MARCH Pastoral Letter

Seeking First the Kingdom,

and His Righteousness

Matt 6:33

In this issue:

* REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE! Bro Robert

* RWANDA – INTRODUCING BRO JEAN BOSCO

* CONFLICT STARTS UP AGAIN IN E DR CONGO

* TANZANIA – BRO MICHAEL – OUR FAITHFUL LORD

* E INDIA – BRO PRASANNA – REVIVAL FIRES STIR

* UGANDA – DR LUMALA – KAMPALA REGIONAL UPDATES

* S AFRICA – FBF TRAIN PREACHING REPORT

* MATT 16 – EXPOSITION CONTINUES

My Beloved Brethren... be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the LORD, for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the LORD.

1 Cor. 15:58

REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE! HEART AFFECTIONS

BELOVED IN CHRIST, we greet you with all the mercy and grace that our Lord Jesus extends to us this day. As we are seeing more and more of God's judgment unfold upon our nations, we must stay fast upon our True Hope and love unto our Saviour and King... for, HE is calling up His Bride to 'STAND!'

Jesus said: 'REMEMBER LOT'S WIFE!' What was Jesus saying to His disciples? He was teaching that just as it was in the day of Lot, so it will be in these Last Days! Men and women will allow other affections in their hearts, and CROWD JESUS OUT from His deserved first position!! Take a survey of your own heart sometime, and ask yourself in judgment day honesty: Are there heart affections that are interfering with the progress of our own spiritual development in Christ Jesus?

It is entirely possible to allow other heart desires and affections to rise up without really noticing! They can silently TAKE ROOT in some portion of the heart. Like finding great satisfaction in getting a good job somewhere! Or getting a new house or farm with new furniture, paintings, antiques, gadgets, clothes, a new car, a new wife, new live-stock or a good business, a nice family or even a GREAT MINISTRY! My friend, let us recall that at a very wrong moment, Lot's wife could not believe that she was going to LOSE something that had grown up in her heart... something that she was unwilling to let go of!!

Could it be that in a time 'such as this' that the Holy Spirit is touching something that will have to go sooner or later, and we have not been listening? My beloved Brethren, let us find our peace in PRAYER WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD and be HONEST with the TRUTH!

Consider... Mr and Mrs LOT had to be DRAGGED OUT OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH BY THE HAND OF 2 ANGELS! They were not very willing to submit to the drawings of God in their time of Judgment! Can we be so sure that Jesus or our heavenly Father will be sending Angels to rescure you at the last hour?

The bible says: It's IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD WITHOUT FAITH!

May the Lord Jesus bless and keep your hearts... for His Kingdom. Amen.

Bro Robert   FBF Staff

FBF would like to Thank you again for your prayers and encouragements as the Teams in East, Central, South and Western Africa are experiencing many advances and serious revival that continues in the East and Central sections... all Glory to God! East India continues to open up new territories with the Gospel, and the Open Air preach continues in the US. All teams are training new recruits at this time. We thank the LORD for the good work of participating with His Kingdom advance... and with all His Church Bride who is eagerly awaiting His soon return. This is the hour for all of God’s children to ‘rise up’ for the gospel of Jesus Christ! It’s TIME to do all we can in Christ. His return is more certain than ever before!    Amen.

The focus of the Pastoral Letter (PL) is along the lines of generally edifying and encouraging Preachers to establish more of Christ in our lives, promoting the Kingdom of God where ever we go, Establishing God fearing Churches, mission updates (Africa, India, US), missions reports, focus points, teaching, exposition, a short list of mail-ins (with some excerpts). We are committed to the Great Co-Mission for all, as being salt and light are not an option in the church of Jesus Christ. Matt 5:13-16 ... We continue to bless all those who are at work in the advancement of the Kingdom of God... for Jesus sake. We continue to call all men to Jesus, and to the simplicity of Christ that we find in the Book of Acts Church... to His Glory and Praise!

Acts 2:42, 46-47, Mark 16:15-16

May the LORD leave His richest blessings upon each one of you as you Press On with Jesus!

"'Not called!' did you say? 'Not heard the call,' I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear Him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father's house and bid their brothers and sisters and servants and masters not to come there. Then look Christ in the face — whose mercy you have professed to obey — and tell Him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish His mercy to the world.

~William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army

Burundi FBF IS GROWING!

