To Catholics: How is this possible?

Question

Please explain how it is possible for Peter to be the "first pope" of the Catholic church, when the Catholic church didn't start until after all of the apostles had died.

Peter had a wife (Matthew 8:14, Mark 1:30, Luke 4:38), he had a filthy mouth and denied Christ (Matthew 26:69-75), and he died around 67 A.D., which makes it impossible for him to be the head of a church.

What I know of the Catholic church isn't much, but I know that priests aren't supposed to be married, though some have in recent years, and priests aren't supposed to swear, cuss, drink, use drugs, etc.

Thank you for your input.

Answer 1

The Catholic church did not start until 325 AD, after the Council of Nicea. Emperor Constantine is the first pope. The Catholic church cannot establish a continuity between Peter and Constantine because Catholicism did not exist yet.

Answer 2

“Please explain how it is possible for Peter to be the "first pope" of the Catholic church, when the Catholic church didn't start until after all of the apostles had died.”



The Church started WITH the apostles, WITH the Faith Christ had given them.



“Peter had a wife (Matthew 8:14, Mark 1:30, Luke 4:38), he had a filthy mouth and denied Christ (Matthew 26:69-75), and he died around 67 A.D., which makes it impossible for him to be the head of a church.”



??? So his being a sinner means he couldn’t have been the pope?



“What I know of the Catholic church isn't much, but I know that priests aren't supposed to be married, though some have in recent years, and priests aren't supposed to swear, cuss, drink, use drugs, etc.”



NONE of us are supposed to swear, cuss, drink (excessively), or use drugs. Priests ARE married; they’re married to the Church. Now, there are priests who families. Usually they are converts from other faiths who converted to Catholicism and were ordained to the priesthood.

Answer 3

Hello Kelly,



First of all, many clergy have been married throughout history. In fact, in our Eastern Catholic rites, marriage by priests is permitted. For the record, the Catholic Church does not believe it is a sin for a priest to marry. The "ideal" is to be single, though.



The Church does prefer that priests and bishops (and popes) be unmarried so they might serve the Church unfettered with other cares and interests, and so that their celibacy might be offered as a sacrifice, AND so that they might live a life similar to Christ (who never married).



Secondly, you said "priests aren't supposed to swear, cuss, drink, use drugs, etc." Let me clarify. Drinking is not a sin. Drinking to EXCESS is. Nowhere in the Catechism of the Catholic Church does it say a priest cannot drink in moderation. As to the others (swearing, using drugs) those are definitely a sin for anyone, including priests. But surely you are aware that priests, although they have a special office, are not perfect? Sometimes they will fall short. This is why Christ gave us the Sacrament of Confession.



Third, as to how Peter can be the first pope if he had a filthy mouth and denied Christ? Well again, no one said that popes were perfect, and that includes Peter! In fact, in Scripture we often see Christ using "broken vessels" to accomplish His mission (look at St. Paul's record - he was killing Christians!).



The important thing is that Peter repented with His whole heart and was forgiven. He was also given special authority by Christ in Scripture.



As to Peter's claim to the papacy, that will take a few more words but I will summarize. That Peter had primacy among the apostles is clear from Scripture. Peter is mentioned 155 times in the Bible and the rest of apostles combined are only mentioned 130 times! Peter is also always listed first except in 1 Cor. 3:22 and Gal. 2:9. He was the first to accept the divinity of Christ and is given special authority in Matt 16:16-19



There is an UNBROKEN line of succession directly from Peter to our current pope Benedict. No other institution on Earth has lasted so long!

Answer 4

Jesus tells Peter in Matthew 16:18: "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."



In John 21:15-17 Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him (for each of the three times Peter denied Jesus). He tells Peter to "feed my lambs, "take care of my sheep", "feed my sheep".



Jesus forgave Peter for denying him and knows that we are all sinners. And to show to the rest of the world that power of forgiveness (and for other reasons God only knows), he Peter to lead his church.



The Catholic Church has evolved throughout the years. It didn't become institutionalized until the 4th century, when Constantine legalized Christianity for the first time. But that doesn't mean the church itself didn't exist prior to that time.



The idea of "church" doesn't rely on location, legality, "bricks and mortar", etc. The early Christians were persecuted greatly, so they were unable to have an institutionalized Church like it exists today.



Also, while today Catholic priests are not allowed to be married, that is a law that can change. There was once a time when Catholic priests did marry and perhaps they will be allowed to again in the future.



BTW, why do you believe that the Church began after the all the apostles died? All over the New Testament it speaks of the church. Acts 12:5 states, "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him." Revelations 1:4 states that an angel of the lord speaks to "the seven churches in the province of Asia."



And in Acts 15, it is clearly visible there was a church (in its infancy of course) at the Council of Jerusalem. And in Acts 1 it is clear that Peter is the head of the church when the apostles gathered together to replace Judas with Matthias.



This is just a sampling of the evidence that not only was there a church during the lifetime of the apostles, but that Peter was the head of it. And there is a clear line of succession of not only popes, but bishops as well. It only makes sense, because Peter himself chose to institute a line of apostolic succession when he quoted the Psalms, "For may his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it, and may another take his place of leadership."

Answer 5

Peter is considered the model of how a pope should behave. He was the first to take the message of Christ to Gentiles/Non-Jews. This is the message of the church and why he is considered the first pope. His life is a testament to how Christ can change a person. If you read Acts you can see how his later life differed from his earlier life which you referenced.



Most of the rules of the church weren't put into place until 312 I think. Christianity was an underground religion until then.



Priests are supposed to be a model for how to live life. But of course they are human and not perfect either.

