{"id":892,"date":"2016-08-27T13:48:51","date_gmt":"2016-08-27T21:48:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.stmichaelspod.com\/?page_id=892"},"modified":"2016-08-27T13:50:31","modified_gmt":"2016-08-27T21:50:31","slug":"where-is-the-pope-in-the-bible-by-michael-a-barone","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.stmichaelspod.com\/?page_id=892","title":{"rendered":"Where is The Pope In The Bible? ~ By Michael A. Barone"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
Where is The Pope In The Bible? ~ By Michael A. Barone<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Where is The Pope In The Bible? ~ By Michael A. Barone<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n
\n

<\/h1>\n

Well who died and made you the Boss?<\/h1>\n

This is a made up conversation between St. Peter and any other apostle, which never really happened, but it illustrates a point.<\/h3>\n

St. Peter, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Go tend to issue XYZ, also, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do\u00c2\u00a0that<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0anymore.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\nApostle, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\nSt. Peter, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Because I said so!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\nApostle, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh yeah? Well who died and made you the boss?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\nSt. Peter, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153 Um, Jesus! Remember?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\nApostle, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153 Oh! That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s right! Ok!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

So, is that the way it really is with The Catholic Church? Well, yes and no.<\/p>\n

The\u00c2\u00a0authority<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0of Peter is absolutely there but the\u00c2\u00a0tone<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0of this little scene was just for fun. Still, as a Catholic, how many times have you been told (or someone has insinuated) that this is what we believe about Popes and their authority over us? Also, why does it sting so much when we are told something is the way it is because The Church says so?<\/p>\n

If the\u00c2\u00a0authority of Peter<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0were this\u00c2\u00a0petty<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0it would be pretty useless wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t it? No one likes a\u00c2\u00a0bossy person<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0who always gets his or her way. Certainly not we the people (Americans), who pride ourselves on the idea of\u00c2\u00a0equality<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0for all even if we often fall short of it in actuality.<\/p>\n

So why do we\u00c2\u00a0believe<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0what we believe about\u00c2\u00a0Papal Authority<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0and how is\u00c2\u00a0that<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0good for us?<\/p>\n

Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s start with\u00c2\u00a0scripture<\/strong>. One of the biggest issues we come across in answering this is that our protestant brothers and sisters seem to know the\u00c2\u00a0Bible<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0better than we do. They will sometimes speak to us in condescending tones like, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s because you have to believe everything a Pope says!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Show me in the Bible<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0the word \u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcPope<\/strong>\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, and if you\u00c2\u00a0can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong>then how do you\u00c2\u00a0justify<\/strong>having one, let alone listening to him?<\/p>\n

Now this\u00c2\u00a0truly<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0would be a trite discussion if the\u00c2\u00a0authority of the popes<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have amassive<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0effect on the Church in our world today, which it\u00c2\u00a0really<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0does!<\/p>\n

So to scripture we go. What is funny about this is that you can ask the average Roman Catholic to find the Pope in the bible and most will look away and kick the dirt in uncertainty. But the funny part is we all\u00c2\u00a0KNOW<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0where it is that we find the office of the Pope in the bible. We just are not good at articulating it or giving the exact citation of Chapter and verse to whomever is proffering the question.<\/p>\n

But what is\u00c2\u00a0really cool<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0is that\u00c2\u00a0you<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0as a Catholic\u00c2\u00a0have heard<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0this particular passage of the bible many, many, times if you have just attended Sunday Mass regularly in your life.<\/p>\n

Now as you read this you may be thinking that you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know where to find the word or idea of a pope and you are feeling that sense of insecurity creeping up behind you. But fear not,\u00c2\u00a0after<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0<\/u><\/em><\/strong>reading this little explanation you will never forget how to find that illusive \u00e2\u20ac\u0153first pope\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in the bible ever again!<\/p>\n

