2007-07-04 14:29:58 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Because Jesus set up the role for Simon Peter.
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.
The Pope’s main roles include teaching, sanctifying, and governing.
With love in Christ.
2007-07-04 16:58:13 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well, catholics believe that Jesus their founder gives to Peter the leadership of their church.
Then the leaders as Peter are named Popes, So the apostle Peter is the first Pope for us.
Well the Pope are our spiritual leader, most religions have an spiritual leader.
2007-07-04 21:37:08 · answer #2 · answered by Alder_Fiter_Galaz 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
ANY organization that has over 1.2 billion members HAS to have someone to act as a final authority in matters of faith, doctrine, discipline, etc. The Pope is the successor of Peter.
2007-07-04 23:03:55 · answer #3 · answered by The Carmelite 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Mattew 16:18-19
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 of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven. Whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
2007-07-05 08:03:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Part of prophecy, to be exact:
2 Thessalonians 2: 3,4 (NIV) 3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
2007-07-04 21:35:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Before He ascended into Heaven Jesus told Peter to feed His lambs and sheep. This instruction was given specifically to peter and not to any other Apostle. After Pentecost, it was Peter who addressed the gathered crowds. He was acting as the shepherd of the people.
The Pope is the successor to Peter and is the shepherd of the people. He is feeding the lambs, as Jesus requested.
2007-07-04 21:48:35 · answer #6 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
because they believe that they need a link between them and God. They don't believe in the Bible where it say's it is your RIGHT to hold audience with God. Which means to pray. They believe they need a mediator. Which is the pope. They also believe he is perfect and sinless.
2007-07-04 21:32:42 · answer #7 · answered by Justin S 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
He is who connects us to god. He is the closest person on this earth to god. We have him so he can speak to god for us. God also tells him what he wants catholics to do or not to do ect. Basically he is the middle man.
2007-07-04 21:33:43 · answer #8 · answered by Faded Funk 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They need to have a god on earth. They need someone to intercede with Satan on their behalf. Only most dont know this.
2007-07-04 21:31:57 · answer #9 · answered by shovelead 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
For the same reason any organization has a leader.
2007-07-04 21:32:42 · answer #10 · answered by fdm215 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