The One Passage that Proves the Papacy (to Protestants)

Joe Heschmeyer explains that the Catholic doctrine of the papacy isn’t solely based on Matthew 16:18 offering insights from his book, Pope Peter.
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[@timrichardson4018]

The papacy was the final hurdle blocking me from becoming a Catholic. Your book, Pope Peter, settles that for me. I entered the Church on Easter Vigil 2023 and have never looked back.

[@monsieurcharcutier4490]

I've read books I think on some subconscious level I have actively tried to convert myself to Catholicism and every time I run into the fact that there's a pope, and I'm supposed to accept him as infallible, and then I see Pope Francis and I can't find a way to ever make myself accept him as infallible. How did you get around some of the Pope's being bad throughout history? Like if they're infallible why were there evil ones? I'm not trying to be confrontational or change your mind I'm just a curious Southern Baptist .

[@tony1685]

@@monsieurcharcutier4490 'popes' aren't infallible, friend -- heck, they aren't even Christian, according to the Bible. tell me, do you not agree with the Bible or just haven't read it?

[@Catholic-Christian]

@@monsieurcharcutier4490Hi sir. When we speak of Popes being infallible it is ONLY in very few instances where specific criteria is fullfilled. For instance in the last 150 years, papal Infallability has only been used 2 times. Infallability is not impeccability so popes can be bad [although alot of that supposedly in history is probably extremely exaggerated].

[@jonedejesus9542]

​@@Catholic-Christian 2 times out of 150 years being infallible is like being fallible altogether. "I have scored a perfect on my exam 2 out of 150 exams. Yes I am never wrong in those 2 instances. The 148 I am prone to error."🤷‍♂️

[@Catholic-Christian]

@@jonedejesus9542 That’s because papal infallability is about dogmas [Highest Teachings] and so since we are 2000 years on the way of christianity, most things have already been defined. Btw we don’t grant your exam example since we also believe there is a general protection of the holy Spirit even in non-infallible teachings. God bless.

[@CatholicaVeritas777]

I’m Indonesian and Pope Francis just went to my country!

[@shamelesspopery]

That's wonderful! Were you able to go to any of the events?

[@leolunacoolj]

This comment made my day! :D

[@BornAgainRN]

@@shamelesspopery Luke 22 is even less supportive of the papacy than even Matthew 16:18. When Jesus said he prayed for Peter, “you“ in the singular, Jesus is saying this because he knows Peter is going to deny him three times. If he hadn’t prayed for him, Peter likely would have went down the same road Judas did. When Jesus told him to strengthen the brethren, this was directed towards the other apostles, since they would all scatter. There is nothing in this passage in Luke 22 that even insinuates that Jesus is making Peter the single leader over the entire church, simply because of the word “strengthen.” That has to be greatly read into the passage eisegetically. By the way, I’ve been sending you private messages about seeing if you want to still pursue our debate on the biblical canon that you had an interest in, which we talked about earlier in the year, after I talked with Trent Horn. Are you still interested in a debate, Joe? Let me know. Thanks! Steve Christie.

[@gabrielowenjukardi4284]

Did you attend the mass?

[@busrifin4142]

​@@BornAgainRNplease debate with william albrecht ,his channel name patristic pillar. He is a catholic and a former protestant. Ask him for a debate with the subject that can be agree by him and you. Set a date and time. I am looking for a good defend and rebuttal from both side.

[@rappmasterdugg6825]

The protestant argument against Matthew 16 goes like this: God changed the name of four people in the bible. Abram became Abraham, "Father of a Nation," the founder of Israel from which Christianity came. Sarai, his wife, became Sarah, the Princess, and mother of the nation. Jacob became Israel, "Contends with God." He received all of the blessings of Abraham, and the nation of Israel took his name. In the case of Simon, Jesus changed his name to Peter so Jesus could make a pun at Caesarea Philippi.

[@francismarion6400]

But He turned and said unto Peter, “Get thee behind Me, Satan! Thou art an offense unto Me; for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”

[@laimajo3547]

@@francismarion6400 And then he told Pete he couldn't be an Apostle anymore...

[@lucillemasters6791]

@@francismarion6400And yet, after Jesus has risen from the dead, He entrusts and asks Peter to feed and tend His lambs. But more, Jesus tells Peter his, Peter’s death, will glorify God.

[@rafexrafexowski4754]

​@@francismarion6400 Funnily enough, this passage is incredible evidence in favor of Peter being the rock. Jesus calls him an offense, which in Greek literally means "stumbling stone."

[@rappmasterdugg6825]

@@francismarion6400 Jesus did indeed chastise Peter. But there is ample evidence in the NT after that event, cited in this video and elsewhere, that Peter was in good stead with Jesus and was chosen to lead the Church. Peter and the subsequent popes were/are human and subject to error, excepting the rare cases when they teach infallibly, ex cathedra. Peter was certainly an imperfect loudmouth and hot-head. God chooses amazing and interesting people to be his instruments on earth.

[@SuperTommox]

If Peter is not the rock, Our Lord changed his name for no reason.

