[NYer]

IF the first Pope was Peter (a Jewish man) that was married..

We know from Scripture that Peter was married ... but that is all we know. We don't know if his wife was alive or dead. Since he spent most of his time on the road with Christ, one could possibly construe that he was a widower. Ultimately, however, Peter was the first pope. His wife, if she was still alive, was not at his side, when he was crucified upside down in the Coliseum.

[hosepipe]

Ultimately, however, Peter was the first pope.

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I salute your faith... takes faith to believe many things..

Since Jesus came to make all religion and religions obsolete I doubt Peter started one..
I have faith that is true..

[daniel1212]

We know from Scripture that Peter was married ... but that is all we know. We don't know if his wife was alive or dead. Since he spent most of his time on the road with Christ, one could possibly construe that he was a widower.

We know from Scripture that it is not simply the gospels, (Mt. 8:14) which it seems you are affirming Peter being married from, and I think his wife that he was leading a dead wife around on his ministry was quite alive.

"Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? " (1 Corinthians 9:5)

His wife, if she was still alive, was not at his side, when he was crucified upside down in the Coliseum.

As tradition has it, and would apply to all the other married apostles.

[OneVike]

You need to reread the Scriptures, because Paul writes that all the apostles except himself were married.

"Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles,, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?" 1 Cor. 9:5

Paul did not say they were widowers, he said they were married with wives that accompanied them on their journeys. I love it when those defending catholic teachings try to do so when they themselves obviously do not read the Bible. Any high school bible student would know this, but we are to believe that the Catholic church is above reproach in its teachings. Even when they are proven to be wrong tine and time again.

In my opinion, the overall view of Catholicism toward sexuality is thoroughly unbiblical and prudish. Just look at the sexual improprieties among the priesthood which are now becoming known. Then we can understand the seriousness of the problem of practicing this unbiblical teaching.

When men pervert biblical teaching, it always results in serious consequences in real life. Practices of asceticism, such as monasticism and celibacy of the clergy neither promote spiritual growth nor helpful in avoiding sin, as Paul told the Colossians.

20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations-- 21 "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle," 22 which all concern things which perish with the using--according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. (Col. 2:20-23)

That being said, I agree with Paul when he wrote to the Corinthians that it is be best if a man or woman can remain celibate, but he did not require it to be. Paul believed, to which I concur, that it is difficult to have 100% devotion to God when you are torn by your devotion to a spouse. However few, and I mean very very few, can remain celibate without being tempted in this world, especially in today's sex charged atmosphere. Paul wrote this in 1 Cor 7:8-9,

But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion

Sadly the Catholic church has taken this passage and made a mockery of what Paul was teaching the Corinthians. My Catholic friends need to spend more time in the word, and less time defending religious traditions that only makes the Word of God of no effect, as Jesus Himself told the Pharisees When he rebuked them in Mark chapter 7.