Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. – Acts 9:30-32

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. – Matthew 16:17-18

We heard it in Ephrathah,

we came upon it in the fields of Jaar:

“Let us go to his dwelling place,

let us worship at his footstool, saying,

‘Arise, Lord, and come to your resting place,

you and the ark of your might. – Psalm 132:6-8