Here is a simple memory device:
\n1.
\nThink of someone you know named \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Matthew\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. Any Matt or Matthew will do. He does not need to be Catholic, for that matter he does not need to be religious at all. He can be related to you or just an acquaintance as long as you can imagine him at sixteen years age. The rest does not matter as long as you know him as Matt or Matthew. (Picture him in your mind right now! It will help!)
\n2.
\nAssume this Matt or Matthew, lives in Ohio. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re using Ohio as a state for a reason but your state may or may not work for this depending on the driving age. In Ohio you must be\u00c2\u00a016 years old<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0to be able to obtain your\u00c2\u00a0permanent drivers license<\/strong>. Teens in Ohio often long for the day when they can break free from the shackles of childhood bike riding, take the family car for a spin, and just go anywhere they please. It is a rite of passage for many. So imagine your Matt or Matthew at 16 years of age and getting his drivers license.
\n3. To start the car and be able to drive it, Matt must have one thing from Dad and Mom;THE <\/u><\/strong><\/em>KEYS<\/u><\/strong><\/em>!<\/p>\n

Ok if you can just remember\u00c2\u00a0this,<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0you will always be able to pull the Pope from the Bible.<\/p>\n

When\u00c2\u00a0Matt<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0is\u00c2\u00a016<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong>years old, he gets the\u00c2\u00a0Keys<\/u><\/strong><\/em>!\u00c2\u00a0 Or for short,\u00c2\u00a0Matt 16 Keys<\/u><\/strong><\/em>!<\/p>\n

Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s take this apart now and really get into it.<\/p>\n

Go to any bible, it does not have to be a Catholic Bible. Turn to the New Testament. Turn to the\u00c2\u00a016<\/u><\/strong><\/em>th<\/sup>\u00c2\u00a0Chapter of the Gospel of St.\u00c2\u00a0Matthew<\/u><\/strong><\/em>. Ok, you can see the\u00c2\u00a0Matt<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0and you see the\u00c2\u00a016<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0where are the\u00c2\u00a0keys<\/u><\/strong><\/em>?\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Well specifically they are in verse 19, but we will get there in a minute. For now let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s look at verses 13 through 20.<\/p>\n

The Gospel of St. Matthew Chapter 16 Verses 13-20<\/h1>\n

13\u00c2\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Who do people say the Son of Man is?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\n14\u00c2\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>They replied, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Some say John the Baptist;\u00c2\u00a0others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\n15\u00c2\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153But what about you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0he asked.\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Who do you say I am?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\n16\u00c2\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>Simon Peter answered, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\n17\u00c2\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>Jesus replied,\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood,\u00c2\u00a0but by my Father in heaven.\u00c2\u00a018\u00c2\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>And I tell you that you are Peter,[b<\/a>]<\/sup>\u00c2\u00a0and on this rock I will build my church,\u00c2\u00a0and the gates of Hell[c<\/a>]<\/sup>\u00c2\u00a0will not overcome it.\u00c2\u00a019\u00c2\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>I will give you the keys\u00c2\u00a0of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[d<\/a>]<\/sup>\u00c2\u00a0bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[e<\/a>]<\/sup>\u00c2\u00a0loosed in heaven.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a020\u00c2\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone\u00c2\u00a0that he was the Messiah. ###<\/p>\n

What is going on here<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0and how is this related to the Pope?
\nWell, The Catholic Church says that St. Peter is the first pope and here is where we turn to in the Holy Scriptures to find how that happens to be the case. There are some really cool things in this passage, which may be hidden to the average reader, but we will try to bring some of them out.
\nFirst let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s look at the location. In\u00c2\u00a0Caesarea Philippi<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0<\/u><\/em><\/strong>there is the spot traditionally referred to as where Jesus gave this talk to his disciples. Apparently there are two things about the landscape that are significant. One is a large out cropping of rock and the other is a cave or cavernous area, which the locals in Jesus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 time used to call \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Gates of Hell\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.<\/p>\n

Jesus probably picked this location because it had the added emphasis of the visual aids for the disciples to help them remember what happened there but even if that was not the case let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s look at the interchange between Jesus and them.<\/p>\n

Next, he asks who the people say that he is. This is kind of a teaching in itself about public opinion and how it is often swayed or outright wrong.\u00c2\u00a0Notice<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0that the people all get it wrong. He is not Elijah, He is not John the Baptist come back to life, Jeremiah, or any of the past prophets.<\/p>\n

