Matthew 16:18, broken up into the important parts to fit the allowed title space.
You'll notice POWERS OF DEATH in caps where GATES OF HELL would otherwise be. I was flipping the RSV-2CE and stopped when I saw "u - or the powers of death" in the reference system. I followed "u" to Matthew 16:18. I didn't know this verse could be translated as such. I researched it and it can, indeed, be translated like that.
In this context, it seems the Protestant claim that "rock" is Jesus, as it also refers to God everywhere else in scripture, and that it is fitting, seeing as death did not and could not prevail against Jesus, as he rose the 3rd day.
I'm not debating and I'm not even sure I'm asking a question, really. I just found this interesting. Insight or guidance would be appreciated.
i r confuzed
Subtle as this might be - but Jesus was speaking Isaias 22 nearly verbatum.
I mean what would the point be for Isaiah to mention the steward to the King and the key and the open and shutting doors?
I mean for real, Jesus spoke this way - when handing the keys to Peter.
Keys signify the person has the power [per Isaiah] to lock and unlock the doors of the Kingdom.
Lest we neither know nor understand how Jesus was using this reference towards Peter.
AKA - Peter - you are my steward - and you can lock and unlock the MY Kingdom's doors...
What is a steward we ponder?
It the 'right hand man' who
literally runs the Kingdom - staff - and all dealings and decisions in the absence of the King.
He is 'the man' outside of the Man. He takes the place - fills the shoes - does the stuff of the King.
Jesus made it pretty clear when speaking He was quoting Isaiah.
However; the gates of hell is anything heretical. ...heresy is death.
[Exception in invincible ignorance] - to depart with intent from that which the steward assigns is like directly refusing the King.
Which is why the Pope is literally standing in the place of the Lord because the Lord assigned His steward to do so.
Peter understood his position and ordained Clement l to eventually take his chair.
So Ireneaus wrote - a disciple and Bishop from Polycarp - taught by St John himself.
Also - take into account one cannot lay a foundation until the cornerstone is put down. Jesus calls Himself the cornerstone Who was rejected. In this sense - Peter is going to build off of Him - and be the foundation stemming from the cornerstone.
So with keys in hand - he unlocks and locks...
We cannot ignore the whole statement from Christ.
Taken apart - understanding Isaiah, and the importance of keys - and cornerstones and foundations - it all makes sense.
Only one man can be a steward. But like a king - they take the place of all his duties and authority.
So its much more than a sentence which taken into context - would be quite
mad for the Lord to say it is Himself He is referring to - when it is a steward He is leaving to do His duties.
He tells them another time - he sends them out. To do His ministry. To take His place. All of them have this particular duty. However; as King being a single position - so is a steward. You dont have several kinds and never several stewards.
Which is why the 'keys' were ceremoniously placed into the hands of one. One steward can exist as one king exists.
But because all do His ministry in a unique way - He assigns them keys to be in the 'protective' care of the one steward.
So all must go to the steward to be received.
One cannot open and close without the steward - therefore they cannot bind or loose.
For binding and loosing are the symbol of opening and shutting the lock of the Kingdom.
One King - one steward.
If one breaks away from the Kingdom - they cannot take use of the keys assigned to one man.
Only one is entrusted with all authority to over see all the others.
Their keys are to put themselves in the position to do the ministry - but without the main 'gate keeper' they can have no such luck at opening and shutting - aka loosing and binding.
It is what it is - even if it is unpopular and loathed that the Lord chose Isaiah to share this prophesy. If it is unpopular that ppl must willing submit to a steward as they would the King - it is still - what it is.