[@wesleysimelane3423]

“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 On this rock is not talking about Peter for it is referring to Jesus since Christ is our rock. “All ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:3-4‬ ‬‬ And to prove even further that Peter was not the Rock, notice how over and over in scripture we are told that God is our rock. "I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭32:3-4‬ ‬‬ “They abandoned the God who made them and rejected the Rock their Savior. They made him jealous with their foreign gods and angered him with their detestable idols. They sacrificed to false gods, which are not God- gods they had not known, gods that recently appeared, gods your ancestors did not fear. You deserted the Rock, who fathered you; you forgot the God who gave you birth.” ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭32:15-18‬ ‭“There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭2:2‬‬‬ “For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?” ‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭22:32‬ ‬‬ “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my Rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭18:2‬ “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭19:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬ “I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭42:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬ “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my Rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭62:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬ “They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭78:35‬ ‭NIV‬‬ “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭92:14-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬ “Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭95:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬ “You have forgotten God your Saviour; you have not remembered the Rock, your fortress." ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭17:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ “And you will sing as on the night you celebrate a holy festival; your hearts will rejoice as when people playing pipes go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭30:29‬ ‭NIV‬‬ “Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭44:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ “LORD, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, you will never die. You, LORD, have appointed them to execute judgment; you, my Rock, have ordained them to punish.” ‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭1:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:24-27‬ ‭NIV‬‬ “As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭9:33‬ ‭NIV‬‬

[@RenegadeCatholic]

​@@wesleysimelane3423 and this, ladies and gentlemen, is what we call "gish gallop".

[@urawesome4670]

Peter became a living stone, based on what the Father revealed to him. It was not based on flesh and blood like Jesus said. So it can only be referring to the spirit, the Father revealed to Peter, Jesus is the Christ. 1 John 5:1 helps us; "5 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child [d]born of Him." We know this Spirit, can only be Christ, that was given to the Father on the cross, where Jesus said on the cross, "Father, into your hands, I commit My spirit". With this, one becomes born again. It is this spirit, that overcame hades, Revelation 1:18. Please note ** In John 1, Peter confessed Jesus was the Christ, but this was based on the flesh and blood of Andrew, and Jesus renamed Peter there as well. But Jesus did not say "upon this rock, I will build my church" in this particular passage. So it can not be built upon Peter, but upon what the Father gave him, in Matthew 17:17-19. Peter was clear, the house is built upon the foundation, and Christ is the chief cornerstone. A cornerstone is what a building is built upon, as well as the foundation. So it is clear, it was built upon Jesus, His spirit. The church is not built solely on flesh and blood, but the spirit, or Christ. Christ is the rock of our salvation, salvation is of the Lord, not the church. Joe does a lot of eisegesis, and uses methods of persuasions much more so, than hermeneutics to obtain the authors intent.

[@SuperTommox]

@@RenegadeCatholic completely avoided the argument about the changing of the name to Bible-bomb me

[@jaycefields756]

@@wesleysimelane3423 Matthew 16 Protestant edition: “And I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock- oops sorry. I mean on your profession of faith in me- oops wrong again. I mean on myself- oh dang. One more try. I mean on the scriptures I will build my church.” And Peter said to Him. “But, Lord, why then did you change my name to Peter?” And Jesus said unto Him, “Truly, truly I say to you: What do you want from me? I thought it sounded cool.”

[@faithbasedliving9391]

Through out my 7 years of being a devout non denominational Christian, Matthew 16 always tugged at my heart strings. It bothered me Christian’s would say it didn’t mean the papacy but they also never had another interpretation of it. I start RCIA this week 🙏💕

[@thementalist1213]

Welcome home!

[@shamelesspopery]

Welcome home! So excited for you, and I hope you'll keep us updated on your journey...

[@faithbasedliving9391]

@@thementalist1213 Thank you 😊

[@faithbasedliving9391]

@@shamelesspopery thank you! I’ll try! ❤️

[@elizabethking5523]

Just keep your eyes on the Eucharist! 😀🙏🏻❤️Don’t let anyone hurt your feelings or anything like that. The enemy will try to thwart you. People may say hurtful things to you bc of you taking the classes. (You just praise God when attacked. It will make you stronger. Remember Jesus said you will be hated for following Him) The enemy does NOT want you to ever have the Eucharist! It is all so awesome. I was confirmed Easter 2024. 🙏🏻❤️ And if you need to speak to the priest about anything that you still don’t understand, you can set up an appt for that. 😊Pray over everything and God will lead you! Blessings to you!🙏🏻❤️😀

[@thejerichoconnection3473]

To me the cleanest case is by connecting John 10 with John 21. If there’s only one flock (John 10) and Jesus gave Peter his flock to tend (John 21), either you are in the flock Peter tends or you are in the wrong flock. End of the papacy debate.

[@Catholic-Christian]

Amen. All the sheep given to Peter argument is devastating and irrefutable. I learned it from Unam Sanctam.

