Nuanced
Church built on Christ's confession, not Peter's primacy or papal authority
The Amish reject the Roman Catholic reading of Matthew 16:18 as conferring papal primacy upon Peter. Jesus addresses Peter affectionately but indicates that the church is built upon Peter's confession of Christ, not upon Peter himself. The 'rock' refers to Christ or to the apostolic confession.
The Amish congregation is built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ, not upon any human leader or hierarchical succession. Each local congregation is autonomous and led by elected bishop and ministers. This reading affirms congregational autonomy consistent with the Anabaptist heritage.
Key Distinctions
- Rock referent:
- Christ and/or the apostolic confession
- Peter role:
- Papal primacy:
- rejected; not the foundation of the church
Scripture References
Sources
- Dordrecht Confession of Faith (1632)
- John A. Hostetler, Amish Society (4th ed., 1993)