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    arcura Posts: 3,773, Reputation: 191
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    #1

    Mar 8, 2009, 07:19 PM
    What Scripture verse show that Peter was the leader Part (4)
    What I am looking for is Biblical and Historical EVIDENCE that Peter was the earthly human leader of the apostles who became bishops of The Church.
    Acknowledged that Jesus was and remains the supreme divine leader.
    If you have no evidence as asked please refrain from posting to this thread.
    If you are curious as to what is being posted please feel free to view the evidence posted here.
    Thank you.
    :)Peace and kindness,:)
    Fred
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    #2

    Mar 8, 2009, 07:30 PM
    For all...
    I'll start if off by posting some of what has been previously posted as a reference.
    This was posted by JoeT
    Peter and the Papacy


    Many have understood the Scripture to give Primacy to Peter since Christ's era. This can be illustrated in a letter written by Pope Clement I (third in succession to Peter and had personally known Peter) to the Corinthians (circa) 95 AD claiming authority over Corinth. St. Irenaeus tells the second hand account from St. Polycarp where John was heard to say “the faithful who are everywhere must agree with this Church (Rome) because of its more important principality.” During the Councils and Synods surrounding the early heresies the Popes decision settled the matter. This is illustrated in 431 AD. Where the Bishops responded to Pope Celestine's decision, “He [Peter] lives even to this time, and always in his successor's gives judgment.”

    Consequently, I'd like to extend this question to include

    Part 2: Can we find other similar authoritative evidence in antiquity of Peter's leadership outside of scripture?

    <+><+><+>
    Akoue wrote……
    There's more Irenaeus: Adversus haereses 3.3.2-3.

    Also the early ecumenical councils, especially Nicaea and Constantinople: Council of Nicaea (325), canon 39, recognizes the primacy of Rome on account of its being the see of Peter. The Council of Constantinople (381), canon 3, reaffirms the primacy of Rome.

    It's worthy of note that Clement's Epistle, which you mention in the OP, was included in the canon of the NT at Corinth.

    Akoue wrote…..
    St. Ignatius bears compelling testimony to the monarchial episcopate. And he was a disciple not just of John, but of Peter and Paul (who ordained him a deacon). In his Epistle to the Ephesians (which was part of some early NT canons), he defines orthodoxy as fidelity and obedience to the bishop (7.1). He also writes: “Be zealous to do all things in harmony with God, with the bishop presiding in the place of God and the presbyters in the place of the council of the Apostles, and the deacons (Epistle to Magnesians 6.1)” .

    <+><+><+>
    From Rickj,
    Early church leaders affirmed it too:


    Clement of Alexandria


    "[T]he blessed Peter, the chosen, the preeminent, the first among the disciples, for whom alone with himself the Savior paid the tribute [Matt. 17:27], quickly grasped and understood their meaning. And what does he say? 'Behold, we have left all and have followed you' [Matt. 19:27; Mark 10:28]" (Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 21:3–5 [A.D. 200]).



    Tertullian


    "For though you think that heaven is still shut up, remember that the Lord left the keys of it to Peter here, and through him to the Church, which keys everyone will carry with him if he has been questioned and made a confession [of faith]" (Antidote Against the Scorpion 10 [A.D. 211]).

    "[T]he Lord said to Peter, 'On this rock I will build my Church, I have given you the keys of the kingdom of heaven [and] whatever you shall have bound or loosed on earth will be bound or loosed in heaven' [Matt. 16:18–19].. . Upon you, he says, I will build my Church; and I will give to you the keys, not to the Church" (Modesty 21:9–10 [A.D. 220]).



    The Letter of Clement to James


    "Be it known to you, my lord, that Simon [Peter], who, for the sake of the true faith, and the most sure foundation of his doctrine, was set apart to be the foundation of the Church, and for this end was by Jesus himself, with his truthful mouth, named Peter, the first fruits of our Lord, the first of the apostles; to whom first the Father revealed the Son; whom the Christ, with good reason, blessed; the called, and elect" (Letter of Clement to James 2 [A.D. 221]).



