On This Rock I Will Build My Church

Matthew 16:18

Aug 04, 2026

(Photo by Red Zeppelin on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible)

Matthew 16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

In context, Peter had just declared that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus responded by saying that He would build His church on this truth. The church is built on the person of Jesus Christ and the confession that He is the promised Messiah.

This verse announces the beginning of the Church Age. Jesus said, “I will build My church,” pointing to the work He would begin after His death, resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Throughout the Church Age, Jesus continues to build His church as people put their faith in Him.

When someone trusts in Christ, they are born again and become part of His church. The Holy Spirit comes to dwell within them, giving them the power to grow in holiness, serve God, share the gospel, and make disciples. This work will continue until Christ returns for His church.

Jesus also promises that “the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” Death and the powers of darkness cannot overcome Christ’s church because He has already conquered sin and death through His resurrection. No matter what happens in this world, Christ will faithfully accomplish His purpose and build His church.

Take joy in knowing that you are part of what Jesus is building. Faithfully share the gospel, help others follow Christ, and live each day with the hope of His return. One day, the Church Age will come to its glorious completion when Jesus gathers His people to be with Him forever. ~ Jeff M Newman

Latest Bible Study

Lesson 92 - 1 John 3:9...they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.

Observe Jesus’ Commands

Don’t worry about your life, about what you will eat or drink, about your body, about what you will wear, or about what will happen tomorrow. Prioritize God’s kingdom and righteousness. Trust that He will provide for you.

Matthew 6:25-34 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28 And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow: They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own. (Luke 12:22-31)