I've always perceived our Lord is communicating something much more important regarding our human spirit rather than our body or soul. The significance being pointed out is that the thought which Peter expressed, identifying Jesus Christ as the Messiah, didn't come from Peter in his body or soul, his reason, nor his recollection, but rather it originated with God the Father revealing it to Peter in a spiritual revelation.
This is incredibly important, because if one only understands the phrase rationally, simply by human reason, it isn't an exercise of faith recognized by God for righteousness.
Instead, we are presented with an example of a human exercising faith, which is pointed out and explicitly repeated to emphasis the point, and further built upon by God the Son, now letting us know how much more power and authority is being granted to humans based upon what God has established.
If one interprets the passage as giving a particular religious denomination explicit representative authority, that is a worldly perspective of God, not one of faith through Christ. It is a perfectly reasonable interpretation, but not the Divine gift which He provides. It's brilliant, because if one doesn't have faith, they won't ever get it, except by accepting that which He provides.
I agree...But that is faith in a risen Savior, not faith in a religion...
While it is one thing to not know what God teaches about this stuff, it's quite another to willfully refuse to know what God says when it is readily available...
One should maybe wonder why it is that a religious organization, or rather its members have so much disdain for the words of God; to the point of refusing to read them to see what God has to say...And maybe one should wonder why he/she has no desire to know what God says... Perhaps this scripture is relevant...
Co 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2Co 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
I don't know how to break thru the spirit of the god of this world to get thru to them...I would defer to former Catholics on that issue I guess...