Below are some Scripture listings from a Catholic apologetics site (
www.scripturecatholic.com/) that apply to some of the subjects we've been discussing.
While I don't think some of the quotes exactly apply, there are some pertinent points in the listings, so I thought I would post them, for whatever it's worth.
Bear in mind, again, that these are interpreted from the Catholic viewpoint, and again, that you are not required to agree with them if you are not Catholic.
I apologize for the length.
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Peter being the head of the Apostles:
Matt. to Rev. - Peter is mentioned 155 times and the rest of apostles combined are mentioned 130 times. Peter is always listed first except in 1 Cor 3:22 and Gal. 2:9 (exceptions to the rule).
Mt 10:2; Mk 1:36; 3:16; Lk 6:14-16; Act 1:3; 2:37; 5:29 - some of many examples where Peter is mentioned first among the apostles.
Matt. 14:28-29 - Peter has the faith to walk on water. What other man has walked on water? This faith ultimately did not fail.
Matt. 16:16, Mark 8:29; John 6:69 - Peter is first among the apostles to confess the divinity of Christ.
Matt. 16:17 - Peter alone is told he has received divine knowledge by a special revelation.
Matt. 16:18 - Jesus builds the Church only on Peter, the rock, with the other apostles as the foundation and Jesus as the Head.
Matt. 16:19 - only Peter receives the keys, which mandate leadership over the Church and dynastic succession.
Matt. 17:24-25 - the tax collector approaches Peter for Jesus' tax. Peter is the spokesman for Jesus. He is the Vicar of Christ.
Matt. 17:26-27 - Jesus pays the half-shekel tax with one shekel, for both Jesus and Peter. Peter is Christ's representative on earth.
Matt. 18:21 - in the presence of the disciples, Peter asks Jesus about the rule of forgiveness.
Matt. 19:27 - Peter speaks on behalf of the apostles by telling Jesus that they have left everything to follow Him.
Mark 10:28 - Peter speaks on behalf of the disciples by declaring that they have left everything to follow Him.
Mark 11:21 - Peter speaks on behalf of the disciples in remembering Jesus' curse on the fig tree.
Mark 14:37 - at Gethsemane, Jesus asks Peter, and no one else, why he was asleep. He will be the head of the apostles.
Mark 16:7 - Peter is specified by an angel as the leader of the apostles as the angel confirms the resurrection of Christ.
Luke 5:4,10 - Jesus instructs Peter to let down the nets for a catch, and the miraculous catch follows. The Pope is the "fisher of men."
Luke 7:40-50- Jesus addresses Peter regarding the rule of forgiveness and Peter answers on behalf of the disciples.
Luke 8:45 - when Jesus asked who touched His garment, Peter answers on behalf of the disciples.
Luke 8:51; 9:28; 22:8; Acts 1:13; 3:1,3,11; 4:13,19; 8:14 - Peter is always mentioned before John, the disciple whom Jesus loved.
Luke 9:28;33 - Peter is mentioned first as going to mountain of transfiguration and the only one to speak at the transfiguration.
Luke 12:41 - Peter seeks clarification of a parable on behalf on the disciples.
Luke 22:31-32 - Jesus prays for Peter alone, that his faith may not fail, and charges him to strengthen the rest of the apostles.
Luke 24:12, John 20:4-6 - John arrived at tomb first but stopped and waited for Peter. Peter then arrived and entered the tomb first.
Luke 24:34 - the two disciples distinguish Peter even though they both had seen the risen Jesus the previous hour. Luke 24:33.
John 6:68 - after the disciples leave, Peter is the first to speak and confess his belief in Christ after the Eucharistic discourse.
John 13:6-9 - Peter speaks out to the Lord in front of the apostles concerning the washing of feet.
John 13:36; 21:18 - Jesus predicts Peter's death. Peter was martyred at Rome in 67 A.D. Several hundred years of papal successors were also martyred.
John 21:2-3,11 - Peter leads the fishing and his net doesn't break. The boat (the "barque of Peter") is a metaphor for the Church.
