The Difference Between Popes and the Priesthood of All Believers!" - Matthew 16
Verses for the Day
But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[c] will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[d] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[e] loosed in heaven.”
As Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem, he takes a moment to check in with the disciples. He wants to get an idea of who they think he is. Peter is the first one to answer and this time he gets it right. He says Jesus is the "You are the Christ, the Son of Living God".
Peter says, "Jesus is the Christ", which means "He is the Messiah". Peter connected the dots between the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah and Jesus fulfillment of them. Peter also affirmed Jesus as the "Son of the Living God". By saying this he is asserting that Jesus is equal with God.
Jesus immediately affirms Peter's answer. Peter was "spot on". Peter's answer was revealed to him by the Father in heaven. It reminds us that if we are able to confess that "Jesus is our Messiah and Lord" it has been revealed to us by the Father. We can't take credit for our faith. While we may choose Jesus, He chose us first.
But then Jesus says something that has been debated by centuries in the church. Jesus calls Peter, "The rock on which I will build my church." There is a wordplay on Peter's name and the word "rock". They both come from same the Greek word, "petros". Though this is Peter's Roman name, it also gives meaning to the role Jesus would Peter in the first church. We see the Peter the Rock taking a big role in church in the book of Acts
Peter opened the doors for the Jews in Acts 2, and the doors for the Gentiles in Acts 10. In Acts 15, when the church met at Jerusalem to decide whether Gentile men needed to be circumcised, Peter and James declared that it was not right to make it difficult for the Gentiles to come to faith. This is one of the first times the apostolic church spoke with the authority Jesus had given them.
The Catholic Church uses this passage to say that Peter was the first pope in the church. As the pope, he had the authority to speak for God and it was binding for the church. An apostle who succeeded Peter was called to be the next pope. We call this "apostolic succession" and the "historical episcopate ". Under this view each pope is selected through a process called the "conclave".
"The historic episcopate is the unbroken, continuous line of bishops tracing back to the Apostles, representing a core element in Anglicanism, Orthodoxy, and Catholicism for preserving church tradition, unity, and apostolic faith through successive ordinations, though its administration can adapt locally. It's seen as a visible sign of the Church's connection to its origins, ensuring doctrinal continuity and oversight." Google AI
The Protestant view of the church is that all authority in the church is derived from the Word of God. Therefore, Peter's confession is the confession of faith that justifies us before God. It is by this confession of faith in Jesus that we become part of His church. Peter says this about us,
"As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 2:4-5
This doesn't mean the Protestant church doesn't believe authority has been given to it by God. Protestant churches ordain pastors who teach and preach with the authority Jesus has given them.
Here is a good summary of a pastor's authority which is derived from the bible only.
Biblical authority for pastors is delegated, spiritual, and limited to God's Word, meaning they lead by serving, teaching Scripture, setting an example, and overseeing the flock, rather than lording over them; their role is to steward the church under Christ's ultimate authority, with the congregation called to respect and follow them as they faithfully watch over their souls. Pastors have authority to guide, correct, and equip, but it stems from their office and the Bible, not personal power, and they are accountable to God for their stewardship. Google AI
"Elders and deacons" are also given authority in the bible. The elders are the spiritual overseers of the church and make decisions for the good of the church. Deacons play a valuable role in the administration of the church. This is called the "elder/deacon" model of church governance. Most Protestant churches use this model of governance though different names are given for the elders and deacons and the boards they serve on. I.e., Session, Presbytery, Council, Board
Paul uses the term "priesthood of all believers" to illustrate we are "little priests". A priest is a mediator between God and man. We are little priests in the sense that we can connect people to God through sharing of the gospel with them. Therefore, every believer has the authority to preach the gospel, pray for healing in Jesus' name, and give spiritual support and encouragement to other believers.
An example of this would be a "bible study leader". Though they don't hold an office, or aren't an ordained pastor, they can teach the bible and other studies, and facilitate people's growth as disciples of Jesus.
This is the authority Jesus gave to all His disciples in Matthew 28:19-20 when Jesus said,
"All authority has been given to me, therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded. And I am with you until the end of the age."
Application
1. Did you know Jesus has given you authority to make disciples in your church?
2. What are the main differences of the Catholic model of “apostolic succession”, and the Protestant view of the "priesthood of all believers"?
3. Jesus is still building His church, and he has called each one of us to be a part of it. On the rock of our confession of faith in Jesus, he will build his church until He returns in great and promised glory!
Prayer of the Day
Jesus, you called us to confess you as the Messiah and Son of the Living God. Give us faith to rely on this confession as we seek to build up Your church on earth as it is in heaven. Help us to be faithful until you return! Amen.
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