Was Peter the first Pope?
How the Roman Catholic Cult Misused Scripture
Introduction
For centuries, the Roman Catholic Church has claimed dominance over the Christian faith, citing Matthew 16:18 as proof of its authority.
However, a closer examination of the scripture and its context reveals a gross misinterpretation. In this article, we will expose the deceitful use of scripture and uncover the true meaning of Matthew 16:18, revealing that Peter was not the Rock, but Jesus himself. The integrity of the Roman Catholic Cult stands or falls on this one doctrine.
The Misinterpretation
The Roman Catholic Church has long claimed that Jesus was referring to Peter as the Rock in Matthew 16:18, using this verse to justify its hierarchical structure and papal authority. However, this interpretation is a clear manipulation of the scripture. The Context In Matthew 16:13-20, Jesus engages in a conversation with his disciples, enquiring about his identity. Peter responds, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v. 16). Jesus commends Peter’s declaration, saying, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter (Petros), and on this rock (petra) I will build my church” (vv. 17-18).
The Deception Exposed
The Greek language and context reveal the truth. “Petros” (Peter) means “small stone” or “pebble,” while “petra” (rock) signifies a massive, unshakeable foundation. Jesus uses “Petra” when referring to the rock, not “Petros.” This distinction is crucial, as Jesus is contrasting the small stone (Peter) with the unshakeable rock (Himself). The True Rock In biblical language, “rock” symbolises God or Jesus, emphasising strength, stability, and divine authority (Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 18:2, 1 Corinthians 10:4).
Jesus is the Rock of salvation, the cornerstone of the Church (Ephesians 2:20, 1 Peter 2:4-8). In Matthew 16:18, Jesus is declaring himself the unshakeable foundation of the Church, not Peter.
Conclusion
The Roman Catholic Church’s misuse of scripture has led to a distorted understanding of Matthew 16:18. By examining the context and language, we see that Jesus is the true Rock, not Peter. This revelation undermines the Church’s claim to authority and highlights the importance of returning to the true foundation of our faith – Jesus Christ. Let us reject the deceitful interpretations and embrace the truth, building our understanding upon the unshakeable foundation of Jesus, the Rock of our salvation.
This truth alone exposes the Roman Catholic church as a Cult and not a Christian denomination from the beginning, and indeed they are preaching a false Christ and a false Gospel which brings all of their followers under God’s curse.
What must we do to be saved?
We do not need to belong to a Church or denomination to be saved. Our Church cannot save us. Jesus is the only one who can save us. Salvation is a free gift. We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone and nothing of ourselves, so that no one can boast. All we have to do to be saved is believe the Gospel of everlasting life that Paul preached, and we will be saved forever.
1. Believe in Jesus Christ
Faith in Jesus:
- Paul emphasises that believing in Jesus is the key to salvation. In Acts 16:31 (NASB), Paul and Silas tell the Philippian jailer, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
2. Confess Jesus as Lord and Believe in His Resurrection
Confession and Belief:
- In Romans 10:9 (NASB), Paul explains, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
3. Grace through Faith
Saved by Grace through Faith:
- Paul teaches that salvation is a gift from God, received by faith, not by our own efforts. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NASB) states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
4. Trust in the Gospel
The Gospel Message:
- Paul outlines the core of the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NASB), “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”
Summary
To be saved according to Paul’s gospel, we must:
- Believe in Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31).
- Confess Jesus as Lord and believe in His resurrection (Romans 10:9).
- Understand that salvation is by grace through faith, not by our own works (Ephesians 2:8-9).
- Trust in the gospel message that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
Romans 10:4,8-10 NASB
For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes. [8] But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, [9] that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; [10] for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
Galatians 1:4-9 NASB
[4] who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, [5] to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen. [6] I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel, [7] which is not just another account; but there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. [8] But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! [9] As we have said before, even now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!
Acts 2:19-22 NASB
[19] ‘And I will display wonders in the sky above And signs on the earth below, Blood, fire, and vapor of smoke. [20] ‘The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood, Before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes. [21] ‘And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ [22] “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a Man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—
Ephesians 2:6-11 NASB
[6] and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] so that in the ages to come He might show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast. [10] For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. [11] Therefore remember that previously you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision” which is performed in the flesh by human hands—
2 Timothy 1:7-11 NASB [7] For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. [8] Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, [9] who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was granted to us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, [10] but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, [11] for which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher.
