Who or what is the rock?

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Cameron143

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Mar 1, 2022
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#21
The location of the action is the Pan Temple at the base of Mt Hermon which had one of the three springs that fed the Jordan River. The water gushed with such force it was thought to be fed by the River Styx itself.
Worship of the god Pan was done by sexual excitement. And the place had the reputation of being the world's largest outdoor orgy.

Also, this action happened just weeks before Jesus's crucifixion. If Peter didn't know by this point that Jesus was the Messiah he would have had severe short term memory loss....because he obviously recognized Jesus as being such for a long time already....even asked for a seat at his right hand. So the Revelation that Jesus was the Son of God was not a new one.

So....

Let's try again with these obvious observations and see what is or is not being discussed within the passages.
Isn't the revelation of the person of Christ as Messiah as a means of building the church new?
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
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#22
It is a charge, to those that know Who the Lord is and by His authority has given a new name and the keys of heaven, to attack the gates of hell! :D of which will then crumble, and His church prevail. "This rock" is the largest rock formation in Isreal, located at Caesarea Phillipi wherein also is located what they called "the Gates of Hell."
 

Pilgrimshope

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Sep 2, 2020
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#23

I appreciate your answer and that is some wonderful symbolism it still doesn't explain explicitly the rock.
the rock has always been Christ Jesus brother


“and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

it’s that understanding and confession

“When Jesus came into the coasts of Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 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 ‭16:13-18‬ ‭

ask yourself what is the church founded upon ? What does every Christian believe about who Jesus is ? In this you find the solid rock which the church is the “ body of Christ “

it is Christs identity and our knowledge of it and confession “ you are the Christ the son of the living God “

it’s this important thisnisnwhatbjesus it’s noted as “ the rock “ in those days the foundation of a house was made with rocks they didn’t have concrete but they found big oils rocks to build thier houses upon Christ the son of God is that foundation we can stand upon and not fall

to believe it is this important

“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

so we can see the opposite regarding the is belief that he is the Christ and son of God if we don’t believe we die in our sins but if we do

“but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
‭‭John‬ ‭20:31‬ ‭

The first step for any Christian is to acknolwedge Christs identity on earth it’s what the church is built upon
 

Cameron143

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Mar 1, 2022
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#24



the rock has always been Christ Jesus brother


“and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

it’s that understanding and confession

“When Jesus came into the coasts of Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 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 ‭16:13-18‬ ‭

ask yourself what is the church founded upon ? What does every Christian believe about who Jesus is ? In this you find the solid rock which the church is the “ body of Christ “

it is Christs identity and our knowledge of it and confession “ you are the Christ the son of the living God “

it’s this important thisnisnwhatbjesus it’s noted as “ the rock “ in those days the foundation of a house was made with rocks they didn’t have concrete but they found big oils rocks to build thier houses upon Christ the son of God is that foundation we can stand upon and not fall

to believe it is this important

“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

so we can see the opposite regarding the is belief that he is the Christ and son of God if we don’t believe we die in our sins but if we do

“but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
‭‭John‬ ‭20:31‬ ‭

The first step for any Christian is to acknolwedge Christs identity on earth it’s what the church is built upon
I understand the references to Jesus as the rock throughout scripture. Here, however, Jesus takes note that Peter's confession was the result of the revelation of this truth being given him of God. 1 Corinthians 12:3 says....and noone calls Jesus Lord except by the Holy Spirit. Yet in Matthew 7 many call Him Lord Lord but are sent away. What conclusion should be drawn from this if any?
 
Sep 20, 2022
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#25
Good topic. I am new here and this is my first reply, besides my introducing post. The rock is a very deep subject and goes back to Jacob. When traveling and used a specific rock for a pillow. Im sure most of you know the story about his dream of seeing a type of ladder or stairway which angels were going up and down it from above. When Jacob anointed the rock and called it Beth-el. Israel carried that rock with them thru out time. They crowned kings on that rock. Of course that rock symbolized Messiah being with them. That same rock sits underneath the coronation chair in England. The details is a incredible story. I highly recommend studying it.
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
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#26
Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 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 ‭16:13-18‬ ‭
In light of what pilgrim has highlighted, I'd emphasize, And I say also unto thee...
That is, Jesus had asked, "who do ye say that I am," and I especially appreciate the KJV if only for the difference that this particular idiosyncrasy the KJV readily provides, the distinction between ye (plural you) and thou (singular you) and thee (also singular you?). So. all ye that say that 'I am," I (Who Is Son of the living God) say also unto thee, that thou art a pebble (djever wonder why God doesn't build his church with bricks? You know they tried to build the tower of babel with bricks, however, stones are unique, each pebble not exactly like the next one but bricks are all the same).
...and upon this rock I will build my church." That is, He will level the works of darkness (represented by the place they were standing at, beside the "Gate of Hell," in Caesara Phillipi) by ye, one unique stone upon another, loosing this and binding that, to establish and build his church on the sure foundation of His power and authority given you, that will not be shaken.
 

