Proving or disproving the papasy of Peter as the first Pope, using scripture alone

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SoonerServant

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The is a continuation of my quest for the truth concerning Catholic doctrines and traditions. Though the subject is specifically as the title states, I am open for proof or disproof of other Cathic doctrines and traditions.
 
Matt. to Rev. - Peter is mentioned 155 times and the rest of apostles combined are only mentioned 130 times. Peter is also always listed first except in 1 Cor. 3:22 and Gal. 2:9 (which are obvious exceptions to the rule).

Matt. 10:2; Mark 1:36; 3:16; Luke 6:14-16; Acts 1:3; 2:37; 5:29 - these are some of many examples where Peter is mentioned first among the apostles.
Matt. 14:28-29 - only Peter has the faith to walk on water. No other man in Scripture is said to have the faith to walk on water. This faith ultimately did not fail.
Matt. 16:16, Mark 8:29; John 6:69 - Peter is first among the apostles to confess the divinity of Christ.
Matt. 16:17 - Peter alone is told he has received divine knowledge by a special revelation from God the Father.
Matt. 16:18 - Jesus builds the Church only on Peter, the rock, with the other apostles as the foundation and Jesus as the Head.
Matt. 16:19 - only Peter receives the keys, which represent authority over the Church and facilitate dynastic succession to his authority.
Matt. 17:24-25 - the tax collector approaches Peter for Jesus’ tax. Peter is the spokesman for Jesus. He is the Vicar of Christ.
Matt. 17:26-27 - Jesus pays the half-shekel tax with one shekel, for both Jesus and Peter. Peter is Christ’s representative on earth.
Matt. 18:21 - in the presence of the disciples, Peter asks Jesus about the rule of forgiveness. One of many examples where Peter takes a leadership role among the apostles in understanding Jesus’ teachings.
Matt. 19:27 - Peter speaks on behalf of the apostles by telling Jesus that they have left everything to follow Him.
Mark 10:28 - here also, Peter speaks on behalf of the disciples by declaring that they have left everything to follow Him.
Mark 11:21 - Peter speaks on behalf of the disciples in remembering Jesus’ curse on the fig tree.
Mark 14:37 - at Gethsemane, Jesus asks Peter, and no one else, why he was asleep. Peter is accountable to Jesus for his actions on behalf of the apostles because he has been appointed by Jesus as their leader.
Mark 16:7 - Peter is specified by an angel as the leader of the apostles as the angel confirms the resurrection of Christ.
Luke 5:3 – Jesus teaches from Peter’s boat which is metaphor for the Church. Jesus guides Peter and the Church into all truth.
Luke 5:4,10 - Jesus instructs Peter to let down the nets for a catch, and the miraculous catch follows. Peter, the Pope, is the “fisher of men.”
Luke 7:40-50- Jesus addresses Peter regarding the rule of forgiveness and Peter answers on behalf of the disciples. Jesus also singles Peter out and judges his conduct vis-à-vis the conduct of the woman who anointed Him.
Luke 8:45 - when Jesus asked who touched His garment, it is Peter who answers on behalf of the disciples.
Luke 8:51; 9:28; 22:8; Acts 1:13; 3:1,3,11; 4:13,19; 8:14 - Peter is always mentioned before John, the disciple whom Jesus loved.
Luke 9:28;33 - Peter is mentioned first as going to mountain of transfiguration and the only one to speak at the transfiguration.
Luke 12:41 - Peter seeks clarification of a parable on behalf on the disciples. This is part of Peter’s formation as the chief shepherd of the flock after Jesus ascended into heaven.
Luke 22:31-32 - Jesus prays for Peter alone, that his faith may not fail, and charges him to strengthen the rest of the apostles.
Luke 24:12, John 20:4-6 - John arrived at the tomb first but stopped and waited for Peter. Peter then arrived and entered the tomb first.
Luke 24:34 - the two disciples distinguish Peter even though they both had seen the risen Jesus the previous hour. See Luke 24:33.
John 6:68 - after the disciples leave, Peter is the first to speak and confess his belief in Christ after the Eucharistic discourse.
John 13:6-9 - Peter speaks out to the Lord in front of the apostles concerning the washing of feet.
John 13:36; 21:18 - Jesus predicts Peter’s death. Peter was martyred at Rome in 67 A.D. Several hundred years of papal successors were also martyred.
John 21:2-3,11 - Peter leads the fishing and his net does not break. The boat (the “barque of Peter”) is a metaphor for the Church.
John 21:7 - only Peter got out of the boat and ran to the shore to meet Jesus. Peter is the earthly shepherd leading us to God.
John 21:15 - in front of the apostles, Jesus asks Peter if he loves Jesus “more than these,” which refers to the other apostles. Peter is the head of the apostolic see.
John 21:15-17 - Jesus charges Peter to “feed my lambs,” “tend my sheep,” “feed my sheep.” Sheep means all people, even the apostles.
Acts 1:13 - Peter is first when entering upper room after our Lord’s ascension. The first Eucharist and Pentecost were given in this room.
Acts 1:15 - Peter initiates the selection of a successor to Judas right after Jesus ascended into heaven, and no one questions him. Further, if the Church needed a successor to Judas, wouldn’t it need one to Peter? Of course.
Acts 2:14 - Peter is first to speak for the apostles after the Holy Spirit descended upon them at Pentecost. Peter is the first to preach the Gospel.
 
