Expert: Edward Bode - 4/19/2011

Question
What does this verse have to do with the believer; or how does he act upon it?

Answer
Kalleen, please excuse my tardiness in responding -- this week has been most busy for me.
The episode covers verses 13 though 20.  They concern the identity and the authority of Jesus as the Messiah [Christ; anointed one] and founder of His church.
In response to the profession of Peter/Simon, Jesus uses a play on words for "Peter" and "rock" to confer special authority on him as foundation-rock for Jesus’ church, a church that can "bind and loose" [rabbinic terms for bind = forbid and loose = permit]in a manner that has heavenly significance.
The word-play works in Aramaic [Kephas (1 Cor 15:50) and kepha] and Greek [Petros and petra].
To understand fully the message of a passage of scripture, one needs not only to look at the close context [the episode] but also other relevant/related passages in all scripture.  In the current case, there are many such passages in the gospels, Acts, and epistles.
You ask:  “What does this verse have to do with the believer; or how does he act upon it?”
To me, this verse is a call to  become a believer/follower of Jesus in His heavenly-authorized church.  One acts accordingly with prayerful consideration and petition for God’s helpful enlightenment in fulfilling that call.
If you would like more from me on the interpretation of this verse or on following one’s call, please write again with your further thoughts and concerns.
Thanks for writing, Kalleen.  You are in my prayers.