Russell's Reasoning's — West Douglas Church Of Christ

As I said, there’s a lot we can talk about concerning Peter. But I would be remiss if I didn’t discuss, though controversial, the difference between Peter a Rock and The Rock spoken of by JESUS in Matthew 16. First let me point out a fact. The word FAITH, in the New Testament, is a Feminine Noun. It is not exactly the same as the verb, to believe, which is an action. Any statement of Faith, no matter the grammar of each individual word in that statement, should fall under that major Feminine Noun heading- FAITH or FAITH STATEMENT. We know from Matthew 16 that Peter (Petros) makes a FAITH STATEMENT- a Confession of FAITH, “YOU are the CHRIST, the SON of the LIVING GOD!” JESUS then tells Peter (Petros), “-For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.” Peter’s FAITH did not come from other people, it came by revelation from GOD HIMSELF. JESUS continues, “And I tell you that you are Peter (Petros- Masculine Singular Proper Name), and on this rock (PETRA- Feminine Singular Noun) I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” Petros and Petra come from the same origin, but slightly different in meaning, JESUS did NOT say that the church would be built on the Masculine Singular Proper Name Peter, but upon the Feminine Singular Noun PETRA (rock). JESUS did not change Peter’s name into a Feminine. The only thing, in my opinion, that the Feminine Singular Noun PETRA (rock) JESUS could have been referring to, is Peter’s FAITH (a Feminine Singular word), his FAITH-STATEMENT, “YOU are the CHRIST, the SON of the LIVING GOD.” The foundation of the Church is- the First and Only Apostles and the New Testament prophets. (SEE Ephesian 2:19-22) That foundation made up of early church leaders was just that, a foundation not a HEAD. JESUS is the ONE and ONLY HEAD of HIS Church. Yes, Peter was one of several foundation stones, but there is only ONE ROCK the Church is built on. That ROCK is JESUS.

Russell Ashby