(upon this rock) Matthew 16:18: an explanation

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.”

“Upon this rock”: The word for “Peter”, “Petros, means a small stone (John 1:42). Jesus used a play on words here with petra which means a foundation boulder (7:24-25).

Since the New Testament makes it abundantly clear that Christ is both the foundation (Acts 4:11-12; 1 Cor. 3:11), and the head (Eph. 5:23), of the church, it is a mistake to think that here He is giving either of those roles to Peter. There is a sense in which the apostles played a foundational role in the building of the church (Eph. 2:20), but the role of primacy is reserved for Christ alone, not assigned to Peter.

So Jesus’ words here are best interpreted as a simple play on words in that a boulder-like truth came from the mouth of one who was called a small stone. Peter himself explains the imagery in his first epistle. The church is built of “living stones” (1 Peter 2:5), who, like Peter, confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Christ Himself is the “corner stone” (1 Pet. 2:6-7).

The word “church” is a translation of ekklesia, meaning “called out” or “assembly.” In the New Testament, it usually refers to a local group of Christians.

In this sense a church is an assembly of baptized believers under the discipline of the Word of God. They are organized to carry out the Great Commission, the administration of New Testament ordinances, and the exercise of spiritual gifts.

When a group of Christians today follows this example, it is a church in the biblical sense of the word. In the New Testament, Christians assembled as churches for fellowship, instruction, and worship and to carry out the Great Commission.

Perhaps the best-known New Testament churches were at Jerusalem, Antioch, Thessalonica, Philippi, Corinth, Ephesus, and the other six cities mentioned (in Revelation 2 and 3).

Every Christian should follow the example of New Testament believers by identifying with a local church, and getting involved in its ministry.

In this, Jesus was telling Peter that His church would be built on the foundational rock of truth, which had just issued from Peter’s mouth. All the blessed (believers in the Lord Jesus Christ), have this truth from the Father.

Jesus promises that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church. The phrase “shall not prevail”, should be understood as meaning “shall not stand against.” The imagery would then picture the church as being on the offensive against the gates of hell.

While Jesus’ resurrection certainly will overcome the sting of death, it will also enable His church to aggressively and offensively attack the gates of hell (usage as Satan’s kingdom in Job 38:17; Isa. 38:10; Psalm 107:18); by snatching out victims from darkness into His glorious kingdom of light. The church is on the offensive here and hell is on the defensive.

Verses 19-20: The Lord promises to Peter and the other apostles “the keys of the kingdom.” This means that Peter will have the right to enter the kingdom himself, and preaching the gospel would be the means of opening the kingdom of heaven.

The Book of Acts shows us this process at work. By his sermon on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-40), Peter opened the door of the kingdom for the first time. The expressions “bind” and “loose” were common in Jewish legal phraseology, meaning to declare forbidden or to declare allowed.

Peter and the other disciples (see 18:18), were to continue on earth the work of Christ in preaching the gospel and declaring God’s will to men, and were armed with the same authority He Himself possessed.

Resurrection, doubt, and the commissioning of disciples

Title: The Profound Meaning in John 20

Introduction:

The 20th chapter of the Gospel of John holds significant theological and narrative importance. This essay aims to explore the depth and complexity of the various themes present in John 20, as revealed through the intelligent and comprehensive analysis.

Paragraph 1: The Resurrection of Jesus

John 20 begins by recounting the discovery of Jesus’ empty tomb by Mary Magdalene. This event symbolizes the resurrection, which is the central theme of the chapter. By exploring the historical and theological context, we can comprehend the transformative power of Jesus’ resurrection and its implications for humanity.

Paragraph 2: The Interaction between Mary Magdalene and Jesus

One of the most compelling scenes in John 20 involves Mary Magdalene mistaking Jesus for a gardener. This interaction, highlighting Mary’s profound devotion and the significance of recognizing Jesus, invites us to reflect on our own spiritual perception and the importance of recognizing divine presence.

Paragraph 3: The Experience of Doubting Thomas

The character of Thomas, who is doubtful about Jesus’ resurrection until physically encountering him, adds a layer of complexity to the narrative. This part prompts us to consider the genuine nature of faith and how doubt may serve as a catalyst for deeper belief.

Paragraph 4: The Relationship between Thomas and the Other Disciples

Thomas’ relationship with the other disciples serves as a case study for the importance of community and its role in strengthening faith. The scene where Jesus appears to the disciples, including Thomas, emphasizes the significance of fellowship and collective belief.

Paragraph 5: The Commissioning of the Disciples

In John 20, Jesus commissions his disciples to carry on his work, indicating a transformative shift from followers to active agents of spreading the Gospel. This passage prompts us to consider our own role in continuing Jesus’ ministry and the responsibilities that come with it.

Paragraph 6: The Power of Forgiveness

John 20 highlights the power of forgiveness through Jesus’ encounter with the disciples after his resurrection. By offering peace to his followers and empowering them to forgive as he has forgiven, Jesus advocates for reconciliation and demonstrates the transformative power of forgiveness.

Paragraph 7: The Presence of the Holy Spirit

The presence of the Holy Spirit also plays a significant role in John 20, as Jesus breathes on his disciples and grants them the Holy Spirit. This act foreshadows the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, emphasizing the divine presence and guidance bestowed upon believers.

Paragraph 8: The Evangelistic Purpose

Throughout John 20, the evangelistic purpose of the Gospel becomes evident. The narrative seeks to persuade its readers to believe in Jesus as the Son of God and encourages them to embrace a life of discipleship. This aspect prompts us to consider the persuasive power of written narratives and the role of personal testimony.

Paragraph 9: The Intertwining of Faith and Miracles

John 20 portrays a close connection between faith and miracles. The book suggests that believing involves encountering the miraculous. The cleansing power of John’s Gospel lies in prompting the reader to believe and in highlighting how faith can lead to profound encounters with the divine.

Conclusion:. This chapter explores various themes, such as the resurrection, doubt, community, forgiveness, and the commissioning of disciples, urging us to contemplate our own faith and its transformative potential. By delving into the rich meaning behind John 20, we can gain a deeper understanding of the Gospel and its teachings, which have significantly shaped Christian theology and spirituality.

Jesus sent two men for a donkey. He rode that donkey when he entered Jerusalem. As Jesus rode into the city people placed their cloaks on the ground in front of him. They celebrated, cheered, and waved palm branches as they cried out, “Hosanna!” The day after arriving in the city, Jesus went to the temple and found people buying and selling things there. He overturned tables and chased people away telling them it was wrong to be conducting business in the temple. The chief priests and scribes heard about this, but did nothing to Jesus at that point. They feared him.

Water baptism

1 Peter 3:21 “The figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save.us (not putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,”

Peter is teaching that 8 people were in the ark and went through the judgment unharmed, it is comparable to the Christian’s experience of salvation being in Christ, the ark of one’s salvation.

Baptism… By the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Peter is not teaching water baptism, but he is teaching a figurative into a union with Christ as an ark of safety from God’s judgment. Christ’s resurrection demonstrates God’s acceptance of Christ’s substitutionary death for the sins of those who believe ( Acts 2:30-31; Romans 1:4).

“Baptism doth also now save us”: does not mean water baptism is essential to salvation. It can’t wash away the “filth of the flesh,” Baptism is a testimony of one’s faith in the resurrection because it symbolizes our resurrection with Him.

To be sure nobody misunderstands him; Peter clearly says he is not talking about water baptism when he says ” Not putting away the filth of the flesh.”

Water baptism is the outward show of the death of the body and rising from the water into a new life with Christ our redeemer. The real baptism that will save us is the changing of the heart.