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I should really keep a Bible at work but I think the passage is Ephesians 2:20 NIV version. If I misquoted, I apologize.

I think Peter is one of the most important people in our faith. I think we can agree he was less important than Jesus. I believe that Jesus is the head of the church, He is the husband and we are the bride. If you consider the traditional Jewish family, the Husband was the head of the family.

There are multiple passages describing the church and what it should be. I agree there is an argument to be made based on the passage you quoted but there is other information in the Bible. I think you can believe that Peter is the head of the church and I can believe otherwise but as long as we place our faith on Christ, we will see each other in eternity and we will both know the answer.

There are many passages in the Bible that can be quoted that seem to contradict other passages but when I read the Bible as a whole, the contradictions fade away. When I read the passage, I see Jesus referring to himself as the rock the church is built upon.

I look forward to your reply but I may choose to not pursue this conversation further. It is not my job to change your mind and I really don't mind if you disagree with me. I have enjoyed our conversation but I feel a little guilty using freerepublic bandwidth. I just want you to know that I think you are a brother in Christ and I have entered this discussion because it was enjoyable, not to stir up any antagonism.

I think Peter is one of the most important people in our faith. I think we can agree he was less important than Jesus. I believe that Jesus is the head of the church, He is the husband and we are the bride. If you consider the traditional Jewish family, the Husband was the head of the family.

No Catholic denies that Jesus is the most important. However, I think most Protestants overlook an obvious fact: Jesus isn't here. Jesus left us and is going to come again. Now, He didn't leave us orphans, but Jesus Christ isn't present here on earth to tell people what's true and what's not true about Himself. Further, it is insufficient to say that the Holy Spirit will guide the individual hearts of men to the Truth because there are over 70,000 different denominations of Christianity. There are nearly as many beliefs about Jesus Christ as there are people. So either everyone is right, which is illogical, or the Holy Spirit is very confused.

Jesus did not leave us orphans and knew that people would challenge our beliefs about Him. He left us with the Church to guide us in uncertainty and we believe the authority of the Church because the Church existed before the Bible did.

The fact of the matter is it doesn't matter which denomination or "non-denomination" you join, there is always a Pope, an infallible interpreter of God's will: either the one in Rome or yourself.

When I read the passage, I see Jesus referring to himself as the rock the church is built upon.

Then why would Jesus confuse people by naming Simon "rock" and say he is the "rock" upon which He will build His Church if He was the only rock?

If it helps, think of the building of house. Jesus, as the Rock, is the solid ground upon which we build a house that spans as far as the eye can see, but Peter, as the "rock" is the concrete foundation of the house built on that very rock.

The Pope isn't the source of our salvation, Christ is. But Christ isn't standing before us, telling us who is wrong and who is right. Christ isn't here to tell us that Arianism is a heresy, or that God is three in one person, etc. He entrusted Peter with that job until He comes again.

I have enjoyed our conversation but I feel a little guilty using freerepublic bandwidth.

My friend, freerepublic bandwidth has been wasted on far less important matters. :-)

I just want you to know that I think you are a brother in Christ and I have entered this discussion because it was enjoyable, not to stir up any antagonism.

God bless you brother, it has been a pleasure.