To Non-Catholics: Why Peter IS the Rock

[Andrew_Larkoski]

Why is Peter the Head Apostle, and thus the first Pope?

Matt. 16:18: “You are Peter and upon this rock I shall build my church . . .” Peter is the only apostle to be called “Rock” by Jesus. (“Rock” translated into Aramaic, Jesus’ native tongue, is Kepha. “Peter” in Aramaic is Kepha.)

Simon’s name was changed to Peter. This is a similar act as God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, or Jacob’s name to Israel. A change in name meant a change in vocation; Simon was no longer a fisher, Peter is the head disciple of Christ.

Peter’s name appears first in every Scriptural listing of the names of the apostles (although he was not the first called).

Peter is mentioned by name more than any other apostle in the New Testament (182 times). Second is John (34 times).

Peter is the only apostle prayed for by Christ that his “own faith may not fail.” (Luke 22:31-32) Christ then says “you must strengthen your brothers.”

Luke 24:34 and 1 Cor 15:5 show that the first apostle Christ appeared to after His Resurrection was Peter.

These are just a few of many examples of the primacy of Peter.

 

[SPOKENWORD]

Andrew Larkoski:

Why is Peter the Head Apostle, and thus the first Pope?

Matt. 16:18: “You are Peter and upon this rock I shall build my church . . .” Peter is the only apostle to be called “Rock” by Jesus. (“Rock” translated into Aramaic, Jesus’ native tongue, is Kepha. “Peter” in Aramaic is Kepha.)

Simon’s name was changed to Peter. This is a similar act as God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, or Jacob’s name to Israel. A change in name meant a change in vocation; Simon was no longer a fisher, Peter is the head disciple of Christ.

Peter’s name appears first in every Scriptural listing of the names of the apostles (although he was not the first called).

Peter is mentioned by name more than any other apostle in the New Testament (182 times). Second is John (34 times).

Peter is the only apostle prayed for by Christ that his “own faith may not fail.” (Luke 22:31-32) Christ then says “you must strengthen your brothers.”

Luke 24:34 and 1 Cor 15:5 show that the first apostle Christ appeared to after His Resurrection was Peter.

These are just a few of many examples of the primacy of Peter.

Jesus is still our firm foundation. Peter helps to build on that foundation.

 

[jimmy]

SPOKENWORD:

Jesus is still our firm foundation. Peter helps to build on that foundation.

You are correct, Jesus is the foundation. But Peter is still the leader.

 

[space_ghost]

I would offer to the non-catholic the very same thing that is offered to me… it’s in the bible…, and not only is it in the bible, it’s traditional, and logical… To the Bible christian, (and that’s a healthly 95% of them)… the “it’s in the Bible reference” is not only true but fair…

 

[SPOKENWORD]

space ghost:

I would offer to the non-catholic the very same thing that is offered to me… it’s in the bible…, and not only is it in the bible, it’s traditional, and logical… To the Bible christian, (and that’s a healthly 95% of them)… the “it’s in the Bible reference” is not only true but fair…

No question about being in the bible. The question is what did Jesus mean when He said it. Rock=firm ,hard, stone,ect?

 

[The_Barrister]

SPOKENWORD:

No question about being in the bible. The question is what did Jesus mean when He said it. Rock=firm ,hard, stone,ect?

Why do non-Catholic “bible Christians” always insist on interpretations that make Jesus into nothing more than a clever riddler? When Jesus spoke in parables, it was a means of teaching. Otherwise, He spoke His mind, directly and unequivocally, particularly when giving instructions to the shepherds He was sending among His flock. Jesus could not risk being misunderstood.

Occam’s Razor is the proper approach to Jesus’ words - that is, do not make more assumptions that the minimum necessary to understand Him.

So the answer to your question is - He meant what He said. He built upon Peter a Church to stand the test of time, not a building or a loose collection of beliefs constructed on the shifting sands of personal revelation.

 

[space_ghost]

SPOKENWORD:

No question about being in the bible. The question is what did Jesus mean when He said it. Rock=firm ,hard, stone,ect?

“I” believe he did… first, i don’t think Jesus was given to idle pratter, i believe he meant what he said… after all, he let desicples walk away when he said his flesh was true food and his blood true drink… I would never subscribe to the tenet that he would unintentionally misguide anyone and we both know he wouldn’t intentionally… The apologist say Christ spoke Aramaic and that the correct interpretaion for Rock was Kepha (Rock)… i have never understood the defense that Christ meant something with the infeminine use of the greek intrepretation of Rock… Smoke and mirrors by those who have to support their case, because to believe otherwise, would put them right back in Rome…

 

[SPOKENWORD]

“I” believe he did… first, i don’t think Jesus was given to idle pratter, i believe he meant what he said… after all, he let desicples walk away when he said his flesh was true food and his blood true drink… I would never subscribe to the tenet that he would unintentionally misguide anyone and we both know he wouldn’t intentionally… The apologist say Christ spoke Aramaic and that the correct interpretaion for Rock was Kepha (Rock)… i have never understood the defense that Christ meant something with the infeminine use of the greek intrepretation of Rock… Smoke and mirrors by those who have to support their case, because to believe otherwise, would put them right back in Rome…

I have no problem with peter being a rock,the fact is that Jesus is the firm foundation. Peter builds on the Lords foundation.Enough said.

 

[Shibboleth]

I always find this conversation interesting. I think that stones are mentioned in the Bible somewhere around 175 times. One of my favorites is Genesis 28.

18: So Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on its top.