Introducing Brother Jean Bosco

Joining FBF , 2nd year bible college

A PRAYING CHURCH BODY

Dear sir.

how are you?

I am greeting you through the mighty Jesus's name.

thank you somunch about your prayers ,for us to our programmes of january and february.next week I will senf for you other ,requesting prayers of match and april program.

so,on friday were the teaching of the women up 300 that pictures were not taken because Iwas for from that place.

in the morning saturday were baptism they were Baptised 50 peoples also there no pictures about them because I didn't arrive early.

but afternoon were revival crasude the many people attend that revival crusade about 800 peoples and on sunday were maybe 1200 people attend that revival crusade that were good times of blessing also the 30 gave their lives to Jesus one of them was Muslim girl.so on that time we make the holly communion 600 Christians attend that service.

we dedicated the Chridrens 37 .

after we the small meeting with students of school bible and also I gave them the bible study and I thank the heavenly father who help us in all working.

may the Lord bless you

yours in Burundi

J.Bosco

-------

A CHURCH PLANTING BODY

(SOME 48 CHURCHES)

NEW GROUND FOR A NEW WORK

MEN TAKING COUNSEL & MAKING A PLAN

Please... we ask your prays for these devoted Brethren with all their church planting, faithfulness and the Bible College. Our Lord is blessing the work.

RENEWED VIOLENCE in DRC

Prayer needed PLEASE!

CAN YOU IMAGINE LIVING IN THESE CONDITIONS?!

OF COURSE NOT... HOWEVER, WHEN THE 'MELT DOWN' OCCURS

THERE ARE FEW OPTIONS!

EITHER IN DRC OR SYRIA OR KENYA...

... LET US PRAY FOR OUR FELLOW BROTHERS AND SISTERS

WHO LIVE BY FAITH... AND NO DOUBT...

TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

TANZANIA

Update Bro Michael

^ Bro Michael
My beloved Daddy and an apostle Robert,

I am always happy and proud of you because God who chose you to begot me He knew exactly how you were going to become a lovely and blessing father to me and to my ministry here in Tanznaia, praise the Lord.

Daddy below here is a short report of what have been taking place in FBF ministry here in Geita and Tanzania as a whole.

In January this year I started a year with an open air meeting whereby thirty people were saved and two people were set free in terms of divine healing, one of them was deaf and the second had lost her sight she couldn’t see properly all of them were completely healed in our meeting and there all in the church now.
All FBF church branches around Geita are growing properly and the numbers of church members are increased from lower to higher, I always pay a visit to see them.
We started a fasting prayer for the whole month starting on 01/Feb to the end of the month. It’s a twelve hours fasting of everyday of the month, aiming to see the sanctification, revival and the power of God moving in our midst, we are praying for FBF in Geita and Tanzania and the whole world, we are also praying for the vision we discussed over the phone concerning the great things you are planning to invest in the Kingdom here in Geita hope you remember about vocational school, plumbing, brick layers, tailors, and the bible school to equip God’s ministers.
On 03/02/2013 we had a very anointed service in our church here in Geita, the Holy Sprit manifested in a very special way in our service, people wept and many were released in the spirit.
I have taken the steps to make an official follow up of searching for someone in Government office to assist us in meeting our goals in 2013 as planed by you our Director. We are also praying for you trip to Tanzania in April or May to be successful, Daddy you are warmly welcome to our country.
Finally I expect to have a big crusade on 13/Feb/2013 and for sure I will send the photos of the event trust me for that.

Daddy, those is what have been done and hope before you come in May I will also send you the 2013 calendar of the plans I have for the ministry in Tanzania. Don’t forget me for the request of the rent payment I requested earlier from you.

Your beloved son,

Pastor Michael.

FBF

E India - Revival

Bro Jeevan

Dear beloved MAN OF GOD REV. ROBERT EPHRATA and near beloved AND FAMILY,

Greetings to you in the holy name of our lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is same yesterday, today and forever. Thank you vary much for your holy prayers , loving family and ministry. YOU ARE IN OUR HEARTS AND DAILY PRAYERS. How are you dear family in Jesus? We daily praying for you, your family, your church your good health and your country.

