Expert: Dean Gade - 11/14/2006

Question
Mr. Gade,  was there a Christian church before Catholicism? I keep coming across things that say it is the original Christianity (I'm paraphrasing). But I'm finding it hard to believe with what I derive from reading the Bible.  I am inclined to believe that Jesus and God did not intend for a pope to be ruling a church, yet I read articles about Peter being the 1st "pope".  Could you clarify and perhaps tell me of a few things to read on this subject?  Thank You

Answer
When congregations founded by Paul and other missionaries began to grow, they formed centers in the largest cities around the Mediterranean.  Each had leaders.  As time went on they went further in consolidating by joining other cities.  Eventually there were only the two "churches"; one of Rome and one of Constantinople.  These two came to be known as the Church at (of) Rome and the (Byzantine)Eastern Orthodox Church.

Because of a doctrinal difference, they divided (over whether the Holy Spirit proceded from only the Father or from both the Father and the Son..The Filoque Schism).  They actually excommunicated each other and have remained separate ever since.

Thus, there were many "popes" at first, in each of the church centers.  Eventually the trend toward centralizing power...or assuming power..the main organizations were the two mentioned above until the Reformation.
And yes, there was a (were many) Christian churches before man decided to organize the church.

God did not intend for Peter to be first in a line of "papas" (the meaning of Pope) over the His church.  Jesus Christ is the only head of His church.  When Jesus spoke to Peter about building His church He was speaking of the confession Peter had just made about Jesus being the promised Christ.

Matt 16:15-20

15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.   19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." 20 Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
(from New International Version)

The name given to Simon was Peter; in the Greek, petros (a masculine noun).  When Jesus says the rock He will build His church on, He uses petra (a feminine noun).

Jesus never intended for there to be  "rulers" in His church as there are in the world affairs:

Matt 23:8-12

8 "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ.   11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
(from New International Version)


Luke 22:24-30

24 Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
(from New International Version)

Congregations/denominations, etc have a right to elect whoever they want to speak on behalf of God or to even speak on behalf of the church in fulfilling the benefits of the church.   
For instance:  Jesus gave the power to forgive or retain sins to the whole church, but they usually elect a spokeperson who says something to the effect of " As a called minister of this church I announce the forgiveness of all your sins in the name of Jesus Christ".