Not trying to start something here, but the Roman Catholic church with its pope simply did not exist before the second or third century AD.
The original church was a group of Jewish believers who split from the false religion being taught be the Jewish authorities of that time to follow the true Messiah.
Absolutely wrong. The Lord Jesus Christ, himself, made Simon Peter the first head of His church (i.e., the first pope).
Matthew 16:18, And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
It is the "Roman" church because St. Peter, the head of the church, went to Rome and was martyred there. Historical evidence does show that Peter did go to Rome and exercised his authority as head of the Apostles from there. The earliest Christians provided plenty of documentation in this regard.
“... but the Roman Catholic church with its pope simply did not exist before the second or third century AD.”
St. Peter would beg to differ with you on that. He was, after all, a contemporary of Jesus Christ, who made him the first pope.
Exactly...and thank you for posting that fact. I love to say my Christian heritage rests in the Jewish/Christian history...thankfully the early church is the solid ground and not some denomination...follow Christ...not a denomination.
Unfortunately the catholic church went astray time and time again...as it still does today...and took within itself that which Christ opposed...and it remains so today.
Thank God our slavation rests on Christ’s finished work and not a denomination.