“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:15-16

            Jesus asked Peter to reveal to others who he personally believed Jesus was.  Peter’s answer had three parts.

Messiah: Peter believed Jesus was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies pointing to a promised savior who will rescue people from their sins.

Son: Peter believed Jesus was part of the Trinity by relationship.

Living God: Peter believed Jesus was not a dead idol or false god, but the one true living God, active and real in our world today.

            While Jesus is many things (healer, teacher, brother, redeemer), these three form the basic foundation of truth one must believe when asked to describe the identity of Jesus.