You can almost see the smile on his face as they play this little \u00e2\u20ac\u0153who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s who<\/strong>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d game of the\u00c2\u00a0significant figures<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0in the old testament. Remember\u00c2\u00a0Jesus knows<\/strong>, and\u00c2\u00a0always knew<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0who he was. Next you can see the smile on his face probably change to a more concerned expression in that \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No really<\/u><\/strong><\/em>!\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 moment that always comes after the joking stops and a serious point is about to be made. He asks them, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Who<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0do\u00c2\u00a0you<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0say that I am?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

At this point it is Peter who answers and that is\u00c2\u00a0key<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0if you will pardon the pun. Peter answers, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God<\/u><\/strong><\/em>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

So why is this so\u00c2\u00a0important<\/strong>?
\nBecause it\u00c2\u00a0triggers<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0something in Jesus and in His ministry which reaches all the way down to us today in what we call\u00c2\u00a0Papal Authority<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0and what the Catholic Church teaches about it.
\nNotice that Jesus does not say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh good! You were my favorite all along Peter, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m going to make you the boss after I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m gone.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d No, what he says is that Peter\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s declaration is not something he (Peter) learned from \u00e2\u20ac\u0153flesh<\/u><\/strong>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. Now what does that mean? It means it\u00c2\u00a0is not<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0something Peter has\u00c2\u00a0figured out<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0by himself. It is also\u00c2\u00a0not something<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong>he picked up from one of the others and it is not a testimony from someone like John the Baptist.
\nJesus says, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood,\u00c2\u00a0but by\u00c2\u00a0my Father<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0in heaven.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Now\u00c2\u00a0this<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0is loaded with cool stuff.
\nFirst, Jesus calls him \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Simon\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0bar Jonah,\u00c2\u00a0why<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0would he do that?
\nWell, here is an interesting fact, which will weigh into Papal Authority and Jesuscommissioning<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0Peter as the first Pope. The name\u00c2\u00a0Simon<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0means \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Reed<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.
\nWhat is a\u00c2\u00a0reed<\/strong><\/em>?
\nThink of a pond of water ringed with long\u00c2\u00a0grassy plants<\/strong>. Think of something like the plant we call a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Cat tail<\/strong>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.
\nWhat are the\u00c2\u00a0characteristics<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0of a reed?
\nIt is\u00c2\u00a0thin<\/strong>, often\u00c2\u00a0hollow<\/strong>, and it is\u00c2\u00a0not particularly<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong>strong<\/u><\/strong><\/em>. A reed will blow and sway in the wind much like public opinion can go one way or the other depending on the prevailing powers acting on it. This use of the name Simon is significant because, as we will see later when he denies Jesus three times, Simon is of a pretty weak character.
\nNext, look at\u00c2\u00a0whom<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0Jesus says told or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153revealed<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d his true\u00c2\u00a0identity<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0to Simon. It wasGod The Father<\/u><\/strong><\/em>.\u00c2\u00a0 No small thing there.
\nWhat has\u00c2\u00a0God The Father<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0to do with this?
\nBy bringing The\u00c2\u00a0One True God<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0of the\u00c2\u00a0Jewish<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0faith into the conversation, Jesus is reminding them of their\u00c2\u00a0history<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0as a people. And what is that history if not one of beinglead<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0<\/u><\/em><\/strong>by an\u00c2\u00a0appointee of God<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0the Father\u00c2\u00a0throughout<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0their history. Starting with Adam and going down through the ages there was always someone that God the Father placed over all His people as a leader. There was Abraham, Noah, and Moses. There were prophets and judges and leaders of all kinds including kings like David and Solomon. By bringing God the Father into this little\u00c2\u00a0Q&A session<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0, Jesus would have put them all in the mind to\u00c2\u00a0think of these leaders<\/u><\/strong><\/em>.
\nThen, He calls Simon, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Peter\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/u><\/strong><\/em>. This is huge! Often we see God changing a persons name when He changes their role in His plan. Abram became Abraham, Simon becomes Peter, Saul becomes Paul, and so on. Even today we take on a different name when we receive the\u00c2\u00a0Sacrament of Confirmation<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0in the Catholic Church because our\u00c2\u00a0role<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0changes from being a child of God to a solider in the Army of God or The Church Militant, ready to defend our Faith.
\nSo what does\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Peter\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0mean?
\nKeep in mind the location where Jesus is speaking. There is a huge outcropping ofRock<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0that can be seen and felt by all of them. It is massive and unmoving. Peter means \u00e2\u20ac\u0153rock\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/u><\/strong><\/em>. If anyone wants to dispute this Jesus follows up with, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153and on this\u00c2\u00a0rock<\/u><\/strong><\/em>I will build my\u00c2\u00a0church<\/u><\/strong><\/em>,\u00c2\u00a0and the gates of\u00c2\u00a0Hell<\/u><\/strong><\/em>c<\/a>]<\/sup>\u00c2\u00a0will not overcome it. Now\u00c2\u00a0this<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0is big stuff!<\/p>\n

