Dearly beloved, we proclaim to you the glad tidings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This being my first article on this platform I am led to share this particular message to you brethren: “Christ the Rock.” It is of no doubt that everything on earth has a starting point or what is best known as the beginning, even our faith in Christ.
It is not a coincidence that we are Christians today because at one point we all believed the message of Christ which is the Gospel.
We were born again, saved, regenerated and even adopted into the family of Christ what a privilege for us to be counted and known as children of God. For those who probably are not yet born again during the time of reading this article I use this opportunity to testify about the Lord Jesus Christ to you! What a treasure you are missing!
The Foundation and Beginning of our Faith
The Church of our Lord Jesus Christ has a beginning, as does its foundation. In this article, we will contextually consider what the scriptures speak concerning the foundation of our Faith. Please follow closely as we examine the following scriptures
Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 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.
In the scripture verses mentioned above, Jesus is conversing with his disciples. During their conversation, Jesus asked his disciples about what people think of him and also what they think of him.
Now my emphasis is on the response which Simon Peter gave “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God”.
Remember I said we were going to critically analyse the scriptures on this matter, consider the choice of words used by Simon Peter while testifying of Jesus, why was Jesus identified as the Christ and also as the Son of the living God? Remember, the question Jesus asked was not “what is my name?” but “Who do you say I am?” This literally translates to “Who am I?”
If you are a student of the bible you would have noticed that in the New Testament books Jesus is often referred to in several ways, some of which are; Christ Jesus, Jesus Christ, Christ and also Jesus. There are definitely other names attributed to Jesus such as Messiah, Lord, Son of David and so on. In this article we shall be examining the first four because of our subject topic.
Wherever you read your Bible and encounter the word ‘Christ Jesus‘ or ‘Christ,’ it speaks to the administration which was set up by the wisdom of God through the Death, Burial and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. In biblical theology we understand that Christ is not just a name but a place Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The above scripture didn’t say at the mention of the name, it rather said at the name of Jesus every knee should bow! Hallelujah, the book of Proverbs 18:10 says “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: The righteous runneth into it, and is safe”.
The Christ as proclaimed by Simeon Peter refers to the divine administration which was setup by Yahweh where we receive salvation, forgiveness of sins, safety, healing and even all that pertains to life and Godliness. 2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.
It is because of this divine foreknowledge of Yahweh that we can be saved today, the Lord Jesus do not need to die on the cross again and shed blood whenever a sinner one’s to repent so that his sins can be forgiven, absolutely not! Forgiveness of sins is available in this administration called ‘The Christ,’ through which today we can access forgiveness of sins and also Eternal Life by believing in Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.
Ephesians 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
So from scriptural references we can see and understand the choice of words used by Simon Peter in speaking of who Jesus was, remember that Peter’s answer was inspired by Yahweh “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”.
Whenever you encounter the word ‘Christ Jesus‘ or ‘Christ‘ in biblical passages, it refers to the administration, authority, or place established by God through the work of Jesus. This was set up by the wisdom of Yahweh for the glory of His name. In contrast, whenever you see ‘Jesus’ or ‘Jesus Christ’ used in biblical passages, it generally refers to Jesus as an individual, emphasizing his human nature.
It is critical to understand the choice of words been used in the passages as it would help us in understanding the verse 18 of Matthew 16 which we shall be discussing in our next heading.
Christ The Rock
The verse 18 of Matthew 16 is where we see Jesus make a plain statement as to where the Church is built on or the foundation of the church today. Jesus told Peter ’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’.
What is the ‘rock’ that our Lord Jesus speaks about, upon which the Church is built? This verse has often been misinterpreted by many people, leading them to believe that the Church was built upon Simon Peter. However, this interpretation is incorrect, as Simon Peter was a mortal man who died and went to be with the Lord. So, what is the true foundation of the Church that Jesus spoke about? Let’s explore this question together
For us to properly understand the rock which Christ spoke about we will have to get a perspective from the Greek lexicon and see what the word “rock” and the name “Peter” was written in the original Greek.
From the Greek lexicon the word rock was written as “Petra” while the word Peter was written as “Petros“. Petros is a shifting, rolling, or insecure stone, while Petra is a solid, immovable rock.
Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
From scriptures we know for sure that Christ is the Rock which the Church is built on and that Rock is immovable and never rolls.
