Melecio B. Gasmen jr.

Mini Exegesis Paper

Topic: “Petros” or “Petra”?

Key text: Matthew 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.
Introduction:
One of the most crucial and argumentative texts in the Bible has been, to whom Jesus
Christ committed the key of heaven was it to petros or to The Rock which is Petra? Jesus says:
And upon this Rock I will build my church. The Rock there in Greek word is “Petra.” Meaning
Jesus had established His church upon the Rock and that Rock is Jesus.The Roman Catholic
Church claims Peter was the first Pope, the successor of Christ.They say he is therefore Christ’s
vicar and the visible and infallible head of the church, having power and authority over all the
other Apostles and the entire church. Catholic leaders also claim That Christ built His Church
upon Peter and gave him the keys to unlock and close the kingdom of heaven and hell to anyone
as he chose. They assert that the Popes in past history up to the present are Peter’s successors,
and have the same power of the keys. These far reaching claims are based on the verses found in
Matthew 16:18,19. Let us make a careful and critical examination of these verses and see what
Jesus said and what He actually meant. Beause there have been deep explanations regarding the
interpretation of these verses. Here is the text: “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my
church;and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the
kingdom of heaven be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound
in heaven.”
The new testament was originally written in the Greek, from which the Latin, English
and other versions were translated. According to the Greek text we will find that the word Peter
and the word Rock on which Christ was to build His Church are two separate and distinct words,
each having a different meaning. The word Peter , petros which mean “a piece of rock; a stone; a
single stone; movable, insecure, shifting, or rolling.” The word rock is Petra, which means a
rock; a cliff; a projecting rock; mother rock; huge mass; solid formation; fixed; immovable; Now
the question is, on which of the two petros or petra, did Christ established His church? Was it on
petros, a movable stone, or petra, an immovable rock? We go back to the text again: “I say also
unto thee [to Peter], That thou art Peter [petros, masculine gender], and upon this rock [petra
feminine gender] I will build My Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
(Matthew 16:118). The text indicates clearly that the church of Christ is built on petra and not on
petros. Theologically clear, who is this petra or rock on which Christ built His true church? Let
the Holy Bible again give the answer. Surely and of course the Holy Bible again give the
concrete answer aunthentically. “ They drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and the
Rock [petra, in the Greek] was Christ.” {Ephesians 2:20). “He is the Rock His work is perfect”
{Deuteronomy 32:4;2 Samuel 22:2-3} ( Douay, 2Kings 22:2-3). I f Peter is the rock on which
Christ was to build His church, Peter could not be overcome and the gates of hell could not
prevail against him. But the fact is that he was overcome, and he the gates of hell did prevail
against him. Didn’t he deny his Lord? This was after Christ told him that the rock was not to be
overcome. Jesus told Peter to one occasion: “Get thee behind Me, Satan: thou art an offense unto
Me: for thou savourest not the things be of God, but those that be of men” (Matthew 16:23).
Peter himself gives the answer as to who the rock is. He says Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the
living God” (Matthew 16:16). Again speaking of Christ, he says: This is the stone which was set
at nought of you builders” (Acts 4: 10-11); so Christ, the Son of God, must be the Rock on which
God build His church.; If Jesus would have built His church on Peter, petros, He would have
said: Thou art petros, and upon this petros [or upon it] I will build My church,” but such is not
the case. He plainly says: Thou art Petros, and upon this petra I will build my church.’ paul tells
us that the petra is Christ He also say, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid,
which is Jesus Christ. Thus, Peter and Paul agreed that Christ is the Rock.
In The book of Apostle Matthew,when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He
asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some
say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the Prophets.” He said to them,
but who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of
the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and
blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father Who is in heaven. And I say to you that you are
Peter and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not not prevail against
it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will
be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16:13-
19). The Roman Catholic Church has strongly believed that the one whom Jesus Christ addressed
this authority was to Peter, but according to Bible Commentary written by Ellen G. White says,
The word “Peter” signifies a loose stone. Christ did not refer to Peter as being the Rock upon
which He would found His church. His expression this “Rock,” applied to Himself as the
foundation of the Christian church (The Sign Of The Times, October 28, 1913). 5BC 1095.2. So,
The Biblical interpretation of this text is very concrete in a sense of using the Bible Commentary.
