“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17And 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. 18And 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. 19And 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.” Mt. 16:16-19
First came the revelation of Christ to Peter, then came the establishing of the church. The church would have an unbelievable demonstration of unity and power, that would give the utmost glory to God, if all those who call themselves a Christians would really have a revelation of Christ and not just be a card carrying member.