Thank you very much for your holy prayers for ministry India to reach with the Love and Good News to this pagan people. We see the mind of Jesus in you, and your family. we had wonderful services in all our churches. We hope and pray that this letter will bring you safe and sound to you under His loving wings of Jesus. By the Grace of God and your daily holy prayers God had been using us in different places to bring Glory and Honor to Him by bringing Hindus and idol worshippers towards of Him

We had 3 day OPEN AIR meetings and we shared word of God many are healed physically and spiritually and cast out the demons and among are came to know about living lord Jesus Christ and 7 of them are going to baptized in coming Sunday.

And we had prisoner ministry in this week and shared love of Jesus and give tracts and John Gospel booklet and some Holy Bibles to them.

Please pray that God may speak to them. Please send your encouraging letter and your holy prayers. IN OUR HEARTS AND DAILY PRAYERS.

Looking forward for your prayerful letter.

In His Vineyard.

PASTOR.PRASANNA JEEVAN

NEW DISTRICT IN THE MAKING?
BRO WACHANA
E UGANDA REGIONAL

Greetings to you Brother Robert in Jesus’ name.

Concerning the issue of the Orphanage as indicated in your letter, it
is a good and welcome idea. So far in our area there are orphans and
helpless old folks, but there is no such ministry as an orphanage or
any home or other kind of caring ministry toward them. I believe it
can be a very helpful ministry in our area.

You asked me whether I know any politicians in Uganda. I know some of
the Local Area Leaders within the village, the Sub County and the
District. It is possible to connect with them to send our voice to
higher government authorities whenever we need any help in the area.
However, they may not have any free land to donate to us for our
projects as everyone in our area owns their personal land. We can only
buy.

There is another issue from the brothers from Western Kenya i.e. Busia
border, Malaba border, Amagoro and Amukura areas: They are suggesting
and requesting that they work with us in Uganda (so that their area
can be called Western Kenya Region) since they are closer to us in
Uganda than to Kisumu in Kenya. They had even suggested that the 2nd
quarter conference be organized in their area in Kenya. But I told
them we will take there the 3rd quarter instead. What is your opinion
on this? And what is the opinion of Brother James Samo. If it is
possible Brother James would come over so that we sit together and
hear from these brethren concerning this issue.

Thanks and I will hear from you again.
Pastor Wachana.

KENYA ELECTIONS

PRAYER IS REQUIRED

BRO JAMES - EAST AFRICA REGIONAL

Please be assured that the money is going to lift the name of the lord and encourage the sons of thunder around Nyanza as little as they could share.

Please we are having some prayers for the families and the Kenyan election which is going to birth the fourth president of Kenya.

Please join us in prayer we really appreciate your prayer for the stability in Kenya which was being interfered with during incursion into terrorists territory in Somalia.

Please concerning our mission with you in April/ May will be able to communicate more details in my next mail but was suggesting that we have a full itinerary early May as thing could settle and work well for us. Brother James/ EAR – FBF

Hindu converts in E India
BAPTISM

Bro Jeevan

PASTOR. ROBERT EPHRATA AND CHURCH FAMILY.

Anointing of Holy Ghost is more in our service.We are all prayed for all of your family mostly your country. Today we had baptisms services in our area and we baptized 7 Hindus who are newly saved in our outreach meetings. God is blessing our work with new souls towards kingdom of God . I am including some of the Sunday Baptismal photos.They are saved form Hindu religions. Please pray for their families. Still their families and relatives have to be saved.

Your brother in Jesus. Pastor.P. Prasanna jeevan

FBF Film Project
COMPLETED at NO COST!

Train Preaching FBF style

An excellent opportunity came to us a couple of months ago as a Travel Film company out of France saw our web site, and was particularly interested in our preaching on the trains. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J6itAyWzcY

After some discussion with the producer, Bro Robert assigned Bro Renier and Bro Ivan in South Africa to coordinate directly for a shoot time... and the film was made. We are very thankful to the entire Film crew and the people on the trains for helping to make this possible. That the Lord Jesus will be Glorified in it’s showing in differing parts of the world is our earnest desire.

