Let’s look at the historical development of the early church. I find it interesting that the Catholic Church claims headquarters in Rome with Peter’s chair there when in fact the early church’s original headquarters was in Jerusalem with James as the leader.
Acts 15 records an important issue that came up to the apostles. How were they to deal with Gentiles becoming Christians? Paul and Barnabus begin by sharing their wonderful stories of the conversion of Gentiles. After much discussion Peter gets up to offer his opinion that Gentiles should not have to follow the Law of Moses and so he agrees with Paul and Barnabus. But in the end, it is James who has the last word: When they finished, James spoke up: “Brothers, listen to me” (Acts 15:13). James then explains that Scripture foresaw the Gentiles becoming Christians and so they shouldn’t make them follow the Law of Moses.
From this incident we see that the first Church council did not take place in Rome with Peter as the head, but in Jerusalem with James leading the group. Paul confirms that James was the main leader at the time, for he writes, James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me (Gal 3:9). It was the custom in those times and even to a certain extent in our times to place the most important person first on the list. Peter is placed first when it comes to the list of the twelve original apostles, however, James becomes a believer after the resurrection, and interestingly appears to be the leader, and Paul affirms it by placing his name first on the list. The Catholic Church cannot scripturally make a claim that Peter was the first Pope when the scriptural evidence clearly demonstrates that he was not even the chief apostle.
Not only does the scripture show otherwise, but Paul exercises his right to correct Peter. When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong (Gal 2:11). How dare Paul rebuke the Pope, if indeed he was the Pope! From this passage I see clearly that Paul did not consider Peter “above” him. In fact, in this epistle he says, For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles (Gal 2:8). They saw themselves as “equals” for the apostles in Jerusalem gave Paul the right hand of fellowship.
In speaking of the Pillars of the church, he writes, They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews (Gal 2:9). This is a very important scripture. It shows clearly that every apostle had a limitation to their authority. Their authority was not universal. Paul did not usurp the authority of the apostles in Jerusalem, but he expected them not to usurp his authority over the Gentile churches that he established. This passage proves beyond a reasonable doubt that there was no “universal and total supreme” leader. They ruled where they worked. If they did not work in a certain region, they did not exercise authority in that region. Simple as that!
2007-08-29
18:17:54
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16 answers
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Graham
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Religion & Spirituality