The teaching that Peter was the rock upon which the church was built surely came from either an ignorant mind, or a polluted one.
Matthew 16:18
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.
I hate to base my explanation on grammar, because it is not what I believe as the bastion of truth, but simple knowledge in grammar may help us see the way to logical truth.
If Peter was the rock:
1. Then it should have been “thou art Peter, and upon you I will build my church”
2. Or “thou art Peter, and upon this rock, which is you, I will build my church”
3. Or “I say unto thee, that thou art Peter, a rock, and upon you I will build my church”
Aware of the way the Lord Jesus Christ constructed sentences throughout all His sessions of teaching, we will not, in our wildest dreams, think that the Lord Jesus has a propensity of ungrammatical and nonsensical statements.
Take for example the Sermon on the Mount.
MATTHEW 5:1-12
1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
The foregoing sermon can be considered scholarly constructed with utmost literary style and beauty.
No learned scholar can accuse the Lord Jesus Christ of speaking nonsensically nor ungrammatically at any instance in the Holy Scriptures!
Biblically speaking, Peter cannot be the rock upon which the church was built, simply because he was part of the church, built upon the foundation stone who is Christ.
EPHESIANS 2:20-22
21 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.
The Apostles (one of whom was Peter) were built upon the foundation, Jesus Christ himself. There is no other foundation than Christ!
I CORINTHIANS 3:11
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Brother Eli Soriano is now an official finalist for Best Web Video (livestream.com/elisoriano) and Must-Follow Personality (@BroEliSoriano) at the 4th Annual Mashable Awards for 2010. Voting has again resumed.
So, let us unite and open our Twitter and Facebook DAILY to vote!
Let us show Brother Eli our support until December 13, 2010VOTE NOW and let your voice be heard!
An erring human, even an apostle, cannot be a sufficient foundation of the universal institution of divinity, the church. The church must have an unshakeable foundation.
Somebody who cannot be affected by sin!
COLOSSIANS 1:23 (MKJV)
If indeed you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard and which was proclaimed in all the creation under Heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister…
Something that can be shaken cannot be permanent.
HEBREWS 12:26-27
26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Peter, as man, is prone to error and mistakes. The doctrine of the Catholic Church that the Pope is the successor of Peter, is infallible, ex-cathedra, is a great error- even greater error than the St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
When Benedict XVI proclaimed that limbo does not exist, it implied that all his predecessors were lying when they taught that children who were not baptized before death will go to limbo!
Believe on John Paul II and you will deny Benedict XVI, or believe on Benedict XVI and you will deny all the previous authorities of the Catholic Church. But I will believe on Peter, the true apostle, even if he committed mistakes, errors and sins in his decisions and actions, because he taught only what God wanted him to teach – no more no less!
THE ACTS 5:27-29
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Peter and the other apostles never taught any doctrine coming from their own thinking and inventions!
II PETER 1:16
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
JOHN 7:17-18
17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
To this, I believe, Peter will say, “TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!”
AMEN!
EFS
esoriano 
AMEN! ^_^.)
AMEN!!!
To: Members of Eli Soriano
You were baptised by Eli Soriano based in the bible which done by the apostles before. It means that Eli Soriano is acting like apostle of Christ even though he is not. There is no scripture that Eli Soriano is the successor of the apostles and there is no scripture that the apostles successor is mention by my lord Jesus Christ. If you say that Eli Soriano is guided by the holy spirit then how can you prove ? Example, When Jesus Christ asked the apostles, ” who do you think that I am?” Simon/Peter answered, you are a messiah the son of the living God. And Jesus answered him, ”Blessed are You Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you,but my Father in heaven.” It is clear that Simon/Peter was guided by the holy spirit because he did not answered like this; according to the book of moses you are the messiah the son of the living god or according to the prophet so and so you are the mesiah the son of the living god. Then now how can you prove that Eli Soriano is guided by the holy spirit for he only memorizing the verses in the bible.
how can bro eli prove that he is guided by the holy spirit?
For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
you also said that he only memorizing the verses in the bible.
not only memorizing, but also using it righteously
But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
about the baptizing, im sorry, brother eli is not baptizing…
MAY GOD BLESS US
Amen!
Regarding Peter aka Cephas (or vice versa), Bro. Soriano is a known Bible Scholar but not necessarily an accomplish grammarian for he is analyzing a translation and not the original language. Syntax in Latin or Greek do not necessarily follow English syntax. Please go to the original language in order to get the intent and spirit of the sentence or statement as made by Christ. I am proud that a Filipino in the person of Bro. Soriano is well versed in the Bible! But being a human being, he can neither have monopoly of knowledge re: the Bible nor infallability of interpretation or exegesis. Humility after all is the hallmark of greatness.