    Origen


    "[i]f we were to attend carefully to the Gospels, we should also find, in relation to those things which seem to be common to Peter.. . A great difference and a preeminence in the things [Jesus] said to Peter, compared with the second class [of apostles]. For it is no small difference that Peter received the keys not of one heaven but of more, and in order that whatsoever things he binds on earth may be bound not in one heaven but in them all, as compared with the many who bind on earth and loose on earth, so that these things are bound and loosed not in [all] the heavens, as in the case of Peter, but in one only; for they do not reach so high a stage with power as Peter to bind and loose in all the heavens" (Commentary on Matthew 13:31 [A.D. 248]).



    Cyprian of Carthage


    "The Lord says to Peter: 'I say to you,' he says, 'that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.'.. . On him [Peter] he builds the Church, and to him he gives the command to feed the sheep [John 21:17], and although he assigns a like power to all the apostles, yet he founded a single chair [cathedra], and he established by his own authority a source and an intrinsic reason for that unity. Indeed, the others were that also which Peter was [i.e. apostles], but a primacy is given to Peter, whereby it is made clear that there is but one Church and one chair. So too, all [the apostles] are shepherds, and the flock is shown to be one, fed by all the apostles in single-minded accord. If someone does not hold fast to this unity of Peter, can he imagine that he still holds the faith? If he [should] desert the chair of Peter upon whom the Church was built, can he still be confident that he is in the Church?" (The Unity of the Catholic Church 4; 1st edition [A.D. 251]).



    Cyril of Jerusalem


    "The Lord is loving toward men, swift to pardon but slow to punish. Let no man despair of his own salvation. Peter, the first and foremost of the apostles, denied the Lord three times before a little servant girl, but he repented and wept bitterly" (Catechetical Lectures 2:19 [A.D. 350]).

    "[Simon Magus] so deceived the city of Rome that Claudius erected a statue of him.. . While the error was extending itself, Peter and Paul arrived, a noble pair and the rulers of the Church, and they set the error aright.. . [T]hey launched the weapon of their like-mindedness in prayer against the Magus, and struck him down to earth. It was marvelous enough, and yet no marvel at all, for Peter was there—he that carries about the keys of heaven [Matt. 16:19]" (ibid., 6:14).

    "In the power of the same Holy Spirit, Peter, both the chief of the apostles and the keeper of the keys of the kingdom of heaven, in the name of Christ healed Aeneas the paralytic at Lydda, which is now called Diospolis [Acts 9:32–34]" (ibid., 17:27).



    Ephraim the Syrian


    "[Jesus said:] Simon, my follower, I have made you the foundation of the holy Church. I betimes called you Peter, because you will support all its buildings. You are the inspector of those who will build on Earth a Church for me. If they should wish to build what is false, you, the foundation, will condemn them. You are the head of the fountain from which my teaching flows; you are the chief of my disciples. Through you I will give drink to all peoples. Yours is that life-giving sweetness which I dispense. I have chosen you to be, as it were, the firstborn in my institution so that, as the heir, you may be executor of my treasures. I have given you the keys of my kingdom. Behold, I have given you authority over all my treasures" (Homilies 4:1 [A.D. 351]).



    Ambrose of Milan


    "[Christ] made answer: 'You are Peter, and upon this rock will I build my Church.. . ' Could he not, then, strengthen the faith of the man to whom, acting on his own authority, he gave the kingdom, whom he called the rock, thereby declaring him to be the foundation of the Church [Matt. 16:18]?" (The Faith 4:5 [A.D. 379]).



    Pope Damasus I


    "Likewise it is decreed.. . That it ought to be announced that.. . The holy Roman Church has been placed at the forefront not by the conciliar decisions of other churches, but has received the primacy by the evangelic voice of our Lord and Savior, who says: 'You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it; and I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.. . ' [Matt. 16:18–19]. The first see, therefore, is that of Peter the apostle, that of the Roman Church, which has neither stain nor blemish nor anything like it" (Decree of Damasus 3 [A.D. 382]).



    Jerome


    "'But,' you [Jovinian] will say, 'it was on Peter that the Church was founded' [Matt. 16:18]. Well.. . One among the twelve is chosen to be their head in order to remove any occasion for division" (Against Jovinian 1:26 [A.D. 393]).

