Role of the Bishop of Rome

Simon Peter was born circa first century and died about AD 64. Peter played a critical role in the early church at Jerusalem, serving as the one who would preach the gospel to his people, the Jews. This important status of Peter began at his confession of faith in Jesus when Jesus asked the Twelve whom they believed he was. Simon, his leadership already being established among the Twelve as spokesman, exhorts him saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). “Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 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’” (Matthew 16:17-18, NIV). This is the reason why Jesus changes his name from Simon to Peter which, when translated, means a rock. Peter was the first to see Jesus Christ as the Risen LORD and the first to make a profession of faith in His deity. For this reason Jesus gives the apostle a special status among the Twelve and signifies this by changing his name from Simon to Peter. “Peter” was not a typical name for anyone during this time; therefore it is safe to assume that Jesus is giving Peter a symbolic designation of his function as the “rock” of the church. Jesus knew that he could trust Peter with greater things because he had been faithful with little. This idea of Christ choosing the Apostle Peter to be his shepherd has led to conflicting interpretations about the role of his successors. Perhaps one of the greatest theological conflicts in the history of the church, one that has divided the two oldest branches of Christianity for centuries now, has to do with the authority that resides in the Bishop of Rome. It is believed by Church historians that Peter was the first Bishop of the Roman Church, and even St. Peter’s Basilica was constructed over his grave. If Peter is the first Pope of Rome, then his successors as the Bishops of Rome receive Peter’s authority from Christ, which is taken from Matthew 16:18. The question arises however: Is the Bishop of Rome the supreme pontiff or should his office be understood as first among equals? To Roman Catholics the Pope is superior, but to Eastern Orthodox he is not. This one dispute was a major reason for the Great Schism in 1054 and why Catholics and Orthodox remain divided to this day. I do not know how I feel about this or whom I believe is right about the role of the successors of Peter. However, if the pope would give in to the desires of the Orthodox, that he consider himself “first among equals” rather than “supreme pontiff,” I believe the unity that once prevailed in the first 1,000 years of Church history would be restored. If the Eastern “Catholics” and Western “Catholics” once again unite, Protestants may awaken from a long sleep and return to their roots. There is a role for the Bishop of Rome in all Christendom. Many of the teachings of the first pope serve as the basic, fundamental beliefs of orthodox Christianity. Peter grew as a man unafraid to defy his fears. He was able to do what was required of him, even though he may have been plagued with thorns in his side. Peter, a man of such astounding faith, was still susceptible to human failure. Examples of heroes of the faith like Saint Peter who failed at times give other Christians hope that we will persevere with the assistance of the Holy Spirit and one day overcome even the evils of division in Christ’s body. It may be difficult in today’s world to find someone as committed to Christ as was the Apostle Peter; perhaps Pope John Paul II or Benedict the XVI? Peter was committed to his Lord to such an extent that it cost him his life by crucifixion upside down; many of the popes have suffered martyrdom. Yes, Peter and some of his successors to the bishopric of Rome were killed as a result of bearing the name of Christ to the end. And so Peter stands as a “Rock” upon which Christ built his church. That the popes are the successors of Peter according to the Catholic Church may be of no value to some, but it is a testament to how much their lives have impacted the Church and even the world.