Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 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. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
The word ROCK in the above verse is defined as:
UPON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH Strong's: 4073. petra, pet'-ra; fem. of the same as G4074; a (mass of) rock (lit. or fig.):--rock.
This word comes from the following word:
Strong's: 4074. Petros, pet'-ros; appar. a prim. word; a (piece of) rock (larger than G3037); as a name, Petrus, an apostle:--Peter, rock. Comp. G2786.
The controversy at the moment is whether this ROCK is Jesus or Peter. It is Jesus, and Peter himself testifies to it very clearly in Scripture: Jesus is the ROCK on which He will build His Church:
1 Pet 2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a ROCK OF OFFENCE, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Here the phrase ROCK of offence refers to Jesus alone, otherwise Peter would be preaching himself, just as Catholics preach Peter instead of Jesus. Notice the word used in reference to Jesus:
ROCK of offence: Strong's: 4073. petra, pet'-ra; fem. of the same as G4074; a (mass of) rock (lit. or fig.):--rock.
This word comes from the following word:
Strong's: 4074. Petros, pet'-ros; appar. a prim. word; a (piece of) rock (larger than G3037); as a name, Petrus, an apostle:--Peter, rock. Comp. G2786.
Look at them together:
Matthew 16:17-20: ROCKROCK Strong's: 4073. petra, pet'-ra; fem. of the same as G4074; a (mass of) rock (lit. or fig.):--rock.
ROCK Strong's: 4074. Petros, pet'-ros; appar. a prim. word; a (piece of) rock (larger than G3037); as a name, Petrus, an apostle:--Peter, rock. Comp. G2786.
1 Peter 2:3-10: ROCK
ROCK of offence: Strong's: 4073. petra, pet'-ra; fem. of the same as G4074; a (mass of) rock (lit. or fig.):--rock.
ROCK Strong's: 4074. Petros, pet'-ros; appar. a prim. word; a (piece of) rock (larger than G3037); as a name, Petrus, an apostle:--Peter, rock. Comp. G2786.
It appears to me that seeing Peter as the rock on which Jesus would build His church indicates that Jesus is an offence to those who profess this. At least, that is what the Scriptures say:
John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 41 I receive not honour from men. 42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. 43 I AM COME IN MY FATHER'S NAME, AND YE RECEIVE ME NOT: IF ANOTHER SHALL COME IN HIS OWN NAME, HIM YE WILL RECEIVE.
