- Introduction:
- General Absence Of The Papal Office Throughout The New Testament:
- General Absence Of Papal Titles:
-Peter was never addressed by titles of exultation such as are used to honor popes of later times. In other words, he was never called "Pope", "Chief Shepard", "Head of the Church", "Holy Father", "Sovereign Pontiff", or any other religious titles used to honor popes today. Instead, he was simply called an "apostle and servant" (1 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1) and "fellow presbyter" (1 Peter 5:1).
+Some may argue that the Apostle Peter avoided these titles because he was humble and modest. But if that is the case, then why do modern popes refuse to follow Peter's example? The truth of the matter is that the Lord Jesus Christ forbade the practice (Matthew 23:8-12)! +Jesus is the "Chief Shepherd" of the "flock" (John 10:10; 14-16; Hebrews 13:20). The Lord is the "Holy Father" (John 17:11)---not the pretentious Bishop of Rome.
-Christ is the "head of the church" (1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:15; 5:23-25). In fact, the Scriptures emphatically state that the Lord Jesus holds primacy in all things (Colossians 1:17-18), which eliminates any notion of Papal supremacy.
+Roman Catholics believe that the pope is the "visible" head of the church and that Christ is the "invisible" head. However, the Scriptures reserve no such distinction. The Kingdom of God does not require an earthly head.
-Christ is the "head of the church" (1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:15; 5:23-25). In fact, the Scriptures emphatically state that the Lord Jesus holds primacy in all things (Colossians 1:17-18), which eliminates any notion of Papal supremacy.
+Roman Catholics believe that the pope is the "visible" head of the church and that Christ is the "invisible" head. However, the Scriptures reserve no such distinction. The Kingdom of God does not require an earthly head.
- The Apostle Peter Did Not Act Like A Pope:
-The Apostle Peter was not a wealthy man as are modern-day popes (Acts 3:6-7). In other words, he did not have a throne, crown, or any other types of riches, as successive popes have enjoyed for centuries.
-The Apostle Peter did not allow men to bow before him religiously (Acts 10:25-26), but modern popes accept and encourage this kind of behavior. We are not to bow before people to honor their religious office or affiliation (Matthew 4:9-10; Revelation 22:8-9).
- Scripture Never Tells Us That The "Keys" Of The Kingdom Were Given To The Apostle Peter Alone:
-All of the apostles were given the authority of the "keys" (Matthew 18:18; John 20:23). For more details, view this article.
- The Apostle Peter Was A Married Man:
-If Peter was the first pope, then he was also a married man (Matthew 8:14; 1 Corinthians 9:5). However, such is forbidden by the Roman Catholic Church. Thus, the Apostle Peter is automatically disqualified from leading the Papacy!
- The Apostle Peter Viewed Himself As Having No Supremacy Over The Church:
-"Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (1 Peter 5:1-5)
- James, Not Peter, Presided Over The Jerusalem Council:
-Although the Apostle Peter attended the Jerusalem Council, it was James who made the final ruling that circumcision was unnecessary for salvation. See this article for more details.
- Peter Was Ordered By Others To Travel:
-"Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent Peter and John to them." (Acts 8:14)
- The Apostle Paul Worked Harder Than Peter:
+Neither did Peter write much Scripture.
- The Apostle Peter Was Only Known As The Apostle To The Jews:
-If Peter was appointed by Christ to govern the entire Christian church worldwide, then why is it that Paul was the one commissioned to evangelize the Gentiles (Galatians 2:8). In that same context, the Apostle Peter is only referred to as "one of four pillars", with James being listed as first in order (Galatians 2:9).
- The Apostle Paul Rebuked Peter As Though He Were His Equal:
-If Peter was the first pope, then why did Paul rebuke him so harshly for acting contrary to the gospel (Galatians 2:11-14)? See here for further details.
- The Corinthian Christians Were Rebuked For Following Human Leaders Such As The Apostle Peter:
- Nobody In Scripture Seems To Recognize That Peter Was Given Special Supremacy:
-"Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves." (Luke 22:24-26)
+The context of the dispute among the disciples regarding who was the greatest in the eyes of the Lord Jesus Christ took place on the night of the Lord's Supper, shortly before He was arrested. Even on this night, the apostles still did not seem recognize that Jesus already made the Apostle Peter the head of the apostles. In fact, we never see anybody in the New Testament recognizing or acknowledging Peter's alleged unique position of primacy. Furthermore, this scriptural text emphatically denies that the church is supposed to have an earthly head governing it!- The Apostle Peter Himself Seemed Quite Unaware Of Apostolic Succession:
-"And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind." (2 Peter 1:15)
-"This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles." (2 Peter 3:1-2)
- The Apostle Peter Did Not Exclusively Exercise Authority In Church Government:
-The Apostle Peter was not in charge of the replacement apostle after Judas was dead (Acts 1:23-26). In other words, he did not occupy his supreme authority on this issue of church government like popes would (or if he was ever one). Instead, all of the apostles nominated two candidates (not Peter alone) and prayed to Christ for an answer (not looking to Peter). Afterwards, they all cast lots to see who the new apostle would be (Peter did not cast any). This passage refutes the Roman Catholic claim that the pope has power over church government.
- Further Proof That The Twelve Apostles Had Equal Status:
-The twelve disciples will each be given thrones for the purpose of judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:27-28; Luke 22:29-30). But if the Lord Jesus Christ truly gave the Apostle Peter an elevated level of status, then why did He not say anything about his throne being in any way distinguished from the other eleven apostles? We never see anything about Peter's throne being in any way different from or more special than that of the other disciples of Christ. Additionally, the walls to the city of the New Jerusalem will have all twelve apostle's names inscribed on twelve foundations (Revelation 21:14), and they all appear to have equal status. None of this would make any sense, if the Apostle Peter was the prince of the twelve apostles. What we do see in Scripture is that the church is built on the foundation of all the apostles and prophets, with the Lord Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-20).
