Was Peter the first pope?

Pastor Mike’s Answer (edited)

The Roman Catholic Church regards Peter as the first pope, appealing especially to Jesus’ words in Matthew 16: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” The Protestant reading sees the passage’s wordplay as directing attention to Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, rather than establishing a continuing papal office.

Peter and the other apostles did carry Christ’s authority as they proclaimed and recorded New Testament truth. Ephesians 2:20 says the church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. A foundation is laid once, and the enduring apostolic authority given to the church is found in the inspired Scriptures they left behind.

The New Testament provides no mechanism for transferring Peter’s authority through an unbroken succession of popes, nor does it describe a later leader who can speak infallibly for Christ. Pastors possess authority only as they faithfully teach the completed Word of God. The church therefore needs the Bible as its governing authority, not an ongoing papal office.