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NASB | Romans 3:28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 3:28 For we maintain that an individual is justified by faith distinctly apart from works of the Law [the observance of which has nothing to do with justification, that is, being declared free of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]. |
Bible Question (short): Was Peter the Leader? |
Question (full): Greetings Brian! I was doing some research to find out why the Catholic Church believes that Peter was supreme among the other apostles. I found this quote: "For this position he had already been designated (Matt., xvi, 15 sqq.) on an occasion previous to that just mentioned: at Cæsarea Philippi, Christ had declared him to be the rock on which He would build His Church, thus affirming that the continuance and increase of the Church would rest on the office created in the person of Peter. To him, moreover, were to be given the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven -- an expression signifying the gift of plenary authority (Is., xxii, 22). The promise thus made was fulfilled after the Resurrection, on the occasion narrated in John, xxi. Here Christ employs a simile used on more than one occasion by Himself to denote His own relation to the members of His Church -- that of the shepherd and his flock. His solemn charge, "Feed my sheep", constituted Peter the common shepherd of the whole collective flock. (For a further consideration of the Petrine texts see article PRIMACY.) To the twelve Christ committed the charge of spreading the kingdom among all nations, appointing the rite of baptism as the one means of admission to a participation in its privileges (Matt., xxviii, 19)." (Full article can be accessed at: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03744a.htm) I have two main problems with this presentation. 1) We do not see anywhere in the New Testament that Peter functions as the chief of the apostles. In fact, a stronger case could be made for James than for Peter. Peter is shown in Acts as presenting his case before the other apostles and waiting for their decision. Peter is opposed by Paul. Even the historical references to the early church structure (I think the article did a good job of summarizing these) affirm that structure existed, but none of them name Peter as head of anything. 2) I also have problem with the interpretation presented of Mt. 16:18. The text says, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." The problem here is that there are two different words used in the Greek text. Jesus said to Peter, "You are 'Petros'." However, He said that it would be upon the 'petra' that He would build His church. I am not trying to force you to defend an entire faith. I am simply curious as to how you would address these concerns. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |