1. That either He was a Liar, that is He said what he said knowing it to be false,
2. He was a Lunatic, that is He said what He said believing it to be true though in fact it was false, or
3. He was and is whom He said He was, the Son of God, the Lord and Savior

In this last verse from Matthew 16 we find Jesus asking his disciples the single most important question of all time, a question to which there are many opinions but only one answer that is blessed by God. In response to the question,

"Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?"

there were several answers given.

Matthew 16:14 And they said, Some say (not the disciples) that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

In asking people today "who is/was Jesus" some will say that Jesus was just a Good Man, a Religious Reformer, Founder of Christianity, Prophet or some will say that they don't even think he existed at all. The problem of course with these answers is that they fall short of the truth about who Jesus was and is and unfortunately leaves those who believe them in a "condemned" state.

John 3:17-18 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

In v.15 the question is asked again but with a difference, this time its addressed to the disciples personally,

Matthew 16:15 "...But who do you say I am?"

In response to this question the Apostle Peter says:

Matthew 16:16 "you are the Christ the son of the living God".

Following his answer Jesus informs Peter that his answer was revealed to him not by man but by God.

Matthew 16:17 "...for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."

This experience that Peter had informs us about the issue of salvation and what is commonly referred to as "being born again" or "from above".

John 3:3 ....Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

What does it all mean? It means that God is the one who reveals to the individual the identity of Jesus. The importance of this movement, act or blessing of God is further emphasized when Jesus goes on to say that it will be the very foundation upon which HE will build HIS church and that the result of being a part of HIS CHURCH would be "Eternal life" or "Resurrection" (See: Ezekiel 37:1-14; I Corinthians 15:42-55; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Matthew 16:18 ...and the gates of hell (death or the land or abode of the dead) will not prevail against it.

The question then is this: Who do you say Jesus is? It's a very important question that Jesus is asking here, the right answer to which results in eternal life; But He doesn't stop there, He goes on to emphasize it yet one more time.

Matthew 16:19-20 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. [20] Then charged He His disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

Do you see the emphasis here, its on who Jesus is? It really is a very simple question that Jesus is asking, "who do you say I am"? The wonderful thing about THE JESUS QUESTION is this, if you know the answer you know you know the answer. (Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:), and here is the greatest part it's never to late too know! Regardless of how condemned or lost you may feel as long as you have breath to breath there is still time to come to the knowledge of Salvation.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

To be saved it is absolutely necessary for you to come to the realization that Jesus is the "Christ", the "annointed one" of God who came to pay for the sins of the world, the problem is that that realization, that revelation cannot be forced, it must come from God and to receive it you have to ask for it, (Luke 11:13: If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?) believe in it (Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.) and have faith that He is extending it to you personally! (Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Second Peter3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.)

The following verses explain the steps that you need to take in preparing yourself to receive Christ. Following each I will share with you a brief statement as to their meaning, please consider them.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

This statement simply means that none of us is perfect, there is none of us that have not sinned against the perfect and righteous standards that God has laid down for us. For example, a perfect diamond is one without flaws, it only takes one flaw for it to be imperfect. If God is calling us to be perfect diamonds (and He is) then we are all in trouble, at least I certainly am, how about you? Fortunately where you and I fail Jesus prevails, Hebrews 4:15 informs us that ...we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Can you see how Jesus' unique postion makes it possible for him to save? Its as if we are all drowning in a river and Jesus the only one who has his feet firmly planted on dry ground. The good news is that Jesus is reaching out to save us before we go under. In Matthew 14 we read a story about Peter and the disciples who where out in a boat when suddenly they saw Jesus coming to them walking on the water. Peter wondering if it is really Jesus says if it is you Lord then allow me to walk on the water to you, in verse. 30 we read, But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And then in verse 31 we read, And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him... Jesus is waiting to catch us too!

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

This verse speaks for itself, the result of sin is death, both physically and spiritually, it seperates us from God. In fact we all tend to judge the sinfulness of an act based on how closely it is linked with death. For example, smoking cigarettes has been shown to cause cancer which leads to death, and so smoking is deemed bad or sinful. But compare smoking with the act of murder, don't we tend to say that murder is more sinful than smoking?....Why? Because even though they both result in death, the link between death and murder is much more obvious and immeadiate.
It is the latter part of this verse that is hopeful, that God is willing to give us a gift through Jesus, that is the opposite of death...aka life, from the context it is clear that God wants to do something through Christ that will somehow and in some way take care of the sin issue, and therefore the consequences of our sin.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

This is a wonderful verse, because it reveals to us the motive behind what God wants to do, that motive is LOVE! But more than that, it also reveals that dispite our sin, God still loves us. It says that he commended or showed his love for us "while we were yet sinners", that is whatever God needs to do for us to save us from the ramifications of our own sin has little to do with us. Your salvation doesn't depend on your doing something good or right in order to merit God's love or forgiveness. What your salvation does depend on is the authority bestowed upon Jesus because of His righteousness. (Romans 3:23-26)As 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." You see a Christian is a person who humbly accepts the forgiveness (FORE - GIVENESS), grace and mercy being extended to them from God through Christ, that is we agree with, acknowledge and surrender to God's plan of salvation.

Romans 10:9-13 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Well, here we have yet other verses with obvious meaning, they tells us how to be saved, how to accept and respond to that gift God is offering....we simply call upon the name of the Lord (Jesus) and ask him for it; In short we simply pray,

"Jesus I know I'm a sinner in need of forgiveness, I believe that you suffered and died and rose again so that I could be saved. Please forgive me and save me."