“…ON THIS ROCK, I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18)
What is this Rock the Lord is talking about? The original word for rock is petra: which is a huge mass of rock, so the explanation of some that Peter is that “Rock” is in error because Peter’s name in Greek is petros: a pebble or small stone. So, let’s look at the conversation that took place.
Jesus said to His disciples: “…WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?” Simon Peter replied, “YOU ARE THE CHRIST, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar–Jonah! For flesh and blood HAS NOT REVEALED THIS TO YOU, but MY FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN.” (Matt. 16:15-17)
There are two acknowledgements that take place in this exchange, first Peter, by divine revelation, acknowledges that JESUS IS CHRIST, the Son of God! Then Jesus recognizes Peter and blesses him. What happened is that there was a MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING between Jesus and Peter, I KNOW YOU AND YOU KNOW ME!
As a result of this exchange Jesus said: “…I tell you, you are Peter, and ON THIS ROCK (rock of mutual understanding) I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH…” (Matt. 16:18) We are told in the word that: “We are THE BODY OF CHRIST, and individually members of it.” (1 Corin. 12:27) Just to better understanding the intimacy involved here: “…we are MEMBERS OF HIS BODY, of His FLESH, and of His BONES.” (Eph. 5:30)
Some claim that the Kingdom of God is the Church of God but, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God IS IN YOU.” (Luke 17:20-21) Jesus spoke of His church as: “…the light of the world. A city set on a hill CANNOT BE HIDDEN.” (Matt. 5:14)
THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD CANNOT BE HIDDEN…
-Bill Stockham