What Does the Bible Say About the Pope?

Have you ever wondered, “What Does the Bible Say About the Pope?” In this post, we are going to explore the shocking truth about the head of the Catholic church. You will surely be amazed and mind-blown at the same time once you discover the undeniable truth!

What does the Bible say about the pope? (Quick answer)

The Bible never mentions the office of a pope. There is no verse that teaches one man should have supreme authority over all Christians. Instead, Scripture consistently points to Jesus (Yahshua) as the only Head of the Church (Colossians 1:18). The apostles, including Peter, served as humble leaders and fellow servants—not as infallible rulers.

In fact, the Bible emphasizes that all believers are members of the same body, with different roles but equal value in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12–27). No one is exalted above others in a way that mirrors the papal system. The idea of a pope is a man-made tradition, not a biblical teaching.

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What Do Catholics Believe About the Pope?

Catholics believe that the pope is the supreme leader of the universal Church on earth, holding what they call the “primacy of Peter.” According to Catholic teaching, Jesus appointed the apostle Peter as the first pope when He said, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church…” (Matthew 16:18, NKJV). They believe this authority was passed down in an unbroken line through the bishops of Rome—what they call apostolic succession.

To many Catholics, the pope is not just a spiritual leader, but the Vicar of Christ—a representative of Christ Himself on earth. They also hold that, under specific conditions, the pope is infallible when he speaks ex cathedra (from the seat of Peter) on matters of faith and morals. This belief grants him the highest level of authority in defining doctrine, and all Catholics are expected to submit to his teachings. For Catholics, the pope is the visible sign of unity in the Church and the shepherd of all believers.

What does the Bible say about the pope as the rock in Matthew 16:18?

At first glance, Matthew 16:17–19 seems like strong support for the papacy. After all, this is the passage Catholics often quote to say Peter was made the first pope. But when we slow down, take a closer look, and examine the original Greek, something powerful and eye-opening unfolds.

Here’s what Jesus said:

“You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” —Matthew 16:18 (NKJV)

Now let’s break that down. The word used for Peter in Greek is petros—a small stone, a movable rock. It’s like Jesus was saying, “Peter, you’re a piece of the puzzle. You have value, but you’re not the foundation.” Then He goes on to say, “and on this rock I will build My church.” But here, the word used is petra—meaning a large, immovable rock, a massive bedrock or cliff.

That’s a big difference.

Jesus wasn’t saying He would build His Church on Peter (a little rock), but on Himself—the true Rock, the immovable Petra, the only One worthy to bear the full weight of the Church.

In fact, the entire context supports this. Peter had just confessed that Jesus is the Son of the living God. And now, Jesus essentially says, “You told Me who I am, now let Me tell you who you are. You’re petros. But I am the Petra.”

This is not just a beautiful wordplay—it’s a life-changing truth.

The Bible consistently teaches that Jesus is the only foundation of the Church. Here are 3 of the Bible verses that says Jesus is the Rock:

1. Ephesians 2:20

“Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.”

2. 1 Corinthians 3:11

“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

3. 1 Corinthians 10:4

“And all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.”

Over and over, Scripture points us back to Jesus—not Peter, not the pope, not human tradition—as the foundation and head of the Church. Peter himself understood this. He never claimed to be a supreme ruler. He called himself a fellow elder (1 Peter 5:1) and reminded believers that Jesus is the chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4).

So let’s not miss the lesson here when answering the question, “What Does the Bible Say About the Pope?” We are all petros—fragile, movable, easily shaken. But Christ is Petra—immovable, unshakable, and eternal. He alone can carry the weight of His Church. No man, no matter how religious, can take that place.

The truth is clear. The Church is built on Jesus the Messiah—not on Peter, not on a pope, and not on centuries of tradition. And that truth is rock solid.

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What Does the Bible Say About the Pope and the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven?

One of the strongest arguments Catholics use to defend the pope’s authority comes from Matthew 16:19, where Jesus says to Peter:

“And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” —Matthew 16:19 (NKJV)

At first glance, it may seem like Peter was being handed supreme power over heaven and earth. But when we slow down, look at the historical and biblical context, the true meaning becomes crystal clear—and it’s not about popes, papal supremacy, or infallible rulings.

