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Jesus Christ came down and established His Church on the rock of Peter

Wrong. Jesus established his church universal upon the rock of Peter's testimony: "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Jesus is the central focus of our faith, the one head of the church, and our spiritual unity with Him is sufficient to provide one with every spiritual blessing.

Rodney, don't let the Mary worshippers (a fine woman, I'll admit) distract you from the single devotion to Jesus Christ.

This actually proves one of my points. If you are going to refute Catholic teaching - you first have to UNDERSTAND it!! Building straw men and knocking them down does nothing - as the straw man is not the real deal. Catholics do not worshop Mary - they simply believe she is capable of intercessory prayer. When someone asks a neighbor or minister for intercessory prayer they are doing the same thing. So then it is clear that the debate should not center around "Mary" worship or "Saint" worship - but rather whether or not souls in heaven are capable of intercessory prayer. There is no scriptural evidence that supports the belief that heavenly souls are INCAPABLE of intercessory prayer. In fact the book of Revelations clearly shows heavenly souls engaging in prayer concerning earthly events. ---------------------- Jesus did not say "Upon this declaration of faith I will build my church" No...he said "Upon this rock I will build my church" What was the rock? "You are Peter" or Kepha ("rock" in Greek- although when Jesus spoke these words He said it in Aramaic) Peter being "Rock" -not his statement of faith. It is a personal declaration upon Peter - similar to the name change Abraham received from God (from "Abram") This whole section of blessings given by Jesus was directed at PETER!! Your interpretation does not make any logical sense- why would Jesus proceed to give Peter the Keys if he hadn't JUST appointed Peter as His "steward" (as compared to language used in Isaiah 22) The setting? Ceasarea Philippi. A trademark sight in this place was a pagan temple that was built upon a tall cliff of sheer rock. Jesus was clearly comparing this setting with the church He would leave behind. I would suggest you further examine the powerful words spoken to Peter in the Book of Matthew and then compare this scene with some Old Testament situations. Most notably - The pharoah giving Joseph authority in Egypt. Also...examine Isaiah 22 and compare the terms used to the terms Jesus used with Peter. In both situations the ruler remains the ruler (Pharoah is still Pharoah - the King is still the King) But the rulers appoint "stewards" and give them authority in the kingdom. Jesus uses Old Testament language to illustrate that He is, indeed the King. We see in Revelation that Jesus weilds the authority of the Keys. He may give them to whom He pleases. Jesus is appointing Peter as His "steward", just as Pharoah did with Joseph, and just as Eliakim was annointed. But again - I suggest to anyone who is exploring catholicism or attempting to refute it...GO TO THE SOURCE!!! Jack Chick is not a reliable source!! The Catholic Catechism IS a reliable source!!! Before anyone throws ugly anti-catholic insults - they really ought to check and see if it REALLY IS a catholic belief - or a false representation of catholic belief.