Peter was a central figure in the early church—bold, passionate, and chosen by Jesus for a key leadership role. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus says, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church,” which has led many to ask: Was Peter the first Pope? While Peter clearly had influence, preached powerfully at Pentecost, and helped bring the gospel to the Gentiles, the Bible doesn’t show him as holding supreme authority over the entire church. Instead, leadership was shared among the apostles and elders.
Understanding Peter’s true role helps clarify what biblical leadership looked like in the early church. He was faithful and foundational, but he didn’t act like the modern Pope, nor did Scripture or Peter himself claim such a title. His life shows that God uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways. If you’re curious about the difference between tradition and Scripture on this topic, keep reading for a deeper dive into what the Bible—and early history—really say about Peter and the early church.
When it comes to the early church, one of the most debated questions is this: Was Peter really the first Pope? The Roman Catholic Church says yes. Others disagree. Let’s break it down, looking at who Peter was, what he did, and whether Scripture supports the idea that he held supreme authority over the church.
Who Was Peter?
Peter, originally named Simon, was a fisherman from Galilee. Jesus gave him the name Cephas (Aramaic) or Peter (Greek), both meaning “rock” (John 1:42). He was one of Jesus’ closest disciples and a key figure in the Gospels and Acts.
Peter was bold, outspoken, and deeply devoted. He’s the one who walked on water (Matthew 14:29), confessed Jesus as the Christ (Matthew 16:16), and later denied Him three times (Luke 22:61). After the resurrection, Jesus restored Peter and gave him a specific mission (John 21:15–17).
Peter’s Role in the Early Church
Peter was clearly a leader among the apostles. In the first chapters of Acts, he’s front and center:
- He preached the first sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2:14–41), where 3,000 people believed.
- He performed miracles (Acts 3:1–10).
- He spoke on behalf of the apostles before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:8–12).
- He led in dealing with issues like Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5).
- He opened the door to the Gentiles when he preached to Cornelius (Acts 10).
Peter played a crucial role in the growth of the early church. But was he the leader, or one of the leaders?
Did Jesus Appoint Peter as Pope?
The main argument for Peter being the first Pope comes from Matthew 16:18–19:
“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven…”
Let’s unpack that.
1. “You are Peter, and on this rock…”
There are three main interpretations:
- Peter is the rock: This is the Catholic position. Jesus renamed Simon “Peter” (meaning rock) and said He’d build His church on him.
- Peter’s confession is the rock: Many Protestants believe Jesus meant the truth Peter declared (“You are the Christ”) is the foundation.
- Jesus is the rock: Others argue Scripture often calls Jesus the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20, 1 Corinthians 3:11).
The original Greek shows a wordplay: You are Petros (stone), and on this petra (rock) I’ll build My church. Some scholars say Jesus was distinguishing between Peter (a stone) and the larger foundation (faith in Christ or Christ Himself).
2. “I will give you the keys…”
This symbol of keys means authority. Peter was given authority—but was it exclusive?
In Matthew 18:18, Jesus says something similar to all the disciples:
“Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven…”
Peter was given a leadership role, but not sole authority.
Was Peter the First Bishop of Rome?
Historically, Peter is associated with Rome. Early Christian writings suggest he was martyred there around A.D. 64–67 during Nero’s reign.
The Catholic Church teaches that Peter became the first bishop of Rome, and his authority was passed down through the popes (apostolic succession).
However, the Bible doesn’t say Peter was the bishop of Rome. In fact:
- Peter’s focus in Acts is mainly in Jerusalem.
- Paul writes the letter to the Romans and never mentions Peter, even though he greets over two dozen people (Romans 16).
- In Galatians 2, Paul confronts Peter in Antioch, not Rome.
- The Bible never records Peter establishing authority in Rome.
So, while Peter may have died in Rome, there’s no clear biblical evidence he served as Rome’s first bishop.
How Did the Early Church See Peter?
In Acts 15, the Jerusalem Council met to settle a major theological dispute. Peter speaks first, but James—Jesus’ half-brother—delivers the final decision (Acts 15:13–21). That suggests a shared leadership, not a single head.
The New Testament presents plurality in leadership:
- Acts 14:23 speaks of appointing elders (plural) in every church.
- 1 Peter 5:1—Peter himself calls himself a fellow elder, not a pope.
- Ephesians 4:11 describes various leadership roles—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers—not a supreme head.
Peter was respected, influential, and often took initiative. But he was not above correction (Galatians 2:11), and he didn’t claim exclusive authority.
What Do Early Christian Writers Say?
Early church fathers do reference Peter, and Rome, with honor. Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, and Irenaeus speak highly of both. But early sources also show:
- No single leader in the early church.
- Authority shared among bishops.
- Respect for Rome, but also for other churches like Antioch and Jerusalem.
It wasn’t until several centuries later that the papacy developed into the office we recognize today. The title “pope” (from papa, meaning father) wasn’t applied exclusively to the bishop of Rome until much later.
5 Key Takeaways
- Peter was a foundational leader—bold, devoted, and used powerfully by God.
- Jesus gave Peter real authority—but not exclusive, supreme control.
- Scripture doesn’t call Peter a pope—and he doesn’t act like one.
- The early church functioned with shared leadership—apostles and elders working together.
- Respecting Peter’s role doesn’t require embracing the papacy—you can honor his place without overstating it.
So, Was Peter the First Pope?
If by “Pope” you mean the first great leader of the church, yes—Peter was a foundational figure. But if you mean the head of the universal church with supreme, infallible authority, Scripture doesn’t support that.
Peter himself would likely point us to Jesus. He ends his second letter this way:
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever!” – 2 Peter 3:18
Peter was a great leader. But Jesus is the true rock of the church.
Final Thought:
You don’t need a pope to follow Jesus. You need the gospel, the Word of God, and a heart ready to obey. Peter’s life reminds us that God can use anyone—failures included—for mighty purposes. Just stay close to Jesus, and He’ll do the rest.
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) On “The Role of Peter in the Early Church: Was He the First Pope?”
1. Was Peter really the first Pope?
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that Peter was the first Pope, based on Jesus’ words in Matthew 16:18–19. However, the Bible doesn’t use the title “Pope” for Peter, and there’s no direct scriptural evidence that he held supreme authority over the entire early church.
2. What does “on this rock I will build my church” mean?
There are three main views:
- That Peter himself is the rock (Catholic view).
- That Peter’s confession of faith is the rock (Protestant view).
- That Jesus is the rock, as He’s often called the cornerstone in Scripture.
3. Did Peter go to Rome?
Historical sources outside the Bible, like early church fathers, suggest Peter was martyred in Rome. However, the Bible doesn’t record him serving as bishop or leader there.
4. Did Peter have more authority than the other apostles?
Peter was a key leader and spokesperson, especially in Acts. But he didn’t have absolute authority. Other apostles and elders shared leadership. In Acts 15, James—not Peter—gives the final decision during the Jerusalem Council.
5. What does it mean that Peter had the “keys of the kingdom”?
Jesus gave Peter spiritual authority to open the way for others to enter God’s kingdom, as seen when he preached at Pentecost (Acts 2) and to the Gentiles (Acts 10). But similar authority was extended to all the apostles (see Matthew 18:18).
6. Did Peter call himself a Pope?
No. In 1 Peter 5:1, Peter calls himself a fellow elder. He encourages humility and service, never claiming to be above the other leaders or believers.