[@lukewilliams448]

Add in the keys of the kingdom then its truly case closed

[@garrettklawuhn9874]

St. Cyprian says every orthodox bishop is a successor to St. Peter in De Unitate. No mention of Rome…

[@Catholic-Christian]

@@garrettklawuhn9874 That’s because St Cyprian believed Rome had erred on the baptism controversy. Before that he believed Rome was indefectible which is a better objective witness.

[@Jason-yu3dr]

Case closed. But the sad reality is that even if Jesus explicitly told Peter in the scriptures, for example: “You are going to be the head of my church while I’m away. Those united to you and your successors are united to me.” Even something as clear as this would be brushed away with mental gymnastics. Just like how “This is my body” is not really his body, “Baptism now saves you” and actually it doesn’t, “Whoever’s sins you forgive….” only God can forgive sins, etc. So the truth is that we’re fighting against cognitive dissonance which is a very, very difficult battle

[@jaycefields756]

If only my mom was actually a Protestant and I could convince her with the usual arguments. But no, she’s not one. She’s barely even a Christian. She believes in Jesus and God (her words) but doesn’t trust the Bible bc it was written by men. She thinks that organized religion is a scam to steal people’s money. Instead she thinks that God leads people to Him in their own unique way through what she calls “a heart compass.” Basically God draws all people to Him (which is true) but it stops there in her mind. He’s never revealed Himself through any writings or churches. She hates that I am Catholic and we argue constantly. Please pray for us.

[@crusaderACR]

The traditional way to bring someone to the faith, believe it or not, is not argumentation and debates. Those are well and good, but people only listen to those when they're already interested or curious. The way is by example. Your improvement, your graces, your joy to be in the Truth, will bring people to ask you. That's why St. Peter told us to always have at the ready the reasons for why we hope. Note that it's not reasons why the OTHER person should believe, but why you do. When you hear stories of saints passing through a village and converting the whole place, it wasn't by personally debating each person. Catholic missions in Africa today often involve 90% charity and no more than presence, and that has converted millions and continues to convert to this day. People willingly approach after seeing the grace of the Lord in action. Let your mom listen to your arguments whenever she's ready. For now show, don't tell.

[@PepWan]

That’s true. Before a became a Catholic I watched numerous debates and that had no effect or little. Studying history and seeing what the teachings are was a bigger factor.

[@elizabethking5523]

If I were you, I would never argue with her again. And I would tell her that as well. ❤️Just live the Catholic Faith well. With love and in service to her. ❤️🙏🏻

[@maryjordan4129]

I know how you feel; my dear Mom is a Mormon and it’s just very sad. I’ll pray for your Mom; please pray for mine!💕✝️

[@enderwiggen3638]

No words you tell your mother would change her mind. So use actions. Your church has charitable ministry that helps people in your community with food, household furnishings and other acts of charity. St Vincent de Paul is a very common Catholic organization that works with the church in parishes all over. Volunteer for that service and ask your mom if she is willing to help you help other people through that ministry. If she is actually interested in helping she will see what the church does in the local community with donations from the congregation… both material and financial. She will see the good that is done that not even the government matches and it happens all over the world.

[@vtaylor21]

I like Luke's passage where Jesus told Peter to strengthen his brothers. All the apostles turned away from Jesus. The Apostle John was the only one who came back while Jesus was on the cross. Yet, Jesus didn't tell John to strengthen his brothers. He only told Peter.

[@shamelesspopery]

Exactly! That's a great point.

[@elizabeteborn5223]

John was already doing that and didn't need the reminder. He was after all there with Jesus as his spiritual brother.

[@elizabeteborn5223]

🎉jesus is the WORD and the word is truth and forever settled in Heaven. Who is my mother, brother and sister? He who hears my Father in Heaven and obeys. John was a true brother to Christ. Halleluyah!

[@vtaylor21]

@@elizabeteborn5223 Where in the Bible did it show John strengthening the other apostles?

[@danielr3127]

@@elizabeteborn5223 Nowhere in the Bible is it indicated that John ever strengthened his brothers. Him being present at Christ's crucifixion has nothing to do with emotionally and spiritually uplifting his brethren after they fled. At best, he was just reassuring Christ, showing that he was still there for him.

[@christiandavedurado4201]

Everytime you post a video, I'm making sure to watch it and it really help me understand our faith better. Warm regards from the Philippines

[@Mr.Peck88]

The irony is that when John MacArthur etc. misinterpret Luke 22, they are in fact playing the role of Satan to undermine the Church.

[@francismarion6400]

The RCC literally has a Satanic priest as it's head now!

[@Chris-t4i]

CATHOLIC CHURCH'S MAJOR FALLACYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY: Whatever Authority the Lord GOD Jesus gave to Peter is TRANFERRABLE !!! .......................... WHEREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE is that in the Bible ???... Corollary: WHERE is the DIRECT link of Peter to the Present Catholic Priests ??? .......................... WHEREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE is that in the Bible ???

[@ChrisFlanigan777]

Yes, they certainly are not [the body of] Christ who "prayed for you [singular] so that your faith may not fail".

[@michelangelopainters5519]

Yes, it's sad. It brings to mind Gamaliel's warning. People like McArthur are playing with fire in more ways than one.

