Who picked the successor of Simon Peter?

Answer 1

Here is the answer to your question.

The role of apostolic succession in preserving true doctrine is illustrated in the Bible. To make sure that the apostles’ teachings would be passed down after the deaths of the apostles, Paul told Timothy, "[W]hat you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2). In this passage he refers to the first three generations of apostolic succession—his own generation, Timothy’s generation, and the generation Timothy will teach.

The Church Fathers, who were links in that chain of succession, regularly appealed to apostolic succession as a test for whether Catholics or heretics had correct doctrine. This was necessary because heretics simply put their own interpretations, even bizarre ones, on Scripture. Clearly, something other than Scripture had to be used as an ultimate test of doctrine in these cases.

Thus the early Church historian J. N. D. Kelly, a Protestant, writes, "[W]here in practice was [the] apostolic testimony or tradition to be found? . . . The most obvious answer was that the apostles had committed it orally to the Church, where it had been handed down from generation to generation. . . . Unlike the alleged secret tradition of the Gnostics, it was entirely public and open, having been entrusted by the apostles to their successors, and by these in turn to those who followed them, and was visible in the Church for all who cared to look for it" (Early Christian Doctrines, 37).

For the early Fathers, "the identity of the oral tradition with the original revelation is guaranteed by the unbroken succession of bishops in the great sees going back lineally to the apostles. . . . [A]n additional safeguard is supplied by the Holy Spirit, for the message committed was to the Church, and the Church is the home of the Spirit. Indeed, the Church’s bishops are . . . Spirit-endowed men who have been vouchsafed ‘an infallible charism of truth’" (ibid.).

Thus on the basis of experience the Fathers could be "profoundly convinced of the futility of arguing with heretics merely on the basis of Scripture. The skill and success with which they twisted its plain meaning made it impossible to reach any decisive conclusion in that field" (ibid., 41).

Pope Clement I

"Through countryside and city [the apostles] preached, and they appointed their earliest converts, testing them by the Spirit, to be the bishops and deacons of future believers. Nor was this a novelty, for bishops and deacons had been written about a long time earlier. . . . Our apostles knew through our Lord Jesus Christ that there would be strife for the office of bishop. For this reason, therefore, having received perfect foreknowledge, they appointed those who have already been mentioned and afterwards added the further provision that, if they should die, other approved men should succeed to their ministry" (Letter to the Corinthians 42:4–5, 44:1–3 [A.D. 80]).

Grace and peace to you!

Answer 2

Probably the other bishops.

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Edit: oldguy63, why wouldn't Peter have a successor? Even Judas had a successor! Read Acts 1:15-26. The Bible says, "His office let another take." Of course Peter had a successor.

Answer 3

The congregation at Antioch elected Evagrios as Peter's successor when Peter left for Rome. Later ROman tradition maintains that Peter was the first bishop of Rome, and his successor was appointed by popular vote (as were all ancient episcopal elections).

Answer 4

No one, that is Catholic teaching and it was about 400 AD before the Catholics traced a lineage back to Peter. Actually in the Bible Peter was never presented as the leader of the church. James was presented in Acts (15 I think) as a leader. Paul speaks of Peter James and John as leaders.Peter was openly rebuked by Paul for his heresy in Galatians (2 i think). In all Peter never got that "honor" from Christ or the early church.

Answer 5

better yet can you prove that Peter Formed the Catholic church! ??? after jesus Said to peter NOTHING shall prevail against YOU, YET jesus turned around and rebuked HIM and called him SATAN, why because Peter was listening to the words of SATAN to prove a point, that in the future, Peters church would follow satan. but did peter Truly build the first catholic church. I dont think so.
Satan took control of the church and declared they had proof that it was started from Peter.

Answer 6

I agree with oldguy63.