In the Bible, keys represent authority and access, not domination or personal supremacy. Just look at Isaiah 22:22:

“The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; so he shall open, and no one shall shut; and he shall shut, and no one shall open.”

This verse is about giving someone the responsibility to manage the king’s household—to allow access, to guard the gates, and to serve faithfully. That’s what Jesus was doing with Peter. He entrusted Peter with the responsibility to open the door to the Kingdom, not to become the king himself.

And guess what? Peter did use those keys.

• In Acts 2, Peter preached the first public sermon after the resurrection—and the door to the Kingdom was opened to the Jews.
• In Acts 10, Peter preached to Cornelius, a Gentile, and the door to the Kingdom was opened to the nations.

This wasn’t about Peter having exclusive power over the Church. It was about him being the first to proclaim the Gospel to both Jew and Gentile. He wasn’t the gatekeeper of heaven—he was the first to swing the door open for others to enter through Christ.

Jesus didn’t give Peter the keys so he could build a throne. We need to understand that if we are going to learn about “What Does the Bible Say About the Pope?” He gave Peter the keys so he could proclaim the only way into the Kingdom: repentance, faith, and salvation through Jesus the Messiah. That same message was later preached by Paul, James, John, and every other apostle. The authority to “bind and loose” was also later given to all the disciples (see Matthew 18:18). It was never exclusive to Peter.

So, no—the keys of the Kingdom weren’t a promotion to pope. They were a calling to service, to evangelism, to leadership under Christ—not above Him.

And let’s be clear: there is only one King, one Rock, and one Head of the Church—and His name is Jesus.

What Does the Bible Say About the Pope and Binding and Loosing?

One of the most misunderstood concepts in the discussion about the pope is what Jesus meant by “binding and loosing.” This phrase comes from Matthew 16:19, where Jesus tells Peter:

“And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” —Matthew 16:19 (NKJV)

To many, this sounds like Jesus gave Peter unlimited authority to make binding decisions on behalf of the entire Church—even to define doctrine. But is that really what the Bible is teaching?

Not at all.

In first-century Jewish culture, “binding and loosing” were familiar rabbinic terms. They referred to the authority to prohibit or permit certain behaviors according to God’s law—not man’s tradition. In other words, it was about rightly interpreting Yahweh’s Word, not inventing new rules or dogmas. This wasn’t about personal power. It was about staying faithful to the divine standard.

More importantly, this authority was not exclusive to Peter. Just two chapters later, Yahshua uses the exact same words in Matthew 18:18:

“Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” —Matthew 18:18 (NKJV)

Here, Jesus is speaking to all the disciples, and He uses the same authority—binding and loosing—but this time in the context of church discipline, not doctrinal supremacy. This further proves that Peter wasn’t granted a unique, superior position above the other apostles. They were all called to discern what aligned with the teachings of Christ and to uphold truth within the body of believers.

So when the Catholic Church claims that the pope alone has divine authority to define doctrine or make infallible declarations “ex cathedra,” that’s not supported by Scripture. In fact, it’s a dangerous departure from what Jesus actually taught.

The authority to “bind and loose” was a responsibility to uphold truth, not to redefine it. It was a call to be faithful stewards of Yahweh’s Word, not to create a hierarchy where one man holds ultimate control over the faith of millions.

The idea of the pope wielding unchecked power through binding and loosing? That’s not biblical authority. That’s man-made tradition—one that veers away from the teachings of Christ and places human authority above God’s Word.

Let’s not forget: Yahshua is the true Head of the Church. Not Peter. Not a pope. And certainly not a religious system built on misunderstood verses.

Was Peter the Bishop of Rome?

One of the foundational claims of the Roman Catholic Church is that the apostle Peter was the first bishop of Rome, and therefore, the first pope. This assertion is used to justify the pope’s authority as Peter’s successor. But when we carefully examine the biblical and historical evidence, this claim becomes highly questionable.

What Does the Bible Say?

Peter was undoubtedly a prominent apostle—bold, passionate, and deeply involved in the early Church’s growth. However, the New Testament never explicitly states that Peter was in Rome, let alone that he served as its bishop.

