We know Jesus is the Christ through divine revelation and the proclamation of the gospel, which affirms Him as the Son of God and Savior of His elect (Matthew 16:16).
The confession that Jesus is the Christ, as declared by Peter in Matthew 16:16, is a fundamental truth rooted in divine revelation. This truth is not understood through human wisdom or reasoning but is revealed by God the Father. Jesus Himself remarked that 'flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven' (Matthew 16:17). This confession encapsulates the core of the gospel—that Jesus, as the anointed Messiah, came to fulfill God's covenant plan for redemption. Thus, the assurance of our faith in Christ is founded upon His identity as the Son of the living God, revealed to us by the Holy Spirit and corroborated by scriptural witness.
Scripture References:
Matthew 16:16-17, John 20:31, John 6:26-27, 1 John 2:1, John 14:7, 1 John 5:7, John 3:2, Matthew 16:15-17, 1 John 5:1, John 1:41, 1 John 5:1., John 6:69, John 6:45, 1 Corinthians 12:3, Matthew 16:16, Luke 9:35, Matthew 16:17, Romans 10:9, Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, Acts 17:3, Luke 24:26, Matthew 1:21, John 6:44, Acts 18:5-6, Romans 15:1-2, John 19:31-37, Psalm 34:20, Zechariah 12:10, John 4:26, John 4:39-42, Luke 18:38-39, Deuteronomy 18:15, Romans 10:9-10, John 6:44-45, Luke 22:67-71, Romans 10:17, Mark 8:29, Mark 8:31, John 1:29, Matthew 3:16-17, Hebrews 5:4-5, 1 John 2:22, Acts 18:5, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Commentary