REPORT FROM BRO RENIER AND BRO IVAN

I would just like to encourage all my brothers all over the world to consider the following words of Jesus: “Go into ALL THE WORLD and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15). Jesus is saying here that we can preach the Gospel ANYWHERE in the world … not only in the streets, markets, beaches, cities, towns, neighborhoods but also in UNUSUAL PLACES like trains and buses! Just this past Wednesday (23 January) a film-crew from France National Television flew in from Paris to Cape Town to do a documentary of our preaching on the trains in Cape Town! I preached the following message on the train: “You all know that this train is going to Cape Town, but do you know where you are going to the day you die? Where will you spend eternity? Where will you go when you pass on? Is it going to be Heaven or is it going to be Hell? Where will you be a 100 years from now? Think about it! A 100 years from now it is not going to matter how much money you made in this life or in what type of home you lived. The only thing that is going to matter a 100 years from now is who is in Heaven and who is in hell! So repent while you are able! Details in the Bible!” After the shooting the Director told me: “We’ve done documentaries on activities in and around the trains for the past 20 YEARS in 14 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES ALL OVER THE WORLD, but this is the FIRST TIME that I’ve ever seen someone PREACHING on the trains!” I was shocked when I’ve heard this as I really thought that there would be lots of bold brothers in other countries who would see this wonderful opportunity to reach people on the trains/buses. You see, when people are taking a train or a bus somewhere then you have a CAPTIVE AUDIENCE right there in front of you! They can’t go anywhere if they do not like your preaching. They have to stay in the train/bus if they want to reach their destination which makes trains/buses a perfect location to preach a good Gospel-message to a captive audience! Unlike open-air preaching where you have people walking by you all the time … you are able on a train or a bus to take the audience through the whole Ten Commandments and develop a sermon like that from beginning to end. It is such a pity that most Christian men are not bold enough to make use of this wonderful opportunity. The winters in South Africa make it sometimes difficult for us to preach in the open-air due to the bad weather (rains and winds, etc), but the trains are always available! Thanks to the trains we are able to preach all year long and thereby keeping our voices strong and our wheels oiled for action! I’ve seen a lot of things happening on the trains as a result of our preaching. I’ve seen other brothers so encouraged by our example that they’ve started to preach on the trains themselves for the first time in their lives! We are such a regular sight on the trains that I’ve even heard some say: “Oh no! Not these people again!” when we got into the train. Just as the apostle Paul was considered to be “a plague” among his contemporaries (Acts 24:5) so likewise we consider it an honour to be called “a plague” or a nuisance by the unbelievers of our day. We usually take a lot of tracts with us when we preach on the train. When we give one person a tract after our preaching, usually the other people on the train see that person getting a tract and then they would ask us to give them tracts as well! From time to time we would see a “ticket-checker” on the train who would walk through the train to check whether people have their tickets. When I see that I would preach: “Tickets! Tickets! Do you have a ticket to Heaven? Jesus Christ is your Ticket to Heaven! You cannot take a journey on a train without a ticket … You cannot go to Heaven without Jesus Christ! No ticket … no journey! You know how that goes!” The people usually smile when I hear that. I’ve learned that humor goes a long way to ensure a captive audience. J When I got on the train the other day the train did not leave the station immediately but stood in the station for about 10 minutes. Trains usually leaves the train within one minute after arriving at a station. I’ve already began to preach, but I’ve stopped for a moment and looked outside the window of the train to see what the hold-up is. I shouted: “Come on! Blow the whistle!” Immediately, as I said this, the whistle blew and the train-doors closed and we were in motion! I turned around and said to my audience: “See, they were just waiting for me to tell them to!” The people laughed at my remark and I continued my preach. As I was preaching to the people on the train a man interrupted me and said: “May I ask you a question?” I said: “Sure!” I like it when people interrupt me when I’m preaching to ask me a question as that is a sign that they’ve paid attention! This man asked me: “Where is Jesus right now?” I replied: “He is in Heaven sitting at the right hand of the God.” He then said: “Show me!” I said: “All right!” and opened up my Bible to Mark 16 and read verses 19-20 out loud for all to hear. He asked again: “Where is Heaven?” I replied: “According to the Bible (2 Cor 12:2) there are 3 heavens … the 1st heaven is the blue sky that you see outside where all the clouds are. The 2nd heaven is outer space where you get the sun, the moon and the stars. The 3^rd heaven is the place where God lives … it is way beyond space … outside the universe.” The man responded: “The Bible says that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth… if God is in heaven … where was He before He created the heavens and the earth?” The man smiled as he asked me this question as he thought he got me in a corner. I replied: “Genesis 1:1 says that in the beginning God created the heaven-s and the earth. The word ‘heavens’ is in the plural. In other words, Genesis 1:1 talks only about the 1st and 2nd heavens as God Himself always existed in the 3rd heaven since that is and was His dwelling place from all eternity.” The man was satisfied with my answer and said: “Ah, I believe you now!” I replied to him: “Thank you for asking such intelligent questions! I really appreciate that! I can see that you are thinking!” I could see that he liked what was said as he shook my hand, smiling. Everyone in the train heard our discussion as I spoke out loud for all to hear. You see, people are more willing and eager to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ than we think! It is our duty as Christians to take the message to them! Be encourage my brothers in Christ to be bold in the witness for Jesus Christ in preaching the Gospel EVERYWHERE … including trains and buses! Use every opportunity to preach the Gospel to every creature and live your life in such a way that you have no regrets when you stand before the LORD on Judgment Day. Amen.