In 1 Peter 5:13, Peter writes, “She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you.” Some interpret “Babylon” as a cryptic reference to Rome, especially given the context of persecution under Roman rule. But this is far from conclusive. “Babylon” could also symbolize a place of spiritual exile, judgment, or even be a reference to literal Babylon in Mesopotamia. Using this verse to assert Peter’s presence in Rome stretches the text beyond its clear intent.

What’s even more telling is the silence in the book of Acts. The apostle Paul, who definitely traveled to Rome, never mentions Peter being there. In Romans 16, written around A.D. 57, Paul greets over two dozen believers by name—but Peter is not among them. That would be an odd omission if Peter were the head of the Roman church at the time.

If Peter truly held a position as high as bishop of Rome, we’d expect that role to be clearly recorded in Scripture or acknowledged by the apostles. But it’s not. There’s no biblical command from Jesus appointing Peter as bishop of any particular city, and the structure of leadership shown in the New Testament emphasizes shared leadership among elders—not a supreme human authority figure.

In summary, the claim that Peter was the bishop of Rome is based more on tradition than Scripture. It’s a belief built on shaky assumptions rather than solid, biblical truth.

Is It Okay to Call the Pope “Holy Father”?

One of the most revered titles given to the pope is “Holy Father.” But is this title appropriate according to the Bible? Let’s turn to Scripture for clarity.

What Does the Bible Say?

➤ Matthew 23:9 (NKJV)

“Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.”

Jesus’ words are unmistakable. In this passage, He was directly addressing the religious leaders of His day, condemning their obsession with exalted titles and their hunger for spiritual status. His instruction is simple and direct—do not call anyone on earth your spiritual “father.”

Context Is Key

This passage doesn’t prohibit calling our biological dads “father”. The Bible clearly honors that role:

• “Honor your father and your mother…” – Exodus 20:12
• Abraham is called “our father” in a genealogical or ancestral sense – Romans 4:12

The issue Jesus tackled in Matthew 23 was religious arrogance and spiritual hierarchy. He also said:

• “Do not be called ‘Rabbi’…” (v. 8)
• “Do not be called teachers…” (v. 10)

These commands were aimed at preventing human pride in spiritual matters, not limiting everyday language.

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Why Calling the Pope “Holy Father” Is Unbiblical

1. It Violates Christ’s Clear Command

Jesus explicitly instructed His followers not to use spiritual titles like “father.”
The pope being called “Holy Father” places him in a religious role of ultimate authority—the very thing Jesus condemned.

2. The Title “Holy Father” Belongs to God Alone

➤ John 17:11

“Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me…”

Jesus used this divine title when speaking directly to Yahweh. It’s a title reserved for God alone—not a title to be borrowed by men.

3. It Elevates a Man to Divine Status

“Holy” implies sinlessness, purity, and divine nature—qualities that only Jesus possesses.
➤ “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23
No human, including the pope, is holy in and of himself.

4. It Reflects the Same Pride Jesus Condemned

Just like the scribes and Pharisees of old, the pope is revered with titles, bowed to, and treated as spiritually supreme. Jesus warned His followers not to imitate this system of pride and power.

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Summary

Calling the pope “Holy Father”:

• Disobeys Jesus‘ command in Matthew 23:9
• Blasphemes the sacred title used exclusively for Yahweh in John 17:11
• Elevates a sinful man to a divine position he does not deserve
• Undermines the Gospel, which lifts up Jesus as the only Holy One and Mediator

Let’s stay true to what Scripture teaches. There is only one Holy Father—and He is in heaven.

Is It Okay to Call the Pope “Pope”?

The title “Pope” is widely used today, but have you ever wondered what it really means—and whether it’s appropriate for believers to use it?

What Does “Pope” Mean?

The word “Pope” comes from the Latin papa, which simply means “father.” But in the context of the Roman Catholic Church, it’s not just any father—it’s a spiritual, exalted title meant to convey ultimate religious authority. That brings us directly back to the clear instruction from Jesus:

➤ Matthew 23:9 (NKJV)

“Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.”

Jesus wasn’t forbidding the natural, biological use of the word “father.” Rather, He was warning against using spiritual titles that elevate men and create religious hierarchies that overshadow the authority of Yahweh.

