[GAB-1955]

No, Scripture does not state that Peter is the rock upon the church was built. Peter's confession, "You are the Christ, the Son of God," is the rock. I do agree that the apostolic leadership continued, but it is not institutionalized in the Roman Church. It is institutionalized in the Word of God, and the living Word of God, Christ.

[Rutles4Ever]

The actual translation is "You are 'rock', and upon this rock I will build my Church."

The equivalent of your interpretation is, "You are 'rock', and I could really go for a chocolate malt."

Your interpretation implies that Jesus wasn't capable of forming a simple analogy in a complete sentence.

The 'rock' refers to Simon Peter. It doesn't change meaning within the same sentence.

do agree that the apostolic leadership continued, but it is not institutionalized in the Roman Church.

You have no proof that it wasn't, just a fact not in evidence.

[jo kus]

No, Scripture does not state that Peter is the rock upon the church was built. Peter's confession, "You are the Christ, the Son of God," is the rock.

So why are you calling Simon "Rock" then? Why does Paul call Simon "Rock"? Why do the Gospel writers call Simon "Rock"? Aren't you YOURSELF refering to a person, rather than a spoken confession?

Christ didn't say "I am rock {Peter}", but "YOU are rock {Peter}"

The Church Fathers also agree with this interpretation, even Eastern Church Fathers, such as St. John Chrysostom. It is only those who refuse to accept authority given by God who make the claim that ONLY Simon's confession is the Rock. IF the confession was the Rock, why didn't Christ call all of the Apostles in the boat of Mt 14 rocks when they called Him the "Son of God"? Or Nataniel in John 1?

Regards

[Conservative til I die]

No, Scripture does not state that Peter is the rock upon the church was built. Peter's confession, "You are the Christ, the Son of God," is the rock.

It's pretty clear that Christ is referring to Peter. In fact, it's really more of a stretch to have to contort Christ's words to mean that He did say Peter was the rock and then somehow insert asterisks around "upon *this* rock" to make it seem like Jesus is talking about Himself or the faith as the real rock (I've heard both from Protestants).

I've found that Protestant arguments against Catholicism always hinge on a lot of dickering with what Christ says plainly. That and doing a whole reset on Christendom around the early 16th century.