After a 25-mile journey from Galilee, Jesus and his disciples reached Caesarea Philippi, a Roman city nestled at the base of Mount Hermon in northern Israel. (To learn more about the fascinating history of this city, check out my previous post!)
To fully grasp the meaning behind this topic, we need to dive into several key aspects: the character and personality of Peter, his unique position among the 12 apostles, and the specific context of Jesus's question and Peter's response within a group conversation. By carefully examining these points through the lens of Scripture, we can arrive at a more accurate interpretation of Jesus's words.
Upon arriving in the city, Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets" (Matthew 16:14).
The disciples were merely relaying the positive opinions circulating among the people.
Then, the Master posed a question that demanded a personal response: "Who do you say I am?" Peter swiftly answered on behalf of the Twelve, boldly confessing, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." This startling declaration revealed Jesus' identity to the apostles.
Let's take a moment to examine the man who provided this answer to Jesus's question.
The Man
Simon (or Simeon) was Peter's original name. He was the son of Jonas (or John) and brother to Andrew, a disciple of John the Baptist, as Peter himself may have been. A fisherman by trade, he originally lived in Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee, but later resided with his family in Capernaum.
Peter first enters the gospel narrative when his brother Andrew introduces him to Jesus. Almost immediately, Jesus addresses Peter, saying, "You shall be called Cephas" (meaning "Rock" in Aramaic or "Petros" in Greek).
Peter's life story can be divided into two parts: first, from his calling to Christ's ascension; second, from that event to the end of his earthly journey as a witness to the Gospel.
The first part of Peter's journey with Jesus, before the Passion, is marked by several key events: healing his mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14), the miraculous catch of fish and his subsequent surrender to Jesus (Luke 5:1-11), his calling as an apostle (Matthew 10:2), his attempt to walk on water (Matthew 14:28), his unwavering loyalty ("Lord, to whom shall we go?" - John 6:68), his bold confession of Jesus as the Christ followed by a rebuke (Matthew 16:13-23), witnessing the raising of Jairus' daughter and the Transfiguration alongside James and John (Mark 5:37, Matthew 17:1-5), and the incident of the tribute money (Matthew 17:24).
The events surrounding the Passion are more familiar, as they are recounted in all Gospels. They begin with Jesus washing Peter's feet and Peter misunderstanding the act's spiritual significance (John 13:1-10). Peter then boasts of his unwavering devotion, only to be warned by Jesus of Satan's impending attack (Luke 22:31-34). He witnesses Jesus's agony in Gethsemane but fails to stay awake (Matthew 26:36-46). He impulsively cuts off Malchus's ear (John 18:10-12), then abandons Jesus, following from afar. He enters the high priest's palace, denies Jesus three times, and is reminded of Jesus's warning when their eyes meet, leading to bitter tears (Matthew 26:56-58, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:54-62, John 18:15-27).
Peter disappears from the narrative until the morning of the resurrection. Upon hearing the news, he races with John to the tomb (John 20:1-10). An angel specifically mentions him to the women at the tomb (Mark 16:7), and he becomes the first of the Twelve to see the resurrected Jesus that very day (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5). Later, at the Sea of Tiberias, Peter is given a chance to affirm his faith in Jesus three times, mirroring his three denials. He is then recommissioned as an apostle (John 21). Jesus also foretells the manner of Peter's death and instructs him to continue following Him.
Following the ascension, which Peter undoubtedly witnessed, he took a leadership role among the disciples gathered in Jerusalem. He led the initiative to choose a successor for Judas (Acts 1:15-26) and boldly preached the first gospel sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Peter’s preaching marks the day in which Jesus’s Church on earth is founded.
The Outpouring of the Spirit
The exact date of the gathering of the 120 people in the Upper Room and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost) is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible. However, it is estimated to have occurred around 50 days after Jesus' resurrection, which places it roughly in late May or early June of the year 30 or 33 AD.
Miraculous Acts and death
Partnering with John, Peter performed a miraculous healing of a lame man, then addressed the crowds in the Temple. This led to his arrest and subsequent defense before the Sanhedrin, after which he returned to his fellow believers (Acts 3 & 4).
Despite facing another arrest and beating (Acts 5), Peter's influence continued to grow. He was later sent by the Jerusalem church to Samaria to share the Holy Spirit with new believers (Acts 8), showcasing his expanding role in the early Christian movement.
Later, Paul visits Peter (Galatians 1:18), and Peter embarks on a journey "throughout all parts." He heals Aeneas in Lydda, raises Dorcas from the dead in Joppa, and experiences a vision on a rooftop that leads him to preach the Gospel to the Gentile centurion Cornelius in Caesarea. He then defends his actions before the apostles and believers in Judea (Acts 9:32-41, 11).
Another wave of persecution arises, and Herod Agrippa executes James and imprisons Peter, intending to do the same to him. However, the church's fervent prayers lead to Peter's miraculous deliverance (Acts 12).
After a period of relative seclusion, Peter reemerges at the Jerusalem council. The critical question of whether works are necessary for salvation is debated. Peter adds his voice to Paul and Barnabas, affirming that salvation comes through faith alone (Acts 15).
