02/09/2024
The Rock...Matthew 16;15-18
Jesus accepted this confession and built on it, to teach them new truth ..It must have rejoiced His heart to hears Peters words. The Lord knew that Peter could now be led into new steps of deeper truth and service...All of our Lords ministry to His disciple had prepared the way for this experience...
In the Old Testament, Jewish men recognized the rock as symbol of God..
" He is the Rock " His work is perfect..( Deut.32;4)
* The Lord is my Rock and my fortress"( Ps.18 2)
" For who is God saved the Lord? who is Rock saved our God?( Ps 18;31)
1) Let's look the Greek word that the Holy Spirit led Matthew to use...verse 18....Thou art Peter( Petros- a stone) and upon this Rock( Petra- a large rock) I will build my Church .
Jesus had given Simon the new name, ( Peter- John 1;42) which mean a stone...The Aramaic name Cephas which also means " stone"...
Every one who believes in Jesus Christ and confess Him as the Son and God , Savior is a Living Stone...( 1 Peter 2;5 NASB)
2). Jesus Christ is the foundation Rock on which the Christian is built...The old testament prophets said so..( Ps.118! 22, Isaiah 28;16)
Jesus Christ Himself said this..( Matthew 21;42) and so did Peter and other Apostles ( Acts 4;10- 12) Apostle Paul also stated that the foundation for the church is Jesus Christ( 1 Cor 3;11)
This foundation was laid by the Apostles and Prophets as they preached Christ to the list..( 1 Cor .2; 1-2, 3;11, Eph 2;20)
3) It is clear, that the Word of God simply reveal that the Church, Gods temple( Ephesians 2; 19- 22) is built on Jesus Christ, not on Peter...
How could God build His church on a fallible man like Peter..( Matthew 16;22) the same Peter who confessed Christ and became adversary and entertained Satan's thought..
Consider Peters doctrinal blunders recorded in Galatians 2, He was dealt by Apostle Paul..