~ Renier South Africa

MATTHEW 16: AN EXPOSITION

(Matthew 16:1) The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

The Pharisees and Sadducees, traditional enemies in religious matters, represented two doctrinal extremes. But their opposition to each other gave way to cooperation as they united in a common aim to trip up the Savior. To test Him they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. In some way not clear to us, they were trying to trick Him into a compromising position. In asking for a sign from heaven, perhaps they were implying an opposite source for His previous miracles. Or perhaps they wanted some supernatural sign in the sky. All Jesus' miracles had been performed on the earth. Could He do heavenly miracles as well?

(Matthew 16:2-3) He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

He answered by continuing the theme of the sky. When they saw a red sky in the evening, they forecast good weather for the next day. They also knew that a red, threatening sky in the morning meant storms for that day. They know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but they could not interpret the signs of the times. What were these signs? The prophet who heralded the arrival of the Messiah had appeared in the person of John the Baptist. The miracles prophesied of the Messiah—things no other man had ever done—had been performed in their presence. Another sign of the times was the obvious rejection of the Messiah by the Jews and the movement of the gospel to the Gentiles, all in fulfilment of prophecy. Yet in spite of this undisputable evidence, they had no sense of history being made or of prophecy being fulfilled.

(Matthew 16:4) A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

In seeking for a sign when He Himself stood in their midst, the Pharisees and Sadducees exposed themselves as an evil, spiritually adulterous generation. No sign would now be given to them except the sign of the prophet Jonah. This sign would be the resurrection of Christ on the third day (Mat 12:39). A wicked and adulterous generation would crucify its Messiah, but God would raise Him from the dead. This would be a sign of the doom of all who refuse to bow to Him as rightful Ruler. The paragraph closes with the ill-omened words, “And He left them and departed.” The spiritual consequences of the words should be obvious to all.

(Matthew 16:5-6) And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

When His disciples re-joined the Lord on the east side of the lake, they had forgotten to take food with them. Therefore when Jesus greeted them with a warning to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees, they thought He was saying, “Don't go to those Jewish leaders for food supplies!” Their obsession with food caused them to look for a literal, natural explanation where a spiritual lesson was meant.

(Matthew 16:7-8) And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?

Jesus realizes that they are misunderstanding the whole thing.

(Matthew 16:9-10) Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

They were still worrying about a food shortage in spite of the fact that He who fed the 5,000 and the 4,000 was with them. So He reviewed the two miraculous feedings with them. The lesson that arose concerned divine resourcefulness, for the less Jesus had to work with, the more He fed, and the more food there was left over. When there were only five loaves and two fish, He fed 5,000 plus and had twelve baskets of food left. With more loaves and fish, He fed only 4,000 plus and had left over only seven basketfuls. If we put our limited resources at His disposal, He can multiply them in reverse proportion to their amount. “Little is much if God is in it.” A different word is used for baskets here than in the feeding of the 5,000. The seven baskets in this incident are considered to have been larger than the twelve on the previous occasion. But the basic lesson remains: Why worry about hunger and want when we are linked with One who has infinite power and resources?

(Matthew 16:11-12) How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

In speaking of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, the Lord had not referred to bread but to evil doctrine and conduct. In Luke 12:1 the leaven of the Pharisees is defined as hypocrisy. They professed to obey the Word of God in the smallest details, yet their obedience was external and shallow. Inwardly they were evil and corrupt. The leaven of the Sadducees was rationalism. The freethinkers of their day, they, like the liberals of today, had built a system of doubts and denials. They denied the existence of angels and spirits, the resurrection of the body, the immortality of the soul, and eternal punishment. This leaven of scepticism, if tolerated, will spread and infiltrate like yeast in meal.