Answer 6

First, you are incorrect in that teh catholic church did not start until after all of the Apostles dies. The catholic Church started on Pentacost when teh Holy Spirit came to the disciples and Peter went out to preach.



Yes, Peter had a wife and denied Christ three times. After he rose from teh dead, Jesus told Peter to feed His lambs, therby forgiving Peter and telling Him to lead the Church.



There are some mar4ied priests They are married men who were Episcopalean or Lutheran ministers before they converted to Catholicism.



True, priests are not supposed to swear, cuss, or use drugas, but some do. It is ok for a priest to drink, just not get drunk.



Please contact me if you would like to learn about Catholicism.

Answer 7

You're asking how it is possible... quite simply, Jesus promised HE would build His Church. He did this - He kept His promise. He didn't wait till all the Apostles died - and he certainly didn't wait until Constantine came around to build it.



Peter denied Christ, I'm not so sure that equates to a "filthy mouth," but nonetheless, he was restored by Jesus Himself in John 21:15-17, and in fact it was there where Jesus, THE Good Shepherd, passed on His role of SHEPHERD to Peter, saying "Feed my lambs..." etc.



I realize that many may disagree with this teaching - but your question was "How is this possible?" This tells you how it is possible.

Answer 8

girl,i don't know where you get you information from.the early church was formed by the apostle's,and peter was chosen by Jesus Christ himself to feed his flock and watch over it.and as to the apostle's having human hang ups,that was all prior before they where illuminated by the holy ghost.from that time on they started the ministry and teaching of the gospel.as to some of the apostle's being married,they all left provision's for there kin and remained celibate.the reason we have problems with some of the clergy not behaving to their norm of office,is that there is a all out satanic influence that is on going;battling between the good and evil angelic forces in the spiritual realm.in the catholic church are many rites,and roman Catholic is only one of them.in the Byzantine rite it is permitted for a priest to be married.don't judge these priest's who commit scandal with in the church,but rather pray for them.

Answer 9

The Catholic church started after the first easter. With the first apostles. YOU are correct you know very little about the Catholic church, Preists were allowed to be maried for a few hundred years. ALL the aposltes were human and being human all sinned. There not GOD there men. Go find yourself a relgion with perfect people. then join it. It will then no longer be perfect.

Answer 10

It seem you know little about the bible. The Bible says that christens fallow and then get up again which mean christens are sinners but the difference is that they try to be perfetc as Jesus Christ and repent for their sines. Ask you self who many time to you fallow a day. When do you judge wrong, lie, hate, talk bad about others, use bad words against others, envy, lust, and ect. In the bible Jesus never prevent any one form drinking wine instead he makes best wine John 2:1-11 in a wedding.

Answer 11

With God, all things are possible.



People were Christians before someine invented the word. According to Acts 11:26 "it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians."



Mary and Joseph believed that Jesus was the Messiah even before He was born. They were the first Christians even if the word had not been invented yet.



In the same way, the early Christian Church was the Catholic Church even if the word was not used (in writing that has survived) until about 107 C.E.



About 10 years after the last book of the New Testament was written, the Greek term "Katholikos" (meaning universal) appears in the Letter of St. Ignatius of Antioch to the Smyrnaeans:



"Wherever the bishop appear, there let the multitude be; even as wherever Christ Jesus is, there is the Catholic Church."



http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-smyrnaeans-hoole.html



We do not know how long they had been using the term "Catholic" before it was included in this letter.



+ The Pope +



Only God could take the imperfect man Simon and make him the leader of the new Christian Church.



Old saying: God does not call the qualified. He qualifies the called.



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.



+ Celibacy and Alcohol +



The celibate clergy did not come into full bloom until about 1000 C.E. There were many married priests, bishops, and popes before this time.



And Catholics, including priests, can dring alcoholic beverages (in moderation) just like Jesus did.



With love in Christ.

Answer 12

Good grief. I'm assuming (and forgive me if I'm wrong) that you are of the born-again evangelical or fundamentalist variety of Christian, yes? Whatever happened to "I'm not perfect, just forgiven", or does this apply only to a particular group?



If you don't believe that Christ's forgiveness, and His ability to take woefully deficient lives and turn them around for the glory of God, applied to His followers from the very beginning then it's not just the Catholic church you don't know much about.



Sorry to be so blunt, I'm not trying to be rude, but there it is.

Answer 13

According to the Catholic Church.....it started on the day Jesus was tortured and crucified.....when the Jews turned their backs on Him.



It's in the New Testament......Peter was given the legacy to carry on what Jesus started....



You really don't know much about the Catholic Church or it's Priests.....even if you don't agree with them it's very interesting reading.

Answer 14

I am a former catholic, and I completely agree with you. They will bring out that same verse where Christ tells Peter, You are the rock, and upon this rock I will build my church. But, Christ was not talking about an organized church on earth. Christ was simply talking about the entire body of true believers who really follow Christ throughout the world and the ages.



Carl Spackler, three spaces down, Paul was the first to preach to the gentiles, not Peter. Peter preached to the Jews.

Answer 15

The catholic church did not start until 325 CE. They did not have popes. The roman catholic church started in 872 CE and Bishop Thomas declaired him self pope and he was the first pope. Also, most of the bible was written 30 to 325 years after Jesus died so everyone who wrote about him was not born at the time of his life.

Answer 16

Just a question-what priests have married in recent years?? Where are you getting that info?? And priests can drink-there is nothing against that in their religion.

Answer 17

I am not Catholic either, but my suggestion is apply 1 Samuel 16:7. (In our language God looks at why, man sees who, what, when, where, and how).

