Evangelism and Apologetics
Papacy

The locus classicus – Mt. 16:18 ff. 

Cephas receives a new name. Naming someone has special significance in Hebrew culture. E.g., when a father names a child he takes legal responsibility for that child. Note other characters in biblical history who received new names from God – Abram, Sarai and Jacob. 

Peter means rock. Evangelicals used to say that “petros” – the name given to Peter – means a small stone but “petra” – the rock on which Christ would build – means a large, foundation stone, so that Jesus was saying “you are a small stone, but on this large foundation stone I will build my church.” Almost all evangelical scholars have given up on that and recognize that Peter is the rock of Mt. 16, mostly because (1) the Greek doesn’t support the distinction between between petros and petra, and (2) Jesus almost certainly spoke in Aramaic (see Jn. 1:42) in which there would be no distinction between the words. 

The power of the keys refers to administrative authority, like a steward, or prime minister. Note the parallels between Mt. 16 and Is. 22:22. A steward (or prime minister, or major domo) is a man who is “over the house” (Gen 41:40; 1 Ki 4:6; 16:9; 18:3; etc.).

Bind and loose were terms used by the rabbis to mean “forbid” and “permit.” Note that Peter receives individually what “two or three” apostles receive collectively (Mt. 18:18). 

Peter received his understanding of Christ by a revelation from God. (Mt. 16:17) 

Other evidence of Petrine Priority

Peter’s name is mentioned the most of any disciple (191 times – John is the next closest at 48). 

Peter’s name always occurs first in every list of the apostles (Mt 10:2; Mk 3:16; Lk 6:14; Acts 1:13), even among the “inner circle” of Peter, James and John (Mt 17:1; 26:37,40; Mk 5:37; 14:37). Matthew explicitly calls him “first.” 

Peter is always the chief spokesman (Mk 8:29; Mt 18:21; Lk 9:5; 12:41; Jn 6:67 ff., Acts 2:37-41, 4:1-13, 5:15) and is sometimes singled out among the apostles (Mt. 16:7, Mk. 1:36, Luke 9:32, Acts 2:37, 5:29, 1 Cor. 15:5, Luke 24:34). 

Christ often associates Himself uniquely with Peter, e.g., in the tribute money (Mt. 17:24-27) and by performing miracles in Peter’s boat (Lk. 5:3). 

Knowing that all would fall away, Christ prays for Peter’s faith (Luke 22:32), and commands him to strengthen his brethren. 

Peter takes the lead among the apostles in calling for a replacement for Judas (Acts 1:22). 

Peter is the first in the church to … 
•	Preach the Gospel (Acts 2:14-26),
•	Work a miracle (Acts 3:6-12), 
•	Pronounce a curse (Acts 5:1-11),
•	Raise the dead (Acts 9:20),
•	Receive the Gentiles (Acts 10) 

Answering Common objections

Christ is the rock (1 Cor. 10:4), not Peter. 

We can’t read the Bible like a mathematics text. Words that are applied to God are sometimes applied to others, and words that are applied to Christ are sometimes applied to others. E.g., 
God is the rock, but …	Abraham is also a rock. 
(2 Sam. 22:32)	(Is. 51:1-2)

	Christ is the foundation, but …	the apostles are also foundations 
	(1 Cor. 3:11) 	(Eph. 2:20). 

	Christ is the Good Shepherd, but …	bishops are also shepherds 
	(John 10:11)	(Acts 20:28)

Some popes have been notorious sinners. Even Peter erred in Antioch. 

Infallibility is not the same thing as impeccability. Infallibility means that God will prevent the pope from teaching error on faith or morals for the entire church. It does not mean he won’t be a sinner.