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Why “Pope” Is Spiritually Misleading

1. It’s a Spiritual Title Equivalent to “Father”
   By definition, calling someone “Pope” is calling them Father in a religious sense—which Jesus directly forbids.
2. It Reinforces an Unbiblical Hierarchy
   The use of “Pope” implies spiritual supremacy, a concept foreign to Jesus’ teachings. Jesus taught servant leadership, not religious elitism (see Matthew 23:11–12).
3. It Subtly Replaces God’s Role
   When a man is referred to as “Pope,” people often see him as a spiritual mediator between God and man. But the Bible says:

“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” – 1 Timothy 2:5

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So What Should We Call Him?

Out of respect and clarity, it’s more appropriate to refer to him with descriptive titles rather than spiritual ones. For example:

• The Bishop of Rome
• The head of the Roman Catholic Church
• The Catholic leader
• The Catholic pontiff
• Or simply, “the man known as the pope”

We should avoid calling him:

• Pope
• Holy Father
• His Holiness

These are titles that belong only to Yahweh, and using them for any man contradicts Scripture.

Titles matter because they reflect authority and reverence. When we use names that Jesus clearly warned against, we risk putting man where only God belongs. Let’s reserve spiritual titles like “Father” and “Holy” for the One who truly deserves them—Yahweh, our Father in heaven.

Is It Okay to Call the Pope the Vicar of Christ?

One of the most exalted titles given to the pope is “Vicar of Christ”—a name that carries massive theological weight. But is it biblically accurate?

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What Does “Vicar of Christ” Mean?

• Latin: Vicarius Christi
• Meaning: “Representative” or “substitute of Christ on Earth”
• Implication: The pope is viewed as standing in the place of Jesus as the visible head of the Church during His physical absence.

This title is not just honorary—it suggests spiritual authority equal to or delegated by Jesus Himself.

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What Does the Bible Say?

Nowhere in Scripture are we told that any man represents Christ in His absence. The Bible never refers to Peter—or any apostle—as Christ’s “vicar” or “substitute.” In fact, such a claim directly challenges what the New Testament teaches:

Jesus never left His Church.
“Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20

Christ is not absent—He is present through the Holy Spirit, leading His Church personally, not through an earthly substitute.

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Who Is the True Head of the Church?

“And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead…” – Colossians 1:18
“Christ is the head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.” – Ephesians 5:23

Scripture is crystal clear: Jesus is the one and only head of the Church. There is no need for a human “vicar.”

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Why This Title Is Problematic

1. It Replaces Christ with a Man
   Calling the pope the “Vicar of Christ” suggests that Christ needs a human stand-in—something the Bible never teaches.
2. It Elevates a Man to Divine Authority
   The title gives the pope a level of spiritual control and reverence that only belongs to Jesus, the true Shepherd of His flock (John 10:11).
3. It Undermines the Role of the Holy Spirit
   Jesus said the Holy Spirit would guide, teach, and remind His followers in His absence (John 14:26; John 16:13). Not a man.

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Calling the pope the “Vicar of Christ” is not only unbiblical, it dangerously shifts the focus away from Jesus living leadership and gives it to a man.
Let’s be careful not to replace the head of the Church with a human title rooted in tradition—not truth.

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Is It Okay to Call the Pope “Supreme Pontiff”?

The title “Supreme Pontiff” carries significant historical and theological implications. It is derived from the Latin Pontifex Maximus, meaning “Chief bridge-builder.” While it was originally a pagan Roman title for the high priest of the Roman religion, the title was later adopted by the pope to signify his role as the primary intermediary between God and man.

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What Does “Supreme Pontiff” Mean?

• Latin: Pontifex Maximus
• Meaning: “Chief bridge-builder”
• Origin: A title taken from the Roman Empire, historically used for the high priest of the Roman pagan religion, suggesting that the pope is the main link between God and humanity.

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Biblical Concern

While the title suggests that the pope is a mediator between God and man, the Bible explicitly teaches that Jesus (Yahshua) is the only true Mediator.

“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…” – 1 Timothy 2:5

The Bible makes it clear that no human, no matter how esteemed or exalted, can take on this mediatory role.

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Who is the True Mediator?