Answer 18

When Roman Emperor Constantine Augustus of the western Empire, and Licinius Augustus of the eastern, proclaimed this Edict in 313 A.D., persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire ended. Some non-Catholics try to show from this document that it was the beginning of the Catholic Church. This is absolutely not true as the document clearly shows.

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When I, Constantine Augustus, as well as I, Licinius Augustus, fortunately met near Mediolanurn (Milan), and were considering everything that pertained to the public welfare and security, we thought, among other things which we saw would be for the good of many, those regulations pertaining to the reverence of the Divinity ought certainly to be made first, so that we might grant to the Christians and others full authority to observe that religion which each preferred; whence any Divinity whatsoever in the seat of the heavens may be propitious and kindly disposed to us and all who are placed under our rule. And thus by this wholesome counsel and most upright provision we thought to arrange that no one whatsoever should be denied the opportunity to give his heart to the observance of the Christian religion, of that religion which he should think best for himself, so that the Supreme Deity, to whose worship we freely yield our hearts, may show in all things His usual favor and benevolence. Therefore, your Worship should know that it has pleased us to remove all conditions whatsoever, which were in the rescripts formally given to you officially, concerning the Christians and now any one of these who wishes to observe Christian religion may do so freely and openly, without molestation. We thought it fit to commend these things most fully to your care that you may know that we have given to those Christians free and unrestricted opportunity of religious worship. When you see that this has been granted to them by us, your Worship will know that we have also conceded to other religions the right of open and free observance of their worship for the sake of the peace of our times, that each one may have the free opportunity to worship as he pleases; this regulation is made we that we may not seem to detract from any dignity or any religion.



Moreover, in the case of the Christians especially we esteemed it best to order that if it happens anyone heretofore has bought from our treasury from anyone whatsoever, those places where they were previously accustomed to assemble, concerning which a certain decree had been made and a letter sent to you officially, the same shall be restored to the Christians without payment or any claim of recompense and without any kind of fraud or deception, Those, moreover, who have obtained the same by gift, are likewise to return them at once to the Christians. Besides, both those who have purchased and those who have secured them by gift, are to appeal to the vicar if they seek any recompense from our bounty, that they may be cared for through our clemency. All this property ought to be delivered at once to the community of the Christians through your intercession, and without delay. And since these Christians are known to have possessed not only those places in which they were accustomed to assemble, but also other property, namely the churches, belonging to them as a corporation and not as individuals, all these things which we have included under the above law, you will order to be restored, without any hesitation or controversy at all, to these Christians, that is to say to the corporations and their conventicles: providing, of course, that the above arrangements be followed so that those who return the same without payment, as we have said, may hope for an indemnity from our bounty. In all these circumstances you ought to tender your most efficacious intervention to the community of the Christians, that our command may be carried into effect as quickly as possible, whereby, moreover, through our clemency, public order may be secured. Let this be done so that, as we have said above, Divine favor towards us, which, under the most important circumstances we have already experienced, may, for all time, preserve and prosper our successes together with the good of the state. Moreover, in order that the statement of this decree of our good will may come to the notice of all, this rescript, published by your decree, shall be announced everywhere and brought to the knowledge of all, so that the decree of this, our benevolence, cannot be concealed.

Answer 19

I pray that all of my catholic friends would check

out the truth of these errors in the word of God.

Answer 20

St. Peter (32-67)

St. Linus (67-76)

St. Anacletus (76-88)

St. Clement I (88-97)

St. Evaristus (97-105)

St. Alexander I (105-115)

St. Sixtus I (115-125)

St. Telesphorus (125-136)

St. Hyginus (136-140)

St. Pius I (140-155)

St. Anicetus (155-166)

St. Soter (166-175)

St. Eleutherius (175-189)

St. Victor I (189-199)

St. Zephyrinus (199-217)

St. Callistus I (217-22)

St. Urban I (222-30)

St. Pontain (230-35)

St. Anterus (235-36)

St. Fabian (236-50)

St. Cornelius (251-53)

St. Lucius I (253-54)

St. Stephen I (254-257)

St. Sixtus II (257-258)

St. Dionysius (260-268)

St. Felix I (269-274)

St. Eutychian (275-283)

St. Caius (283-296)

St. Marcellinus (296-304)

St. Marcellus I (308-309)

St. Eusebius (309 or 310)

St. Miltiades (311-14)

St. Sylvester I (314-35)

St. Marcus (336)

St. Julius I (337-52)

Liberius (352-66)

St. Damasus I (366-83)

St. Siricius (384-99)

St. Anastasius I (399-401)

St. Innocent I (401-17)

St. Zosimus (417-18)

St. Boniface I (418-22)

St. Celestine I (422-32)

St. Sixtus III (432-40)

St. Leo I (the Great) (440-61)

St. Hilarius (461-68)

St. Simplicius (468-83)

St. Felix III (II) (483-92)

St. Gelasius I (492-96)

Anastasius II (496-98)

St. Symmachus (498-514)

St. Hormisdas (514-23)

St. John I (523-26)

St. Felix IV (III) (526-30)

Boniface II (530-32)

John II (533-35)

St. Agapetus I (535-36)

St. Silverius (536-37)

Vigilius (537-55)

Pelagius I (556-61)

John III (561-74)

Benedict I (575-79)

Pelagius II (579-90)

St. Gregory I (590-604)

Sabinian (604-606)

Boniface III (607)

St. Boniface IV (608-15)

St. Deusdedit (615-18)

Boniface V (619-25)

Honorius I (625-38)

Severinus (640)

John IV (640-42)

Theodore I (642-49)

St. Martin I (649-55)

St. Eugene I (655-57)

St. Vitalian (657-72)

Adeodatus (II) (672-76)

Donus (676-78)

St. Agatho (678-81)

St. Leo II (682-83)

St. Benedict II (684-85)

John V (685-86)

Conon (686-87)

St. Sergius I (687-701)

John VI (701-05)

John VII (705-07)

Sisinnius (708)

Constantine (708-15)

St. Gregory II (715-31) St. Gregory III (731-41)

St. Zachary (741-52)

Stephen II (752) 3

Stephen III (752-57)

St. Paul I (757-67)

Stephen IV (767-72)

Adrian I (772-95)

St. Leo III (795-816)

Stephen V (816-17)

St. Paschal I (817-24)

Eugene II (824-27)

Valentine (827)

Gregory IV (827-44)

Sergius II (844-47)

St. Leo IV (847-55)

Benedict III (855-58)

St. Nicholas I (858-67)

Adrian II (867-72)

John VIII (872-82)

Marinus I (882-84)

St. Adrian III (884-85)

Stephen VI (885-91)

Formosus (891-96)

Boniface VI (896)

Stephen VII (896-97)

Romanus (897)

Theodore II (897)

John IX (898-900)

Benedict IV (900-03)

Leo V (903)

Sergius III (904-11)

Anastasius III (911-13)

Lando (913-14)

John X (914-28)

Leo VI (928)

Stephen VIII (929-31)

John XI (931-35)

Leo VII (936-39)

Stephen IX (939-42)

Marinus II (942-46)

Agapetus II (946-55)

John XII (955-63)

Leo VIII (963-64)

Benedict V (964)

John XIII (965-72)

Benedict VI (973-74)

Benedict VII (974-83)

John XIV (983-84)

John XV (985-96)

Gregory V (996-99)

Sylvester II (999-1003)

John XVII (1003)

John XVIII (1003-09)

Sergius IV (1009-12)

Benedict VIII (1012-24)

John XIX (1024-32)

Benedict IX (1032-45)

Sylvester III (1045)

Benedict IX (1045)

Gregory VI (1045-46)

Clement II (1046-47)

Benedict IX (1047-48)

Damasus II (1048)

St. Leo IX (1049-54)

Victor II (1055-57)

Stephen X (1057-58)

Nicholas II (1058-61)

Alexander II (1061-73)

St. Gregory VII (1073-85)

Blessed Victor III (1086-87)

Blessed Urban II (1088-99)

Paschal II (1099-1118)

Gelasius II (1118-19)

Callistus II (1119-24)

Honorius II (1124-30)

Innocent II (1130-43)

Celestine II (1143-44)

Lucius II (1144-45)

Bl. Eugene III (1145-53)

Anastasius IV (1153-54)

Adrian IV (1154-59)

Alexander III (1159-81)

Lucius III (1181-85)

Urban III (1185-87)

Gregory VIII (1187)

Clement III (1187-91)

Celestine III (1191-98)

Innocent III (1198-1216)

Honorius III (1216-27) Gregory IX (1227-41)

Celestine IV (1241)

Innocent IV (1243-54)

Alexander IV (1254-61)

Urban IV (1261-64)

Clement IV (1265-68)

Blessed Gregory X (1271-76)

Blessed Innocent V (1276)

Adrian V (1276)

John XXI (1276-77)

Nicholas III (1277-80)

Martin IV (1281-85)

Honorius IV (1285-87)

Nicholas IV (1288-92)

St. Celestine V (1294)

Boniface VIII (1294-1303)

Bl. Benedict XI (1303-04)

Clement V (1305-14)

John XXII (1316-34)

Benedict XII (1334-42)

Clement VI (1342-52)

Innocent VI (1352-62)

Blessed Urban V (1362-70)

Gregory XI (1370-78)

Urban VI (1378-89)

Boniface IX (1389-1404)

Innocent VII (1406-06)

Gregory XII (1406-15)

Martin V (1417-31)

Eugene IV (1431-47)

Nicholas V (1447-55)

Callistus III (1455-58)

Pius II (1458-64)

Paul II (1464-71)

Sixtus IV (1471-84)

Innocent VIII (1484-92)

Alexander VI (1492-1503)

Pius III (1503)

Julius II (1503-13)

Leo X (1513-21)

Adrian VI (1522-23)

Clement VII (1523-34)

Paul III (1534-49)

Julius III (1550-55)

Marcellus II (1555)

Paul IV (1555-59)

Pius IV (1559-65)

St. Pius V (1566-72)

Gregory XIII (1572-85)

Sixtus V (1585-90)

Urban VII (1590)

Gregory XIV (1590-91)

Innocent IX (1591)

Clement VIII (1592-1605)

Leo XI (1605)

Paul V (1605-21)

Gregory XV (1621-23)

Urban VIII (1623-44)

Innocent X (1644-55)

Alexander VII (1655-67)

Clement IX (1667-69)

Clement X (1670-76)

Bl. Innocent XI (1676-89)

Alexander VIII (1689-91)

Innocent XII (1691-1700)

Clement XI (1700-21)

Innocent XIII (1721-24)

Benedict XIII (1724-30)

Clement XII (1730-40)

Benedict XIV (1740-58)

Clement XIII (1758-69)

Clement XIV (1769-74)

Pius VI (1775-99)

Pius VII (1800-23)

Leo XII (1823-29)

Pius VIII (1829-30)

Gregory XVI (1831-46)

Blessed Pius IX (1846-78)

Leo XIII (1878-1903)

St. Pius X (1903-14)

Benedict XV (1914-22)

Pius XI (1922-39)

Pius XII (1939-58)

Blessed John XXIII (1958-63)

Paul VI (1963-78)

John Paul I (1978)

John Paul II (1978—2005)

Benedict XVI (2005-?)

Answer 21

Peter is the Rock on which the Church is Built

Mark 3:16; John 1:42 – Jesus renames Simon "Kepha" in Aramaic which literally means "rock." This was an extraordinary thing for Jesus to do, because "rock" was not even a name in Jesus' time. Jesus did this, not to give Simon a strange name, but to identify his new status among the apostles. When God changes a person's name, He changes their status.



Gen. 17:5; 32:28; 2 Kings 23:34; Acts 9:4; 13:9 - for example, in these verses, we see that God changes the following people's names and, as a result, they become special agents of God: Abram to Abraham; Jacob to Israel, Eliakim to Jehoiakim, Saul to Paul.



2 Sam. 22:2-3, 32, 47; 23:3; Psalm 18:2,31,46; 19:4; 28:1; 42:9; 62:2,6,7; 89:26; 94:22; 144:1-2 - in these verses, God is also called "rock." Hence, from these verses, non-Catholics often argue that God, and not Peter, is the rock that Jesus is referring to in Matt. 16:18. This argument not only ignores the plain meaning of the applicable texts, but also assumes words used in Scripture can only have one meaning. This, of course, is not true. For example:



1 Cor. 3:11 - Jesus is called the only foundation of the Church, and yet in Eph. 2:20, the apostles are called the foundation of the Church. Similarly, in 1 Peter 2:25, Jesus is called the Shepherd of the flock, but in Acts 20:28, the apostles are called the shepherds of the flock. These verses show that there are multiple metaphors for the Church, and that words used by the inspired writers of Scripture can have various meanings. Catholics agree that God is the rock of the Church, but this does not mean He cannot confer this distinction upon Peter as well, to facilitate the unity He desires for the Church.



Matt. 16:18 - Jesus said in Aramaic, you are "Kepha" and on this "Kepha" I will build my Church. In Aramaic, "kepha" means a massive stone, and "evna" means little pebble. Some non-Catholics argue that, because the Greek word for rock is "petra", that "Petros" actually means "a small rock", and therefore Jesus was attempting to diminish Peter right after blessing him by calling him a small rock. Not only is this nonsensical in the context of Jesus' blessing of Peter, Jesus was speaking Aramaic and used "Kepha," not "evna." Using Petros to translate Kepha was done simply to reflect the masculine noun of Peter.



Moreover, if the translator wanted to identify Peter as the "small rock," he would have used "lithos" which means a little pebble in Greek. Also, Petros and petra were synonyms at the time the Gospel was written, so any attempt to distinguish the two words is inconsequential. Thus, Jesus called Peter the massive rock, not the little pebble, on which He would build the Church. (You don’t even need Matt. 16:18 to prove Peter is the rock because Jesus renamed Simon “rock” in Mark 3:16 and John 1:42!).



Matt. 16:17 - to further demonstrate that Jesus was speaking Aramaic, Jesus says Simon "Bar-Jona." The use of "Bar-Jona" proves that Jesus was speaking Aramaic. In Aramaic, "Bar" means son, and "Jonah" means John or dove (Holy Spirit). See Matt. 27:46 and Mark 15:34 which give another example of Jesus speaking Aramaic as He utters in rabbinical fashion the first verse of Psalm 22 declaring that He is the Christ, the Messiah. This shows that Jesus was indeed speaking Aramaic, as the Jewish people did at that time.



Matt. 16:18 - also, in quoting "on this rock," the Scriptures use the Greek construction "tautee tee" which means on "this" rock; on "this same" rock; or on "this very" rock. "Tautee tee" is a demonstrative construction in Greek, pointing to Peter, the subject of the sentence (and not his confession of faith as some non-Catholics argue) as the very rock on which Jesus builds His Church. The demonstrative (“tautee”) generally refers to its closest antecedent (“Petros”). Also, there is no place in Scripture where “faith” is equated with “rock.”



Matt. 16:18-19 - in addition, to argue that Jesus first blesses Peter for having received divine revelation from the Father, then diminishes him by calling him a small pebble, and then builds him up again by giving him the keys to the kingdom of heaven is entirely illogical, and a gross manipulation of the text to avoid the truth of Peter's leadership in the Church. This is a three-fold blessing of Peter - you are blessed, you are the rock on which I will build my Church, and you will receive the keys to the kingdom of heaven (not you are blessed for receiving Revelation, but you are still an insignificant little pebble, and yet I am going to give you the keys to the kingdom).



Matt. 16:18-19 – to further rebut the Protestant argument that Jesus was speaking about Peter’s confession of faith (not Peter himself) based on the revelation he received, the verses are clear that Jesus, after acknowledging Peter’s receipt of divine revelation, turns the whole discourse to the person of Peter: Blessed are “you” Simon, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to “you,” and I tell “you,” “you” are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church. I will give “you” the keys to the kingdom, and whatever “you” bind and loose on earth will be bound and loosed in heaven. Jesus’ whole discourse relates to the person of Peter, not his confession of faith.



Matt. 16:13 - also, from a geographical perspective, Jesus renames Simon to rock in Caesarea Philippi near a massive rock formation on which Herod built a temple to Caesar. Jesus chose this setting to further emphasize that Peter was indeed the rock on which the Church would be built.



Matt. 7:24 - Jesus, like the wise man, builds His house on the rock (Peter), not on grain of sand (Simon) so the house will not fall.