22: “This stone, which I have set up as a pillar, will be God’s house.”

 

[jimmy]

If you look through Acts, you can see that Peter is the leader of the apostles.

These are the other important apostles.

John the apostle is only mentioned about 5 or 6 times in all of acts. These are as part of a list or as being with Peter or being the brother of James.
James is only mentioned 3 times in all of Acts. One is his martyrdom, one is in the list in chapter 1 and 1 is at the council of Jerusalem.
Andrew the brother of Peter is only mentioned in the list in chapter 1.

Peter is listed first in the list of the apostles in chapter 1.
It is Peter who leads the choosing of a successor to Judas in chap.1.
It is Peter who speaks on Pentacost
it is Peter who speaks when they are arrested and taken before the sanhedrin.
It is Peter who is released twice by the angel of the lord from prison. James is not released, neither is Stephan. Who are both martyred. It is clear that Peter is looked upon here as an important figure by God in the transmission of his word.
The towns people wish to have Peters shadow cross over the sick for healing.
It is Peter who makes the decision that circumcision is not necisary.
It is Peter who Cornelius is sent to.
Peter raises Tabitha from the dead.
He healed Aeneas.
It is Peter who questions Ananias and Saphira about the property they sold.
There are many more but you probably get my point.

 

[nordskoven]

God was called “rock.” Abram was renamed “Abraham,” father of a multitude, and was called “rock.” Peter was named Rock by Jesus Christ the first time He laid eyes on him. ROCK ON!

 

[Peg]

The claim that it is Jesus who is the foundation and not Peter is like so many Catholic/Protestant debates. It is Jesus primarily and Peter and all the apostles, the bishops, the priests and all the faithful. Each to different degrees.
Eph. 2:19-20 “…household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and the prophets…”

 

[Fr_Ambrose]

I posted this today in another dfiscussion but it is appropriate here too.

missionstclare.com/english/people/jun29o.html

Take a quick read of this sermon by Saint Augustine. He is quite a way from the modern Roman Catholic teaching re: Peter and the Rock, Peter and the Keys, Peter and the “Feed my sheep” – all used now to bolster claims of papal authority. When dealing with these “petrine passages” Augustine holds to the interpretation of the early Church, pretty much the same as the Orthodox interpretation of today.

 

[SPOKENWORD]

Peg:

The claim that it is Jesus who is the foundation and not Peter is like so many Catholic/Protestant debates. It is Jesus primarily and Peter and all the apostles, the bishops, the priests and all the faithful. Each to different degrees.
Eph. 2:19-20 “…household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and the prophets…”

In reading it in its entire context we see that Jesus is the capstone. We as christians form that building. We are the temple of the living God.Christ lives and dwells in us.

 

[jimmy]

SPOKENWORD:

In reading it in its entire context we see that Jesus is the capstone. We as christians form that building. We are the temple of the living God.Christ lives and dwells in us.

True, that is one reason why you have to live your life like you are a Christian and why works are prosperous. But you also must regard what Peter says because it is the word of God.

 

[SPOKENWORD]

jimmy:

True, that is one reason why you have to live your life like you are a Christian and why works are prosperous. But you also must regard what Peter says because it is the word of God.

Jimmy.AMEN, Works in our life are the signs of Gods love. Thank God for His Grace.

 

[latisha1903]

Christ IS the rock…

its HIS church, HE died for it, HE purchased it with HIS blood, so why would he make Peter the rock?

I Corinthians 1:12-13

I Corinthians 3:11…Christ is THE foundation…which makes him the rock…

thats my two cents…and i’m sticking to it…

Peter = Petros (detatched stone)
Rock = Petra (Bedrock)

 

[AmandaPS]

latisha1903:

Peter = Petros (detatched stone)
Rock = Petra (Bedrock)

But Jesus did not rename Simon as Petros. He renamed Simon as Cephas. Would you rather the writers give him a woman’s name?

 

[Ken]

Was Matthew the only Gospel that found Peter’s position important enough to mention?

 

[latisha1903]

Paul is clear in 1 Corinthians 3:11 “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” We can’t look to a mere human being as the foundation of the Christian church! “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” (Psalm 118:8). Like David said, “The Lord is my rock” (Psalm 18:2) “And who is a rock, except our God?” (Psalm 18:31).

Peter was not “rock solid” at this point in time. If we read on in Matthew 16, just a few verses after Jesus spoke of the rock, we find Christ rebuking Peter for trying to hinder His ministry: “But He turned and said to Peter, Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matthew 16:23) Later, it was Peter who denied three times that he even knew Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75). So he obviously had some growing to do in his relationship with the Lord, and Jesus knew that (Luke 22:31-32).

"Matt. 16:18 … does not say that Christ made Peter the head of His Church. What does it say?
"The key to understanding this scripture lies in the correct translation of the Greek words here rendered ‘Peter’ and ‘rock.’

"The Greek word translated ‘Peter’ is petros meaning meaning pebble or small stone.

"The Greek word translated ‘rock’ is petra meaning a big rock or huge boulder.

"Christ said He would build His Church on the rock, not Peter the pebble. Christ is the Rock (I Cor. 10:4). He is also the Chief Cornerstone, upon which the Church is built (Eph. 2:20).

“Peter was not even the chief apostle at Jerusalem. Read and study Acts 15:1-19. Here was a Ministerial Conference (verse 6). Peter rose up to make his point (verse 7). But it was James, the physical brother of Jesus Christ, who made the final decision (verses 13-19). James was the chief apostle, not Peter.”