Photo: Anastacia Dvi

 

Matthew 16:17 “And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.’”

 

The Nature of the Revelation

Jesus' declaration to Peter emphasizes the profound truth of His identity: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!”

 

Not Flesh and Blood

The realization of Jesus’ divine identity does not come from human sources such as ministers, pastors, or churches. While these are vital for teaching and guiding, they are not the source of this divine revelation. The Bible is crucial for understanding Jesus, but even reading the Scriptures alone is not enough to grasp the full revelation of Christ’s identity.

 

No Personal Decision

This revelation is not the result of personal decisions or actions. It is not because one has decided to follow Jesus, recited the Sinner’s Prayer, or been emotionally moved by a sermon. Nor does it come from being baptized or making a public declaration of faith.

 

Supernatural Revelation

Peter’s confession wasn’t the result of human logic or reasoning—it was a divine revelation. As Jesus Himself indicated, this understanding is a gift from God, not a product of human wisdom or spiritual enlightenment (Matthew 16:17). This supernatural insight is not available through natural means; it comes through God’s grace and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This process, known as regeneration, involves the Father’s direct revelation to the individual, which transcends human understanding and effort.

 

God as Father

The concept of God as Father is central to the Christian faith. The God of the Bible is consistently revealed as a Father throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Passages such as Isaiah 63:16; 64:8, Psalm 2:1-12, and Proverbs 30:3-4 affirm this relationship. The Christian understanding of God as Father contrasts sharply with other religious views.

 

This understanding is not a product of human effort, earthly insight, or emotional experience. This revelation is solely the work of God the Father. Understanding this truth requires a supernatural intervention from Heaven.

 

The Distinction

The true church of Jesus Christ is distinguished by its belief in the supernatural revelation of Jesus as the Christ and Son of God, a revelation that sets it apart from other religious traditions.

 

Islam

In Islam, God (Allah) is not seen as a Father to anyone. The Koran rejects the Christian doctrine of the Trinity and considers the idea of God having a Son to be blasphemous. In Islam, the concept of the Trinity is misunderstood as God, Jesus, and Mary. Therefore, the Koran’s understanding of God stands in contrast to the Christian understanding of God as the Father of Jesus Christ.

 

Judaism

Similarly, Judaism generally does not accept the idea of God having a Son. For them, the concept of a divine Messiah is not accepted. The belief that Jesus is the Son of God is a core issue separating Christians from Jews.

 

The Nature of the Church

A true church is not defined by administrative actions, such as baptism or joining a group, or by external rituals. It is not a mere gathering of people who practice religious activities. Instead, the true church comprises individuals who have experienced a supernatural revelation of Jesus’ identity and have come under this divine conviction.

The true church of Jesus Christ is composed of men, women, and children who have received supernatural revelation that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

 

Summary and Transition

The church is not a social club or a mere gathering of people; it is a community of the redeemed—those who have been regenerated by God’s work and who confess the irrevocable truth of Jesus’ identity.

For a church to be genuinely recognised as the church of Jesus Christ:

• It must uphold the irreducible confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
• This confession must be grounded in a supernatural revelation from God the Father. The true church consists of those who have received this revelation and are thus spiritually aligned with the divine truth.

 

This supernatural revelation is what sets the true church apart from all other religious institutions and movements in the world. It is God’s work from beginning to end.

 

Looking Ahead

As we continue, we will explore how this supernatural revelation not only defines the true church but also influences its propagation and growth. Stay tuned to discover how the true church of Jesus Christ flourishes and fulfils its divine mandate.

 

 

Call to Action

 

Reflect on your own understanding and experience of this supernatural revelation.

 

 

How has God revealed the identity of Jesus to you?

 

 

Write down your thoughts and insights.