Life of Christ Lesson 76: Upon this Rock {WHAT is the Rock? Peter?? NOPE!}

Matthew 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-21 In the first part of this lesson, the Lord Jesus asked His men the question every person must eventually answer, ". . .Whom say ye that I am?". This all-important questions and the response He received from the disciples are the subject matter contained under our heading, "The Choice". This question session ended with Peter's great confession (given on behalf of the other men, as well), "Thou art teh Christ, the Son of the Living God". The Lord accepted it because it is true! He then took them to a new stage of enlightenment; for the first time, He spoke to them about The Church"! We get into a very important discussion about the Lord's words to Peter, "Thou art Peter, and UPON THIS ROCK I will build My church". Was He stating that Peter is the rock upon which He would build His Church - or does "this rock" refer to something else? This is important, for this is the very verse Roman Catholicism bases its authority for the office of the pope! CRITICAL DOCTRINAL STUDY about this and other matters (i.e. Christ's words to His men about "binding and loosing" in Matthew 16:19).