When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."(Mt 16:13-19)
The views of the people about Jesus are quite interesting. And their views were based on their experience of Jesus compared to some of the Old Testament prophets. Their views were totally biblically based (they spoke of only Jeremiah, Elijah, John the Baptist or one of the prophets). And what they said was their experience of Jesus.
Peter’s reply was based on a revelation. But this revelation was not from flesh and blood (humanly or earthly experience). The revelation that Peter had, was divinely /heavenly and hence we can say: non-experiential. This revelation was from the Father. This revelation makes Peter Blessed.
Revelation not only makes Peter blessed, but also makes Peter the foundation of the church. It also makes him have the keys of the kingdom. Revelation places the individual linked to the church and kingdom. It is God (Father) who makes the believer a member of the church and a member of the kingdom.
