Matthew 16:13-20 KJV
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

When was the first church formed? Surprisingly the answer is in Matthew. Why is the first church before Christ died on the cross to save us from our sins, if the cross is what established "early church", the church of Acts.

I looked through the available Greek and Hebrew dictionary in my Bible app Blue Letter Bible. I found that the word church implies to Ekklesia meaning in Strongs Dictionary the word assemblies.

The idea of a church not only assembies but a type of forum or gathering of people for a purpose. The idea of church being a worship or fellowship in contrast it was a place for peaceful, and/or argumentive debated.

Jesus started a church open assemblies or gathering of people as he minister to the people their needs. At one time the word did not imply necessarily ministry, though most today associate it with the Christian church.

If we examine the open assembly Jesus ministry was a time of learning, healing, and sermons or teaching. What was Jesus teaching about and was it the same as the Jewish synagog and Temple? Jesus asked who do people say I am to the disciples including Peter? Peter spoke and said, John the Baptist, Elias, Jeremiah or one of the prophets. And who do you say I am, inquired Jesus. Peter said the son of the Living God. The word son could be anyone because we are all children of God but not all children of the Word of God.Yet Peter said the Christ The Son of living God. Non of us are Christ right? In Greek the word Christ means anointed or chosen by God. What different about Christ title being above anyone else? We got to remember we looking from this side of the cross. We are looking at this line of questioning by what we know already about Jesus and him being called Messiah or God's Messenger. Because of his title given Jesus warned them at this time tell no one. The titles of Jesus could describe many ministers. Jesus told Peter He would upon this rock build his church and the gates of hell would not prevail.

What was Jesus building his church with but a rock was it a stumbling stone or was it the solid rock. Jesus is "the Solid rock in which we stand all other ground is sinking sand". His word being above all of us including God.Jesus is the go between his Father and us. Jesus is more then a prophet even Elisha they buried in a hole with another man and when the prophet died, the body in the hole with him body came back alive because the anointing was strong on Elisha. How many bodies were resurrected and brought back to life by Jesus.(Matthew 27 holds the mystery that it was more then three or four).

Jesus would give them the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever was forgiven would be forgiven. what was binded on Earth would be bounded in heaven.

His assemblies would continue to grow after his ascension into heaven. The Holy Spirit came, miracle work continued in the disciples ministry and they would be called apostles, preachers, and teachers.

Jesus here does not declare fully who he is but even so he told his disciples not to tell anyone. Remember John 3:16 which declares Jesus as the only Begotten Son, meaning only one Son. Yet Israel declares they are sons and daughter. Jesus was the literal word of God manifested in the flesh by Virgin birth. Otherwise he would of been just another good teacher. Who do say Jesus is? Can you forgive? Forgiveness is often a work of God in progress in the believers life.

Dear Heavenly Father as Christ continues to gather people far and wide for you, help your church be forgiving as you forgave us. in Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Matthew 18:15-20 KJV
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.