Brian, On Rocks...
My interpretation is none of the three you listed. I interpret the ROCK as God, the Father. As in Jesus was saying to Peter, you must build a church on the belief in the Father, and you must teach them that the way to the Father is through Me (the Key). Jesus was not and did not ever say that He was the Father... and while it is my belief that they are one in trinity with the Spirit, I do not believe they are the same being.
Reasons:
1. Jesus did not preach that he was God when living. (son of God yes, God no)John 11:41-42 when He raised Laz, He spoke to the Father for the benefit of those around Him, so they might believe in the Father as well as Him.
2. Jesus repeatedly stated that He was the WAY to the Father. And this is simply what He was restating to Peter once more. It was all about the Father; John 4:21-23; and what He wants.
3. Nueter would have been just the tense He would have used to describe Yahweh after having seen Him... as this is the tense that was in the OT.
4. The Jews were still the chosen people, however Gentiles were being invited in as being able to Chose to believe. (but since you don't believe anyone can chose to follow Jesus this must be mute to you??)
John 5:... well heck pretty much the whole thing, supports my interpretation.
-maouse |
