Calvary greetings to you all at #steemchurch. I sincerely want to appreciate @sirknight for giving me this platform to be blessed and also be a blessing to others.
Today, we’ll be looking at a statement made by Christ Jesus which so many persons today are yet to catch what Christ really meant by the statement because of the ambiguity of it. Our anchor scripture is taken from
Matthew 16:15-18
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
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On this rock I will build my church. Was Peter the rock Christ was referring to Or was it Peter’s statement? Let’s do proper exegesis to be able to unveil the answer to this question.
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Prior to this ambiguous statement, notice that what Christ wanted to do was to discover who men say He is and He got diverse answers but Christ wanted more than what the society could say about Him, He wanted to know what those whom he calls His family (Matthew 12: 48-50) {His disciples} think He is. So He posed the question to them and Peter answered.
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The first thing Christ did after Peter answered was to point the source of the revelation which is His Father. This implied that Peter’s answer was not premeditated rather, it was revealed to him.
Back to our question, in all honesty, from Christ’s wordplay, one would easily think that Christ was referring to Peter being that the meaning of Peter is “rock” but then, looking closely at the scripture, the use of this points to the revelation Peter got from the Father and not Peter himself. If Christ was referring to Peter, then there would be no need distinguishing between the rocks- Petros (Peter) and Petra (rock). He would have just said: “You are Peter, and upon you I will build my Church..”
Why can’t Peter be the rock referred to here?
- Scripture says in 2Corinthians 13:1 that
in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
Aside from this scripture (Matthew 16:18) where there seem to be an ambiguity, the rest of the scripture refers to Christ as the rock. Some of these are (Acts 4:11-12, Ephesians 2:20, 1Corinthians 10:4, etc).
Even Peter referenced Christ as the rock (1Peter 2: 6-7)
No doubt Peter was one of the pioneers of the early church but, Peter didn’t die for the sins of the world. He couldn’t even help himself from drowning. Christ alone took away the sins of the world by shedding His precious blood on the cross of Calvary to redeem man.
The Church does nothing in the name of Peter but The name of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:9-11)
Salvation can only be gotten by believing on Jesus and not Peter. Peter puts it this way in 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.
- Christ is not only the Chief Cornerstone but is the head of the body- the Church. (Colossians 1:18, Ephesians 5:23).
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All these and many more go to show to us Christ Indubitable stand as the Rock of the Church.
I hope this blessed you.
Don’t forget to Upvote, Resteem, and Comment.
Your beloved,
Aj.
Shalom! Bilbe speaking in Psalms 94:22 KJV
This passage simply indicates that as Christians and as a Church, God is our rock and strength.
God bless you A.j!
.......T.H
@STEEMCHURCH
Amen.
Thanks so much.
thanks Aj, this truly blessed me! we must learn how to cast all our trust in the lord for he truly is our rock and foundation! God be with you!
Other scriptures that comes to mind is in Acts 15:12-19. An assembly of people were gathered to hear Paul and Barnabas. The disciple James spoke up as if he was the head of the board meeting. In verse 19, James says "It is my judgment...." Peter was not at the head nor had the final say during this assembly and discussion. James did. Its just a little side note. Thank you for your post. It is through a correct exegesis of the Word...we will learn truth.
Obviously, the only one we have to put all of our hope and worries on is our maker and of course, He cares for us
If we make Him our foundation, it will be solid and we can no longer have worry any longer
~
OS~Matthew 16:18-19 (KJV) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 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.
Captivating message @ajoke
Christ is the solid rock, and the church is built on this solid rock. This means church has the strongest of foundations, hence it would always stand no matter what.
Well spoke"Christ is not only the Chief Cornerstone but is the head of the body- the Church. (Colossians 1:18, Ephesians 5:23)".
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.
This melodious song went through my head when I saw your post. And I thank you for clarifying this passage.
Thanks for this
I remember reading this passage in the bible and I was confused as to why Jesus made a statement that he was going to build his church on Peter? Thanks for this clarification. Of a truth, Christ is the one and only true rock.
I had that same worry. And like you, this message settles it
All other ground is sinking sand. On Christ the solid rock we must stand