In Hebrews 4:14-16, we are told that Jesus is our great High Priest, the only one who can mediate between us and God:

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:14-16

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Why Calling the Pope “Supreme Pontiff” Is Unbiblical

1. It Usurps Yahshua’s Unique Role
   The title “Supreme Pontiff” suggests that the pope somehow mediates between God and humanity, which directly contradicts the biblical teaching that Jesus is the only Mediator.
2. It Distorts the Role of Christ
   By giving a man the title “Supreme Pontiff,” the role of Christ as the ultimate High Priest is diminished. The Bible teaches that only Jesus is qualified to serve as our intercessor before God.
3. It Misrepresents God’s Plan of Salvation
   The whole essence of the Gospel is that Jesus alone bridged the gap between humanity and God through His sacrifice on the cross. No human can replace or replicate that.

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While the title “Supreme Pontiff” may sound venerable, it is unbiblical. The Bible teaches that Jesus alone is the Mediator between God and man. There is no need for any man, no matter how revered, to occupy that position. Let us keep Christ at the center of our faith as the only bridge between us and God.

Is the Ex Cathedra Teaching Biblical?

The term “Ex Cathedra” refers to a teaching of the pope made with the full authority of his office, believed to be infallible on matters of doctrine or morals. This doctrine asserts that when the pope speaks ex cathedra, he is protected from error by the Holy Spirit and his teachings are considered to be directly from God.

But is this teaching supported by Scripture? The answer, based on biblical evidence, is no. Here’s why:

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What Does “Ex Cathedra” Mean?

• Latin: Ex Cathedra translates to “from the chair,” referring to the pope’s authoritative role as the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
• Meaning: When the pope speaks ex cathedra, his teaching is considered infallible and binding on all Catholics, especially on matters of faith and morals.

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Biblical Concern

Nowhere in Scripture is there any mention of the pope having an exclusive role in infallibly declaring doctrines. The Bible does not support the idea that any human being, no matter how authoritative, can make infallible pronouncements on behalf of God.

1. All Believers Are Given the Holy Spirit for Truth

In John 16:13, Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will guide all believers into all truth:

“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth…” – John 16:13

This suggests that all believers, not just the pope, have access to God’s guidance through the Holy Spirit, empowering them to discern truth.

2. No One but Jesus is Infallible

The Bible teaches that only Yahshua is without sin and incapable of error:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23

Human beings, including the pope, are fallible and subject to sin. Therefore, it would be inconsistent with Scripture to claim that any human could teach infallibly.

3. The Church is Built on Christ, Not Any One Man

In Matthew 16:18, Jesus declares that the church would be built upon Himself, not any human leader:

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” – Matthew 16:18

While Peter is significant in the church’s foundation, the Bible does not give any man the supreme, infallible authority that would be associated with the title “Ex Cathedra.”

4. No Support in Scripture for Papal Infallibility

Nowhere in the New Testament does it say that the pope, or any bishop, can speak with infallible authority. In fact, in Acts 15:28, the apostles and elders are guided by the Holy Spirit in their decision-making, showing that all believers, not just a single authority figure, discern God’s will together:

“For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…” – Acts 15:28

This indicates that decisions made in the early church were not based on an infallible papal authority but on collective guidance through the Holy Spirit.

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Why the Ex Cathedra Doctrine is Unbiblical

1. No Biblical Precedent
   The Bible provides no example of a human leader, including the pope, speaking infallibly on matters of doctrine.
2. It Contradicts the Sufficiency of Scripture
   Scripture itself claims to be sufficient for teaching and instruction: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” – 2 Timothy 3:16 The idea that the pope needs to declare infallible teachings undermines the sufficiency of God’s Word.
3. It Elevates a Human Above Christ
   By claiming infallibility, the Ex Cathedra teaching elevates a human leader to a position of absolute authority, a role that belongs only to Christ.

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The Ex Cathedra teaching of papal infallibility is not supported by Scripture. The Bible teaches that all believers have access to the truth through the Holy Spirit, that only Christ is without error, and that the authority of the church rests on Christ alone. While the pope holds an important role in church leadership, his teachings, no matter how authoritative, are not infallible according to the biblical standard.

The infallibility of Scripture and the guidance of the Holy Spirit are the ultimate sources of truth for all believers.

