Was Peter the First Pope?

"UPON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH"

The 1870 Vatican Council's decree was based  primarily on its interpretation of Matthew 16:16-19 and John 21:15-17. The conversations between Jesus and Peter that we read in these passages as well as other Bible accounts show that the apostle Peter had an important role in the history of early Christianity.  In fact, the first time they met, Jesus predicted that Peter would display rocklike qualities in his life.  (John 14:2)  But did Christ give Peter primacy?

At Matthew 16:17, 18, we find Jesus'  words to Peter:  "I say to you, you are Peter [whose name means "A Piece of Rock"], and upon this rock I will build my church."  Was Jesus saying that his "church," or congregation, would be built upon Peter, a  man?  Was Peter to be the head of all other followers of Jesus?  How did the other apostles present at that conversation understand Jesus' words?  The Gospels reveal that later, on a number of occasions, they argued about  who was the greatest among them.  (Matthew 20:20-27; Mark 9:33-35; Luke 22:24-26)  If Jesus had already given Peter primacy, or superiority, could there have been a question as to who was the greatest among the apostles?

 How did Peter himself understand Jesus' words?  Growing up an Israelite,m Peter would have been familiar with various Hebrew prophecies speaking of a "stone" or a "cornerstone." (Isaiah 8:13, 14; 28:16; Zechariah 3:9) When he quoted one of them in a letter to his follow believers, Peter explained that the prophesied "cornerstone" was the Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah.  Peter used the Greek term pe'tra (the same word found in Jesus' statement at Matthew  16:1 8)  for Christ alone. -1 Peter 2:4-8. 

The apostle Paul was another faithful follower of Jesus.  Did Paul believe that Jesus had given Peter primacy? Acknowledging Peter's position in the early Christian congregation, Paul wrote that Peter was among those "reputed to be pillars."  For Paul, there was more than just one 'pillar.' (Galatians 2:9) Moreover, if Peter had been appointed by Jesus as the head of the congregation, how could he simple be reputed, that is to say, supposed or though by his fellow believers, to be a pillar? 

When writing regarding certain inconsistencies in the way Peter treated people, Paul respectfully but frankly stated:  "I opposed him to his face because he clearly was wrong." (Galatians 2;11-14)  Paul did not think that Christ had build his church or congregation, upon Peter or any other imperfect man. On the contrary, he believed that the congregation was built on Jesus Christ as the foundation.   For Paul, "the rock was the Christ." -1 Corinthians 3:9-11; 10:4.

Next time: Was Peter the First Pope? - "YOU ARE PETER .  . ."

From the Watchtower magazine