Matthew 16:18 is one of the most important verses for understanding where the Church gets its authority. When Jesus says, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it,” He’s making it clear that the Church is His creation, not a man-made institution. He’s the builder, and that means all authority in the Church flows directly from Him—not from tradition, popularity, or human leadership alone. This verse also shows that Jesus gives the Church spiritual authority to lead, teach, and protect truth.
That authority didn’t stop with Peter or the early apostles. It continues today through Scripture, godly leadership, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. If you’ve ever wondered why the Church matters or how it’s supposed to lead in a world full of voices, Matthew 16:18 gives you a solid, biblical answer. Keep reading for a deeper dive into how you can explain and apply the Church’s authority based on this powerful promise from Jesus.
Understanding the Church’s authority can be confusing. With so many denominations, doctrines, and opinions, it’s easy to wonder: Who really has authority in the Church? Thankfully, Jesus answers that question in Matthew 16:18, a key verse that lays the foundation for understanding the Church’s God-given authority.
“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” — Matthew 16:18 (NIV)
This one sentence from Jesus holds deep theological weight. Let’s break it down and see how you can use it to explain where the Church’s authority comes from, why it matters, and how it applies today.
1. Jesus Builds the Church—It’s His, Not Ours
The first and most important point in Matthew 16:18 is that Jesus Himself is the builder of the Church.
- “I will build” — That’s a clear, personal statement of ownership and intention.
- “My church” — The Church doesn’t belong to pastors, bishops, councils, or denominations. It belongs to Christ.
This immediately answers a huge question: Where does the Church get its authority?
From Jesus. Not human leaders, not popularity, and not tradition alone. If Jesus is the builder, then He also determines its foundation, mission, and structure.
2. The Foundation: “On This Rock”
This part of the verse—“on this rock”—has sparked centuries of debate. Was Jesus referring to Peter? His confession? Or something else?
Here’s what you need to know:
- The Greek word for Peter is Petros (a stone).
- The word for “rock” is petra (a large rock or bedrock).
There are two main interpretations:
- Peter himself as the foundational leader (Catholic view): Jesus was giving Peter special authority as the first leader of the Church.
- Peter’s confession as the rock (Protestant view): The Church is built on the truth Peter declared—that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (see verse 16).
Either way, Jesus is clearly establishing a foundation—and He’s giving real authority to His Church.
3. The Role of Peter and Apostolic Authority
In verse 19, Jesus continues:
“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” — Matthew 16:19
This is where the concept of authority becomes unmistakable.
- “Keys of the kingdom” symbolize access and responsibility.
- “Binding and loosing” refer to teaching, discipline, and decision-making authority in spiritual matters.
Jesus gave Peter and the apostles the authority to lead, teach, and guide the Church in alignment with heaven. That’s not just symbolic—it’s functional authority given by Christ.
4. How This Authority Continues Today
You might wonder: OK, Peter had authority—but how does that apply to the Church today?
Here’s how that authority continues:
a. Through Scripture
The apostles’ teachings are preserved in the New Testament. The Church today stands under the authority of God’s Word. It’s the final rule for faith and practice.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16
b. Through Church Leadership
Elders, pastors, and leaders are called to teach sound doctrine, shepherd God’s people, and guard the truth (Titus 1:9, 1 Peter 5:2). Their authority isn’t self-made—it’s delegated by Christ, through Scripture.
c. Through the Holy Spirit
The Spirit continues to guide the Church into truth (John 16:13). While humans are fallible, the Spirit keeps the Church aligned with Jesus when leaders stay submitted to God’s Word.
5. Why the Church’s Authority Matters
Here’s why understanding the Church’s authority from Matthew 16:18 is so important:
1. It grounds your faith
Your belief isn’t built on personal opinion. It’s rooted in a Church that Jesus built and gave authority to teach truth.
2. It protects from confusion
In a world of competing voices, the Church’s authority helps you discern sound doctrine from false teaching.
3. It connects you to something bigger
You’re part of a Church that spans generations, cultures, and nations. It’s not a man-made movement—it’s Jesus’ design.