Jesus changes Simon\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s name to Peter. From \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Reed\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Rock\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, from \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Weak\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Strong\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, from swaying to unmovable. Then he says he will build his\u00c2\u00a0church<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0on thatrock<\/u><\/strong><\/em>. Which rock?\u00c2\u00a0PETER<\/u><\/strong><\/em>!<\/p>\n

What is this\u00c2\u00a0church<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0he is talking about? The word he uses for church means the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153called out\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or the ones he \u00e2\u20ac\u0153will gather\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.<\/p>\n

Then he says the\u00c2\u00a0Gates of Hell<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0will not over come it.\u00c2\u00a0Satan<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0and his\u00c2\u00a0minions<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0and\u00c2\u00a0the power of death<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0will not overcome the\u00c2\u00a0church<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0Jesus will build on\u00c2\u00a0Peter<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0the\u00c2\u00a0Rock<\/u><\/strong><\/em>. This is going to have very deep meaning when we look at the splitting off of the various Protestant churches later in history. But we will get to that. Right now let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s take another look at our memory device with\u00c2\u00a0Matt 16 Keys<\/u><\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n

Jesus says to Peter, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I will give you the\u00c2\u00a0keys<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0of the\u00c2\u00a0kingdom of heaven<\/u><\/strong>; whatever youbind on earth<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0will be[d<\/a>]<\/sup>\u00c2\u00a0bound in heaven<\/u><\/strong><\/em>, and whatever you\u00c2\u00a0loose on earth<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0will be[e<\/a>]<\/sup>\u00c2\u00a0loosed in heaven<\/u><\/strong><\/em>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\nKEYS<\/u><\/strong><\/em>! <\/u><\/strong><\/em>KEYS<\/u><\/strong><\/em>! <\/u><\/strong><\/em>KEYS<\/u><\/strong><\/em>!<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0What are they for?\u00c2\u00a0Locking<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0and\u00c2\u00a0loosing<\/strong>!\u00c2\u00a0Who<\/u><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0has theauthority<\/strong>? The one with the\u00c2\u00a0Keys!<\/u><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Who can open that which is locked up?\u00c2\u00a0The one<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0with the keys. Who can lock up and bind the dangerous and possibly harmful mindsets, actions, and decisions of our\u00c2\u00a0fallen world<\/u><\/strong><\/em>? The one with the keys!
\nWe often see St. Peter depicted at the pearly gates of heaven with his big set of keys. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s\u00c2\u00a0letting souls in<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0or rejecting them based on the scroll he carries at the\u00c2\u00a0gates<\/strong>. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a cute image but his role is\u00c2\u00a0so much<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0more. He is\u00c2\u00a0here<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0with us on earth in the form of the\u00c2\u00a0Pope<\/u><\/strong><\/em>, to show us the will of God.
\nOne problem is that we sometimes see his role as one like the one in the made up conversation at the beginning of this writing. We think if Peter gets up in the morning and decides to bully the other Apostles, or us, he can do so. We think that he can lock up stuff in heaven and\u00c2\u00a0cause<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0God to loosen things he (God) may not want loosened. Like God gave him authority\u00c2\u00a0over<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0even\u00c2\u00a0God himself<\/u><\/strong><\/em>! This is not correct at all.
\nWhat Jesus is really telling us is that Peter will be able to tell us with God\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Authority what is loosed in Heaven and he will be able to tell us with God\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Authority what is bound in Heaven.\u00c2\u00a0Peter<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0is the\u00c2\u00a0mouthpiece or media<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0for God to speak to his people.
