Christ: The Rock of True Church, Not Peter
Let us open our Bibles and consider again Matthew 16:18:
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.
Baseline data here is that the words spoken by Christ comes from the Father.
JOHN 12:49
For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
When in Matthew 16:18 Christ said, “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” plus the fact that the words spoken by Christ comes from the Father, it must be understood that the real person speaking in the verse is the Father through the mouth of Christ.
“I say unto” involves a first person; “Thou art Peter,” a second person, and “And upon this rock” refers to a third person. It is obvious that if Peter is the rock the speaker should have said, “Upon you I will build my church.”
“Upon this rock” is coherent with the declaration of Peter, “thou art the Christ.”
Notice the use of the demonstrative pronoun, “this rock.” “Upon this rock” clearly refers to Upon Christ which rock Jesus is. In all senses of grammar, common understanding, and logic, Peter cannot be the rock, the foundation of the true church. Never could a corruptible human being be! But notice the belief of the Roman Catholic Church as contained in their Modern Catholic Dictionary describing Peter as their first Pope, referring to him as “the rock.”
Grammatically speaking, if Peter were the rock, the speaker should have said, “and I say unto thee that thou art Peter and upon you I will build my church.”
Why did not Christ say, “I say unto thee that thou art Peter and upon me I will build my church?” Logical, because He is not the speaker. The real speaker is the Father that is the first person. The second person is Peter, and the third person is the rock, which is Christ, which he (Peter) acknowledged as the “Son of the living God.”
Logically speaking, if Peter were the rock, the speaker should have said, “and I say unto thee that thou art Peter and upon you I will build my church.”
Using common sense to understand this phrase, “and I say unto thee that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church,” we see that somebody is talking to Peter, represented by X. X talks to Peter.
“And upon this rock” is Y, the rock.
Speaker X mentioning Y to Peter means X is not Peter.
Peter is not Y and Y is not X. Common sense tells us that Peter is the clue to knowing who is Y and who is X.
X, the speaker, is the Father. X is the first person, “I.”
Meanwhile, Peter is the second person, “unto thee” and is different from “and upon this rock,” a third person (Y).
I, (X) will build my church upon Y (the rock). But Y is not Peter. Peter is not the rock.
Why could not the rock be Peter? To be sure, we must look for the exact person represented by Y that is the rock.
Y was revealed by X to Peter as in, “flesh and blood did not reveal this unto you but my Father (X) in heaven.” What was revealed this time was, “thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
This secret revealed by the Father (X) to Peter was that Christ, the Son of the living God, is the rock upon which “I (X, the Father) will build my church.” Take note that even Peter understood this. Why shouldn’t the Roman Catholic Church?
Let us for the meantime set aside the logical, the grammatical, and the sensical analysis of the verse. Let us now be biblical!
Before taking the human form, the coming of the Son of God was foretold by the Father that a prophet “I will raise from among your brethren like unto thee (Moses), and I will put my words into His mouth”.
DEUTERONOMY 18:18
I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
This prophet whom God will raise from the Israelites is the Lord Jesus Christ.
THE ACTS 3:22, 20
22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
When preaching in the flesh, in the form of a man, the Son said, “My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me,” exactly in coherence with the prophecy, “I will put my words into his mouth.”
JOHN 7:16
Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
The rightful and biblical builder of the true church is the Father.
HEBREWS 3:4
For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
The words uttered by the Lord Jesus Christ coming out of His mouth was, “I say unto thee, thou art Peter and upon this rock, “I will build my church,” is genuinely the words of the Father, the builder of everything that exists.
And who is the foundation intended by the builder, the Father, to be the foundation of the true church?
I CORINTHIANS 3:11
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
It is Christ – and not a mere human being like Peter! The builder, the Father, laid the foundation of everything that He created. He laid the foundation of the earth and the universe!
JOB 38:4
Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
HEBREWS 11:3
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
The Father who laid the foundation of the universe and of the earth is undoubtedly the same person who laid the foundation of the true church, that is Christ. That church to be built upon the foundation Christ is composed of the apostles (including Peter), the prophets, teachers, and the like.
