What did Jesus mean when he said on this rock I will build my church?
Jesus is saying that though He were rejected by the people, arrested, tried and found innocent and then crucified anyway, it would not stop him from building His church. The Jews did reject Christ and crucify Christ, but He arose, He did build His church.
What is the rock in Matthew 16 18?
The church fathers generally understood the “rock” to refer either to the apostles collectively, or to the specific content of Peter's confession. In either case, they understood that Matthew 16:18 ultimately centered on Christ – the One to whom the apostles testified, and the One to whom Peter's confession pointed.
What does the rock symbolize in the Bible?
The words rock and stone, referring to the prime elements in ancient foundations, are used in the scriptures as metaphors signifying strength, steadiness, and durability.
What is the Bible verse Matthew 16 18?
“The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail against It” In the scriptures the phrase “the gates of hell” can refer to the powers of death or the powers of evil. Thus, the Savior's promise that “the gates of hell shall not prevail” means that death and evil will not permanently overpower the Church.
Why did Jesus say he will build his church on Peter?
The rock upon which Jesus would build his church could refer to Peter, since Jesus changed Peter's name to "petros" meaning "rock." This would make Peter the foundation of the church. … Immediately after Peter declared Jesus to be the Messiah, he rebuked Jesus for saying he would be killed.
Why did God build the church?
Jesus did all of this for the equipping of the saints, (believers), for the work of His ministry, for the building up of His Body of Christ. His intent was for the whole Body to come in unity of the faith, unity in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, to be mature, and to operate in the fullness of Jesus Christ.
Who is the rock of the church?
This is the essence of the gospel and the bedrock of the church (see I Corinthians 3:11). In other words, Jesus reinterprets Peter's declaration: "You are Peter (a piece of the rock), and on this rock (the fact that I am the Messiah, the Son of the living God), I will build my church."