QUOTE(unknown warrior @ Oct 14 2014, 01:54 PM)
All the disciples were shielded from knowing God purpose for Jesus, except for Peter and John.
Peter's Name means Stone. He represents a type of Christian under Law.
John's Name means Grace. He represents a type of Christian under Grace.
The story is symbolic in Nature.
In Matthew 16, you can say that God is about to introduce Christ the Messiah to save his people from the covenant of the Law of the Old Testament.
Matthew 16:15-16 - "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "
You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah,
for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood,
but by my Father in heaven.And in the next moment Peter Rebuked Jesus despite that divine revelation given. Why? Why a side by side comparison where Peter was given the revelation of who Jesus is suppose to be and Yet He rebuked Jesus from that purpose.
Because the Law cannot save anyone. Like I said, it is symbolic in nature. The Devil wants you to go back to the Law.
The Devil is so afraid that people will come to know Jesus as a Saviour, He doesn't mind people to know him as a Teacher, a Model to be followed after (Old Testament way - Law). Why?
Because he knows that if you see Jesus as a model to be followed after and not as a Savior, you will remain in your sins, unable to come out.
That is why when
14-9-2015 you say it's better to stay in obedience to be safe, you are in essence saying you got your Salvation because you obeyed. It becomes your work, pushing away Grace which is under the New Covenant, eternally secured.
Your obsession with Law and Grace really amaze me.
All of your interpretations seem to be based on this.
In fact, so obsessed is your view on Law and Grace that you are willing to attack anyone who differs with you in this aspect.
The phrase which refers to peter as a stone is
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
The rock talks about Christ.
Most likely Peter(Small stone) talks about him as part of the body of Christ and also perheps he will play an important role as a leader since he recognized Christ.
There is nothing that states that Peter was anyhow related to law or legalism. In fact, just looking at the character of Peter, you will find that he tends to be a little bit reckless. Which is very different from legalism. Recklessness is generally the opposite to legalism.
Yes, it was being revealed to Peter that Jesus was the Christ. But then for most jews at that time, their understanding of Christ is one that comes in and save them from the oppression of Rome. What Jesus was narrating was different from the understanding of Peter and most of the disciples out there.
The verse after that.
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Shows very clearly shows that being Christ followers now but espacially during that time was not going to be easy. It's not about the physical kingdom. It's about a future kingdom.
Peter was just being reckless when he interrupted Jesus because he did not understand the purpose of Christ first coming
There are many prophecies that actually states that the Messiah will come and establish a Kingdom in Israel. But that will be fulfilled in the second coming.
The Jews were awaiting for such a messiah.
You are resorting to symbolism to over emphasize your theology. That's the wrong approach to things.
This post has been edited by sylar111: Oct 14 2014, 03:37 PM