Living Stone and living stones 

   Part 2

   Peter correctly answered the greatest question: You are the Christ (Messiah) Son of the living God. Matthew 16:16

   The New Testament being written in Greek -- Jesus then explained that the Father himself revealed this truth to Peter. He said: You are Peter (Petros, small stone) and on this rock (Petra, massive rock, Peter's answer) I will build my church and the gates of Hades (hell) will not overcome it. v. 18 

Comment: The gates represent Satan and world evil striving to destroy the church. 

   I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. v. 19 

Comments: The keys are God's delegated authority to Peter and the church: 

1. rebuke sin; carry out church discipline. 2. pray for God's cause. 3. tie up the demonic and set free the captives. 4. announce God's standard of righteousness and judgment to come. 5. proclaim salvation and forgiveness of sins for all who repent and believe in Christ. 

   Jesus said: Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they will be forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven. John 24:22-23   

Comment: Nowhere in scripture is Peter a supreme and infallible authority. Nor that he should have infallible successors. 

   It is Jesus Christ who is the Rock, the great foundation of the church. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11. 

   After Peter saw and interacted with his risen Lord, and was baptized in the Spirit, he wrote: As you come to him, the living Stone - rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him - you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood...  1 Peter 2:4-5 

Next: A remnant will survive