\nLet\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s go back<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0to Jesus reminding them of the leaders of their people historically. Was itodd<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0to them that Abraham, Noah, or Moses\u00c2\u00a0spoke for God<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0and gave them laws to live by like the Ten Commandments? No, they would have the\u00c2\u00a0greatest respect<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0for those leaders and their\u00c2\u00a0teachings<\/strong>. Would they assume\u00c2\u00a0Moses<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0brought the tablets down the mountain etched with\u00c2\u00a0his<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0idea of how things should be run or did they\u00c2\u00a0understand<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0it as \u00e2\u20ac\u0153written by God\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s own finger\u00e2\u20ac\u009d?
\nWasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t it true that prophets like Elijah and kings like David and Solomon\u00c2\u00a0ruled<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0them as a people like\u00c2\u00a0shepherds for God<\/u><\/strong><\/em>? Yes they were very familiar and very comfortable with these ideas. They even longed for them, prayed for them, and begged God to send The Messiah who would be the greatest of\u00c2\u00a0all these leaders<\/u><\/strong><\/em>!
\nNow here he was! Jesus. The\u00c2\u00a0Son of God<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0himself in the flesh, passing\u00c2\u00a0His authority<\/strong>on to Peter, another leader\u00c2\u00a0appointed<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0by God the Father.
\nJesus<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0knew he would be\u00c2\u00a0crucified<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0and he would return to God The Father until the end of time when He\u00c2\u00a0will<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0come again. He was making sure the new leaders of his church understood that He was passing on these\u00c2\u00a0keys of<\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>his<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>authority<\/strong><\/em>. He knew there would be questions and disputes throughout the ages about all types of matters. He knew his church would\u00c2\u00a0want to know<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0the will of The Father. How are things being handled in heaven? What is loosed and ok there, what has been wrong or needed to be bound up and locked away? So he was\u00c2\u00a0very clear<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0setting all this up. The message may not have sunk in to the disciples but\u00c2\u00a0in retrospect<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0it is very clear. After all, hindsight is 20\/20! There\u00c2\u00a0always<\/u>\u00c2\u00a0was a\u00c2\u00a0leader<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0of God\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s people. There\u00c2\u00a0always<\/u>\u00c2\u00a0will be!<\/p>\n

Some will say to you, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fine! That may be what it meant\u00c2\u00a0back then<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0for St. Peter and the apostles\u00c2\u00a0but it stopped<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0after that.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\nOh\u00c2\u00a0really<\/u>\u00c2\u00a0why? Did God stop sending leaders after Adam, Abraham, Noah, or Moses etc.?
\nBut, what about\u00c2\u00a0bad Popes<\/u><\/strong><\/em>? What if they sinned? Doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t that\u00c2\u00a0take away<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0their authority and give it to someone else? Doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t that\u00c2\u00a0disqualify<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0their rulings as\u00c2\u00a0not from God<\/u>? Doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t that\u00c2\u00a0show<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0that the Holy Spirit\u00c2\u00a0left<\/u>\u00c2\u00a0the Catholic Church and\u00c2\u00a0split off<\/u>\u00c2\u00a0with the Protestant leaders like Martin Luther who \u00e2\u20ac\u0153protested<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d this\u00c2\u00a0very<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0authority?
\nWell,\u00c2\u00a0if sinning can\u00c2\u00a0take<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0away<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0their authority,\u00c2\u00a0<\/u>then we\u00c2\u00a0should<\/u><\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0see Jesus\u00c2\u00a0<\/u>take away Peter\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s authority<\/u>\u00c2\u00a0if he sins\u00c2\u00a0right<\/u><\/strong><\/em>?
\nSo, let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s go back to\u00c2\u00a0St. Peter<\/strong>. In the scriptures\u00c2\u00a0right after<\/u><\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0Jesus says he will give him the keys, Jesus has to\u00c2\u00a0rebuke<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0him and even calls him a\u00c2\u00a0Satan<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0<\/u><\/em><\/strong>for thinking like a man and not as God would! Better yet, it is\u00c2\u00a0certainly<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0after the Matt 16 keys incident that St. Peter\u00c2\u00a0DENIES<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0Jesus three times!\u00c2\u00a0Talk about sinning<\/u><\/strong><\/em>, the third time Peter \u00e2\u20ac\u0153swears\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (That means calling God as his witness!) that he does not know him at all!<\/p>\n

