The tradition that the Roman Catholic Church is the true church established by Jesus Christ is based on the following scripture, which we will need to examine in order to come to the correct conclusion.

Matthew 16:15-19 (GNB)”What about you?” he asked them. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” “Good for you, Simon, son of John!” answered Jesus. “For this truth did not come to you from any human being, but it was given to you directly by my Father in heaven.  And so I tell you, Peter: you are a rock, and on this rock foundation I will build my church, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; what you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven, and what you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”

Jesus says, “on this rock foundation I will build my church.” What is the “rock foundation”? Is it Peter? Is it Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah?

God gave Jesus 12 apostles. After Judas betrayed Jesus, the Apostle Paul was later added. He started the Roman congregations as well as many in Asia Minor. We know there are 12 Apostles to the Lamb. In Revelation 12, the woman (representing the true church, the “bride of Christ”) has 12 stars representing the 12 Apostles). The “New Jerusalem” is said to have 12 foundations: Revelation 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Twelve is an important number with God. Israel was made up of “12s” as well. Revelation was written 60 years after Jesus’ crucifixion and ascension and still there are only the twelve apostles, no more no less. There is no evidence of a transference of apostleship, no apostolic succession. To single out one apostle as the most important would take away from the singleness of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the foundation of the church.

So, is Peter the foundation, or is it Jesus as the Messiah?

We cannot build a doctrine around one scripture. We are told in God’s Law that it is by two or three witnesses is a thing established. So we must find other scriptures.

Hebrews 12:2 …looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

1 Corinthians 3:11 For God has already placed Jesus Christ as the one and only foundation, and no other foundation can be laid.

Isaiah 28:16 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.

Acts 4:10-12 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.

Ephesians 2:20-22 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the spirit.

Ephesians 4:10-12 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

1 Corinthians 12:27-29 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

These scriptures all point to Jesus as the foundation—the rock upon which the church is built, followed by the 12 Apostles, not just one.  

Matthew 16:18 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.

The name “Peter” means “rock.” 

Peter: Strongs Exhaustive Concordance #4074 Petros (pet’-ros); a (piece of) rock; as a name, Petrus, an apostle
New American Standard Greek Lexicon: a stone or a boulder; Peter, one of the twelve apostles

This specific Greek word is always translated “Peter.” In Matthew 16:18, “Peter” is a given name that signifies a rock. Does this mean that Peter is the “rock” the church was to be built upon?

The word “rock” in this verse is slightly different:
Rock: Strongs Exhaustive Concordance #4073 petra (pet’-ra); a (mass of) rock (literally or figuratively)
New American Standard Greek Lexicon:  a (large mass of) rock

Here are examples of where this word petra is used: 
Matthew 7:24 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 <4073>.

Mark 15:46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock <4073> and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.

Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock <4073> of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

1 Corinthians 10:4  And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock <4073> that followed them: and that Rock <4073> was Christ.

“Peter” <4073> is only used as the name of Peter; however, “rock” <4073> often is a picture of Christ.

Let’s go back to the context of Matthew 16:16 to see what Jesus is saying and test our conclusion: Matthew 16:13-18: (NRSV) 13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

What does the story tell us about the relationship of Peter, the rock, to the rock as the foundation of Christianity? Peter revealed who the rock was: Christ Jesus.

Jesus himself verifies that he is the foundation – the sole “rock” of the True Church:
1 Corinthians 3:9-14 9For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building. 10According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. 12Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw 13the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. 14If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward.

The foundation is separate from what was built, enduring forever—it is Jesus Christ. When Jesus said, “You are Peter,” he was saying, “You are strong! You are a (small) rock!” And upon this foundation, as Peter had just said, that Jesus is the Messiah, the son of the Living God, that is the foundation (the larger rock; a boulder) upon which he would build his church. 

This is exactly what the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:11: For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.

According to the Bible, Jesus is the only foundation—but who leads in his absence?

1 Peter 5:1-4 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”

Peter himself verifies that Jesus is the foundation. He calls himself a “fellow elder,” with the only difference is that he was able to witness the sufferings of Christ in person. Peter isn’t “lording it over” others that he is in greater authority than the others.

It is interesting also that in each one of these scriptures that talks about Jesus as a rock—the word is Petra—the massive rock.

The scriptures are in harmony that Jesus is the foundation upon which the church is built on, not Peter. Therefore, the Roman Catholic church is not the True Church established by Jesus. When the word “church” is used in the New Testament, it is not referring to an earthly organization; rather, it is the entire congregation of spirit-begotten members.