Cameron143

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Mar 1, 2022
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#27
Good topic. I am new here and this is my first reply, besides my introducing post. The rock is a very deep subject and goes back to Jacob. When traveling and used a specific rock for a pillow. Im sure most of you know the story about his dream of seeing a type of ladder or stairway which angels were going up and down it from above. When Jacob anointed the rock and called it Beth-el. Israel carried that rock with them thru out time. They crowned kings on that rock. Of course that rock symbolized Messiah being with them. That same rock sits underneath the coronation chair in England. The details is a incredible story. I highly recommend studying it.
Welcome to Christian Chat. Glad you chimed in.
 

Evmur

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Feb 28, 2021
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#28
In Matthew 16:18 Jesus says: And I say 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.
Who or what is the rock Jesus is referring to?
Peter is the rock ... but there is no mention of a succession of rocks, how can there be more than one rock upon which the church is built.

Peter [and the other postles] laid the foundation upon the rock, Jesus the anointed Son of the Living God is that foundation.

If there were a succession of rocks [as some claim] then with each new rock would come a new foundation.
 
Sep 20, 2022
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#29
I understand the references to Jesus as the rock throughout scripture. Here, however, Jesus takes note that Peter's confession was the result of the revelation of this truth being given him of God. 1 Corinthians 12:3 says....and noone calls Jesus Lord except by the Holy Spirit. Yet in Matthew 7 many call Him Lord Lord but are sent away. What conclusion should be drawn from this if any?
My personal opinion is that in Matt 22:14 says "many are called, but few are chosen." The ones that are sent away were called, baptized and recieved the holy spirit, but did not retain it even though they were doing works they were not doing the fundamental requirements that signifies them to the high priest Jesus. Jesus says " I never knew you. You who work iniquity/ lawlessness." My take on the whole matter is that they were called by the Father, was baptized into a false Christianity (if I may put it that way) they were not taught to keep His commandments. The 4th commandment is what signifies us and God. Exodus 31. When god says that the Sabbath is a sign between him and his people as a never ending covenant. I believe he means it.
 

konroh

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2013
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#31
Hi Cameron!

I could go into the Greek words for rock/ stone, but will just use the English. Most of us don't speak Greek anyhow. I'll leave that for my Greek friend if she wants.

Answer this question and you will have your answer.
Here is the same book of Matthew in chapter 7. Jesus spoke to Peter and the others before your reference, so they knew Who Jesus spoke of from here.
Who is the rock in this passage?

" 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: 25 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. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine."

Jesus uses the term underlined, therefore.
What is it there for?
A:
It points to the statements before.
Let's see what He is talking about.

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
I think the better understanding is that even if we do great things for Jesus we may not be intimate with Him. There will be believers who will not be fully rewarded in heaven. Not everyone builds their house on the solid foundation of Christ--even Christians. Jesus doesn't deny that they were doing great things in His name, but He denies that they were fully doing God's will. The narrow way refers to an intimate sanctification with Jesus, the Sermon on the Mount is not about initial salvation, it's about progressive salvation, sanctification. Jesus wants His disciples to have a truly intimate relationship with Him, doing the Father's will. Casting out demons and prophesying may sound great, but a close walk with Jesus is even better.
 
P

persistent

Guest
#32
From an E PUB book
Plymouth's Rock "the rock whence we were hewn"
DISCOURSE

DELIVERED

IN rLYMOUTlI AT THE CUSHMAN FESTIVAL,

AUGUST 15, 18 55.

FAl'HEtis and motliers, brothets atid sisters, kindred all, we bid you welcome home!

We have come to talk of the olden time. We have come to honor the dead ; and to bear away with us, if we may, some benefit from such filial homage for ourselves and for our children.

How unwonted our emotions : strangers looking upon each other for the first time, yet one family! As Ave think of home and childhood, our memories fly over the broad continent ; to alight, some, among the wintry hills of New Hampshire, and others amid the savannahs of the sunny South ; some on the banks of the Kennebec, and others where the father of waters rolls the tribute of a thousand rivers to the sea.

Yet the time was when the blood which flows in our veins was centered in a single household near the spot where we are now gathered. And when the Sabbath called them from the domestic to the public altar, they worshiped where we stand.

It is fitting that, on the occasion which has brought us to visit the old family homestead and the old family tomb, we should gather where they gathered. It is

fitting that our first act in this re-union should be a solemn recognition of our fathers' God, and an acknowledgment of our obligation to Him for the blessings which we enjoy as the fruit of their piety and sacrifices.

And now that we have joined in worship, before we go up to press around the time-worn graves of our earliest dead, let us open the old Pilgrim Bible and seek, as they were wont to seek on all public occasions, a channel for our thoughts from the word of God. And, as we have come to talk of family affairs, the text that may, perhaps, most fitly guide us is that of the command in the first and second verses of the fifty-first chapter of Isaiah. " Look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of tiie pit whence ye are digged. Look unto Abraham, your father, and to Sarah that bear you : for I called him alone and blessed him and increased him."