John 21:7 - only Peter got out of the boat and ran to the shore to meet Jesus. Peter is the earthly shepherd leading us to God.
John 21:15 - in front of the apostles, Jesus asks Peter if he loves Jesus "more than these (the other apostles)." Peter is the head of the apostolic see.
John 21:15-17 - Jesus charges Peter to "feed my lambs," "tend my sheep," "feed my sheep." Sheep = all people, even the apostles.
Acts 1:13 - Peter is first when entering upper room after our Lord's ascension. The first Eucharist and Pentecost were given in this room.
Acts 1:15 - Peter initiates selection of successor to Judas. If the Church needed a successor to Judas, wouldn't it need one to Peter? Of course.
Acts 2:14 - Peter is first to speak for the apostles after the Holy Spirit descended upon them at Pentecost. Peter is the first to preach the Gospel.
Acts 2:38 - Peter gives first preaching in the early Church on repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.
Acts 3:1,3,4 - Peter is mentioned first as going to the Temple to pray.
Acts 3:6-7 - Peter works the first healing of the apostles.
Acts 3:12-26, 4:8-12 - Peter teaches the early Church the healing through Jesus and that there is no salvation other than Christ.
Acts 5:3 - Peter declares first anathema of Ananias and Sapphira which is ratified by God, and brings about their death. Peter exercises his binding authority.
Acts 5:15 - Peter's shadow has healing power. No other apostle is said to have this power.
Acts 8:14 - Peter is mentioned first in conferring the sacrament of confirmation.
Acts 8:20-23 - Peter casts judgment on Simon's quest for gaining authority through the laying on of hands. Peter exercises his binding and loosing authority.
Acts 9:32-34 - Peter is mentioned first among apostles and works healing of Aeneas.
Acts 9:38-40 - Peter is mentioned first among the apostles and raises Tabitha from the dead.
Acts 10:5 - Cornelius is told by an angel to call upon Peter. Angels are messengers of God. Peter has a divine vision.
Acts 10:34-48, 11:1-18 - Peter is first to teach about salvation for all (Jews and Gentiles).
Acts 12:5 - implies that the "whole Church" offered "earnest prayers" for Peter, their leader, during his imprisonment.
Acts 12:6-11 - Peter is freed from jail by an angel. He is the first object of divine intervention in the early Church.
Acts 15:7-12 - Peter resolves first doctrinal issue on circumcision at Church's first council at Jerusalem. After Peter the Papa spoke, all were kept silent.
Acts 15:12 - only after Peter (the Pope) speaks do Paul and Barnabas (bishops) speak in support of Peter's definitive teaching.
Acts 15:13-14 - then James speaks showing Peter's definitive teaching. "Simeon (Peter) has related how God first visited..."
Rom. 15:20 - Paul says he doesn't want to build on "another man's foundation" referring to Peter, who built the Church in Rome.
1 Cor. 15:4-8 - Paul distinguishes Jesus' post-resurrection appearances to Peter from those of the other apostles.
Gal.1:18 - Paul spends fifteen days with Peter privately before beginning his ministry, even after Christ's Revelation to Paul.
1 Peter 5:1 - Peter acts as the chief bishop by "exhorting" all the other bishops and elders of the Church.
1 Peter 5:13 - Peter writes from Rome (Babylon was a code name for Rome during these days of persecution).
2 Peter 1:14 - Peter writes about Jesus' prediction of Peter's death, embracing the eventual martyrdom that he would suffer.
2 Peter 3:16 - Peter is making a judgment on the proper interpretation of Paul's letters. Peter is the chief shepherd of the flock.
Matt. 23:11; Mark 9:35; 10:44 - yet Peter, as the first, humbled himself to be the last and servant of all servants.
Office of ministry being handed to the Apostles, not to the entire assembly:
I. Ordained Leaders Share in Jesus' Ministry and Authority
Matt. 10:1,40 - he who receives you, receives Me, and he who rejects you, rejects Me and the One who sent Me.
