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By the way, I agree that the headline is unnecessarily provocative. I am a Catholic but I gladly recognize that other non-Catholic followers of Christ are Christians. In fact, I *must* believe that because it is a doctrine of my Church! (And also because it comports with evidence and makes sense.)

However, having done the keyword search in the NT of the KJV, I find multiple times when the Apostles tell believers to follow them, or even to follow the Church:

1 Corinthians 11:1
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Acts 13:43 Converts follow Paul & Barnabas

1 Corinthians 4:16 Paul saying "follow me" again

1 Thessalonians 1:6 "Be followers of US, and of the Lord

1 Thessalonians 2:14 They became "followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus"

I could go on and on -- many more citations -- but I won't weary you. Or weary myself: besides, I've got to go to bed.

This doesn't focus on the Papacy by name, but it does directly speak about the necessity of Apostolic leadership in the Church. Bottom line: follow the guy that's following the Lord.