Simon Peter, known by the Greek surname *Petros* (G4074), meaning a rock, was uniquely named by Jesus Christ at their first meeting. Jesus declared, "You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas" (which is translated, A Stone), marking him as a rock of a man for all eternity. A native of Bethsaida, a fishing village on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, Peter later moved to Capernaum, where he and his brother Andrew owned a fishing business. It was there that Jesus called him, saying, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Peter consistently stood out among the disciples, his name always heading the list of Jesus' followers and often speaking on their behalf in conversations with Him. He led the inner circle of disciples, including James and John, witnessing key events such as the resurrection of a young girl, the transfiguration, and accompanying Jesus to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. His impetuous nature was evident in actions like stepping onto the waves to walk to Jesus, blurting out suggestions at the transfiguration, and cutting off the ear of the high priest's servant. After Christ's resurrection, Peter emerged as the leader Jesus had prepared him to be. He organized the selection of a replacement for Judas Iscariot and, on the Day of Pentecost, preached a powerful sermon that convicted thousands to repent and be baptized. Alongside John, he healed a lame man in the Temple and boldly confronted the Sanhedrin after arrests. Peter also rebuked Ananias and Sapphira and Simon Magus for their sins. Chosen by God to initiate the conversion of Gentiles, he recognized and defended the truth that God shows no partiality, convincing even a strong Jewish faction in Jerusalem of this understanding. As an apostle, Peter traveled extensively, witnessing to Christ's message across regions like Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and beyond. His journeys likely included Syria, Egypt, Asia Minor, and Mesopotamia, with his first epistle sent from Babylon to encourage persecuted Christians. His second epistle served as a reminder of the gospel, written just before his death.

In Matthew 16:16-19, Peter, under divine inspiration, confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus responds by declaring that Peter is blessed, for this revelation came from the Father in heaven. He then states, "You are Peter [Petros G4074], and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it." This statement, likely spoken in Aramaic as "cepha" for both Peter's name and the rock, indicates that Jesus begins the construction of His church with Peter as the foundational starting point due to his confession. The Greek terms Petros (masculine, for Peter) and Petra (feminine, for rock) reflect grammatical necessity rather than a distinction in meaning at that time. Jesus further grants Peter significant responsibility and authority, not as a supreme ruler, but as a steward of the church. He gives Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven, symbolizing the authority to open or shut doors, determining who may enter or be excluded from fellowship within the church. This includes decisions on baptism and disfellowship, as seen in Peter's actions in Acts 10:44-48 with the Gentiles and Acts 8:14-23 with Simon Magus. Additionally, the power to bind and loose, meaning to forbid or allow, is given to Peter and the apostles, based on judgments aligned with what God has already established in heaven, not as infallible decrees but as decisions rooted in divine principles. Peter's role as the first to confess Jesus as the Christ marks him as the initial stone in the building of the church, a position of honor but not of overarching dominance. This responsibility extends to administrative and spiritual oversight, ensuring the church's foundation is laid with the apostles, starting with Peter, as Jesus constructs His eternal assembly.

The term *Petros* (G4074), referring to Peter, is distinct from *Petra*, the feminine form representing the foundational Rock, which is Jesus Christ. Jesus, in speaking to Peter, clarifies that while Peter is *Petros*, a stone, it is on *Petra*—Himself—that He will build His church. This distinction emphasizes that no man, despite Peter's notable qualities as a strong and zealous servant of God, can serve as the foundation. Jesus points to Himself as the true Rock, the immovable and enduring foundation upon which the church is established, ensuring that it withstands any storm or flood. The apostles, including Peter, understood this, as evidenced by their teachings that Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone and the foundation of the church. Peter himself later describes Jesus as the foundational stone, viewing himself merely as a living stone within the structure, not the bedrock. Thus, the church stands firm on Jesus, the true Rock, rather than on any human figure.