I must say that, the reason why you refuse to believe the explanation of Bro. Eli and the clear grammar or the verse, simply because you have the preconceived idea that satisfies your own thought.
Why not try to question further and look for another supporting statement from Christ? Example: “On this rock I will build my Church”, did it mean the Catholic Church? (I-Cor. 1:2 To the church of God in Corinth, … ; II-Cor. 1:2 Paul, .. To the church of God in Corinth,..).
These prove that what was established was the CHURCH OF GOD.
Now, do you believe that Peter is a true follower of Christ? Jesus instructed the 12 apostles in Matthew 10:5 .. “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.
Did Jesus changed his instructions? NO!!!
Now we can safely conclude that Peter was never and had nothing to do with the Roman Catholics who are Gentiles even until now.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
Very well explained! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
your proposition itself is wrong! that “Peter was never the Rock”! you see, Jesus changed his name from Simon to Peter, that means Big Rock; in Hebrew is Kepha! If He was not the rock, what was the significant of Jesus changing his name? And as you were saying that Peter could not be the rock foundation only because he was part of the Church, is still illogical; because even the foundation itself is part of the structure! take for example Jesus was the CORNERSTONE, does this mean the Jesus was not part of the Kingdom? and I know you know it that Jesus is THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH, thus He is part of it.
As you Continued, your were saying that Jesus is the sole Foundation, we do not have problem with that; the Catholic Church teaches that before you do. but to say that besides Christ there no other foundation is absurd, why; because Jesus himself said in Matthew that Peter appointed Him to be a foundation. Note you that Jesus appointed Peter! now who is telling the truth? Jesus who said Peter to be a rock or you who is arguing that Peter was not the Rock.
Peter or Pedro (Or Petro means a small rock). PETRA on the other hand is the BIG ROCK. Big enough to become the foundation of a house to be built. So it goes like this, YOU ARE PETRO, and upon this PETRA I will build….
It is a sin to add or subtract parts from the Bible, which the whole Catholic Church does all the time. I mean c’mon, Jesus might have said it as “thou art Peter, and upon YOU I will build my church” BUT IT IS NOT… Jesus said “thou art Peter, and upon THIS ROCK I will build my church.”… It is LOGICAL…
another thing, do you know our doctrine regarding the infallibility of the Pope? please answer.
IS IT A DOCTRINE FROM THE BIBLE? PLS GIVE US THE VERSE.. although it is clear and i quote you said, “our doctrine”…
right..
Are your popes really infallible or they are the ones who fall throughout the centuries? Remember the Inquisition? The Crusades? How about the anti-popes? Popes who had mistresses and made many killed another pope just to stay in place if I am not mistaken?
the third thing, you, said that Peter is not a foundation then you quote Ephesians 2:20-22, that the apostles were FOUNDATIONS and Jesus was the Chief Corner stone and yet you keep on denying that Peter was not a Foundation! you contradict yourself!
PLEASE READ:
EPHESIANS 2:21
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens and MEMBERS of the household of GOD
20 Having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.
IN WHOM where WHOM refers to Jesus and not to PETER. Jesus is not only the Chief Cornerstone but ALSO THE FOUNDATION IN WHOM ALL THE BUILDING FITLY FRAMED TOGETHER GROWETH….
My friend,
Ephesians 2:20-22 is saying that apostles “were built UPON the foundation”:
“21 And are built UPON the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”
The verse is not saying that apostles were foundations but were built upon the foundation which is Jesus Christ himself has built.
Also in Matthew 16:18
“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.”
Jesus Christ was only saying to Simon that he must fortify his spirit like a stone or rock to the church that he was building because he was chosen by Christ. He’d just phrased it metaphorically. Jesus Christ didn’t assigned Simon right away to become leader (or the first leader) of the church through which Christ was building, only our church did.
So on the verse aforementioned, Jesus Christ is BOLDLY saying to us that HE is the one who built the church. To conclude JESUS CHRIST is the REAL ROCK upon which our church must be built; and this is what we must believe in and not Simon (or his successors) as what our “religion” is preaching us. To the REAL AND LIVING GOD be the Glory!
IF JESUS CHRIST BUILT HIS CHURCH THEN WHY YOU BUILT YOUR OWN CHURCH AND PROCLAIMING THAT JESUS IS THE ONE WHO BUILT BY GIVING THE NAME CHURCH OF CRIST? DID YOU NOT RECOGNISED THAT ALMOST ALL CRISTIAN WAS PROCLAIMED THAT THEIR CHURCH WAS BUILT BY JESUS CHIST SAME AS WHAT YOU SAID AND THEN WHY YOU AR NOT UNITED WITH THEM?
AMEN to that…
To Kepha, dont get mad..just calm down…
The way i see, you did not understand clearly what Bro Eli and the bible says..
