“The Gospel According to Rome: Comparing Catholic Tradition and The Word of God”, by James McCarthy









The Roman Catholic Church sees Peter as the first pope upon whom God had chosen to build His church (Matthew 16:18).

It holds that he had authority (primacy) over the other apostles.

The Roman Catholic Church maintains that sometime after the recorded events of the Book of Acts, the Apostle Peter became the first bishop of Rome, and that the Roman bishop was accepted by the early church as the central authority among all of the churches.

It teaches that God passed Peter’s apostolic authority to those who later filled his seat as bishop of Rome.

This teaching that God passed on Peter’s apostolic authority to the subsequent bishops is referred to as “apostolic succession.”







The Roman Catholic Church also holds that Peter and the subsequent popes, were and are infallible when addressing issues “ex cathedra,” from their position and authority as pope.

It teaches that this infallibility gives the pope the ability to guide the church without error.

The Roman Catholic Church claims that it can trace an unbroken line of popes back to St. Peter, citing this as evidence that it is the true church, since according to their interpretation of Matthew 16:18, Christ built His church upon Peter.







But while Peter was central in the early spread of the gospel (part of the meaning behind Matthew 16:18-19), the teaching of Scripture, taken in context, nowhere declares that he was in authority over the other apostles, or over the Church (having primacy).



(See Acts 15:1-23; Galatians 2:1-14; and 1 Peter 5:1-5.)





Nor is it ever taught in Scripture that the bishop of Rome, or any other bishop, was to have primacy over the Church.



Scripture does not even explicitly record Peter even being in Rome.

Rather there is only one reference in Scripture of Peter writing from “Babylon,” a name sometimes applied to Rome (1 Peter 5:13).

Primarily upon this, and the historical rise of the influence of the Bishop of Rome, comes the Roman Catholic Church teaching of the primacy of the Bishop of Rome.





However, Scripture shows that Peter’s authority was shared by the other apostles (Ephesians 2:19-20), and the “loosing and binding” authority attributed to him was likewise shared by the local churches, not just their church leaders!



(see Matthew 18:15-19; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Corinthians 13:10; Titus 2:15; 3:10-11).









Also, nowhere does Scripture state that in order to keep the church from error, the authority of the apostles was passed on to those they ordained (apostolic succession).



Apostolic succession is “read into” those verses that the Roman Catholic Church uses to support this doctrine-

(2 Timothy 2:2; 4:2-5; Titus 1:5; 2:1; 2:15; 1 Timothy 5:19-22).









Paul does NOT call on believers in various churches to receive Titus, Timothy, and other church leaders based on their authority as bishops, or their having apostolic authority, but rather based upon their being fellow laborers with him!







What Scripture DOES teach is that false teachings would arise even from AMONG church leaders, and that Christians were to COMPARE THE TEACHINGS of these later church leaders with Scripture, which alone is infallible-



(Matthew 5:18; Psalm 19:7-8; 119:160; Proverbs 30:5; John 17:17; 2 Peter 1:19-21).







The Bible does not teach that the apostles were infallible, apart from what was written by them and incorporated into Scripture. Paul, in talking to the church leaders in the large city of Ephesus, makes note of coming false teachers, and to fight against such error does NOT commend them to “the apostles and those who would carry on their authority”-

but rather he commends them to “God and to the WORD of His grace...” (Acts 20:28-32).



It is SCRIPTURE that was to be the infallible measuring stick for teaching and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17), not apostolic successors.

It is by examining the Scriptures that teachings are shown to be true or false (Acts 17:10-12).







Was Peter the first pope?

The answer, according to Scripture, is a clear and emphatic no.





Peter nowhere CLAIMS supremacy over the other apostles.

Nowhere is his writings (1 and 2 Peter) did the Apostle Peter claim any special role, authority, or power over the church.

Nowhere in Scripture does Peter, or any other apostle, state that their apostolic authority would be PASSED ON to successors.



Yes, the Apostle Peter had a leadership role among the disciples.

Yes, Peter played a crucial role in the early spread of the Gospel (Acts chapters 1-10).

Yes, Peter was the “rock” that Christ predicted he would be (Matthew 16:18). However, these truths about Peter in no way give support to the concept that Peter was the first pope, or that he was the “supreme leader” over the apostles, or that his authority would be passed on to the bishops of Rome.



Peter himself points us all to the true Shepherd and Overseer of the church, the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:25).



















Catholics point to Matthias being chosen to replace Judas as the 12th apostle in Acts chapter 1 as an example of apostolic succession.



