One asks me for a word on Peter's confession, as given in Matthew 16:18, and as others may have the same question in mind, I answer in this manner. The great point, I take it, is the new revelation as to the glorious Person of the Lord Jesus Christ-He is "Christ, the Son of the Living God." It is on this that the Church is built. In other words, everything for the Assembly hangs upon this precious truth. This is a distinct advance on what had previously been brought out in this Gospel. Matthew wrote to show that Jesus is the Son of David, who was to "build again the tabernacle of David that had fallen down." It is on the truth thus revealed that He does this. If He were not the Son of David, He could not be Israel's Messiah.

But it is not as Son of David that He builds the Church, nor as Son of Abraham either, nor yet as Son of Man, as in Luke. It is as Son of God. This is the Rock, as Augustine, the greatest of all Catholic theologians, triumphantly declares. The notion that Peter was the Rock came in after the true character of the Church was lost sight of, and the heavenly calling practically denied. Peter, who confessed this great truth, was "a stone" (Pedros) builded on the Rock; and this is true of all believers, as he himself teaches in i Peter 2:1-10. H. A. I.