My suggestion is: If you have time try to read diligently and understand the bible and before doing this, ask first the guidance from the holy spirit in order for you understand…
Be open minded….Bro. Eli is just trying to revail the trut…
Please dont get mad….
God Bless…
I am a catholic and you!!! kEPHA you are so very slow learner and not telling the truth! Bro. eli says the truth.
because you are injecting your own ideas.
Bro. eli means that “apostles are the builder of the foundation not a foundation! and the stone is the foundation which is jesus christ.”
I’ve seen many people like you KEPHA!!! you are against to the truth!!
Read 1 million times!kepha.
PS. Forgive my typo error (if there are any) as I’m having difficulty expressing my thoughts in English. I’m a Filipino and a Roman Catholic. To the REAL AND LIVING GOD be the Glory!
May the Peace of God be upon all of us. I do not wish to debate with you kepha,but I am sure that if you will go on listening to Bro Eli, God might open up your heart and mind to understand the verses.
Anyway, Peter, inspite of his faith and strong leadership can not be the foundation of the church. The Church of God needs the heavenly attributes of someone like Jesus Christ and not just a man like Peter. The Church of God is reserved for a leader who personifies the Glorious Glory of the Father.
A CORNERSTONE must be of godly strenght to withstand and prevail upon all the temptations, and challenges. That is why, Peter who is very much human (has denied Jesus Christ three times) can not replace the Glory and Power of Jesus Christ, the foundation of the Church of God.
you leaving the baptist religion beliefs are baseless? Is that you are saying?
Thanks be to GOD!!!! To GOD be the Glory!!!
In Matt 16 18-20 , Jesus is the builder and not the apostles,apostle Peter was called by Jesus as the ‘Rock’ and described him to be the foundation rock. Not because Peter is perfect but as Jesus said,blessed are you Simon son of John for not by flesh but my Father revealed this to you’ this means that God Himself chosed Peter. If ADD has problem about Peter being the Rock, they should protest to God.
Soriano also said that if Jesus meant to have had said that Peter is the Rock, Christ should have said in different way, yes the way Soriano want.but who is Mr. Soriano to question the construction of Jesus words?
In Aramaic like in English, there’s no distinction of the words used by Christ when He said to Simon,’You are Kepha/rock, and on this Kepha/ Rock I will build MY church. People who don’t believe Peter to be the Rock in Matt 16 denies this by going to the Greek wherein they could try to avoid the obvious. They will argue that, petros’ means a pebble or little stone thus He can’t be the Rock or the foundation stone. What they will not tell you is that in Jesus time the Koiene Greek word petros’ and Petra means the same thing . They could be used
As both to mean small and a large Rock.
Petros was used for Peter’s name because of gender,and to use Petra for Peter would be inappropriate as it is feminine.
True enough that Christ is the Foundation of christian faith and way of christian living. And not Peter, but clearly Christ Made it plain that Peter is the Rock referred in Matthew 16.
from winnie “Peter was called by Jesus as the ‘Rock’ and described him to be the foundation rock.”
read carefully, the word Peter is not a rock but a small stone
Kokombads
You said that Eli Soriano is doing the right thing in using the words of God. It is not rightful to used the words of God which God did not tell you to do so. If you use the words which Jeremiah told by God and then you act like prophet Jeremiah preaching the same words you will be called IMPOSTOR or FALSE PROPHET.
Let us read Matthew 16:15-19;
He said to them,’ But who do you say that I am? 16 Simon Peter answered, ‘ You are the Messiah, the Son of the livimg God.”17 And Jesus answered him, ”Blessed are You Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you,but my Father in heaven. 18 ‘And I tell you ,you are Peter/Kepha/Rock and on this kepha/Rock I will build my church,and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.19 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.”
Anyone with good reading comprehension will understand whats going on in this narrative.Mr Soriano is just trying to muddles or confuses people.His worldly intelligence and own interpretation has deceived many.
I don’t think there’s a need to explain the truth in above verses as it is very clear that Peter is the Rock by Jesus’ own words.’You are rock/Peter, and on this Peter/rock i will build my church.’
To God be the Glory!!!!!
True enough Peter, the rock as his name suggest, because his faith is unmoved like a rock. His name was given to him to describe his character… “unmoved”. But clearly DID NOT MEAN he is the rock.
I cannot imagine when Jesus was saying “on THIS rock”, was he pointing his finger to Peter? Otherwise, it will be “on YOU rock” or “on you Peter the rock”.
Remember, Jesus was talking to a group of people, the 12 apostles. Even if Jesus will hold or embrace Peter at that instance, He will still speak clearly “on YOU rock”.
Was it that Jesus wasn’t careful about his grammar? NO!
These passages were allowed to be written down for all future generations to know and Jesus did not mean to confuse those who follow his teachings.
If there is anybody having problem with Peter being described as the rock, it is you my friend.
