R
Randy_Carson
Guest
This is misguided. Consider the Word of God:In there is not a single reference to being the monarchial ruler of all Christians everywhere.
What we do see is a threefold confirmation of what Peter was called to do. Peter denied our Lord three times, so our Lord reaffirms Peter three times. Our Lord did this specifically on His third appearance to His disciples after His Resurrection.
But even in this exchange, Peter fails Jesus Christ in a certain respect.
Our Lord specifically asked Peter twice:
"Do you love (agape) Me?"Peter could not agree with our Lord at the time and confirm Him. Peter responded both times:
"You know I love (phileo) You."That is not what our Lord asked both times.
Jesus then brought His question down a notch for Peter and asks Him if he loves (phileo) Him, and to this Peter frustratingly agrees.
But we must remember that it is God’s command that all church elders do just as Peter was called to do. Even Peter tells us so:
1Pe 5:2 "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you"That word “shepherd” there is the same exact word Christ used with Peter.
Peter was not the only one called to feed Christ’s sheep. If we were to look back and find the first reference to these verses as teaching a monachial papacy for all bishops of Rome, we would not be impressed to see how the early church did not see what many in the RCC insist they see plainly today.
This is significant.
…
First, in the opening portion of this passage, notice that the Apostles themselves are speculating about which of them was the greatest. They have no false ideas that they were all equal; they fully expected that one of them should take the lead."Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift youa] as wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:24-32)
Second, notice that Jesus does not deny that there would be someone who would be “greatest”…instead, he describes the character of service that such a leader would have.
Third, notice that Jesus confers on the Apostles a democracy…oops…no, make that a kingdom. A kingdom has a king…a monarch. There are dozens of verses referencing the kingdom of heaven…this one clearly refers to the Church. I think this addresses your misunderstanding about the monarchical nature of the Church and the Papacy.
Fourth, notice the language of the final verse. What Jesus says is this: "Satan has aked to sift ALL of you…but I have prayed for you (singular), that when you (singular) have recovered, you (singular) can strengthen your (singular) brothers. Jesus COULD have prayed for ALL the Apostles, BUT HE CHOSE A VERY SPECIFIC COURSE OF ACTION FOR A VERY SPECIFIC REASON - to establish Peter as the head of the Church.
Atemi, this is a third example of Jesus calling out Peter for the role he would play as leader of the Church.
The preponderance of the evidence in favor of Peter’s primacy is overwhelming…
This is truth.
Hope this helps. :tiphat:
