Was Peter the first pope? Is he the rock Jesus said He would build the Church on?

Thank you for this thoughtful question. Many assume the Church was built upon Peter himself, but a closer look at the original language and the full witness of Scripture reveals something far more Christ-exalting.

Matthew 16:18 — “And I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades (death) will not overpower it [by preventing the resurrection of the Christ].”
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Jesus was not establishing a papal office here. The name “Peter” is the Greek Petros (Πέτρος), meaning a small, movable stone. But “this rock” is Petra (πέτρα)—a vast, immovable bedrock or cliff. Christ was not placing His Church on the weakness of a man who would soon deny Him three times. He was revealing that the unshakable foundation of His Church would be the revelation of who He is: the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16).

The foundation is not Peter’s person, but Christ’s identity. Revelation, not succession, builds the Church.

Isaiah 28:16 — “Therefore, the Lord God says this, ‘Listen carefully, I am laying in Zion a Stone, a tested Stone, A precious Cornerstone for the secure foundation; firmly placed. He who believes [who trusts in, relies on, and adheres to that Stone] will not be disturbed or give way [in sudden panic].’”

Nowhere in the New Testament is Peter given supremacy over the other apostles. In fact, at the Jerusalem council in Acts 15, James, not Peter presided and gave the final judgment. Scripture honours Peter, but never exalts him.

Peter himself never claimed to be head of the Church. He did not demand submission, but exhorted fellow elders with humility:

1 Peter 5:1–4 — “I urge the elders among you [as a fellow elder and as an eyewitness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory that is to be revealed]: shepherd and guide and protect the flock of God… not lording it over those assigned to your care… And when the Chief Shepherd (Christ) appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”
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Even when Paul publicly corrected Peter in Antioch (Galatians 2:11), it showed that Peter was not beyond error or accountability. The real authority in the Church is not an office but Christ dwelling in His people.

Colossians 1:18 — “He is also the head [the life-source and leader] of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will occupy the first place [He will stand supreme and be preeminent] in everything.”
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To claim that Peter was the first pope is to misunderstand the organic, spiritual nature of the New Covenant Church. It is not a religious empire, but a heavenly body knit together in Christ.

The early Church continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine—not Peter’s alone, but all of them together—pointing to one Person.

Ephesians 2:19–22 — “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens [outsiders without rights of citizenship], but you are fellow citizens with the saints (God’s people), and are [members] of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the [chief] Cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together… a holy temple in the Lord.”
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So no, Peter was not the first pope. The early Church had no centralised hierarchy or one-man leadership. It was governed by the Spirit, led by Christ, and served by many who laboured together as brothers.

The true Church is not built on succession but on union with Christ. And this union is offered freely to all who believe, not through an institution, but through the Spirit of the living God.

Let us speak this truth with gentleness and love not to argue, but to invite hearts back to the Rock who never fails.

In Him,
Shaliach.

If you have more questions, feel free to write to me directly at:
apostolicwisdomhouse [@] gmail [dot] com
—or simply use the contact form on adam2christ.com