Was Peter The First Catholic Pope?


The role Peter played in the initial expansion of the gospel is unquestionable. Nevertheless, scripture does not expressly specify Peter’s authority as superior to that of other apostles or over entire church. There are passages, such as the Jerusalem council, which indicates that leadership was more of a collective effort.
Acts 15:2,6,13,22-25 - When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question... And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter... And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:... Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
1 Peter 5:1-5 - The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Acts 16:3-5 - Him (Timothy) would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Apostle Peter Was Not Superior
Galatians 2:11,14 - But when Peter was come to Antioch, I (Paul) withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed... But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Acts 8:14-17 - Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
1 Corinthians 1:12-13 - Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
Apostle Paul's Authority
2 Corinthians 13:10 - Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
Shared Authority Among Apostles
It is consistently evident in the Bible that apostles share authority among themselves.
Ephesians 2:19-20 - Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Galatians 2:9 - And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
The Church's Role In Correction
Matthew 18:15-17 - Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
1 Corinthians 5:4-5,13 - In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
Titus 3:10-11 - A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
Titus 2:15 - These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Reason For Leadership
Paul appeals for brethren to receive leaders like Titus and Timothy mainly because they worked with him towards the same end rather than any inherent apostolic authority passed on to them.
1 Corinthians 16:10,15-16 - Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do... I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.
2 Corinthians 8:23 - Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
It’s a subtle but important difference. As such, these church leaders in the New Testament are not presented as holding power exclusively transmitted to them from earlier apostles. Instead, Paul appeals for support from believers to accept such people as those who work faithfully and side by side in spreading the good news. He focuses on their integrity, loyalty and joint undertaking instead of any top-down movement of apostolic rank.
This idea that the same authority underpinning this ordination was directly transferred from the apostles themselves is not scriptural. It’s an interpretation that goes beyond what the Scriptures themselves teach on the matter.
Sound Teaching Is Based On Scripture
Paul did not tell the people to depend on apostolic authority or those who came after them. Instead, he recommended that they be committed "unto God and to the word of his grace." Thus, sound doctrine and practice were based on scripture and not apostolic succession.
Acts 20:28-32 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
The bible pattern is clear; one can only determine the truthfulness or fallaciousness of any doctrine through careful examination of scriptures. The authority for inspiration comes from God’s written word as opposed to any purported line of apostolic succession. Throughout their writings in the New Testament the apostles consistently refer believers back to scripture as the ultimate trustworthy standard for faith and conduct.
Only The Bible Is Infallible
Christians are supposed to judge the teachings of later church leaders by comparing them with the infallible standard of Scripture.
John 17:17 - Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Psalms 119:160 - Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
Proverbs 30:5 - Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Psalms 19:7-8 - The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
2 Peter 1:19-21 - We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 5:18 - For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Acts 17:10-12 - And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect (complete), throughly furnished unto all good works.
Against Papal Office
Matthew 20:25-26 - But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
Refuting
The bible never actually says that those ordained by the apostles inherited their authority as a safeguard, to keep the church from going astray. That notion of “apostolic succession” is more an interpretation that has been read into certain verses than something explicitly taught.
2 Timothy 2:2 - And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Here Paul is simply telling Timothy to teach others the same teachings which he heard from him among other witnesses.
2 Timothy 4:2-5 - Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Titus 1:5 - For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
Titus 2:1 - But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
1 Timothy 5:19-22 - Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
Bind And Loose
Even when Peter was given power to ‘bind and loose’; it appears he shared it with local congregations and not just their leaders.
Matthew 18:1,18 - At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?... Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Jesus is The Head
In accordance to scripture, there is no evidence Peter being regarded as first pope. In no point did Peter ever exert himself as superior or having a special authority over other leaders. As composed in his own writings, Peter never claimed any significant position or control within the church hierarchy. No where in the Bible are we told that successors will inherit power from Apostles.
Instead he points us towards the true Shepherd and Bishop of the church who is the Lord Jesus Christ himself.
1 Peter 2:25 - For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
1 Peter 5:4 - And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
The biblical record makes it clear that Jesus is the ultimate head and leader of the church.
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Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
- The Christian King