Was Peter the first pope?

Question

Was Peter the first pope? The answer, according to Scripture, is a clear and emphatic no. Peter nowhere claims supremacy over the other apostles. Nowhere is his writings (1 and 2 Peter) did the Apostle Peter claim any special role, authority, or power over the church. Nowhere in Scripture does Peter, or any other apostle, state that their apostolic authority would be passed on to successors. Yes, the Apostle Peter had a leadership role among the disciples. Yes, Peter played a crucial role in the early spread of the Gospel (Acts chapters 1-10). Yes, Peter was the “rock” that Christ predicted he would be (Matthew 16:18). However, these truths about Peter in no way give support to the concept that Peter was the first pope, or that he was the “supreme leader” over the apostles, or that his authority would be passed on to the bishops of Rome. Peter himself points us all to the true Shepherd and Overseer of the church, the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:25).
So was peter the 1st pope?

What Scripture DOES teach is that false teachings would arise even from among church leaders, and that Christians were to compare the teachings of these later church leaders with Scripture, which alone is infallible (Matthew 5:18; Psalm 19:7-8; 119:160; Proverbs 30:5; John 17:17; 2 Peter 1:19-21). The Bible does not teach that the apostles were infallible, apart from what was written by them and incorporated into Scripture. Paul, in talking to the church leaders in the large city of Ephesus, makes note of coming false teachers, and to fight against such error does NOT commend them to “the apostles and those who would carry on their authority,” but rather he commends them to “God and to the word of His grace...” (Acts 20:28-32). It is Scripture that was to be the infallible measuring stick for teaching and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17), not apostolic successors. It is by examining the Scriptures that teachings are shown to be true or false (Acts 17:10-12).

Answer 1

Peter was not the first pope. The pope is common only for the Roman Catholic Church, which did not exist until the time of Emperor Constintine. Peter was a discipline who was tortured and killed for his beliefs; who spread the word of Christ; who began to form a Christian religion and who was must trusted by Christ. Although the present Popes claim lineage from Peter, that's entirely fictional.

Answer 2

Peter was the head of the early Church. He presided over the first church council, he handed down the decision, and no one said boo. He was not referred to as Pope Peter the first because the doctrine was still in it's infancy, but it developed quite naturally over time. Do you think that every true doctrine is spelled out explicitly and clearly in scripture? If so, why can protestants not agree on what the Bible so clearly teaches on things like baptism, pre-destination, communion, the relationship of faith and works etc..? The reason is that you have rejected authority and set yourselves up as the final authority. You are all tiny little popes, ruling in your tiny little worlds, with no way of ever knowing who is actually being guided by the Holy Spirit and who is not. All you can do is claim to be, and then go on like it doesn't matter who has the correct theology (unless someone is Catholic, then the correct theology is suddenly of utmost importance) and just casually assume that it is you and your little sect of Christianity.

Answer 3

>>Was Peter the first pope?<<

Yes. Christ entrusted the care of His flock to Peter (John 21:15-17).

>>Nowhere in Scripture does Peter, or any other apostle, state that their apostolic authority would be passed on to successors.<<

Peter's very first order of business after Jesus ascended into Heaven was to direct that Judas' office be filled (Acts 1:15-26), so we know the Apostles had successors.

Answer 4

In the greek version of the scripture the form of the word "rock" changed. Peter wasn't the large "rock" Jesus is the rock that is the foundation of the church. See 1 Corinthians 3:10 "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."

Answer 5

Peter was never chosen by God or His Son Jesus Christ to be the leader of the Church.

Peter was never chosen by God or His Son Jesus Christ to represent Christ as the “Vicar” or substitute of Christ to the church on the earth.

My text for this message plainly shows that Jesus Christ, not Peter is the Foundation and the Head of the church.

It is written, "Peter, Upon this rock I will build my church” are the words spoken by Our Lord in Matt. 16:18.

If Jesus meant Petros to be the petra, there is no reason why he shouldn't have said, "Upon you. I will build my Church," but he didn't.

Answer 6

Peace!
This is in addition to the answer of Sis. Susan J. Yes, St. Peter was the first pope. In the first council of Jerusalem (Acts 15: Gal. 2,1-10) it is very clear there that Peter is head of the Church. Apostolic tradition also tells us that Peter was succeeded by Linus.

Answer 7

Your point is well presented. Also Paul had to tell Peter off because of his error about Judaism In Galatians 2. Not a very good start for a supposedly inerrant "pope".

Answer 8

I would like to commend you on your understanding and
application of the Scriptures.And would like to add my 2 cents.
Im not trying to be humorous here but to put it mildly,Peter
would have turned over in his Grave at the thought of being
compared to earthly popes.Of course Peter is now in heaven
ruling with Christ and the other annointed sheep of our Lord.

Answer 9

Yes he is

Peter’s position as leader of the Christian church is traced back to the Gospel of Matthew:

And 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. And 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.
(Matthew 16: 18-19)
Based upon this Catholics have developed the doctrine of “papal primacy,” the idea that as successor to Peter, the pope is the head of the worldwide Christian Church.

God Bless You

Answer 10

John 21:15-17 states:

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."

He then said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep."

He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." (Jesus) said to him, "Feed my sheep.

Matthew 16:17-19 states:

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, 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."

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.

The Pope is the senior pastor of 1.1 billion Catholics, the direct successor of Simon Peter.

With love in Christ.