While Matthias did indeed “suceed” Judas as an apostle, this is in no sense an argument for continuing apostolic succession.

Matthias being chosen to replace Judas is only an argument for the church replacing ungodly and unfaithful leaders (such as Judas), with godly and faithful leaders (such as Matthias).





Nowhere in the New Testament are any of the twelve apostles recorded as passing on their apostolic authority to successors.

Nowhere do any of the apostles predict that they will pass on their apostolic authority.



No, Jesus ordained the apostles to build the FOUNDATION of the church (Ephesians 2:20).







What is the foundation of the church that the apostles built?



The church does not need apostolic successors.

The church needs the teachings of the apostles accurately recorded and preserved.

And that is exactly what God has provided in His Word (Ephesians 1:13; Colossians 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:15; 4:2).









In short, apostolic succession is not biblical.

The concept of apostolic succession is never found in Scripture.





What IS found in Scripture is that the TRUE CHURCH will teach what the SCRIPTURES teach and will COMPARE all doctrines and practices to Scripture in order to determine what is true and right.











The Roman Catholic Church claims that a lack of ongoing apostolic authority results in doctrinal confusion and chaos.



It is an unfortunate truth (that the apostles acknowledged) that false teachers would arise (2 Peter 2:1).



Admittedly, the lack of “supreme authority” amongst non-Catholic churches results in many different interpretations. However, these differences in interpretation are not the result of Scripture being unclear.

Rather, they are the result of even non-Catholic Christians carrying on the Catholic tradition of interpreting Scripture in accordance with their own traditions.







If Scripture is studied in its entirety and in its proper context, the truth can be easily determined. Doctrinal differences and denominational conflicts are a result of some Christians refusing to agree with what Scripture says – not a result of there being no “supreme authority” to interpret Scripture.







Alignment with Scriptural teaching, not apostolic succession, is the determining factor of the trueness of a church.







What is mentioned in Scripture is the idea that the Word of God was to be the guide that the church was to follow (Acts 20:32).



It is Scripture that was to be the infallible measuring stick for teaching and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17).



It is the Scriptures that teachings are to be compared with (Acts 17:10-12). Apostolic authority was passed on through the writings of the apostles, not through apostolic succession.

Who is James McCarthy? Is he an infallible interpreter of Scripture? If not, could he be wrong? You once admitted to me that you are not an infallible interpreter of Scripture either, didn't you?



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.

who i am wrote:

Show me scripture where Peter ever

worshipped Mary or baptized in a

trinitarian baptism.

Sorry, I don't think those exist. Show me scripture where it shows the list of books that should be in the Bible.

"Not long after the new 'Catechism of the Catholic Church' had been released to the public, the book 'The Gospel Accroding to Rome' appeared in non-Catholic bookstores. It's cover boasted that it was a response to the Catechism and a quick perusal of the book revealed copious references to the Catechism and other Church documents. 'Finally', I thought, 'here is an anti-Catholic work that will attempt to refute what the Church actually believes.' When I returned home and began reading more closely, however, my original expectations were quickly dashed. Not only was the Catholic position incorrectly understood, but Scripture and the gospel as well." - Gary Michuta

who i am wrote:

Show me scripture where Peter ever

worshipped Mary or baptized in a

trinitarian baptism.

Jack 5:12-15



And it came to pass that as Jesus solemnly watering the oysters Peter bowed before Mary and worshipped her. "Baptize me Mary." "Peter, why is it I should baptize you when you have been baptized by my Son, Jesus?" "Suffer it to be so, for if the baptism of The Son is great, how much greater is the baptism of the Mother of the Son? Are you not also God incarnate?" And Mary said, "indeed I am. I am the 'not so silent partner' in the godhead." This is why God is known as the Trinity even though Mary is also a person of the godhead. So Mary baptised Peter using a trinitarian formula, and Peter was wet and pleased. Jesus ate oysters that day.

Interesting...but what if the "rock" Jesus spoke of was the "rock" of revelation...from God to Man by way of the Holy Ghost?

Allen wrote:

Interesting...but what if the "rock" Jesus spoke of was the "rock" of revelation...from God to Man by way of the Holy Ghost?

The Early Church Fathers didn't think so...



"The church of God which sojourns at Rome to the church of God which sojourns at Corinth ... But if any disobey the words spoken by him through us, let them know that they will involve themselves in transgression and in no small danger." Clement of Rome, Pope, 1st Epistle to the Corinthians, 1, 59:1 (c. A.D. 96).



"Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church which has obtained mercy, through the majesty of the Mast High God the Father, and of Jesus Christ, His only-begotten Son; the Church which is sanctified and enlightened by the will of God, who farmed all things that are according to the faith and love of Jesus Christ, our God and Saviour; the Church which presides in the place of the region of the Romans, and which is worthy of God, worthy of honour, worthy of the highest happiness, worthy of praise, worthy of credit, worthy of being deemed holy, and which presides over love..." Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Romans, Prologue (A.D. 110).



"There is extant also another epistle written by Dionysius to the Romans, and addressed to Soter, who was bishop at that time. We cannot do better than to subjoin some passages from this epistle…In this same epistle he makes mention also of Clement's epistle to the Corinthians, showing that it had been the custom from the beginning to read it in the church. His words are as follows: To-day we have passed the Lord's holy day, in which we have read your epistle. From it, whenever we read it, we shall always be able to draw advice, as also from the former epistle, which was written to us through Clement.' Dionysius of Corinth, To Pope Soter (A.D. 171).



"Since, however, it would be very tedious, in such a volume as this, to reckon up the successions of all the Churches, we do put to confusion all those who, in whatever manner, whether by an evil self-pleasing, by vainglory, or by blindness and perverse opinion, assemble in unauthorized meetings; [we do this, I say, ] by indicating that tradition derived from the apostles, of the very great, the very ancient, and universally known Church founded and organized at Rome by the two most glorious apostles, Peter and Paul; as also [by pointing out] the faith preached to men, which comes down to our time by means of the successions of the bishops. For it is a matter of necessity that every Church should agree with this Church, on account of its pre- eminent authority, that is, the faithful everywhere, inasmuch as the apostolical tradition has been preserved continuously by those [faithful men] who exist everywhere." Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 3:3:2 (A.D. 180).



many, many quotes by the ECF...

Allen wrote:

Interesting...but what if the "rock" Jesus spoke of was the "rock" of revelation...from God to Man by way of the Holy Ghost?

More from the early Church fathers referencing the "rock":



"…I think it my duty to consult the chair of Peter, and to turn to a church whose faith has been praised by Paul…The fruitful soil of Rome, when it receives the pure seed of the Lord, bears fruit an hundredfold…My words are spoken to the successor of the fisherman, to the disciple of the cross. As I follow no leader save Christ, so I communicate with none but your blessedness, that is with the chair of Peter. For this, I know, is the ROCK on which the church is built! This is the house where alone the paschal lamb can be rightly eaten. This is the ark of Noah, and he who is not found in it shall perish when the flood prevails.” Jerome, To Pope Damasus, Epistle 15:1-2 (A.D. 375).



"Number the bishops from the See of Peter itself. And in that order of Fathers see who has succeeded whom. That is the ROCK against which the gates of hell do not prevail" Augustine, Psalm against the Party of Donatus, 18 (A.D. 393).



"Wherefore the most holy and blessed Leo, archbishop of the great and elder Rome, through us, and through this present most holy synod together with the thrice blessed and all-glorious Peter the Apostle, who is the rock and foundation of the Catholic Church, and the foundation of the orthodox faith, hath stripped him of the episcopate, and hath alienated from him all hieratic worthiness. Therefore let this most holy and great synod sentence the before mentioned Dioscorus to the canonical penalties." Council of Chalcedon, Session III (A.D. 451).

The apostle paul said that he went to the gentiles and peter went to the jews....

who i am wrote:

1 Timothy 3:15 wrote:

who i am wrote:

Show me scripture where Peter ever

worshipped Mary or baptized in a

trinitarian baptism.

Sorry, I don't think those exist. Show me scripture where it shows the list of books that should be in the Bible.

What's your question?

I don't have a question.

who i am wrote:

1 Timothy 3:15 wrote:

who i am wrote:

Show me scripture where Peter ever

worshipped Mary or baptized in a

trinitarian baptism.

Sorry, I don't think those exist. Show me scripture where it shows the list of books that should be in the Bible.

What's your question?

What I think he is saying is that people always say "show me in scripture...", when there is no list in Scripture that says what books are scriptural. In other words, there has to be some authority outside of the Bible or else how would the Bible have been put together. The Word of God is more that one book(or actually a collection of books).



As far as worshiping Mary.... Peter did not do so, nor does the Catholic church teach to do so either. Catholics only worship God(The Father, Son and Holy Spirit)



As far as Trinitarian baptism.... Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

—Matthew 28:18-20



Is that the scripture reference you were looking for?



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