If we look closely at verse 18 we can see that Jesus is addressing Peter in the 2nd Person “..you” followed by His addressing of the rock on which He will build His church in the 3rd Person. So what does “this” refer to? Could it be that He is referring to Peter? If so, then why the 3rd Person wording? Or could it be that He is referring to Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God? This second way the verse can be interpreted seems quite legitimate considering the whole reason Jesus was there, to die on the cross for our sins as God incarnate. Jesus didn’t bring any new revelation accept that of His identity and purpose. All the rest of his teachings could be found in the Old Testament. He just clarified or restated it. Who Jesus is, is a critical part of the New Testament message, a foundational part. And it could very well be that the rock/foundation that Jesus is building His Church upon is this belief/knowledge that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God i.e. His identity.
The nature of the passage seems inherently ambiguous. While this passage can be taken in a Roman Catholic sense, it can also be taken in a Protestant sense, which to me, is the better way of taking it because it fits better within the framework of Holy Scripture.
The Papal structure of authority rests on this verse. Even if we grant that Jesus was referring to Peter here, the Papal structure that follows is not there. The whole Roman Catholic Project could be viewed like a huge upside down pyramid with its point resting on this one ambiguous verse. I think that being dogmatic about this verse being the central verse that authenticates and verifies the entire enterprise makes their case very weak.
So where does the Papal structure of authority come from? Where does the idea that Jesus came here to set up an organization come from? Rome points to the keys and the binding authority given in verse 19. The problem with the binding authority being given only to Peter is that Jesus also gives this binding authority to all His disciples in Matt 18:18. A closer look at the original Greek of these 2 verses results in a more forceful translation which can be found in a few Bible translations. The more forceful translation would be “whatever you bind on earth must have been bound in heaven” indicating that whatever Peter and the disciples do or say has already been cemented in Gods truth. No new or contradicting information is allowed for. So a future Pope proclaiming something contradicting an earlier revelation flies in the face of these verses. Especially after what Paul says in Gal 1:8-9.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
“I think that being dogmatic about this verse being the central verse that authenticates and verifies the entire enterprise makes their case very weak.”
AMEN. I would expand only to say that it makes it crumble. :D
Hoss.
The Catholic understanding of papal authority hardly rests on one passage.
No time to elaborate since I am off to church:)
Hopefully, I will be able to add more later.