-The big Rock, a little rock, and the church-

Last week we learned that having at least two people present is a guideline for church discipline and not Wednesday night prayer service. Now let’s go back in the book of Matthew to chapter 16 and look at another verse that is often misunderstood.

Jesus says, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:18

This verse is full of interpretation gems that are based in the original Greek text. To start, let’s look at the first part of the verse. Jesus looks at Peter and says that you are “Petros”. Peter’s name translates into “rock.” However, a further look at the Greek language will show that “Petros” really means “small rock, pebble, or stone.” Another thing to remember is that after Peter’s name, we see an “and” in the English Bible. The “and” in English is “kai” in Greek. Again, with further study, “kai” can be translated “and, but, even, or also.”

Then we come to the second phrase of the verse: “And on this rock I will build my church.” Some denominations believe that here Jesus officially appoints Peter to be the head of the church. However, the full scope of biblical teaching shows that Christ is the head of the church (most noted is the passage describing the members of the church as parts of the body, with Christ being the head.) So they can’t be both, can they?

Let’s take a look at the second “rock.” The second rock is petras (note the difference in the first rock, Petros). With the first meaning being “small rock or pebble”, the second means “large rock, large stone, or bedrock.” Because we do not speak the Greek language, there are certain cultural nuances that slip through the cracks. This is one of them. Possibly another translation of the verse could help us grasp its meaning.

Jesus says, "I tell you that you are the (little rock), (but) on this (big rock/foundation) I will build my church."

Jesus may have pointed inward or tapped on his own chest as he referred to himself as being the foundation on which the church would be built on. He was giving credit to who Peter was and what the apostle was going to accomplish in the local church (read the first 11 chapters of Acts). However, Jesus was also setting the record straight about who the most important figure of Christianity and the New Testament church really was.

So even though Peter and Paul played an important part in the building of the early church after the resurrection of Christ, let’s be sure to set the record straight. Peter - and all the rest of us who have come after him - are only small pebbles compared to the foundational importance of Jesus Christ in the early New Testament church, as well as the church today.

Next, let’s look at the last part of this verse and really focus in on the image that Jesus is trying to show when he says "the gates of hell."