Christ as the rock, chief shepherd, and head of the church
Claim examined: Church authority and leadership
Scriptural Answer
You do err, NOT knowing the truth, the verse in question is NOT saying Peter is the rock on which the church is built, but rather it contrasts Peter's name to the rock on which the Church would be built. Jesus compared Himself several times to lifeless objects, a temple in John 2:18-22, a door in John 10:7, a vine in John 15:1-11. Here, Jesus compares Himself to a Rock, and this was a name often used for God in the OT (See Ps 31:3, 71:3). The foundation of the church is NOT built on Peter, it was built on the truth that Peter had just confessed, that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God (verse 16). To say Peter is the foundation would be to put a man in the place of God, which is EXACTLY what the man of "SIN" in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 is said to be GUILTY of accomplishing. It is Jesus who is the CHIEF SHEPHERD, and NOT the pope. (See John 10:11,14). To exalt a man into the position of God is blasphemous and those who do so will suffer the vengeance of God for their error.
KJV Scriptures Used
Read each passage in its chapter and compare the Scriptures together.