Like a Rock: How Jesus Built His Church

The first classic rock song I thought of to fit this theme was Like a Rock by Bob Seger. Recently, I had a conversation with a good friend, and it became clear he didn’t fully understand what Christians mean by the “One, Holy, catholic, and Apostolic Church.” That conversation motivated me to finally finish this post that I started a while ago.

Before we dive in, one thing is key: God doesn’t abandon structure; He fulfills it (Matthew 5:17). As Jesus Himself said:

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

From the Old Covenant to the New, God works through order, authority, and visible institutions—not just individual ideas or opinions.

Here’s a clear explanation from Scripture → Old Covenant → Early Church → Church structure:

Jesus Didn’t Just Leave Us a Book, He Established a Church

Jesus deliberately founded a Church (Matthew 16:18–19):

“You are Peter (Rock), and upon this Rock I will build my Church… I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven…”

Key points:

Jesus renames Simon to Peter (Rock):
In Aramaic (the language Jesus spoke), it’s the same word: Kepha, which literally means “rock” or “stone.” Peter isn’t just a name, it signifies the foundation of the Church.
“I will build my Church” (Greek: ekklesia):
Ekklesia refers to a real, gathered assembly and was often used for structured civic assemblies with authority—not just an invisible group (cf. Strong’s Concordance, G1577).
“Keys of the Kingdom” = Old Testament authority:
Jesus giving Peter the keys echoes Isaiah 22:20–22, where the king gives the key of the house of David to his royal steward.
This office:
- Had real authority
- Could “open and shut”
- Was an ongoing office, not a one-time role

So Jesus, the Son of David, is:

Restoring the Kingdom
Establishing a visible leadership structure
Appointing Peter in a unique role within it
“Bind and loose” = authoritative teaching authority:
In Jewish context, “bind and loose” meant:
- To teach with authority
- To make binding decisions
  This authority is also given to the apostles (Matthew 18:18) and is meant to govern a real community.

Jesus Ordains the Apostles

Jesus didn’t just gather followers; He appointed and empowered leaders:

Mark 3:13–15 – He appoints the Twelve
Luke 10:16 – “He who hears you hears Me”
John 20:21–23 – Authority to forgive sins

“As the Father has sent me, I also send you. Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven…”

Why this is monumental:
When Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, I also send you,” He gives the apostles a real, concrete mission. He isn’t sending ideas, He’s sending people with authority, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to continue His work on earth. This shows the Church’s mission is inherently organized and authoritative, with visible leaders acting in Christ’s name.

The Last Supper and Priestly Preparation

At the Last Supper, Jesus isn’t just having a meal, He is Instituting the Eucharist:

“Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19)

Foot washing (John 13):
Parallels Old Covenant priestly preparation (Exodus 29:4).
- Peter initially refuses; Jesus says, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me” (meros = participation in inheritance or ministry).
- Shows preparation for priestly service, not just humility.
“Do this” (Greek: poieite):
Also used in sacrificial contexts in the Septuagint. Jesus commands a memorial sacrifice that makes His once-for-all sacrifice present to His people (anamnesis).

Putting it all together:

Washing = Priestly purification
Eucharist = Priestly sacrifice
Command “Do this” = Priestly authority

This authority continues through ordination:

Acts 1:20–26 – Matthias replaces Judas
1 Timothy 4:14 – Laying on of hands
2 Timothy 1:6 – Authority passed on
Titus 1:5 – Leaders appointed in every town

This is apostolic succession, not one-time leadership.

The Church Was Structured from the Beginning

The New Testament shows a clear structure:

Bishops (Overseers – episkopoi):
1 Timothy 3:1–2, Titus 1:7

Presbyters (Elders / Priests):
Acts 14:23, James 5:14

Deacons:
Acts 6:1–6, 1 Timothy 3:8–13

This is a visible, organized Church, not a loose collection of believers.

Scripture Shows the Church is an Institution

The Bible doesn’t present the Church as just a group of individuals following personal opinions. From the beginning, the Church is structured, with leadership, authority, and a mission:

1 Timothy 3:15:

“If I am delayed, you will know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”

Acts 6:1–6:
The apostles appoint seven men to serve as deacons demonstrating defined roles for governance.
Ephesians 4:11–13:

“He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”

The Early Christians Confirm This

This shows that structured, authoritative leadership was not personal interpretation (2 Peter 1:20), but the understanding of Christians for over 1500 years.

Clement of Rome (c. A.D. 96) – Apostolic Succession:

“The apostles… having therefore received their orders… appointed the firstfruits [of their labours]… and afterwards gave instructions that when these should fall asleep, other approved men should succeed them in their ministry…”
First Clement 42–44

Ignatius of Antioch (c. A.D. 107) – Unity under the Bishop:

“…Follow the bishop, as Jesus Christ followed the Father; and the presbytery as the apostles…”

Irenaeus of Lyons (c. A.D. 180) – Apostolic Continuity through Bishops:

“…It is incumbent to obey the presbyters who are in the Church, those who… possess the succession from the apostles… and have received the certain gift of truth…”
Against Heresies III:3:1, IV:26:2

Where Does the Word “catholic” Come From?

In the New Testament, believers weren’t called “Christians” immediately:

Acts 9:2 – “Followers of Jesus were called ‘The Way’”
Acts 11:26 – “The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch”

But very early on, the Church is described with another word:

Ignatius of Antioch (c. A.D. 107):

“Wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the catholic Church.”

catholic means universal, the fullness of the Christian faith, not a denomination. Within just a generation of the apostles, Christians already understood the Church as:

One
Universal
Visible
United under leadership

(Read more in my previous blog: Origin of the Word Catholic)

Conclusion

Like a rock, Christ built His Church, solid, unshakable, and lasting.
From Peter to the apostles, to the bishops and priests of today, that foundation hasn’t changed.

𝘙𝘦𝘥𝘥 Between the Lines

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