You have a preconceived idea, because it pleases you to think that Peter is the first Pope of the Catholic Church, a Gentile.
NANTE
Yes there is only one church built by my lord Jesus Christ. There are also false prophets, and false christ, but I don’t agree of what you said that Those WHO CANNOT follow strictly the teachings of Christ are of FALSE Christ because the false christ and false prophet are great pretenders you can’t easily recogize them unless otherwise you compare them to the original. Such as the original christ preaches the word of God through what he heard from the father in heaven. The false christ preaches the word of God through what he read from the bible. The original Christ performed miracles by healing the sicks and feeding peoples. the false christ also perform healing but not all are healed, he also feeds people but through donation of many.
i wish that everyone would be able to read this post and visit this educational and enlightening or eye opening blog or website. may God bless us all. thanks be to God.
@BEN of April 26, 2011
What is your understanding about “JESUS CHRIST BUILT HIS CHURCH” and “YOU (referring to Bro. Eli’s group) BUILT YOUR OWN CHURCH”? Do refer to the material building or structure? I wish to know your point of view in order to have a more appropriate approach to your question.. thanks.
@NANTE
Thanks to your reply, i just wondering why your arguement between other christian religion such as catholic seemed to be no more ending. You are both believed to the same Christ and based in the biblle. You are both doing the same procedure in baptism by the name of god the father , god the son and the holy spirit, but why you are not united with them? I think there is something not in common with you and that’s the name of your religion is that right?
WRONG!
There is only one Church; and that is the Church built by God himself 2000 yrs ago (not founded by Mr. or Ms. so and so). Those under it, WHO STRICTLY follow the teachings of Christ, are the true Christians.
Those WHO CANNOT follow strictly the teachings of Christ are of FALSE Christ.
Mt 24:11 “and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.”
Same procedure of Baptism? Definitely NO. For how can a false teaching be acceptable to God?
Mark 7:7 “They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.”
Deut 5:8-9
8 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 9 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,
Acts 17:29
29 “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill.
Psalm 115:4-8
4 But their idols are silver and gold,
made by human hands.
5 They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but cannot see.
6 They have ears, but cannot hear,
noses, but cannot smell.
7 They have hands, but cannot feel,
feet, but cannot walk,
nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
8 Those who make them will be like them,
and so will all who trust in them.
NOT “by the name of god the father, god the son and the holy spirit,”
See how one word can ruin the entire procedure?
Mat 28:19
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
NANTE
Yes there is only one church built by my lord Jesus Christ. There are also false prophets, and false christ, but I don’t agree of what you said that Those WHO CANNOT follow strictly the teachings of Christ are of FALSE Christ because the false christ and false prophet are great pretenders you can’t easily recogize them unless otherwise you compare them to the original. Such as the original christ preaches the word of God through what he heard from the father in heaven. The false christ preaches the word of God through what he read from the bible. The original Christ performed miracles by healing the sicks and feeding peoples. the false christ also perform healing but not all are healed, he also feeds people but through donation of many.
God preserves his words/teachings. This is God’s assurance to us:
Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
If you truly believe in the written words of God and practice it, you can never go wrong. You can easily recognize the pretenders. You can recognize them by what they teach and what they do.
For example: It is normal for many priests and other pastors to drink and smoke. Their teachings are all inventions, in turbulence, upside-down. They read few Bible verse, but do not follow it. They read one, two, or three verses then they speak for 15 to 20 minutes or more of their own minds.
Therefore their actions prove to us that they DO NOT have the Holy Spirit in them.
Pope John Paul II taught of non-existence of hell.
But there are many verses in the Bible that tell us about hell. Jesus said in Mark:
Mark 9:43
If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.
Revelation 20:14
Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.
HEALINGs?
In the later part, Christ’s followers no longer do healings and wonders. Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to Timothy:
2 Timothy 4:20
Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.
BE AWARE that in our times false prophets love to do many great signs and wonders:
Matthew 24:24
For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Note: even if you are already of God, you can be snatched away if you are not careful.
Jehovah’s Witness believe that this present earth will just be bulldozed and renovations, improvements will be done by God; that the paradise will be on earth or this earth.
They totally degrade God who created everything; making him looked cheap.
Therefore, they don’t believe in New Heaven and New Earth, and in Paradise in Heaven
Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Revelation 21:1
Then I saw “a NEW HEAVEN and a NEW EARTH,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.
2 Corinthians 12:2,4
2: I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the THIRD HEAVEN.
4: How that he was caught up into PARADISE, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
This is the TRUE Church and what we must do is to become a member:
Acts 20:28
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the CHURCH OF GOD,[a] which he bought with his own blood.”
1 Corinthians 14:37
If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.
IN THE CHURCH OF GOD, only donations from members are accepted. You can be assured that the money spent for the propagation of the Lord’s gospel does not come from jeuteng and all sorts of gamble or robbery or any evil deeds.
