On This Rock I Will Build My Church

    When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:13-18

Peter received a revelation from God that Jesus was the Christ, Son of the living God and Jesus said, "You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it." Jesus renamed Simon Bar-Jonah, calling him Peter or Petros, meaning rock in Greek.

I don't believe Peter is the foundation of the church, but he is a part of the imperfect human stones, because right after Jesus gave him the keys to the kingdom, He told His disciples what He was going to suffer and Peter rebuked Him, saying, "Lord, this shall not happen to You!" Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan!" "You are an offense to Me!"

Looks like Ole Rock Johnson lost the keys and Satan prevailed against him! That wasn't the last time Peter failed Him when he deserted Him while He was being tortured and held for crucifixion! (Simon Peter), (Rock), Bar-Jonah (son of John) (Rock Johnson!)

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:1-22

THE LORD IS MY ROCK

Truly, my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation, He only is my rock and my salvation. Psalm 62:1,2

According to the scripture in Ephesians 2, the foundation is built on Jesus, the rock and cornerstone in the Spirit and in the natural with Peter, a living stone, a foundation of the apostles and prophets.

So, we have a Spiritual temple built on the word of God and a natural human temple built of living stones. Jesus being the rock of our salvation and Lord of all is the foundation of His church, and as He said, "The gates of Hell will not prevail against it!" The perfect joined together with the imperfect in unity!

The foundation of God's church is laid, complete with Jews and Gentiles, the apostle Paul being the master builder of the Gentile church and Peter being the builder of the Jewish church! I had never seen the illustration of this until I wrote this message.

According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 3:10,11

A SPIRITUAL HOUSE

Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. I Peter 2:4,5

Hopefully, I can clarify this message and allow you to understand what the temple of God is comprised of and how it is constructed. Jesus said that the temple is a spiritual house built of living stones, Christ being the cornerstone and the foundation of the house!

In order for one to construct a building, a cornerstone must be laid, then the stones would be placed, bound together with mortar. The foundation of the building would be solid rock to be able to support the load placed upon it! Remember, the apostle Paul warned us to take heed how we build upon the foundation that is Jesus Christ!

The model or blueprint left for us is the first church formed at Pentecost, where 120 assembled in one accord, waiting for the promise of God's Spirit to be poured out! The result of the first expression of the body of Christ was a powerful and wonderful illustration of God's church!

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. I Peter 2:9,10

Your servant in Christ, Timothy Laughlin
 Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