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Upon This Rock
The Cripplegate, New Generation of Non-Conformists ^ | June 10, 2014 | Nathan Busenitz, Instructor of Theology

Posted on 01/16/2015 3:29:49 PM PST by RnMomof7

June 10, 2014

Upon This Rock

by Nathan Busenitz

In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said to Simon, “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”

Roman Catholics interpret Matt. 16:18 to mean that Peter is the rock upon which the church is built. That interpretation then becomes the basis for the doctrine of papal succession. If Peter is the rock on which the church is built, and if the bishops of Rome are Peter’s successors, then it follows, they say, that the papacy remains the foundation of the church.

But that is not at all what Matthew 16:18 teaches.

The name “Peter” was a nickname given to Simon by Jesus, all the way back in John 1:42 when Peter first met Jesus. Coming from the Greek word petros (or the Aramaic word “Cephas”), the name Peter means “Rock” or “Stone.” To use an English equivalent, Peter means “Rocky.”

But when Jesus said, “I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church,” He differentiated between Peter and the “rock” by using two different Greek words. The name Peter is petros, but the word for “rock” is petra.

Those terms may sound similar to us, but ancient Greek literature shows that they actually refer to two different things. Petros was used to signify a small stone; petra, by contrast, referred to bedrock or a large foundation boulder (cf. Matt. 7:24-25).

So, to paraphrase Jesus’ words, the Lord told Peter, “I say to you that you are a small stone, and upon this bedrock I will build My church.” It was a play on words that made a significant spiritual point.

What then was the bedrock to which Jesus was referring? The answer to that question comes a couple verses earlier in Matthew 16.

Matthew 16:13–17: Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” [14] And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” [15] He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” [16] Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” [17] And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”

Peter was just a small stone built atop the bedrock of something much bigger than himself: namely, the truth that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God. Put simply, Peter was not the rock; Christ is the Rock. And as Peter and the other apostles testified to the truth about Christ (which Peter did in verse 16), the church was built upon its only sure foundation.

The rest of the New Testament bears this out.

In 1 Corinthians 3:11, Paul wrote that “no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

In Ephesians 2:20, Paul further explained that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone on which the church is founded by the apostles.

Even Peter himself, in 1 Peter 2:1–10 compared all believers to small stones that are part of the superstructure of the church. By contrast, Peter noted in vv. 6, 7, the Lord Jesus is the cornerstone on which the church is built. Peter said the same thing to the Jewish religious leaders in Acts 4:11. Speaking of Jesus, Peter proclaimed, “He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone.”

If we were to go beyond Peter’s lifetime, and consider the writings of the church fathers from Origen to Chrysostom to Augustine – we would likewise find that the vast majority of ancient interpreters did not view the rock in Matthew 16:18 as a reference to Peter. The church fathers generally understood the “rock” to refer either to the apostles collectively, or to the specific content of Peter’s confession. In either case, they understood that Matthew 16:18 ultimately centered on Christ – the One to whom the apostles testified, and the One to whom Peter’s confession pointed.

Thus, we see the Roman Catholic understanding of Matthew 16:18 falls short on at least four levels:

1) Grammatically, it does not account for the lexical distinction between petros (Peter) and petra (Rock).

2) Contextually, it makes Peter the focal point of Matthew 16, when the text is clearly featuring truth about Jesus.

3) Theologically, it tries to make Peter the rock when the rest of the New Testament declares Christ to be the Rock.

4) Historically, the Roman Catholic view is not the patristic view of the first few centuries.

(Moreover, even if Peter were the “rock” of Matthew 16:18, such an interpretation would still not necessitate the notion of papal succession. But that is the topic of another post.)

Peter’s nickname might have been Rocky, but Peter himself understood that the Rock was Jesus Christ. The Rock on which Peter’s life was built was none other than the Rock of Salvation; the Rock of Deliverance; the Chief Cornerstone; and the Rock of Ages.

Peter bore witness to that truth in Matthew 16:16. The rest of the Apostles bore witness to that throughout their ministries. And it was the truth of that apostolic witness to Jesus Christ that formed the foundation of the church.


TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; Charismatic Christian; Evangelical Christian; Other Christian
KEYWORDS: papacy; peter
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To: Resettozero

Reply numbers 179-180 sure STOPPED the thread for a while!