(Matthew 16:13-14) When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

Caesarea Philippi was about twenty-five miles north of the Sea of Galilee and five miles east of the Jordan. When Jesus came to the surrounding villages (Mark 8:27), an incident generally recognized as the peak of His teaching ministry occurred. Up to this time He had been leading His disciples to a true apprehension of His Person. Having succeeded in this, He now turns His face determinedly to go to the cross. He began by asking His disciples what men were saying as to His identity. The replies ran the range from John the Baptist, to Elijah, to Jeremiah, to one of the other prophets. To the average person He was one among many. Good but not the Best. Great but not the Greatest. A prophet but not the Prophet. This view would never do. It condemned Him with weak praise. If He were only another man He was a fraud because He claimed to be equal with God the Father.

(Matthew 16:15-16) He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

He asked the disciples who they believed He was. This brought from Simon Peter the famous confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” In other words, He was Israel's Messiah and God the Son. In Him are fulfilled all the promises of God to the nation. And as the Old Testament made clear, the Messiah is more than a human being; He is God (Isa 9:6; Jer 23:5-6; Mic 5:2). Peter thus acknowledged Jesus’ deity as the Son of the living God. The disciples had come to this conclusion as they observed the Lord Jesus over a period of time, witnessed His miracles, and heard His words.

(Matthew 16:17) 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.

Our Lord pronounced a blessing on Simon, son of Jonah. The fisherman had not arrived at this concept of the Lord Jesus through intellect or natural wisdom; it had been supernaturally revealed to him by God the Father. Likewise, we do not need to see it as our job to convince a Muslim, Mormon, or other unbeliever that Jesus is God. That’s the Father’s job. Our part is simply to preach the message of the gospel.

(Matthew 16:18) 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.

We all know that more arguments have swirled around this verse than almost any other verse in the Gospel. Roman Catholics use this passage to support their belief in the primacy of Peter, that is, that he is the rock on which the church is built. There are different ways to understand this passage, but none of them support the Roman Catholic view that the church is built on St. Peter, who became the first Pope—infallible in all his official pronouncements on faith and doctrine. This is evident for many reasons. First of all, Peter was married (Matt. 8:14), and Popes do not marry. If the first Pope could marry, why later pronounce that no priest (or Pope) can marry? Second, Peter was not infallible in his views on the Christian life. Even Paul had to rebuke him for his hypocrisy, because he was not “straightforward about the truth of the Gospel” (Gal. 2:14). Third, the Bible clearly declares that Christ is the foundation of the Christian church, insisting that “no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 3:11). Fourth, the only sense in which Peter had a foundational role in the church, all the other apostles shared in the same way. Peter was not unique in this respect. For Paul declared that in this sense the church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone” (Eph. 2:20). Indeed, the early church continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine [not just Peter’s]” (Acts 2:42). Even “keys of the kingdom” given to Peter (Matt. 16:19) were also given to all the apostles (cf. Matt. 18:18). Fifth, there is no indication that Peter was the head of the early church. When the first council was held at Jerusalem, Peter played only an introductory role (Acts 15:6–11). James seems to have a more significant position, summing up the conference and making the final pronouncement (cf. Acts 15:13–21). In any event, Peter is never referred to as the “pillar” in the church. Rather, Paul speaks of “pillars” (plural), such as, “James, Cephas, and John” (Gal. 2:9). Peter (Cephas) is not even listed first among the pillars. Sixth, many Protestant interpreters believe that Jesus’ reference to “this rock” (Matt. 16:18) upon which His church would be built was to Peter’s solid (rock-like) testimony that Jesus was “the Christ, the son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16). But even if this rock has reference to Peter ( Petros, rock), which is certainly a possible interpretation, he was only a rock in the apostolic foundation of the church (Matt. 16:18), not the rock. Nor is he the only apostolic rock. Even Peter himself admitted that Christ is the chief rock (“cornerstone,” 1 Peter 2:7). And Paul notes that the other apostles are all part of the “foundation” (Eph. 2:20). To summarize, what Jesus really said in Matthew 16:18 was “... you are Peter (stone), and on this rock I will build My church.” Remember, He was talking to Jews. If we trace the figurative use of the word rock through Hebrew Scriptures, we find that it is never used symbolically of man, but always of God. So here at Caesarea Philippi, it is not upon Peter that the Church is built. Jesus did not trifle with figures of speech. He took up their old Hebrew illustration—rock, always the symbol of Deity—and said, “Upon God Himself —Christ, the Son of the living God—I will build my church.” Here in Matthew 16:18 we have also have the first mention of the church in the Bible. It did not exist in the Old Testament. The church, still future when Jesus spoke these words, was formed on the Day of Pentecost and is composed of all true believers in Christ, both Jew and Gentile. A separate society known as the body and bride of Christ, it has a unique heavenly calling and destiny. The phrase “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it” may be understood in two ways. First the gates of hell are pictured in an unsuccessful offensive against the church—the church will survive all attacks upon it. Or the church itself may be pictured as taking the offensive and coming off the victor. This reminds us of what John Wesley said: “Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen, such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of God upon earth.”

