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It was the acknowledgment that Jesus is the messiah by Peter that is the "rock" upon which the Church was and is built. Peter is not the Rock upon which the Church was built. Note in the verse Christ also says that the gates of hell will not prevail against it? Jesus was talking about the fact that "Christ is the messiah being the rock". Peter suffered a martyr's death at the hands of Nero, so the gates of hell did prevail against Peter, but not the Rock i.e. "Jesus is the messiah" that rock upon which the Church is built.

The Catholic Church has since the beginning totally misinterpreted that verse, because they like to think that Jesus initiated the Papal succession. History says otherwise. Each city had its own Bishop and the Bishop of Rome declared itself the leader of all other Churches. And not without resistance by the other Churches.

In fact there is no Biblical provision for a universal Church on earth. The Bible only mentions local Churches in its structure. And the Bishop was the leader of the local Church.

No wonder we disagree. I am a member of the only religion founded by Jesus Christ and thus learned my religion from those in the direct lineage.
But thanks for your interesting, schismatic viewpoint.
I know I sound sarcastic but this really isn’t a forum for dividing Christians and your post is a collection of anti-Catholic positions.
For instance, this line: “The Catholic Church has since the beginning totally misinterpreted that verse,” can only be interpreted as Peter and the Apostles misunderstood Jesus as he spoke directly to them but you, 2000 years later, see things clearly.
No need to respond. Nobody’s mind is going to be changed.

It was the acknowledgment that Jesus is the messiah by Peter that is the "rock" upon which the Church was and is built. Peter is not the Rock upon which the Church was built. Note in the verse Christ also says that the gates of hell will not prevail against it? Jesus was talking about the fact that "Christ is the messiah being the rock". Peter suffered a martyr's death at the hands of Nero, so the gates of hell did prevail against Peter, but not the Rock i.e. "Jesus is the messiah" that rock upon which the Church is built.

Er, the gates of hell would not prevail against the Church.

Also, if Peter was NOT the Rock upon which Christ founded His Church...then why would he give Peter "the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven"?