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QUESTION 121
In Matthew 16:16 and Matthew 16:18, is not Peter the rock that Christ is building His Church on?

ANSWER:
The questioner has in mind the following verses, Matthew 16:16 "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Matthew 16:18 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."

Any interpretation of a verse must be in harmony with other places in the bible. Let us see who is the Rock, which is mention throughout the Bible. "Behold, I will stand before thee there upon THE ROCK in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it." Exodus 17:6. This Rock was not Peter. "He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment:" Deuteronomy 32:4. The "He" here is God Himself. "But Jeshurun waxed fat..., then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation." Deuteronomy 32:15. It was God who saved them out of Egypt. "For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?" 2 Samuel 22:32. This verse is saying there is no other rock beside God. "He only is my rock and my salvation:" Psalms 62:6. "And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." 1 Corinthians 10:4. It is very clear from these verses, there is ONLY ONE ROCK. That Rock is God in the Old Testament and Christ in the New Testament.

Dear reader, "Do you know Him as your personal Saviour from sin? It is not Peter but Christ who is the Rock of Ages.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen