“and gave him to be head over all thingsto the church” (Ephesians 1:22)

There are estimated to be 1.2 billion Catholics There are estimated to be 1.2 billion Catholics in the world (www.bbc.com/news)in the world (www.bbc.com/news)

Catholics are to submit to the supreme power Catholics are to submit to the supreme power and authority of the Roman Pontiff, or Popeand authority of the Roman Pontiff, or Pope

Many Catholic practices and doctrines Many Catholic practices and doctrines approved by the Pope are not found in the NTapproved by the Pope are not found in the NT

This is a key question: “Was Peter the first This is a key question: “Was Peter the first Pope?”Pope?”

Papacy – “This term is employed in an Papacy – “This term is employed in an ecclesiastical and in an historical signification. ecclesiastical and in an historical signification. In the former of these uses it denotes the In the former of these uses it denotes the ecclesiastical system in which the pope as ecclesiastical system in which the pope as successor of St. Peter and Vicar of Jesus Christ successor of St. Peter and Vicar of Jesus Christ governs the Catholic Church as its supreme governs the Catholic Church as its supreme head” (www.catholic.org/encyclopedia)head” (www.catholic.org/encyclopedia)

Peter – “Peter becomes Head of the Apostles. Peter – “Peter becomes Head of the Apostles. In especially solemn fashion Christ accentuated In especially solemn fashion Christ accentuated Peter's precedence among the Apostles, when, Peter's precedence among the Apostles, when, after Peter had recognized Him as the Messias, after Peter had recognized Him as the Messias, He promised that he would be head of His He promised that he would be head of His flock” (www.catholic.org/encyclopedia)flock” (www.catholic.org/encyclopedia)

Peter – “By the word ‘rock’ the Saviour cannot Peter – “By the word ‘rock’ the Saviour cannot have meant Himself, but only Peter, as is so have meant Himself, but only Peter, as is so much more apparent in Aramaic in which the much more apparent in Aramaic in which the same word (Kipha) is used for "Peter" and same word (Kipha) is used for "Peter" and "rock". His statement then admits of but one "rock". His statement then admits of but one explanation, namely, that He wishes to make explanation, namely, that He wishes to make Peter the head of the whole community of Peter the head of the whole community of those who believed in Him as the true Messias; those who believed in Him as the true Messias; that through this foundation (Peter) the that through this foundation (Peter) the Kingdom of Christ would be unconquerable; Kingdom of Christ would be unconquerable; that the spiritual guidance of the faithful was that the spiritual guidance of the faithful was placed in the hands of Peter, as the special placed in the hands of Peter, as the special representative of Christ” representative of Christ” (www.catholic.org/encyclopedia)(www.catholic.org/encyclopedia)

Pope – “The title pope , once used with far Pope – “The title pope , once used with far greater latitude (see below, section V ), is at greater latitude (see below, section V ), is at present employed solely to denote the Bishop present employed solely to denote the Bishop of Rome, who, in virtue of his position as of Rome, who, in virtue of his position as successor of St. Peter, is the chief pastor of the successor of St. Peter, is the chief pastor of the whole Church, the Vicar of Christ upon earth … whole Church, the Vicar of Christ upon earth … The proof that Christ constituted St. Peter head The proof that Christ constituted St. Peter head of His Church is found in the two famous of His Church is found in the two famous Petrine texts, Matthew 16:17-19, and John Petrine texts, Matthew 16:17-19, and John 21:15-17” (www.catholic.org/encyclopedia)21:15-17” (www.catholic.org/encyclopedia)

That Christ established an office of an earthly That Christ established an office of an earthly Head called PopeHead called Pope

That Peter was chosen to first fill this officeThat Peter was chosen to first fill this office

That Christ appointed successors to this office That Christ appointed successors to this office and this authority was transmitted to othersand this authority was transmitted to others

That the Bishops of Rome have been the That the Bishops of Rome have been the rightful successors of this officerightful successors of this office

Argument: “According to Matthew 16:18, the Argument: “According to Matthew 16:18, the church is built upon the foundation of Peter as church is built upon the foundation of Peter as the first Pope.”the first Pope.”

The parallel passages are Mark 8:29 and Luke 9:20 The parallel passages are Mark 8:29 and Luke 9:20 and there is no confirmation in these versesand there is no confirmation in these verses

The word “rock” (feminine of The word “rock” (feminine of petrapetra) meaning “solid ) meaning “solid rock ledge”, bedrock, is slightly different than rock ledge”, bedrock, is slightly different than “Peter” (masculine of “Peter” (masculine of petrospetros) meaning “small ) meaning “small stone”; the word “this” modifies “rock”, not Peterstone”; the word “this” modifies “rock”, not Peter

The “rock” is the confession of Peter: “Thou art The “rock” is the confession of Peter: “Thou art Christ, the son of the living God” (see 1 Cor. 3:11)Christ, the son of the living God” (see 1 Cor. 3:11)

Argument: “According to Matthew 16:19, Jesus Argument: “According to Matthew 16:19, Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom and he gave Peter the keys to the kingdom and he would exercise this as the first Pope.”would exercise this as the first Pope.”

