Is Matthew 16:18 referring to a specific Church?

[yogosans14]

Or the Body of Born Again Believers?

I see this being debated between Protestants and Catholics a lot.

Personally I dont know but I do believe that God wants us to be unified in ONE Church and not 30,000 different Churches.

 

[snarflemike]

It refers to the one Church built on Peter. You are right that Jesus was very explicit in desiring unity, not this insane level of division we have today.

 

[DavidFilmer]

It refers to the only Christian Church there was until the Sixteenth Century - the Catholic Church.

 

[josephback]

I have a great book on the Church called “The Church of Christ” by E. Sylvester Berry. It’s an older book but has more recent printings and systematically lays out and answers the objections to Catholic teaching. Here’s what it says:

1. The Promise. “Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church.” In these words our Lord promises to establish a Church, and the promise is absolute; it’s fulfillment is subject to no condition whatsoever. The very name church (ecclesia) indicates a society. Moreover, Christ uses the word build, thus comparing His Church to an edifice in which parts are joined to parts and so ordered that a completed structure rises from the foundations. Thus also shall it be with the Church: the faithful shall be built up into a spiritual house. In a word, the Church which Christ establishes shall be a true society of men amongst men.

 

[josephback]

It goes on to deal with Christ delegating authority to the Apostles as leaders of this Church, etc…

 

[Jaysuitical]

This afternoon, I heard Fulton J. Sheen’s discussion of this on the “Life is Worth Living” broadcast. I assume the podcast can be found on the St. Joseph Communication’s podcast page saintjoepodcast.com/2012/04/24/archbishop-fulton-j-sheen-and-the-philosophy-of-life.aspx

 

[yogosans14]

It refers to the only Christian Church there was until the Sixteenth Century - the Catholic Church.

Thanks, but what about Eastern Orthodox?

 

[josephback]

Thanks, but what about Eastern Orthodox?

Other communities existed and have existed, but they fall under the schisms and heresies section. The Eastern Orthodox, while more or less keeping the faith, reject the Pope’s universal jurisdiction and because adherence to Rome is the source and center of the bishop’s unity (look up St. Cyprian and a work called ‘the unity of the Church’) they put themselves in schism.

 

[Simpleton]

Or the Body of Born Again Believers?

I see this being debated between Protestants and Catholics a lot.

Personally I dont know but I do believe that God wants us to be unified in ONE Church and not 30,000 different Churches.

From what I know the Church is one and visible. If it’s not then the instruction given by Christ in Matthew 18:17 is going to be kind of hard to carry out.