Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1919-11-07
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 9
PETERS GREAT CONFESSION.
TEXT-Matt. ls:ls.24.

GOLDEN TExT-Thou are the CHRIST,
the Son of the living God.-Matt. 1916.
ADDITIONAL MATERlAL-Mark s:27-
IS; Luke 9:lS-26: John $685.
PRIMARY AND JUNIOR ToPIC-What
Peter confessed.
INTERMEDIATES TOPIC what 1t
means to confess Christ.
SENIOR AND ADULT TOPIC-The
Messiahship of Jesus.
The time has now come for the King
to take account of his ministry.
This confession, In some sense marks
the turning point in Chrlst's ministry.
Hereafter 1t Is more restricted to his
disciples. Two reasons are sufficient
why this should be tvv. 1-12): III
The Pharisees and Sadducees show
their attitude towards him In their de-
mand for sign. His answer Is that
none shall be given save that of his
death and resurrection, as symbolized
In the experiences of the Prophet
Jonah. (2) The disciples show their
inability to understand the spiri&al
nature of his teaching. When he
warned them of the leaven of the
Pharisees and Sadducees they under
stood him TO refer 10 bread, when he
meant their doctrine. 1t was at this
crisis when Christ turned from the
nation which had rejected him, that
Peter made this great confession, 1t
was made in the borders Of Caesarea-
Philippi, practically Gentle territory.
81
Two questions of Christ provoked
this confession:
l. The question as to the opinion OF
the people concerning him.
They recognized him as teacher or
prophet of more than human author
lty and power. Today. as then, there
is a diversity of opinion among the
people as to Jesus Christ. Some think
he is only a man; others, that he is
great teacher, but nothing more. Had
he been content with this he would
not have been inolested in Jerusalem,
for the Jews willingly acknowledged
him as more than a human teacher.
It was his persistent claim to be the
Goldman, the Son Of God. that sent
him to the cross.
2. The second question involved the
personal opinion Of the disciples con-
corning him. To be able to tell what
others think of Jesus Is not enough
there must be definite, correct. and
personal belief In him.
u. The New Body, the Church, An
nounced wv. 1920.
| Peter had made a noble confession
| of Christ, so now Christ confesses him
If we col fess Christ he will confess us
| Matt. 1882. 33). Christ declared his
Intention of bringing into existence q
new body to the members of which he
will give eternal life, and to whose
hands he will Gntrust the keys Of the
Kingdom. Peter was to have dis
tinguished place in this body. The
| keys entrusted to him were used or
the day of Pentecost. and again in the
case of Cornelius Association In this
new body cannot he broken by death
for the gates of hades shall not prevail
4 against it. This body, the church is o.
a heavenly origin, heavenly calling
and heavenly inheritance.
~. The Cross the Way to tn
Throne wv. 21-33).
This was, no doubt. startling to tn,
disciples. They did not realize that re
demption was TO be accomplishe,
through the passion of the cross. s,
unwelcome was this announcement
that Peter cried. This shall not b
unto thee" Peter later saw through
this darkness to the glory on the hill
top beyond. new hope then file
his breast Il Peter 1:3, ~. Victor
through death is yet the stumblin
block of many. Many are stumblin
over the doctrine of salvation and RI
demption through the suffering Of tn
cross. All such are under the contrC
Of the devil ". 23). Salvation b
blood, the devil hates.
, ~. The Cost Of Discipieship wv. 2.
20.
I To follow Christ means suffering T
I follow him is to turn ones back upo
. the world. Life can only be saved b
? losing 1t. If we are going to be Chrl
\ tians we must share Christ's sufferin
/ We cannot so to heaven on flower
beds of ease.
y /. There must be denial of self {
= 24). There Is wide difference b
!. tween self-denial and denial Of sci
. Self-denial is practiced everywhere
. all people. but only the disciples
= Christ or Christian people deny sci
Christ takes the place of self.
q 2. Take up his cross" This GRO
!. Is the suffering and shame which
= In the path of loyalty to God, To
Z our duty will mean suffering e Til
: 3:12).
! 8. Follow Christ. This means
4 have the mind Of Christ. to do III
y Christ. All such shall be reward
when Christ comes In glory.