Matthew 16:13-18

Parallel AccountsParallel Accounts

Mark 8:27-30

Luke 9:18-20

World’sConfusion

John the Baptist

Elijah

Jeremiah

One of the Prophets

Peter’sConfession

Christ, Son of God

Revealed byFather inHeaven

Peter’s ConfessionPeter’s Confession&&

World’s ConfusionWorld’s Confusion

(Matthew 16:13-18)

1. Men Can Be Wrong

1. Men Can Be Wrong

The Crowds Were Wrong

1. Men Can Be Wrong

Hard For Us to See - Men Can Be Wrong

• Intelligence: “He’s so smart”

• Integrity: “He’s honest & sincere”

• Number: “So many who think that way”

• Reason: “See where he’s coming from…”

2. Cause of Division& Confusion

Some Wantto Blame

God

Some Wantto Blame

Those WhoPress Truth

God Did Not Reveal:John the Baptist

ElijahJeremiah

One of prophets

Not Peter’s:Belief

Pressing the truth

DivisionComes

Becausesomeone

is notfollowing

therevelation.

Attempts To Harmonize:

• “All saying the same thing”• “All going same place - different roads”• “All serve the same God”• “Not make any real difference what one believes”• “All of us are wrong about something”

3. Varying Views Cannot Be

Harmonized

Truth Cannot Be HarmonizedWith Error

If Jesusis

The Son of God

Then

Jesus Is not

JohnElijah

Jeremiahetc.

3. Varying Views Cannot Be

Harmonized

World is Confused

Because

Different Standards

Peter’s Confession

Based Upon

Revelation of God

4. An Objective Standard

False Standards:

ChurchPreacherParentsFriends

Dr. of Theology

Revelation of God

2 Tim. 3:16-17

1 Pet. 4:11

2 Cor. 4:13

1 Thess. 2:13

4. An Objective Standard

PeterPeterIsIs

RightRight

Not Because He:

Was an apostleWas a friend of Jesus

Was smartHad always believed that

5. Men Are RightNot Because of Who

They Are - But BecauseThey Agree With God

PeterPeterIsIs

RightRight

Because He:Agreed with the

revelation from God!

5. Men Are RightNot Because of Who

They Are - But BecauseThey Agree With God

6. Unity

• Never will be unity as long as men refuse the revelation of God

• Not have unity by ignoring the differences

• All must have the same standard

7. Faith Must Be Personal

• Our faith and knowledge must not be second hand.

• Must do more than know about Jesus - we must know him (who he is and what that means.