102. The Apostles’ Confession of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Mt. 16:13–20; Mk. 8:27–30; Lk. 9:18–21

After this the Lord Jesus went into the villages of Caesarea Philippi. On the way, at one time, when He had prayed in a solitary place and the disciples were with Him, He asked them: Who do people say that I am, the Son of Man? They answered Him: Some say John the Baptist; others Elijah; still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets, saying that one of the ancient prophets has been raised.

The Lord Jesus asked them: But who do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered Him: You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. The Lord said to him: Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I say to you: you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven: and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

Then the Lord strictly commanded them to tell no one about this—He forbade His disciples to say to anyone that He is the Messiah.