The Early Church Had No Pope

When we examine the Book of Acts, we’re looking at the blueprint of the early Church—how it was established, governed, and guided by the Spirit of Yahweh. If the idea of a pope—someone acting as the supreme, centralized authority over all Christians—were truly biblical, we would expect to see Peter clearly functioning in that role. But we don’t.

Instead, we see a shared leadership model, rooted in humility, prayer, and collective discernment under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. One of the clearest examples is the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15.

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The Jerusalem Council: A Collaborative Leadership Model

This would have been the perfect opportunity for Peter—if he were the “supreme pontiff”—to make a unilateral, ex cathedra decision. But that’s not what happened.

Acts 15:6 says, “Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.” Peter did speak (verses 7–11), sharing his experience with Gentiles, but he didn’t make the final decision.

Instead, James—the half-brother of Jesus and a key leader in the Jerusalem church—stood up and gave the concluding judgment:

“Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God…” – Acts 15:19

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What This Shows About Early Church Leadership

• The Church didn’t rally around Peter’s authority.
• It rallied around God’s Word, the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and mutual submission among leaders.

Peter, while an important apostle, did not exercise any exclusive authority over the early church. Instead, the leadership was shared, and decisions were made collaboratively.

This moment powerfully refutes the notion of papal supremacy in the early Church. There was no mention of a pope, no hierarchical throne, and no claim of infallibility. The Church functioned as a Spirit-led community, not a man-made religious system built around one man.

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The early Church had no central pope-like figure. Instead, it functioned through shared leadership and mutual submission to the will of Yahweh, as guided by the Holy Spirit. The example of the Jerusalem Council shows that decisions were not made based on the authority of one man but through collaboration, prayer, and discernment from all leaders involved. This model of governance stands in stark contrast to the later development of papal authority, further illustrating that the early Church had no pope.

What does the Bible say about the Pope: Our Response

Now that we’ve looked at the biblical truth about Church leadership and authority, we’re left with a crucial question: What does this mean for us—personally, spiritually, and practically?

The answer begins with this:

Be loyal to God.

Our ultimate allegiance belongs to Yahweh alone. No religious title, church office, or earthly authority should ever take the place that belongs only to the Almighty. Jesus the Messiah is our King, our Shepherd, our High Priest, and our Head. He is not sharing His throne with anyone—not with a pope, not with a council, not with any human figure.

1. Submit to God’s Authority

As true believers, we are called to submit fully to God’s authority. That means we must ask ourselves hard questions:

• Is there someone in my life whose word carries more weight than God’s Word?
• Do I blindly follow religious traditions, or do I examine everything through the lens of Scripture?
• Have I made a man-made system or leader the object of my trust, instead of Yahweh?

Submission to Yahweh’s authority is not just about rejecting false teachings—it’s about living with a heart that seeks to obey His voice above all. It’s about rooting our faith in the truth of Scripture, not in the decrees of men.

Let us not be like those who profess Christ with their lips but deny His Lordship by their actions. Let us instead be people who say, like Peter did—not as pope, but as a humble servant—

“We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

2. Remain Spiritually Alert

Yahshua gave us a sobering warning in Matthew 24:

“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand.” —Matthew 24:23–25 (NKJV)

This isn’t just a general caution—it’s a direct command to stay spiritually awake. These words were spoken not to the ungodly, but to Jesus’ own disciples. That includes us today.

Don’t assume that just because you belong to a church, know sound doctrine, or once had spiritual fervor, that you’re immune to deception. Even the elect—those chosen and called—can fall into spiritual slumber if they let their guard down.

Let us take our calling seriously. Let us stay vigilant. Let us be among those who are not deceived—because we’ve hidden God’s Word in our hearts, kept our spiritual eyes open, and refused to follow the crowd over the Shepherd.

3. Stand for Truth

We’ve uncovered some sobering truths.

• The pope is not the head of the Church—Jesus is.
• No man, no matter how revered or influential, can take the place of the Messiah.
• The early Church had no pope.
• Scripture never established one.
• And the titles, traditions, and doctrines that elevate a single man to near-divine status? They are not rooted in the Word of God.

The Church is not built on Peter. It is built on the Rock—Jesus the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.

As true believers, let us stand firm in the truth of Scripture, reject the man-made systems that elevate men over Christ, and keep our eyes fixed on the One who is the true Head of the Church.