Papal infallibility and the Bible

[Jessica]

Does anyone know some Biblical arguements for papal infallibility? Thanks!
In Christ,
Jessica

 

[Tantum_ergo]

Well, there’s Jesus’s telling Peter that “You are Peter (rock) and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” This implies that: 1. Peter will lead the church. 2. If hell is not to “prevail” against the church, the church must be incapable of error–literally, “perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect.” But we know that individual members are capable of error–so, how to keep the individuals from “hijacking” the church into error? Answer: Make the leader of the church–the leader of the WHOLE church, for all time, with apostolic succession from Peter himself–incapble of error on matters of FAITH AND MORALS. In other words, the charism of papal infallibility.

P.S. Make sure that you make clear to your friends that “infallibility” is not the same as “impeccability”. That is, a Pope–or any Christian–may be capable of personal error, but not, when speaking for the church on matters of faith and morals, of DOCTRINAL error.

 

[edwinG]

Hi,

I read your quote as saying the Jesus will build His church, “I will build” and because He will build the church hell will not prevail against it. Peter is a part of the Rock as you and I are.

Remember Jesus was a carpenter, a builder and He is building a church, Paul was a tent maker and he made tents (tabernacles) and the other disciples were fisherman who procured food. Jesus said to Peter 3 times which makes it very emphatic, that he was to feed His people, not with fish of course but with spiritual food, the word of God , which is Jesus Himself. We all have work to do for Jesus and one job is not more important or less important than another. No one should be doing anyone else’s work. Peter was very enthusiastic, maybe Jesus was reminding Peter of his work.
Christ be with you,
Walk in love, edwinGhttp://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon7.gif

 

[Todd_Easton]

In Luke 22:31-32, Jesus said to Peter, the chief steward of his Church, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you [all], that he might sift you [all] like wheat, but **I have prayed for you [Peter] that your **faith may not fail; and when you [Peter] have turned again, strengthen your brethren.”

Since Satan will be an ever-present threat to the Church until the Last Day, the chief stewards of the Church, the popes, as Peter’s successors, of necessity must also enjoy the fruits of Jesus’ prayer for Peter, faith that will not fail.