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To: Rutles4Ever
How about responding to the verses I quoted instead of changing the debate? If it doesn't make sense, why don't you address it instead of cherry-picking other verses that are less problematic for you?

My apologies for assuming you already knew what my response would be.

The second "Rock" word Jesus uses refers to Peter's statement, which was revealed to him by the Father. The first "rock" word Jesus used in renaming Simon. The second is the foundation stone -- the boulder. The first is a pebble.

It's clear that Jesus is calling Peter blessed for his profession of faith. It is the content of the profession upon which Jesus will build His Church, and Peter is a part of that Church.

As to the "three blessings" you dig up; Scripture only shows a single blessing.

Certainly in verse 19 it appears that Jesus is conferring certain, special privileges on at least Peter. And I would concede that, in this case, it was promised to Peter alone. However in context the rest of Scripture, with His sending out the 70 and the Great Commission, it appears a reasonable inference that the blessing was meant for all the Apostles. Certainly all Apostles received this blessing eventually.

Peter spoke up and settled the dispute.

Why don't we let the verses speak for themselves?

Acts 15:

7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

Peter rose and spoke in support from verses 7 through 11.

12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

Paul and Barnabas spoke in support.

13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

James answers, starting from verses 13 and culminating in his advise in verses 19 through 21.

19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

The apostles and the elders with the whole church rendered a decision. This decision is exactly the advice given by James.

22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

Peter gave testimony, as did Paul and Barnabas. And if you look to verse 5 you'll see that a group of believers of the sect of the Pharisees were the first to give their testimony. But they spoke against the testimonies of Peter, Paul and Barnabas.

It's also worthwhile to note that Luke distinguishes the Apostles from the elders of the church of Jerusalem.

Your version is mighty creative, but simply a contortion of Scripture so as to make it fit your preconceived ideas. While I'm surely not going to change your view, I truly hope you will seek the truth, and allow God to shape you into His image rather than continue shaping a god into yours.

109 posted on 05/21/2007 2:04:24 PM PDT by pjr12345 (I'm thinking of a number between 1 and 100.)
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To: pjr12345
The second "Rock" word Jesus uses refers to Peter's statement, which was revealed to him by the Father. The first "rock" word Jesus used in renaming Simon. The second is the foundation stone -- the boulder. The first is a pebble.

There is no basis for this. Unless you take into account the literary conventions of the Greek (the proper name "Peter" - masculine - is transliterated to the Greek "pebble" - masculine - instead of "rock" - feminine). Since Jesus was speaking in a language that had one word for "rock" and one word for "pebble" (Aramaic), and clearly used the word "rock" in both circumstances, that "pebble" dog won't hunt.

As to the "three blessings" you dig up; Scripture only shows a single blessing.

Blessing #1: Peter is assigned Wisdom.
Blessing #2: Peter is assigned a new name (see Abraham, Sarah, Israel, Joshua)
Blessing #3: Peter is assigned authority on earth.

I'm surely not going to change your view, I truly hope you will seek the truth, and allow God to shape you into His image rather than continue shaping a god into yours.

What arrogance! But -- you're my brother, so I don't wish to foster any further acrimony. I'll think of you while I'm rotting in hell for my "papistry" (sic).

127 posted on 05/22/2007 6:47:43 AM PDT by Rutles4Ever (Ubi Petrus, ibi ecclesia, et ubi ecclesia vita eterna)
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