My Trip To The "Holy Land": Caesarea Philippi

Caesarea Philippi is the farthest north Jesus ever traveled as recorded in Scripture. This photo is of an ancient Roman Temple built for the god Pan. The cut out arches in the rock are where the Romans placed statues of their gods. This was the back drop in which Jesus questioned the disciples about who they thought He was. It is here were He told the disciples that upon "this rock I will build my church." He told them that "the gates of Hell will not prevail against" the rock that was Him. These rocks lie in ruins, and the rock statues of the false gods are no longer standing. But the Church of Christ remains steadfast built upon the Rock that not even Hell will ever overcome!!

13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." 20Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. (Matthew 16:13-20)