Expert: Sal - 12/28/2003

Question
Who was the first Pope?

Answer
Dear Ryland:

St. Peter was the first Pope. The primary text showing this is Matthew 16:13-19. I will focus on the two most important verses-18 and 19.

“I for my part declare to you, you are ‘Rock', and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. I will entrust to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you declare bound on earth shall be bound in heaven: Whatever you declare loosed on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Jesus changed Simon's name to Peter which means rock (see John 1:42). In the Bible the changing of one's name by God is a highly significant event. The following examples illustrate this fact and show God's pattern.

“When Abram prostrated himself, God continued to speak to him: ‘My covenant with you is this: you are to become the father of a host of nations. No longer shall you be called Abram; your name shall be Abraham, for I am making you the father of a host of nations'” (Genesis 17:3-5).

“God said to him: ‘You whose name is Jacob shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.' Thus he was named Israel. God also said to him: ‘I am God Almighty; be fruitful and multiply. A nation, indeed an assembly of nations, shall stem from you, and kings shall issue from your loins'” (Genesis 35:10-11).

God's pattern should be obvious. When He changes someone's name it signifies a change in the person role in God's kingdom here on earth. Abram became Abraham “Father of the multitude”. He was changed by God from a lowly shepherd to the exalted founder of  a nation. Jacob became Israel “he who prevails with God”. He was changed by God from a frightened little brother to the prestigious father of the twelve tribes of Israel. From one tribe, Judah, would come the Messiah. Now Simon that means “sand” had his named changed by God to Peter that means “rock”.  He was changed from a fisherman to the Rock on which Christ would build his Catholic Church.

The idea that Jesus could have been referring to someone or something other than Peter as the rock is completely refuted by the text. Everything refers to Peter. He is blest by God the Father (v.17). Jesus changes Simons named to Peter (v.18). Peter is given the keys (v.19). Whatever he declares right and wrong is blest by heaven (v.19). Therefore, who is logically the rock on which the Church established by Christ shall be built? Obviously it is Peter.  

Protestant scholars now agree with the Catholic Church that Peter is the rock. For example: “Jesus, then, is promising Peter that he is going to build his church on him!” – William Hendriksen, Reformed theologian. “He conferred on Simon bar-Jonah the title Peter, and promised that he would build his church on him”- Veselin Kesich, Orthodox professor. “…there can be no doubt that the rock on which the church was to be built was Peter.”-Lutherans-Catholic dialogue.

Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven. The keys represent authority. Peter alone is given the keys of authority. It is clear from Isaiah 22:22 that Jesus is making Peter his vicar or chief steward. “I will place the key to the House of David upon his shoulder…”

Finally, Jesus gives Peter the power to bind and loose. This means that Peter will have the power to decide what is allowable and what is not, what is right and what is wrong.This power was also given to the chief steward in the kingdom of David. Again in Isaiah 22:22 we read, “When he opens, no one shall shut, when he shuts, no one shall open.”

If the Catholic Church is wrong and Peter is not the chief steward, the vicar, the Pope then the blame must fall squarely upon the shoulders of our Lord. For it was he who chose to quote from the installation ceremony of the chief steward of the kingdom of David.

Pope means “father”. Again Isaiah 22 tells us, “He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah” (v.21). The chief steward was always a father-figure (Pope) to God's people.

Some other passages which indicate that Peter was the head of the church  are Luke 22:31-32; John 21:15-17; Acts 1:15-26; 2:14-41; 3:12-4:4; 5:1-11; 8:9-24; 10:9-16; 10:34-48; 15:1-12. Briefly, in Luke 22 Jesus prays for Peter that he will “strengthen your brothers”. John 21 shows clearly that Jesus, the Good Shepherd (see John 10:11), turns his flock over to Peter. “Tend my sheep.” In Acts 1 it is Peter who determines that Judas must be replaced. Acts 2 and 3 shows Peter taking the lead in preaching the gospel. Acts 5 shows Peter, as head of the Church, disciplining members. Amazingly lying to Pope Peter is equated with lying to God. “You have not lied to men, but to God!” (v.4). Both Ananias and Sapphira dropped dead at Peter's feet. If that doesn't prove that Peter was the head of the Church I don't know what does! Then we read, “Great fear came on the whole church and all who heard of it” (v.11). I bet! Acts 8 shows Peter condemning the heretic Simon Magus. Simon probably heard of Ananias and Sapphira and so, after being condemned by Peter, he begs Peter to pray for him (v.24), probably in the hope that he will not end up like them. In 10:9-16 Peter receives a revelation from God that the Gentiles are no longer to be considered as unclean. Then in vv.34-38 he baptizes the first Gentiles into the Church. Finally in Acts15 Pope Peter presides over the first Church Council. At issue was whether or not the converts had to be circumcised and keep the whole Mosaic law (v.5). There was a great division in the Church over this issue. However, once Peter stood up and pronounced his opinion the debate was ended. What Peter said was seen as God's will on the subject. “At that the whole assembly fell silent” (v.12). Even though it was Peter's decision what course the Church would take, in the official statement we read, “It is the decision of the Holy Spirit…” (v.28). The other members of the Council recognized that the Holy Spirit spoke through Pope Peter.

It is very obvious to me that Peter was the head of the infant Church. He was preeminent in the gospels and the first half of Acts. He is mentioned more times than any other Apostle. Only he received the keys of authority from our Lord.

I pray that I was helpful to you. If I can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to ask.

God Bless You,
Sal