NANTE
My lord Jesus Christ is a Messiah and a Prophet. He said that the words of God is life and spirit but the False Prophet said the BIBLE IS THE WORDS OF GOD. The false christ and the false prophet were used bible as their weapon to decieve people. Ididn’t mean that I did not believe the bible, I truely believed the bible but I did not believed that the bible is the words of God. They only stereotype that the bible is the words of God. The bible witnessed to Christ and to the God’s work of salvation. And there were many works of my lord Jesus Christ that was not written in the bible try to read john 21:25.
@BEN
What do you mean when you say “i truly believed the bible”? (then said it’s not God’s words)
Do you in your right Spirit truly understand John 21:25?
John 21:25
25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
Whatever your religion is, I suggest you try searching through internet, your own religion, and read through all the declaration of what it believes.
Jeremiah 6:16
Thus says the LORD: “ Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,And walk in it;…
ben said False Prophet said the BIBLE IS THE WORDS OF GOD
we have never said that the Bible is the words of God.
Nante,
I believe that you are a sincere person who seeks the truth regardless where the TRUTH is.
However, you really misunderstood the context and the true message of Jesus in Matt 16.
I want you to notice and be focus of what was narrated; first Jesus asked the disciples regarding what the people thought who he is. Second, Jesus asked the disciples who they thought he was. The first question was answered by the disciples, the second question however was answered by Peter alone. He was given a gift of revelation from God the Father.
Jesus recognized this and proclaimed Peter to be Blessed, when He said,” Blessed are you Simon Son of
John” .After Jesus proclaimed Simon to be blessed again He gave him another blessing when He said,” You are Kepha/Peter/Rock,and on this Kepha/Petra/Rock I will build my church”
Now, your objection regarding the construction of the sentence is misplaced. You totally subscribed Mr. Soriano’s argument that Jesus should had said ‘and on you Peter the Rock’ .This kind of argument has no leg to stand primarily because it’s not a good argument at all. After Jesus proclaimed that Simon is Kepha/peter/Rock, thus Jesus already identified Simon Peter to be the Rock. The next statement of Jesus in the very same verse and sentence would neccesarly mean that the phrase,” on this rock’ is referred to Peter.
Jesus singled out Simon to be called Peter/Kepha/rock , received the keys, to have the power to loose and
bind.Peter became a prime minister to God’s kingdom and Jesus is the King.
Like the kingdom of the Old testament a King would hand keys to his prime minister to rule his kingdom in behalf of the King.(Isaiah 22:22) Jesus’ Kingdom is the church and before Jesus ascended to heaven He asked Peter to look after/tend and feed the Sheeps.(John21:15-17) Christ promised the holy Spirit to guide the Church to all truth((John 16:13).
Another argument against Peter to be the rock is because Peter is only a part of the Church.
Again this is not good argument, for even Jesus being the corner stone is said to be a part of His church.
This is what the Bible tells us and this is what Catholic holds.
God is called to be the Rock of salvation, Jesus was also called rock/stone,Peter called Rock ,we are also called to be stones. God shares His glory and gives gift to all men. Some people received greater than the rests,not because God is not fair ,but because He give Greater things to others as He wills it. In this case we see Peter in Matt 16 that God gave him gifts. To be the Kepha /Rock/Peter, to received keys as symbol of authorty.(remember the words of Jesus,” not by flesh. But my Father revealed this to you” in like manner God had chosen Simon Peter to be the Rock and not us Catholics we only recognized and accept this truth)
Furthermore, If Jesus wanted to identify himself to be the rock in Matthew 16 ,He would have had said ,”You are Peter, and on ‘ME’ the The Rock I will build my church”.
The sentence construction in it’s natural and sensible meaning, ‘on this Rock ‘refers to Peter.
@NANTE
Thanks to your reply, i just wondering why your arguement between other christian religion such as catholic seemed to be no more ending. You are both believed to the same Christ and based in the biblle. You are both doing the same procedure in baptism by the name of god the father , god the son and the holy spirit, but why you are not united with them? I think there is something not in common with you and that’s the name of your religion is that right?
Nante,
The grammar is correct and the phrase,” on this rock” rightly refers to Peter, its your bias against the church that prevented you from accepting the truth,besides our belief,Peter being the rock is historical,apostolic anc Biblical. St. paul even addressed Peter as Cephas/Kepha/Rock. Testimonies of the early christians testifies to this truth.
God bless you,and all ADD that they may find the TRUTH.
You do not understand the context of the Bible in its entirety. It may not even have incurred to your mind if there was a Church during the Old Testament. If you knew it, you would have grasped what Christ has been saying. You should be aware that the “Rock” has been spoken of since the Old Testament – from Genesis to Exodus to Numbers.
