Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah^(A)

¹³ When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

¹⁴ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist;^(B) others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”^(C)

¹⁵ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”^(D)

¹⁷ Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood,^(E) but by my Father in heaven.^{(F) 18} And I tell you that you are Peter,^[a](G) and on this rock I will build my church,^(H) and the gates of Hades^[b] will not overcome it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys^(I) of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be^[c] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be^[d] loosed in heaven.”^{(J) 20} Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone^(K) that he was the Messiah.

⁴⁰ With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”^{(A) 41} Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number^(B) that day.

The Fellowship of the Believers

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching^(C) and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread^(D) and to prayer.^{(E) 43} Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.^{(F) 44} All the believers were together and had everything in common.^{(G) 45} They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.^{(H) 46} Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.^(I) They broke bread^(J) in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.^(K) And the Lord added to their number^(L) daily those who were being saved.