{"id":44674,"date":"2024-04-12T02:24:08","date_gmt":"2024-04-11T23:24:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=44674"},"modified":"2025-05-17T17:27:40","modified_gmt":"2025-05-17T14:27:40","slug":"which-jesus-do-you-know-the-religious-jesus-or-the-revealed-jesus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2024\/04\/12\/which-jesus-do-you-know-the-religious-jesus-or-the-revealed-jesus\/","title":{"rendered":"WHICH JESUS DO YOU KNOW \u2014 THE RELIGIOUS JESUS OR THE REVEALED JESUS"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

Praise be to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

Many people claim to know Jesus\u2014but which Jesus do they know?<\/strong> Is it the religious Jesus<\/strong> they were introduced to through tradition, family, or church culture? Or is it the revealed Jesus<\/strong>, the one personally made known to them by the Holy Spirit<\/strong>?<\/p>\n

This distinction is critical, not only for our spiritual maturity but also for our ability to walk in the authority and power Jesus promised. Let\u2019s explore this through the life of Peter<\/strong>, whose journey shows the difference between knowing about Jesus and truly knowing Him through revelation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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1. THE RELIGIOUS JESUS \u2014 Secondhand Faith<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Peter\u2019s first encounter with Jesus came through the testimony of his brother, Andrew:<\/p>\n

\u201cAndrew, Simon Peter\u2019s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, \u2018We have found the Messiah\u2019 (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 John 1:40\u201342\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here, Peter believes in Jesus because someone else told him. This is an example of religious knowledge<\/strong>\u2014faith that is rooted in tradition, human testimony, or religious teaching<\/strong>, not in personal spiritual experience.<\/p>\n

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2. THE REVEALED JESUS \u2014 Spirit-Born Faith<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Later in Peter\u2019s journey, something shifts. In Matthew 16<\/strong>, Jesus tests His disciples’ understanding of His identity:<\/p>\n

\u201cBut what about you?\u201d he asked. \u201cWho do you say I am?\u201d
\nSimon Peter answered, \u201cYou are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.\u201d
\nJesus replied, \u201cBlessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 Matthew 16:15\u201317\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This moment marks Peter\u2019s spiritual awakening<\/strong>. The truth about Jesus isn\u2019t just something he\u2019s been told\u2014it\u2019s now something personally revealed to him by God<\/strong>. This is the work of the Holy Spirit<\/strong> (see 1 Corinthians 2:10\u201312<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

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3. THE FRUIT OF REVELATION \u2014 Authority and Purpose<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Once Peter receives this divine revelation, Jesus gives him spiritual authority:<\/p>\n

\u201cI tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
\nI will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 Matthew 16:18\u201319\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Peter receives authority (“the keys”)<\/strong> only after the revelation of Jesus’ identity. This shows us that spiritual authority flows out of revelation, not religion<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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4. WHY MANY BELIEVERS FEEL POWERLESS TODAY<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Today, many Christians struggle with spiritual dryness or lack of impact. Often, it’s because they\u2019ve only known the religious Jesus<\/strong>\u2014not the revealed Jesus<\/strong>. They have doctrines, sermons, and traditions, but not the living encounter<\/strong> with Christ that the Spirit offers.<\/p>\n

As Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:5\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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5. HOW TO RECEIVE THE REVEALED JESUS<\/strong><\/h2>\n

So how do we move from religion to revelation? It begins with surrender.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 Luke 9:23\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Steps Toward Revelation:<\/h3>\n