Upon This Rock I Will Build My Church

The Bible says that the Rock in the wilderness was Christ. (1Corinthians 10:1-4).

The Bible records that Moses smote this Rock on two different occasions. Each time that Moses smote the Rock, water flowed out, supplying life sustaining water to the thirsty Israelites.

The first time that Moses smote the Rock, appears to be a type of water baptism in Jesus name; the second time Moses smote the Rock, appears to be a type of Spirit baptism of the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues.

When God told Moses to smite the Rock the first time, God told him to smite the Rock with the rod that had turned the Nile river to blood. (Exodus 7:20,17:5-6) Thus, there was the remembrance of blood when Moses struck the Rock with his rod and the water flowed out.

The second time, Moses was to SPEAK to the Rock for the water to flow out. (Numbers 20:8, Acts 2:4)

Thus, when Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build my church,” He was speaking of building His church upon Himself, the smitten rock out of which would flow water/blood and the Spirit.

Blood and water flowed from Jesus the Rock for water baptism:

John 19:34 KJV - But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

Matthew 26:28 KJV - For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins./ Luke 24:47 KJV - And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. /Acts 2:38 KJV - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins… (See also: Zechariah 12:10,13:1)

Water flowed from Jesus the Rock for Spirit baptism:

John 4:10, 14 KJV - Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. ... But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

John 7:37-39 KJV - In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

That Rock was Christ:

1Corinthians 10:1-4 KJV - Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

Isaiah 53:4 KJV - Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. (Moses smote rock).

Matthew 16:18 KJV - And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. [“Peter” – petros; “rock” – petra. “Some interpretations regard the distinction (generally observed in classic Greek; between πέτρα, the massive living rock, and πέτρος, a detached but large fragment, as important for the correct understanding of this passage” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon) “Rock: denotes "a mass of rock," as distinct from petros, "a detached stone or boulder," or a stone that might be thrown or easily moved.” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary)]

The church began on the Day of Pentecost, with Peter preaching the first Gospel message.

Acts 2:38 KJV - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.