You are target of His love

Was Peter the first Pope?

Matt 16:18-19, And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

This Bible place is understood quite often truly wrong and very badly consequences. Catholic church teaches; that bishop of Rome is earthly Vicar of Christ (substitute of Christ, head of the whole visible church). Catholic church teaches, that Peter delivered ministry of principal of the church, catholic church appeal to this Bible place Matt 16:18. Teaching of the Catholic Church is the following; Peter is the rock to which church is built. From this has followed such catholic doctrine, that Pope is the only right successor of Peter on the bishopric of Rome and Pope is visible head of the church, Pope Holy Father. This kind of teaching is completely against teaching of the Bible.

100 century A.D. Ignatius, who affected in the congregation of Antioch. He demanded for himself station to be a leader of the congregation instead of biblical leadership, biblical leadership is elders who lead the congregation. As consequences of Ignatius’ demand he rose over other elders and started to use himself appointment of bishop. A bishop word developed from the Greece word [episkopos], which mean overseer. And then other elders [presbyteros] must stay in the subordination of the bishop. In the beginning bishop word meant many elders of the local congregation, not one man leadership.

Because of Ignatius’ wrong doctrine bishop was set to lead whole province or larger area. Responsibility of bishop had then several congregations in other words more than one congregation. This kind of apostasy from the independence of the local congregation enabled development, which as the result was born against the word of God national and international churches and denominations and leaders and principals of these different churches and denominations. When during the Roman Catholic Church was born papacy, so to this false position was defended on this false station of Pope. Station of Pope is claimed to be heritage for Peter. However, I believe that also apostasy of Ignatius have affected a little bit being born of papacy. Year 600 Bonifatius, who was the bishop of Rome took the title Pope, and he claimed that he is the successor of Peter. Although as the matter of fact bishops of Rome are successors of Babylonian high priests, which were called in Rome by the name of pontifex Maximus. In the Bible is not such doctrine, that Peter has successors or that in the Church of Christ is office for successors of apostle Peter, which is called papacy; Furthermore, in the Bible is not a ministry called the Pope.

To this delusion path developed very large deception. We have to reason take very seriously the word of God otherwise to us happen very badly, like we see. How has developed false station of Pope.

Bishop and elders are same ministry

Philippians 1:1 ¶ Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops (episkopos) and deacons:

Greek words what are in the original text I put inside of the brackets and bold.

In the Bible is such a teaching that bishops are same ministries as elders. And as you can read Paul wrote bishops of Philippi, in other words he wrote to local congregation to Philippi and its bishops, which were many not one man.

Act 20:17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders (presbyteros) of the church. 18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers (episkopos), to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Now we can see that also in local congregation of Ephesus were bishops (oversees = episkopos) who are elders of the congregation. And word oversees is plural, because the Bible is teaching to us, that there are many leaders in the local congregation and not one-man leadership. Bishopric of RCC is not biblical. The Bible is teaching to us that group of men called bishops and elders are leading local congregation. And in the word of God is not doctrine about the Pope.

What Bible really means in Mat 16:18, that we look over next:

Peter is for Greece [petros], which means, a little stone or block of rock, while rock is for Greece [petra].

Matt 16:18 Greece text: kagoo de soi legoo hoti su ei petros (Peter, little stone) kai epi tautee tee petra (the rock) oikodomeesoo mou teen ekkleesian kai pulai hadou ou katiskhusousin autees.

Jesus don't build congregation on the foundation of man, because He is the head of congregation. However, what this verse really teaches? Because Jesus is the head of the congregation, and nobody other, so I will write next to clarify this matter, even though the Bible don't tell direct to this matter; Jesus said by indicating Peter on His finger and said; you are Peter [petros]. Jesus continued by indicating on His finger to Himself and said; and upon this rock [petra] I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Everybody who believes the Bible understands, that Jesus Christ is the head of congregation, only He, Amen. Eph 5:23: For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. We look over next at few Bible places, which indicate clearly who really is the rock in the word of God.

1 Cor 10:1-4, Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock

(petra) that followed them: and that Rock (petra) was Christ.

