Peter’s confession [Matthew 16:16-8; cf. Matthew 14:33; John 6:69], therefore, was distinctly a confession which stood in contrast with the rejection of Jesus by others [John 6:66-69]. From this we may gather, that the church of which Jesus speaks will have for its peculiarity the recognition of the Messiahship of Jesus in contradistinction from the denial of this Messiahship by those without. But this follows not only from the situation in which the words were spoken, we may also draw the same conclusion from the tenor of the words themselves. When Jesus says, “I will build my church,” he evidently places this church over against another, to which this designation does not apply. The word Ecclesia is the rendering of the Hebrew words Qahal and ‘Edah, which latter were the standing names for the congregation of Israel. In such a connection “my church” can mean nothing else than “the church which by recognizing me as Messiah will take the place of the present Jewish church.”

It would be a mistake, however, to suppose that the new church will rest exclusively on a subjective belief regarding the Messiahship of Jesus. Our Lord says emphatically, “I will build,” and thereby appropriates for himself the objective task of calling this church into existence by his Messianic acts. Though Peter confessing be the foundation, the church is not of Peter’s or of any human making, the Lord himself will build it.

Geerhardus Vos, The Teachings of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church, 142-144.