Testimonies to Jesus as Messiah

If you were asked the question as Jesus asked his disciples in Matthew 16:13, "Whom to men say that I the Son of man am?," how would you answer? There were several replies from among the disciples; such John the Baptist, Elias, Jeremias or one of the other prophets. Then Jesus rephrases His question and asked, "But whom say ye that I am?" Peter answered and said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus blessed Peter and noted that my Father which is in heaven revealed this to you, not flesh and blood. It is upon the fore stated belief as declared by Peter that the church is built and will stand forever. The church belongs to Jesus and this scripture Matthew 16:13-27 removes any doubt about His ownership. He is the head of the body and it was His blood that allows all men and women to be redeemed. Not only was Peter praised in this passage of scripture, he was rebuked. For this was a turning point in Jesus' ministry. He began to share with the disciples what His mission on earth was all about: His suffering, His death on the cross and His resurrection. When Peter heard this, he was not ready to accept it, so he rebuked Jesus for saying such, that's when Jesus rebuked Peter, who was not speaking in accordance with God's plan, but according to man. Hence, the declaration from Peter testifies to Jesus being the Messiah.