I wonder who posted them and what was their content???


201 posted on 01/21/2015 3:49:32 AM PST by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Iscool
If the first 8 were murdered, how did you ever get the 9th one???

Only cardinals under the age of 80 can vote in the conclave; older cardinals do not enter the Sistine Chapel. In theory, any baptized male Catholic can be elected pope, but current church law says he must become a bishop before taking office; since the 15th century, the electors always have chosen a fellow cardinal.

202 posted on 01/21/2015 3:52:03 AM PST by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Elsie
Mrs.ELSIE(He's also grumpy in the morning...)

That is a good thing. That means you would be well suited to deal with the opposing team. 😄😄😀

203 posted on 01/21/2015 4:28:55 AM PST by Mark17 (Fear not little flock, from the cross to the throne, from death into light he went for His own)
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To: Elsie

Dunno. I posted only twice during the middle of the night and noticed the removed posts only after I had posted my first. For once, I was uninvolved with the goings-on.


204 posted on 01/21/2015 5:37:54 AM PST by Resettozero
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To: caww
...we forget God is working to bring HIS family in Christ together as well....and that means removing them from where they’ve been stuck.....few” that will be though.

My attitude is that God has always been at work and still is working in behalf of His children, some of whom are quite content with their religion and do not yet know they are to be among the called and the chosen. I remember that other bystanders (lurkers?) were greatly affected by the teachings of Jesus as He stood against the religious rulers of that day, most of whom refused to believe in Jesus. (How would they ever escape Hell?)
205 posted on 01/21/2015 5:53:42 AM PST by Resettozero
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To: Iscool; Arthur McGowan
>>Those who trust in your religion are confused...Those of us who trust in, study and believe the scriptures are not confused about it...<<

Exactly. The only ones I see confused about it are Roman Catholics.

206 posted on 01/21/2015 6:16:57 AM PST by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus)
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To: Springfield Reformer

We agree; Halibut is the best of fish. :)


207 posted on 01/21/2015 6:50:56 AM PST by af_vet_1981 (The bus came by and I got on, That's when it all began.)
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To: Springfield Reformer

For my own reference: http://books.google.com/books/about/Peter_and_the_Rock.html?id=YZgNPsOgSjQC


208 posted on 01/21/2015 6:59:29 AM PST by FourtySeven (47)
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To: Iscool
That doesn't say the apostles are the foundation of the church...It says the foundation of the apostles and prophets...You know what the foundation of the apostles is??? Peter??? of course not...The foundation of the apostles is Jesus Christ...

As I wrote, in Messiah's prayer in John, the catholic chapter seventeen, He prayed for apostolic unity. I wrote "One cannot separate the Apostle Peter from Messiah's church. He said He would build His church on Peter, and Ephesians proves He did. What many have missed is the unity in which He did it."

Messiah is the chief cornerstone, which is certainly the foundation, and the apostles and prophets are the foundation with Him. He is the builder, so He did build his church on Peter, as He said. There are twenty four thrones mentioned in Revelation.

209 posted on 01/21/2015 7:58:25 AM PST by af_vet_1981 (The bus came by and I got on, That's when it all began.)
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To: metmom; CynicalBear; Alex Murphy; bkaycee; blue-duncan; boatbums; caww; daniel1212; Gamecock; ...
My Rock is the Rock of Ages:

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee; Let the water and the blood, From Thy wounded side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure, Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands Can fulfill Thy law’s demands; Could my zeal no respite know, Could my tears forever flow, All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling; Naked, come to Thee for dress; Helpless, look to Thee for grace; Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath, When my eyes shall close in death, When I rise to worlds unknown, And behold Thee on Thy throne, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee.

Rock of Ages Augustus M. Toplady, 1776

Copyright: Public Domain

210 posted on 01/21/2015 9:04:57 AM PST by redleghunter (Your faith has saved you. Go in peace. (Luke 7:50))
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To: Mark17
Mom, LOL, I see you made the "dedicated anti catholic" list of heroes. Maybe you are considered the de facto president of the dedicated anti catholic cabal. Don't you feel special? Think of the possibilities. I would ask you if another ex catholic, like me, could be the Vice President. We will need a secretary of OFFENSE. I am thinking Elsie would be a perfect fit. We can all get in on the ground floor. Sound like a winner to you?