[@Electric_]

John MacArthur is an enemy of the Body of Christ. I say that as a former fan of his who had his study Bible. I don’t know if he’s infallibly ignorant or not, that’s up to God, but he does make war on the True Faith.

[@shamelesspopery]

In this video, I explore why I think starting with Matthew 16 is typically not the best approach for explaining the papacy to non-Catholics, and gave the passage I find more straightforward. Yet every Protestant objection (so far) has assumed this video was about Matthew 16, and not addressed the passage I mentioned *at all.* I love a spirited debate, and I'm incredibly grateful for my Protestant listeners (including those who are critical!), but it really does help to watch the episode before you try to rebut it!

[@johnbrowne2170]

I thought Catholics consider Mary to be the rock.

[@datalore8270]

@@johnbrowne2170 Then you thought wrong.

[@fluffysheap]

Well, you do spend more than half of the video defending Matthew 22:16. I think they did watch it.

[@shamelesspopery]

@@fluffysheap What I'm trying to do there is less "defend" Matthew 16, and more show why it's a rich-but-complicated passage to cite to. The resulting debate in the comments (much of which is just people asserting that the "rock" is Peter's confession, or Jesus) more or less proves my point. But I'm struck by the relative lack of engagement with what I view as a much simpler biblical case for showing Peter's special role.

[@elizabeteborn5223]

​@@shamelesspopery Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, had a very important role to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the JEWS.

[@vtaylor21]

If Peter’s confession of faith is the rock, then Peter is the rock. You can't separate the profession of faith from the person who confessed the faith.

[@glennlanham6309]

Protestant arguments on this passage imply very bad grammar from Jesus

[@thomasberar4311]

@@glennlanham6309 Bad grammar = Sin

[@tony1685]

not possible -- as there are entirely too many proofs of the contrary. the *CONFESSION* that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah -- is the ROCK -- His church is built upon. none of the synoptic gospels support the catholic version. Peter himself declares himself as a 'fellow elder' -- so don't add to that. there is more, but this is more than sufficient.

[@John_Six]

​@@tony1685Source: Trust me bro

[@bearistotle2820]

​@@tony1685The Pope uses the same language today. He is also a priest, and a bishop. The president is still an elected representative, even though he holds a much higher office than all other elected representatives.

[@Rocky-nj8lk]

St Cyprian of Carthage (who the Orthodox recognise) said AD258: “The Lord says to Peter: ‘…you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church…’ On him He builds the Church, and to him He gives the command to feed the sheep, and although He assigns a like power to all the Apostles, yet He founded a single Chair… a primacy is given to Peter, whereby it is made clear that there is but one Church and one Chair.”

[@javierfrias2423]

The papacy is definitely harder to convince the Eastern Orthos lol

[@Rocky-nj8lk]

@@javierfrias2423 it really shouldn’t be given the numerous quotes from the early Church about the primacy of Rome/Chair of Peter

[@leiyeuktsui8449]

EO only against the idea of supremacy, but we do support primacy.

[@divinemercyradio9019]

We just had Joe give this talk in person and he signed our books. Thank you Joe!

[@shamelesspopery]

It was such a joy being with you!

[@tony1685]

i like Joe, he seems to be a very sincere man. and in the end, we are all trying to get to the same place with as many of our people with us. but as for catholicism, i sincerely wish people would allow It to dictate and expound on Itself -- the Word of God is clear about this counterfeit system.

[@shamelesspopery]

@@tony1685 Thanks, Tony! I appreciate your ability to see good faith even in those with whom you disagree. Glad you're examining Catholicism - even critically! I would just urge you to keep doing so with an open mind and an opener heart, and God truly will do the rest.

[@divinemercyradio9019]

@@shamelesspopery Did your family end up going to Sternburg?

[@tony1685]

@@shamelesspopery absolutely, Sir. you as well.

[@someonesomewhere6316]

Joe, Joe, Joe! You're a blessing, may you be blessed in return 🙏

[@shamelesspopery]

Thank you!

[@mariekelly4774]

Jesus said you are peter and upon this rock i will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevale against it.

[@mariekelly4774]

Peter the first Pope.

[@someonesomewhere6316]

@@mariekelly4774 First protestants - John 6:66

[@someonesomewhere6316]

@mariekelly4774 ...And the forces of Protestantism shall not prevail...

[@holdintheaces7468]

My favorite defense is the name change. Every person that God chose to be the start of a new chosen "group" throughout the bible had God give them a new name. Abram > Abraham (and Sarai > Sarah) when God chooses him to be the father of all nations. Jacob > Israel when God chooses him to be the father of his Chosen Peoples, the Israelites. Hoshea > Joshua as the successor to Moses. Solomon > Jedediah by the prophet Nathan, becomes the great King who builds the First Temple. And Simon > Peter, as a symbol of his designation as the Rock upon which he will build his church, the shepherd of God's flock (John 10, 21), holder of the keys (Mathew 16), and as you point out the one to use his faith to strengthen the other 12 (Luke 22). As usual, the connections to the Old Testament are lost on many modern Christians, but are very purposeful. Name changes signify a designation of a purpose from God. The change of his name to Peter carries the weight of all other name changes before it.

[@MaranglikPeterTo-Rot]

Thank you very much, Brother Joe H, and your team for yet another great piece of content. "Peter, you are Kefa! And on this Kefa, I will build my Church, and the powers of Hades shall not prevail against it." God bless you and your ministry. Greetings from Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬. I was privileged to see the Holy Father, Papa Francisco, during his four-day Apostolic journey to my country.

[@calebjushua9252]

👨‍⚖️ If Jesus was referring to Peter (petros) as the rock, the writer of the Scripture should have used "petros" as rock, and not "petra". Fortunately, this is how it appears in the Scriptures: Thou art "Petros", and upon this "petra" I will build my church. Petros and petra have different meanings.

[@sinfall5280]

This is why I'm subscribed to this channel. These insights and explanations are always eye opening.

[@DarrylCross]

John MacArthur's arguments at the end there reminds me of childhood, where some of the disagreements and debates in the schoolyard were settled with a "nah-uh" or alternatively, sticking ones fingers in their own ears and yelling "LaLaLa I can't hear you." A time-honored classic.

[@geoffjs]

Very immature & childish, lacking substance!

[@zackskewz9577]

MacArthur is a windbag

[@bradn77]

@@DarrylCross it just fizzled out and I think he realized it.

[@williamsturgeon2487]

Joe, thanks so much! Every time I listen to you or read your books, my resolve that I left the Protestant church is strengthened!

[@Bythegraceofgod1646]

Currently a Protestant (Presbyterian in a PCA church), increasingly coming to see the Catholic Church’s teachings as Biblical, rational, and true. The Papacy argument from Matthew 16 has been a “stumbling block” for me, however, for all the reasons you stated. The passage from Luke is indeed much clearer. Thank you for your gentle and gracious approach to apologetics. I can say the same for many Catholic apologists I’ve encountered over the last year or so. I have been drawn to apologetics since being saved by Jesus 7 years ago, b/c I held so many atheistic/secular beliefs that needed to be dismantled and exposed as lies, before I could embrace and rejoice in the truth. That said, Protestant apologists take on a different flavor than what I’ve found in Catholic apologists. Learning about the Catholic faith, ironically, seems to set my conscience free before the Lord - and that is why I come back to learning more even when I find myself initially in disagreement or not understanding the doctrines being taught. I feel free to pray “Lord, I believe… help my unbelief!” Whereas the passion often witnessed by Protestant apologists, tho good intentioned, in retrospect, pulled at my heart so strongly that I no longer questioned what was taught even tho I still hadnt resolved my questions either.

[@pitAlexx]

Really, praying to the saints and divinizing Mary is not an issue for you? I couldn’t care less about the Papacy when such things are practiced. Those are clearly not Biblical and make no sense. Praying to another human for help instead of God… that you can never convince me of even if the hole world would do it. I will be the Doubting Thomas.

[@Vaughndaleoulaw]

I was PCA as well. Even helped plant a church and started taking classes at RTS Atlanta. Praying for you!

[@Bythegraceofgod1646]

@@Vaughndaleoulaw Thank you so much for your prayers. I truly appreciate each and every one who prays for me on this journey to know the church as Christ established it! I believe it will be His grace that leads me home. May I ask what specifically made you realized you needed to leave your PCA church and convert to Catholicism? What finally convinced you?

[@Vaughndaleoulaw]

@@Bythegraceofgod1646 There were a number of things I had to work through. But, what made me decide I needed to leave Protestantism (broadly) is the question of how we know which writings are in the canon.

[@Bythegraceofgod1646]

@@pitAlexx I’ll answer in sincerity, and say this- the way Protestants typically portray Catholic doctrines like “praying to the saints” or anything regarding Mary is more often than not actually a severe misrepresentation of what the Church really teaches. So the conversation must start there- and then we must read the Church’s documents in light of the early church fathers, like first and second and third century. I began to see the Catholic Church through new eyes after I read how the earliest fathers interpreted Scripture and tradition. With much respect for what you believe, I encourage you to read the early church fathers for yourself- Ignatius, Clement, etc.

[@kenparks1151]

When you close your eyes to truth,it is hard to see.

[@gerardogilsanz1171]

I strongly recommend the Book. Pope Peter is a hell of a book and dives into these questions in such an amazing clarity... One of he best books I've read in a long time. Still, Joe deserves better shirts.

[@thejerichoconnection3473]

Is the rock Christ, Peter, or Peter’s confession? Catholics: “Yes”

[@carolinajackson7621]

A man can never be the rock upon which Christ's church stands.

[@christopherponsford8385]

@@carolinajackson7621Not apart from Christ, no. But in Christ yes.

[@MaranglikPeterTo-Rot]

Your contrary point is just being debunked by Joe H here. Lol​@@christopherponsford8385

[@shamelesspopery]

​@@carolinajackson7621is Jesus not powerful enough to build His Church upon Peter? I don't understand how you could make this argument. After all, Ephesians 2:20 describes the Church being built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets (men) with Jesus himself (also a man) being the cornerstone.

