CONTINUING with these verses in Matthew's Gospel we come to verses that have caused much difficulty and division. The difficulties lie in Christ's words to Peter concerning the gift of the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, and the power to bind and loose on earth, which will be ratified in heaven. That these words were spoken to Peter cannot be denied, but how do we understand them.

It is tempting to launch at once into an explanation of this authority given to Peter, but we must not do this, but first take to heart and understand the happenings that immediately preceded them. It is plain that Jesus is opening up to the apostles a clearer and more definite understanding of himself – who he was and why he came. Peter plainly speaks for them all as a spokesman, and this immediately helps, because as Peter was the spokesman for all the apostles, Jesus was definitely addressing them all, and so the authority given to Peter was an authority given to them all. So we can say that in giving the keys of the kingdom to Peter as the spokesman for the apostolic band, Jesus was also placing the keys in the hands of the whole apostolic band. When we read the history of the early church in the Acts of the Apostles, we never find that Peter is considered in charge or having supreme authority in the church. The narrative plainly records that all the apostles were equal to each other. Also we can see that the authority was not vested in them as men and individuals, but in them when they declared the Gospel and Word of God. In themselves many failings are recorded, not least in the life of Peter. But when in the Spirit they declared the word of the Lord, they were exercising the authority of the keys. We will come back to this understanding later.

Now Peter as the spokesman for all the apostolic band declares the truth about Jesus. In reply to Jesus' question addressed to the whole of the apostles, Peter voices the belief of them all when he says “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” The reply Jesus gives to this declaration is most revealing.

Firstly, Jesus declares that Peter, and all who have this knowledge, and believe it, shown in trust and obedience, are blessed. Blessed is a word that holds all the blessing of the salvation which Christ purchased by his death and bestows freely in grace on all who believe in him as the Christ, the Son of the living God. This is blessing because it is to know the forgiveness of all our sins, be imputed with the righteousness of Christ so that we stand spotless before God on his judgment throne and so fear no condemnation, and possess the gift of eternal life and membership of God's family.

Peter having this faith was truly blessed, just as were all the disciples who shared this faith with Peter. But we must observe also that this blessedness is not gained by human effort or from human wisdom or teaching, but comes by direct revelation of God. Jesus tells Peter that this has been revealed to him by Christ's Father in heaven, that is by God. So we see that in some unique way Peter and the Apostles were given a unique revelation from God. We can go on to understand that the revelation of Christ and his salvation is not acquired for any of us by human understanding and effort, but the sovereign grace of God by his Holy Spirit, but there is a uniqueness about this revelation given to Peter and the apostles that is something greater.

Verse 18 is the difficult verse. Jesus is plainly speaking to Peter, and giving him a new name which means a rock, and this has caused the church of Rome to claim that Peter as a person is the rock, and to claim that the popes are successors of Peter, and have an authority which demands that all who would be Christians and be saved must accept the Pope as their spiritual lord, and bow to his authority. However this can't be the meaning of Christ's words, for Peter did not accept such a hierarchical position, and no one in the New Testament ever acknowledged that he had such authority. It also can be said that the history of the Popes down the ages clearly denies that they hold any spiritual authority, or in some cases, if not most, they showed singular lack of Christ-likeness in their lives.

What can we say then? When we read the words of Jesus in the context in which they come it is plain that Jesus is referring not to Peter as a person, but rather to the declaration of understanding and belief that he and the other disciples had had revealed to them by God, which Peter as the spokesman for them all had voiced. The rock on which Christ will build his church was himself, and the fact that he was and is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

This truth is a sure rock, whereas Peter the man was no rock at all. Jesus as the Christ assures us and tells us that Jesus is the one appointed by God to work and win salvation for his people, and because he is the Son of the Living God, this work is perfect and no power of hell can possible overcome it. Here is the rock that the belief and trust of the faithful can be built, and know that it is a sure foundation which Satan can never overthrow and so claim them for himself and for hell. This is the rock on which Christ will build his church, which is the company of all faithful people who place their trust and confidence in Christ alone.