The Features of The Ekklesia by Isaac Arikawe - Part 4

In verse 16, Peter answered after a long time of general silence: 

"You are the Messiah (the Christ), the Son of the living God."

Before we consider the principles in the response of Jesus, let us compare the responses of  the public in verses 13 and 16.The public considered Him to be a prophet- someone who had been sent to them as a mouthpiece of God. Peter however recognized Him as the Christ (the anointed), the messiah, the One all Israel and the world had been waiting for, although they never knew.

In verse 17, Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John (bar- Jonah), because my father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.”  Please beloved reader, take this verse very seriously; this point is very heavy and it can change the course of your life and ministry. Jesus was overwhelmed by the reply of Peter; he couldn't help but declaring a blessing over him. The statement, “you are blessed” could be interpreted, “you have gotten everything you need in order to change your world.” This was what God told Abraham in Genesis 12:12. God said that He would bless him (Abraham) and that through him all the nations of the earth would be blessed.

Every true blessing can only come from God. What Jesus meant by “You are blessed” is beyond physical things; being blessed also means having access into the things of heaven. Jesus knew Peter had never gone to any theological school or had any formal training like the Pharisees and the scribes, yet Jesus declared woe (a great curse) on the Pharisees and scribes (the so-called men of God of that era). These were people who were educated in the things of God, conversant with the law and who also taught the people. This reveals to us that the things of the Father cannot be gotten by human senses. Another version referred to this as “flesh and blood.” It does not come by theological studies; rather, it comes by true connection to the Spirit of the living God. This also connotes that what Peter said was a mystery because Jesus said, “My father in heaven had revealed this to you.” The word' revealed means to unveil or to uncover something sealed up.

Friends, I will suggest that you pray for yourself and for the Church of God, that God will cause us to align with the Holy Spirit so that our labour will not be in vain.

In verse 18, Jesus said, “Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means rock), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all powers of hell will not conquer it”.

Don't forget this same Peter was known to be Simon Bar- Jonah, meaning Simon the son of Jonah. The name Simon means unstable, wavering, unpredictable, inconsistent etc. What it means literarily is that Simon is undependable by name, which interprets his life style. Jesus changed his name to Peter (meaning rock): something reliable, predicable, stable; something you can bank on or lean on.

This tells us that God does not relate with us based on our external circumstances but on our internal identity in Him. Jesus could see something good in Simon and that was why He changed his name to something heaven could relate with. Do not forget Peter did not change the name by himself but heaven changed the wrong identity to what would bring blessing to him and his world.

Beloved, what kind of identity do you carry in the spirit?  The devil may be able to prevail against Simon, but Peter is a rock and a big threat to the devil. The devil cannot prevail against Peter. Can heaven bank on your identity also? Can heaven predict you? Can God say that He knows you and that you will not yield to the deceit of the enemy?   There is something heaven is looking for in your curriculum vitae: it is your faithfulness- your ability to remain steadfast unto the end. God is not looking for the physical attributes that men are looking for. If heaven must enlist you in this recruitment exercise, it has to be by the Spirit of God.

“Upon this rock I will build my church.” What Jesus means here is that he would build His church upon the Rock- the mystery that was revealed through Peter. He is also saying here that Peter could be the set man or the presiding exemplary head of the kind of church he wanted to build. That is, leaders that can connect and down load the mind of God per time. This place also reveals to us that the church of Jesus must be founded only on revelation, not information and it must continue to be built on revelation.

Jesus must have been happy to have called Peter blessed. Peter's response was the evidence that His work on earth would have a great foundation and be fruitful. The last part of the verse also makes it clear to us that it is only the Ekklesia, which is built on the Rock (Revelation) that can survive the crises of this world.

In verse 19, Jesus made another profound statement: And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid (bind or lock) on earth will be forbidden in heaven and what you permit (loose or open) on earth will be permitted in heaven.

It is important that we bear in mind that we are called to operate as citizens of the kingdom not as a church (denomination). We are members of an assembly for a specific reason. For instance, a senate member of an assembly may be addressed as a senator. That is just part of his identity but he is still a citizen of a country. That's exactly what the church is. Kingdom is higher than church. 

The church is just a part of God's kingdom. God's kingdom is not just heaven. Heaven also is just a part of the kingdom. The kingdom of God is very vast and dynamic. The Bible says we are the light of the world, not the light of the church; light cannot express itself in the church. It has to shine through the darkness of the world. It is sad that the Church today has so many lights trying to outshine one another, whereas the world is full of darkness. If you as a believer will show forth your light at your place of work, then you will become more relevant.