Acts 2:38 - Peter gives first preaching in the early Church on repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.
Acts 3:1,3,4 - Peter is mentioned first as going to the Temple to pray.
Acts 3:6-7 - Peter works the first healing of the apostles.
Acts 3:12-26, 4:8-12 - Peter teaches the early Church the healing through Jesus and that there is no salvation other than Christ.
Acts 5:3 - Peter declares the first anathema of Ananias and Sapphira which is ratified by God, and brings about their death. Peter exercises his binding authority.
Acts 5:15 - Peter’s shadow has healing power. No other apostle is said to have this power.
Acts 8:14 - Peter is mentioned first in conferring the sacrament of confirmation.
Acts 8:20-23 - Peter casts judgment on Simon’s quest for gaining authority through the laying on of hands. Peter exercises his binding and loosing authority.
Acts 9:32-34 - Peter is mentioned first among the apostles and works the healing of Aeneas.
Acts 9:38-40 - Peter is mentioned first among the apostles and raises Tabitha from the dead.
Acts 10:5 - Cornelius is told by an angel to call upon Peter. Angels are messengers of God. Peter was granted this divine vision.
Acts 10:34-48, 11:1-18 - Peter is first to teach about salvation for all (Jews and Gentiles).
Acts 12:5 - this verse implies that the “whole Church” offered “earnest prayers” for Peter, their leader, during his imprisonment.
Acts 12:6-11 - Peter is freed from jail by an angel. He is the first object of divine intervention in the early Church.
Acts 15:7-12 - Peter resolves the first doctrinal issue on circumcision at the Church’s first council at Jerusalem, and no one questions him. After Peter the Papa spoke, all were kept silent.
Acts 15:12 - only after Peter (the Pope) speaks do Paul and Barnabas (bishops) speak in support of Peter’s definitive teaching.
Acts 15:13-14 - then James speaks to further acknowledge Peter’s definitive teaching. “Simeon (Peter) has related how God first visited…”
Rom. 15:20 - Paul says he doesn’t want to build on “another man’s foundation” referring to Peter, who built the Church in Rome.
1 Cor. 9:5 – Peter is distinguished from the rest of the apostles and brethren of the Lord.
1 Cor. 15:4-8 - Paul distinguishes Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances to Peter from those of the other apostles. Christ appeared “to Cephas, then to the twelve.”
Gal.1:18 - Paul spends fifteen days with Peter privately before beginning his ministry, even after Christ’s Revelation to Paul.
1 Peter 5:1 - Peter acts as the chief bishop by “exhorting” all the other bishops and elders of the Church.
1 Peter 5:13 - Some Protestants argue against the Papacy by trying to prove Peter was never in Rome. First, this argument is irrelevant to whether Jesus instituted the Papacy. Secondly, this verse demonstrates that Peter was in fact in Rome. Peter writes from “Babylon” which was a code name for Rome during these days of persecution. See, for example, Rev. 14:8, 16:19, 17:5, 18:2,10,21, which show that “Babylon” meant Rome. Rome was the “great city” of the New Testament period. Because Rome during this age was considered the center of the world, the Lord wanted His Church to be established in Rome.
2 Peter 1:14 - Peter writes about Jesus’ prediction of Peter’s death, embracing the eventual martyrdom that he would suffer.
2 Peter 3:16 - Peter is making a judgment on the proper interpretation of Paul’s letters. Peter is the chief shepherd of the flock. Matt. 23:11; Mark 9:35; 10:44 - yet Peter, as the first, humbled himself to be the last and servant of all servants.
 
