Ep. 351 - Was Peter the First Pope?

Sharing the gospel with Catholics is an act of love because God loves them deeply. In this episode, Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar delve into the implications of Catholic teachings on the role of the Pope and its significance for the Gospel. The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church, but Scripture makes it clear: Christ alone is the head of the Church, which consists of true believers. While the Catholic Church has played a significant role in preserving God’s word and has done much good worth recognizing, there are serious concerns regarding salvation.

The Catholic Church has always taught faith, but not salvation by grace alone. The idea that grace follows all you can do stands in direct tension with the biblical message of imputed righteousness. Christ’s righteousness is credited to believers, not earned through merit. The guys make it clear they are not claiming there are no saved Catholics, but that salvation would be despite official Church teaching, not because of it. Oscar challenges the belief that Peter was the first pope, arguing that the early church resembled a presbytery, where multiple bishops served collectively. Historical evidence shows that the title and authority of the pope developed over time. Even papal infallibility was not formally declared until the 1800s and remains a topic of controversy among Catholics.

A central concern is the tendency to elevate tradition above scripture. The guys urge believers to let the Bible speak clearly. William Tindale gave his life to make scripture accessible, and it remains the most effective tool in gospel conversations. Matthew 16 refers to the truth that Jesus is the Christ as the rock, not Peter himself. Peter was important, but not preeminent. He referred to all believers as a royal priesthood. Reassigning that identity to a single man misrepresents the biblical narrative.

The guys also discuss doctrines that have been added over time, such as purgatory, the veneration of saints, and praying to the dead. These practices shift attention away from Christ. There is one mediator between God and man, and that is Jesus. Ray shares that many Catholics know Jesus died for their sins but cannot explain what that means for their salvation. He has found that they are often open and willing to engage in a deep way. Rather than argue, he focuses on walking them through the gospel and lets God work. Scripture remains the authority. The church is built on Christ, not Peter. Grace is God’s unmerited favor to the undeserving. Compassion must not lead to compromise. The gospel is simple, powerful, and straightforward. Christ alone is the head of the Church.

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Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.
Ray Comfort
Emeal (“E.Z.”) Zwayne
Mark Spence
Oscar Navarro