Matt. 16:19; 18:18 - the apostles are given Christ's authority to make visible decisions on earth that will be ratified in heaven.
Luke 9:1; 10:19 - Jesus gives apostles authority over the natural and the supernatural (diseases, demons, serpents, and scorpions).
Luke 10:16 - he who hears you, hears Me. The Son's authority is transferred to the apostles. God exalts His children.
Luke 22:29 - Father gives the kingdom to the Son, and the Son gives the kingdom to the apostles. The gift is transferred.
John 5:30 - similarly, Jesus as man does nothing of His own authority, but He acts under the authority of the Father.
John 7:16-17 - Jesus as man states that His authority is not His own, but from God. He will transfer this authority to other men.
John 8:28 - Jesus says He does nothing on His own authority. Similarly, the apostles will do nothing on their own authority.
John 12:49 - Father's authority is transferred to the Son. The Son does not speak on his own. This is a transfer of divine authority.
John 13:20 - he who receives anyone who I send, receives Me. He who receives the apostles, receives Christ Himself.
John 14:10 - Jesus says the Word He speaks is not His own authority, but from the Father. The gift is from the Father to Jesus to the apostles.
John 16:14-15 - what the Father has, the Son has, and the Son gives it to the apostles. Authority is not lessened or mitigated.
John 17:18; 20:21 - as the Father sends the Son, the Son sends the apostles. The apostles have divinely appointed authority.
Acts 20:28 - apostles are shepherds and guardians / 1 Peter 2:25 - Jesus is the Shepherd and Guardian.
Eph. 2:20 - the Christian faith is built upon the foundation of the apostles - "foundation" proves it does not die with apostles, but carries on through succession.
Eph. 2:20; Rev. 21:9,14 - household, Bride of the Lamb, the new Jerusalem = Church whose foundation is the apostles.
II. Authority is Transferred by the Sacrament of Ordination
Acts 1:15-26 - the first thing Peter does is implement succession. Matthias is ordained with full apostolic authority.
Acts 1:20 - successor of Judas is chosen. The authority of his office (bishopric) is respected notwithstanding his egregious sin.
Acts 1:22 - literally, "one must be ordained" to be a witness with us of His resurrection. Apostolic ordination is required.
Acts 6:6 - apostolic authority is transferred through the laying on of hands (ordination). Authority transfers beyond the twelve.
Acts 8:17; 19:6 - Luke clearly states that the Holy Spirit is transferred beyond original apostles by the laying on of hands.
Acts 9:17-19 - even Paul, who was directly chosen by Christ, only becomes a minister after the laying on of hands by a bishop.
Acts 13:3 - apostolic authority is transferred through the laying on of hands (ordination). This must come from a Catholic bishop.
Acts 14:23 - the apostles and newly-ordained men appointed elders to have authority throughout the Church.
Acts 15:22-27 - preachers of the Word must be sent by the bishops in union with the Church. We must trace this authority to the apostles.
2 Cor. 1:21-22 - Paul writes that God has commissioned certain men and sealed them with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee.
Col 1:25 - Paul calls his position a divine "office." An office has successors. It does not terminate at death. Or it's not an office.
1 Tim. 3:1 - Paul uses the word "episcopoi" (bishop) which requires an office. An office has successors.
1 Tim. 4:14 - again, apostolic authority is transferred through the laying on of hands (ordination).
1 Tim. 5:22 - Paul urges Timothy to be careful in laying on the hands (ordaining others). The gift of authority is a reality.
2 Tim. 1:6 - Paul again reminds Timothy the unique gift of God that he received through the laying on of hands.
2 Tim. 4:1-6 - at end of Paul's life, Paul charges Timothy with the office of his ministry . We must trace lineage to a Catholic bishop.
2 Tim. 2:2 - transferring of authority to successors (Paul to Timothy to 3rd to 4th generation). It goes beyond the death of apostles.