    "Simon Peter, the son of John, from the village of Bethsaida in the province of Galilee, brother of Andrew the apostle, and himself chief of the apostles, after having been bishop of the church of Antioch and having preached to the Dispersion . . . pushed on to Rome in the second year of Claudius to overthrow Simon Magus, and held the sacerdotal chair there for twenty-five years until the last, that is the fourteenth, year of Nero. At his hands he received the crown of martyrdom being nailed to the cross with his head towards the ground and his feet raised on high, asserting that he was unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as his Lord" (Lives of Illustrious Men 1 [A.D. 396]).



    Pope Innocent I


    "In seeking the things of God.. . You have acknowledged that judgment is to be referred to us [the pope], and have shown that you know that is owed to the Apostolic See [Rome], if all of us placed in this position are to desire to follow the apostle himself [Peter] from whom the episcopate itself and the total authority of this name have emerged" (Letters 29:1 [A.D. 408]).



    Augustine


    "Among these [apostles] Peter alone almost everywhere deserved to represent the whole Church. Because of that representation of the Church, which only he bore, he deserved to hear 'I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven'" (Sermons 295:2 [A.D. 411]).

    "Some things are said which seem to relate especially to the apostle Peter, and yet are not clear in their meaning unless referred to the Church, which he is acknowledged to have represented in a figure on account of the primacy which he bore among the disciples. Such is 'I will give unto you the keys of the kingdom of heaven,' and other similar passages. In the same way, Judas represents those Jews who were Christ's enemies" (Commentary on Psalm 108 1 [A.D. 415]).

    "Who is ignorant that the first of the apostles is the most blessed Peter?" (Commentary on John 56:1 [A.D. 416]).



    Council of Ephesus


    "Philip, presbyter and legate of [Pope Celestine I] said: 'We offer our thanks to the holy and venerable synod, that when the writings of our holy and blessed pope had been read to you.. . You joined yourselves to the holy head also by your holy acclamations. For your blessednesses is not ignorant that the head of the whole faith, the head of the apostles, is blessed Peter the apostle'" (Acts of the Council, session 2 [A.D. 431]).

    "Philip, the presbyter and legate of the Apostolic See [Rome] said: 'There is no doubt, and in fact it has been known in all ages, that the holy and most blessed Peter, prince and head of the apostles, pillar of the faith, and foundation of the Catholic Church, received the keys of the kingdom from our Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the human race, and that to him was given the power of losing and binding sins: who down even to today and forever both lives and judges in his successors'" (ibid., session 3).



    Pope Leo I


    "Our Lord Jesus Christ.. . Has placed the principal charge on the blessed Peter, chief of all the apostles, and from him as from the head wishes his gifts to flow to all the body, so that anyone who dares to secede from Peter's solid rock may understand that he has no part or lot in the divine mystery. He wished him who had been received into partnership in his undivided unity to be named what he himself was, when he said: 'You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church' [Matt. 16:18], that the building of the eternal temple might rest on Peter's solid rock, strengthening his Church so surely that neither could human rashness assail it nor the gates of hell prevail against it" (Letters 10:1 [A.D. 445).

    "Our Lord Jesus Christ.. . Established the worship belonging to the divine [Christian] religion.. . But the Lord desired that the sacrament of this gift should pertain to all the apostles in such a way that it might be found principally in the most blessed Peter, the highest of all the apostles. And he wanted his gifts to flow into the entire body from Peter himself, as if from the head, in such a way that anyone who had dared to separate himself from the solidarity of Peter would realize that he was himself no longer a sharer in the divine mystery" (ibid., 10:2–3).

    "Although bishops have a common dignity, they are not all of the same rank. Even among the most blessed apostles, though they were alike in honor, there was a certain distinction of power. All were equal in being chosen, but it was given to one to be preeminent over the others.. . [So today through the bishops] the care of the universal Church would converge in the one See of Peter, and nothing should ever be at odds with this head" (ibid., 14:11).

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    From Fr Chuck….
    And the simple fact that from a earthly level, there had to be some organization to allow things to work.

