In Matthew 16:13-20, Jesus (Y’shua) asked his disciples: “’Who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus said, ‘Blessed are you for flesh and blood has not revealed this unto you, but my Father which is in heaven. … and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’”
If you read these verses again you will see that The Real “Keys to the Kingdom” are direct revelation from God himself through his Holy Spirit.
Who is the Rock? Not Peter. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 10:4 “… and the Rock was Christ.”
This has been one of the most abused scriptures because it has been used to support the idea that Jesus (Y’shua) endorsed an official “earthly” head of his church other than himself. The Roman Catholics use it to endorse their Pope as well as others to endorse their leaders – all used in a manner of attempting to have control over Jesus’ ministry on Earth. Jesus is still alive and is not limited in any way as head of the church (God’s Body) which he continues to have full command and control of through the Holy Spirit.
Jesus (Y’shua) says in John 14:15-26:
(15) If you love me, keep my commandments. (16) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide(live) with you forever; (17) Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but you know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you. …
(21) He that has my commandments, and keeps them, it is he that loves me: and he that loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (22) Judas said unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself unto us, and not unto the world? (23) Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode(home)with him. (24) He that loves me not keeps not my sayings: and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. (25) These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. (26) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
Jesus is The Rock, our Foundation
1 Corinthians 10:4 “… and the Rock was Christ.”
1 Corinthians 3:11 “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
Deuteronomy 32:4 “He is the Rock… a God of truth…”
Deuteronomy 32:31 “For their rock is not as our Rock…”
Deuteronomy 32:37 “And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted…”
1 Samuel 2:2 “… there is no rock like our God.”
Psalms 18:2 “The LORD is my rock…”
Psalms 18:31 “For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?”
Psalms 18:46 “The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock…”
Psalms 42:9 “I say to God, my rock…”
Psalms 62:2 “He alone is my rock…”
Psalms 62:6-8 “He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.”
Jesus said in Matthew 7:19-24 (ESV):
“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” …
