Who is Israel-Conclusion
We have come to the end of this study on who is Israel. I believe that it has been made abundantly clear that Israel is spiritual not physical. That is true Israel is all true born again believers in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. It cannot be assigned to a piece of land or a physical lineage traced thru the millennium.
Matthew 16:13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 16:14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets."
First, who is Jesus speaking to? He is asking His disciples, of which Peter is one.
16:15 He *said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16:16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 16:17 And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
Simon Peter was able to say this because God the Father made it known to Him. Unfortunately, it would seem that Peter would soon forget this.
16:18 "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 16:19 "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." 16:20 Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ.
Jesus did not say that He would build this house solely on Peter, but on this God-given revelation that Jesus is indeed the Son of God the promised Messiah. All of them can confirm forgiveness but not give forgiveness. They can point out sin in others and instruct them to humbly seek forgiveness from God. How long did this revelation and how deep did it penetrate their hearts and minds?
16:21 From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. 16:22 Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You." 16:23 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's."
There could not be any stronger rebuke than be called Satan! Yet, Peter once again assumed an authority that he had never received. Soon after this, Peter once again failed to remember just who Jesus claimed to be and how he had affirmed it himself.
Matthew 26:69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilean." 26:70 But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about."
26:71 When he had gone out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and *said to those who were there, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." 26:72 And again he denied it with an oath, "I do not know the man."
26:73 A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Surely you too are one of them; for even the way you talk gives you away." 26:74 Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know the man!" And immediately a rooster crowed.
26:75 And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, "Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.
While Peter was indeed one of the three leaders of the 12, his impulsive character overshadowed most of the others. But, Jesus only asked these three to witness His transfiguration on the mountain.
Peter was forgiven, just as we are. But, Jesus will continue to build His church, which is not simply contained in one denomination, one building, or one pastor or Pope. Instead was we should all know it is contained in a few hearts in a multitude of gatherings, most of who are not within the church of Jesus Christ.
We will begin a new study next Saturday.