2006-07-19 11:38:00 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If you are Christian, then you have the Catholics to thank for it. Catholics were the first Christians, and were persecuted for three centuries in the Roman Empire, until the Roman Emperor Constantine decided to make it the official religion. Then the Orthodox Schism occurred in 1054, which led to Orthodox Christians. The first Protestant Church did not begin until Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses outside a church (back in 1517). That begun the Reformation and the Lutheran Church. And now, Lutherans and Catholics agree on several church issues (ecumenism), even though they respect each other's organizations.
You should really try to follow up the history of Christianity, to understand what the Pope is and how much Christians have to thank Catholics for.
2006-07-19 12:03:26 · answer #1 · answered by Cor 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Peter was the first pope, (though of course not having the actual title of "pope" since that is an Italian word) it says so in the Bible.
2006-07-19 11:41:46 · answer #2 · answered by Dysthymia 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, St. Peter was the founder and first Pope
2006-07-19 11:41:54 · answer #3 · answered by mike g 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why should we care?
RCC believes it is Simon Peter... but there is no viable proof he was ever in Rome. There was a Simon in Rome about the time that RCC says Simon Peter was, but the Simon that was in Rome was one who taught Pagan views and incorporated just enough of Christ into the mix to be thought to be Christian.
Besides, the only person we are to call Father...is God. Pope...means "Father"... It's not exactly scriptural to call some human who believes he's god...by the name belonging ONLY to God.
2006-07-19 11:44:55 · answer #4 · answered by indiebaptist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why would i need to PROVE who the first pope was??
2006-07-19 11:41:23 · answer #5 · answered by johnny_zondo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The "Pope" is a Roman Catholic Invention so they can use whatever documents they desire to make it stick within their religion, except the Bible, which does not make that claim anywhere within its pages.
2006-07-19 11:42:29 · answer #6 · answered by steve 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
traditionally it was St.Peter "the rock" but people began calling the bishop of Rome "Pope" meaning father around 300-400 A.D. since he had greater authority at the Christian center in Rome.
2006-07-19 11:41:47 · answer #7 · answered by esero26 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
who was the first pope?
i don't believe in the pope i believe in jesus.
2006-07-19 11:41:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if you accept the Gospel of Matthew as proof.
Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter (which means rock), and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:17-19)
The Catholic Church believes the Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the "rock" of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock.
With love in Christ.
2006-07-19 17:51:28 · answer #9 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the first popes were african hebrews
2006-07-19 11:40:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