    Even today every group has some level of leaderships, yes we can call Christ the "head" of our church, but he is not there to type out the termination notice of employees or file their taxes and so on.
    So every church has some leadership, paid or not paid. The early church would have been no difference. We see the listing, Apostles, pastor, deacon, teacher and so on.
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    #3

    Mar 8, 2009, 07:44 PM

    The only time in scripture that the term "head of the church" is used in scripture is this:

    Eph 5:23-24
    23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church"; and He is the Savior of the body.
    NKJV
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    #4

    Mar 9, 2009, 03:43 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by arcura View Post
    Tj3,
    Please, please, please stick to the topic of evidence that Peter was the leader of the apostles or refrain from posting here.
    I'm tired of this thread being shut down because of controversy
    Thanks,'Fred
    Fred,

    # 1 Once before I offered scripture as proof that NO man other then Christ walked this earth being what man should bow down, and follow. "Commandment"

    God is our leader (Matthew 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, [even] Christ)

    # 2 Christ said: (Mark 10:15 Luke 18:17) One must receive the Kingdom as a child, a child is one who follows their Father, doing the Father Will.. "Commandment"

    One Father (Matthew 23:9 And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.)

    # 3 Scripture tells of one (supposed) man that comes forth to be King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The question is do you believe that the (supposed) man named Jesus is the begotten Son of God?

    That supposed child was the Key of David, mother Israel had the crown of 12 stars who are all asked to follow... Knowing One Father in Heaven resides over them.
    (Revelation 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and [to] his throne.)

    It is satan that makes war against Christ Jesus.. (Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.)

    Through the power of The Holy Spirit, the disciples went forth as servants of God..Witnesses of the Truth
    Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

    ~child of God
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    #5

    Mar 9, 2009, 07:28 PM
    sndbat,
    I have NO argument with what toy posted.
    But Jesus appointed Peter to be the leader of the apostles.
    Peter himself said that he should not be bowed down to.
    I bow down to Jesus in Church as do all Catholics for He IS there.
    This thread is about Peter and biblical or historical evidence that He was the earthly human leader.
    So far sin this thread was first started there as been severl very good posts on that showing that Peter was that leader and preformed his duties.
    I am hoping that if there is more I would like to see and save it.
    Peace and kindness,
    Fred
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    #6

    Mar 9, 2009, 07:54 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by arcura View Post
    But Jesus appointed Peter to be the leader of the apostles.
    Fred, do you realize how divisive that it is to make that claim when the overwhelming number of denominations go by what scripture says where it states that the head of Christ is Christ alone?
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    #7

    Mar 9, 2009, 09:09 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by sndbay View Post
    # 1 Once before I offered scripture as proof that NO man other then Christ walked this earth being what man should bow down, and follow. "Commandment"

    God is our leader (Matthew 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, [even] Christ)
    Not to bow down is a commandment? Where does it say, “Thou shall not bow to any man?” Just curious, I can’t seem to find anything that would lead me to this conclusion. In fact, what Christ said seemed to imply one should give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and Give God what belongs to him. And where in any comments made here is it a requirement to bow down to a man?


    Your message is lost here.

    Quote Originally Posted by sndbay View Post
    # 2 Christ said: (Mark 10:15 Luke 18:17) One must receive the Kingdom as a child, a child is one who follows their Father, doing the Father Will.. "Commandment"

    One Father (Matthew 23:9 And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.)
    The Kingdom is the Catholic Church, it is accepted by a billion people. We’ve discussed the ‘father’ thing before. You talking in random verses without exegesis, seems like random meaninglessness to me. I don’t get it. But what I do know from the Magisterium of the Church that calling priests father, calling the Pope father, and calling my Old Man father has nothing to do with this verse.



    Quote Originally Posted by sndbay View Post
    # 3 Scripture tells of one (supposed) man that comes forth to be King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The question is do you believe that the (supposed) man named Jesus is the begotten Son of God?
    Who’s the “supposed one?”

    Quote Originally Posted by sndbay View Post
    That supposed child was the Key of David, mother Israel had the crown of 12 stars who are all asked to follow... Knowing One Father in Heaven resides over them.
    How does a child become a Key of David? And what does the 12 starts have to do with Peter’s primacy?

    Quote Originally Posted by sndbay View Post
    (Revelation 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and [to] his throne.)
    ? Peter’s primacy?

    Quote Originally Posted by sndbay View Post
    It is satan that makes war against Christ Jesus.. (Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.)
    Quote Originally Posted by sndbay View Post
    Through the power of The Holy Spirit, the disciples went forth as servants of God..Witnesses of the Truth
    Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
    ~child of God
    ? Peter’s primacy?