I CORINTHIANS 12:28
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
As it is impossible for Peter to be the foundation, obviously because he is part of those that were built upon Christ, it is equally impossible for the Roman Catholic Church to be the church built by the Father! That is biblically speaking!
EPHESIANS 2:20
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Note in the verse above that the Apostles and the Prophets were built upon the foundation. Peter is one of the apostles built upon the foundation. Logically, grammatically, biblically, and sensibly speaking, Peter is not the rock, nor the foundation of the true church! But the Roman Catholic Church in her misinterpretation because of her ignorance about the Scriptures refuses to accept the foundation rock of the true church - Christ! The builder of the Catholic Church is not the Father!
THE ACTS 4:11-12 (RSV)
11 This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the head of the corner.
12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
The insistence of the Catholic Church that Peter is the foundation rock of their church is their utter rejection of the foundation laid by God himself – Christ. A human being like Peter cannot be the foundation of truth, for all men are prone to lie. How can somebody prone to telling a lie be the foundation of the truth? Peter lied, even denying his Lord!
MATTHEW 26:34
Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
We are not condemning Peter, we understand him as a human being.
THE ROMANS 3:4
God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
Only God cannot lie and it is impossible for Him to lie.
TITUS 1:2
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
HEBREWS 6:18
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Christ, “the church of the living God,” is the pillar and foundation of truth!
I TIMOTHY 3:15-16
15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Christ is called as “the house” or “the church of the living God”! Note that Verse 16 says, “great is the mystery of godliness: 1) Manifested in the flesh, 2) Justified in the Spirit, 3) Seen of angels, 4) Preached unto the Gentiles, 5) Believed on in the world, 6) Received up into glory. (Christ is the subject of this enumeration).
Christ is the God that was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. The person subject of this detailed enumeration (of the Apostle Paul) is Christ, the pillar and foundation of the truth. Christ can be called “the house of God” for the Father dwells in Him.
JOHN 14:10
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
More to come.
Is it the existence of the Catholic Church for almost 2,000 years that proves that it is “the true church?” That is not correct!
Judaism is older than Catholicism! Hinduism has also endured the test of time being older than the Catholic Church! Orthodox churches are as old as the Catholic Church; will it mean that these are also true churches? I disagree!
Here’s a comparison of the start of religions older than that of the Roman Catholic Church (Ref: patheos.com)
Meanwhile, when did the Roman Catholic Church begin? First century AD, if they are correct – but not earlier than that.
The reference used here is The Catholic News Service in “Vatican congregation reaffirms truth, oneness of the Catholic Church.”
Let us learn more in the succeeding issues of my blog.
Truly yours,
Brother Eli
The Roman Catholic Church leaders' misunderstanding of the scriptures creates confusing tenets for their pitiful members. Catholic brothers and sisters, please read this article to increase your understanding about the genuine teaching of the Bible.
ReplyDeleteThis blog will surely amaze you! Check it out! Read from Mr Controversy Extraordinary!
ReplyDeletethanks be to God Bro. Eli, for this wonderful article. I just hope all Catholic could read this.. i will help in every way i can to tell this to my friend who were catholic.. for them to realize how their leader twist the words in the Bible and insert their lies.. this article could save many lives of those who could read this.
ReplyDeleteThanks be to GOD for another wonderful blog.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that Peter is not the "Rock" but Christ
ALL CATHOLICS NEED TO READ THIS
Thanks be to God for another very sensible blog. Outside the True Church this is a mystery... but in the Church of God this is an understood Truth with God's mercy.
ReplyDeleteWe are very lucky to be called in the True Church!!! Thanks be to God our Foundation is the Son of God which is our Lord Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteThanks be to God for another very sensible blog. Outside the True Church this is a mystery... but in the Church of God this is an understood Truth with God's mercy.
ReplyDeletehuwag po kayung magbulag-bulagan na katulad ng inyung diyus -diyusan panahon na para kayu ay umalis sa napaka-maling katuruan ng simbahang katoliko
ReplyDelete#CatholicsNeedToReadThis very informative Blog
:)
ReplyDeleteI'm a Catholic but didn't consider myself as a member of it anymore. Do agree wd you bro.Eli. ☺
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that @Dannielyn that you consider not yourself a catholic anymore. Actually we have no choice before we are babe, they baptized us without our consent, but now we can think for ourselves, we have choices what to believe and where to cleave. The Bible clearly says 'cleave to what is good, abhor evil." We will find goodness in church built by God, wherein Christ is the foundation of it, not a human being with flaws -like Peter. Hope you will continue listening to Bro. Eli Soriano and follow his blogs. Please also attend our expositions and mass indoctrination in nearest ADD Coordinating center in your area. Thanks be to God.