I'll volunteer to be ambassador 'without a cause.':)

211 posted on 01/21/2015 9:07:02 AM PST by redleghunter (Your faith has saved you. Go in peace. (Luke 7:50))
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To: FourtySeven

Yes, the Caragounis book is rich with relevant information. I have a physical copy of it, but it’s good to see it is available in electronic form as well. I should have mentioned it as a source of some of my information in my previous post, especially the Aramaic data. Oversight on my part. But yes, very helpful.

Peace,

SR


212 posted on 01/21/2015 9:14:50 AM PST by Springfield Reformer (Winston Churchill: No Peace Till Victory!)
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To: af_vet_1981
He is the builder, so He did build his church on Peter, as He said.

No, Jesus did not say that and only via a twisting of the context of what He DID say makes the RCC even remotely possible.

Here's a passage from Philippeans Chapter 2 (ESV) that shows God's intent through Jesus and His Church that He founded and also points to the keys to the Kingdom that were given to the Church of Jesus Christ.

"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,
2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Now, THAT'S Scripture worth memorizing!

R2z
213 posted on 01/21/2015 9:39:24 AM PST by Resettozero
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To: af_vet_1981
He said He would build His church on Peter, and Ephesians proves He did. What many have missed is the unity in which He did it."

No he didn't...Jesus said he would build his church on a massive rock...

Peter solidly (like a rock) proclaimed their faith that Jesus was the Son of God...Jesus acknowledged that by saying to Peter, you are a rock (petros/stone)...And Jesus further acknowledged that truth by claiming that because Peter believed with his whole heart and soul that the Father 'spiritually' revealed that to Peter (and the others)...

Jesus then, looking at Peter says, however Peter, even tho you are a rock, it is upon THIS rock (petra/huge rock) that I will build my church...

Whether that rock was Jesus himself or the spiritual confirmation to Peter from God that Jesus IS the Son makes little difference...

Messiah is the chief cornerstone, which is certainly the foundation, and the apostles and prophets are the foundation with Him. He is the builder, so He did build his church on Peter, as He said. There are twenty four thrones mentioned in Revelation.

We can believe you or we can believe God...

1Co_3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

1Co_3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

Here it says Paul laid the foundation, NOT Peter...

You guys just don't seem to understand the foundation principal or any bible principal for that matter...

Jesus IS the foundation...The only foundation...It is the apostles who have layed down that foundation...And build upon it...

The foundation is scripture, our knowledge of God...

Psa_8:1 To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

Psa_138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

Paul warns us about building upon that foundation deceitfully...Hence, the Catholic religion...

214 posted on 01/21/2015 10:30:12 AM PST by Iscool
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To: af_vet_1981
He is the builder, so He did build his church on Peter, as He said. There are twenty four thrones mentioned in Revelation.

You guys like Pete so much you've IGNORED the OTHER 23 thrones.

215 posted on 01/21/2015 10:44:27 AM PST by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: redleghunter
Wonderful song I l ike the version (as i recall it) that has the 2nd stanza, Could my zeal no languor know, could my tears forever flow; these for sin could not atone, though must save, and thou alone; Rock of Ages cleft for me, let me hide myself self in thee.

Bless the Lord. Rest in Christ as Savior, and follow Him as Lord. The 2 are inseparable if one truly does the former, and thus the effects of faith, holiness and works, justify one as being a believer.

216 posted on 01/21/2015 10:56:51 AM PST by daniel1212 (Come to the Lord Jesus as a contrite damned+destitute sinner, trust Him to save you, then live 4 Him)
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To: daniel1212

Amen!


217 posted on 01/21/2015 11:15:53 AM PST by redleghunter (Your faith has saved you. Go in peace. (Luke 7:50))
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To: Springfield Reformer

Oh I don’t think it’s in electronic form (at least not all of it) at Google books. I will check that when I get home though, I do believe only select portions are available electronically. I think the average price is $100 for the hard copy.


218 posted on 01/21/2015 11:28:32 AM PST by FourtySeven (47)
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To: daniel1212

I am nuts today. I was looking for the like button. I do love that song.


219 posted on 01/21/2015 11:59:54 AM PST by MamaB
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To: MamaB
Antrim Mennonite Choir
220 posted on 01/21/2015 12:35:56 PM PST by Resettozero
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