The Pope
By
Darrenn JacksonThe Pope is probably one of the most unique things about Catholicism. The Pope is the visible and temporal head of the Church. What follows are 5 arguments for the papacy.
Argument 1:
Since the Apostles are the foundation of the Church (Ephesians 2:19-20), and Peter had a certain primacy over the other Apostles, the Church somehow must be especially founded on him. Proof of his primacy is found in: Matthew 10:1-4, Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:14-16, Luke 9:32 and Acts 1:13 (in all these verses Peter's name is listed first, before all the others). And in: Luke 12:41, Matthew 18:21, Mark 8:29, John 6:69 (in these verses Peter speaks on behalf of the Twelve). Not forgetting: Acts 2:14-40 (Peter 1st to preach to the crowds), 3:6-7 (Peter does the 1st healing), and 10:46-48 (Peter gets the revelation that the Gentiles are to be baptized).
Argument 2:
In John 1:42, Christ changed Simon's name to Cephas (which is the transliteration of the Aramaic word "kepha" meaning "rock"). This new name took the place of the old. The name signifies that he is indeed the "Rock" on which the Church, the "pillar and foundation of truth" (I Timothy 3:15) was to be built on. This change of name like other name changes in the Bible, indicate a change in status (like in Genesis 17:5, 32:28; 2 Kings 23:34, and Daniel 1:6-8). Peter's new status obviously set him apart from the other Apostles, for his name change meant that he had a special role to play.
Argument 3:
In Matthew 16:18-19, Christ told Peter the Church would somewhat be founded on him. [Christ isn't referring to what Peter just confessed, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" since that is two sentences from the promise given to the "Rock". Besides, since Christ spoke Aramaic (Matthew 27:46, and Mark 15:34) for it was the vernacular in Palestine]. The word for rock in Aramaic is "kepha" and the Gospel of Matthew was originally written in Aramaic. So, Christ said, "thou art kepha, and on this kepha I will build my Church." In Matthew 16:19, Peter receives in a special way the authority for the forgiveness of sins and the making of decrees that are binding on all Christians.
Argument 4:
In John 21:15-17, Peter had to three times express his love for Christ (in expiation of his three denials). After he does that, Christ tells him to, "Feed my sheep" (John 21:17). Christ is the Good Shepherd (John10:11,14), and since part of a shepherd's job is to feed the flock, Christ gives Peter (and all his successors) the authority to be the temporal, visible head of the Church, as if He Himself would always be there.
Argument 5:
In Luke 22:31-32, Christ tells Peter that He prayed that his faith wouldn't ever fail, and that he would be supporting them (by guiding them).
A source used:
Keating, Karl, Catholicism and Fundamentalism.(Ignatius Press, 1988)