Posted on 12/13/2013 11:31:40 AM PST by Gamecock
Copyright Dr Joe Mizzi. Permission to copy and distribute this article without textual changes.
Question: Jesus installed Peter as the chief steward or prime minister under the King of kings by giving him the keys to the kingdom. As can be seen from Isaiah 22:22, kings appointed a chief steward to serve under them in a position of great authority to rule over the inhabitants of the kingdom. Jesus quotes almost verbatim from this passage in Isaiah, and so it is clear what he has in mind. Christ appointed Peter to lead them and guide the flock (John 21:15-17).
Answer: Christ gave Peter authority in the church and he was certainly a prominent leader. Peter is consistently mentioned first in the list of the apostles; he is often their spokesman; and he had the privilege of first preaching the Gospel to the Jews at Pentecost and then to the Gentiles at Cornelius' house.
Peter was prominent, yet that is not sufficient to prove that he was pope. The bishop of New York is more prominent than the bishop of Malta, yet the former does not exercise authority over the latter. Prominence is different from primacy and predominance.
To prove the papacy, you must show that Peter was the head of the apostles and that he exercised full, immediate and universal power in the Church. For that is exactly what is claimed by Rome:
"The office uniquely committed by the Lord to Peter, the first of the Apostles, and to be transmitted to his successors, abides in the Bishop of the Church of Rome. He is the head of the College of Bishops, the Vicar of Christ, and the Pastor of the universal Church here on earth. Consequently, by virtue of his office, he has supreme, full, immediate and universal ordinary power in the Church, and he can always freely exercise this power" (The canon law, 331).
It is evident that Christ gave authority to the apostle Peter. "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:19). At issue is whether this authority was unique to Peter. Evidently it was not, for soon afterwards Jesus gave exactly the same authority to all the apostles, "Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 18:18). Hence Peter had an authority similar to the other apostles, and not an authority over them.
The apostles did not understand Jesus' words in Matthew 16 as Roman Catholics interpret them. If He made him 'chief steward' and 'prime minister' and 'the head of the college of bishops', why is it that even up to the day before Christ suffered, they were still arguing among themselves who should be considered the greatest? (Luke 22:24-26). Jesus' reply is very significant. He did not remind them what He told Peter at Caesarea Philippi, but simply scolded them for their pagan-like reasoning. "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them...but not so among you." Peter knew nothing of the "supreme, full, immediate and universal ordinary power" over the other apostles and the church. Ironically, later on in history, the bishops of Rome - who were supposedly the successors of Peter - strove and fought to gain lordship over the universal church.
Again, it is true that Jesus commissioned Peter to feed the sheep (John 21:15-17). However, this was not a unique office committed to Peter alone. The apostle Paul tells the elders of Ephesus, "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28). The apostle Peter himself says, "The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away." (1 Peter 5:1-4). The elders are called to feed the sheep too.
You refer to Isaiah 22:22. "The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; so he shall open, and no one shall shut; and he shall shut, and no one shall open." As a matter of fact this verse is quoted "almost verbatim" in the New Testament, specifically in Revelation 3:7 and not in Matthew 16. "These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens" The key of the house of David is in the hand of Christ, not Peter!
Rome would make Peter the "supreme pastor" or chief shepherd of the church (Catechism, para. 857). Peter himself would never usurp the title of His Master. Jesus Christ alone is "the Chief Shepherd" of the church (1 Peter 5:4).
And mine.
You are correct that the Bible doesn’t specifically use the word “trinity.’ However,it does say that the Godhead dwelt within Jesus boodily-thus where we get the understanding of the triune God. Not just in that passage, but you will find many, many references to the Godhead throughout the Bible. Right in Genesis it says “let US make man in OUR image.” Was God talking to Himself? No, we have our first reference to the triune being.
If you are coming from the Catholic viewpoint, the church then refers to the Catholic religion. However, the church is not one denomination, nor is it a building - it is the living, breathing members of the body of Christ.