(Matthew 16:19) And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven” does not mean that Peter was given authority to admit men to heaven. This has to do with the kingdom of heaven on earth—the sphere containing all who profess allegiance to the King, all who claim to be Christians. Keys speak of access or entrance. The keys which open the door to the sphere of profession are suggested in the Great Commission (Mat 28:19)—discipling, baptizing, and teaching. (Baptism is not necessary for salvation but is the initiatory rite by which men publicly profess allegiance to the King.) Peter first used the keys on the Day of Pentecost. They were not given to him exclusively, but as a representative of all the disciples. (See Matthew 18:18 where the same promise is given to them all.) “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” This and a companion passage in John 20:23 are sometimes used to teach that Peter and his supposed successors were given the authority to forgive sins. We know that this cannot be so; only God can forgive sins. There are two ways of understanding the verse. First, it may mean that the apostles had power to bind and to loose that we do not have today. For example, Peter bound their sins on Ananias and Sapphira so that they were punished with instant death (Acts 5:1-10), while Paul loosed the disciplined man in Corinth from the consequences of his sin because the man had repented (2 Cor 2:10). Or the verse may mean that whatever the apostles bound or loosed on earth must have already been bound or loosed in heaven. In other words, it can be understood that Heaven, not the apostles, initiates all binding and loosing, while the apostles announce these things. The only way in which the verse is true today is in a declarative sense. When a sinner truly repents of his sins and receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, a Christian can declare that person's sins to be forgiven. When a sinner rejects the Saviour, a Christian can declare his sins to be retained. Whenever the Church acts in the name of the Lord and really does His will, the stamp of God is upon their deeds.

(Matthew 16:20) Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

Again we find the Lord Jesus commanding His disciples to tell no one that He was the Messiah. Because of Israel's unbelief, no good could come from such a confession. And positive harm might come from a popular movement to crown Him King; such an ill-timed move would be ruthlessly crushed by the Romans. This section in Matthew 16 is the turning point of Jesus' ministry. The day at Caesarea Philippi marks the watershed of the Gospels. From this point onward the streams begin to flow in another direction. The current of popularity which seemed likely in the earlier days of Jesus' ministry to carry him to a throne has now been left behind. The tide sets toward the Cross. ... At Caesarea, Jesus stood, as it were on a dividing line. It was like a hilltop from which he could see behind him the entire road he had travelled and in front of him the dark, forbidding way awaiting him. One look he cast back to where the afterglow of happy days still lingered and then faced round and marched forward toward the shadows. His course was now set to Calvary.

(Matthew 16:21) From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Now that the disciples had realized that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God, they were ready to hear His first direct prediction of His death and resurrection. They now knew that His cause could never fail; that they were on the winning side; that no matter what happened, triumph was assured. So the Lord broke the news to prepared hearts. He must go to Jerusalem, must suffer many things from the religious leaders, must be killed, and be raised the third day. The news was enough to spell the doom of any movement—all except that last imperative—must ... be raised the third day. That made the difference!

(Matthew 16:22) Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

Peter was outraged at the thought of his Master's enduring such treatment. Catching hold of Him as if to block His path, he protested, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”

(Matthew 16:23) But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

This drew a rebuke from the Lord Jesus. He had come into the world to die for sinners. Anything or anyone who hindered Him from this purpose was out of tune with God's will. So He said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” In calling Peter Satan, Jesus did not imply that the apostle was demon-possessed or Satan-controlled. He simply meant that Peter's actions and words were what could be expected of Satan (whose name means adversary). By protesting against Calvary, Peter became a hindrance to the Saviour. Every Christian is called to take up his cross and follow the Lord Jesus, but when the cross looms in the pathway ahead, a voice within says, “Far be it from you! Save yourself.” Or perhaps the voices of loved ones seek to deflect us from the path of obedience. At such times, we too must say, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me.” If you are going to do something in the area of evangelism, be sure you set your face like a “flint” to do so (Isaiah 50:7). A flint is a very hard stone that produces sparks when struck. That’s what Peter found when he tried to discourage Jesus from doing God’s will. The enemy will try to discourage you, and where you least expect it.

