Jesus Christ is the Rock Upon Which the Church was Built

Nowhere in the New Testament does it say—or even imply—that the Apostle Peter ever went to Rome. However, it does state that the Apostle Paul went to Rome. He was the perfect choice to do so. He was Jesus’ choice. When Saul was converted and became the Apostle Paul, Jesus said of him: “But the Lord said to him, Go! for this man is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the nations, as well as kings and the sons of Israel.” (Acts 9:9–19; Romans 11:13)

Even though the Apostle Paul was born a Jew, he was also born a citizen of Rome—Peter was not. Being a Roman citizen gave Paul certain valuable rights and immunities. One important right Paul had, despite being a Jew, was the ability to appeal an injustice. In cases involving capital offenses, a citizen could request to be sent to Rome to stand trial before the emperor himself. Paul took advantage of this right on several occasions. Thus, he fulfilled Jesus’ words: “to bear my name before the nations, as well as kings.” (Acts 22:25–29; Acts 25:11–12)

Although Peter was used to convert the first Gentiles—the Roman centurion Cornelius and his relatives—he remained an apostle to the Jews, serving congregations in Babylon, where he wrote his two letters (1 Peter 5:13). Paul confirms this in Galatians 2:7–8: “On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the good news for those who are uncircumcised, just as Peter had been for those who are circumcised—for the one who empowered Peter for apostleship to those who are circumcised also empowered me for those who are of the nations.”

The idea that Peter was the rock upon which the church was built stems from a misrepresentation of a conversation Jesus had with his apostles. The discussion concerned who the apostles believed Jesus to be. Jesus was the subject matter, not Peter: “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea 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 Barjona: 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)

The idea that Peter was the rock upon which the church was built stems from a misrepresentation of a conversation Jesus had with his apostles. The discussion concerned who the apostles believed Jesus to be. Jesus was the subject matter, not Peter: “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea 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 Barjona: 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)

Jesus’ conversation was with Peter at this point. Yet Jesus did not say to Peter, “and upon you I will build my church.” He said, “and upon this rock I will build my church,” referring to himself, who was the main subject of their discussion. Furthermore, the writer of the Gospel, Matthew, uses the Greek masculine noun petros in referring to “You are Peter” and the feminine noun petra in referring to “on this rock,” showing that the apostle understood “Peter” and “the rock” were not synonymous. Peter himself confirmed this understanding in Acts 4:10–11: “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.”

Jesus Christ is the rock upon which the true Christian Church was built (Ephesians 2:19–20). The twelve apostles were equal to one another and shared responsibility in enforcing mandates (Galatians 2:9). In fact, the Apostle Paul rebuked Peter on one occasion for favoring the circumcised Jewish Christians over the uncircumcised Gentile Christians (Galatians 2:11–14). There was no superiority among them, and any one of them could be praised or counseled by the others. They all represented Jesus and served under his authority. Jerusalem—not Rome—was the place from which decisions were made. (Acts 15:2; Revelation 21:2, 9–14) There was no Pope. There was no Papacy.