Look it up - its in the Bible.
As far as altar calls, these are given to allow sinners that first initial step toward accepting Christ. Just as Jesus told Peter when he saw him walking on the water - to come to him. Peter stepped out of the boat - (the first initial step of faith), One doesn’t necessarily need to go to the altar to be saved, because a person can accept salvation wherever he or she is. The concept of an altar is based upon the Old Testament In fact, Noah was the first record of an altar being built after the flood. The term altar actually means a place of sacrifice or slaughter. When we kneel at an altar we are laying down of ourselves and taking upon us the cross of Christ - this is a sacrifice. You have much to learn.
My first link had Jesus words regarding James
James was considered bishop of jewrusalem when Rome
Was
A
Start up
I don’t diminish Paul’s
Work. He made
It for
Everyone
But I think James was
First
Leader after jesus
I’m still studying the Book of Revelation, so, I’m just not 100% certain
I have been studying rev since the early seventies and i still don,t know any thing but only believe in certain possibilities.
But there is nothing in 17 about beheading, its about a woman being drunk on the blood of the saints and getting every one else drunk on the same.
In rev 12: the woman is obviously the Church
What, Jesus lied??? There are no contradictions at all...
Pauls account of his first two visits to Jerusalem is a little different in Gal than it is in acts.
Peter says that the Gentiles were to hear the Gospel by his word, and Paul was right there when Peter said it and did not refute it.
John the Baptist came to preach the Kingdom of Heaven at hand, and so do the Lord Jesus, and so did His Apostiles. At hand, however, does not mean that it was established. It is in abeyance because the nation to which it was at hand and offered rejected it, and rejected the King of that Kingdom, and put Him on a Cross, and said, "His blood be upon us and upon our children."
The King's return and the "times of refreshing" from His presence was again offered to that nation, Israel, if they would repent (Acts 3:19-26), but Israel continued to reject the Kingdom and the King, and God allowed, by the end of that generation, the destruction of Jerusalem and their temple.
The Kingdom of which Peter was given the keys is political, physical, earth-bound, Messianic, with Israel at the head, and not the tail, and with the King, Jesus Christ sitting on David's Throne in Jerusalem---visibly, physically, etc.
The Kingdom of which Peter had the keys is not any assembly ("church")that can be seen on earth today.
"Church" means "called out," (when translated from ecclesia) and that is ALL it means by itself. Every place the word "church" occurs, the particular assembly that is meant must be determined by the context precisely where it is found.
The "Church" of Matthew ch. 16 is a nation called out -- ISRAEL -- to receive the kingdom promises made all through the prophetic books of the Old Testament.
The "Church" which is Christ's Body is not the subject of Matthew ch. 16, for the Body of Christ had not yet been revealed, nor would it be revealed until the rejection of Christ by the Jewish Nation (Acts Period).
Then Christ would use a newly converted and called Apostle to reveal the NEW MAN IN CHRIST, the Church which is Christ's Body, which is principally the subject of the Epistles, not Matthew through John.
AMEN, John Leland 1789!!
**The key to Peter is just that... the Keys.**
Peter used the ‘keys’ alright. He was the preacher that was present when the Holy Ghost was initially poured out to the three segments of the population; ‘opening’ the doors to the Jews (Acts 2), the Samaritans (Acts 8), and the Gentiles (Acts 10).
Was Simon Peter the first to discover that Jesus was the Christ? No:
Andrew realized that Jesus was the Christ before Peter: “He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.” John 1:41.
Well you got me there...Peter is after all the apostle sent to the Gentiles...Paul then must have been sent to the Klingons...
There’s another Amen...
The question is: why did the Apostles REMAIN at Jerusalem
In Pauls visits to Jerusalem he only mentions Peter and John and the Lords brother James.
It is evident that they may have went to other areas to preach the Gospel at an earlier date, because the Gospel was preached in places where Paul had not even been, Rome for instance.
