Paul Rebuked Peter

There are those who claim that Peter was the first head of the church on Earth.  They have even bestowed upon him the title of “Pope.”  With that being said, the Bible shows that this notion and practice is unscriptural.  It is plainly stated, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church:  and he is the saviour of the body” (Eph. 5:23).  There is, and only will ever be, one head of the church, and that is Jesus Christ!  No other man, including Peter, deserves to be known for such distinction.

The church is the kingdom of Christ, and His kingdom has only one true King (Matt. 16:18-19; Col. 1:13).  Paul wrote, “I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:  Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see:  to whom be honour and power everlasting.  Amen” (1 Tim. 6:13-16).

After such simple and clear Scriptures, you would think that men would reject and abandon the false notion of Peter being the first so-called “Pope.”  Instead there are still multitudes who vehemently defend such error.  Let us further examine the Scriptures to show that such blind loyalty is misplaced.

In the second chapter of the book of Galatians, Paul relays the account of when he, Barnabas, and Titus took a trip to the city of Jerusalem (Gal. 2:1).  He explained, “And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain” (Gal. 2:2).  He then began to discuss a problem that was ongoing with the church in the first century.  Unfortunately, there were some Jews who claimed that in order for a man to be saved, he needed to be circumcised according to the Old Law.  Paul called them “false brethren”” (Gal. 2:4).  Rightfully so, Paul taught against that idea because as he put it, “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of you flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities, and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Col. 2:13-15).  To the Galatians, he wrote, “To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you” (Gal. 2:5).  Paul was determined to stop such false doctrine from gaining ground.  He even mentioned how that James, Cephas, and John, who were of Jewish background, had extended to he and Barnabas “the right hands of fellowship.”  This was a way of Jewish brethren showing their approval and support for what Paul and Barnabas had been teaching and preaching.

Every thing seemed to be going well, until one certain encounter with Peter.  Keep in mind, Jews and Gentiles that obeyed the Gospel were in complete fellowship with one another, but unfortunately, Peter still had some growing and strengthening of his faith to do.  Paul wrote, “But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.  For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles:  but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.  And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.  But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and do not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews” (Gal. 2:11-14).

Paul was absolutely right to point out the hypocrisy and error of Peter.  Yet, if Peter were the first “pope,” how would Paul have been correct in rebuking him.  The answer is that he would not have been right.  This further shows that Peter never was the head of the church, or a “pope.”
~ Corey Barnette