How could Peter be the First Pope, when James was head of the Jerusalem Church, and Peter was "only" one of the main pillars there, and Peter saw paul as being His co equal. to the Gentiles as he was tot he Jews?
And peter would have said "God forbid" that ANY church was founded and led by ANY other than His master and Lord Jesus!
Matthew 16 certainly is very symbolic of Peter's position. But here is the real "damning" command:
15So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon,
son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.”
16He said to him again a second time, “Simon,
son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.”
17He said to him the third time, “Simon,
sonof John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.
Put yourself in Peter's shoes, you are taken on the side and spoken to, you are receiving a direct command from Jesus.
Tend my Lambs, Shepherd My sheep, Tend My sheep.
I don't care what vote goes where, what crown is worn by what country's king, or if everyone on earth does not respect you.
God Almighty has laid out a command on you as being responsible for ALL of Christ' sheep.
Peter is absolutely in charge by command of Jesus Christ. Later he sole receives vision as to God's will for the church concerning gentiles and Judaisms. God could have sent an email to everyone's brain.
Never-mind having any "authority" we can TODAY all say Peter has ZERO, but since CHRIST laid on him 100% RESPONSIBILITY you have a totally different monster all together.
It cannot be stated any PLAINER That the Love of Christ is directly connected to the love of the sheep.
Peter is not commanded to love sheep as in loving lamb chops to eat, To shepherd them, tend them, and they are Christ's own treasured lambs.
Again bottom line:
The claim Peter is not Pope is laughable, which Pope is just a title of endearment
God Almighty has laid out a command on you as being responsible for ALL of Christ' sheep. From who or what do you need verification to otherwise!? This is worst then being "in charged" ..... You have been charged by God PERIOD!