Christ’s blessing – see footnote
Quote:
Originally Posted by savedsinner7
Jesus is the Rock. Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, His work is perfect;For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.
Deuteronomy 32:4 The works of God are perfect, and all his ways are judgments: God is faithful and without any iniquity, he is just and right.
Deuteronomy 32:18 18 Thou hast forsaken the God that begot thee, and hast forgotten the Lord that created thee.
How is this the same “ROCK” discussed In Matt 16.
These are differences translation between King James Version and the Douay-Rheims. What's being expressed here isn't that Christ is the “Rock” in Matt 16. However, Christ was strong like a rock from which the water pours forth like the rock of Horeb (Exodus 17:5-7; Numbers 20:10-11; Psalm 104:41) And would this water be related to baptism?
Quote:
Originally Posted by savedsinner7
1 Samuel 2:2
“No one is holy like the LORD,For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.
2 Samuel 22:47
“The LORD lives!Blessed be my Rock! Let God be exalted, The Rock of my salvation!
These are also translated quite differently. They hold no bearing on the Rock being discussed in Matt 16
Quote:
Originally Posted by savedsinner7
Psalm 18:31
For who is God, except the LORD?And who is a rock, except our God?
Once again, not the Rock on which the Church is built.
Quote:
Originally Posted by savedsinner7
Isaiah 8:14
He will be as a sanctuary, But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense To both the houses of Israel, As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
This is a prophecy of Christ that will be sanctification for venial sins and mortal sins. It's funny that Isaiah should talk of small sins and large sins? Isn't it your view that sin – any sin, any kind, any fault – is death of the soul? But why do we have a discussion of such things a hundreds of years before the Catholic Church?
Quote:
Originally Posted by savedsinner7
There are many verses which speak of the Rock Who is Jesus. I suggest you do a word study.
But, I don't know of any other verse where Christ gives one of his disciples another name. Do you?
There are a few verses that talk of Christ as a Rock, but only in the sense of strength. But for a moment lets say Jesus is the Rock referred to in Matt 16:18
The verse as written; Matt 16:18 And I say to thee [Simon]: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
In the plain language of today, the simple meaning of the verse 18 becomes: because this was revealed to you by God, I will call you Peter (which means rock) and on this Rock of faith I will build my church; hell won't prevail against it. And because my identity as the Messiah was revealed to you by God I'll give you the key to heaven.
Now we'll redo in plain language of today with Christ as a Rock: because this was revealed to you by God, I will call you Peter (which means rock) and on ME (or on My Faith) I will build my church; hell won't prevail against it. And because my identity as the Messiah was revealed to you by God I'll give you the key to heaven.
The second rendition just doesn't make plain sense, its contorted. Why would Christ build a Church on Himself because Peter had a revelation from God as to Christ's identity? Secondly, again in the second version, why would Christ build a Church on Himself and give Peter the Keys? Thirdly, if the intent was for Christ to build a Church, why not say, I'm the Messiah as it was revealed to you Simon, therefore I'm building a Church - why even mention turning Simon into a Rock?
JoeT
Note
In response to objections from others
(Those following this post)
[ Insofar as I'm able to discern, based on the knowledge of those fluent in Greek and Latin, the differences between the KJV and the Douay-Rheims are not major. Only a few verses in the KJV give a different understanding. That's why I feel free to use a KJV to get a more rounded sense of a verse. My reason for mentioning the Scriptural differences was to point out differences here, as elsewhere in my response, of cases referring to Christ as a Rock is related to his strength. Furthermore, when compared with a Rock it referrers to Christ's founding of doctrinal precepts; as it where knowledge pouring forth baptismal waters from Christ's strength refreshing the people of Israel, e.g., Exodus 17:5 And the Lord said to Moses: Go before the people, and take with thee of the ancients of Israel: and take in thy hand the rod wherewith thou didst strike the river, and go. 6 Behold I will stand there before thee, upon the rock Horeb, and thou shalt strike the rock, and water shall come out of it that the people may drink. This doctrinal foundation is shown in 1 Cor 3:11-12 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. NKJV
An often missed significance in Matthew 16 is Christ's declaration, Matt 16:17 “Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona:” We only see such blessings conveyed in one other location, but not by Christ, rather by an angel: “blessed art thou among women.” This blessing went to Mary, the Mother of God. Are we to assume that Peter didn't know of this? Are we to assume that this blessing made to Mary, the “handmaid” of God, would not in the same sense make Peter, the primary servant of Christ? And what significance are we to make of this blessing that came out of Christ's own mouth? That this was just some utterance, a use of metaphors, a courteous remark? Would it not be safe to assume that what Christ blesses stays blessed? How does our eye pass so freely across the words “blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona” without stopping to wonder at the significance that's found nowhere else in the New Testament? Aren't you envious, aren't you just a bit envious? Peter is the only one in history blessed by Christ himself? But, such envy can only be appeased when you come to the understanding that in the Catholic Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, you share that blessing. By making ourselves “servants” of the Church, we in turn make ourselves, subjects of the Church whose head is the vicar (earthly representative) of Christ; and as such sharing in that one and only blessing uttered by Christ. You might not be awed, others who write in this thread might not be awed, but for me and mine, I want a piece of that blessing uttered by Christ. Therefore, to ease everyone's mind about me leaving the Church of Jesus Christ; don't worry, God willing, I will continue living as a Roman Catholic!]
JoeT