Not only that even in the old Testament the Rock that Moses had stricken was Jesus. There had
been many experiences in the old Testament the that Rock was mentioned by Moses himself. For
instance, in Deuteronomy 32:4 It says that He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all His ways
are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He. Meaning, that the Rock
that Jesus mentioned in the book of Matthew was Jesus the Savior of the world. And the Rock
that king David had sung was the rock of all ages. David sings in Psalm 28:1 Unto thee will I cry,
oh Lord my Rock; be not silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit. Even king
David and not only him but also the Patriarchs and Prophets testified of the Rock that which was
the Lord. In the old testament times there has been already Rock, for them it is their footrest in
times of their troubles. Amidst the hardships on their lives, there is someone whom they can trust
cheerfully and gladly. Apostle Paul affirmed the veracity of the spoken word about the Rock that
no other than Jesus who possesses that Title. Theologically, the Rock is Jesus and and His
authority was not transferred to Peter and eventually to Pope.
 Christ gave no Ecclesiastical right to forgive sin, nor to sell indulgences, that men may sin
without incurring the displeasure of God, nor did He give His servants liberty to accept a gift or
bribe for cloaking sin, that it may escape merited censure, Jesus charged His disciples to preach
the remission of sin in His name among all nations; but they themselves were not empowered to
remove one stain of sin from the children of Adam… Whoever would attract the people to
himself as one in whom is invested power to forgive sins, incurs the wrath of God, for he turns
souls away from the heavenly Pardoner to a weak and erring mortal (The Spirit of
Prophecy3:245,246). 5BC1151.2. The word Petros is a Greek word which means “Rock.” It is
derived directly from Greek Petros ( an invented, masculine form of Greek Petra, the word for
rock or stone). It denotes the corner foundation of a house that supports and makes the house
immovable, though the wind and rain will strike it, still remains stable in all its corners. A rock
is a symbol of stability, permanence strength dependability and steadfastness. A rock stresses the
unchanging nature of God, in contrast to the fickle and unstable nature of Israel. A rock stresses
the faithfulness of God, unlike ùnstable of human beings.But King David says, the Lord is my
rock, my fortress and deliverer; my God my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the
horn of my salvation, and my high tower ( Psalm 18:2). My God is my rock, in whom I take
refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord who is
worth of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. The course of death entangled me; the torrents
of destruction overwhelmed me. These are the songs of King David in order to testify that God is
liken to the rock. David uses figurative of speech by using Rock to emphasize the attribute of
God. Theologically, and in a way of using a Grammar, if we look at and observe the first
sentence of Jesus to Peter, when Jesus says, 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 (Matthew
16:18). We can notice here that Jesus was talking to Peter, that Jesus would build His church
upon the Rock. Meaning that there was a rock beside them or maybe in front of them to which
Jesus had talked about. Symbolically, Jesus uttered the address figuratively to a rock not to Peter.
The Rock was the subject of Jesus on which he had built His Church. As I have observed the
sentence or the word of Jesus, it seemed there was an actual rock beside or in front of the of
them where Jesus and Peter talked with each other. According to the text it was not to Peter be
given an authority and be built a church by Jesus, but for the Rock who is Jesus.
Furthermore, is the Church built on Petros or Petra? The answer is, it was built on Petra
the immovable Rock. Immovable means, not moving or intended to be moved. I can say that the
parable of Jesus in (Matthew 7:24) is very concrete in terms of firmness of the foundation. It
says; “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto
a wise man,which built his house upon a rock.” So, when someone does the word of Jesus he/she
is liken a wise person that built his or her house upon the rock. We are to be firm because of the
foundation that made us strong. And the rain descended, and the floods came , and the winds
blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. (Matthew
7:25).Contrary to the Petros that is human in nature and mortal like us. The Pope whom they
believed and admitted that he was the successor of Peter has been mortal like us, and we can not
trust him as a Rock of all ages.Thus saith the LORD; curse be the man that trusteth in man, and
maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.(Jer. 17:5). Logically, Peter
means petros is not the foundation of the church of the LORD, but Jesus alone, and no one can
refute this concreteness of the foundation which is Petra.
According to Master’s Seminary Blog, Doctrine, Discourse, Doxology says, entitled
Upon This Rock by Nathan Buzenitz, that in Matthew 16:18 Jesus said to Simon, “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
over power it.” Roman Catholic interpret Matthew 16:18 to mean that Peter is the rock upon
which the church is built. That interpretation becomes the basis for the doctrine of Papal
succession. If Peter is the rock on which the church is built; and if the bishops of Rome are
Peter’s successors, then it follows they say, that the Papacy remains the foundation of the church.
But that is not at all what Matthew 16:18 teaches.
The name Peter was a nickname given to Simon by Jesus, all the way back in John 1:42when
Peter met Jesus. Coming from the Greek word petros (or the Aramaic word “Cephas”), that Peter
means “Rock” or “Stone.” To use an English equivalent, Peter means “Rocky.” Those terms may
sound similar, but ancient Greek literature shows that they actually refer to two different things.
