“Thou Art the Christ”

“Thou Art the Christ” –

Sound Doctrine Revealed by the Father

“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16.) This was not just a moment of clarity — it was sound doctrine, revealed directly by the Father. And it is upon this revealed truth, that the Lord Jesus Christ builds His ecclesia. Let us walk through these verses and understand their weight.

1. The Context – False Teaching

In verse 11, Jesus warns his disciples to “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.” In verse 12, the disciples realise He is referring to doctrine — false teaching.  This is the context in which Jesus leads them into a conversation about who He truly is. He begins with a warning: that the teachings of religious leaders can corrupt and blind. As Paul later says in Galatians chapter 5, verse 9: “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.”

So, it would seem … Jesus is showing us: doctrine matters.

2.  The Great Question

In verse 13, Jesus asks: “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” (Matt 16:15) It would appear the answers reflect confusion — some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, some Jeremiah.  Then He asks the question directly to His disciples: “But whom say ye that I am?”   It’s not enough to repeat what others say. This question demanded a personal answer – and it still does today.

3.    The Great Confession & Other Accounts of the Same

Peter answers in verse 16: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Let’s break that down:

• “Thou art the Christ” — the anointed one, the promised Messiah. The one spoken of in Psalm 2 and Isaiah 61.
• “The Son of the living God” – not a co-equal part of a Trinity, but the one whom God begat, empowered, and sent.  See John 14:28 “my Father is greater than I”

Peter’s confession is confirmed throughout the Scriptures. Let’s look at some of them:

• Gabriel to Mary: “That holy thing… shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).
• At His baptism: “This is my beloved Son” (Matthew 3:17).
• At the Transfiguration: “This is my beloved Son: hear ye him” (Luke 9:35).
• Nathanael: “Rabbi, thou art the Son of God” (John 1:49).
• Martha: “I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God” (John 11:27).
• The disciples in the storm: “Of a truth thou art the Son of God” (Matthew 14:33).
• John 6:69: “Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”
• Acts 8:37: “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

Let’s look at some Old Testament accounts:

• 2 Samuel 7:14 – “I will be his father, and he shall be my son.”
• Psalm 2:7 – “Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.” see also Acts 13:33.
• Psalm 89:26–27 – “He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God… Also I will make him my firstborn.” – see also Colossians 1:18.
• Isaiah 7:14 – “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
• Isaiah 9:6 – “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.

Even the unclean spirits recognised him:

• Legion cried out in Mark 5:7: “Jesus, thou Son of the most high God.”
• Others confessed him in similar words (Matthew 8:29; Luke 4:41).
• Mark 3:11 records: “Unclean spirits… fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.”

Yet, like a child, the demoniacs simply say what they see and see what they say.  As it is written, “The devils also believe, and tremble.” (James 2:19).

In the case of Legion, the man who had been tormented was now healed.

“Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on the” (Mark 5:19)

The man longed to remain with The Lord, yet Jesus sent him home to bear witness.

He was found “sitting, clothed, and in his right mind” (verse 15), meaning that before, he had been in the wrong mind – just as all men and women are before the revelation of Jesus Christ opens their hearts. This isn’t to say all were mentally unwell before, but we were all certainly in darkness and children of disobedience.  See (Philippians. 2:5) & (Ephesians 2:2).

And likewise Mary Magdalene, from whom the Lord cast out seven devils — both her healing and that of Legion were among the many mighty works of our master, that shone forth as living testimonies of the compassion and glory of God. 

4. Other Sons of God – But One Only Begotten

Scripture does indeed call others “sons of God”:

• Adam was the son of God (Luk. 3:38)
• Angels (Job 1:6), as ministering spirits (Hebrews 1:14).
• Israel as a nation (Exodus 4:22) also (Hosea 11:1)
• Jewish judges and prophets (Psalm 82:6).
• True Believers by adoption (Romans 8:14)

But Hebrews 1:5 makes the difference plain:

“For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee?”

Angels are sons as ministering spirits, Israel is a son by covenant, and we are sons by adoption into the New Covenant. But Christ alone is the only begotten Son, declared by the Father Himself.  This is a principle of sound doctrine, and it points us directly to Christ, the true cornerstone.

Although Peter’s confession is not unique, it is consistent, powerful, and doctrinal. And it formed a key principle in which the foundation of the Ecclesia was laid, this truth binding us together then, as it does today.