Revelation is the only thing than can unlock the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Remember it is not just a “key” but “keys.” This means that no religious and theological formula can get you things from the store of heaven except by revelation. You cannot get result by simply maintaining the status quo. That would be tradition. The fact that you got something done by a particular way for God does not mean it should become a permanent formula; you have to enquire from God through the Spirit continuously. This also implies that what was called a revelation yesterday can become a mere information or tradition today.  David was called a man after God's own heart because he always inquires from God before he took any step. This is how God expects us to walk if we are going to be successful with him.

The fact that there are many keys tells us that one formula can't open every door.  There is only one God, but there are many keys for different things we need on earth: good marriage, finances, good health, achievement and accomplishment, breakthrough etc. All these things cannot be opened by one key. To some, absolute obedience to the command of God is what will bring result; to some, it is prayer and fasting; to some, worship; to some, giving and to some, faith.  The reason why many are struggling is that they are not making use of the right key. Getting things done must be by revelation, not just by practicing religion. Religion is to have a form of godliness but lack the power of God.

Having keys also means having access to heavenly things. This means that regardless of your religious position or office, if you cannot touch heaven while on earth, you may likely not end up there someday. We must grow into maturity in the Spirit to a point where we can handle the keys of the kingdom from here on earth and make things happen. 

Whatever you forbid on earth is forbidden in heaven. When you are operating at this level, you can interface within two realms: the terrestrial and celestial (Earth and Heaven). This was how we were originally created. The bible recorded that God came down to the Garden of Eden at the cool of the day to interact with Adam and Eve. Ask yourself this question: Is God a man with flesh? The answer of course is “No!” Adam and Eve were created as spirits (in God's image) but they were designed with capacity to relate perfectly with the Earth and Heaven at the same time. The operation of the Garden of Eden is a realm that the church has not yet been restored back to even with the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ. No wonder he says “I'll build my own kind of ecclesia (church)”

i.          This is to say that we determine the destiny of the earth, if only we can operate at this level

ii.        God cannot do anything on earth until we invite him to do so

iii.        We have power to kill and to make alive

iv.        This also means we are to be reverenced and absorbed on earth as kingdom citizens

Beloved, I don't know what particular “brand” of church you belong to, but my desire is that as you read on, you will be able to perfectly identify yourself with Jesus' kind of assembly (ecclesia).

COMPARISON BETWEEN JESUS' CHURCH AND OTHERS

There are things that Jesus saw in the assembly of the Roman government and the people of God (Old Testament), which had a different leadership style at different generation; from Moses' era to that of Joshua and to the days of scribes and Pharisees. For the sake of time, we shall compare them juxtaposed, and as you read through this, consider with sincerity the side to which you belong.

A. The Roman government assembly was established by constitutional law (Act 19:39-40). God also established the assembly of  the Israelites in order to take them through transition into grace by the reformation of their minds, but they enjoyed corruption (Deut. 9 10-12). There is none perfect between the two examples cited above. Many churches today have promoted constitution so much that even the Holy Spirit cannot change the laid down rules and regulations and the operation of the church. However, the church of Jesus is supposed to be flexible in the hand of the Holy Spirit, which is the Life of the church.

B. The assembly of the Romans and the Israelites were mainly ruled by intellectuals, mostly lawyers, who were versed in the constitutional provision.  For instance, Pharisees and Scribes were teachers of the law. They represent the theologians and religious leaders of today who have so many degrees and whom men have approved because of their certificate and professional reputations. However, Jesus also had some intellectuals like Matthew and Luke in his assembly, majority of His disciples were not so educated. This shows us that it is not in the eloquence of speech or how versed a man is that qualifies him, but his understanding of spiritual things.

C. The members of the assemblies (Romans and Israelites) were very proud by the virtue of their position and birthright. Even today, majority of Israelites are very conscious of their position in God by reason of the old covenant, calling themselves children of Abraham.  But Jesus emphasized that even if we must boast at all; it should be in the things of the Spirit, that which expresses our true identity.

D. the Ekklesia of the Romans and the Israelites are mostly ruled by the final verdicts of the members, usually after series of hot arguments. Jesus' proposed assembly is to be built only on revelation.

E. The Romans and Israelites assemblies did not have the capacity to relate with the things of God freely; they only practiced religion, which was more of a carnal form of worship. The church of Jesus however has worshippers who worship God in spirit and in truth.

God is hereby opening our eyes to see the concerns of His heart so that we may know where we belong. I will suggest that you continue in the spirit of prayer as we move ahead in this journey together. What you are reading will not just be another ordinary book but rather, your life will encounter the Spirit of truth and revelation, and the Spirit of God will illuminate your heart and bring about a reformation in your soul.