Luke 6:48 - the house (the Church) built upon the rock (Peter) cannot be shaken by floods (which represent the heresies, schisms, and scandals that the Church has faced over the last 2,000 years). Floods have occurred, but the Church still remains on its solid rock foundation.



Matt. 16:21 - it is also important to note that it was only after Jesus established Peter as leader of the Church that He began to speak of His death and departure. This is because Jesus had now appointed His representative on earth.



John 21:15 - Jesus asks Peter if he loves Jesus "more than these," referring to the other apostles. Jesus singles Peter out as the leader of the apostolic college.



John 21:15-17 - Jesus selects Peter to be the chief shepherd of the apostles when He says to Peter, "feed my lambs," "tend my sheep," "feed my sheep." Peter will shepherd the Church as Jesus’ representative.



Luke 22:31-32 - Jesus also prays that Peter's faith may not fail and charges Peter to be the one to strengthen the other apostles - "Simon, satan demanded to have you (plural, referring to all the apostles) to sift you (plural) like wheat, but I prayed for you (singular) that your (singular) faith may not fail, and when you (singular) have turned again, strengthen your brethren.



Acts 1,2,3,4,5,8,15 - no one questions Peter's authority to speak for the Church, declare anathemas, and resolve doctrinal debates. Peter is the rock on which the Church is built who feeds Jesus’ sheep and whose faith will not fail.



Peter has the Keys of Authority over the Earthly Kingdom, the Church

2 Sam. 7:16; Psalm 89:3-4; 1 Chron.17:12,14 - God promises to establish the Davidic kingdom forever on earth.



Matt. 1:1 - Matthew clearly establishes this tie of David to Jesus. Jesus is the new King of the new House of David, and the King will assign a chief steward to rule over the house while the King is in heaven.



Luke 1:32 - the archangel Gabriel announces to Mary that her Son would be given "the throne of His father David."



Matt. 16:19 - Jesus gives Peter the "keys of the kingdom of heaven." While most Protestants argue that the kingdom of heaven Jesus was talking about is the eternal state of glory (as if Peter is up in heaven letting people in), the kingdom of heaven Jesus is speaking of actually refers to the Church on earth. In using the term "keys," Jesus was referencing Isaiah 22 (which is the only place in the Bible where keys are used in the context of a kingdom).



Isaiah 22:22 - in the old Davidic kingdom, there were royal ministers who conducted the liturgical worship and bound the people in teaching and doctrine. But there was also a Prime Minister or chief steward of the kingdom who held the keys. Jesus gives Peter these keys to His earthly kingdom, the Church. This representative has decision-making authority over the people - when he shuts, no one opens. See also Job 12:14.



Rev. 1:18; 3:7; 9:1; 20:1 - Jesus' "keys" undeniably represent authority. By using the word "keys," Jesus gives Peter authority on earth over the new Davidic kingdom, and this was not seriously questioned by anyone until the Protestant reformation 1,500 years later after Peter’s investiture.



Matt. 16:19 - whatever Peter binds or looses on earth is bound or loosed in heaven / when the Prime Minister to the King opens, no one shuts. This "binding and loosing" authority allows the keeper of the keys to establish "halakah," or rules of conduct for the members of the kingdom he serves. Peter's "keys" fit into the "gates" of Hades which also represent Peter’s pastoral authority over souls.



Matt. 23:2-4 - the "binding and loosing" terminology used by Jesus was understood by the Jewish people. For example, Jesus said that the Pharisees "bind" heavy burdens but won't move ("loose") them with their fingers. Peter and the apostles have the new binding and loosing authority over the Church of the New Covenant.



Matt. 13:24-52 -Jesus comparing the kingdom of heaven to a field, a mustard seed, leaven, and a net demonstrate that the kingdom Jesus is talking about is the universal Church on earth, not the eternal state of glory. Therefore, the keys to the "kingdom of heaven" refers to the authority over the earthly Church.



Matt. 25:1-2 - Jesus comparing the kingdom of heaven to ten maidens, five of whom were foolish, further shows that the kingdom is the Church on earth. This kingdom cannot refer to the heavenly kingdom because there are no fools in heaven!



Mark 4:26-32 - again, the "kingdom of God" is like the seed which grows and develops. The heavenly kingdom is eternal, so the kingdom to which Peter holds the keys of authority is the earthly Church.



Luke 9:27 - Jesus says that there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the "kingdom of God." This kingdom refers to the earthly kingdom of Christ, which Jesus established by His death and resurrection on earth.



Luke 13:19-20 - again, Jesus says the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed which grew into a tree. This refers to the earthly Church which develops over time, from an acorn to an oak tree (not the heavenly state of glory which is boundless and infinite).



Matt 12:28; Mark 1:15; Luke 11:20; 17:21 - these verses provide more examples of the " kingdom of God" as the kingdom on earth which is in our midst.



1 Chron. 28:5 - Solomon sits on the throne of the kingdom of the Lord. This shows that the "kingdom of God" usually means an earthly kingdom.



1 Chron. 29:23 - Solomon sits on the throne of the Lord as king in place of King David. The throne of God refers to the earthly kingdom.



Matt. 16:19 - Peter holds keys to this new Davidic kingdom and rules while the real King of David (Jesus) is in heaven.



Luke 12:41-42 - when Peter asks Jesus if the parable of the master and the kingdom was meant just for the apostles or for all people, Jesus rhetorically confirms to Peter that Peter is the chief steward over the Master's household of God. "Who then, (Peter) is that faithful and wise steward whom his master will make ruler over His household..?"



Ezek. 37:24-25 - David shall be king over them forever and they will have one shepherd. Jesus is our King, and Peter is our earthly shepherd.