[@carolinajackson7621]

@christopherponsford8385 Hello, Christopher. The NT provides us with 3 metaphores for the church: 1. the bride of Christ, (Jesus is the groom. 2 Corinthians 11:2, Revelation 21:2, 17 Revelation 19:7-9, Ephesians 5:25-27, Ephesians 5:21-33) 2. the body of Christ (Jesus is the head, Ephesians 1, 23; 1 Corinthians 12, 27) 3. a building: Jesus is the cornerstone & ALL the apostles are the foundation (Eohesians 2, 29-21) There is absolutely no room for a human as key piece for the church in any of those passages. Have a blessed day.

[@Klee99zeno]

Aggressive Protestants often say that the verses about Peter do not mean what they APPEAR to mean. Of course when we see that Peter is being given the keys to the Kingdom of heaven it certainly LOOKS LIKE he's being given a position of great authority, but the stubborn Protestant still has to deny this and say that Jesus didn't really mean what he's said. So you would have to think the bible is misleading us, sending us in the wrong direction. But isn't that a very inappropriate way to approach the bible?

[@calebjushua9252]

👨‍⚖️ If Jesus was referring to Peter (petros) as the rock, the writer of the Scripture should have used "petros" as rock, and not "petra". Fortunately, this is how it appears in the Scriptures: Thou art "Petros", and upon this "petra" I will build my church. Petros and petra have different meanings.

[@tessa7413]

It’s so funny that many Protestant pastors spend so much time arguing & teaching against the Catholic Church. Anti-Catholicism is a core tenet of most Protestant faith traditions.

[@tony1685]

you should read how clearly the Bible exposes catholicism!

[@wesleysimelane3423]

It is mystery babylon. The mother of all harlots. The little horn making proud and blasphemous claims. The Lord wants His people to get out of her before it's too late.

[@tessa7413]

@@tony1685 yeah, it totally exposes it - as the One True Faith!

[@tony1685]

@@tessa7413 actually @wesleysimelane is correct -- the many identifying criteria in Scripture can be matched by no other in all the world. it's difficult, i know -- but worth the study, when you're ready to allow God to dictate Truth.

[@tessa7413]

@@tony1685 I have, & continue to study. Through honest & objective research, I’m convinced without a shadow of doubt that the Catholic Church was genuinely established by Christ, & that the Catholic faith is the One True Faith. No amount of anti-Catholic propaganda will convince me otherwise. It was largely through digging deep & investigating all the anti-Catholic claims that I became convinced of the truth of Catholicism. Turns out that none of the Anti-Catholic claims hold up to scrutiny, & to the contrary the Catholic claims do. I sense that neither of you are actually honest truth seekers. Rather, you’ve fallen for myths that scratch your itching ears. You have a very unhealthy & obsessive hatred for the truth, & for the only Church actually established by Christ Himself. You’re unwittingly being used as a tool of Satan.

[@dumbidols]

I would say the best interpretation is how the early church received it, and they did receive it believing Peter had the primacy among the apostles. The Orthodox, who are non-papists, acknowledge this. So I think the question is really about primacy versus supremacy.

[@danielr3127]

Joe, the depth and intelligibility of your videos are much appreciated. Thanks a lot and keep it up.

[@sopad4629]

Jesus is smart. He wouldn’t leave the world without an organized Church. Jesus is King, He is our King. And Kings leave the keys of their Kingdom to their Gatekeepers. Peter died too and will continue God’s holy work by anointing others to make it official and valid. Jesus created an organized Church and that is the Catholic Church. That’s how Jesus loves us is through the Sacraments. Jesus salvation through the Sacraments. Jesus is God incarnate and that is a big deal. God we can touch and connect to. And this is through the Sacraments in the Catholic Church. Catholic is Universal, that’s why if you leave the United States and go to other Christian countries, they are mostly Catholics because the Catholic missionaries spread Christianity to the world. Some Catholic missionaries are even Martyrs and Saints. Only the Protestants give and spread misinformed information about the Catholic(Universal)Church of Jesus.

[@Justas399]

How does the dead Peter continue " God’s holy work by anointing others to make it official and valid"? Where does Peter say that?

[@calebjushua9252]

What do you mean by "Jesus salvation through sacraments"?

[@davido3026]

Isaiah 22:20-25! Verbatim!!!

[@davido3026]

​@@Justas399everywhere throughout the bible!!! You are illiterate!

[@davido3026]

​@@calebjushua9252that very thing, The Sacraments, Sacred Moments God touches te human being to save him!!!

[@gc3563]

In turn MacArthur would say it’s “ludicrous” that since the very beginning all Christians have understood the papacy chair of Peter, for 2000+ years. He’s the one that’s ludicrous! Pray for him, all we can do. He’s so insufferably frustrating 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@Catholic-Christian]

The guy is like 90 years old. Sad to say but he will soon be damned.

