The Rock

Let’s look at some important scriptures for Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox Christians and how they affect us all. Let’s examine Matthew 16.

A Sign

Are we sometimes like the Pharisees, seeking a sign instead of living by faith? Are we looking for conspiracies rather than simply discerning the signs of the times?

The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and putting Jesus to the test, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but are you unable to discern the signs of the times? An evil and adulterous generation wants a sign; and so a sign will not be given to it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them and went away. (Matthew 16:1-4 NASB)

Is there leaven or yeast that still exists in the teachings of religious leaders?

When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.” Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (Matthew 16:5-12 NIV)

The Rock

Is Protestantism legitimate? What are the keys to the kingdom? If true Christians agree on essential matters, why the rivalry? Let’s look at Rome’s exclusive claim in Matthew 16:13-20. Who is Jesus?

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (Matthew 16:13-14 NKJV)

Caesarea Philippi, was a city built on a rock for Caesar Augustus. This brutal leader called himself the son of a god. Who is Jesus?

Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. (Matthew 16:15-17 NLT)

Why do men wish to promote human church leadership? When we understand who Jesus is, then are we too rocks of the Rock and receive the keys to the kingdom? Let’s look at a few translations of this controversial verse.

In looking at this verse, we need to ask two important questions. What does the verse say and what does it not say? Does it say anything about Peter being the first pope, or a line of successive popes after him? No, it does not. That’s called eisegesis, reading into a passage something that is simply not there.

I tell you that you are Peter. And I’ll build my church on this rock. The gates of the underworld won’t be able to stand against it. (Matthew 16:18 CEB)

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18 KJV)

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. (Matthew 16:18 NASB)

Hades is simply the grave, and the church will outlive the death of us all.

Early Church Fathers

How did early church fathers understand this passage?

Origen wrote, “if we too have said like Peter, "Thou art the Christ, … we become a Peter… a rock is every disciple of Christ … and upon every such rock is built every word of the church… all bear the surname of ‘rock’ who are the imitators of Christ…” (Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 9, Book XII, 10)

Roman Catholic Scholar, George Salmon, observed that 44 of 85 early church fathers said the “rock” was Peter’s faith, 16 said it was Christ, and 8 all of the apostles. Only 17 of 85 thought that it was Peter. The greater number of fathers disagree with Rome on this passage.