[polemikos]

The Bible SHOWS that Simon was called 'Peter' BEFORE your famous name change verse.

Sorry. I don't get your point.
Jesus still names him "Rock".

"Simon whom he surnamed Peter" Mk 3:16 (KJV)
"Simon, whom he named Peter" Lk 6:14a (KJV)

Both the new name and the act of God changing the name are significant.

[P-Marlowe]

Just out of curiosity. Are protestants capable of being saved? Or is salvation only through the Roman Catholic Church?

Because if salvation is available to people who are not under the authority of the Roman Catholic Church organization, then the "Church" is not the Roman Catholic organization, but the entire Body of believers in Christ, who are members of any and all organizations that subscribe to the teachings of Jesus and are saved, not by some Church, but by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

So, regardless of whether or not Peter was the first pope, if Salvation is available outside the Catholic Church, then it is irrelevant who is, or is not, Pope.

So, polemikos, what is it? I claim to be a member of the Body of Christ. I claim to believe in Christ through faith. I am not now nor have I ever been a member of the Catholic Church. Is it possible that I am saved?

[Elsie]

NIV Matthew 10:1-2
 1.  He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil  spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
 2.  These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;

 

 

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As you can see, Simon was already known as 'Peter' BEFORE the following verse came along.....

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NIV Matthew 16:18
    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.

 

 

In MY book at least, Matthew, chapter TEN comes before Matthew, Chapter SIXTEEN.

 

How do you get Jesus CHANGING his name????