19th century understanding of the 'rock'???
 

JohnDB

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Jan 16, 2021
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#33
Isn't the revelation of the person of Christ as Messiah as a means of building the church new?
What was the first question Jesus asked?

"Who do people say that I am?"

Now I don't know about you but if my holy teacher takes me to an orgy (after studying hard for three years) I'm instinctively going to want to say something about the goings on in the background....wouldn't you?

But Peter just listens to Jesus and says three people from Israel's history known for their passion for God.
Again describing the passion for God that Jesus had.

So when you talk about the personhood of Jesus you are close. However; ignoring the evil wickedness and just proclaiming how good God really is, is more true to be the foundation for the Church. That's the rock.

Later, in Roman's Paul writes, "There is therefore no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus" its kinda an understatement.
 

JohnDB

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Jan 16, 2021
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#34
Look at what Jesus told the Demon possessed man of Gadarenes....Jesus just finished sending a herd of pigs slated for worship of false gods into the Sea of Gallilee...that were in Israel!. But He doesn't tell the man to denounce sin....

He tells him to tell everyone how much God has done for him.

I think it's a recurring theme.

Look at Malachi 6:8. It tells us again to do righteousness and to walk HUMBLY WITH our God...not to denounce sin in others as if we had the authority....

Telling others how they are wrong is never going to win friends or influence people....giving morality lessons doesn't cut the mustard either.
 

Cameron143

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Mar 1, 2022
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#35
Look at what Jesus told the Demon possessed man of Gadarenes....Jesus just finished sending a herd of pigs slated for worship of false gods into the Sea of Gallilee...that were in Israel!. But He doesn't tell the man to denounce sin....

He tells him to tell everyone how much God has done for him.

I think it's a recurring theme.

Look at Malachi 6:8. It tells us again to do righteousness and to walk HUMBLY WITH our God...not to denounce sin in others as if we had the authority....

Telling others how they are wrong is never going to win friends or influence people....giving morality lessons doesn't cut the mustard either.
I truly appreciate your input but in Micah 6:8 isn't doing doing justice or righteousness a call to holiness?
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
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#36
I truly appreciate your input but in Micah 6:8 isn't doing doing justice or righteousness a call to holiness?
I think believing Jesus is doing righteousness, that is "Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness," and isn't extending mercy and forgiveness doing justice? considering that, in order to extend these, there must be an implication of the need for it.
 

Jackson123

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Feb 6, 2014
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#37
Peter is the rock ... but there is no mention of a succession of rocks, how can there be more than one rock upon which the church is built.

Peter [and the other postles] laid the foundation upon the rock, Jesus the anointed Son of the Living God is that foundation.

If there were a succession of rocks [as some claim] then with each new rock would come a new foundation.
Peter confession is the rock, not Peter
peter say Jesus is God

this statement is the rock

catholic lie and say Peter is the foundation of the church

the foundation of the church is Jesus
 

Cameron143

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#38
I think believing Jesus is doing righteousness, that is "Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness," and isn't extending mercy and forgiveness doing justice? considering that, in order to extend these, there must be an implication of the need for it.
Right. I agree. But the argument put forward was just the opposite. I thought it a poor choice of verse to draw that conclusion. You can't on the one hand say there is not a call to not sin and then exemplify your claim with a verse that calls us to holiness.
 

Mem

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Sep 23, 2014
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#39
Right. I agree. But the argument put forward was just the opposite. I thought it a poor choice of verse to draw that conclusion. You can't on the one hand say there is not a call to not sin and then exemplify your claim with a verse that calls us to holiness.
I took the point in saying that those called to holiness can walk into a hub of sin apart from the call of sin, and not so much to call out the sin, as is commonly encouraged using example of John the Baptist though that is closer to a call to repentance being that the kingdom of heaven was at hand, as in future. However, having come, Jesus declared the kingdom is within you, in our midst, and so is here, today, that is done. So then, we should behave accordingly as it is so, even within the hub of darkness. I believe this witness speaks volumes over shouting, "Repent!" Paraphrasing JohnDB's commentary, "when did Jesus ever exclaim to anyone, 'Repent!'"? On the contrary, the closest He ever came to it was when he told the adulterous after asking her, "does anyone condemn you?", and she answered, "no one." He said (and I believe in the spirit of peace heralding the arrival of our sabbath rest), "Go, and sin no more."
 

JohnDB

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Jan 16, 2021
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#40
I truly appreciate your input but in Micah 6:8 isn't doing doing justice or righteousness a call to holiness?
No....
The question was "What does God want me to do?"
Do righteousness and to walk humbly with God...meaning that you don't consider yourself the morality police.