[@killianmiller6107]

They love making negative cases as if they win by default if Catholicism is false, they say “so and so didn’t happen to say Peter is the rock” therefore Catholicism deboonked. But you usually don’t see them making any positive case for their beliefs being believed by all, everywhere, every time. They don’t positively substantiate the case from history that Peter is objectively not the rock, or that the paradigm of individual churches unaccountable to each other has always been the norm.

[@buschenterprises4788]

what Mac really means is>>>this passage is unfortunate for us.

[@Onlyafool172]

Its always hilarious to see protestants turn into masters of decrypting ancient Codes to say Petros and Petra are supposed to have different meanings, and that peter's confession is the rock, Jesus is the rock, we all are the Rock, but Peter isnt like everyone except him. I see sola scriptura working very well dont bother that when Jesus gives simon the name of Peter, it litterraly has a extra passage saying, "peter which means rock", or sometimes Peter which means Kephas, also dont look at all the early church fathers saying the bishop of rome is the pontifacy of faith. Clearly Jesus wanted 9900 different interpretations of his words so we all could look like fools misunderstanding his teachings, thus Sola scriptura ! 😂

[@raymalbrough9631]

Can't believe what John McArthur says and preaches. His anti-Catholic stance keeps me Catholic.

[@Justas399]

He is not anti-catholic but exposes the false teachings of catholicism.

[@raymalbrough9631]

@@Justas399 OCDS? Give me a break. The Catholic Church is the church founded by Jesus and his apostles. I'd never become a Protestant.

[@Justas399]

@@raymalbrough9631 Catholic is not the same thing as roman catholic. 2 different things. Nor is your church the same thing as the Christian church because your church teaches doctrines that the apostles never taught.

[@alhilford2345]

​@@Justas399: Comments like this make me thankful to be Catholic.

[@Justas399]

@@alhilford2345 Are you happy with pope Francis who supports homosexuality and allows pagan idols in your church? Are you happy with the way your church has covered up the homosexual stuff that has brought great shame on the name of Christ?

[@michaelogrady232]

"A wobbly foundation." I would say that guy has read Chesterton! And the fact it is a wobbly foundation is proof positive the Church is upheld by Christ. Through all the centuries of wobblyness the Church has never failed.

[@TheThreatenedSwan]

Mike Winger makes one of dumbest cases for sola scriptura I've ever seen, but it's probably not far off from the average evangelical who hasn't thought through things for a few seconds. There was an authoritative Church preaching the gospel by approved men under the authority of the apostles from Jesus. Winger acts like they were always sola scriptura which makes no sense when there was no new testament scripture. He just pretends that Catholics have no case in principle and there was never a situation where the early did not look like how he wants it to

[@Justas399]

Where did Christ and His apostles deny this? Sola Scriptura= the Scriptures alone are the inspired-inerrant Word of God. Therefore they are the ultimate authority for the Christian and the Christian church. There is no equal nor greater authority than the Scriptures.

[@tafazziReadChannelDescription]

@@Justas399 and how do you know the Word of God stops at Scripture and includes all the books and only the books you consider Scripture? Please answer in full, in detail. Also books aren't authorities.

[@Justas399]

@@tafazziReadChannelDescription Ok. Tell me what else is the inspired-inerrant Word of God besides the Scriptures and how you know?

[@tafazziReadChannelDescription]

@@Justas399 I'm asking you. You made a claim, if you actually talked out your thought process I'd guarantee I can find you where the mistake is. I have an answer to your question, but every time I give it, protestants (especially rude baptists) completely ignore my questions and just want to talk about my response. That's not how this works. Your belief that your canon of the Bible is the full extent of the Word of God is something you need to prove on your own terms. Do it. Answer my question, come on, don't deflect.

[@Justas399]

@@tafazziReadChannelDescription Only the Scriptures are the inspired-inerrant Word of God. Even your church recognizes this. Nothing else is considered the inspired-inerrant Word Of God in your church but the Scriptures.

[@someonesomewhere6316]

I hold the teaching of the Catholic Church true and Protestant teachings, protestant.

[@davidgravy2007]

Says the papal protestant

[@someonesomewhere6316]

@davidgravy2007 You've a right to learn or to imagine and choose what you the truth or what suits you.

[@davidgravy2007]

​@@someonesomewhere6316 Been there, done that. But the truth, it turns out, is objective, and what many of us have deemed suitable, has been to the destruction of our souls. Protestantism teaches true things, but as you know, it also gets many things wrong. Personally, I would contend that Protestantism has reason to perceive flaws in Catholicism, but it protests against the wrong things. Papal supremacy, papal infallibility, the filioque, and the "immaculate conception", are all false doctrines of your tradition. What too few Protestants realize, is that Roman Catholicism rebelled against the authority of the Church, more than 500 years before Luther's theses. What too few Catholics realize, is that while Protestantisms are certainly riddled with their own false doctrines, Catholicism has too large a plank in its own eye, to have any hope at all, removing the sawdust from the eye of the Protestant.

