Expert: Charlie B - 10/30/2008

Question
What is the difference between Catholic & Protestant beliefs about "Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build My Church"?  Thanks in advance.

Answer
Barbara,
Thanks for your question.  As a former Protestant (Methodist) turned Catholic 15 years ago, this question has special meaning to me.

Bottom-line, Christ chose Peter to continue his Church.  Here's some Bible references for you:

Mt 10:1-4; Mk 3:16-19; Lk 6:14-16; Acts 1:13 ... Peter always mentioned first, as foremost apostle.
Mt 18:21; Mk 8:29 ... Peter speaks for the apostles.
Acts 3:6-7 ... Peter worked first healing.
Acts 10:46-48 ... Gentiles to be baptized revealed to Peter.
Jn 1:42 ... Simon is Cephas (Aramaic: Kepha for rock).
Mt 16:18-19 ... “on this Rock… keys of the Kingdom."
Is 22:22; Rev 1:18 ... keys as symbol of authority.
Jn 21:17 ... "feed my sheep"
Lk 22:31-32 ... "strengthen your brethren."
Eph 2:20; Acts 1:2, Jn 6:70; Mt 16:18; Mt 10:1-5; Rev. 21:14...the Church is built on the foundation of the apostles which Christ chose.

The difference is that Catholics believe that Pope Benedict is the Apostolic succession to Peter to this day over the last 2000 years, while Protestants believe, starting 400 years ago with Luther and the Reformation, that there exists no apostolic succession.  Protestants don't recognize the Vatican and the Pope as the Vicar of Christ.  Perhaps that's why there are over 10,000 Protestant denominations -- now, who split them up -- man or God?

Muslims have a similar challenge in that there is no central religious authority providing guidance today over scripture, disagreements and interpretation.

For more information and resources, may I recommend www.lighthousecatholicmedia.com -- go to the online store and pick an audio CD title, like Stephen Ray's "Finding the Fullness of Faith."  It's a whopping $3 for the MP3 download.  I promise, you'll enjoy listening to it.

Thanks for your question, Barbara --
God bless,
Charlie