What does the Bible mean by the church built on this rock?

In Matthew 16:18, Jesus declares that He will build His church upon the rock, which refers to Peter's confession of faith that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. This signifies that the foundation of the church is not built on any human leader, including Peter himself, but on the divine truth of who Christ is. The promise that the gates of hell will not prevail against it emphasizes the resilience and eternal nature of the church established by Christ. This assurance highlights that the gospel truth is the bedrock upon which all true believers stand, and it exemplifies God's sovereignty in building and sustaining His church throughout history.