"Matt 16:18 is the only passage used as a foundation for RC's claim of Roman papal supremacy. It struck me odd as I read the bible with any spiritual understanding after conversion in '75 that there was a complete lack of any other witness to this RC doctrine in the NT."
False, but even if it were, it would be enough. There are numerous passages from the Gospels where Peter is clearly the leader of the Apostles. Jesus often isolated Peter, James and John for special experiences--mount of configuration etc. Peter was always the leader after Jesus. Finally Jesus tells Peter, 'do you love me' and Peter says "yes". Jesus says feed my sheep. He repeats it three times showing that Peter had the primary responsibility among the Apostles. Read the Gospels carefully without your Protestant blinders (I was there once and know that those blinders can predispose your mind and heart to error.)
In Acts 15 the Apostles and leaders of the Church meet in what is consider the First Ecumenical Council. Peter is clearly the definitive voice in that meeting where the Church leadership passes rules binding on all the local Churches. Paul and Barnabas are sent by the Apostolic leaders to deliver the decisions Peter and the Council to all the local Churches that Paul had founded. This clearly shows that Paul acknowledged Peter and the Apostlolic leadership.
[7] And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
[8] And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
[9] And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
[10] Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
[11] But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
[12] Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
[13] And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
[14] Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
[15] And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
[16] After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
[17] That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
[18] Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
[19] Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
[20] But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
[21] For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
[22] Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
[23] And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
[24] Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
[25] It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
[26] Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[27] We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
[28] For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
[29] That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
[30] So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:
[31] Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
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"Paul would have been required to command all his churches to submit to Peter and his successors. Not doing so made Paul negligen....." Paul did just that! By delivering the decision of Peter and the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, Paul and Barnabas acknowledged that leadership.
You are also fighting against centuries and centuries of early Church history in both East and West that clearly acknowledge and support the leadership of Peters successors. |
