Christian Message Boards: Note on Matthew 16:13-19

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Posted by Primoa1970 (Member # 1016) on :

An interesting thing sometimes happens when you read scripture.....the Holy Spirit opens your eyes to new and exciting things. Such is the case with these verses and myself:

Matthew 16
Peter's Confession of Christ
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"
14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ,the Son of the living God."
17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.
18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

Much has been said about these verses over the years. One thing that I just realized the other day when studying them.....Jesus uses 2 different words for Peter: Petros and Petras. One means small rock...the other means large, immovable rock.

Jesus wasn't saying that He was going to build His church on Peter (Petras), but rather....that He would build His church on the solid, foundational truth (Petros)which Peter just confessed to.

Unfortunately, Roman Catholics revere Peter because of this misinterpretation of the scripture...ie....St Peter's Basillica in Rome....

What a wonderful gift God has given to us in the person of the indwelling Spirit....who guides us into ALL truth.

-Primo