Peter's Keys and Papal Succession

Jer. 33:17 - Jeremiah prophesies that David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the earthly House of Israel. Either this is a false prophecy, or David has a successor of representatives throughout history.



Dan. 2:44 - Daniel prophesies an earthly kingdom that will never be destroyed. Either this is a false prophecy, or the earthly kingdom requires succession.



Isa. 22:20 - in the old Davidic kingdom, Eliakim succeeds Shebna as the chief steward of the household of God. The kingdom employs a mechanism of dynastic succession. King David was dead for centuries, but his kingdom is preserved through a succession of representatives.



Isa. 22:19 - Shebna is described as having an "office" and a "station." An office, in order for it to be an office, has successors. In order for an earthly kingdom to last, a succession of representatives is required. This was the case in the Old Covenant kingdom, and it is the case in the New Covenant kingdom which fulfills the Old Covenant. Jesus our King is in heaven, but He has appointed a chief steward over His household with a plan for a succession of representatives.



Isa. 22:21 - Eliakim is called “father” or “papa” of God's people. The word Pope used by Catholics to describe the chief steward of the earthly kingdom simply means papa or father in Italian. This is why Catholics call the leader of the Church "Pope." The Pope is the father of God's people, the chief steward of the earthly kingdom and Christ's representative on earth.



Isa. 22:22 - we see that the keys of the kingdom pass from Shebna to Eliakim. Thus, the keys are used not only as a symbol of authority, but also to facilitate succession. The keys of Christ's kingdom have passed from Peter to Linus all the way to our current Pope with an unbroken lineage for almost 2,000 years.



Acts 1:20 - we see in the early Church that successors are immediately chosen for the apostles' offices. Just as the Church replaced Judas, it also replaced Peter with a successor after Peter's death.



John 21:15-17; Luke 22:31-32 - Jesus' creation of Peter's office as chief shepherd with the keys passed to Linus, Cletus, Clement I, all the way to our current Holy Father.



Matt. 23:2 - this shows that the Jews understood the importance of succession to the chair and its attendant authority. Here, Jesus respects Moses' seat ("cathedra") of authority which was preserved by succession. In the Church, Peter's seat is called the "cathedra," and when Peter's successor speaks officially on a matter of faith or morals, it may rise to the level of an "ex cathedra" (from the chair) teaching.



Eph. 3:21 - this divine word tells us that Jesus Christ's Church will exist in all generations. Only the Catholic Church can prove by succession such existence. Our Protestant brothers and sisters become uncomfortable with this passage because it requires them to look for a Church that has existed for over 2,000 years. This means that all the other Christian denominations (some of which have been around even less than one year!) cannot be the church that Christ built upon the rock of Peter.



Matt. to Rev. - Peter is mentioned 155 times and the rest of apostles combined are only mentioned 130 times. Peter is also always listed first except in 1 Cor. 3:22 and Gal. 2:9 (which are obvious exceptions to the rule).



Matt. 10:2; Mark 1:36; 3:16; Luke 6:14-16; Acts 1:3; 2:37; 5:29 - these are some of many examples where Peter is mentioned first among the apostles.



Matt. 14:28-29 - only Peter has the faith to walk on water. No other man in Scripture is said to have the faith to walk on water. This faith ultimately did not fail.



Matt. 16:16, Mark 8:29; John 6:69 - Peter is first among the apostles to confess the divinity of Christ.



Matt. 16:17 - Peter alone is told he has received divine knowledge by a special revelation from God the Father.



Matt. 16:18 - Jesus builds the Church only on Peter, the rock, with the other apostles as the foundation and Jesus as the Head.



Matt. 16:19 - only Peter receives the keys, which represent authority over the Church and facilitate dynastic succession to his authority.



Matt. 17:24-25 - the tax collector approaches Peter for Jesus' tax. Peter is the spokesman for Jesus. He is the Vicar of Christ.



Matt. 17:26-27 - Jesus pays the half-shekel tax with one shekel, for both Jesus and Peter. Peter is Christ's representative on earth.



Matt. 18:21 - in the presence of the disciples, Peter asks Jesus about the rule of forgiveness. One of many examples where Peter takes a leadership role among the apostles in understanding Jesus' teachings.



Matt. 19:27 - Peter speaks on behalf of the apostles by telling Jesus that they have left everything to follow Him.



Mark 10:28 - here also, Peter speaks on behalf of the disciples by declaring that they have left everything to follow Him.



Mark 11:21 - Peter speaks on behalf of the disciples in remembering Jesus' curse on the fig tree.



Mark 14:37 - at Gethsemane, Jesus asks Peter, and no one else, why he was asleep. Peter is accountable to Jesus for his actions on behalf of the apostles because he has been appointed by Jesus as their leader.



Mark 16:7 - Peter is specified by an angel as the leader of the apostles as the angel confirms the resurrection of Christ.



Luke 5:3 – Jesus teaches from Peter’s boat which is metaphor for the Church. Jesus guides Peter and the Church into all truth.



Luke 5:4,10 - Jesus instructs Peter to let down the nets for a catch, and the miraculous catch follows. Peter, the Pope, is the "fisher of men."



Luke 7:40-50- Jesus addresses Peter regarding the rule of forgiveness and Peter answers on behalf of the disciples. Jesus also singles Peter out and judges his conduct vis-à-vis the conduct of the woman who anointed Him.



Luke 8:45 - when Jesus asked who touched His garment, it is Peter who answers on behalf of the disciples.



Luke 8:51; 9:28; 22:8; Acts 1:13; 3:1,3,11; 4:13,19; 8:14 - Peter is always mentioned before John, the disciple whom Jesus loved.