Don’t miss the point – Jesus was asking: Mt 16:15 …“Who do you say I am?”
The main conversation is about Christ, period.
Construction of the sentence? Not all the Masters or Doctorate degrees will have the same interpretations on verse Mt 16:18; more specifically, the correct interpretation, especially when they are not guided by the Holy Spirit.
MAY GOD BLESS US!
Nante
My lord Jesus Christ is a messiah and a prophet. He said that the words of God is life and spirit, but the false prophet said that the BIBLE is the words of God. The false messiahs and the false prophets are using the bible as their weapon to decieved many. It doesn’t mean that i don’t believe the bible, of course I believe the bible especially what jesus said but idon’t believed that the bible is the word of god they stereotype the bible as the word of god. The bible was witnessing to jesus and to god’s work of salvation.
Nante
Simon/Peter in this scripture is clearly tells us that he is truely guided by the holy spirit when he answered the question of my lord Jesus Christ. He did not say , according to the book of moses you are the messiah the son of the living God or according to the prophet so and so but Simon/Peter straightly answered to my lord Jesus Christ that he (Jesus Christ) is the messiah the son of the living god. My lord Jesus Christ confirmed that his father in heaven revealed to Simon/Peter to answer that question thats why he bless Simon/Peter.
For the false prophets today they are pretending that holy spirit guided them in fact they are only memorizing the verses in the bible and they act like an apostles owning the verses in the bible and pretending that God told them to do this to do that.
Nante what can you say about this? How can you prove in your own idea that that’s person is guided by the holy spirit?
Sorry for the error I mean apostle and not apostles on my previous post.
. . . . . “the Pope is infallible!”
W H A A A T ! ! !?
Did you know that the Pope neither . . . . NEITHER believe in Heaven nor in Hell??
Specifically Pope John Paul II
“Pope John Paul II pointed out that the essential characteristic of heaven, hell or purgatory is that they are states of being of a spirit (angel/demon) or human soul, rather than places, as commonly perceived and represented in human language.” http://www.ewtn.com/library/papaldoc/jp2heavn.htm
In simple words, it is something like this: if you live sadly, do evil things, practically all your life, then as scripted in movies, “you are a living hell”. Doing the opposite, you experience heaven.
THINK ABOUT THIS… VERY HARD for those who hardly accept that these people, MORE CLEARLY THAN THE LIGHT UNDER THE SUN, are ANTI-CHRIST.
I sent two comments but no responds. Why? What is the reason why you delete my comments and if you cannot answer then let anybody read and answer my questions. If you are in thruth you must not afraid to answer my question. If you are truely chidren of God you must be fair to all. But if you think that you are a victim of false prophet, false christ and false apostles then its time for you think before its too late.
Are catholics allowed to post views that are respectful but not agreeable to Mr. Soriano’s beliefs? Just asking as my two posts are gone missing.
@BEN
@WINNIE
If you really want to test the spirit of Bro. Eli, why not attend his Bible Exposition being done practically every week – which no other pastors in the world can do.. Oh! especially the ‘infallible’ Pope.
If you cannot attend, then you can observe him well at http://www.livestream.com/elisoriano or Live Webcast at http://www.untvweb.com/
1 John 4:1
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, …
I believe the best way to have a change of life is to start with oneself.
How?
By being aware of yourself: your attitudes, characters, your own way of thinking, etc., then you will be able to deal well with others.
The same way in searching for the truth. Study first your own religion. The very easy obvious way is to observe the things you do in your church. For example the Catholics: people kneel down with graven images in front of them. People kissing and/or touching the images before/after making sign of cross, and sooo many others.
Then, ask what the Bible says about these actions. If you are convinced that these actions are NOT ACCEPTABLE TO GOD, then GO OUT and SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH. Just like Paul who was a zealous Judaist (Judaism) and was persecuting the Church of God..
Galatians 1:13
For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.
Jeremiah 6:16
This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
If you close your heart to what I sincerely suggest, then I can do nothing more. MAY THE LORD BE WITH YOU.
You are right Winnie. It is very clear that it was Peter who was referred to by Christ as the rock in verse 18. Verse 19 supported this when Christ gave Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and gave Peter the authority to bind and to loose…
There’s no point of arguing with eli and his members for they are not Christians anyway…eli is an impostor so his teachings are not of God. I AM SO SURE WITH THIS!!! ELI IS NOT OF GOD!!!
IN FACT, IT IS WHAT THE LORD COMMANDS…
Nante
You urged me to find the good way the old path which jeremiah said in the old testament that means that you are still searching for the good way and the truth. Whereas me I already found the good way and the truth that is my lord Jesus Christ he is the way,the life and the truth. I will take his yoke upon me and learn from him, for he is gentle and humble in heart, and I found rest for my souls.
