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[ And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter(petros/ a rock), and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. – Matt 16:16-18]

Jesus giving Simon a "nickname"?... while speaking a metaphor?.. Maybe, Maybe not.. I think not.. However the other Apostles calling him "Peter" henceforth(after that) is possible.. people do that with nicknames.. The metaphorical church is built with rocks.. Rock on rock with Jesus the cornerstone.. Which rock is more important than any other?.. Is the church the Bride of Christ?.. If so; where does Peter relate to the bride, within the bride?.. Which metaphor about the same subject is more important/accurate?..

I think both metaphors are equal and Peter is and was merely a rock.. Linking both metaphors must be done.. Unless God is a moron or thinks we are.. Jesus, as always, was making a point.. and the point was NOT about Peter..

I suppose it is a waste to make the point the RCC didn't assume form until about 300 a.d... to many.. according to Millers Church History.. Constantine making every Roman a christian overnight would indeed require making priests and a hierarchy to control it all.. out of mostly a pagan people.. The pagans were used to priests performing strange rites.. the emperors were already called "Pontifex Maximus"...

Unless God is a moron or thinks we are.. Jesus, as always, was making a point.. and the point was NOT about Peter..

Indeed, the point was why Peter was blessed. Jesus said "Blessed art thou ... for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."

God is the Rock, hence the metaphor/nickname for Peter - the first to receive that direct revelation, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.