My discoveries on the papacy =)

Whoa.....this is fascinating!  I just read some of the gospels and Acts.  Here's what I've come across:

Apparently, Matthew places more emphasis on Peter than the other disciples:

Matt 26:35 - But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same. (NIV)

Mark 16:7 says something similar:

"But go, tell his disciples and Peter..."

Again, Peter is the one that stands upas he tells the people about Jesus.  Peter is obviously singled out here:

Acts 2:14 says, "Then Peter stood up with the Eleven"

And again:

Acts 2:37 says, "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

And again:

Acts 5:29 - Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!

I also noticed that Peter is with John ministering together in Acts 3-5.  I wonder if there's a reason for that...actually wasn't John considered something like a bishop?  maybe that has something to do with John sending letters to 7 churches (Rev 1:4) =)

God bless!


-Jason

Originally posted by seebs


FWIW, I was raised Lutheran, and we were always told that it means just what it looks like - Peter was special among the apostles, and Christ was making a pun.

We've known for hundreds of years (since the discovery of the duck-billed platypus) that God has a sense of humor. Should we be surprised to find that He puns now and again?

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I highly doubt it's a pun! LOL! 

-Jason

Originally posted by jukesk9
So, my question posed to anyone who wants to respond, is this the first instance where Peter acts with infallibility?

Acts 2:38:

And Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

How do I make my case for this being the first instance?  Christ has ascended into Heaven and has sent the Apostles out to baptize all nations.  Now this may be far fetched (but what's a debate forum for anyway?) BUT....what do some missionaries say when asked about salvation?  They tell you to ask Jesus in your heart, heed the altar call, etc. etc.  These people are asking Peter what must they do to be saved and Peter tells them to A) repent and B) get baptized.  Far different than today's missionaries outside Rome. 

In this verse, you have the Trinity mysteriously present.  How?  All through the Gospels Jesus said to repent because the Kingdom of God the Father is at hand.  Peter says to repent, continuing the message.  That's the first step (to reach the Father).  Then he says be baptized in the name of Jesus, which is the second step (the Son) and thirdly he says you shall receive the Holy Spirit, the third person in the Trinity.  So it's all there in this one verse. 

How many times have we debated with the OSAS who say baptism isn't necessary?  Well, here you have it.  It is.  And declared so by the Vicar of Christ.  Just my .02 cents and I know I could be very wrong. 

Thank you.  I'll be here all week

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Hi Jukesk9, I'm in full agreement with you on the Acts 2:23 passage.  But there's many other passages which imply that salvation is done another way.  Here's what I mean:

By Hearing the Gospel & Belief in God: John 5:24: "He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life".

By Baptism: John 3:5: "Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.'"

By Grace & Faith, not Works: Ephesians 2:8,9: "For by grace are ye saved through faith…not of works."

By Faith & Works: James 2:17: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." By Keeping the Law: Matthew 19:17: "... if thou wilt enter unto life, keep the commandments."

By Belief in Christ: John 3:16: "…whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

By Belief and Baptism:</B> Mark 16:16: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."

By Words: Matthew 12:37: "For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."

By Calling on the Lord: Acts 2:21: "whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Not Works but by Grace &amp; Baptism: Titus 3:5: "Not by works…but according to his mercy…by the washing of regeneration." (Note: some denominations will say the washing refers to Christ’s blood and sacrifice.)

I'm not trying to start a debate, but in light of these verses, I'm confused about this 'how does one get saved' thing works.

Can anyone help? =)

Also, what exactly is papal infallibility?&nbsp; Does it mean that the Pope can't screw up when he's speaking?&nbsp; Is the basis for that simply that the Holy Spirit would guide him&nbsp;to proclaim truth?&nbsp; And whether he doesn't/does isn't dependant on papal infallibility?

-Jason

Ah ok that makes sense =)

-Jason