Titus 1:5; Luke 10:1 - elders of the Church are appointed and hold authority. God has His children participate in Christ's work.
1 John 4:6 - whoever knows God listens to us (bishops and successors to apostles). This is the way we discern truth and error.
III. Jesus Wants Us to Obey Apostolic Authority
Acts 5:13 - the people acknowledged the apostles' special authority and did not dare take it upon themselves.
Acts 15:6; 16:4 - teaching authority is granted to apostles and successors. Teaching authority must be traced to original apostles.
1 Cor. 5:3-5; 1 Tim. 1:20; Gal 1:8; Matt 18:17 - shows the authority of the elders to excommunicate / anathemize ("deliver to satan").
2 Cor. 2:17 - Paul says the elders are not just random peddlers of God's word. They are actually commissioned by God.
2 Cor. 5:20 - we are "ambassadors" for Christ. This means an actual participation in Christ's mission; it is not a passive representation.
2 Cor. 10:8 - Paul acknowledges his authority over God's people which the Lord gave to build up the Church.
1 Thess. 5:12-13 - Paul charges the members of the Church to respect those who have authority over them.
2 Thess. 3:14 - Paul says if a person does not obey what he has provided in his letter, have nothing to do with him.
1 Tim. 5:17 - Paul charges the members of the Church to honor the appointed elders of the Church.
Titus 2:15 - Paul charges Timothy to exhort and reprove with all authority, which he receive by the laying on of hands.
Heb. 13:7,17 - Paul charges the members of the Church to remember and obey their leaders who have authority over their souls.
1 Peter 2:18 - Peter charges the servants to be submissive to their masters whether kind and gentle or overbearing.
1 Peter 5:5; Jude 8 - Peter and Jude charge the members of the Church to be subject to their elders.
2 Peter 2:10 - Peter warns about despising authority. He is referring to the apostolic authority granted by Christ.
3 John 9 - John points out that Diotrephes does not acknowledge John's apostolic authority and declares that this is evil.
The Church being the final authority on matters of faith and morals:
IV. The Church is Infallible and Supernatural
Isaiah 35:8, 54:13-17 - prophecy of the Church as the Holy Way where sons will be taught by God and they will not err.
Acts 9:2; 22:4; 24:14,22 - early Church identified as the "Way" prophesied in Isaiah 35:8 where fools will not err therein.
Matt. 10:20; Luke 12:12 - Jesus tells His apostles it is not they who speak, but the Spirit of their Father speaking through them.
Matt. 16:18 - Jesus promises the gates of Hades would never prevail against the Church. The Reformation says Hades did prevail.
Matt. 16:19 - binding on earth = bound in heaven = requires infallibility. The Church is prevented from teaching error.
Matt. 18:17-18 - the Church (not Scripture) is the final authority on questions of the faith. This demands infallibility when teaching the faith.
Matt. 28:20 - Jesus promises that He will be with the Church always. Jesus' presence in the Church assures infallible teaching.
Mark 8:33 - Jesus rebukes Peter to show severity of Jesus' Messianic role. Peter was not yet the Pope with the keys, and he was not rebuked for teaching.
Luke 10:16 - whoever hears you, hears me. Whoever rejects you, rejects me. The elders speak with Christ's infallible authority.
Luke 22:32 - Jesus' prayer for Peter's faith is perfectly efficacious - hence, Peter's official teachings on the faith are infallible.
John 11:51-52 - God allows Caiaphas to prophesy infallibly, even though he was evil and plotted Jesus' death. God allows sinners to teach infallibly.
John 14:16 - Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit would be with the Church forever. The Spirit prevents the teaching of error on faith and morals.
John 14:26 - Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit would teach the Church (apostles and successors) all things regarding the faith.
John 16:12 - Jesus had many things to say but apostles couldn't bear them at that point. Infallible doctrine develops over time.
John 16:13 - Jesus promises that the Spirit will "guide" the Church into all truth. Knowledge develops as the Spirit guides the Church.
Acts 15:27-28 - the apostles know that their teaching is being guided by the Holy Spirit. He protects the Church from deception.
