Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
So ironically Jesus changed Simon's name to Peter and then boasted on how small of a rock he was compared to Him?
It doesn't make sense. He said " You are "rock" and on this "rock I will build my church."
Maybe people really don't understand what kind of authority Jesus gave Peter. Jesus did not make Peter His equal or anything like that if that is what people make of what Peter became after that moment.
Sanct, honestly, all you are doing is illustrating why there are schisms in Christianity. All of this has been gone over a thousand times and no one is going to change his mind.
So again, why change Simon's name to Peter? If He didn't want to build His Church on Peter why change his name? I don't think it matters whether Jesus called Peter "big rock," "little rock," "pebble," or "sand." If you finish the reading, it shows that Christ gave Peter authority. Apparently the other disciples took it the same way or we wouldn't have a Pope now. It all adds up.
Assuming Peter was the "rock", not Jesus, where do we find any indication that Peter could pass that authority on to another man?
Where do we find anyone after Peter, in scripture, spoken of as having that authority? How would we verify the claimed authority was valid and not self serving?
Sanct, honestly, all you are doing is illustrating why there are schisms in Christianity. All of this has been gone over a thousand times and no one is going to change his mind.
Maybe there's more to it than we both think. I have a gut feeling that we are both missing something like the possibility that we are both right. Does that make sense?
Maybe Jesus built His Church on Peter, but supplied the building blocks of His word to Peter. I don't know if you are catching what I am saying or not, but I bet that we are both right in some way.
Assuming Peter was the "rock", not Jesus, where do we find any indication that Peter could pass that authority on to another man?
Where do we find anyone after Peter, in scripture, spoken of as having that authority? How would we verify the claimed authority was valid and not self serving?
Here is an explanation of the Priesthood and why there is one. Jut take a look and maybe you can see where we get the Apostolic succession. It will probably explain it better than I ever could.
Here is an explanation of the Priesthood and why there is one. Jut take a look and maybe you can see where we get the Apostolic succession. It will probably explain it better than I ever could.
There is nothing in scripture about '"postolic succession". That is a claim made by men to increase their authority. Real successors would act like apostles, not like human kings and princes. See the difference?
No special palaces, special clothes, grand titles, bowing and other such acts. Jesus and the apostles set an example. Now who is following it?
So again, why change Simon's name to Peter? If He didn't want to build His Church on Peter why change his name? I don't think it matters whether Jesus called Peter "big rock," "little rock," "pebble," or "sand." If you finish the reading, it shows that Christ gave Peter authority. Apparently the other disciples took it the same way or we wouldn't have a Pope now. It all adds up.
As it was stated earlier:
The Greek makes it clear that Jesus spoke of building his church not on a
person, but on a rock-solid confession of him as the Son of God and the promised Savior.
also concerning authority :
Jesus did not tell Peter that only he was given the keys of the kingdom of heaven
(Matthew 16:19). Jesus explained that all Christians possess the keys, the authority to forgive
sins or retain sins (Matthew 18:15-20)
It has been well noted that Peter’s life can be separated into three major periods: training, leadership, and declining prominence. Peter assumed the leadership of the early church in Jerusalem but faded into the background once Paul emerged, who as you know was appointed to preach beyond Jerusalem.
How can you have authority to "retain" sins of others when the scripture says you must forgive others if you want God to forgive you? Do you consider yourself equal with God?
How ? very simple ... Jesus said.
John 20:22-23
" And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
and since in Acts 2:38 states:
Acts 2:38 “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
That means every believer receives the Holy Spirit ... which includes the authority to retain as Jesus' words said in John 20:22-23
Seems to me that humans have an inherent tendency to split into factions, whether they be political or religious or otherwise. Christianity starting splitting almost from the beginning. Peter and Paul had a famous disagreement about gentile circumcision, for example (Paul won the argument; so much for Peter being in charge). There were a lot of debates in the early years about the nature of Jesus. In Islam, we see the animosity between Shiite and Sunni. Every religion seems to have its factions. So does every political party. It's just human nature to divide rather than unite, unfortunately.
There is nothing in scripture about '"postolic succession". That is a claim made by men to increase their authority. Real successors would act like apostles, not like human kings and princes. See the difference?
No special palaces, special clothes, grand titles, bowing and other such acts. Jesus and the apostles set an example. Now who is following it?
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.