Faithful Ag said:

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All of those OT quotes naturally support Jesus as the rock.

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Which makes the fact that Jesus bestows the name/title onto Simon all the more significant. Jesus gives to Simon a name or association that up until that moment was reserved for God. He blesses Simon, gives him the Title PETER (ROCK), then adds to the blessing by giving PETER the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven and the powers to bind and loose.

PETER was Simon's title. Jesus declared Simon the Rock. Jesus was trying to tell us something with all of the things he said and did for Simon. That's the point I am trying to make.

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As TSJ said, all those OT scriptures support Jesus as "The Rock".

In Matthew 16, where this conversation is recorded, Jesus had just asked the disciples who they (the disciples) say that He (Jesus) is. Simon speaks up and says that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus' first response to him is "Blessed are you Simon son of Jonah, for flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in Heaven".
Then he says, "And I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church…."

We already established, throughout the Bible, that God is "The Rock".
Simon just stated that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God" or God!
Jesus lets him know that God revealed that to him.

So, on what Rock is Jesus referring that He will build His church?

On Simon, or that name now given in Peter….NO.

I dare say that it is that he is referring to:
1-The fact that He (Jesus) is The Christ!
2-That God reveals truths regarding faith to those He wills.

To me, this is far more consistent with the whole of the scriptures than the idea that Jesus is building His church on Simon, a man no doubt Jesus knows will betray him until God's perfects his faith.

Also, the OP mentions the Protestant arguments with the concept, but what about the Orthodox Catholic belief that Peter was simply the first among equals?

Also, regarding the passing of the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven to bind and loose….
How do you explain John 20:23 in which Jesus pass the same onto all the disciples?

Furthermore, scripture never refers to Peter as "Head of the Church" but in several places, referrs to Jesus has "Head of the Church".

Obviously, and to your points, Simon called Peter held a very special role in the early church and was viewed with great respect. But, it is important to recognized that the OP argument starts with the premise and assumption of that Jesus is saying that Simon is the Rock, and that's a very squishy interpretation of the text. Again, I suggest that the whole of Jesus' response to Simon here, indicates the "Rock" on which He builds His church is the Father revealed fact that He is The Christ.