What does the Bible say about the church being built on a rock?

In Matthew 16:18, Jesus declares, 'Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.' This rock refers to Christ Himself, not to Peter, as the foundation of the church. He is the only true foundation, emphasized throughout Scripture as the cornerstone in Ephesians 2:20. By stating that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, Christ promises that despite opposition and the forces of evil, His church will endure through all trials, protected by His power and sovereignty.