Lesson 3 : Gospels & Acts

Opening Prayer

Psalm 119:33–41 (NASB95)

³³ Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, And I shall observe it to the end. ³⁴ Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law And keep it with all my heart. ³⁵ Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it. ³⁶ Incline my heart to Your testimonies And not to dishonest gain. ³⁷ Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, And revive me in Your ways. ³⁸ Establish Your word to Your servant, As that which produces reverence for You. ³⁹ Turn away my reproach which I dread, For Your ordinances are good. ⁴⁰ Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me through Your righteousness. ⁴¹ May Your lovingkindnesses also come to me, O Lord, Your salvation according to Your word;

QUESTIONS

949-231-8323

Beginning Discussion

1. Briefly discuss any questions or comments about reading.

2. Discuss observations and questions about Matthew 16:13-23
3. Please list all the theological conclusions and principles of faith derived from the passage.

​

​

REVIEW RULE:

Understand the author’s intended meaning by understanding the genre & flow of thought.

• The Gospels are the stories about and the teachings of Jesus.

​

• Gospels are complementary testimonies or ancient biographies on the person of Jesus. (Luke 1:1-4).

​

​

Matthew

1. Good News : Jesus is the Messiah and King
2. Matthew highlights Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
3. Emphasizes Jesus’ role as the Messianic King from David’s line (Matt. 1:1, 2:2).
4. Presents Jesus’ teachings in structured discourses (e.g., Sermon on the Mount, Matt. 5–7).
5. Important to understand the “Kingdom” theme.

​

​

Matthew 16:13–15

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” ¹⁴ And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” ¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

​

​

​

Themes

• Mark – Jesus as the Suffering Servant
• Luke – Jesus as the Son of Man and Savior for All
• John – Jesus as the Son of God
• Acts – Acts of the Spirit spreading the Gospel through the disciples.

​

Intro Gospel Features

1. Narrative & Episodes

2. Dialogue

3. Preaching / Teaching

4. Parables

​

​

​

Draw Biblical Principles

*Duvall & Hays, Grasping God’s Word pg 33ff.

1. Understand Jesus’ specific teaching in situation and to intended audience.
2. What is the difference between original audience and us?
3. What are the theological principle in the text? ( Primary? Secondary?)
4. How does the theological principle fit with the rest of the Bible?
5. How should individual Christians today live out the theological principle?

​

​

¹³ Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi,

He was asking His disciples,

“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

¹⁴ And they said, “Some say John the Baptist;

and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”

¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

¹⁶ Simon Peter answered,

“You are the Christ,

the Son of the living God.”

​

Jesus’ teaching questions

¹³ Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi,

He was asking His disciples,

“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

¹⁴ And they said, “Some say John the Baptist;

and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”

​

¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

¹⁶ Simon Peter answered,

“You are the Christ,

the Son of the living God.”

​

Contrast A : The People Vs You

¹³ Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi,

He was asking His disciples,

“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

¹⁴ And they said, “Some say John the Baptist;

and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”

​

¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

¹⁶ Simon Peter answered,

“You are the Christ,

the Son of the living God.”

​

Contrast B : Son of Man Vs I am

¹³ Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi,

He was asking His disciples,

“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

¹⁴ And they said, “Some say John the Baptist;

and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”

​

¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

¹⁶ Simon Peter answered,

“You are the Christ,

the Son of the living God.”

​

Contrast C : On of the Prophets Vs

The Christ, The Son

“Son of Man”

Daniel 7:13–14 “I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. 14 “And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed.

“Son of Man”

Matthew 24:30–31

“And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. 31 “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

V13-16 The Lord’s Q & A “Identity of the Son of Man”

1 Peter 3:13–15 (NASB95) �

Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, ¹⁵ but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

​

Practice Reflection & Meditation on summaries

Hermeneutical Rule

Scripture must be interpreted by scripture.

Cross references

1. Key Themes & Principles
2. Interpretive difficulties
3. Key terms

Bible Study Practice

¹⁷ And Jesus said to him,

“Blessed are you, Simon Barjona,

because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you,

but My Father who is in heaven.

¹⁸ “I also say to you that you are Peter,

and upon this rock I will build My church;

and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

Simon Barjona = original

Cephas = Aramaic (“Rock”)

Peter = Greek (“Rock”

Interpretive conclusions

1. “Jesus builds His church”
2. Upon the rock, Jesus will build ??? Rock ???
3. Jesus will use Peter to build his church and will give the apostles great authority.

Cross References

1 Corinthians 3:10–11 (NASB95)

According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

​

​

Cross References

Ephesians 1:22–23 (NASB95)

And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

​

¹⁷ And Jesus said to him,

“Blessed are you, Simon Barjona,

because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you,

but My Father who is in heaven.

¹⁸ “I also say to you that you are Peter,

and upon this rock I will build My church;

and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

You are Peter,

Upon this confession / Identity of Christ

NEXT WEEK

1. Study Luke 12:13-21 Parable : Land of the Rich

2. Read short article : Sufficiency of Scripture

1. Please share any questions or comments on Hermeneutical Rules learned today. What did you learn about drawing principles from the text?

​

• In what way is your faith dependent on others? How does that positively or negatively affect the collective church?

​

• In what ways are Christians (or you personally) afraid to make exclusive claims about Jesus?

​

• Jesus desired the church to built on His identity. But, what other foundations have people tried? What does it mean to build on the foundation of Christ alone?