Today's Verses: Matthew 16:17 (ESV)
And Jesus answered him, e“Blessed are you, fSimon Bar-Jonah! For gflesh and blood has not revealed this to you, hbut my Father who is in heaven."
e [ch. 13:16]
f [John 1:42; 21:15–17]
g 1 Cor. 15:50; Gal. 1:16 (Gk.); Eph. 6:12; Heb. 2:14
h 1 Cor. 2:10; 12:3; [ch. 11:25; John 6:45]
Peter had just confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God. While Jesus had been acknowledged by some as one of the great prophets, it was Simon Peter to who God revealed the truth that Jesus was the Son of the Living God. And, this revelation foretold the importance that Peter was to assume in the future of the church as a key in the founding of God's church.
Today's Comments: While Peter may have had a tremendously important role in the founding of God's church, I am not yet ready to say that that role included that of first in a succession of many Popes in the Roman Catholic Church. But this section of Matthew's Gospel does point out the importance that Peter played; and there is no doubt in my mind that the Roman Catholic Church was the successor of Peter's efforts. And, it bothers me somewhat when I hear evangelicals even suggest that the Roman Catholic Church is not a true Christian Church because of their focus on Church authority and interpretation. My answer is that every church has its own interpretation of scripture; and evangelicals, themselves, rather than attempting to interpret for their congregations, often leave interpretation to their individual members. But, that, in itself, suggests interpretation.
Again, as I have said so many times before, we need to come to God's table, not with our differences, but with our similarities. Our interpretations of scripture may differ, but, in my opinion, our love for God and for our neighbor should not.
Hymn of the Day:
And Jesus answered him, e“Blessed are you, fSimon Bar-Jonah! For gflesh and blood has not revealed this to you, hbut my Father who is in heaven."
e [ch. 13:16]
f [John 1:42; 21:15–17]
g 1 Cor. 15:50; Gal. 1:16 (Gk.); Eph. 6:12; Heb. 2:14
h 1 Cor. 2:10; 12:3; [ch. 11:25; John 6:45]
Peter had just confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God. While Jesus had been acknowledged by some as one of the great prophets, it was Simon Peter to who God revealed the truth that Jesus was the Son of the Living God. And, this revelation foretold the importance that Peter was to assume in the future of the church as a key in the founding of God's church.
Today's Comments: While Peter may have had a tremendously important role in the founding of God's church, I am not yet ready to say that that role included that of first in a succession of many Popes in the Roman Catholic Church. But this section of Matthew's Gospel does point out the importance that Peter played; and there is no doubt in my mind that the Roman Catholic Church was the successor of Peter's efforts. And, it bothers me somewhat when I hear evangelicals even suggest that the Roman Catholic Church is not a true Christian Church because of their focus on Church authority and interpretation. My answer is that every church has its own interpretation of scripture; and evangelicals, themselves, rather than attempting to interpret for their congregations, often leave interpretation to their individual members. But, that, in itself, suggests interpretation.
Again, as I have said so many times before, we need to come to God's table, not with our differences, but with our similarities. Our interpretations of scripture may differ, but, in my opinion, our love for God and for our neighbor should not.
Hymn of the Day:
This one hymn reminds us that the foundation of the Church is on Jesus, himself.
The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is His new creation by water and the Word:
from heav’n He came and sought her to be His holy bride;
with His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died.
She is His new creation by water and the Word:
from heav’n He came and sought her to be His holy bride;
with His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died.
Elect from ev’ry nation, yet one o’er all the earth,
her charter of salvation One Lord, one faith, one birth;
one holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses, with ev’ry grace endued.
her charter of salvation One Lord, one faith, one birth;
one holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses, with ev’ry grace endued.
Yet she on earth hath union with God the Three in One,
and mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won:
O happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we,
like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with Thee.
and mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won:
O happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we,
like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with Thee.
1 comment:
Thank you for posting "Lighthouse Beam" where i used to live a tourist was walking past the inn and saw the worship here sign. He was so tormented from something he was about to do.
After entering our worship service he got prayer and delivered It was awesome. Beverly
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