The RCC & Matthew 16:18-19 "...and on this rock I will build my church..."

[Not of the World]

Some say that Jesus wasn't actually referring to Peter as being the "rock".  I also know that there are many other verses in the Bible that refer to God as a "rock".  And so some maintain that Jesus was NOT referring to Peter as the "rock" but, rather, himself.  

https://www.openbible.info/topics/rock

Matthew 16:18 ESV  And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 

My interpretion, however, is that Jesus was referring to Peter (and possibly the other disciples) as the "rock" on which he would build his church.  

But let's get past that for a moment, please.  

It's my understanding that Peter went to Rome and did establish a congregation or a "church" there.  I understand that Peter was executed in around 64 AD by Nero and Paul around 68 AD, again, by Nero.  

To my knowledge, Peter never used the term "Catholic" or "universal" to describe the congregation/church that he apparently founded in Rome.  It's also my understanding that such terms were used much later.  

I fully believe that what Peter founded in Rome was aligned with Christ's teachings.  I also fully believe that, at some point after Peter and Paul passed, that their church veered off the path prescribed by Christ and went their own way.  Eventually they began using the word "universal" or "Catholic" to identify their movement and faith system and then claimed that Peter was its founder (he wasn't) and was appointed to do so by Christ.  

So what might Catholic apologists say to cement their claim that Peter founded the Catholic Church as opposed to it simply being one of many churches started by the disciples of Christ?  

Thanks in advance.

 

[AdHoc]

7 hours ago, Not of the World said:

Some say that Jesus wasn't actually referring to Peter as being the "rock".  I also know that there are many other verses in the Bible that refer to God as a "rock".  And so some maintain that Jesus was NOT referring to Peter as the "rock" but, rather, himself.  

https://www.openbible.info/topics/rock

Matthew 16:18 ESV  And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 

My interpretion, however, is that Jesus was referring to Peter (and possibly the other disciples) as the "rock" on which he would build his church.  

But let's get past that for a moment, please.  

It's my understanding that Peter went to Rome and did establish a congregation or a "church" there.  I understand that Peter was executed in around 64 AD by Nero and Paul around 68 AD, again, by Nero.  

To my knowledge, Peter never used the term "Catholic" or "universal" to describe the congregation/church that he apparently founded in Rome.  It's also my understanding that such terms were used much later.  

I fully believe that what Peter founded in Rome was aligned with Christ's teachings.  I also fully believe that, at some point after Peter and Paul passed, that their church veered off the path prescribed by Christ and went their own way.  Eventually they began using the word "universal" or "Catholic" to identify their movement and faith system and then claimed that Peter was its founder (he wasn't) and was appointed to do so by Christ.  

So what might Catholic apologists say to cement their claim that Peter founded the Catholic Church as opposed to it simply being one of many churches started by the disciples of Christ?  

Thanks in advance.

 

Greetings.

The sequence of events you gave is Roman Catholic tradition. Peter, the leading brother in Jerusalem, would hardly have gone to Rome. His mission and ministry was to the Jews.

7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; 8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision (Gal.2:7–9).

See also 1st Peter 1:1. Even when great persecution came to Judea, the 12 Apostles stayed in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1 "... except the Apostles")

The Church at Roman was established by the Holy Spirit. Not even Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, got to Rome first.

The Roman Catholic Church was started in 313 AD when Constantine declared Christianity an official religion. The leader retained his title of "Pontifex Maximus", the name was changed slightly from "The Roman Empire" to "The Holy Roman Empire", and the soldiers swapped their armor for priests robes. The Pagan beliefs were kept, but Christian and/or Biblical names where given to them.

This damning history does not annul the fact that there are thousands of born again Christians and thousands of upright people in Rome's 1.3 billion adherents. In the Lord's prophesies the Roman Church, which has adopted Christian "speak" and rituals, is the "Tares" of Matthew 13 - that is, counterfeit Christianity. The Roman Church is the single most wealthy entity in the world, and is the most politically influential entity on earth.

I was a Roman Catholic born and bred. Catholic schools, and catholic boarding school. The Lord saved me in my 28th year.

The "Rock" is Christ. "Peter" means "little stone". The foundation of the Church is Christ but the "keys" are given to the whole Church.

Edited November 15, 2022 by AdHoc
Additional info

[enoob57]

It is not complex... anything that leads you to this world and it's things is not of God but of satan; who is presently running it...
1 John 2:15 (KJV)

[15] Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

[Mr. M]

7 hours ago, Not of the World said:

Matthew 16:18 ESV  And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 

Reference is to the foundation, upon which the church is built.

Ephesians 2:

19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens

with the saints and members of the household of God,

20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,

Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner,

21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 

22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Matthew 7:

24 Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him

to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 

25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house;

and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.