Does the Bible Mention a Pope?
How many people have read the Bible all the way through? That is one way to see if the word pope appears in it. A second and faster way is to look in a concordance (a reference work which contains every word in the Bible). Try to find the words pope, papal, or papacy. None of them are in the Bible, and neither is Vatican or the expression, Holy See. Also absent are vicar, cardinal, and archbishop.
In the news, recently, a plethora of newsmen and commentators have talked about Catholic traditions going all the way back to the first pope, Peter. If the Scriptures do not have the word pope in them, then how does anyone know that Peter was one? Is there some other word that was used of him—or some similar description? Let's take a look.
To make the case for Peter being a pope, one might argue that he was prominent among the disciples. It is true that his name is usually listed first and that he was among Jesus' inner circles, along with James and John (Matt. 10:2-4; 17:1-5; 26:36-37). The only other "evidence" to be offered is what Jesus said to him at Caesarea Philippi (which we will get to shortly).
Lacking Qualifications
In the selection of a new pope (back in May), it was often mentioned that the next candidate had to be single. Yet the Scriptures point out that Peter was married. In fact, Jesus healed Peter's wife's mother (Matt. 8:14-15). Years later, he traveled, with his wife accompanying him (1 Cor. 9:5; cf. John 1:42). In fact, there is never a time in Peter's life when the Scriptures refer to him as single.
Never does Peter at any time act as though he is above the other apostles—or anyone else, for that matter. When he went to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him, "but Peter lifted him up, saying, 'Stand up; I myself am also a man'" (Acts 10:25-26). When the apostles and elders met at Jerusalem, Peter spoke (Acts 15:7-11), but James, the Lord's brother, appears to have had the last word (Acts 15:13-21).
Peter wrote two letters to Christians. They were not called encyclicals, nor is there any reference to him speaking ex cathedra—one way or the other. Peter refers to himself as an apostle in both letters. He identifies himself as a fellow elder (1 Peter 5:1), which does not place him above anyone else in the church.
He made no claims to be the head of the church. He did not insist that anyone be obedient unto him. However, Jesus claimed, after His resurrection: "All authority is given to Me in heaven and on earth" (Matt. 28:18). Paul described Jesus as the Head of the church (Eph. 1:22-23) and the Savior of the body (Eph. 5:23).
The Rock
The only passage that Catholics can use to attempt to prove Peter is pope is Matthew 16:15-18. Jesus asks His disciples who they think He is. Whether the others were reluctant to speak or whether Peter was first to reply (which was often the case), he nevertheless answered that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (v. 16). Jesus praised him for what he said, adding, "for flesh and blood had not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven" (v. 17).
We do not know how God revealed it to Him. Was it through supernatural means—through revelation? Or was it through the miracles Jesus performed, which offered proof that Peter understood properly? Remember that Nicodemus had said, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these things unless God is with Him" (John 3:2). Peter had seen what Nicodemus had seen—and more. He had just walked on the water with Jesus (Matt. 14:29-31). Is this the means by which Peter learned the truth of Jesus' Deity? At any rate, he knew.
Jesus occasionally used a play on words in His speech; in this instance, He used the Greek words petros and petra. The former is the name of Peter, which meant "a stone"; the latter refers to "a massive rock." It is not upon petros (Peter, a stone) that Jesus built His church; it was upon petra—the truth that Peter had just confessed: that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. This is also what the Ethiopian eunuch confessed (Acts 8:37), as well as Timothy (1 Tim. 6:12).
Besides, what sense would it make to establish the church on Peter, a fallible man? Jesus, being the Son of God, never sinned. Peter himself writes that Jesus "committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth" (1 Peter 2:22). But Peter could not write the same concerning himself. He knew more vividly than anyone that he had denied Christ three times on the night Jesus was betrayed by Judas (Matt. 26:69-75). He repented, of course; he went out and wept bitterly (Luke 22:62). Years later, Paul said that he withstood Peter face to face "because he was to be blamed" (Gal. 2:11). The point is not to denigrate Peter, for certainly he proved himself to be a spiritual giant; but as a human being he occasionally made mistakes, which is the reason the church could not be built on him.
What about Jesus giving him the keys to the kingdom? The church (kingdom) is a spiritual concept—not a physical one. Peter preached the gospel on Pentecost to the Jews and later to Cornelius and his family (Gentiles). By telling them both to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38; 10:47), he gave them the keys they needed to unlock the door of salvation. "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks…" (1 Cor. 12:13).
