On ya, Merv!!!

Hi,

Sorry for the tardy response, I’ve been away.

Here are some brief answers to your questions:

Q: Why did Christ call Peter the “rock” of His Church?

A: Jesus didn’t call Peter “the rock of His church” but rather was referring to the revelation that Peter had of Jesus being Messiah. “for flesh and blood has not revealed it to you, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also to you, that you are Peter [petros], and upon this rock [petra] I will build my church;” (Matt 16:17-18) Jesus often presented symbolism to go with His message. He was saying that the church would be built on the revelation of Jesus as Christ which is revealed by our Father in heaven. He then re-named Simon to Petros (rock) to signify His point. He didn’t call Peter “the rock of His church”, He called Him Petros/rock.

To further show that Peter is in no way the rock that the church is built upon: The rock is, and always has been, the Lord: “The LORD is my rock” (Ps 18:2) “For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?” (Ps 18:31) “He only is my rock and my salvation;” (Ps 62:2) “whosoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, which built his house upon a rock” (Matt 7:24) “As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed.” (Rom 9:33) “And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” (1 Cor 10:4) “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on Him shall not be confounded. To you therefore which believe He is precious: but to them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.” (1 Pet 2:6-8)

Q: Is it not important to receive the Holy Eucharist and Wine?

A: I will address the “breaking of bread” in part four of this series. However, in short, “breaking bread from house to house” is the central purpose for New Testament gatherings. (Acts 2:46) - “the disciples came together to break bread” (Acts 20:7-12) In saying that, this practice was outworked “from house to house” as they “did eat their meat (food) with gladness and singleness of heart” rather than performing ceremony in a “church” building.

Q: why did John the Baptist question Whom Christ was after he actually declared who Christ was when he baptised Him. I believe it was in Luke where it is written that The Baptist sent one of his own people to question Christ.

A: Many in the time of Jesus’ incarnate ministry were expecting the Messiah to deliver them from the Romans in a political and/or military way. Perhaps John, who had declared that he himself was not Christ but that “one mightier than I comes”, was wondering why this “mightier” one had not released him from prison. As John sat on death row I’m sure he had times of doubt as to whether Jesus was Christ because he was not physically delivered from Herod the tetrarch. It was then that John sent his disciples to reaffirm his earlier revelation that Jesus was Christ:

When the men were come to Him, they said, John Baptist has sent us to You, saying, Are You He that should come? or look we for another? And in that same hour He cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and to many that were blind He gave sight. Then Jesus answering said to them, Go your way, and tell John what things you have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me. (Luke 7:20-23)

I hope this was helpful

Bretto