Nuanced
Rock refers to Peter and his confession; local church authority, not papal primacy
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church interprets Matthew 16:18 within an Orthodox framework. Peter is affirmed as a foundational apostle, but the church explicitly rejects Roman Catholic papal primacy and papal infallibility. The 'rock' refers to Peter and his confession of faith.
Key Distinctions
- Rock referent:
- Peter role:
- foundational apostle with primacy among the twelve
- Papal primacy:
- rejected; conciliar authority emphasized
Scripture References
Sources
- Council of Constantinople III (680-681)
- Ethiopian Orthodox Ecclesiastical Traditions