Photo: Marcus Woodbridge

 

Matthew 16:18 “And I tell you, you are Peter (petros - stone), and on this rock (petra - large stone) I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

 

The Foundation

The foundation of the church is unshakable because it is laid by Jesus himself, with this powerful declaration: “I will build my church.” This foundation is unshakable—it is based on Jesus himself, as the cornerstone of the church, and the rock upon which it stands. The confession of the church is who Jesus is.

 

The Definition

The term ekklesia, which Jesus uses to describe the church, means “the called-out ones”. This foundational concept emphasises that the church is not a human invention but a divine creation. It is built upon Jesus’ identity and His mission.

This is the first mention of the church in the New Testament. Jesus uses the word ekklesia, which literally means a “gathering” or the “called-out ones”.

The church is not a building or institution. It is the people—those called out of the world and into a relationship with Jesus.

The term ekklesia also emphasises that this gathering is divine in origin—the people are chosen and called by God.

 

A Divine Work

Jesus alone builds his church. It is not the work of ministers, denominations, or rituals.

The church is initiated and continued by Jesus Christ himself. He is the one who calls individuals to himself, regardless of their background—be it tribe, tongue, or social status.

No Christian nation exists in the biblical sense—only Jesus can build his church. The church is not bound to any earthly kingdom, but is made up of those regenerated by the work of Christ.

 

Application

Anyone who tries to be part of the church without acknowledging Jesus as the foundation has been deceived.

The true church is built on the foundation laid by Christ, and no human efforts can replicate or replace this.

If anyone tries to become part of the church apart from Jesus—through rituals, traditions, or any effort of their own—they are deceiving themselves. Jesus alone builds his church, and this church consists of those who have confessed the true identity of Christ: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

 

The Rock of True Confession

The church is built upon the confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, forming the bedrock of the church’s existence.

Peter’s declaration, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God”, is the confession upon which Jesus builds his church.

This confession is divine truth that must be revealed by God the Father through supernatural revelation.

 

If individuals from other faiths—whether Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, or even so-called Christians—proclaim a different belief about Jesus, it reveals inadequate understanding. The true church cannot partner with or acknowledge any confession that deviates from the truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

 

The Gates of Hell

Jesus’ statement assures us that the forces of death and hell will not overcome his church. He therefore emphasises that his mission was to defeat Satan, liberate people from eternal destruction, and build his church despite any spiritual opposition. Jesus came to break the chains of sin, death, and judgment, and nothing can prevent his church from flourishing.

The gates of hell were metaphorically placed in Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus stood near a cave that was believed to be a portal to the underworld. This was the darkest, most spiritually oppressive place in the region.

Satan and his forces may have once held sway, but Jesus has come to bind the strong man, to break the power of death, and to plunder hell.

Jesus has come to destroy the works of the devil and to rescue souls from eternal damnation. The church will continue to grow, spread, and advance until it reaches its final victory in Christ. No demonic force, no matter how strong, can stop it.

 

The Church and Spiritual Warfare

The true church is not a passive institution; it is actively engaged in spiritual warfare, standing firm against the gates of hell.

Jesus’ victory means that the church is on the offensive—it is breaking through the barriers of death and darkness, calling people out of the domain of darkness and into the kingdom of light.

The church is a living organism, not bound by earthly powers or kingdoms. It exists for the redemption of souls, plundering hell, and bringing people into eternal life in Christ.

 

Summary

The true church of Jesus Christ has an unshakable foundation: the divine truth of Jesus being the Christ, the Son of the Living God. This foundation is established and maintained by Jesus alone, and it prevails against any opposition from the forces of hell. The church is built on a supernatural confession revealed by God, and its growth is driven by Jesus’ authority and power.

 

Looking Ahead

We will explore how this unshakable foundation influences the church’s mission and its role in the world, and gain a greater understanding of the propagation of the true church and its impact on the world.

 

Call to Action

 

Reflect on the foundation of your faith.

 

 

Are the forces of death and hell assailing the church, or is it the other way round?

 

 

Write down your thoughts and insights.