianity that is Jerusalem, the first Bishop was Apostle James (the step brother of Jesus). Peter was not. James was Bishop and undisputed acknowledged leader until he died around 64 AD, about the same time Peter died. ]

    Jesus used the confession of Peter into a 'ROCK' metaphor (petra, feminine noun) and promised to build His (Jesus') Church on the foundation of Himself: the Christ the Son of the living God.

    Jesus is the ROCK (petra) : 1 Corinthians 10:4.

    Every word of Jesus is the Rock (petra) : Matthew 7:24-25.

    If you are a pastor, periodically ask Jesus Christ to evaluate your church as He did the Seven Churches in Revelation 2-3. Ask and you shall receive. Fast and pray for Almighty God to open your eyes. Make time to listen to the Holy Spirit (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22).

    (This is a good way to stop playing church and drifting along whatever makes people happy theology, Ephesians 4:14).

    (Many modern churches are exposed to a compromised Gospel and in danger of Matthew 7:21-23 --- preachers and congregations alike).

    The ROCK is the answer.

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