I take strength from certain doctrines of scripture about our church, which all relate to God. When Jesus said, “my church” in Matthew 16:18, He was saying, “His assembly” (church translates ekklesia, which means, “assembly”). At that point, there was just one in number. However, there is just one, His church, as opposed to anything else. It must be His church, that is, it must follow Jesus Christ, must have Him as its Head. He says, “the gate of hell shall not prevail against it.” As long as it is His church, the gates of he will not prevail against it.” If we are His church, then nothing can stop our church, except for what would contribute towards us not being His church. That brings me to other theological truths, that also relate to Matthew 16:18-19. When Jesus said that “upon this rock I will build my church,” the grammar speaks of Peter’s confession in the previous verses. He confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and Jesus confirms that flesh and blood didn’t reveal that, but Heaven did. Peter was genuinely saved with a true Christian profession that was from above. A church that is built upon a true gospel won’t be moved off of its mooring, set adrift toward destruction. The people of that assembly have God Himself indwelling them, so they will characteristically do what is right, which John addresses all through his gospel and through his first epistle. Peter speaks of the truly saved person, adding to His faith. These traits bring me strength and comfort.