Good job FF - didn’t realise there were so many points in Scripture where Peter is singled out and/or acts as the spokesperson or representative of the other Apostles or even on behalf of Christ himself :cool:
 
The fact is, nowhere on scripture does it say Peter had more authority than the other Apostles. Like I’ve said before, Paul had to correct Peter in his errant ways. So who is the Popes correction. What if he starts discriminating against other races? Just b/c someone steps up more often than others, doesn’t mean he’s chosen. Maybe I should be the Pope, I like to be a spokesman. Lack of evidence, means it’s wrong. (99% right is?)
 
It’s no mere coinsedence that Peter was given the name, because he had faith like a rock. It was hard and durable. However, that doesn’t mean that he was chosen to succeed Jesus on earth. It would have made more sense to have twelve popes. Then they could all keep each other in line.
 
Concerning Mt. 16:19.

There is no substantial evidence that proves Jesus was talking to Peter. However, if you turn to chapter 18:18, you see here, as stated at the beginning of the chapter, that Jesus is talking to all the Apostles. Thus, he gave all the Apostles and every christian the right to bind and loose.
 
SoonerServant said:
The fact is, nowhere on scripture does it say Peter had more authority than the other Apostles. Like I’ve said before, Paul had to correct Peter in his errant ways. So who is the Popes correction. What if he starts discriminating against other races? Just b/c someone steps up more often than others, doesn’t mean he’s chosen. Maybe I should be the Pope, I like to be a spokesman. Lack of evidence, means it’s wrong. (99% right is?)
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The Pope takes advice from the Bishops as Peter did from Paul. Doesn’t mean they are the ones who make the final decision or pronouncement on matters of faith - Paul didn’t make the final decision or have the final say in Acts.

And Peter was granted a special vision at Cornelius’ house to set him on the right path as well. None of the other Apostles, Paul included, had this extra-special guidance from Heaven.

And Peter was the ONLY one chosen by Christ to receive the Keys to the Kingdom and the authority and responsibility of feeding the sheep and lambs. Remember authority and responsibility go hand in hand.

What about the Last Supper - Jesus says Satan has ‘desired to have’ and is targeting, Peter specifically (not the others) and that he has prayed for Peter specifically (not the others) to be kept strong in his faith. Why? ‘that you may strengthen your brothers’. Jesus IS choosing Peter for the job of leading even the other Apostles in their faith.
 
Concerning Mt. 17:24-25

First you got it wrong when you said they asked Peter for Jesus’ taxes. They asked if he pays taxes. The reason they asked Peter was because at this time everyone who did not understand Jesus, approached with an indifferent attitude. Of course they asked Peter instead of Jesus. They probably still thought He was a raving lunatic.
 
Oh, on the contrary. Paul settled many disputes about the faith. Is it not Paul that has written more books in the NT than Peter. Paul was constantly giving correction and guidance to his fellow brothers in Christ.
 
