The Pope

With the Pope stepping down and much of the world watching the appointment/election of the next pope, it seems appropriate to look at the Bible connection to the Pope and Catholicism.  There is no way to do a thorough examination of this subject in this small medium; but a few ideas will be presented to stir our thinking. 

In Matthew 16, beginning in verse 13, Jesus had a discussion with Peter, the man that Catholics say was the first Pope.  Jesus asked Peter, "Who do you say that I am?"  "Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'  Jesus replied, 'Blessed are you.............And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church..."  This seems to be a placing of position on Peter, above the others.  But on examination of the original Greek, realizing that the NT was written in Greek and later translated into English, we see that "Peter" means "pebble," where Jesus says "upon this rock (boulder) I will build My church."  The Greek words are totally different.  Jesus was not saying that He would build His church upon Peter, but rather on the foundation principle that Peter had just spoken: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Matthew 23:19 says, "Call no man your father on earth, for you have one father, who is in heaven."

Jesus said in Matthew 28:18, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me..."  It was given to no man on earth.

It is also clear in the NT that Peter was married.

Perhaps the strongest point in the Bible is made by Jesus on the last night of His ministry on earth, the night He was betrayed.  Luke 22:24-26 says, "Now there arose a dispute among them, which of them was considered to be the greatest.  Jesus said to them, 'The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.  But you are not to be like that.  Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.' "  This was a key time for Jesus to point out that Peter would be in a higher position; but in fact, just the opposite occurred.

Many or all of these points are explained away by the Catholic church.  But when one looks at the NT fairly, it is clear that there is no Catholic church there, no Pope, no authority in heaven or earth but Jesus Himself. 

Thanks for reading.  You are important.