Both Peter and John were aged men when they wrote their letters and i would assume they did not just sit around and do nothing all of those years.
I’m going to need Scriptural proof for your claims. Since Acts 8:1 specifically states that the church which was at Jerusalem underwent great persecution, and they were ALL scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, EXCEPT THE APOSTLES. They remained at Jerusalem. Because they were awaiting Christ’s return to set up the Kingdom. And THAT is where He told them He would return to. Why on earth would they have gone anyplace else and chance not being there if Christ returned? They did NOT KNOW at that time WHEN He would return. Only that He would. They did NOT KNOW at that time that God was going to set Israel aside and send Paul to the Gentiles with the gospel of the grace of God. From everything they knew at that time, the offer of the Kingdom was given by Peter on the day of Pentecost, Israel may or may not accept Christ as Messiah, and they were to wait there, before going anywhere else.
**The Gospel of Jesus was taken to Rome by some one other than Paul.**
Peter took the gospel to Cornelius (a Roman centurion) and his household. By the time Paul wrote to the church in Rome, at least 20 years had passed, and in chapter 16 he salutes a long list of saints living there; some that were direct converts of his during his missionary journeys in Achaia, Macedonia, and Asia minor. How many were converts of Paul’s that traveled to Rome after their conversion? Who knows, but Paul apparently sent Phebe to help out the growing Roman church. He also said to greet Pricilla, and Aquila (converts from Paul’s Corinthian mission), who apparently had a church group meeting in their own house. He tells the Roman saints to salute for him his “well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the first fruits of Achaia unto Christ”.
Yes, ‘Cock, he founded the Church.
Peter was the first Pope.
Have you ever studied your Bible -- book of John where Jesus tells Peter, "Feed my lambs."; "Tend my sheep."; "Feed my sheep". Christ doesn't say this to James, but to Peter after his three-fold repentance.
Don't you have John 21 in your Bible? Or do you just ignore it?
John, chapter 21
CHAPTER 21
The Appearance to the Seven Disciples.
1* After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way.a 2Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons,* and two others of his disciples. 3* Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.b 4When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.c 5Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.”d 6So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. 7So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. 8The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. 9* e When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. 10Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” 11So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three* large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.f 12Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him,* “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. 13Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish.g 14* This was now the third timeh Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.
Jesus and Peter.*
15When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,* “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”* He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep.i 18* Amen, amen, I say to you,j when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
I’m going to need Scriptural proof for your claims
Acts 8
1
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
But it does not say how long before they left Jerusalem.
Here is an other scripture.
Acts 11
1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
By this we know that peter did leave Jerusalem, he could not have come to Jerusalem if he had not been gone.
acts 15
7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
God visited the gentiles in the person of peter.
Doesn’t matter how many times someone’s name is in the bible. Its not a popular vote.
You keep quoting Jesus on Peter’s role on the church. That doesn’t prove that James was not the next one in charge. The two are not mutually exclusive.
I’m tired of trying to get a straight logical answer. Last word to you.
Best wishes!
My answer came from the Bible. Perfectly logical. Do you want to believe it or not?
You ARE saying, aren’t you, that you don’t believe the Bible?
Silly me. I thought Jesus founded the church. It is His after all.
You are right, who knows? but many people would have us believe that the 12 apostles Chosen by Jesus did nothing because they did not spend a lot of time writing letters.
And while it is true that Paul had converts who most likely did go to Rome the same thing would also apply to the converts of peter and also the Christians who scattered abroad and preached to the Jews and gentiles at the time of Pauls killing of Steven.
Also while Saul or Paul was still raising havoc with the Christians Phillip was preaching to and converting the Gentiles in Samaria.
Acts 8:14
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John.
He also preached to the Ethiopian who had been converted to the mosaic law,
but he was not a Jew.
Many gentiles were preached to before Paul became a Christian.
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