Did You Know???

Peter...Was NOT the First Pope!

by Dick Ward

DID YOU KNOW Peter WAS NOT the first POPE? The cornerstone of Catholicism’s organization is the false assumption that the apostle Peter held a position as the head and the leader of the church in the first century. Friends, we invite you to consider this careful study of this important question, "Was Peter the first Pope?"

MAJOR THINGS LACKING

Too many major things are lacking in the doctrine of Peter being a pope or the first pope.

1. What scripture shows Christ desired some man to be an earthly head of the church and to be called "pope"?

2. Where was Peter ever spoken of as the one chosen to be that head of Christ’s church? Where was any man ever called "pope" in the Word of God?

3. Where does the Bible teach "successors" to this phantom office?

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PETER AND POPES

There are many differences between the apostle Peter and those who have claimed to be "papa" of the church. Peter referred to himself as a fellowservant .... a fellow elder (I Peter 1:1; 5:1) but never called himself "Vicar of Christ," ... "Reverend," ... "Father," ... or "Pope." While "popes" accept worship, Peter refused to let men bow to worship him - (Acts 10:25,26 KJV) And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. :26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. While "popes" speak words that are traditions of men and bind them on their followers, Peter admonished all to speak "as the oracles of God" (I Peter 4:11). Peter pointed to Christ as the "chief shepherd" (I Peter 2:25) but the Pope himself claims to be the chief shepherd. Peter had a wife (Matthew 8:14) and, being an elder (I Peter 5:1), Peter had believing children (Titus 1:5,6) but the Pope has not wife - claiming to be married to the church.

PETER AND THE OTHER APOSTLES

Friends, the other apostles did not go to Peter to settle various religious questions. The other apostles had just as much authority as was given to Peter. Actually, on one occasion, Paul had to rebuke Peter to his face for playing the part of an hypocrite (Galatians 2:11-14). Nowhere in the scriptures can we read of the apostles referring to Peter as their leader, head or their pope!

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Thanks to Dick Ward for the article! He can be reached at 18 El Dorado East, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405; (205) 556-2407).

Email the Editor at markjward@yahoo.com