Later, Peter is found in Antioch, where he initially fellowships with Gentile Christians. But when representatives from James arrive, Peter withdraws and separates himself, fearing those who adhere to circumcision. Paul publicly rebukes Peter for this hypocrisy (Galatians 2:11-14).
Beyond these accounts, little else is definitively known about Peter's life. It is believed that he traveled extensively, accompanied by his wife (1 Corinthians 9:5), and authored two epistles: First and Second Peter. The second epistle was written as he neared the end of his life (2 Peter 1:12-15).
Christian tradition holds that Peter died a martyr in Rome around 67 AD, at approximately 75 years old. Jesus had foretold a violent death for him (John 21:18-19), which is believed to have been fulfilled through crucifixion under Nero. It is said that Peter requested to be crucified upside down, feeling unworthy to die in the same manner as his Master.
His Character
Peter's character is open and easily understood, and it is undoubtedly true that no other figure in Scripture is portrayed more vividly or powerfully. Often referred to as the prince of the apostles, he consistently appears as their leader, always named first in their lists and acting as their spokesperson.
Peter was known for his optimism, boldness, confidence, courage, frankness, impulsiveness, energy, strength, love, and unwavering loyalty to his Master, despite his temporary lapse before the crucifixion. While prone to change and inconsistency, and sometimes appearing rash due to his passionate nature, his virtues and flaws stemmed from his enthusiastic temperament. Ultimately, through divine grace, his shortcomings transformed into profound humility and meekness, evident in his two epistles.
Debunking the Myth: Peter, the Rock on which Jesus’s Church is Founded
Peter possessed an unshakable faith and a burning zeal to spread the gospel, sharing his profound experiences with Jesus Christ. His undeniable leadership qualities and unwavering commitment to his mission propelled him to the farthest reaches of the known world, where he faithfully bore witness to his Savior.
However, Peter's leadership should not be misinterpreted as supremacy over the other apostles. There is no evidence to support such a claim. Jesus never granted him such authority, Peter never claimed it, and his fellow apostles never acknowledged it.
All these begs a question:
Who is The Rock?
In both the Aramaic and Greek texts of the Bible, the concept of "The Rock" is frequently used as a metaphor for God or Jesus.
Aramaic (Old Testament)
In the Aramaic Targums (translations and interpretations of the Hebrew Bible), God is often referred to as "Kepha" (Rock), the underlying concept is present in numerous passages:
· Deuteronomy 32:4: "The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He."
· Psalm 18:2: "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."
· Psalm 62:2: "He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken."
Greek (New Testament)
The Greek New Testament uses the word "petra" (rock) to refer to both God and Jesus:
· Matthew 16:18: "And I also say to you that you are Peter (Petros), and upon this rock (petra) I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it." (Here, the interpretation of "petra" refers to Peter's faith or Jesus himself).
· 1 Corinthians 10:4: "and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock (petra) which followed them; and the rock (petra) was Christ."
In Matthew 16:18, Jesus declares, "Upon this rock I will build my church." The passage clarifies that the "rock" Jesus refers to is not Peter himself, but rather the confession Peter made in Matthew 16:16: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
This interpretation is supported by several points:
· Peter's Confirmation: In his first epistle (1 Peter 2:4-9), Peter himself identifies Jesus as the cornerstone and foundation of the believers.
· Shared Authority: The "keys of the kingdom of heaven" given to Peter in Matthew 16:19 were not exclusive to him. The same authority to forgive sins and make binding decisions was later granted to all the apostles (Matthew 18:18, John 20:23).
Therefore, Jesus's statement in Matthew 16:18 should be understood as highlighting the importance of recognizing and confessing his true identity as the foundation upon which the church is built. It does not imply any special authority or primacy granted to Peter over the other apostles.
Wait a minute! Some groups for over 1,800 years have claimed that Jesus made Peter the Rock on which his Church would be built? And what about the keys Jesus gave him?
No, it cannot be correctly interpreted that a man in the physical realm can be the foundation of a spiritual structure, however spiritual, honorable, excellent in his service to Jesus, and having died as a martyr for his faith and convictions be exalted to occupy a place that rightfully belongs to Jesus Christ!
Here's why:
Spiritual vs. Physical: The church, as a spiritual entity, cannot be built upon a physical foundation. Its foundation must be something eternal and unchanging. Jesus is Spiritm unchanging and eternal.
Jesus as the Cornerstone: The Bible consistently emphasizes Jesus Christ as the cornerstone and foundation of the church (Ephesians 2:20, 1 Corinthians 3:11). This aligns with the understanding that the church is a spiritual body, not a physical institution. Jesus died on the cross not Peter, he cannot occupy the seat of Jesus as the Founder, Sustainer and Head of His Body, the Church.
Peter's Role: While Peter was a significant figure in the early church, his role was not to be the foundation but to be a witness and leader among the believers. His confession of faith in Jesus as the Christ was crucial, but it pointed towards Jesus as the true source of salvation and the foundation of the church.
Therefore, while Peter's faith and leadership were instrumental in the early spread of Christianity, the foundation of the church remains firmly rooted in Jesus Christ, who is the eternal Rock and cornerstone.
To God Be The Glory.
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