And about none of the other Apostles having revelations. Was Paul’s conversion not a revelation?
 
SoonerServant said:
It’s no mere coinsedence that Peter was given the name, because he had faith like a rock. It was hard and durable. However, that doesn’t mean that he was chosen to succeed Jesus on earth. It would have made more sense to have twelve popes. Then they could all keep each other in line.
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It makes as much sense to have 12 Popes as it does to have 12 Messiahs. Seriously, how on earth can we be one as Jesus and the Father are one without one guiding light among our leaders? We’ve seen among the non-Catholic denominations what happens when we start assigning equal authority to multiple leaders - chaos. Not the sort of unity Christ wants for his church (not churches).

And of course the Keys to the Kingdom remark is directed to Peter alone. It is DIRECTLY after he’s told Peter he’s building his church on him (and yes, the rock on which Jesus is building his church IS Peter. It couldn’t be more obvious when the passage comeds IMMEDIATELY after Jesus’ renaming of Simon TO Peter ‘the Rock’.)
 
What about in Mt. 26:35. Here Peter’s being the spokesman once again, and yet, he doesn’t even follow through with his statement. The other Apostles did. Actions speak louder than words, in my opinion.
 
I see that you didn’t mention the part later on when Jesus is talking to all the discples and he repeats himself. The thing you say He told “exclusively” to Peter.
 
SoonerServant said:
And about none of the other Apostles having revelations. Was Paul’s conversion not a revelation?
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It was what is called private revelation, pertaining only to Paul alone and designed only to convert him. Peter’s was a message for all the faithful. The two are totally dissimilar.

And Paul did indeed act in authority - where Peter wasn’t present or able to do so himself. As today’s bishops do, in matters the Pope himself can’t take in hand.

Remember before he even started preaching Paul sought out those in Jerusalem, even though he was an Apostle as they were. He acknowledged their authority. And they acknowledged Peter’s. Peter had the final vote and say in their council, Peter spoke first at Pentecost, Peter had private appearances from the Risen Christ that the others didn’t. What more evidence do you need that he was chosen by Christ and the others as a leader?
 
God renamed many of the great men of the bible. He often did this when he had a specil purpose for them. This is nothing new. He renamed Abram, Jacob and even the Apostle Paul.
 
What more? I’ll need some first, before I need more. The reason Paul sought the other’s is b/c he was a well known presecuter of the christians. he couldn’t just go out proclaiming Christ, he would have be killed. He had to find the others to affirm the faith of the ppl in him.
 
SoonerServant said:
God renamed many of the great men of the bible. He often did this when he had a specil purpose for them. This is nothing new. He renamed Abram, Jacob and even the Apostle Paul.
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So, what “special purpose” did Jesus have in mind for Peter when he renamed him?
 
SoonerServant said:
The fact is, nowhere on scripture does it say Peter had more authority than the other Apostles. Like I’ve said before, Paul had to correct Peter in his errant ways. So who is the Popes correction. What if he starts discriminating against other races? Just b/c someone steps up more often than others, doesn’t mean he’s chosen. Maybe I should be the Pope, I like to be a spokesman. Lack of evidence, means it’s wrong. (99% right is?)
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So what does Peter’s prominence in scripture prove, anything?
 
RNRobert said:
So, what “special purpose” did Jesus have in mind for Peter when he renamed him?
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And note that Peter was the only one among the Apostles or disciples of Christ to be so singled out.

Paul wasn’t renamed by God or Christ, he himself naturally went from using the Hebrew version of his name (Saul) to the Latin Paul (Roman, to emphasise his Roman citizenship and apostleship to the Roman empire).

Point being - why did Paul have to seek approval from Peter and the others if he as an Apostle had the same dignity and status?

He (with a little supernatural help) convinced Ananias and the others he encountered immediately after his conversion that he was genuine. He could have done so to anyone else he chose to preach to once he was baptised. Yet he didn’t immediately go out and start preaching. He first sought approval from the recognised authorities - Peter and the others.
 
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