Authentic Sayings of Jesus: Peter's Confession

Peter’s Confession

Last week’s post stressed, through citing William Lane Craig, that the person of Christ must be at the center of a Christian’s apologetic. Thus of utmost importance to this defense are the authentic personal claims of Christ.  The subject saying is found in Mark 8:27-30:

Jesus went out with His disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the Road he asked His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They answered Him, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, one of the prophets.”  But you,” He asked them again, “who  do you say that I am?” Peter answered Him, “You are the Messiah! [the anointed or holy one]” And he strictly warned them to tell no one about Him.  (Bracketed text added).

The probability that this saying is authentic is greater given the independent attestation of John 6:69 where Peter responds to Jesus, “We have come to believe and know that You are the Holy One of God!”1 Independent attestation is one of six sufficient conditions that provide greater probability that a saying or event is historical.

Check back next week as we continue to identify the personal claims of Jesus Christ.

Stand firm in Christ,
Chase

Footnotes:

1.  Craig, William Lane. Reasonable Faith:  Christian Truth and Apologetics; Third Edition. Page 303.

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