The first issue Paul raised with Corinthian brethren was the “party spirit” which led to divisions among them (1 Corinthians 1:10-15). He returned to the root of that problem in the fourth chapter when he charged them with carnality, immaturity, and being babes instead of mature Christians (1 Corinthians 3:2-4). The proof of his charges is seen in that some said, “I am of Paul” or “I am of Apollos.” He reminded them that he and Apollos were only ministers of God, each accomplishing what God had fitted them for: Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
As the two men worked as God’s fellow-workers, the church there was God’s husbandry (plowed ground) and building. Paul had laid the foundation of the building (church) in Corinth; now others built on that foundation and Paul’s warning was this: “Let man take heed how he built thereon.” Those who built on the foundation Paul had laid were to constantly remember that they could not lay a foundation different from that which had already been laid: Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11).
Paul reaffirmed in this statement what Jesus had affirmed of Himself. He had chosen 12 apostles to walk with Him, listen to Him, and see, through the miracles he worked, that His words were true (John 20:30-31). As He drew near the conclusion of His personal ministry, He questioned the apostles to see what they had grasped from listening to His words and seeing His miracles.
He asked them, “Who do men say that I, the son of man is?” (Matthew 16:13). The apostles gave the various opinions that men expressed about Jesus. Some said Jesus was John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets (Matthew 16:14). Then Jesus asked the critical question, “But who say ye that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). Peter’s response was immediate: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Matthew 16:16). Peter’s answer contained two truths: Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah or Anointed One, and that He was the Son of the Living God — a bold statement but a startling truth.
Jesus denied neither. Rather, He said, “Blessed art thou Simon, Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee but my father which is in heaven …” (Matthew 16:17). Jesus was saying neither “My heavenly Father has revealed some to you through direct revelation” nor was, “My Father has revealed something to you He has not revealed to each of the other 12.” If one of the other 12 responded instead of Peter, their declaration would have been the same as Peter’s. None of them had received a direct revelation from the Father as to who Jesus was. They had each perceived the truths Jesus taught and the miracles He worked to confirm His words were true.
Then came Jesus’ significant words, “And I also say unto thee that thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church …” (Matthew 16:18). Footnotes in the ASV show that the English words “Peter” and “Rock” are translations from two different Greek words: “Peter” is the word petros, a masculine gender word meaning pebble or stone, while the word “rock” is petra, which feminine gender and indicates a bedrock. The truth that Peter confessed — Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, is the rock upon which the church is built, not Peter as Catholics claim.
Jesus blessed Peter but that blessing was not to make him the foundation upon which the church is built, but that blessing was what he gave him: “the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” Peter was promised he would be the one who revealed what the keys were, which would open the kingdom of heaven to all men. Peter used those keys on Pentecost when he told Jews what they must do to be saved (Acts 2:38); He used the same keys when he told Gentiles what they also must do to be saved (Acts 10:46-48). His answer told both what they had to do to be part of God’s kingdom or church. That church is built upon the Godhood of Jesus which is also the foundation Paul laid in Corinth (1 Corinthians 3:11). There is no other foundation which can be laid than this.
Jim McDonald