““Keys” refers to the binding and loosing authority of Keys” refers to the binding and loosing authority of the Apostolic teaching (see Jn. 20:21-23)the Apostolic teaching (see Jn. 20:21-23)

All the Apostles were given the keys, not just Peter All the Apostles were given the keys, not just Peter (Mt. 18:18)(Mt. 18:18)

Argument: “According to Luke 22:31-32, Jesus Argument: “According to Luke 22:31-32, Jesus told Peter to establish his brethren and Peter told Peter to establish his brethren and Peter would do this by acting as the first Pope.”would do this by acting as the first Pope.”

Peter is singled out because of his denial (v. 34)Peter is singled out because of his denial (v. 34)

The “establishing” (Gr. The “establishing” (Gr. sterizosterizo) of the brethren was ) of the brethren was not limited to the work of Peter, but it is also found not limited to the work of Peter, but it is also found with Paul and others (Acts 14:22; 15:32, 41; 18:23)with Paul and others (Acts 14:22; 15:32, 41; 18:23)

Argument: “According to John 21:16-17, Jesus Argument: “According to John 21:16-17, Jesus told Peter to feed his sheep and he would do told Peter to feed his sheep and he would do this as the first Pope.”this as the first Pope.”

Elders in the local church feed the flock (Acts 20:28)Elders in the local church feed the flock (Acts 20:28)

Peter was a fellow-elder with other (1 Peter 5:1-2)Peter was a fellow-elder with other (1 Peter 5:1-2)

Jesus is the “chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4; see Jesus is the “chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4; see Jn. 10:16)Jn. 10:16)

Argument: “According to Matthew 10:2, Mark Argument: “According to Matthew 10:2, Mark 3:16, Luke 6:14, Peter was prominent among 3:16, Luke 6:14, Peter was prominent among the Apostles because he was listed first.”the Apostles because he was listed first.”

Peter stood up with the eleven in Acts 2Peter stood up with the eleven in Acts 2

Peter is not listed first in 1 Cor. 3:22 or Galatians 2:9Peter is not listed first in 1 Cor. 3:22 or Galatians 2:9

Yes, Peter was prominent, but prominence does not Yes, Peter was prominent, but prominence does not mean primacy, or preeminence (see Peter’s mean primacy, or preeminence (see Peter’s prominent actions in Acts 1:15ff; 2:14ff; 5:1ff; etc.)prominent actions in Acts 1:15ff; 2:14ff; 5:1ff; etc.)

Jesus did not give the office of Pope, or Jesus did not give the office of Pope, or Apostolic Succession (1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11ff; Apostolic Succession (1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11ff; Acts 14:22; 20:28; Tit. 1:5; 1 Peter 5:1-2) Acts 14:22; 20:28; Tit. 1:5; 1 Peter 5:1-2)

Peter was given no title of “Pope” or “Head” of Peter was given no title of “Pope” or “Head” of the church; “His Holiness;” “Holy Father”; the church; “His Holiness;” “Holy Father”; “Vicar of Christ”; “Prince of the Apostles”; etc. “Vicar of Christ”; “Prince of the Apostles”; etc. (Mt. 23:9)(Mt. 23:9)

Peter was sent by the Apostles to Samaria Peter was sent by the Apostles to Samaria (Acts 8:14)(Acts 8:14)

Peter refused worship (Acts 10:25-26)Peter refused worship (Acts 10:25-26)

Peter, Paul, and James spoke at the meeting in Peter, Paul, and James spoke at the meeting in Jerusalem (Acts 15; see verse 23)Jerusalem (Acts 15; see verse 23)

Peter was given the same responsibilities as the Peter was given the same responsibilities as the other Apostles(Mt. 19:28; 28:18-20; Lk. 22:24-other Apostles(Mt. 19:28; 28:18-20; Lk. 22:24-30; Jn. 14:26; Acts 1:8; 2:4, 14; 6:2-3)30; Jn. 14:26; Acts 1:8; 2:4, 14; 6:2-3)

Peter was not over Paul (2 Cor. 11:5; 12:11)Peter was not over Paul (2 Cor. 11:5; 12:11)

Peter was rebuked by Paul (Gal. 2:11-14; note Peter was rebuked by Paul (Gal. 2:11-14; note that Papal Infallibility was not until 1870)that Papal Infallibility was not until 1870)

Peter had a wife (Mt. 8:14; 1 Cor. 9:5)Peter had a wife (Mt. 8:14; 1 Cor. 9:5)

Peter appointed a successor to Judas with Peter appointed a successor to Judas with specific qualifications (Acts 1:17-25)specific qualifications (Acts 1:17-25)

The Lord’s body (church) has one head, not two The Lord’s body (church) has one head, not two (Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4-6; 5:23; Col. 1:18)(Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4-6; 5:23; Col. 1:18)

We listen to Jesus only (Mt. 28:18); we worship We listen to Jesus only (Mt. 28:18); we worship though Jesus only (1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 4:15)though Jesus only (1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 4:15)

Did Christ establish an office of an earthly Head Did Christ establish an office of an earthly Head called Pope? No!called Pope? No!

Was Peter chosen to first fill this office? No!Was Peter chosen to first fill this office? No!

Did Christ appoint successors to this office? No!Did Christ appoint successors to this office? No!

Have the Bishops of Rome been the rightful Have the Bishops of Rome been the rightful successors of this office? No!successors of this office? No!