Nante
The lord which you are talking about in jeremiah 6:16 is the god of abraham not jesus chirst. the god of abraham told prophet jeremiah such things to esralite in that generation, but you are not esralite and you are belong to christian generation which jesus christ told us ” I am the way the truth and the life. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Now it is proven that eli soriano is a false prophet because he is acting like prophet jeremiah and teaching to people about in jeremiah 6:16 and you are not truely christian.
@BEN
2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
Your closed mind forgot to tell you that the Words of God are living words – that, they hold true from the beginning (to our times) and forever.
YOUR CLOSED MIND DID NOT REVEAL TO YOU THAT verses 1-Jn 4:1 & Jer 6:16 HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON. Much like when Jesus said: John 7:17-18
17 Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18 Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.
Matthew 5:6
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
DID YOU TRY TESTING YOUR PASTORS? ASKING QUESTIONS? WHY THEY SMOKE OR DRINK? ETC.? DID YOU HAVE AN OPEN MIND?
I am just wondering why my 2 posts wasn’t published. And the moderator didnt responded to my quiry.Is it because I was able to present a strong case for Catholic position ,that Peter is the Rock in Matthew 16?
I was able to demolished bro. Eli’s objection by providing correct exegesis of Efesians 2:19-22.and clearly demonstrated that Bro.Eli’s explanation is wrong.
“I was able to present a strong case for Catholic position..”
Encase this in your mind:
Exodus 20:4-5
4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,
With your CLEAR & INTELLIGENT MIND, ASK THIS:
HOW CAN PETER BE THE FOUNDER OR 1ST POPE OF CATHOLIC CHURCH? Peter never did any of the filthy things that Catholics are practicing…
I tested him and i found him to be a charlatan, his memory is superb,but he is not a true prophet from God.His teachings are illogical and unbiblical.His Church has no foundation but base on legends are fancy imaginations.
I did asked him one time and i received no answer but redicule.He twist the biblical passages to his likings and readily abuse it,in short he twists the truth.
God bless you and may He lead you to all truth.
what do you mean you received no answer but ridicule? Does it mean that you received a reply?
Nante
I am not catholic and I have no pastor,I bring no name of religion except the name of my Lord Jesus Christ. He is my teacher, my Master. I am his servant and he is my Lord and my God.
By the what is your understanding about the living words you said? Is that living words that was stored in the bible which you kept on reading it from old testament to new testament and vice versa is that so? When you say living words it means that it will grow because the words of God is life and the life will grow. You must know also the new teaching of my lord Jesus christ if you really believed that he is alive and if you really believed that he had the power in heaven and earth but if not so your mind is closed and locked like the bible which was said in revelation 22:18-19 that “18For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” So no man can take away and add words to that book.
Your mind also was closed and locked by the words of false prophet saying that you listen to them only if it is in the bible but out of it do not listen.
You know one of your member thata Magallanes said to me in facebook discussion board that even if Jesus Christ will come and teaches out of the bible I will not believed him. Oh my God!!! now you see the disadvantage of that. Why you will not use your wisdom your knowledge to know what is good and evil instead of not listening.. You just only remember of my lord Jesus Christ said that there is only one good and that is GOD. So you must listen to anyone and analyse it if it is good then believe it but if it is bad then deon’t believe that’s it.
so, what group do you belong? or are you alone the servant of your Lord Jesus? do you preach to others?
Nante
I’m belong to the group of God’s slaves. I am the first God’s enemy who surrendered to him and became God’s slave and now I’m serving for him. I called him my Lord and my God and his father I called him God of my God. All sinners are God’s enemies but don’t worry because God loves his enemies. He did it first before preaching to his disciples to love your enemies. It is God’s will that all sinners will be surrendered to him and become my slaves because he made me lord of sinners and they will call the son of god Jesus Christ as Lord of their lord or God of their lord.
@BEN
you said – “I’m belong to the group of God’s slaves.”
What exactly is the name of your group? Where is that? Who is the founder of that group?
Nante
I told you that I bring no name of religion except the name of my Lord Jesus Christ so why you asked me about the name of my group. In God’s kingdom not only childrens of god was there but also the slaves of God.We are now in the second Christian’s generation called the slaves of god. Whereas the first Christian’s generation which is called childrens of god is over. All sinners are enemies of god and he urged them to surrender to him before it’s too late and become my slaves because my God made me lord of sinners. they will call me lord and my god will be called Lord of their lord or God of their lord and the creator which is the father of the son of God will be called God of God of their lord.
@BEN
i want to understand you and about your beliefs.. some points you’ve mentioned, followed by my question in BIG LETTERS:
1. In God’s kingdom not only children of god was (past tense) there …
ARE THERE PEOPLE ALREADY IN GOD’S KINGDOM?
