The Origins of the Papacy According to Scripture

Have you ever wondered why Peter was the first pope? Do you question the idea of a pope or of papal infallibility? Where does priestly authority come from? Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle continue their season of exploring church leadership through the examination of the Old Testament, the New Testament, the priesthood and the role of St. Peter. 

Snippet from the Show

 If Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament as the Davidic King, He has a right hand man as it were the chief steward of the house, he has what we would call today the Prime Minister, and that person, that Joseph, is Peter. 

Shownotes

“On that day I will summon my servant Eliakim, son of Hilkiah; I will clothe him with your robe, gird him with your sash, confer on him your authority.  He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. I will place the key of the House of David on his shoulder; what he opens, no one will shut, what he shuts, no one will open.” (Isaiah 22: 20-22)

“And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)

“When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter said in reply, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ (Matthew 16:13-16)

“As for you, Ezra, in accordance with the wisdom of your God which is in your possession, appoint magistrates and judges to administer justice to all the people in West-of-Euphrates, to all, that is, who know the laws of your God. Instruct those who do not know these laws.” (Ezra 7:25)

“The Levites Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah explained the law to the people, who remained in their places. Ezra read clearly from the book of the law of God, interpreting it so that all could understand what was read.” (Nehemiah 8:7-8)

“Then the LORD said to Moses: Assemble for me seventy of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be elders and authorities among the people, and bring them to the tent of meeting. When they are in place beside you, I will come down and speak with you there. I will also take some of the spirit that is on you and will confer it on them, that they may share the burden of the people with you. You will then not have to bear it by yourself.” (Numbers 11:16-17)

“At that time I said to you, ‘I am unable to carry you by myself. The LORD, your God, has made you numerous, and now you are as numerous as the stars of the heavens. May the LORD, the God of your ancestors, increase you a thousand times over, and bless you as he promised! But how can I, by myself, bear the weight, the contentiousness of you? Provide wise, discerning, and reputable persons for each of your tribes, that I may appoint them as your leaders.’ You answered me, ‘What you have proposed is good.’ So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and reputable, and set them as leaders over you, commanders over thousands, over hundreds, over fifties and over tens, and other tribal officers. I charged your judges at that time, ‘Listen to complaints among your relatives, and administer true justice to both parties even if one of them is a resident alien.In rendering judgment, do not consider who a person is; give ear to the lowly and to the great alike, fearing no one, for the judgment is God’s. Any case that is too difficult for you bring to me and I will hear it.’ Thus I charged you, at that time, with all the things you were to do. (Deuteronomy 1:9-18)

“For this reason I left you in Crete so that you might set right what remains to be done and appoint presbyters in every town, as I directed you.” (Titus 1:5)

“This saying is trustworthy: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. Therefore, a bishop must be irreproachable, married only once, temperate, self-controlled, decent, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not aggressive, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with perfect dignity; for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of the church of God? He should not be a recent convert, so that he may not become conceited and thus incur the devil’s punishment. He must also have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, the devil’s trap.” (1 Timothy 3: 1-7)

“And what you heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will have the ability to teach others as well.” (2 Timothy 2:2)

“Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” (Hebrews 13: 7)

“Obey your leaders and defer to them, for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account, that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow, for that would be of no advantage to you.” (Hebrews 13:17)

“Presbyters who preside well deserve double honor, especially those who toil in preaching and teaching.” (1 Timothy 5:17)

“They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them.” (Acts 6:6)

“Then, completing their fasting and prayer, they laid hands on them and sent them off.” (Acts 13:3)