Rock words in this Bible place are in Greek petra. The Rock is Jesus Christ.

Room 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock (petra) of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Isa 8:14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Stumbling stone and rock of offence is Jesus Christ. In this verse word rock is in Greece text petra. This verse is quotation for Isa 8:14. Jesus is the rock, not Peter.

Psalms 62:6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.

Psalms 89:26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

Rock of salvation is Christ Jesus, in the clear salvation plan of the Bible. In these places is Hebrew word tsur, which means God and rock. This tsur means so God and rock. Therefore, the message of the Bible about it that who is the rock is completely clear, the rock is Jesus Christ.

Catholic Church teaches, that when in Aramaic text Matt 16:18 is word Cephas = rock, so Peter is that rock where Christ found His congregation; and that Peter was the first Pope. That kind of teaching is absurd claim, because we cannot find it in the Bible. In the Bible is not word Pope. And the Bible also proves to us that God is the rock and not a man.

Roman Emperor Constance "turned" to Christianity 312 A.D and he was pontifex maximus (high priest). Constance took for himself a name vicar Christi (vicar of the Christ). From the new religion of Constance came common (catholic=katholikos). Therefore, from the citizens of Rome was made “Christians” without regret and conversion. However, very interesting is, that in Greek text of NT is not Greek word katholikos= catholic. Therefore, Jesus Christ and Peter and Paul didn’t teach anything about Catholic Church, but they taught from church of God.

- Year 378 Romen bishop Damascus inherited from the emperor the titles pontifex maximum and Vicar Christi. By that way came to roman pope official inheritor for Babylonian high priest pontifex. From now on, all bishops (popes) of Rome have these titles. Immediately, when Damascus had come pontifex Maximum, and then to Roman Catholic Church came Babylonians ceremonies to leading position. Furthermore, the other heathen religions doctrines started to come inside to the church of Rome.

- Year 600 Bonifatius, who was the bishop of Rome took the title Pope, and he claimed that he is the successor of Peter. Bonifatius was first man in the history, who said that is the Pope and it took place 600 A.D.!

However, in the Bible we can find, that what is the foundation of the congregation.

Foundation of the congregation

1 Cor 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 ¶ For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Foundation of the congregation is Jesus Christ not Peter.

Power to bind and loose

Matthew 18:1-20: At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

What means the keys of the kingdom of heaven and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven?

Catholic church teaches that only the Pope alone possesses the keys of the kingdom of heaven. The task of the keys of the kingdom of heaven is power to bind the sin of the person, who don't repent and loose person in his sins who repent his sins. Matthew 18:1-20 indicates to us that Jesus gave also to other disciples on the earth power to bind and loose. These keys were used as the possibility to receive gospel to residents of Jerusalem as day of Pentecost, acts 2:38-42 and to Samaritans acts 8:14-17 and finally also to gentiles in Caesarea acts 10:34-44. To this further don't reach authority of Peter and authority of nobody to use the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Every disciple of Jesus Christ can use these keys, in other words to bind the sin of the person, who don't repent and loose person in his sins who repent his sins, so this is the task of every disciple of Jesus Christ. This loosening means that he who has repented to him/her Jesus Christ forgives his/her sins. Furthermore, binding means that he who don’t repent to him Jesus don’t forgive his sins.

In the Bible is not such teaching, that Peter might have been as the bishop of Rome and as principal of all global churches. When this kind of canting teaching has taught, for Pope was made the vicar of the Son of God on the earth, in other words for Pope came vicar of Christ on the earth. For the Bible we cannot find from anywhere such teaching, that Peter and his successors would be vicars of the Christ on the earth. Word Anti-christ antikhristos means against and instead of something, in other words vicar. Doctrine of the Catholic Church for the Pope as the Vicar of Christ suits better to Anti-christ, who as the vicar of Jesus, resist the truth of word of God and mislead people on his doctrine.

Therefore, the doctrine of RCC for Pope is anti-Christian teaching. The Bible teaches, that as the principal and the head of the church operates the head of the body, which is Lord Jesus Christ.

Petri Paavola