Evening star., 1924-11-15
Sunday School Lesson

none can get a clear conception Of
the Lord until they approach His life
from personal consideration in the
light of the teachings Of the Bible
ana the spiritual experiences Of men.
When Jesus tested the disciples
With personal question as to their
raith the destiny Of the world await
ed heir answer. Peter. responding
for the twelve, quickly replied, chou
art the Christ. the Son Of the Living
Cod 1t is not easy for US to un-
derstand the excitement of that mo-
mcnt when the apostles met the
challenge of Christs question by a
confession OF faith In the Lord tina,
marked turning point in the his
tory OF the world. The apostles were
Of nation that for centuries had
been looking Tor the fuliilment OF
the promises made by their prophets
concerning the coming Messiah.
Confession OF Christ.
Peters confession of Christ was
not received by the Lord without His
heart being overwhelmed with re-
joiCinK. They had referred to Him
before by the title OF Messiah, but
ever before in formal way had
they; confessed their personal faith
in Him. 1his clear-cut confession
proved that they possessed the spir-
HIS message. There could be no
question concerning the successful
outcome OF His mission, for they
would be competent witnesses.
Peters confession contained til,
substance of. all Christian, theology
because it was the essence and quin-
teS"ence of true confessions Of faith"
Every one who makes II from his
heart. John tells us. is truly born
nd of hi
walton in his heart 1t strikes at the
central truta. which Is the object OF
controversy OF Christianity with the
unbelieving world Peters confes-
zion was An ack nowIedgment that
Jesus was The very Christ the An
notntad One" whom all Jews under
st'nd to be identical with Jehovah
himself 1t was recognition of Him
as the Son OF God by eternal ma
ture."
Our Lord pointed out that the con-
fession OF Peter was the result of
Divine inspiration. as IL was not pos
sIble to have obtained such a concep-
ton of Jesus. except from revela-
/ tlon of God given to Peter by the aid
of His Spirit. This spiritual knowl-
/ edge of the Master as the Son OF the
living God constitutes, according to
John. eternal life, Jesus proclaimed
4 result of Gods revelation to the
apostle concerning the character Of
Jesus. All men are equally happy to
whom the blessed truth has been i'm
parted.
The confession Of Peter gave Jesus
an opportunity to impart unto His
disciples some information concern
ing His church. This was the first
time that our Lord spoke of the spir-
itual company upon whom He would
depend to carry on His work. Con
troversy has gathered over the state
ment to Peter that upon this rock
will build my church. Expositors
differ as to whether the rock applies
to Peter or to Christ as the rock Of
ages. Three things concerning the
church are clearly stated and beyond
question as TO their meaning that the
church belongs to Christ. 1t Is being
built by Him. and IT Is certain to
overcome all opposition.
The Organization and discipline OF
the church is suggested by the prom
ised gift OF the keys to the KINGDOM.
When the Lord ascended He left be
hind Him small body of believers to
whom He gave the great commission
| and promise OF His presence in carry
ing out His program. The message
Of the church, like the teachings Of
Jesus. after Peters confession. CEN
tered in the Nessia hship of Jesus and
His deity. It Is the fundamental ba-
sis of Christianity today. Unlike any
other religion. the one established by
Christ rises or falls with the charac-
ter Of it's, founder, wTom Peter con-
fessed was the Son Of the living
God" May God give us of His spirit
to confess Christ as courageously as
Peter