Luke 9:28;33 - Peter is mentioned first as going to mountain of transfiguration and the only one to speak at the transfiguration.



Luke 12:41 - Peter seeks clarification of a parable on behalf on the disciples. This is part of Peter's formation as the chief shepherd of the flock after Jesus ascended into heaven.



Luke 22:31-32 - Jesus prays for Peter alone, that his faith may not fail, and charges him to strengthen the rest of the apostles.



Luke 24:12, John 20:4-6 - John arrived at the tomb first but stopped and waited for Peter. Peter then arrived and entered the tomb first.



Luke 24:34 - the two disciples distinguish Peter even though they both had seen the risen Jesus the previous hour. See Luke 24:33.



John 6:68 - after the disciples leave, Peter is the first to speak and confess his belief in Christ after the Eucharistic discourse.



John 13:6-9 - Peter speaks out to the Lord in front of the apostles concerning the washing of feet.



John 13:36; 21:18 - Jesus predicts Peter's death. Peter was martyred at Rome in 67 A.D. Several hundred years of papal successors were also martyred.



John 21:2-3,11 - Peter leads the fishing and his net does not break. The boat (the "barque of Peter") is a metaphor for the Church.



John 21:7 - only Peter got out of the boat and ran to the shore to meet Jesus. Peter is the earthly shepherd leading us to God.



John 21:15 - in front of the apostles, Jesus asks Peter if he loves Jesus "more than these," which refers to the other apostles. Peter is the head of the apostolic see.



John 21:15-17 - Jesus charges Peter to "feed my lambs," "tend my sheep," "feed my sheep." Sheep means all people, even the apostles.



Acts 1:13 - Peter is first when entering upper room after our Lord's ascension. The first Eucharist and Pentecost were given in this room.



Acts 1:15 - Peter initiates the selection of a successor to Judas right after Jesus ascended into heaven, and no one questions him. Further, if the Church needed a successor to Judas, wouldn't it need one to Peter? Of course.



Acts 2:14 - Peter is first to speak for the apostles after the Holy Spirit descended upon them at Pentecost. Peter is the first to preach the Gospel.



Acts 2:38 - Peter gives first preaching in the early Church on repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.



Acts 3:1,3,4 - Peter is mentioned first as going to the Temple to pray.



Acts 3:6-7 - Peter works the first healing of the apostles.



Acts 3:12-26, 4:8-12 - Peter teaches the early Church the healing through Jesus and that there is no salvation other than Christ.



Acts 5:3 - Peter declares the first anathema of Ananias and Sapphira which is ratified by God, and brings about their death. Peter exercises his binding authority.



Acts 5:15 - Peter's shadow has healing power. No other apostle is said to have this power.



Acts 8:14 - Peter is mentioned first in conferring the sacrament of confirmation.



Acts 8:20-23 - Peter casts judgment on Simon's quest for gaining authority through the laying on of hands. Peter exercises his binding and loosing authority.



Acts 9:32-34 - Peter is mentioned first among the apostles and works the healing of Aeneas.



Acts 9:38-40 - Peter is mentioned first among the apostles and raises Tabitha from the dead.



Acts 10:5 - Cornelius is told by an angel to call upon Peter. Angels are messengers of God. Peter was granted this divine vision.



Acts 10:34-48, 11:1-18 - Peter is first to teach about salvation for all (Jews and Gentiles).



Acts 12:5 - this verse implies that the "whole Church" offered "earnest prayers" for Peter, their leader, during his imprisonment.



Acts 12:6-11 - Peter is freed from jail by an angel. He is the first object of divine intervention in the early Church.



Acts 15:7-12 - Peter resolves the first doctrinal issue on circumcision at the Church's first council at Jerusalem, and no one questions him. After Peter the Papa spoke, all were kept silent.



Acts 15:12 - only after Peter (the Pope) speaks do Paul and Barnabas (bishops) speak in support of Peter's definitive teaching.



Acts 15:13-14 - then James speaks to further acknowledge Peter's definitive teaching. "Simeon (Peter) has related how God first visited..."



Rom. 15:20 - Paul says he doesn't want to build on "another man's foundation" referring to Peter, who built the Church in Rome.



1 Cor. 9:5 – Peter is distinguished from the rest of the apostles and brethren of the Lord.



1 Cor. 15:4-8 - Paul distinguishes Jesus' post-resurrection appearances to Peter from those of the other apostles. Christ appeared “to Cephas, then to the twelve.”



Gal.1:18 - Paul spends fifteen days with Peter privately before beginning his ministry, even after Christ's Revelation to Paul.



1 Peter 5:1 - Peter acts as the chief bishop by "exhorting" all the other bishops and elders of the Church.



1 Peter 5:13 - Some Protestants argue against the Papacy by trying to prove Peter was never in Rome. First, this argument is irrelevant to whether Jesus instituted the Papacy. Secondly, this verse demonstrates that Peter was in fact in Rome. Peter writes from "Babylon" which was a code name for Rome during these days of persecution. See, for example, Rev. 14:8, 16:19, 17:5, 18:2,10,21, which show that "Babylon" meant Rome. Rome was the "great city" of the New Testament period. Because Rome during this age was considered the center of the world, the Lord wanted His Church to be established in Rome.



2 Peter 1:14 - Peter writes about Jesus' prediction of Peter's death, embracing the eventual martyrdom that he would suffer.



2 Peter 3:16 - Peter is making a judgment on the proper interpretation of Paul's letters. Peter is the chief shepherd of the flock.



Matt. 23:11; Mark 9:35; 10:44 - yet Peter, as the first, humbled himself to be the last and servant of all servants.