Two rocks and two churches
Peter had pleased the Lord Jesus and himself when he had said that Jesus is the Christ. Matthew tells us more:
Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
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.
So far, none of his followers saw things spiritually, they only saw in the natural. This was a breakthrough, for Simon heard from God and was able to see spiritually. Jesus honored him with a name Peter, Petra, a small rock. The apostles would be living stones adding to the foundation of the new church that would be built on the solid rock, Jesus, the Son of God, the chief cornerstone. Mat 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.
Jesus honored Simon with a name: Peter, Petros, a stone. The apostles would be living stones adding to the foundation of the new church that would be built on this rock, petra, a large stone, Jesus the solid rock, the chief cornerstone, the Son of God.
Was Peter the chief cornerstone? The rock that the church would be built on? The first pope? Hear his own words on this subject. He points to Jesus, not to himself, men fail, Jesus never failed.
1 Pet 2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
1 Pet 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
1 Pet 2:5 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.
1 Pet 2:6 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.
The church is not a building or an institution made by men, it is a spiritual church, built by Jesus.
Mat 16:19 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.
A spiritualchurch and with Holy Spirit power, Jesus shall build his church. This spiritual church shall have power and dominion, through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
Mark 8:31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
Jesus speaks the gospel, the way the church shall be made; through the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Peter could save no one, Jesus is our rock and our salvation.
Mark 8:32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.
Peter who had professed Jesus as the Christ now rebukes the Christ using his natural man's thoughts. He did not see the spiritual purpose in all that would happen through Jesus.
Mark 8:33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
Wow, from a high place of honor, Peter the rock, to being called satan. Peter and we, as we see and do things as a natural man or woman, often do not the things that honor God. We must see things with spiritual eyes, to understand and honor God, who is a Spirit and our Father.
I suppose one could see from this story that there is a natural church, one made by men, buildings made by man that may not even be doing God's will, but being all pious and religious. The end is hell and man supposedly getting them out of hell by works etc.
Then there is the spiritual church, not made with man's hands, but of our Lord Jesus Christ. The spiritual church is by faith in Jesus and no other. The end is everlasting life with Jesus. He is our salvation and our rock, our redeemer. The spiritual church receives God's grace and is led by the Word and His Spirit.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
We know we are saved, for we trust in Jesus Christ, not in man and traditions.
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