In our series, Jesus, Who Is He? we have looked at what the gospels have recorded of Jesus' response to many things: His response to sinners, to religious people, to Pharisees, to followers, to sickness, to poverty, etc..

What about the church? Matthew's gospel records the first time this word is mentioned in the New Testament making the context and meaning very important. What did Jesus mean by his choice of words?

How did he expect the disciple to understand what he was talking about? Not long afterwards Jesus explains to his disciples how to handle a problem of sin and offense between believers. Please note that Jesus said the final authority for settling the difference was the church. What did synagogue attending and Old Testament scripture believing Jews make of this teaching?

Our assembly is likened unto the Body of Christ or the earthly representation of Jesus Christ in our world today. What relationship did Jesus intend us to have with this church? What kind of authority did Jesus envision for the church? What kind of power would his Body have on earth or in heaven? What kind of perpetuity would this body have?

Matthew, the gospel-writer with primarily a Jewish mind-set, is the only one to mention this new entity, organization, community, fellowship, or assembly and he mentions it only twice. However, we learn from other New Testament authors, particularly Paul, what Jesus was intending for his church. What should your relationship to the Body of Christ look like and what expectations should we have for the only community sanctioned by the New Testament?

Thinking it over . . .

How did you come to your understanding of who Jesus is and how will your non-believing friends and relatives come to know Jesus? What is your role in their understanding?

What is the connection between verses 16, 17, and 18 of Matthew 16?

What do you see is the difference between the statement, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it and the impact of your church in your community?

What do you learn from this passage of the power of praying together in the context of a body of believers? What is the difference between My church in Matthew 16:18 and the church in Matthew 18:17?

What should your relationship be with an assembly of believers? What authority does the assembly have inyour spiritual life?

Scripture Reading
Matthew 16:13-20(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2016:13-20&version=50)
 

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