    I can deal more readily with your objection if you would just come out and say them. I don’t do well with Protestant random bible verse means something game. Last I checked, the idea here is to communicate .

    JoeT
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    #8

    Mar 10, 2009, 04:16 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by JoeT777 View Post

    I can deal more readily with your objection if you would just come out and say them. I don't do well with Protestant random bible verse means something game. Last I checked, the idea here is to communicate .

    JoeT
    Joe,

    I believe the authority behind scripture is God Himself, and the words of scripture are His Words to us (Hebrews 1:1) (John 1:14)


    Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth...

    My heart of love for Christ would rather not leave The Word out of what is being established, for it is indeed God who established all. We are servants who follow, doing the Will of God, not by our own hands and mouth, but with His presence within those who follow and believe. Knowing fully that my sprit remains stedfast in faith and obedience in Him which is not of this world but of a world with Him (John 17:16)

    AND: I do not consider myself anything other then Christain, and a child of God.

    Peter was a follower of Christ Jesus, a servant of God. Not by his own hands, but by the revealed truth of God's Will that is written.

    Jesus warned the Pharisees that tradition of man can make void The Word of God (Mark 7:13)
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    #9

    Mar 10, 2009, 05:26 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by arcura View Post
    But Jesus appointed Peter to be the leader of the apostles.
    Fred, Who did Peter follow? A follower is just that, one who follows.. Who did Peter bear witness of? A witness tells of what he saw.

    Quote Originally Posted by arcura View Post
    Peter himself said that he should not be bowed down to.
    I agree he did say this for a good reason.. To bare witness to what was truth. Because no other gods before us is a commandment. Bowing down to another is to take on the mark of the beast, = the mark of death.

    Quote Originally Posted by arcura View Post

    This thread is about Peter and biblical or historical evidence that He was the earthly human leader.
    So far what is posted shows Peter was given authority to feed the sheep with what God revealed of truth to him. No one has shown where Peter did the works of anything other then what God told him to do, or gave him vision to do. Establishing God's power and God's Will being done by Peter, as a follower.

    Quote Originally Posted by arcura View Post
    So far sin this thread was first started there as been severl very good posts on that showing that Peter was that leader and preformed his duties.
    Duties as a servant known as works, acts of righteousness in obedience to God

    In the spirit of love we are to rebuke what is not of truth.

    `child of God
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    #10

    Mar 10, 2009, 05:50 AM

    I don't think that there is a verse saying that the Church will be build on Peter himself.
    Jesus names Simon as Peter right after Simon testifies that Jesus is the Son of God,the Christ.This testimony,this revelation that comes from no man but from the Father only,is the rock(petra) that Jesus builds His Church on!
    This is a testimony,a revelation ,a rock inside us, so that the church will be built inside us first.Remember,true worshippers will worship God in Spirit and in Truth and The Spirit which is The Spirit of Truth lives inside us.Consider The Spirit a spiritual build church inside us and us attending the Spirit inside us to worship God in Spirit and in Truth.That spiritual church cannot be build inside us unless the Father reveals to us that Jesus is the Son of God,the Christ!
    Did the apostles have a human leader?Well, they were the ones telling us that the church,the believers in Christ are one body so I suppose that goes for them also,they(the apostles) are also members of the one true body of Christ and the leader was is and will always be the only head,the only leader,divine and human Jesus Christ Himself!
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    #11

    Mar 10, 2009, 07:23 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by adam7gur View Post
    I don't think that there is a verse saying that the Church will be build on Peter himself.
    Jesus names Simon as Peter right after Simon testifies that Jesus is the Son of God,the Christ.This testimony,this revelation that comes from no man but from the Father only,is the rock(petra) that Jesus builds His Church on!
    This is a testimony,a revelation ,a rock inside us, so that the church will be built inside us first.Remember,true worshippers will worship God in Spirit and in Truth and The Spirit which is The Spirit of Truth lives inside us.Consider The Spirit a spiritual build church inside us and us attending the Spirit inside us to worship God in Spirit and in Truth.That spiritual church cannot be build inside us unless the Father reveals to us that Jesus is the Son of God,the Christ!
    Right. Paul's words are in agreement:

    1 Cor 3:11
    11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
    NKJV

    Did the apostles have a human leader?Well, they were the ones telling us that the church,the believers in Christ are one body so I suppose that goes for them also,they(the apostles) are also members of the one true body of Christ and the leader was is and will always be the only head,the only leader,divine and human Jesus Christ Himself!
    Well said.
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    #12

    Mar 10, 2009, 10:04 AM

    Thank you for the scripture seal Tom!
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    #13

    Mar 10, 2009, 03:47 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by adam7gur View Post
    I don't think that there is a verse saying that the Church will be build on Peter himself.
    I need to point out that the proposition presented here assumes that Peter was selected first among equals. Further the proposition assumes that Peter was the leader of the 12 Apostles. In so doing it was hoped that we would find various different sources that show the early Church held this view.

    If, however, you would like to argue whether this is true, you can arrange it by posting an appropriate question I'm sure you'll get some discussion.

    Quote Originally Posted by adam7gur View Post
    Jesus names Simon as Peter right after Simon testifies that Jesus is the Son of God, the Christ. This testimony, this revelation that comes from no man but from the Father only, is the rock (petra) that Jesus builds His Church on!

    This is a testimony, a revelation, a rock inside us, so that the church will be built inside us first. Remember, true worshippers will worship God in Spirit and in Truth and The Spirit which is The Spirit of Truth lives inside us. Consider The Spirit a spiritual build church inside us and us attending the Spirit inside us to worship God in Spirit and in Truth That spiritual church cannot be build inside us unless the Father reveals to us that Jesus is the Son of God, the Christ!

    Did the apostles have a human leader? Well, they were the ones telling us that the church, the believers in Christ are one body so I suppose that goes for them also, they(the apostles) are also members of the one true body of Christ and the leader was is and will always be the only head, the only leader, divine and human Jesus Christ Himself!
    Obviously Catholic Tradition holds quite a different opinion. Not on who is the Founder of the Church, Christ; but rather the idea that an organization wasn't intended by Christ in his ministry.

    It seems to me that breaking down Matthew 16:16-19 into their essential elements we have the following bits of fact:

    1. Christ is the authority, the founder of the Church. It is His name that the Roman Church bears.
    2. Christ knew Peter's revelation that Jesus was God, recognizing the supernatural source of his faith
    3. Christ named Simon Bar-Jona to “Rock” The title of Peter's office.
    4. Peter was handed the authority and designated as the “foundation” on which Christ builds his Church.
    5. The gates of hell won't prevail against the Church
    6. The keys to bind and loosen where given to Peter.

    In this we see the classic transfer of power from a more authoritative source to a lesser authority. Christ has the authority to give Peter a subservient role. In so doing, Peter is given a title, “the Rock” on which He can ultimately rely on. The only thing left is the wherewithal to accomplish the goal, the building a Church. This is done with the keys. In the keys are the powers with which Peter needs to accomplish his assigned goals; the power to bind and loosen – in heaven or on earth. Any authority must designate who has power, the extent of that power, and must provide the wherewithal to accomplish the goals. We see all of this in Matthew 16.

    Thus, Peter was given a title of for his office, a mission to accomplish, and the wherewithal to achieve his goal. Only the most convoluted logic can come to any other conclusion from this passage. Peter the first Pope.

    All of which is to say, any number of those Catholics responding here would be happy to give the Catholic answer to “was Peter the first Pope.”

    JoeT
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    #14

    Mar 10, 2009, 06:17 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by JoeT777 View Post
    I need to point out that the proposition presented here assumes that Peter was selected first among equals. Further the proposition assumes that Peter was the leader of the 12 Apostles. In so doing it was hoped that we would find various different sources that show the early Church held this view.
    That proposition though, is not found in scripture. That is the concern that others have raised.
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    #15

    Mar 11, 2009, 06:50 AM

    Scripture says that Christ fulfilled what was spoken of by the first prophets quote= ( That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,) Matthew 12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

    As we know and read in scripture Jesus, Himself was a servant to the Lord. (Matthew 20:27-28 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.)

    ( Matthew 10:24 The disciple is not above [his] master, nor the servant above his lord.)

    Yet we understand that Christ being named the anointed one, was exalted with the right hand of His Father! In His Father's strength!!