DeleteTHANK YOU, Bro.Eli. Isa ito sa mga pnagddsal ko kay LORD na mtupad. Ang pgkkroon ng site na tungkol sa lahat ng mali ng bwat religions. Purihin at pasalamatan ang Ama!! Amen. Isa akong Katoliko sa pangalan at agree ako sa iyong mga turo. Magpatuloy ka lng, Bro.Eli. At mawa'y khit hndi kta mameet in person ay mameet nman tayo sa langit. To God be the glory!!
ReplyDeleteFalse Beliefs of Different religions been uncovered. Thanks be to God for the understanding via His true messenger on our times - these last days no other than Bro. Eliseo Soriano.To God be the Glory!!!
ReplyDeleteSo crystal clear explanation. With all in it...the logic & the biblical reasoning and wisdom. Indeed grammatically and sensibly explained as well.
ReplyDeleteAs always a must-share blog to enlighten our Catholic fellowmen. Not so much to say but I strongly believe that #CatholicsNeedToReadThis. All for the love of TRUTH and SALVATION.
Looking forward God willing to know more...learn more of the succeeding issues of your blog.
From Limerick, Ireland
grabe wala ko masabi , napaka swerte ng mga makakabasa at makakaunawa nito.. salamat sa Dios!
ReplyDeletesalamat sa Dios at may Bro. Eli Soriano
DeleteI hope that every catholic would have read this. So very enlightening!
ReplyDeleteThe confusion is in the manor of translation. If translated into English only, without keeping the Greek for Simon's new name, the verse would read:
ReplyDeleteMATTHEW 16:18
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Rock, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." One person: unto thee, rock, rock.
What we should ask ourselves is, if God made provisions for his people for thousands of years...Levite priests, leaders like Joshua, judges, prophets and kings, etc. Why, once the Messiah comes would God suddenly leave his children with no one to form their Faith?
Why do we contort Christ's words to prove he left each of us alone and adrift in an ocean of confusion?
The Truth is Christ left us, not with a book, but 12 men with one as their leader. He showed us in Acts that these men should be replaced when one is lost. He called a theologian, Paul, to join these unschooled men and in so doing showed that their numbered need not remain twelve. Acts also shows that they debated the rubrics of their Faith and that all was brought to the"Rock" for final determination. 200 years later the successors of these men, after prayer and debate, solidified the Bible. A thousand years later one man in Germany created the first condensed version of the Bible choosing to remove 7 books. A hundred years later it took an act of Parliament to strip those books out of the English language version.
Years ago, reading only Christ's words in a "red letter" Protestant Bible, I found nothing that Jesus said, that contradicted the teachings of the Catholic Church. I've remained in her arms ever since.
@c.n. johnson,
Delete8 years ago, my catholic faith is undisturbed, no teachings around me will break my determination to embrace such faith. Until I heard Bro. Eli Soriano of MCGI (the host of Ang Dating Daan Program), I began to ask and doubt the catholic doctrines and traditions. I started to listen and investigate, find the differences, actually I am looking for the flaws of Bro. Eli - it just happened I found nothing. Until, I understand. I woke up with God's mercy. I found the truth with MCGI's teachings - it came from God - Biblical! No addition nor subtraction! Everything for soul's salvation is taught.
When you said you found nothing in catholic faith that contradict the Bible or the teaching of Christ, that was unacceptable! Only blind can say that. I hope its not the end for you, try to open your mind - listen and compare. Set aside the pride that hinders in finding the truth. Lord Jesus never leave his people. He is always with him whom he send to teach his gospels to the world. Look around and compare the doctrines, you have the Bible for comparisons.
