Matthew 16:18, "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock (the rock being the confession of Peter that Jesus is 'the Christ, the Son of the living God.' 16:16) I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (ESV)
1 - The church is God's possession. ('...I will build my church...')
God's possession of the church gives the church infinite value. The church is a special, called out assembly of people chosen by God, for God.
2 - The success of the church is guaranteed. ('...I will build my church...')
God's plan for building, sustaining, and glorifying Himself through the church cannot be frustrated.
3 - God, not man, is the builder of the church. ('...I will build my church...')
Since God is the builder man can in no way take credit for building it. He chooses to use men, but God is the catalyst behind the construction of the church.