But Peter was not stripped of the keys after that boneheaded move. In fact Jesus gives him three opportunities to make up for the sins of denying him in The Gospel of St. John Chapter 21 Jesus asks Peter if he loves him three times. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s interesting to note he says, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Simon<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0son of Jonah, do you love me?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He does not call him Peter at that time (which sure must have stung a bit) but what does he say? When Peter is exasperated by the third time Jesus asks him the same question, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do you love me?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Peter says, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d And Jesus says, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Feed<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0my<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0sheep<\/u><\/strong><\/em>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d What does\u00c2\u00a0that<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0mean?
\nIt means he is\u00c2\u00a0still<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0<\/u><\/em><\/strong>the one\u00c2\u00a0in charge<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0of taking care of the\u00c2\u00a0flock<\/u><\/strong><\/em>. He is still\u00c2\u00a0feeding us<\/strong>the\u00c2\u00a0will<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0of God!<\/p>\n

So, if\u00c2\u00a0Jesus forgave<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0a repentant\u00c2\u00a0first pope<\/strong>, let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not nit pick about a few bad\/sinful Popes!\u00c2\u00a0Yes,<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0some did bad things no doubt, but they did not change church teachings they\u00c2\u00a0only<\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>personally<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>sinned<\/strong><\/em>. They are human and were\/are\u00c2\u00a0answerable<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0to God, just like the rest of us for their sins!<\/p>\n

Here is the kicker<\/u><\/strong><\/em>! When Jesus called Peter a rock and said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153on this rock I will build my church,\u00c2\u00a0and the gates of Hell\u00c2\u00a0will not overcome it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He was\u00c2\u00a0guaranteeing<\/u><\/strong>something pretty important about\u00c2\u00a0Papal Authority<\/u>.
\nIf<\/u><\/strong><\/em>, as many have said, bad Popes caused the\u00c2\u00a0Holy Spirit<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0to\u00c2\u00a0leave<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0the Church which Jesus himself built on the Peter the Rock, wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t that mean the gates of Hell\u00c2\u00a0had<\/u><\/strong><\/em>overcome it?
\nThink<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0about that! Let it sink in. If it\u00c2\u00a0bothers<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0you,\u00c2\u00a0pray<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong>and ask the Holy Spirit to\u00c2\u00a0lead<\/strong>you to the\u00c2\u00a0Truth<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0of the matter.
\nGod is a God of\u00c2\u00a0order<\/u><\/strong><\/em>. He brings order from chaos. Look at the first thing he does in the bible in the first chapter of Genesis.
\nCan we say the world is in a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Spiritual Chaos\u00e2\u20ac\u009d of sorts with questions like Same\u00c2\u00a0Sex Marriage, Birth Control, Abortion,<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0and even\u00c2\u00a0Climate Change<\/u><\/strong><\/em>? I think we can. So who has the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Authority<\/strong>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to tell us\u00c2\u00a0how<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0God wants it all handled? Who can tell us what should be free and what needs to be bound up?
\nThe One with the\u00c2\u00a0Keys<\/u><\/strong><\/em>!
\nWhere do we find that in the Bible?
\nWhen\u00c2\u00a0Matthew<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0is\u00c2\u00a016<\/u><\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0years old he gets the\u00c2\u00a0keys!<\/u><\/strong><\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Where is The Pope In The Bible? ~ By Michael A. Barone Where is The Pope In The Bible? ~ By Michael A. Barone Well who died and made you the Boss? This is a made up conversation between St. Peter and any other apostle, which never really happened, but it illustrates a point. St. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-892","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmichaelspod.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/892","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmichaelspod.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmichaelspod.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmichaelspod.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmichaelspod.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=892"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmichaelspod.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/892\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":894,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmichaelspod.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/892\/revisions\/894"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmichaelspod.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=892"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}