(Matthew 16:24) 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.

Now the Lord Jesus plainly states what is involved in being His disciple: denial of self, cross-bearing, and following Him. To deny self is not the same as self-denial; it means to yield to His control so completely that self has no rights whatever. To take up the cross means the willingness to endure shame, suffering, and perhaps martyrdom for His sake; to die to sin, self, and the world. In the Roman Empire a convicted criminal, when taken to be crucified, was forced to carry his own cross. This showed publicly that he was then under and submissive to the rule he had been opposing. Likewise Jesus’ disciples must demonstrate their submission to the One against whom they had rebelled. To follow Him means to live as He lived with all that involves of humility, poverty, compassion, love, grace, and every other godly virtue.

(Matthew 16:25) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

The Lord anticipates two hindrances to discipleship. The first is the natural temptation to save oneself from discomfort, pain, loneliness, or loss. The other is to become wealthy. As to the first, Jesus warned that those who hug their lives for selfish purposes would never find fulfilment; those who recklessly abandon their lives to Him, not counting the cost, would find the reason for their existence.

(Matthew 16:26) 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?

The second temptation—that of getting rich—is irrational. “Suppose,” said Jesus, “that a man became so successful in business that he owned the whole world. This mad quest would absorb so much of his time and energy that he would miss the central purpose of his life. What good would it do to make all that money, then die, leave it all behind, and spend eternity empty-handed?” Man is here for bigger business than to make money. He is called to represent the interests of his King. If he misses that, he misses everything.

(Matthew 16:27) 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.

Now the Lord reminds His own of the glory that follows the suffering. He points forward to His Second Coming when He will return to earth with His angels in the great glory of His Father. Then He will reward those who live for Him. The only way to have a successful life is to project oneself forward to that glorious time, decide what will really be important then, and then go after that with all one's strength. Live your life in such a way so that you have no regrets when you leave this temporary life for the eternals.

(Matthew 16:28) Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Jesus made the surprising statement that there were some standing there with Him who would not taste death before they saw Him coming in His kingdom. The problem, of course, is that those disciples have all died, yet Christ has not come in power and glory to set up His kingdom. The problem is solved if we disregard the chapter break and consider the first eight verses of the next chapter as an explanation of His puzzling statement. These verses describe the incident on the Mount of Transfiguration. There Peter, James, and John saw Christ transformed. They were actually privileged to have a preview of Christ in the glory of His kingdom. We are right in viewing Christ's transformation as a pre-picture of His coming kingdom. Peter describes the event as “the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 1:16). The power and coming of the Lord Jesus refer to His Second Coming. And John speaks of the Mount experience as the time when “... we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father” (John 1:14). Christ's First Coming was in humiliation; it is His Second Coming that will be in glory. Thus, the prediction of verse 28 was fulfilled on the Mount; Peter, James, and John saw the Son of Man, no longer as the humble Nazarene, but as the glorified King.

FBF Staff - Renier {Ref sources: The Holy Spirit, W McDonalds, Walvrood & Zuck, Evidence Bible}

Much emphasis is given by our LORD and the Apostles in their teaching on the importance of the PREACHING or DECLARING the Gospel of Jesus Christ! It is the POWER of God on earth as given to men (Rom 1.16)... as it provides the most coverage in every area.

The words used for PREACH, PREACHING carry with it the Open Air Proclamation just as a TOWN CRIER! It is never a 2 way conversation... but a DECLARATION TO ALL! The Church Bride of Christ is to be the VOICE of the Bride and the Bridegroom in this untoward generation.

It has been, and remains the privilege of this ministry to expose men to this dimension of the Gospel as prescribed by our LORD JESUS CHRIST! May we present the Truth in Love... as Jesus did. Amen.

Mark 16:15-16, 1:14, Matt 9:35, 24:12-14, Luke 4:18, 4:43, 24:47,

Acts 5:42, 10:42, 1 Cor 1:18