Gal. 2:11-14 - Paul does not oppose Peter's teaching, but his failure to live by it. Infallibility does not mean impeccability.
Gal. 2:11-14 - Peter was the one who taught infallibly on Gentile's salvation in Acts 10,11. With this rebuke, Paul is really saying "Peter, you of all people!"
Eph. 3:10 - the wisdom of God is known, even to the intellectually superior angels, through the Church (not the Scriptures).
Eph. 3:9 - this, in fact, is a mystery hidden for all ages - that God manifests His wisdom through an infallible Church for all.
Eph. 3:20 - God's glory is manifested in the Church by the power of the Spirit that works within the Church's leaders.
Eph 5:23-27, Col. 1:18 - Christ is the head of the Church, His Bride, for which He died to make it Holy and without blemish.
Eph. 5:32 - Church is a "mystery" so it cannot be understood just by reason. It is not just a building of believers. That is not a mystery. It is supernatural.
1 Thess. 5:21 - test everything - but we must have something against which to test. This requires an infallible guide above us.
1 Tim. 3:15 - the apostolic Church (not Scripture) is the pillar and foundation of the truth. This requires divine protection from error.
1 & 2 Peter - Peter denied Christ, he was rebuked by his greatest bishop (Paul), and yet he wrote two infallible encyclicals.
Matt. to Rev. - not all Christian doctrines are explicit in Scripture (e.g. Trinity). Infallibility is inferred from foregoing passages.
VI. The Church is Hierarchical
Matt. 16:18; 18:18 - Jesus uses "ecclesia" only twice in the NT. This proves Jesus intended a visible, unified, hierarchical, and authoritative Church.
1 Cor. 12:28 - God Himself appoints the various positions of authority within the Church. God gives His children authority.
Eph. 4:11 - Church is hierarchical and includes apostles, prophets, pastors, and teachers, all charged to build up the Church.
Phil. 1:1 - Paul addresses the bishops and deacons of the Church. They can all trace their unbroken lineage back to the apostles.
1 Tim. 3:1; Titus 1:7 - Christ's Church has bishops (episcopoi) who are direct successors of the apostles. The bishops can trace the authority conferred upon them back to the apostles.
1 Tim. 5:17; Titus 1:5; James 5:14 - Christ's Church also has elders or priests (presbuteroi) who serve the bishops.
1 Tim. 3:8 - Christ's Church also has deacons (diakonoi). His Church has a hierarchy of authority - bishops, priests and deacons.
Clerical celibacy:
IV. Celibacy is Church Practice, Not Dogma
Matt. 19:11-12 - Jesus says celibacy is a gift and whoever can bear it should bear it. Jesus praises and recommends celibacy.
Matt. 22:30 - in heaven there are no marriages. Priests live the heavenly consecration to God on earth to bring about the kingdom of God.
1 Cor 7:7 - Paul wishes that all were celibate like he is. Celibacy became the practice of the Roman rite in the 12th century.
1 Cor. 7:32-38 - Paul recommends celibacy for full-time ministers in the Church.
1 Tim. 3:2 - bishops must be married only once. This refers to bishops that were widowers. They could not remarry.
1 Tim. 3:2 - also refers to those bishops who were currently married. They could not remarry. Marriage was not a requirement to become a bishop.
1 Tim. 4:3 - refers to deceitful doctrines that forbid marriage. The Church exalts marriage to a sacrament. Celibacy is only a disciplinary rule for the clergy of the Roman rite.
1 Tim. 4:3 - in fact, marriage is elevated to a sacrament, but consecrated virginity is not. The Church declares marriage sacred, covenantal and lifegiving.
1 Tim. 5:9-12 - older widows recommended to take a pledge of celibacy. This was the beginning of women religious orders.
2 Tim. 2:3-4 - no soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim his to satisfy the One who enlisted him.
Rev. 14:4 - in heaven, those consecrated to virginity are honored.
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Blessings,
---Wols.