Who is the "rock" of Christian faith:?

Jesus Christ is the rock.

The common language of Jesus and His disciples was Aramaic, not Greek; rather a Hebrew-Arabic dialect. The name Cephas means rock and stone. A large rock was necessary as a cornerstone of a foundation built at that time in that region. Peter is the rock of the church. Christ is saying to Peter...when I am ascended, I willl build My foundation around you. Jesus is the Rock or physical representation of God, and the Rock or the Physical foundation of Salvation, Grace, Mercy, Peace.... Peter is the rock or foundation of the church. The church is not God The church is not salvation or any other of the Godly aspects I have listed. The church is the bride of Christ and present in Christ. Peter is the patriarch of the church and Peter is spiritually present in the church.

As for the Greeks, they always were rather anal, don't you think? Most languages, specifically Hebrew - the language God used to utter all creation into existence - use specific words in general ways for use as object lessons. Also, the name Jesus was a common name of the time. Jesus Christ is not the only Jesus (the name means literally, the one who saves) but the only Jesus Christ (The Holy One Who saves) our Savior. Aditionally Cephas was not given only to the disciple we know as Peter.Only Christ gave only Simon the name Cephas. This was also a common name of the times.

To determine the true meaning or meanings of Christ's message one must always consider the context in which words are used, the situation and its history, to ascertain a fuller meaning of the words that are used.

Jesus Christ of course

Rom 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

1Cr 10:4 And all the early fathers did drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

Mat 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];

1Pe 2:4 To whom coming, [as unto] a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, [and] precious,

1Pe 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

Depends on the analogy... Jesus is also the lamb of God, a Builder, coner stone, the word, lion of judah..etc. you are making the mistake of mixing different analogies together.

if ure talking specifically about the analogy of the rock which the church its built on in Matt 16:18...Jesus' role is clearly the BUILDER and Peter is the Rock...Greek like french has a masculine and feminine form for word... calling Peter (a male) - petras (feminine) is like calling Peter...Petricia.. plus Jesus spoke Aramaic and both word for Peter and Rock is the same word "kepha"...

Plus u need to learn to read Math 16 in context... there is a pattern... Jesus identifies the object and talks about it..

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (identify object = Peter's answer)

17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. (Talks about the object)

18 And I tell you that you are Peter,(identify object = Peter the Rock) [b] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[c] will not overcome it. (Talks about the object)

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven(identify object = the keys); whatever you bind on earth will be[d] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[e] loosed in heaven.”(Talks about the object)

Saying Jesus is the rock breaks the clear pattern and is totally out of context... why would Jesus identify Peter as the Object then suddenlly ignore Peter & starts talking about himself..... when the passages before and after that shows a consistent patter of identifying "Peters answer" and "the keys" and the explaining both object in depth.

So my advice to use

1) dont mix up analogies

2) learn your greek & Aramaic

3) Read in context...there is a crystal clear patern that Jesus talks in Mat 16...read the bible passages before and after.

4) Also in context ask yourself what happens to anybody who got a name chnage in the old testament?? Jesus clearly gave Simon a name change..what does this signify??

If what i say is true... all you need to do is find Peter's current remains and you will find the one TRUE church..u should be joining

Absolutely! Jesus is the rock. Peter is just a stone, like all the saints.

Jesus is the Rock and that Rock IS GOD!

the Rock is Jesus. Jesus referred to Peter's confession of faith 'the rock upon which I will build my church. The rock is Peter"s confession , not Peter himself. Peter was not a pope. Peter"s name means 'pebble'.

"If you smell- what the Christ is cooking"

Definately Jesus The Christ

Isn't POD a christian rock band. They suck, but you religeous types wouldn't know good music anyway

Me