Petros was use to signify a small stone.; petra, by contrast, referred to bedrock or a large
foundation boulder (cf. Matthew &:24-25). To paraphrase Jesus words, the Lord told Peter, I say
to you that you are small stone, upon this bedrock I will build My church. It was a play on words
that made a significant spiritual point. What when the bedrock to which Jesus was referring? Of
course to Petra, the big Rock. Peter was just a small stone built atop the bedrock of something
much bigger than himself: namely, the truth of Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God. Put
simply, Peter was not the rock; Christ is the Rock. And as Peter and the other Apostles testified to
the truth about Christ ( which Peter did in verse 16), the church was built upon its only sure
foundation.
In 1 Corinthians 3:11, Paul wrote “no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid,
which is Jesus. In Ephesians 2:2, Paul further explained that Jesus Christ the corner Stone on
which the church is founded by the Apostle. Even Peter himself, in 1 Peter 2:1-10 compared all
believers to small stones that part of the superstructure of the church. By contrast, Peter noted in
vv. 6,7, the Lord Jesus is the corner stone n which the church is built. Peter said the same thing to
the Jewish leaders in Acts 4:10,11.Speaking of Jesus, Peter proclaimed: Be it known unto you
all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye
crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you
whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the
corner. Interestingly, even Paul affirmed that Jesus Christ was the corner Stone that the builders
of the house had used it as a strong foundation, and he metaphorically likened it.
In addition, we see the Roman Catholic understanding of Matthew 16:18 falls short ao at lest
four levels:
1) Grammatically, it does not account for the lexical distinction between petros (Peter) and petra
(rock).
2) Contextually, it makes Peter the focal point of Matthew of Matthew 16, when he text is clesr
featuring truth about Jesus.
3) Theologically, it tries to make Peter the rock when the rest of the New Testament and even in
the Old Testament declare Christ to be the Rock.
4) Historically, the roman Catholic view is not the patristic view of the first centuries.
Jesus Christ is the “Rock” of Ages, He alone can signify the concreteness of the Rock. One of
Moses’ songs/poem was written in the last days of his life. It id recorded in the book of
Deuteronomy (34:1-43) , the fifth book of Moses. Those words were delivered to an assembled
Israelite gathering, just prior to Moses’ death on mount Nebo.” (Deut. 32:3), Moses began to
ascribe “greatness of our Lord.” The Rock of ages was thus defined as an “unfailing source of
strength” for the Lord is everlasting strength (Isa. 26:4). King David said, the Lord was his rock,
his fortress, deliverer, and strength, shield, stronghold, and the horn of his salvation (Psalm18:2).
Who I God, but the Lord? Who is Rock, except our God? (Psalm18:31; 18:2) God is our Rock as
referred to in (Deuteronomy32:4). This is the first time He is called a Rock in the Old Testament
Scripture. This expression gives meaning to His Divine power, faithfulness and love. He is
immutable, immovable, and to all who run to Him, a shelter and to all who trust in Him, an
everlasting foundation. The same is denoted regarding Christ Jesus in the gospel. Such a
foundation that is stable and sure - of such cannot be changed, altered or moved. A foundation by
which we may (1.) build our hope, (2.) be protected and find refuge in time of trouble, (3.) our
fortress from enemies. He is to be praised, for He our strong tower (Proverbs 18:10), providing
support and help during difficult times.
God’s work is perfect , (Deut. 34:4) which is evident in creation (Gen. 1:1-31) God is to be
recognized as our Creator. He rules and protects His creation. We Him as eternal and in control
of the world.. He created in His image , and we are valuable in His eyes. It is His will that we
become like His son Jesus Christ by the power of indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Everything in
creation was regulated by His wisdom wherein was no error. Every created thing was subjected
to God’s timing and order. Even God’s redemptive and salvation plan is complete--needing no
mending. In Psalm 19, creation is pictured. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the
firmament shows His handiwork (Deut.19:11). All of God’s ways are just and righteous.
Everything He does is right. Being right is ascribed to His sovereign character. God has the
supreme authority to provide, judgment, always rewarding good and punishing evil. He is also a
God of truth- His word, we can rely on. God is faithful to His promises. He cannot lie (Numbers
23:19) Our God is without iniquity.He never wronged anyone who appealed to His justice- and
He gives a just reward. Whatever man earns, is His just reward. Moses has painted a picture of
God who is just and right. For, He will recompense all those who served or suffered for
Him.Hallelujah to the “Rock” of ages. He is Petra, the Solid “ Rock.”