Matthew 16: When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Matthew 16:13-19
17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:13-19
19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:13-19
God Has No Grandchildren Matthew 16:13 -19
The religious leaders of Jesus' time thought they had a special "in" to heaven because they were Abraham's "grandchildren."
With the imprint left by Constantine, however, this vision for the church faded and a new imprint has impacted us for the last 1700 years.
Along the way in Christian history the church changed into something more like a business enterprise than the dynamic living, breathing Body of Christ in the world.
Restoration is a word which I hope has popped into your mind in the last three weeks. Roman Catholics – an attempt to return to the rigid, dogmatic Catholicism of the 1960s. Roman Catholics – an attempt to return to the rigid, dogmatic Catholicism of the 1960s. Mormons will tell you Joseph Smith began the restoration in Mormons will tell you Joseph Smith began the restoration in Barton Stone wanted to restore the “life of the Spirit” as witnessed by the fruits of the Spirit. Barton Stone wanted to restore the “life of the Spirit” as witnessed by the fruits of the Spirit.
Alexander Campbell wanted people to take a more rational approach in an attempt to do away with denominational divisions. Alexander Campbell wanted people to take a more rational approach in an attempt to do away with denominational divisions. Restoration in the Old Testament refers to the restoration of Israel following Babylonian captivity. Deut. 30:3; Jeremiah 16:15 Restoration in the Old Testament refers to the restoration of Israel following Babylonian captivity. Deut. 30:3; Jeremiah 16:15
Restoration is God’s work; it is what He has done and what He has intended to do from the beginning of the world. Eph. 1:4 Restoration is God’s work; it is what He has done and what He has intended to do from the beginning of the world. Eph. 1:4 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Gal.6:1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Gal.6:1
A Fresh Look at “Church” Some will see building. Some will see building. Others will visualize an assembled group of people, most likely in a church building. Others will visualize an assembled group of people, most likely in a church building. Still others will think of a religious belief system. Still others will think of a religious belief system.
Uses of the words church and kingdom: Matt. 16:18,19 “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven…” -“Kingdom” is found 147 times in NT. -“Kingdom” is found 147 times in NT. -“Church” is found 104 times in NT. -“Church” is found 104 times in NT. - Jesus uses these words interchangeably. - Jesus uses these words interchangeably.
Identifying traits of that kingdom Citizens believe that they have a mandate from their King and that mandate is the Bible. Citizens believe that they have a mandate from their King and that mandate is the Bible. Citizens believe it is their ongoing responsibility to restore the principles and teachings laid down by Jesus and the Apostles. Citizens believe it is their ongoing responsibility to restore the principles and teachings laid down by Jesus and the Apostles.
Citizens of the Kingdom have a special relationship to the King. Citizens of the Kingdom have a special relationship to the King. Citizens of the Kingdom sound like, look like, act like and live like their King. Citizens of the Kingdom sound like, look like, act like and live like their King. The Kingdom is a body. Eph. 1:22-23 The Kingdom is a body. Eph. 1:22-23 The Kingdom is a family. Gal. 3: The Kingdom is a family. Gal. 3: The Kingdom is a bride. Eph. 5:22-33 The Kingdom is a bride. Eph. 5:22-33
Jeff Garrett and Alcoholics Anonymous Marnie Craig Ferree Marnie Craig Ferree Dan Spann Dan Spann