2. …second Christian’s generation called the slaves of god.. first Christian’s generation
called the children of god..
WHERE DID YOU LEARN ABOUT THESE THINGS?
3. …become my slaves because my God made me lord of sinners…
“MADE ME LORD”, DO YOU REFER THIS TO YOURSELF, or CHRIST AS THE LORD OF
SINNERS? AGAIN, WHERE DID YOU LEARN ABOUT THESE TEACHINGS?
DO YOU READ THE BIBLE?
DID YOU FIND IN THE BIBLE ALL THAT YOU ARE SAYING?
IF SO, CAN YOU GIVE THE VERSES, PLEASE?
@NANTE
I want to answer your questions written in big letters followed by my answers below.
• ARE THERE PEOPLE ALREADY IN GOD’S KINGDOM?
Yes, there were people already in God’s kingdom. Why you ask me about that, do you remember Abel which was being murdered by his brother Cain in the Old Testament? Where do you think he is now? Is he in hell and not in God’s kingdom? God said I am God of Abraham, God of Isaac and God of Jacob, what do you think about this people, are they in hell and not in God’s kingdom? How about the true prophets, the holy people and the apostles where do you think they are now, are they in hell and not in God’s kingdom? If you are not sure that they are in God’s kingdom, how can you sure that you and Eli Soriano will go there also.
• WHERE DID YOU LEARN ABOUT THESE THINGS?
I told you already that my Lord Jesus Christ is my teacher and my master. Do you not believe that he is alive? His FATHER already gave him the power of heaven and earth that’s why he had the power to teach someone here on earth. He teach me, he talk to me and I heard him and I know his voice.
• “MADE ME LORD”, DO YOU REFER THIS TO YOURSELF, or CHRIST AS THE LORD OF
SINNERS? AGAIN, WHERE DID YOU LEARN ABOUT THESE TEACHINGS?
In the prophecy which David said, “The Lord said to my Lord set at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.” This prophecy is fulfilling because my Lord Jesus Christ made me lord of sinners. He wanted that all sinners will be surrendered to him, and ask forgiveness to whom they committed sins, It is the will of my LORD GOD that all will be one through me because my LORD GOD made me lord of sinners and they will be my slaves. The Lord and the slaves are one; I and my Lord are one as the FATHER and SON are one.
• DO YOU READ THE BIBLE?
Yes I did and I believed it that’s why I’m listening to my LORD GOD because man will not live by bread alone but also in every words that comes from the mouth of God.
I would like to use the very words used by Eli Soriano, when he said, that catholics who believe that Peter is the ‘rock’ referred in Matthew 16 have either polluted minds or ignorants.
All ADD are mind controlled, ignorants and polluted by false teachings of mr Soriano.
Some of course are sincere,and nice person,intelligent(but deceived)
Hello Winnie,
Are you still part of Roman Catholic Church?
God is great
Roman Catholicas please read “The Roman Catholic Church in the Middle Ages” by Dr. Jack Arnold. Also please read Matthew 8:14-15, Mark 1: 29-31. Jesus Christ healed the mother in law of Peter…..so Peter was MARRIED!!! Then the RCC made Peter the first POPE! He was a married Pope then!
During the Spanish times, Spain wanted to give up the Philippines but the Spanish Friars refused as they were having too much power & made a lot of money out of the Philippines. If you visit every barrio, town & city in the Philippines, the best land is owned by the priests. Please read Jose Rizal’s novels, NOLI MI TANGERE & EL FILIBUSTERISMO to know more about the abuses & excesses of the Spanish Friars.
A priest in Cebu had so many children who went to the local schools with my girl friend. She left the Roman Catholic Church because that priest tried to grab her at the confessional after asking her if she had a boyfriend. In Santa Barbara, Iloilo, the construction workers unearthed a LIME PIT with parts of fetuses, partially melted bones, etc etc.This was between the Church & the residence of the nuns. They tried to get rid of the fetus by abortion, then buried it in the LIME PIT whenever the priest made a nun pregnant.
In Portugal, while we were sitting & waiting for my girlfriend who was at the Church of Fatima, her father & I talked. He told me he wasn’t a RC anymore. I asked “Why?” He told me that he asked the RCC priests why they ate steak on Good Friday….they said they didn’t have to follow what they taught all the RCC members.
How can anybody remain a Roman Catholic after reading or knowing all these truths? Find a Church which teaches that JESUS CHRIST is the only WAY, the TRUTH & the LIFE, not the ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH!!!
Most Scripture Scholars agree that Jesus never said that and it was a later addition. It is pretty unclear about how much of the gospels were authentic since they were edited by the scribe of Emperor Anastasius in the 500’s. The scribe even called the Evangelists idiots and said he had cleaned up the gospels. So we have no authientic texts they have all been edited or redacted in some way and are not reliable historical documents.