NOTE.—This article being originally written in Spanish, the difference in the two languages makes it impossible to bring out the beauty and force of the argument that the original has.
IN Matt. 16:18 we read these words: "I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock will I build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." The question is, Who is this rock—Christ or Peter? The Bible must answer it. It may be well to give the definitions of the words "piedra=Peter" and "rock," for some may not be acquainted with their meaning. "Peter" (Greek, petros; Spanish, piedra), a stone; a hard and compact earthy substance; a piece of the rock such as is used in buildings and in paving the streets and for many other uses.
"Rock" (Greek, petra; Spanish, roca), a rock; the vein of rock; very hard and solid; the natural ledge, or the rocky crag, promontory; that which is very hard and enduring.
From these definitions we learn that petros (stone) is a piece of the natural rock. So it was with Peter. He was in Christ and Christ in him, because he (Peter) believed in Christ; and, therefore, Peter partook of the nature of Christ, and by this he became as a piece of stone. As it was with Peter, so it is with us. Peter says: "Ye also, as lively [living] stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, . . . acceptable to God by Jesus Christ," who is "a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious." "He that believeth on him shall not be confounded." See 1 Peter 2:4-6.
Did Peter believe in Christ?—Yes, because, in replying to the question of Christ, he said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Matt. 16:16. And Jesus said unto him, "Thou art Peter [that is, thou art a piece of the Living Rock, because thou believest in me], and upon this Rock [which is myself] I will build my church; and the gates of hell [the grave] shall not prevail against it." Verse 18.
The words of Christ spoken to the apostles are clear enough in themselves. "Thou art Peter," said Jesus to Simon, "and upon this Rock [which is myself] I will build my church." If the Lord, in the place of assuring them that he was the Rock, had wished to affirm that it was Peter, instead of saying, "And upon this (Spanish, esta) Rock," which is I, i. e., my own personal self, he would have said, "And upon that (Spanish, esa) Rock," which art thou, etc. Those of little education can see the propriety of this manner of speaking. So speaks the Holy Word of God in all things necessary for salvation. As we understand it so the writers of the first century understood it, beginning with the mother church at Jerusalem.
Jerome said, "'This Rock is Christ' (Petra Cristus est). This the apostles conceded, they themselves being called 'stones' (qui donavit apostolis quoque petræ vocentur)."—Jerome on183Amos 6:12. This man also well said, "Since all the apostles, being stones placed upon the Rock, which is Christ Jesus, it also included Peter."
Augustine (Retractationum LXXV.) says: "The Lord did not say to Peter, Thou art a rock, but, Thou art Peter—(Non enim dictum est illi: Tu es Petra, sed: Tu es Petrus)." Ambrose, with others, understood that the Rock was the One confessed by Peter, when he said, "Thou art the Son of the living God." That no doubt might remain, the Holy Spirit tells us in 1 Cor. 3:11 that "other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."—La Iglesia en España, pp. 22, 23.
It is clear that the foundation of the church of the living God is Jesus Christ. To help all to see that the Rock is Christ, we will cite a few texts in which the word "rock" is used to teach the character of the true God. Says the Psalmist, "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress." Ps. 18:2, 31, 46; 28:1; 31:3; 62:2; 71:3. Peter said: "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:10-12.
Words cannot be clearer. "Jesus Christ . . . whom God raised from the dead," is the Rock on which the church is builded. "This is the stone . . . which is become the head of the corner." Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." John 14:6.
The first promise made to man after his fall says, "I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." Gen. 3:15. Who is this seed of the woman? If this seed is Peter, then Peter is the rock; but if Christ is the seed, then Christ is the Rock, the true foundation of the church of God. What do the Scriptures say? "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ." Gal. 3:16. "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; . . . Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." Eph. 2:19, 20. "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 3:11.
No words can be clearer. Christ is the seed, Christ is the chief corner stone, and only through him can we enter the kingdom of God. Jesus says, "This is the will of Him that sent me, that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life." John 6:40. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.
We read of the Revelation, that God gave it unto Christ to show unto his servants the things which must shortly come to pass. Jesus says: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end." "I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star." "Surely I come quickly: Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
[This article is published in the Spanish in a tract of 4 pages, and can be obtained from either the Pacific Press Publishing Co., Oakland, Cal., or the California Tract Society, 1059 Castro Street, Oakland, Cal.]