Beth-El Baptist Church
03/12/06
Greg Tomlinson
Is Peter really the head of the church (Matthew 16:18)?
There is much confusion out there regarding Jesus’ statement in Matthew 16:18 regarding Peter and a rock and upon building his church. While primarily a Roman Catholic doctrine and Apostolic succession, there have also been Protestant preachers, whether intentionally or inadvertently, have see this passage as pointing to the Apostle Peter as being the foundation or the head of the church as commanded by Jesus.
1. What is the context?
Matthew 16:13-20
The context is Jesus questioning who people thought he was. Peter’s answer ‘the Christ, the Son of the living God’ was positively affirmed by Jesus and acknowledged that the identity of Jesus was solely the work of God. The question that is being looked at is what is ‘this rock’ on which Jesus will build his church?
2. Do the Greek words provide any insight?
One of the associations is made because of the Peter’s name in Greek (Petros) and the Greek word of rock (petra). The word petros generally carries with it the idea of a small stone or pebble while petra carries with it the idea of a large rock or bed-rock.
3. What about other associations of the use of petra are there?
Matthew 7:24-27; 27:51, 60
Mark 15:46
Luke 6:47-49; 8:5-15
Romans 9:33
1 Corinthians 10:4
1 Peter 2:8
Revelation 6:15-16
The word petra is used as that which is very stable and unmovable. Jesus uses it of the power and strength of his very words (Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:47-49). It is also used to indicate Jesus himself.
4. What about other associations of the use of petros, without being Peter, are there?
John 1:42
Of the 162 times that the Greek word petros appears in the New Testament, it is translated Peter 161 times. Only once is it translated stone. It too is a direct reference to Peter.
5. Since structures are built on foundations, what is the foundation of the church?
Luke 6:47-49
1 Corinthians 3:10-15
Ephesians 2:19-22
2 Timothy 2:19
Hebrews 6:1-2;
11:10
Revelation 21:14
The very foundation of the church is Jesus Christ himself (1 Corinthians 3:10) although many consider the Apostles and the prophets to be the foundation of the church. This same verse (Ephesians 2:20) could also indicate not that the Apostles are the foundation but that their foundation is Jesus Christ and they brought this foundation to many upon which believers were to build. This would be similar to Pauls having laid the foundation (1 Corinthians 3:10).
The ‘rock’ upon which the church is built is the Word of God, the Words of Jesus. It is upon the person of Jesus Christ that the church is built on, according to scripture.
6. Why then did Jesus give Peter the “keys of the kingdom of heaven”?
John 10:7-9; 14:6
By giving Peter the keys of the kingdom, all Peter could do is preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and offer them the keys to heaven, the opportunity to enter into heaven by way of Jesus Christ. Peter in no way determines who is saved and who is not saved for he can only show them the door and open it by way of the scriptures. It is Jesus who has ‘the keys of hell and of death’ (Revelation 1:18).
7. What about other passages regarding Peter and church authority?
Acts 15:7-22
1 Peter 5:1
In these passages, Peter himself claims no special authority but the scriptures actually point to James as being the authority of the church who appeals not to opinion but to agreement with the scriptures regarding gentiles being saved without having to become “Jews” and to Peter indicating that he is nothing more than a fellow elder with the rest of them.
8. Who then is the head of the church?
Ephesians 1:20-23; 5:23
Colossians 1:16-18
The head of the church is Jesus Christ. Only Jesus can be our authority and only Jesus is perfectly in line with the Word of God for he is the Word of God that became flesh (John 1:14).
In Matthew 16:18, ‘this rock’ upon which Jesus will build his church is not talking about building the church upon Peter the Apostle, but building it upon Jesus Christ himself about whom Peter confesses to be the Christ, the Son of the Living God and that having faith in Jesus is what brings about salvation.