I'm not sure what the thread title has to do with the article. Can you enlighten me, thanks !
Yeah...
read the whole article and see if what I'm saying is true.
Read the scriptures in Matthew as well concerning Peter's Confession of Christ.
The Pan Temple at Cesarean Phillipi was once a Baal type temple with sacrifices of babies from prostitutes to the Greek god.
Phillip rebuilt the city and Temple at one of the three springs that feeds the Jordan river...at the waterfall as mentioned in the article. This spring used to gush forth with such verocity that it was said to be fed by the River Styx itself.
Where Baal is a conflict type god helpful in overcoming challenges and conflicts this god Pan was a fertility type god. Helpful in gaining food, produce, money, and offspring for herds and yourself.
A gate for any city was it's most fortified location...any army setting up would build a siege ramp anywhere but at a city gate unlike every movie you have seen.
Cesarean Phillipi was named "Phillipi" because of other cities named after Caesar and the Tetriarch Phillip had done this one.
So when Jesus brought the Disciples up to the outskirts of this city to the world's largest outdoor orgy...they were somewhat embarrassed and disgusted after three years of walking with the Rabbi Jesus. They had seen him walk on water. Heal the sick, make the blind see, the deaf mute hear and speak praising God... even a couple of resurrections from the dead. (Lazarus was coming). The feedings of thousands with leftovers more than what they started with was also "par for the course".
So...this is where Jesus began a lesson.
Peter, who does everyone say I am?
Peter then names the MOST zealous prophets that have faced down entire empires. (Important point but not key yet)
But Peter, Who do YOU say that I am?
And Peter says that Jesus is the promised Messiah...very God of very God.
But it's more than that actually...
Up to this time God was in Heaven or in the Holy of Holies...a forbidden place that ordinary people couldn't go without dying. Even many priests had died in there and were drug out by the rope tied on their ankles. God was to be feared and someone else had to ferry your forgiveness or messages. But Jesus was a person and personable...so very gracious and kind to the humble. He wanted to know us on an individual level and be known for who He is as a person.
Now...this conversation is going on with the backdrop of the world's largest outdoor orgy going on involving Romans and Jews alike...
But No One mentions the stronghold of sinful behavior...
And this IS THE focus key of the lesson.
This is the ROCK upon which Jesus is built his church upon. (Not Peter)
That telling the good things about God...that's the thing. And when you embrace this ROCK the storerooms of Heaven's riches, power, might, and anything else needed is at your disposal.
Later...
When Paul says to the Romans "that there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus" it's a bit of a massive understatement.
And that's the thing that people miss...and our churches are caught up in finger pointing and wagging...and brow beating people into submission...and that behavior is not of God.
