THE ROCK
INTERACTIVE BIBLE STUDY

The Bible refers to the Rock in many places. It mentions the Rock of our Salvation, the Spiritual Rock, the Cornerstone, the Rock of Offence, our Rock and Fortress, etc. Who or what is this Rock? Should the trust of humanity be put in this Rock? Should we believe in this Rock only, or in other sources of salvation?

"The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." Psalm 18:2

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Who Is the True Rock?

The following answers present several options:
  • A. The Rock represents the Jews.
  • B. The Rock represents church leaders.
  • C. The Rock represents Jesus.
  • D. The Rock represents Moses.
  • D. The Rock represents Peter.
Let's look at some evidence from the Bible to determine the answer...




The Rock of Salvation

1
"The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation." 2 Samuel 22:47
1
A "Rock" is strong, solid and a refuge. It is a fitting metaphor for the immovable and sure promise of salvation.
2
"O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation" Psalms 95:1
2
Recognizing that the source of salvation comes from the Rock results in joy.




The Rock of Salvation

1
"He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved." Psalms 62:2
1
There is only one true rock and only one way to salvation. The only way to salvation is by Jesus Christ. He is the Rock of Salvation. Whether a person has ever heard the name of Jesus or not, it is nonetheless Jesus who is sending them grace, writing the law on their heart and saving them.
2
"Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:10-12
2
Jesus is also described as a stone, which will be discussed in more detail later.




The Spiritual Rock

1
"And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." 1 Corinthians 10:4
1
The Israelites not only physically drank water that came out of a rock, but they drank spiritually from the Rock, which is Christ, who was with them during their journeys.
2
"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 4:14
2
Drinking water in a spiritual sense is to learn, believe and assimilate the gospel of Christ, which leads to everlasting life. Jesus Christ is the Spiritual Rock.




The Only True Rock

1
"There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God" (1 Samuel 2:2).

"For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?" Psalms 18:31
1
There is only one God who is holy, who brings salvation and can be called the True Rock. While the Rock of Salvation and other references to the Rock clearly reference Jesus, it is possible that the Rock referred to in some texts could refer to God the Father and/or the Trinity who are one in purpose.
2
"And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted, Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, and be your protection." Deuteronomy 32:37-3
2
There are also false rocks, upon which many place their trust.




The Rock of Offence

1
"As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." Romans 9:33
1
The Jews in Christ's time were trying to obtain righteousness through their works, but stumbled over Christ, who had come to help them gain salvation. Christ was a cause of displeasure to them instead of a priceless treasure.
2
"And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem." Isaiah 8:14
2
Christ's appearance and message caught the people unawares. They were caught in their own beliefs, which caused them to stumble over the truth.




The Corner Stone

1
"Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste." Isaiah 28:16
1
The corner stone holds the other stones in place. Without it, the building would not be secure.
2
"Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?" Matthew 21:42
2
These builders represent the leaders of the church who rejected Christ, thus building on an insecure foundation.




The Corner Stone

1
"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it." Matthew 7:24-27
1
A building (church) may appear secure, but if it is not built on the rock (Christ), then when the rains (hard times) come, it will surely fall (morally and/or physically).




Other Foundation Stones

1
"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." Ephesians 2:19-20
1
God's church is built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, which are dependent upon Christ or else they would fall during hard times. But Jesus is the chief corner stone.
2
"And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone." John 1:42
2
Peter became an apostle of Jesus, and was not made the cornerstone, but one of these foundation stones.




Other Stones

1
"To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded." 1 Peter 2:4-6
1
Each believer also represents a stone on the building, becoming priests of a spiritual house capable of offering sacrifices (prayers) to God through Christ.

The Greek word translated to "Precious" means valued, dear and honourable in reputation.

The Greek word translated to "Confounded" means to shame, disgrace or dishonour. Belief in the Corner Stone enables one to share His reputation and not be ashamed.




The Head of the Church

1
"And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." Colossians 1:17-18
1
The Greek word translated to "Preeminence" means to be first in influence or rank. There is no other person or church who can overrule or change what Christ establishes.
2
"And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." Ephesians 1:22-23
2
Christ is to be followed in all things. He has complete authority. He has sent the Holy Spirit as His representative, but has not given anyone on earth permission to be a substitute in Christ's place.




The Head of the Church

1
"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." Matthew 16:18
1
Peter was one of the stones in the foundation, along with the Apostles. He did not, nor has anyone else, ever replaced Christ as the corner stone.
2
"But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision." Galatians 2:7-9
2
All of the apostles were foundation stones, charged with building the church and none were put above the other.




The Keys of the Kingdom

1
"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:19
1
The Gospel contains the keys to heaven. It provides instruction and knowledge that one accepts or rejects, determing their eternal destiny.
2
"Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark 16:14-16
2
God has given to His church the responsibility to spread the gospel. Furthermore, whatever the church (as a unified body following the head, which is Christ) does on earth, will be ratified in heaven, as long as it is in accordance with the directions in God's word (the keys). For the true church is built upon Christ and as such, will not contradict or change His teachings in the Bible.

Do these texts mean that the church can establish any doctrine or law, and all of heaven will endorse it and stand behind it? Of course not. The keys Christ gave to the apostles are NOT to be altered or else they will cease to open the doors of heaven.




Remember the Rock

1
"Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips." Isaiah 17:10
1
These things were spoken against those who forgot or fell away from the knowledge of the Rock
2
"But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation." Deuteronomy 32:15
2
Take care not to forget or make light of the only One who can save you.
Remember who brings salvation and who is your strength.




Hold On to the Rock

1
"And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer." Psalms 78:35

"And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence." 2 Samuel 22:2-3
1
Your Savior is strong and able to deliver you.
2
"To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him." Psalms 92:15

"Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress." Psalms 71:3
2
The Rock exemplifies all these things. He is unshakable, just, a refuge and your deliverer.
Trust Him and hold on to His word.




Who Is the True Rock?

Let's review the original question...
Who is the true rock?
  • A. The Rock represents the Jews.
  • B. The Rock represents church leaders.
  • C. The Rock represents Jesus.
  • D. The Rock represents Moses.
  • D. The Rock represents Peter.
Answer C: The Rock represents Jesus.




End of Study

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