The expected confession of faith was that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God.
During Jesus' earthly ministry and in the early Acts period, the required belief centered on Jesus' identity as the promised Messiah. Les Feldick shows that Peter, Martha, and the Ethiopian eunuch all made this same simple confession, with no mention of His death, burial, or resurrection, which was not yet revealed as the core of faith.
Matthew 16:16 — Peter's confession directly states the expected belief: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
In Matthew 16, Jesus asked His disciples, "Whom say ye that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). This confession is echoed in John 11, where Martha says, "Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world" (John 11:27). In Acts 8, the Ethiopian eunuch declares, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:37). These verses highlight the consistent confession that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, without adding His death and resurrection.
Les Feldick emphasizes that the confession of faith in Jesus' time was solely about His identity as the Christ, the Son of the living God. He points to three instances: Peter's confession in Matthew 16, Martha's in John 11, and the Ethiopian eunuch's in Acts 8. Les notes that none of these confessions mention Jesus' death, burial, or resurrection, because that was not yet the revealed basis of faith. This was the confession under the law, and it changed later with Paul's gospel of grace.
When Jesus asked the disciples who they believed He was, Peter answered, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Les emphasizes that this confession was complete—no mention of His death or resurrection was added.
Martha, when Jesus said He was the resurrection and the life, affirmed, "Yea, Lord, I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world." Les points out that she did not mention His death or resurrection, as it had not yet happened.
After Philip explained Isaiah 53, the eunuch confessed, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Les stresses that the eunuch did not mention death, burial, and resurrection, showing that this was not part of the expected confession at that time.
Why Did the Disciples Not Know Jesus Would Die?
I always have to make comment once in a while, and I think of things. I had one gentleman call, and he didn't think I should take the time for letting you people look up the references. And he says, my, that 30 minutes goes so fast. But if he could only see how many people have written, and one gentleman even showed me, as he came to one of their classes, how that they sit and they follow every on…
Martha and Eunuch's Confessions
Les shows that Martha and the eunuch both confessed Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, with no mention of His death or resurrection.
Three Confessions Compared
Les compares Peter's, Martha's, and the eunuch's confessions, all stating only that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Eunuch's Exact Words
Les highlights that the eunuch believed Jesus Christ is the Son of God, without mentioning His death or resurrection.
Martha's Response
Les contrasts Martha's confession with the eunuch's, both without reference to Jesus' death or resurrection.
Peter's Confession
Les points out that Peter's confession was simply 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,' with no addition.
Same Confession in Acts
Les notes that the same confession—He is the Christ, the Son of the living God—was made by all early believers, including the eunuch.
Gospel of the Kingdom
Les explains that the gospel of the kingdom required this confession of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Matthew 16:16: And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Peter's confession in response to Jesus' question shows the expected belief in Jesus' identity.
John 11:27: She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
Martha's confession reinforces the same belief in Jesus as the Christ and Son of God.
Acts 8:37: And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
The eunuch's confession is the same as the others, focusing solely on Jesus' identity.
No. According to Les Feldick, the confession in Jesus' time was simply that He was the Christ, the Son of the living God. Neither Peter, Martha, nor the eunuch mentioned His death or resurrection, as that was not yet part of the revealed faith.
Because that was what had been revealed up to that point. Les explains that the gospel of the kingdom required belief in Jesus as the Messiah, and His death and resurrection were not yet understood or expected.
Watch the Teaching: Why Did the Disciples Not Know Jesus Would Die?