Where in the Bible does it teach the concept of “Pope”? The term cannot be found. If anything, you learn from the scriptures that no apostle was above any other (Matt. 20:20-28). As a matter of fact, we are told that the foundation we are to build our faiths upon is the apostles with Christ being the chief cornerstone (Eph. 2:20). Peter is not specifically listed or called out in any way!

Consider Peter for a moment. He was the one that Paul had to confront due to his hypocrisy (Gal. 2:11-13). I do not want to suggest that Peter was not forgiven – he was. After all, he even became an elder within a local church (I Pet. 5:1-4). When you read the qualifications of an elder (I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9), we know he was married and had children. This is consistent with what we learned about him early in Christ’s earthly ministry when Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law (Matt. 8:14).

Peter’s role as an elder raises another interesting fact. Local churches were to have multiple, qualified elders. There were to be elders in every church, not a singular elder (Acts 14:23). An apostle could become an elder, but being an apostle was not a prerequisite. Why is that important? This means that when Peter worked with other elders, he as not the “head” elder. Why not? Because elders are to shepherd the flock/church of which Jesus is the head (I Pet. 5:2-5).

The reason why the false concepts about Peter even rose up in the first place was due to a misunderstanding of Matthew 16:17-18. In this text, Jesus asked all of His apostles a question (verse 13). We are told “they” answered Him (verse 14). When Jesus asked “them” another question (verse 15), Peter spoke up and answered (verse 16).  Christ then said “upon this rock I will build My church” (verse 18). It was “upon” this confession of faith Christ was talking about – not Peter specifically! If another apostle spoke up first, would the church have been built upon him?  These lines of questioning illustrate the problems with the non-Biblical concept of “Pope.” This just goes to show that all children of God need to handle His word properly and avoid elevating men beyond their intended roles.

                                                                                             Chuck 

Give God the glory for what? 

 In Acts 12, we read the story concerning Herod the king who had James, the brother of John killed, and who also had Peter arrested (vs. 1-3). As the chapter came to a close, we are informed about Herod’s dislike for the people of Tyre and Sidon (vs. 20). However, those people were longing for peace with Herod because his country supplied them with food.

Therefore, the king arrayed himself in royal apparel, sitting on his throne gave an oration to the people (vs. 21). After he spoke the people shouted out to Herod, “The voice of a god and not of a man!”(vs. 22). Now, because he did not give the glory to God, he was struck by an angel of the Lord and was eaten by worms and died (vs. 23). 

The obvious question arises, with Herod being such an evil king, who not only had Peter arrested, but had James killed, what could he have given glory to God for? I mean, was he to thank God for using his power to hurt His children? Of course not. What kind of glory would God expect this man to give to Him? The answer is, it is easy to give God the glory if he was willing to admit some things.

No matter what he says, he is just a man

The people were crying out that his words were not of a man. Yes they were. Even children of God are warned about thinking of themselves more highly than they ought (Rom. 12:3). People in position of power, shouldn’t forget there is a supreme power. Kings were created by the Creator (Gen. 1:26).

Even as a king, that has food, he didn’t create it

Not only was this man’s words, were not divine, his ability to prove food for them came as a result of that which God provided. Whether it be the seed, the soil and the rain – none of which any king can make. The only way to describe someone like Herod, is to call him a fool. Why? Only a fool says in his heart there is no God (Psa. 14:1). Or in this case, accept the he is a god.

As a ruler, even he could not stop God

When Herod had Peter arrested, he was determined to bring him before the people after the Passover (Acts 12:4). To be assured of this, the king delivered Peter to four squads of soldiers to keep him. We are told the apostle was bound with two chains between two soldiers, and there were guards before the door of the prison (vs. 6). Not only that, we learn when Peter was freed by an angel of the Lord, they still had to get past the first and second guard posts (vr. 10).  Even though the king had the guards killed (vs. 19), certainly he ought to have feared the God that was able to set Peter free.

Having wealth doesn’t guarantee good health

Not only should he have been thankful for creation, but to bring it closer to home – his life. Rain falls on the just and unjust (Matt. 5:45). Evil people can have good health, and they have God to thank for it. No, God wasn’t giving Herod a special blessing of good health (until the end) because he was good. Good things happen to bad people and good people. But the fact is, God needs to be thanked – even though the wicked don’t. God deserves the glory.

This man was eaten by worms and died because pride got the best of him. This is a transgression that will keep many people out of heaven (I Jn. 2:16).  Let us learn the lessons from Herod and give God the glory for all things.

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Chuck

Where are people like Cornelius? 

I must confess that when I read about the kind of man Cornelius was before the apostle came to him, I was impressed. He is described as “a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always,” (Acts 10:2). I am confident that if any of us had met this man, we would have liked him because he was so sincere, unselfish and obviously devoted to God.

If we are going to learn anything from Cornelius though, we have to come to grips with the fact that he was lost in sin. Yes, this man was not a Christian. If he would have died in that state, he would have died in his sins. Consider what Peter says in Acts 11:13-14: “And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.” Prior to Peter’s arrival, Cornelius feared God and prayed to God often but was not saved.

Many people have a harder time accepting that Cornelius was lost in his sins than Cornelius did himself! We might expect that Cornelius, as the head of his household, could struggle to accept admonition from Peter, but he clearly responded to Peter’s message. What was it about Cornelius that helped him accept the words of Peter?

This man feared God not man

Logically, a religious person who is told that he is not right with the Lord should want to know what the Lord said. However, many religious people think they will be saved simply because they are religious. Cornelius was certainly religious, yet he was also lost! If we truly fear God, we will listen to His words (I Pet. 4:11). It does not make much sense to fear God and pray to Him but then refuse to accept His instruction (II Tim. 3:16-17).

This man was humble

When Peter came to see Cornelius, he fell down at Peter’s feet and began worshipping him. The apostle lifted him up and admonished him: “Stand up; I myself am also a man,” (Acts 10:25-26). I am not suggesting in the slightest that should we elevate another man. Still, notice Cornelius’ humility. Many religious people are so full of themselves that they are unwilling to be taught by another. It is hard for people to admit when they are wrong. Cornelius was not like that.

This man wanted others to learn

In Acts 10:27, we read that Peter talked with Cornelius in a public place. This allowed others to hear the same life-saving message at the same time. Notice how Cornelius did not try to act as a “filter” by first hearing the message and then later sharing it with loved ones – he allowed everyone to hear it at the same time. No one has cornered the market on truth – all can know (John 8:32). If Cornelius did act like the mediator, then he would have been guilty of wanting people to follow him instead of the Lord.

This man obeyed immediately

After hearing the message and the command to be baptized, Cornelius and several others obeyed (Acts 10:47-48). There was no sulking and asking “why have I been wrong?” or arguing “but God knows my heart”. Simply put, the gospel message was preached. They heard it, believed and were baptized (Acts 18:8; 22:16; 2:38, etc.).  How about you?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Chuck