The Church Triumphant

The Church Triumphant

Matthew 16:18-20, NIV

“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Setting the Scene

Jesus had apparently noticed enough granite in Peter’s character to nickname him Cephas in Aramaic, which became Petros in Greek, meaning “rock” (John 1:42). He returns to that name as part of his response to Simon’s declaration of faith.

The play on words has given rise to several possible explanations for the meaning of “rock”: (1) Jesus himself; (2) Peter, the first leader of the church and recipient of special authority; (3) the confession of faith Peter made; or (4) Peter, simply the leader among the disciples. The first interpretation parallels other New Testament teaching about Jesus as the cornerstone (see Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:4-8), but that connection doesn’t seem to hold in this context. While the second interpretation underlies much of the Roman Catholic teaching on the authority of those who claim Peter’s mantle, there’s no mention of succession of power. While Peter himself served in a leadership role in the early church, there’s no indication he was viewed as the final authority. The third interpretation was first promoted during the Reformation as a correction on the excesses related to the second one. The fourth explanation simply highlights Peter’s role as a leader among the disciples. One way or another, Peter and his companions became the foundation of the church (see 1 Corinthians 3:11; 1 Peter 2:4-8).

Jesus went on to refer to “binding and loosing,” as the purpose for the “keys” the disciples would receive—authority to promote both the earthly and heavenly aspects of the church.

Getting Personal

How would you characterize your personal role in the church today?

Even if your role does not seem influential or foundational to others, how is your faithfulness one of the building stones of God’s work in his church?

Jesus is the one who owns and develops the church. He said, “I will build my church.” You can trace your spiritual heritage back to this moment. Generation after generation, the church as the body of Christ has rescued from Satan’s power those who would otherwise be destined for an eternity apart from God (see Colossians 1:13).

Talking to God

Ask the Lord to connect you purposefully to his work in a local body of believers, one that acknowledges Jesus as Lord and Head of the church.