This expression seems to be one application of that familiar Christian theological term, "And who shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for My doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon My rock. (verses 37-40) Our Lord here explains the meaning of the "rock" upon which His Church stands. It is the doctrine of Christ concerning Repentance and Baptism. "This," He says, "is My doctrine," My rock. (Compare I Corinthians 10:4)
The Lord did not call Peter a stone, which in meaning is the same as rock, upon which He would build His Church. The Savior recognized that Peter was steadfast, and could be relied upon to carry forth the work of the ministry to which he was to be assigned. Peter was immovable, firm, and unwavering in keeping the commandments of God. The Lord called him a stone in that sense.
Nowhere in the Standard Works of the Church is revelation directly called a rock. It is a means whereby a truth is made known and is not that truth itself. Christ told Peter that the knowledge Peter had that "Thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God," was given (revealed) to him by "My Father which is in Heaven," and upon this truth, that is (this Rock) that I am Christ, will I build My Church. (III Nephi 27:10) this is My Gospel...that I came into the world to do the will of My Father, because My Father sent Me." (Ibid., 27:10; See, particularly verse 40)
The Hebrew language contains many words the meaning of which is determined by that to which they refer. The Rock of Horeb which Moses struck with his staff, and from which water burst forth to slake the thirst of the Children of Israel on an occasion as they wandered in the Arabian Desert is a perfect example. Rock here refers to a solid mass of stony material, or to a mass of concreted pebbles, sometimes called a conglomerate. Also, "The Lord is my Rock," refers to something entirely different. (Genesis 1:1) Rock, here, refers to the Creator. Certainly, the Savior did not refer to Peter as the Creator. Yet, in fine, that is just what some people would have them believe who do not understand the Gospel in its fulness.
The thoughtful student will gain much knowledge by studying the accompanying plate which was prepared especially to illustrate the fact which is here advanced.
The Gates of Hell. The gate and gateway of an ancient city were important parts of every community. There, the people gathered to hear the news. (Genesis 4:60; or to the people of the city, as in Samuel 15:2. In Assyria the gates were elaborate architectural works of art; lofty, magnificent, and guarded by symbolical figures. The Gates of Hell means the entire powers of Sheol.
Baptism anciently. Perhaps here we may remark that baptism is a sacred ordinance, or a rite, as old as the Gospel, itself. An illustration or two of this must suffice.
Adam, our venerated ancestor, was baptized. He asked the Lord for information concerning repentance and baptism, and received the light asked for. Then, "He was caught away by the Spirit of the Lord, and was carried down into the water, and was brought forth out of the water." By this means he received the Holy Ghost, and became, it seems, a High Priest, for we read, "And thou art after the order of Him Who was without beginning of days or end of years, from all eternity to all eternity." (Pearl of Great Price, Moses 6:52-68) The order of Him Who was without beginning of days or end of years, is, of course, the Order of Melchizedek, which is the Order of the Son of God.
The Waters of Mormon. Alma, about 147 years before our Lord, baptized in a clear spring called the Waters of Mormon. The significance of the baptism Alma administered was that the recipient was willing to serve God and keep His commandments during this life. The baptism was performed thus: "Alma took Helem, he being one of the first, and went and stood forth in the water, and cried, saying, O Lord, pour out Thy Spirit upon Thy servant, that he may do this work with holiness of heart. And when he had said these words, the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he said, Helem, I baptize thee, having authority from Almighty God, as a testimony that you have entered into a covenant to serve Him until you are dead as to the mortal body. And after Alma had said these words, both Alma and Helem came forth out of the water rejoicing, being filled with the Spirit." (Mosiah 18:5-17) This was a covenant for this life, but the reward of it would be Life Everlasting.
“This Is My Doctrine and Whoso Buildeth Upon This Buildeth Upon My Rock”
This expression seems to be one application of that familiar Christian theological term, "And who shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for My doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon My rock. (verses 37-40) Our Lord here explains the meaning of the "rock" upon which His Church stands. It is the doctrine of Christ concerning Repentance and Baptism. "This," He says, "is My doctrine," My rock. (Compare I Corinthians 10:4)
The Lord did not call Peter a stone, which in meaning is the same as rock, upon which He would build His Church. The Savior recognized that Peter was steadfast, and could be relied upon to carry forth the work of the ministry to which he was to be assigned. Peter was immovable, firm, and unwavering in keeping the commandments of God. The Lord called him a stone in that sense.
Nowhere in the Standard Works of the Church is revelation directly called a rock. It is a means whereby a truth is made known and is not that truth itself. Christ told Peter that the knowledge Peter had that "Thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God," was given (revealed) to him by "My Father which is in Heaven," and upon this truth, that is (this Rock) that I am Christ, will I build My Church. (III Nephi 27:10) this is My Gospel...that I came into the world to do the will of My Father, because My Father sent Me." (Ibid., 27:10; See, particularly verse 40)
The Hebrew language contains many words the meaning of which is determined by that to which they refer. The Rock of Horeb which Moses struck with his staff, and from which water burst forth to slake the thirst of the Children of Israel on an occasion as they wandered in the Arabian Desert is a perfect example. Rock here refers to a solid mass of stony material, or to a mass of concreted pebbles, sometimes called a conglomerate. Also, "The Lord is my Rock," refers to something entirely different. (Genesis 1:1) Rock, here, refers to the Creator. Certainly, the Savior did not refer to Peter as the Creator. Yet, in fine, that is just what some people would have them believe who do not understand the Gospel in its fulness.
The thoughtful student will gain much knowledge by studying the accompanying plate which was prepared especially to illustrate the fact which is here advanced.
The Gates of Hell. The gate and gateway of an ancient city were important parts of every community. There, the people gathered to hear the news. (Genesis 4:60; or to the people of the city, as in Samuel 15:2. In Assyria the gates were elaborate architectural works of art; lofty, magnificent, and guarded by symbolical figures. The Gates of Hell means the entire powers of Sheol.
Baptism anciently. Perhaps here we may remark that baptism is a sacred ordinance, or a rite, as old as the Gospel, itself. An illustration or two of this must suffice.
Adam, our venerated ancestor, was baptized. He asked the Lord for information concerning repentance and baptism, and received the light asked for. Then, "He was caught away by the Spirit of the Lord, and was carried down into the water, and was brought forth out of the water." By this means he received the Holy Ghost, and became, it seems, a High Priest, for we read, "And thou art after the order of Him Who was without beginning of days or end of years, from all eternity to all eternity." (Pearl of Great Price, Moses 6:52-68) The order of Him Who was without beginning of days or end of years, is, of course, the Order of Melchizedek, which is the Order of the Son of God.
The Waters of Mormon. Alma, about 147 years before our Lord, baptized in a clear spring called the Waters of Mormon. The significance of the baptism Alma administered was that the recipient was willing to serve God and keep His commandments during this life. The baptism was performed thus: "Alma took Helem, he being one of the first, and went and stood forth in the water, and cried, saying, O Lord, pour out Thy Spirit upon Thy servant, that he may do this work with holiness of heart. And when he had said these words, the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he said, Helem, I baptize thee, having authority from Almighty God, as a testimony that you have entered into a covenant to serve Him until you are dead as to the mortal body. And after Alma had said these words, both Alma and Helem came forth out of the water rejoicing, being filled with the Spirit." (Mosiah 18:5-17) This was a covenant for this life, but the reward of it would be Life Everlasting.