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Elder Bryce Lowrance

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Peter The Rock

11 February 2015

"And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; Simon, whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon called Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor." (Luke 6:12-16)

Here we have record of the appointment of the Twelve to the office of Apostle. I would like to take some time to examine what the Bible tells us about each of these men. From this study, I hope we can see how the Lord works in our lives and relationships.

The first person mentioned when the disciples are present seems to be Peter most of the time. Peter comes from the Greek word petros which means "a piece of rock." His Aramaic name is Cephas which comes from a Hebrew word meaning hollowed out rock, like a cave.

These definitions are important to understand because Peter is going to have a conversation with Jesus that involves a "play" on the meaning of his name.

"And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 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."(Matthew 16:17-18)

Here, Jesus reminds Peter that his name is Petros, a piece of rock, but Jesus will build His church on Petra, a foundational rock.

A cursory study of Peter's life will show that many times he was not a strong foundation. He doubted. He was impatient. He often got discouraged. This does not sound like a foundation upon which I would build anything!

And that is Jesus' point! The church is NOT built upon Peter with him as the first pope. The church is built upon Jesus Christ, the true Rock of ages.

And the reason the gates of hell will not prevail against it is because every child of God will be taught inwardly by the Father just like Peter was. In the new birth, God changes and teaches the heart. In doing so, each one is effectively brought into the church triumphant. If God is working inside on the spiritual level, there is nothing any man, king, or government can do to stop the spread of His glorious kingdom!

« Triumphant Savior | Split Personality »

Tags: apostles, church, harmony_of_the_gospels, jesus, peter

Welcome

Brentwood Hills Primitive Baptist Church is a community of believers working together to transform our lives to the image of Jesus Christ. We believe it is our duty and privilege to live the gospel of the doctrines of grace in such a way as to edify the families within our church and other children of God in our community. Through regular worship based on strong Biblical principles, fellowship, admonishment, and outreach, we glory in the grace of the sovereign God working in our lives thereby showing the Spirit of God in the world.

Brentwood Hills was organized in 1906 in Fort Worth, Texas as Laodicea Primitive Baptist Church. You can find much of the history of the church, as well as other churches here: Primitive Baptist History Database

We identify ourselves as an old-line Primitive Baptist church. If you read our Articles of Faith, you’ll see that we hold to such doctrines as the inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible. We recognize the King James Version (KJV) as the only English translation worthy of being called the Bible. We believe in salvation solely by the grace of a sovereign God. We believe that Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, came to the earth to do the will of His Father, which was to deliver from the sentence of death all those the Father gave Him before the world began. We believe that Jesus fully satisfied the Father by atoning for all the sins of all His people. In time, we believe the Holy Spirit comes to each person that belongs to Jesus and regenerates them. Then (and only then) can anyone have faith, which is a fruit of the Spirit, by which you are able to believe the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether or not you ever hear the gospel, or believe it if you did hear it, or obey it if you did believe it, rest assured that Jesus will remain forever faithful to you because, if He died for you, He will never deny that you belong to Him.

We believe that everyone for whom Christ died will without fail be raised again from the dead to a glorified life. Even if we are alive when He returns to raise the dead, we shall be changed to a glorified life. All the Redeemed will meet the Lord in the air. Then He will take us to Heaven and there we shall forever be with the Lord. The wicked will be raised at the same time as the righteous, but the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment along with Satan and his angels. Until that glorious day when Christ returns to raise the dead, He has provided a place for His people to find rest for their souls. This place is the Church. Jesus Christ set-up His church on this earth before His death on the Cross. The church is there for those of His people who have come to believe that God saved them by His Son, Jesus Christ. To believe that Christ “paid it all” gives believers the strongest motivation to serve Him. Once enlightened to this glorious truth, then the child of God should feel an obligation to become and remain an active member of the His church. To serve the Lord in His church makes for one of the great blessings to experience this side of Heaven. It fulfills you to serve in His church and it gives your life purpose and meaning.