The Primacy of Peter—Is It Biblical?

FOR CENTURIES, many have taught that Peter was the first "Pope" (Latin: 'papa', or father) and the "rock" upon which Christ built His Church. But does Scripture actually support this idea? Is the doctrine of papal succession rooted in the Bible, or is it a later tradition?

A closer look at Matthew 16:18-19, the role of James in Acts 15, and Christ’s teachings on leadership reveals a very different picture—one of shared leadership, servant-heartedness, and humility, not hierarchical dominance.

What Did Jesus Mean in Matthew 16:18-19?

The cornerstone text often cited to defend Peter’s primacy is Matthew 16:18–19:

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (NKJV)

The Greek reveals an important distinction. Jesus says, “You are Petros [a small stone], and upon this petra [a massive rock] I will build my church.” Christ may have been pointing to Peter’s confession of faith—“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v.16)—as the true foundation.

Many scholars, such as D.A. Carson and Craig Keener, observe that while Peter had a prominent role, the focus is ultimately on the faith in Christ as the Church’s foundation—not Peter himself.

Moreover, Scripture elsewhere affirms that Christ alone is the "Rock of our salvation" (1 Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 2:20). Even Peter later wrote that Jesus is the “chief cornerstone” (1 Peter 2:6). He never claimed to be the "rock".

Acts 15--Who Led the Early Church?

If Peter were the undisputed leader of the early Church, we would expect him to preside over key gatherings. But in Acts 15, during the Jerusalem Council—a major doctrinal decision on circumcision for Gentiles—it was James, not Peter, who appears to lead:

“And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, ‘Men and brethren, listen to me...’” (Acts 15:13)

James gave the final decision (vv. 19–21), not Peter. While Peter gave important testimony, he didn’t render judgment. This shows a plurality of leadership, not a single Pope-like figure.

No Scriptural Support for Papal Succession

The Bible never outlines a doctrine of apostolic succession in the Roman Catholic sense—where Peter's supposed authority is passed down to a line of Popes in Rome. In fact, Scripture shows multiple apostles and elders working together, with no mention of a single, supreme human authority after Christ.

When Judas died, the apostles sought to replace him—but not Peter’s supposed position. And when Paul speaks of church government in his epistles, he emphasizes "elders" and "deacons", not Popes or bishops with centralized control (Titus 1:5; Philippians 1:1).

What's with the Title "Pope"?

As mentioned earlier, the term “Pope”, derived from the Latin 'papa'—meaning “father”—has long been used to refer to the bishop of Rome as the supreme head of the Roman Catholic Church. But this very title contradicts Jesus’ own command:

“Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.” (Matthew 23:9)

Here, Jesus wasn’t speaking about biological fathers, but about spiritual authority and the tendency of religious leaders to exalt themselves. By taking the title “Holy Father”, the Pope assumes a role that Jesus explicitly said belongs to God alone. This should raise red flags for any Bible-believing Christian. The point is clear: spiritual titles that promote superiority or hierarchy among God’s people is prohibited. Claiming the title of God the Father is equally blasphemous!

The title “Pope,” the concept of apostolic succession, and the authoritarian structure of the papacy all reflect more of Rome and Babylon than the teachings of Jesus. True Christian leadership is not about titles, thrones, or robes—but about washing feet (John 13:14–15), feeding the flock (John 21:17), and serving one another in love (Galatians 5:13).

Jesus Rejected Top-Down Leadership

Christ specifically warned against adopting the Gentile model of hierarchical rule:

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them... Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.” (Matthew 20:25–26)

Jesus turned the worldly leadership pyramid upside down. His model was not about control from the top, but service from the bottom up.

He Himself gave the ultimate example:

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve...” (Mark 10:45)

Was Paul Also a Church Leader?

Absolutely. The apostle Paul was appointed directly by Christ (Galatians 1:1). He wrote the majority of the New Testament and led missionary journeys that established churches across the Roman world. Paul rebuked Peter publicly in Galatians 2:11–14 for hypocrisy—hardly something a subordinate would do to a Pope!

Paul called himself a servant and emphasized mutual submission in the Body of Christ (Ephesians 5:21). His ministry proves that spiritual authority comes from Christ, not from ecclesiastical titles or positions of hierarchy.

Peter’s Own Example of Humility

Ironically, the very apostle often claimed to be the “first Pope” taught against lording over others. In 1 Peter 5:1–3, he exhorts elders to:

“Shepherd the flock of God which is among you... not as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”

This is a far cry from papal supremacy. Peter saw himself as a fellow elder, not as the supreme leader of the Church.

The Babylonian Model of Leadership

Many scholars point out that the modern top-down Church hierarchy mirrors the ancient Babylonian system, not the servant-leadership modeled by Christ. The Old Testament describes Babylon as a city of spiritual confusion and oppression (Genesis 11; Revelation 17). The adoption of ecclesiastical rank, titles, and centralized authority mirrors worldly empires more than the humble fellowship of believers in Acts 2:42–47.

True Leadership in the Church

The idea of Peter as the first Pope, or of a centralized religious hierarchy, does not hold up under biblical scrutiny. Jesus is the foundation of the Church. Peter was a faithful servant—but not the supreme leader. James led the council in Jerusalem. Paul labored mightily as an apostle to the Gentiles. And all of them rejected worldly leadership models in favor of humble, servant-hearted collaboration.

Leadership in the Body of Christ is not about rank, but responsibility. It’s not about titles, but servanthood. Christ's Church is a living organism, not a human institution. It’s built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ Himself as the Chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20), not Peter.

A Return to Shared Leadership

Thus, the Biblical model of leadership is servanthood. It is collegial, collaborative, humble, and Spirit-led—not hierarchical and authoritarian. Let us follow the voice of the true Shepherd and return to the biblical model—where Christ is the Head, the Word is our guide, and every member of the Body serves in humility and love!