330 AD: Matthew 16:13-19

Constantinople became the New Imperial Roman Center. Rome was now the boonies, a backwater hole, once grand but now laid waste by the Barbarians. This new emphasis on Canstinonople upset many Romans. The Roman Christians believed that in Peter the keys to the kingdom had been handed over. Peter's ministry and martyrdom was in Rome.

*(See Below Matthew 16:13-19)


Matthew 16:13-19 (The Message)
16Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

17-18Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.

19"And that's not all. You will have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven."

(See Augustins view of Matthew 16:13-19)

Fifth Citation (Augustine on the Psalms, Volume VII, Psalm LXI ) "For Christ Himself is the tower, Himself for us hath been made a tower from the face of the enemy, who is also the Rock whereon hath been builded the Church."