Join The Journey S4:232 Matthew 16-17
Sep 27, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, Alan Beam, a Watermark member and Great Questions volunteer, dives deep into Matthew 16-17. He explores the vital question of what Jesus meant by the 'rock' on which He would build His church. Alan elucidates three main interpretations: Peter as the rock, the confession of faith, and Christ Himself as the cornerstone. He emphasizes humility in theological debates and explains why evangelicals don’t adhere to papal authority, providing a rich context that encourages thoughtful dialogue.
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Key Passage And Its Importance
- Matthew 16:13-20 centers on Peter's confession and Jesus' line, "on this rock I will build my church."
- Alan highlights that this verse has sparked major theological debate about who or what the "rock" is.
Peter As The Literal Rock
- One common view reads Peter (Kepha) as the rock because his name literally means rock in Aramaic.
- This reading explains Peter's prominent role in Acts and undergirds Catholic claims about papal authority.
Confession As The Foundation
- A second major view sees the rock as the truth of Peter's confession: Jesus is the Messiah.
- Augustine already articulated this reading, showing it has deep historical roots.