Panahon na po mga kapatid naming Katoloki. Alam ko po na naghihintay lang po talaga kayo ng sasagot sa mga katanungang bumabagabag sa inyong kamalayang espiritual. Dumating na po ang panahon na iyon. Huwag nawang patigasin ng pride o pagmamataas ang ating mga puso.Buksan po ninyo ang mga Biblia na kadalasa'y mga inaalibukan lang po sa kung saan at suriin ang lahat ng mga bagay na naisaad dito ng kapatid na Eli. Salamat po sa Dios sa isang katulad niyo Brother Eli. Ingatan nawa po kayo palagi ng ating Amang sumasa mga langit.
ReplyDeleteNakakatawa naman kayo. Hindi kami nagmamatigas. Strong Faith ang tawag dun... Kase tama ang relihiyong Katoliko. Lahat pinagmunihan ko na lahat ng relihiyon nyong yan... noon napaisip rin ako sa simbahan ko dahil sa mga sinasabi ng mga protestanteng pastor nyo... pero mas mabuti na inalam ko ang TOTOO sa sarili kong simbahan at hindi ko inalam ang totoo sa kung kani-kanino... Tandaan nyo mga kapatid sa End of Times Babalikan ni Kristo ang Simbahang Pakakasalan nya at iisang simbahan lang ang iniwan nya at siguradong babalikan nya.... Ang Katoliko... walang labis walang kulang walang alinlangan. Puro at totoo. Hindi kaya ng mga interpretasyon ng kung sino ang tunay na relasyon ko sa Diyos. Relasyon sa Diyos ang inaalagaan naming mga katoliko hindi relasyon sa kung sinong walang katuturan ang mga sinasabi.
Deletetalagang aral hindi panatiko. . . salamat sa diyos . . . nasagot na rin yung katanungan ko batay sa matthew 16:18 . .
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAn explanation that no one can tell, only whom God sent.
DeleteAnd it is not just an article, it is wisdom coming from heaven. No priest/preacher of this time can expound Mathew 16:18 Biblically, grammatically and logically.
Catholic are followers of Roman Church not Christ. If you claim you are a Christian, try to open your mind and listen, investigate the doctrines of your church and MCGI. Set aside your pride, pride will not help you to understand. I do believe you love your soul - why not take the chances you have to save it from damnation.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteNawa mabasa ng kahit kalahati ng mga katoliko ang blog na ito para hindi na sila patuloy na maloko pa ng mga bulaang pastor.
ReplyDeleteBy LOGIC, GRAMMAR & COMMON SENSE, Peter is not the foundation of the True Church in the Bible. If Catholic Church insists that it is Peter who founded their church while the apostle himself will deny such--is a proof that they are not the TRUE CHURCH OF THE BIBLE. May the GOOD LORD open the ,mind of catholic members thru this blog. To GOD BE THE GLORY FOREVER AND EVER!
ReplyDeleteThanks be to God mr. Controversy, sana malinawan nmn tyong laht at huwag maging pantas sa sarili.
ReplyDeleteThe Catholic fanatics must accept the fact that their leaders failed to give them the needed understanding about the wisdom of God.
ReplyDeleteThey only have to listen to the truth and try to examine their faith and look for the true messenger of GOD's wisdom.
Thanks be to GOD, we have found him already.
To God Be The Glory!
ReplyDeleteThanks be to God that He gave us someone who taught us the true rock based on Bible
ReplyDeleteCatholics wake up..TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
ReplyDeleteall i can say is that the doctrine of ROMAN CATHOLIC is contradict to what the bible tells. ive notice it.
ReplyDeleteThats why i thank god for his mercy to lead me through the true church.
all i can say is that the doctrine of ROMAN CATHOLIC is contradict to what the bible tells. ive notice it.
ReplyDeleteThats why i thank god for his mercy to lead me through the true church.
Truth unveiled... salamat sa Dios
ReplyDeleteMr. Controversy patiently laid the foundation of this topic Biblically and grammatically speaking. No other author explained this way as he does. Wisdom is flowing - thanks be to God.
ReplyDeleteLogic wise, for a simple mind it is more sensible to believe that Lord Jesus Christ is the Rock mentioned in the Mathew 16:18 than Peter because of these two simple reasons: 1) Christ is the Son of God Almighty; 2) Christ did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.
