[OLD REGGIE]

(REG) Don't make too big an issue of the keys. :-) Peter was given no authority or priviledges greater than any other Apostle.

(Mark) The whole 'feed my sheep' deal was given directly to Peter, as well.

And what special priviledge or authority did that confer upun him?

For that matter Peter was the only Apostle directly addressed by Jesus as Satan. Do you attach as much significance to the "satan" episode as you do to the "sheep" one?

[MarkBsnr]

REG) Don't make too big an issue of the keys. :-) Peter was given no authority or priviledges greater than any other Apostle.

(Mark) The whole 'feed my sheep' deal was given directly to Peter, as well.

And what special priviledge or authority did that confer upun him?

That combined with everything else gave Peter the leadership aka Pope.

For that matter Peter was the only Apostle directly addressed by Jesus as Satan. Do you attach as much significance to the "satan" episode as you do to the "sheep" one?

You bet. Peter was constantly chastized because he was acting as a human unconstrained and Jesus meant him for things better than that: the leadership of the Apostles. Imagine the highs and lows - Peter walked on water, and then faltered. He followed Jesus to the trial, and then fled. But he was prepared as best as his fallible person was and took charge at Pentecost. Peter was not a model citizen by any mean, however, he might be held up as a model Christian. Fallible and failing, yet persevering.