Hmmmm...I must confess I never thought about what the word "pope" actually meant. Now that I know this verse sprang to mind:
The author gave a an argument for his assertions. What's the argument for yours? Your interpretation of Scripture? If so, why should I accept your authority on the matter? In fact, if you're basing you assertion on Scripture, which book? How do you know that book forms part of the authentic Scriptures Christ wants us to follow?
Christ bases His rock upon what God the Father has revealed, not upon the flesh and blood of Peter. This is also why it is unshakeable.
So are you saying that Peter was not the first leader of the Church after Christ? The first Pope?
Interesting how the very words of Jesus, which some claim they so highly esteem, are brushed off and explained away, when it doesn't fit those same people's religiosity.
Matthew 23:1-12 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
I just KNEW I was getting into this thread WAY late!