Listening to catholic priests' reasoning will hinder us to reach the truth. The word of God is simple for simple mind, but covered for those self-righteous and high-minded person.
@Austen Sean Lumunon,
ReplyDeleteA simple test for you to investigate, to be able to be called Christian, one must be follower of Lord Jesus Christ. Follow him not by talk but by walk. The doctrines of Christ is very visible in the Bible, the question is, do Catholics follow those doctrines? If you really are investigative as you said above --- you investigated all religion' doctrines--- you are quite no more a member of RCC.
Again, kindly do yourself a favor, please do more investigation with open mind.
For God that is impossible to lie to build the foundation of His church to a human like Peter (not disrespecting Peter) that is prone to error,lies and mistakes just like all human, is definitely wrong! Thanks be to God and to our Lord Jesus Christ for this Blog! Christ is the only foundation of the true Church of God. To God be the glory!
ReplyDeleteThis Catholic are always teaching things that is not written in the bible. Pope is the first poop? What a poor teaching!!
ReplyDeleteThe Catholic have always thought that Peter was the one referred to as THE ROCK when Jesus said , "I will build this church upon this rock". But Peter is a stone. Not a rock. A rock is a solid foundation. That is Jesus Christ. His body is the church and he is the head of that church. Thank you to Bro.Eli who brought light to this jurassic belief.
ReplyDeleteThis is the advantage of people who are seeking God first in their lives...Their views and understanding in faith is much different than those passive worshipers..May the priest and bishops will open their mind for this truth...so sad that many were misled by false docttrines of RC.
ReplyDeleteMy kinda Blog, informative, accurate and down right awesome!
ReplyDeleteWe must know the truth, the truth that is not invented, but is written in the Bible
ReplyDeleteOnce i was a member of the catholic church but now when i listen to Bro Eli's Preaching, i was convince that the Roman Catholic Church is not the true church but a man made church based on man made traditions and laws not according to Christ in the Bible. Now i am proud to say that here in the Church Of God i learn that the Foundation of the true church is Jesus Christ (1Tim3:15-16) and not Peter. And Peter cant be the founder of the Roman catholic church because there is no record in the Bible that Peter went to Rome like St. Paul. thanks be to God for this blog bro Eli :)
ReplyDeleteChrist is the Rock of the True Church not Peter for it is impossible for Peter to be the foundation of the church, obviously because he is part of those that were built upon Christ as it is written in -EPHESIANS 2:20
ReplyDeleteAnd are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. The Catholic Church believes that Peter is the Rock but if you will read the bible you will learn that a human being like
Peter cannot be the foundation of the Truth for he is a human being who is prone to telling a lie. We can read in Matthew 26:34 that Peter denied Christ thrice.This is clearly another wrong belief being taught to the catholic believers.
Well explained, easy to understand..
ReplyDeleteYour blog encourage me to read the bible.
Thanks be unto God.
More Power.
Mahirap po bang intindihin mga minamahal nming katoliko.basahin po nating maigi ang sinasabi sa biblia .para po aa kaligtasan po natin ito.
ReplyDeleteAng gandang blog. Salamat sa Dios.
ReplyDeletethanks be to God !!!
ReplyDeleteThanks be to God
ReplyDeletethe doctrines of the catholics are inconsistent and not in conformance to the bible
ReplyDeleteWell explained through verses in the bible the undeniable truth!easy to comprehend..catholics should read this blog so that they may enlightened..
ReplyDeleteThanks be to God for this clear understanding! Christ is the rock, the foundation of the Church of God!
ReplyDeleteIt's Christ the Rock, not Peter the Rock! God bless Bro. Eli!
ReplyDeletePlease base the explanations on the original translation of the Bible which is the Old English. There we will find out the real meaning of the verse.
ReplyDeleteObviously Peter is not the foundation. If we continue reading the scripture Matthew 16:18-23, Peter is a stumbling block for Jesus to fulfill what was written in the scriptures. The foundation must be strong and obviously Peter was not. He failed Jesus Christ many times as we all know. So God would not allow Peter to be the foundation of His Church. Thanks be to God.
ReplyDeletePeter was a stumbling block to Jesus' plan (Matthew 16:18-23). So Peter is not worthy to be the foundation of the church.
ReplyDelete