By Gary Hughes (Elder)

What do we believe?
We believe that the universal Church is the body of all believers in all places at all times existing under the headship of Christ.

Why do we believe this?
Matthew 16:18 – And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Why does it matter?
To understand this passage, one must know what the rock is of which Jesus speaks. Jesus was speaking of all believers of all time as being built on this rock. The rock of which Jesus spoke was solid bedrock. We might think of the rock of Gibraltar in our minds, but this rock was even more foundational than that. Unfortunately, some have misidentified the rock as being Peter the apostle. It is true that the name Peter means “a rock,” but the type of rock is more like a pebble or chip off of a large stone. It seems that Jesus is making a contrast to Peter when He spoke of the rock instead of identifying the rock as Peter. So what is the rock?

Peter had just finished giving his answer to Jesus’ question “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered by saying, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!” Jesus said that this answer was revealed to Peter by God the Father. He did not figure this out through logic. It is this confession and the fact behind it that would build Christ’s Church (“called out ones”). Each one who commits himself/herself to Christ after receiving/hearing the same revelation is also numbered among the Church.

Have you come to truly understand who Christ is, what that means for your life, and now stand on the solid Rock? Are you following Christ by living out citizenship in the universal Church by being a
member and involved in a local church?