    This is a question? A good example to us: Matthew 10:25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord...

    Pastors are servant to God, and that includes what Peter was to God.. That includes what the Pope is to God..

    Matthew 20:25 But Jesus called them [unto him], and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
    Matthew 20:26-28 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

    Psa 48:10 According to thy name, O God, so [is] thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.

    Luke 22: 69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.

    Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

    Acts 7:56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

    There is no scripture that says Peter will be more then a servant...

    Names of the bible..and what they represented..
    Joseph = "Jehovah has added"
    Thomas = "a twin"
    Simon = "a rock or a stone"
    Peter = "a rock or a stone"
    Jabez = "sorrow"
    John = "Jehovah is a gracious giver"
    James = "supplanter"
    Jesus = "Jehovah is salvation"
    Christ = "anointed"


    There are more then one Simon in scripture, and more then one Jesus.. But there is only One Christ

    1) Jesus, the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind, God incarnate

    2) Jesus Barabbas was the captive robber whom the Jews begged Pilate to release instead of Christ

    3) Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses' successor (Ac. 7:45, Heb. 4:8)

    4) Jesus, son of Eliezer, one of the ancestors of Christ (Lu. 3:29)

    5) Jesus, surnamed Justus, a Jewish Christian, an associate with Paul in the preaching of the gospel (Col. 4:11)

    _____________________________________


    1) Peter was one of the apostles

    2) Simon called Zelotes or the Kanaites

    3) Simon, father of Judas who betrayed Jesus.

    4) Simon Magus, the Samaritan wizard

    5) Simon the tanner, Ac. 10

    6) Simon the Pharisee, Luke 7:40-44

    7) Simon of Cyrene who carried the cross of Christ

    8) Simon the cousin of Jesus, the son of Cleophas

    9) Simon the leper, so called to distinguish him from others of the same name
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    #16

    Mar 11, 2009, 11:07 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by sndbay View Post
    Scripture says that Christ fulfilled what was spoken of by the first prophets quote= ( That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,) Matthew 12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

    As we know and read in scripture Jesus, Himself was a servant to the Lord. (Matthew 20:27-28 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.)

    ( Matthew 10:24 The disciple is not above [his] master, nor the servant above his lord.)
    And where was it written that Catholic’s hold that Peter or the Pope was ’above his lord’. This certainly shows a misconception of what the Pope is and who the Bishops are.

    But, maybe this will help. I know that Evangelicals and many Protestants believe that the only authority to interpret Scripture is one’s own self. I believe that the Holy Spirit has moved me, through scripture, to hold that the correct and authoritative interpretation of the Scriptures is those taught by the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.

    Quote Originally Posted by sndbay View Post
    Yet we understand that Christ being named the anointed one, was exalted with the right hand of His Father! In His Father's strength!!

    This is a question? A good example to us: Matthew 10:25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord...

    Pastors are servant to God, and that includes what Peter was to God.. That includes what the Pope is to God..

    Matthew 20:25 But Jesus called them [unto him], and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
    Matthew 20:26-28 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

    Psa 48:10 According to thy name, O God, so [is] thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.

    Luke 22: 69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.

    Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

    Acts 7:56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

    There is no scripture that says Peter will be more then a servant...

    Names of the bible..and what they represented..
    Joseph = "Jehovah has added"
    Thomas = "a twin"
    Simon = "a rock or a stone"
    Peter = "a rock or a stone"
    Jabez = "sorrow"
    John = "Jehovah is a gracious giver"
    James = "supplanter"
    Jesus = "Jehovah is salvation"
    Christ = "anointed"


    There are more then one Simon in scripture, and more then one Jesus.. But there is only One Christ

    1) Jesus, the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind, God incarnate

    2) Jesus Barabbas was the captive robber whom the Jews begged Pilate to release instead of Christ

    3) Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses' successor (Ac. 7:45, Heb. 4:8)

    4) Jesus, son of Eliezer, one of the ancestors of Christ (Lu. 3:29)

    5) Jesus, surnamed Justus, a Jewish Christian, an associate with Paul in the preaching of the gospel (Col. 4:11)

    _____________________________________


    1) Peter was one of the apostles

    2) Simon called Zelotes or the Kanaites

    3) Simon, father of Judas who betrayed Jesus.

