[Cronos]

Actually the distinction does validate my premise that these are the same word in two grammatical cases where Christ clearly says "you are rock and on this rock I will..." -- now as to the premise of what He meant by that you can argue, but as to the grammatical sense of the sentence it is clear -- Simon is the rock on which He will build His Church

Simon was a fisherman, Peter was a fisher of men. He wasn't smarter than or more righteous than or more learned than the other disciples -- he was impetuous, cowardly during Christ's ministry and didn't seem to display any qualities to justify this above statement. Yet Peter is the most mentioned apostle and in the end you see this dumb ox :) calmly obey his Master and head back to be martyred. THAT is the lesson of Peter -- blind trust in JEsus Christ, Lord, God and Savior

Peter was not a monarch over the other apostles but first mentioned among equals, primus inter pares. That is the role for the Papacy among the other bishops. Note though that this is amogn the other bishops who maintained orthodoxy through council, so the wayout beliefs of a Oneness Pentecostal would be non-orthodox

[WVKayaker]

That is the role for the Papacy among the other bishops.

More assumption and less detail, as usual. There is nothing that creates a role of pope. There is everything to suggest it is error to assume such.

Peter is dead. Mary is dead. Jesus is still in control... and gives us through His Holy Spirit, not some guys in funny hats and costumes, hoarding riches from the world.