SUNDAY AUGUST 17 The Foundation of the Church Jesus said, “ - TopicsExpress

SUNDAY AUGUST 17 The Foundation of the Church Jesus said, “ ‘On this rock I will build My church’ ” (Matt. 16:18, NKJV). Who is the rock (petra in Greek) upon which the church is built? Some interpreters believe that Peter is the rock. They argue that the Lord used a play on words between Peter and rock (Petros and petra, respectively, in Greek)—a play that presumably would be clearer in the Aramaic language, which Jesus probably used. The fact is, however, that nobody knows with certitude the exact wording of Jesus’ statement in Aramaic. We have only the Greek text recorded by Matthew, which distinguishes between Petros (stone) and petra (rock), a distinction that should not be overlooked.There are good reasons to affirm that petra refers to Christ. The immediate context of Jesus’ statement (vss. 13–20) centers on Christ’s identity and mission, not Peter’s. Besides, Jesus had previously used the image of building upon a rock, clearly identifying the rock as Himself and His teachings (Matt. 7:24, 25). What is the symbolic meaning of “rock” in the Old Testament? Deut. 32:4; Ps. 28:1, 31:2, 3, 42:9, 62:2; Isa. 17:10. Rock is a name for God. You will find it in Psalm 18:2 and in other psalms. It means that God is a place where people can hide and be safe. A place of rescue and security. We cry to our Lord for only he can save us. Christ is the Rock who is unmovable.