5. Doctrine Is Revealed, Not Invented

Jesus responds in verse 17:

“Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”

Peter didn’t come up with this — it was revealed to him. Even though he may not have understood certain things, he was able to receive this truth and confess it.

This truth didn’t come from rabbis, or tradition — it came from heaven:

• Matthew 11:27 – “No man knoweth the Son, but the Father.”
• 1 Corinthians 2:10–14 – spiritual things are only understood through the Spirit. – also Romans 10:11 “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God”
• Even our calling in Christ is by God’s initiative: John 6:65 – “No man can come to me, except it were given unto him of my Father.”

So as we see in the case of Peter. Nothing is given unless God gives it, likewise he taketh away. Nothing exists without Him. All is of Him, through Him, and for his will and good pleasure. He upholds ALL the Law of Nature by his Free Spirit. By grace he gives Eternal life, ONLY through Jesus Christ – the Son of the living God, Abbas Arm of Salvation, and his Good Doctrine – The things Concerning Jesus Christ and the kingdom of GOD. 

6. The Rock and the Ecclesia

Matthew 16:18:

“Upon this rock I will build my church.”

The rock is not Peter the man literally – The true Rock – The cornerstone is Christ. So, could it be this sound doctrine that Peter confessed: “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God” Christ builds his church – his spiritual house?  By this Peter being a living Stone? See (1 Peter 2:4–5).

As Solomon’s stones were prepared quietly to fit the Temple, so are True believers shaped now, to fit Christ the Cornerstone, being developed to bear the image of him (1 Kings 6:7)

We see Christ as the cornerstone in Isaiah 28:16 & Ephesians 2:20–21.  Also 1 Corinthians 3:11 – “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

We know Peter would be one of the pillars of the disciples when Jesus restored him.  To be a pillar we must have sound doctrine – The Good Doctrine revealed by GOD.

• If we are to be oracles of God. When we speak. We should ONLY utter GOD’s revealed word to us through scripture, Not the Philosophical imaginations of men. (1 Peter 4:11, Ezekiel 3:26, 1 Peter 4:11)
• We cannot be oracles of God if the truth is not in us. Which is the case in the religious and political systems Of the Harlot – The blind leading the blind.
• In Matthew chapter 7, verse 24, Jesus taught that the wise man builds his house upon the rock, while the foolish man builds upon the sand. To build on sand is easier, but the foundation will not stand. To build upon rock requires effort and steadfastness — yet it is the only foundation that leads to life everlasting. Any other ground is shifting sand.

So too, the Ecclesia must be built upon Christ and his Doctrine, the true and living foundation. 

So… What is that house that will stand?

Jesus prayed in John 17:3:

“This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

7. The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail

Verse 18 continues: “And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

• “Hell” here = Hades, the grave.
• Gates = authority, confinement.

Could Jesus be saying here, the power of the grave will not overcome His Ecclesia, founded on the truth concerning him, first identifying who he is and the one whom sent him? 

8. Sound Doctrine vs. Man-made Fables 

• Peter confessed: “Son of the living God.”
• He did not say: “God the Son.” GOD the son is not found anywhere in scripture.

Let’s hear what John said by the Spirit:

• 1 John 4:15 – “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him.”
• 1 John 5:5 – “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”
• (2 John 1:9) “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.”

So let’s look at the Spirit that abideth NOT in the doctrine of Christ:

The phrase “God the Son” arose from human tradition and Apostasy – “the wisdom of the prince of the power of the air.” – The Wisdom of this world, the vanity of men’s minds. That same spirit denies our Creator and those who claim to be shepherds, feeding off the fat of the lambs – pervert his Law and testimony – his very purpose from creation to salvation and reformation. Instead of declaring “For it’s written saith the Lord, they declare “For it’s written saith man” We certainly hear this among much of secular denominations today, and throughout the ages, let alone the Atheist. As Robert Roberts terms the former: “Christendom Astray”!

Would it be accurate for me to say, the phrase “God the Son” echoes the first lie in Eden, “Ye shall not surely die,” and therefore belongs to the same spirit of error that opposes the truth?

Let’s look at the serpent seed & it’s Rebellion against GOD.

• Genesis 3:1–5 – Serpent’s lie: “Ye shall not surely die.”

• Genesis 4:3–8; 1 John 3:12 – Cain offers up unacceptable sacrifice and murders Abel.

