Study Questions on the Life of Simon Peter: 7
Study 7 – Matthew chapter 16 verses 17-18
The Declaration at Caesarea Philippi (2)
1. Jesus responded to Peter’s confession with “Blessed are you…”
- How had God been involved in Peter coming to know who Jesus was?
- How and why is God the Father important in your life?
2. The sermon mentioned the following two important points arising from Christ’s words “I will build my Church.” Discuss these and why they are important.
- The Church belongs to Jesus by right of purchase.
- Jesus is building his Church despite opposition.
3. Jesus referred to the “rock” on which he will build his Church having said to Simon “you are Peter” (the word in Greek is petros, which means a “rock” or a “stone”).
- If Jesus is not this “rock” (as the sermon stated), in what sense did Simon Peter represent the “rock” on which Jesus would build his Church?
- What place does “confession” of Jesus as Son of God and Saviour have in defining what a Christian is?
- In what ways might confession of Jesus as Son of God and Saviour be shown out in a Christian life?
4. Jesus said that “the gates of hell” (or hades) would not prevail against his building of the Church.
- What exactly is indicated by the word “gates”?
- The emphasis in the “gates of hell shall not prevail against it” is not a reference to the Church’s defences withstanding the onslaught of darkness, but rather to the defences of darkness not withstanding the onslaught of the Church. Discuss how this is important in our evangelism.
- How does Acts 12 help us to understand this point? (Especially as brought to a climax in verses 21-24).
- Who do you say Jesus is, and why?