The Apostles
Thus far we have seen that Peter was not qualified to be pope by today's standards. In addition, he never claimed anything close to an exclusive title. We have already noted that the rock is the truth that Jesus is Divine. We further want to note that Peter was not exalted above the other apostles after Jesus ascended into heaven. In fact, after Acts 12, the remainder of the book describes the conversion of Paul (Acts 9, 22, 26) and his ministry (13-14; 16-28). The only other verse that mentions Peter after Acts 12 is Acts 15:7, where he spoke in Jerusalem (mentioned previously in this article).
He is not mentioned in Romans and is referred to once as Cephas in 1 Corinthians 9:5. Paul refers to him 5 times in Galatians, including the two verses referring to the occasion when Paul withstood him. The only two other times in the entire New Testament where his name appears are in the greetings of his own two letters. Even the Revelation of further events was given to John—not Peter. In no way is this pointed out to minimize Peter—but it would not be what we would expect if he were pope. Surely, he would be given the most attention if that were the case.
As stated previously, Peter gave the multitude the keys to unlock the door of the church. When they asked what they should do, he answered, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). Three thousand responded by being baptized (v. 41). Notice the following verse: "Then they continued steadfast in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers" (v. 42). Notice the verse does not say, "They continued in what Peter told them." All of the apostles taught the people—not just one of them. The very next verse mentions that "wonders and signs were done through the apostles" (v. 43). All of them. Not just Peter.
Notice that many other verses include all of the apostles—and not just Peter by himself. "And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all" (Acts 4:33). Money was laid "at the apostles' feet" (Acts 4:35). The apostles (collectively) even gave Joses his new name of Barnabas (4:36). He had land but sold it and "laid it at the apostles' feet" (4:37). Ananias and Sapphira also laid money at the apostles' feet, but they lied, saying they gave it all when, in fact, they had kept some of the proceeds for themselves. Peter chastised Ananias, saying, "You have not lied to men but to God" (Acts 5:2, 4). Notice, he did not lie to Peter but to men—that is, all the apostles.
Once again, in Acts 5:12, we see that all were involved in performing miracles: "And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch." There is no pope giving commands to the eleven other apostles, as though he were exalted and they were lesser. All of them are on equal footing.
Peter and John were singled out for punishment in healing a lame man (Acts 3-4), and some sought out Peter, to walk in his shadow and be healed (Acts 5:15), but all of the apostles were busily engaged in teaching and healing. All the apostles were put into prison (Acts 5:18). However, an angel of the Lord freed them, and the next morning they all were teaching at the entrance to the temple (Acts 5:19-21a). The council brought all of them to them and threatened them. "But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: 'We ought to obey God rather than men.'" Echoing what he preached on Pentecost, Peter said: "And we are His witnesses to these things…." (5:32a). Although Peter often had a leadership role (both before and after the crucifixion), it is clear that he was not exalted over the other apostles.
When seven men were chosen to distribute food, they set them "before the apostles, and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them" (Acts 6:6). When persecution resulted after the stoning of Stephen, many Christians were scattered, but the apostles remained in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1). Peter is still there in Acts 15. He is not in Rome. In fact, he is never mentioned in the Scriptures as having traveled to Rome. Had he been there when Paul wrote Romans, he would surely have acknowledged him.
Various Verses
Paul wrote to the Ephesians that the church was built on Peter. No, he didn't (just seeing if you were paying attention). If the Catholic interpretation of Matthew 16:18 was correct, Paul should have written that, but instead he referred to the household of God (the church) as "having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone" (Eph. 2:20). The revelation of the New Testament was given "by the Holy Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets" (Eph. 3:5). Peter was not pre-eminent over the other apostles. They all were inspired of God.
Neither Roman Catholicism nor denominationalism came from the inspired Scriptures of the New Testament. The former grew out of manmade traditions, which Jesus had already condemned (Matt. 15:1-9); the latter violates the prohibition Paul set forth in following after men (1 Cor. 1:10-16). Paul forcefully pointed out that he was not crucified for anyone. No one should, therefore, claim to be a follower of Paul or Apollos or Cephas, who is Peter (John 1:42).
At the close of the New Testament, in the Book of Revelation, Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16). He is the pre-eminent one. Peter is still part of the twelve—and not pope: "Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb" (Rev. 21:14). Jesus is the only head of the church (Eph. 1:22-23).
Anyone reading this article who was raised Catholic may resent the material herein, but it is simply the truth revealed in the Holy Scriptures that anyone may read for himself. Please consider carefully the Holy Word.