6. Common Misconceptions Cleared Up
Let’s deal with a few quick myths that Matthew 16:18 helps clear up:
- “The Church is just a human institution.”
Nope. Jesus said He would build it. That means divine origin and purpose. - “We don’t need the Church to follow Jesus.”
Actually, Jesus tied following Him to being part of His Church. There’s no lone-wolf Christianity in the New Testament. - “The Church lost its authority after the early apostles.”
While apostolic authority was unique, the teachings of the apostles (preserved in Scripture) remain the Church’s foundation (Ephesians 2:20).
7. How to Use Matthew 16:18 in Conversation
When someone asks why the Church has any authority, you can confidently point them to Matthew 16:18–19. Here’s how to do that simply:
Step-by-Step:
- Start with Jesus’ words: Quote Matthew 16:18 directly.
- Explain the foundation: Jesus is the builder, and the Church is built on truth.
- Point to the “keys”: These symbolize spiritual authority to lead and teach.
- Connect to today: That authority continues through Scripture, Spirit-led leadership, and global unity under Christ.
8. Real-World Example
Let’s say a friend says: “Why should I listen to the Church? Isn’t it just a man-made system?”
You could say:
“Actually, Jesus Himself said in Matthew 16:18 that He would build His Church and that not even death could stop it. He gave His apostles the authority to teach, lead, and guide others in truth. That authority didn’t come from men—it came from Jesus. Today, that authority is preserved through Scripture and faithful leaders who submit to it.”
Short, clear, biblical, and effective.
9. Conclusion: Jesus Gave the Church Authority—Use It Well
Matthew 16:18 is more than a nice verse about church unity—it’s a foundation for how the Church functions in the world today. Jesus built it. Jesus gave it authority. And Jesus still leads it.
If you’re part of the Church, you’re standing on a rock-solid foundation, not shifting sand. That gives you confidence, responsibility, and a clear mission: to live under Christ’s authority and help others do the same.
🔑 Quick Takeaways
- Jesus builds and owns the Church — Matthew 16:18 proves it.
- The Church has real spiritual authority — through Christ, Scripture, and Spirit-led leadership.
- You can trust the Church’s role — it’s not man-made, it’s God-ordained.
- Matthew 16:18 is your go-to verse when explaining the Church’s authority clearly and biblically.
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🔍 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) How to Use Matthew 16:18 in Explaining the Church’s Authority
1. What does Matthew 16:18 teach about the Church’s authority?
It shows that Jesus is the builder and owner of the Church, and that all its authority flows from Him—not human leaders or traditions alone.
2. What does Jesus mean by “on this rock I will build my Church”?
He’s referring either to Peter himself or to Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Messiah. In either view, it establishes a foundation of truth and authority for the Church.
3. What are the “keys of the kingdom” in Matthew 16:19?
The keys symbolize spiritual authority given by Jesus to the apostles to lead, teach, and make binding decisions in the Church.
4. Does the Church still have authority today?
Yes. The Church’s authority continues through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and faithful leaders who teach and lead under Christ’s rule.
5. How can I explain the Church’s authority to someone who’s skeptical?
Use Matthew 16:18–19 to show that Jesus Himself established the Church and gave it divine authority—it’s not just a human system.
6. What does “binding and loosing” mean in this passage?
It refers to the authority to make spiritual decisions—like teaching doctrine or correcting behavior—that reflect God’s will on earth.
7. Did Jesus give this authority only to Peter?
Peter was a key leader, but similar authority was extended to all the apostles (see Matthew 18:18), forming the foundation of the Church.
8. Is the Church’s authority the same as Scripture’s authority?
Scripture is the highest authority. The Church operates under it, using it to teach, correct, and guide believers.
9. Why does understanding Church authority matter today?
It helps Christians stay grounded in truth, recognize godly leadership, and avoid confusion in a world full of spiritual misinformation.
10. How can I use Matthew 16:18 in teaching or discipleship?
You can use it to explain the Church’s divine origin, its purpose, and the responsibility believers have to submit to Christ-led authority.
