This thought a post made by another member on the forum I own. I do not want to offend anyone on here but I do think it is a valid thread.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Matthew 16:18
"I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
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Catholics believe this to be saying Jesus was going to build his church upon Peter. They believe Peter was the first pope and that the entire church was built on him.
I do not believe this to be the case. I feel this is a misinterpretation. Here is why:
To have a church be built on you means you are acting as a foundation. This would make Peter the foundation for the Church to be built on.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Acts 4:11
He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone.
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Peter is speaking of Jesus. This is also referenced in Psalm 118:22.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by 1 Corinthians 3:11
For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
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How can Peter be a foundation if Jesus is already the foundation. The Bible says no other can be laid because Christ is
already the foundation. It does not say Christ will lay one. It says Christ
is it.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Ephesians 2:20
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,
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This verse would lead us to believe the Peter
could be the foundation. The problem is that 1 Corinthians 3:11 says there is no other foundation other than Christ. That means either Scripture is contradicting itself or one of them is being taken out of context. I fully believe the apostles and prophets were not the foundation. Rather, I believe they had foundational roles in the initial building of the church. Also, if you believe it to support Peter as a foundation then you must concede that all the apostles and prophets were the first popes together as it could not say all of them and only mean Peter.
Peter (Petros) means a small stone. The word used for "rock" is petra. This means a large rock or foundation. I believe the passage to be nothing more than Jesus formally addressing Peter and then telling his plan.
Jesus addresses Peter. Jesus then tells Peter that he (Jesus) is the foundation upon which the Church will be built. Because Peter believes, he will be given access to Heaven. I do not believe Peter is the bouncer standing at the gates (as is believed by many). I believe when it says he is given the keys to Heaven, Christ is saying he is granted access to Heaven (along with all other believers).
Anyway, that is my take on the whole thing. I'd love to hear any feedback/agreements/disagreements/comments/etc.
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