The claim that Peter was the first pope is a matter of theological debate, largely hinging on differing views of Church authority and tradition between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism.
From a Reformed perspective, which emphasizes the authority of Scripture over ecclesiastical tradition, there is no biblical basis for considering Peter the first pope or for the office of the papacy as understood in Roman Catholicism.
The Roman Catholic View
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that Peter was the first pope and that he held a unique authority over the entire Church as Christ’s vicar on earth. This belief is rooted in passages such as Matthew 16:18–19, where Jesus says to Peter:
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
The Catholic interpretation asserts that Jesus gave Peter a unique authority to govern the Church, which was then passed down to his successors, forming the basis for the papacy.
The Reformed Perspective
Reformed theology rejects the idea that Peter was the first pope or that he held a supremacy over the other apostles. While Peter played a prominent role in the early Church, the New Testament does not depict him as a sole ruler or as someone with greater authority than the other apostles. Instead, the apostles functioned collectively as the foundation of the Church, with Christ as the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).
Key Considerations:
Matthew 16:18–19
In the Reformed understanding, Jesus’ statement about building His Church on “this rock” refers not to Peter as an individual but to his confession of faith in Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). This interpretation aligns with the broader teaching of Scripture that the Church is built on the truth of the gospel, not on a single person.
Peter’s Role in the New Testament
While Peter is often a leader among the apostles, his actions and decisions are not portrayed as infallible or absolute. For example:
- Peter was publicly rebuked by Paul in Antioch for failing to act in line with the gospel (Galatians 2:11–14).
- Decisions in the early Church, such as the inclusion of Gentiles, were made collectively by the apostles and elders (Acts 15), not by Peter alone.
No Evidence of Papal Succession
The New Testament does not provide evidence for a line of succession from Peter to later bishops of Rome or for the establishment of a centralized office like the papacy. Instead, leadership in the early Church was shared among elders and overseers (1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9).
Christ as the Head of the Church
Reformed theology emphasizes that Christ alone is the head of the Church (Colossians 1:18). The idea of a human vicar of Christ undermines this biblical truth, placing undue authority in the hands of a single person.
Historical Development of the Papacy
The concept of the papacy as it is known today developed over centuries, influenced by political, theological, and ecclesiastical factors. While the bishop of Rome held a place of honor in the early Church due to the city’s prominence, the idea of papal supremacy did not fully emerge until much later. The claim that Peter was the first pope is thus more a product of later tradition than of New Testament teaching.
Conclusion
Peter was a faithful apostle and an instrumental leader in the early Church, but there is no biblical warrant for viewing him as the first pope. The authority of the Church rests on Christ and His Word, not on a human office. As Peter himself wrote:
“And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (1 Peter 5:4).
This verse reminds us that Christ alone is the true Shepherd and head of His Church.

Leave a reply to Explaining the Book Cancel reply