Matthew 16:18 — "Upon This Rock"

Assemblies of God interprets Matthew 16:18 ('thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church') within a Protestant, non-episcopal framework. The AG does not accept Roman Catholic interpretation that 'this rock' refers to Peter as the first pope or that the verse establishes papal succession and primacy. Instead, the AG understands the rock as Jesus Christ himself (the ultimate foundation of the church) or, less commonly, as Peter's confession of faith in Jesus.

The AG's polity is congregational-cooperative rather than hierarchical. Local churches are autonomous under the headship of Christ, though they cooperate through regional and general councils. The verse does not, for the AG, establish a single earthly head or a clerical priesthood with special authority. Rather, it emphasizes Jesus' founding role and his promise that the church would be built on a firm foundation.

Some AG interpreters have also noted the wordplay: 'Peter' (petros) and 'rock' (petra) are not identical in Greek — suggesting a distinction between Peter and the rock on which the church is built. This nuance supports the interpretation that the foundation is something other than (or beyond) Peter himself.