    4) Simon Magus, the Samaritan wizard

    5) Simon the tanner, Ac. 10

    6) Simon the Pharisee, Luke 7:40-44

    7) Simon of Cyrene who carried the cross of Christ

    8) Simon the cousin of Jesus, the son of Cleophas

    9) Simon the leper, so called to distinguish him from others of the same name

    Given my previous statement, how does this bear on the topic of ‘Peter being the head of the Church?’

    I’m confused. That Peter was humble man, I’ve held for a long time. That “Jesus, the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind, God incarnate,” I’ve always held. I don’t understand how this deals with the opening proposition?

    JoeT
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    #17

    Mar 11, 2009, 11:35 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by JoeT777 View Post
    And where was it written that Catholic's hold that Peter or the Pope was 'above his lord'. This certainly shows a misconception of what the Pope is and who the Bishops are.

    But, maybe this will help. I know that Evangelicals and many Protestants believe that the only authority to interpret Scripture is one's own self. I believe that the Holy Spirit has moved me, through scripture, to hold that the correct and authoritative interpretation of the Scriptures is those taught by the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.
    Tell me who the Catholic Church holds as master?

    Is the Pope considered a servant to God?

    Is the Pope considered a servant to the people?


    Does the Catholic Chruch follow Peter or Christ?

    Quote Originally Posted by JoeT777 View Post

    Given my previous statement, how does this bear on the topic of 'Peter being the head of the Church?'


    JoeT
    What would the Catholic Church consider as being betroth to Christ?

    Can the Cathoic Church have 2 leaders?

    Was Christ a leader in the eyes of the Catholic Church?

    Does the Catholic Church consider Christ as the Rock?
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    #18

    Mar 11, 2009, 11:47 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by sndbay View Post
    Tell me who the Catholic Church holds as master?


    Is the Pope considered a servant to God?
    Yes, and a servent of the faithful

    Is the Pope considered a servant to the people Yes, and a servernt of God.

    Does the Catholic Chruch follow Peter or Christ? The Church follows Christ through the teachings of the Magisterium.

    What would the Catholic Church consider as being betroth to Christ? The Church is the Bride of Christ!

    Can the Cathoic Church have 2 leaders? It dosen't have two leaders (Are these supposed to be trick Qestions?)

    Was Christ a leader in the eyes of the Catholic Church? Yes, leader, teacher, Messiah, 2nd Person of the Godhead.

    Does the Catholic Church consider Christ as the Rock? Founder, foundation, even a rock if need be; yes!
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    sndbay Posts: 1,447, Reputation: 62
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    #19

    Mar 11, 2009, 01:03 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by JoeT777 View Post
    Does the Catholic Chruch follow Peter or Christ? The Church follows Christ through the teachings of the Magisterium.

    Does the Catholic Church consider Christ as the Rock? Founder, foundation, even a rock if need be; yes!

    Joe: I was not sure what the teaching of Magisterium was? What I found as: According to Catholic doctrine, the Magisterium is able to teach or interpret the truths of the Faith, and it does so either non-infallibly or infallibly . The Infallibility of the Church is the belief that the Holy Spirit will not allow the Church to err in its belief or teaching under certain circumstances.

    However, In theological language, which in many circumstances has become current, there is still greater precision and this in countless directions. At first there was question only of traditions claiming a Divine origin, but subsequently there arose questions of oral as distinct from written tradition, in the sense that a given doctrine or institution is not directly dependent on Holy Scripture as its source but only on the oral teaching of Christ or the Apostles.

    Anyhow I discern that traditions are what I consider by all denominations the error of teaching. (The traditions of scripture doctrine verse man's doctrine. )


    2 Ti 1:13-14 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

    `spirit of love
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    #20

    Mar 11, 2009, 01:20 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by JoeT777 View Post
    In so doing, Peter is given a title, “the Rock” on which He can ultimately rely on.

    JoeT
    Glad you retracted this by saying Christ is te Rock.. One has to holdfast to the Rock of Salvation.

    Quote Originally Posted by JoeT777 View Post
    Does the Catholic Church consider Christ as the Rock? Founder, foundation, even a rock if need be; yes!
    I think it need be...

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