Do We Need a Pope?
When Benedict XVI was elected Pope, several TV channels flashed the message across the bottom of the screen, “We have a Pope.” As I looked at the message, I thought to myself, “What do you mean, ‘we have a Pope?’” Whose idea was it to have a Pope?
According to the Roman Catholic Church, the answer is, “Jesus.” When Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” In response, Jesus said, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church” (Mt. 16:15-16, 18). Catholicism claims that since the Greek word “Peter” means “rock,” Jesus is saying that He is going to build His church on Peter, who was the first Pope.
The rock is not Peter. The Greek word translated “rock” means “a mass of rock.” The word rendered “Peter” means “stone.” Furthermore, in the Greek text, the word “rock” is feminine and the word “Peter” is masculine. (That also means the rock is not Christ.)
The rock is Peter’s confession of faith. In Matthew 16, Jesus is saying to Peter, “You are Peter, a stone, but upon the massive rock of your confession of faith I will build My church. As one commentator states, “The faith that was expressed by him (Peter) was the rock upon which He (Christ) would build His church” (Tasker). Tasker goes on to point out that there is no suggestion in this passage that Peter’s successor would enjoy the same privileges and have the same spiritual authority as Peter himself.
There is no Biblical support for a Pope. According to Catholic doctrine, the Pope must be a priest. Priests cannot be married, but Peter was married (Mt. 8:14). Also, Peter would not allow people to bow down to him (Acts 10:25-26).
Catholics also claim that the Holy Spirit is responsible for selecting a Pope. In talking to reporters, several of the Cardinals spoke of the Holy Spirit guiding them. If that is true, why did it take four votes to elect Benedict XVI? Was there something wrong with the Holy Spirit on the first three votes? Were some of the Cardinals not listening? Or does that not just indicate that the whole process was a political, not a spiritual, exercise?
Where did the idea of a Pope originate? It evolved. After the close of the New Testament, the office of bishop was created. Eventually all bishops were given the title of “Pope” (Latin for “father). In 604 AD, the title of “Pope,” as the universal bishop, was first given to Gregory I, the Bishop of Rome, by the emperor Phocas, to spite the Bishop of Constantinople, who had justly excommunicated him. Gregory refused the title. His successor, Boniface III (607 AD) assumed it. The rest, as they say, is history (Loraine Boettner, Roman Catholicism, p. 125).
We do not need a Pope. We do need a mediator between us and God. Thank God, He has provided one. “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 2:5 NKJV).
© G. Michael Cocoris, 4/24/2005
According to the Roman Catholic Church, the answer is, “Jesus.” When Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” In response, Jesus said, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church” (Mt. 16:15-16, 18). Catholicism claims that since the Greek word “Peter” means “rock,” Jesus is saying that He is going to build His church on Peter, who was the first Pope.
The rock is not Peter. The Greek word translated “rock” means “a mass of rock.” The word rendered “Peter” means “stone.” Furthermore, in the Greek text, the word “rock” is feminine and the word “Peter” is masculine. (That also means the rock is not Christ.)
The rock is Peter’s confession of faith. In Matthew 16, Jesus is saying to Peter, “You are Peter, a stone, but upon the massive rock of your confession of faith I will build My church. As one commentator states, “The faith that was expressed by him (Peter) was the rock upon which He (Christ) would build His church” (Tasker). Tasker goes on to point out that there is no suggestion in this passage that Peter’s successor would enjoy the same privileges and have the same spiritual authority as Peter himself.
There is no Biblical support for a Pope. According to Catholic doctrine, the Pope must be a priest. Priests cannot be married, but Peter was married (Mt. 8:14). Also, Peter would not allow people to bow down to him (Acts 10:25-26).
Catholics also claim that the Holy Spirit is responsible for selecting a Pope. In talking to reporters, several of the Cardinals spoke of the Holy Spirit guiding them. If that is true, why did it take four votes to elect Benedict XVI? Was there something wrong with the Holy Spirit on the first three votes? Were some of the Cardinals not listening? Or does that not just indicate that the whole process was a political, not a spiritual, exercise?
Where did the idea of a Pope originate? It evolved. After the close of the New Testament, the office of bishop was created. Eventually all bishops were given the title of “Pope” (Latin for “father). In 604 AD, the title of “Pope,” as the universal bishop, was first given to Gregory I, the Bishop of Rome, by the emperor Phocas, to spite the Bishop of Constantinople, who had justly excommunicated him. Gregory refused the title. His successor, Boniface III (607 AD) assumed it. The rest, as they say, is history (Loraine Boettner, Roman Catholicism, p. 125).
We do not need a Pope. We do need a mediator between us and God. Thank God, He has provided one. “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 2:5 NKJV).
© G. Michael Cocoris, 4/24/2005