• Numbers 16:1–35 – Korah, Dathan, Abiram rebel against Moses.

• Leviticus 10:1–3 – Nadab and Abihu offer strange fire.

• 1 Samuel 15:22–23 – Saul rejects God’s word; rebellion likened to witchcraft.

• 1 Kings 21:25; 2 Kings 9:22 – Ahab and Jezebel spread idolatry and deceit.

• Isaiah 8:20 – Those who speak not according to God’s Word have no light.

• Jeremiah 23:16–32 – False prophets speak visions of their own hearts.

• Matthew 15:3–9 – Pharisees set aside God’s command by tradition, blaspheming The Holy Spirit denying the power thereof, by denying Christ’s works witnessed by themselves and many.

• Matthew 23:33 – “Serpents, generation of vipers.”

• Romans 1:25 – They changed the truth of God into a lie.

• 2 Corinthians 11:3 – As the serpent beguiled Eve through subtlety, so their minds were corrupted and drawn away from the purity and simplicity that is in Christ.

• 1 John 4:1–3; 2 John 7–9 – Denying Christ come in the flesh = spirit of antichrist.

• 2 Peter 2:1–3; Jude verses 10–19 – False teachers and ungodly men follow their own lusts.

• Ephesians 2:1–2 – Spirit of disobedience; prince of the power of the air.

• James 3:15 – Earthly, sensual, devilish wisdom.

• Revelation 12:9 – That old serpent, the deceiver of the world.

• Romans 16:20 – God will bruise Satan under your feet shortly.

The conclusion of the matter is this: there is Truth, and there is Apostasy — nothing in between.  And that Truth is found only in God, revealed through His Son, Christ Jesus.

9. The Importance of Doctrine – A Scriptural Mandate

• 1 Timothy 4:16 – “Take heed …. unto the doctrine… for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
• Titus 2:1 – “Speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.”
• 2 Timothy 3:16 – “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine…”
• 2 Timothy 3:15 – Scripture makes us wise unto salvation through faith in Christ.
• Romans 6:17 – “Ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine…”
• Proverbs 4:2 – “I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.”

So we conclude: Good doctrine is central to salvation!

10. Peter’s Journey – Weakness and Restoration

• Peter sank for having little faith (Matthew 14:30)
• He rebuked Christ (Matthew 16:22).
• He denied Him (Matthew 26:69–75).

But Jesus restored him – see John 21:15–19.  And subsequently, Peter boldly testified, “God hath made that same Jesus… both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36).  He may have failed in action at times as all of us do, but he never abandoned the Good doctrine he Declared in Matthew 16:16 and died in his Testimony, as many others did.

Conclusion:

The great question was: “But whom say ye that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  And Peter’s answer was not just a moment of clarity — it was revelation. It was the truth that saves.

• The true foundation: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
• Peter fulfilled his commission exactly as Christ said – he used the keys of the Kingdom: first in Acts chapter 2, when he opened the gospel to the Jews, and again in Acts chapter 10, when he opened it to the Gentiles in the house of Cornelius. By contrast the Jewish leaders, took away “the key of knowledge” (Luke. 11:52).

The record shows his work clearly. He was never a bishop of Rome, nor the head of any hierarchy as later claimed. The authority he held was exercised through the preaching of the truth – not through the custodianship claimed by the apostate church.”

• The mystery of godliness revealed: Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh Yeshua HaMashiach — “I will be who I will be – Saviour Anointed.”

This is Abbas memorial Name – first revealed in Christ, and in the future to be revealed again in the multitudinous Christ — the saints in whom His glory will be manifested. Yawheh is not just a title, but it’s a declaration of his divine purpose: see Exodus 3:14, 1 Timothy 3:16, 2 Thessalonians 1:10, Romans 8:19.

Let us hold fast to the Doctrine in Christ Jesus, continue to reject false creeds and men’s traditions, and walk in the hope of Israel. For our master said: “Salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22).

We are a privileged few to know these things, may Abba’s mercy always rest upon us. as we are gathered together in fellowship, Christ says:

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” (John 10:27-29)

Closing Reflection:

All is of God — nothing is given unless He gives it.

He is the Almighty, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent – “The Ancient of Days” (Daniel 7:22).  Through Him and by Him are all things, and to Him belongs all glory.

It was the Father who revealed His Son, raised him from the dead, and set him at His own right hand — far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named.

Kieran Waite