1. When Christ came into the coasts of Caesarea, what question did He ask?

“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi; He asked His disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” Matthew 16:13.

2. What answer did he receive?

“And they said, Some say that Thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets,” Matthew 16:14.

3. After finding the opinion of the multitude, then what question did He ask His disciples?

“He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?” Matthew 16:15.

4. What answer did Peter give?

“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,” Matthew 16:16.

5. Through what source had Peter learned that Christ was the Son of God?

“And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven,” Matthew 16:17.

NOTE: After making a study of these few verses, we find considerable difference of opinion among the people as to who Christ really was, some thinking He was one and some another. In fact only a few seemed to know the truth of the matter, and they had received their knowledge from the great fountain head, or foundation of all: namely, God the Father, the eternal Rock of all ages.

6. By different Bible writers what is God declared to be?

“He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He . . . But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked . . . then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation . . . Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee,” Deuteronomy. 32:4, 15, 18.

“Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my Rock,” Psalm 28:1.

“He [God] only is my Rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved,” Psalm 62:2, see verse 7.

The readers will please turn to their Bibles and read the following: Psalm 19:14, margin; 31:2, 3; 42:9; 61:2; 73:26, margin; 89:26.

NOTE: Many other scriptures could be given, as proof that God is declared to be the Rock, but I trust these few will be ample proof to those who read these lines.

7. After Peter had acknowledged Christ to be the Son of God, then what did Christ say

to him?

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this Rock [God the Father, the one which revealed to Peter that Christ was His Son] I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it,” Matthew 16:18.

NOTE: If the readers will notice carefully they will find that Christ did not say He would build His church upon Himself, but upon someone else, whom He called “This Rock.” By searching the Bible we find God is declared to be the Rock, or foundation of all, while Christ is only called the Chief Corner Stone of the building, which was to be built upon this Rock or foundation.

8. In Paul’s writings what is Christ declared to be?

“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner Stone,” Ephesians 2:20.

9. How does Peter speak of the same thing?

“Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded,” I Peter 2:6.

NOTE: By making a careful study of this subject; with all the connecting scriptures that could be given, we find that Christ made no promise of building His church upon Peter. Neither did He say, I will build this church upon Myself; but He said, “upon this Rock.” As God is declared to be the Rock, and the church is called by His name, and He being the one which revealed to Peter that Christ was His Son, certainly it is logical to conclude that God was the One to Whom Christ referred when He said, “Upon this Rock I will build My church.” And again, the statement has been made that, “God is head of Christ.” Christ, knowing this, referred to the greatest of all beings as the foundation upon which to build the structure that would not only last through the present dispensation, but will stand throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.