When we speak of the church we always remember Matthew 16:18 which says, “ Upon this rock I will build my church.” And this is the proof that Jesus really built a church.

This time we will consider doing a deeper study of this subject by taking the context. This was started when Jesus asked the question in Matt 16:13, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?”

The answer was, “Some say John the Baptist; some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”

Then Jesus asked again the same question but it was address to his disciples, “But who say ye that I am?”

Then Peter answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

From this statement Jesus said, “ Upon this rock I will build my church.”

Analyzing the conversation of Peter and Jesus, when Peter said that Jesus is the Christ, Jesus said, “Since I am the Christ, I will build my church.” It seems to me that the builder of the church should be somebody who is the Christ the Son of God. But what does it mean by the word Christ? Christ (christos) is the Greek word for the Hebrew word Messiah and it is Anointed in English Language. In the Old Testament, The anointment is being done to a person who will be a priest, a prophet or a king. But in this particular context Peter was actually saying you are the KING. Let us read John 1: 40-49.

Nathaniel said, “Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art King of Israel.”

Nathaniel was convinced that Jesus was the King of Israel when Jesus said, “Before Philip called thee, when thou was under the fig tree, I saw thee.” That means if Jesus would be able to see a man under the tree, therefore he is not just a man but God. And according to Micah, the ruler of Israel came from everlasting. Please read Micah 5:2, But thou, Bethlehem Ephrathah, which art little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall one come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.

Now let’s go back to the conversation of Jesus and Peter. What is the relationship of these two statements? What is the connection between these two statements?

Peter said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus said, “ Upon this rock I will build my church.”

Well, this is the fulfillment of what God promised to David in 2 Samuel 7:11-13, “and as from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel; and I will cause thee to rest from all thine enemies. Moreover Jehovah telleth thee that Jehovah will make thee a house.

When thy days are fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee that shall proceed out of thy bowels and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

Analyzing the text, God promised to give David a house and we know by reading 1 Tim 3:15 that the house of God is the church of God, therefore the house is the church. And from the passage of 2 Samuel 7:12-13 God will build a house through the seed of David who will be a king for the Everlasting Kingdom that He will established for Him.

From this study that we had, since Jesus is the Christ( King) and Jesus is the son of God or God himself, he is the only one authorized to build the church.

Another thing we need to consider about the Christ that was prophesied in the Old Testament. Let us read Luke 24:25-27 and 44-46, and he said unto them, O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Behooved it not the Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning him. And he said unto them, These are my words which I spoke unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their mind, that they might understand the scriptures; and he said unto them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day.

Please read also 1 Cor 15:3-4, For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures;

Now consider these qualifications that authorize someone to build a church;

He must be the seed of David

He must be the CHRIST (King of Israel) according to the Old Testament Scriptures

He must be God (from everlasting) according to Micah 5:2

He must die according to the scriptures

He must resurrect according to the scriptures.

Now consider the numerous churches that existed today, does their founder meet these qualifications for them to be able to build their own church?

I think this study is an eye opener for those who are seeking for the true church.

By Nehemias Bot Hayuhay