[@gsusgodschord3467]

I think we make it more complicated than it needs to be. Using the Bible rarely brings unity. But simple logic is the way to go, especially with Protestors. It's this simple: Every church has a head, a pastor. The only difference is most Protestant churches have 100 people, ours has 2 billion. But we still need a head, a pastor, like any other church. Or rather, unlike any other church ;)

[@SuperTipsKenya]

Peter peter, do you love me ? Yes Lord you know I love you. Take care of my sheep. The Bible is very simple.

[@johnbrowne2170]

Peter swore and denied Christ three times. The Bible is very simple.

[@MikePasqqsaPekiM]

Great points! The preponderance of the evidence is clearly in favor of Apostolic authority with Peter as the leader of the Apostles. People want proof beyond doubt, but that’s such a high standard that, when applied to other doctrines, means we know little to nothing about what Christ intended. We need the Church to interpret scripture, not our own preconceptions and assumptions.

[@Gio-ce8ob]

For me, it is simpler. It comes down to this, what Church did the Protestant revolutionaries break off from? And in Matt 16:18 does Jesus not promise that Hell itself shall not overcome His Church? So the question they should’ve asked is, do I trust Jesus enough to believe His Church went astray like Peter but Christ will bring us back? I would’ve trusted Jesus and worked for reform from within. Instead they left the Only Church Christ founded for a man who never even claimed Jesus came to him in a vision. They talk about not being led astray by “traditions of men”, no you were led from Traditions of Christ and His Holy Church for the innovations of a man named Luther.

[@MrDarthtelos]

Re-reading Pope Peter on audible. Great work Joe.

[@jads9296]

Joe, You are an amazing teacher, thanks for your insights. 😊

[@familysim2905]

One pope (Peter) to rule them all! *Apologies. I couldn’t resist.* 😂 Luke’s account is a great basic explanation that I will use with my Protestant friends going forward instead of Mathew. Thank you for sharing this, Joe!

[@shamelesspopery]

I may be an apologist, but I won't apologize for bad jokes.

[@marcokite]

@@shamelesspopery - ...and isn't Jorge doing a GREAT job of attacking Roman Catholic Tradition and indeed the RCC in general. Time for Orthodoxy ☦☦☦

[@HellenicPapist]

These are all the scriptures I know of about the Papacy, if anyone wants to gander: Genesis 41:39-40 "So Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discreet and wise as you are; *you shall be over my house,* and all my people shall order themselves as you command; only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.'" Genesis 41:41-42 *"And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Behold, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.'* Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in garments of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; ..." Genesis 41:43, "...and he made him to ride in his second chariot; and they cried before him, 'Bow the knee!' *Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt."* Isaiah 22:19-23 •"I will thrust you *from your office,* and you will be cast down from your _station._ In that day I will call my servant _Eliakim_ the son of Hilkiah, and I will clothe him with your robe, and will bind your girdle on him, and will commit your authority to his hand; and he *shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.* And I will place on his shoulder the KEY OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID; _he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open._ And I will fasten him like a peg in a sure place, and he will become a throne of honor to his father's house." Isaiah‬ ‭36‬:‭3‬ ‭ “Then _Eliakim_ the son of Hilkiah, *who was over the household,* and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph, the recorder, came out to him.” Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. _I will give you [Peter],_ THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN; and whatever _you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”_ Luke 12:39, 41-42 “But be sure of this, that *if the head of the house* had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into. Now _Peter_ said, “Lord, are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone else as well?” And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and prudent _steward,_ *whom his master will put in charge of his servants,* to give them their rations at the proper time?“ Luke‬ ‭22‬:‭31‬-‭32‬ “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat. But I have prayed earnestly for you [singular, to Peter], that *your faith may not fail;* and you, once you have returned, *strengthen your brothers.”* John‬ ‭21‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ “… _”Simon, son of John,_ do you love Me more than these?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “TEND MY LAMBS.” He *said to him again a second time, **_“Simon, son of John,_** do you love Me?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, *“SHEPHERD* MY SHEEP.” He *said to him the third time, _“Simon, son of John,_ do you love Me?” … And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus *said to him, “TEND MY SHEEP.” Acts‬ ‭15‬:‭7‬ “And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that _in the early days God made a choice among you,_ that *by my [Peter’s] mouth* the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe.”

[@JESUS.is.GOD._]

The church was not a denomination its people

[@marknovetske4738]

Your work in this area is very powerful. Thanks

[@jesscatangay9384]

Why Protestant insist to deny the Pope for the belief of the Catholics it has been settled in 1521, Luther left the Church with his belief and founded his own Church, Protestant is not Catholic, Catholic is not Protestant, they separate ways already and different belief, if they do not have a Pope so be it, if fact Protestants have so many Popes, so why deny Catholics their single Pope.

[@PepWan]

Yes Luther became his own Pope.

[@davido3026]

​@@PepWan There are now 100,000 popes in the world today!!! Only one true in Rome!!!

[@johnbrowne2170]

@@PepWan Read what Luther said about the pope and you'd change your mind about that remark.

[@everythingdefensivecarry1108]

Long before the RCC, the Church decided matters with a council of equals among equals; not with a Pope. The earliest example can be found in the book of ACTs with James as the presiding Bishop.

[@monsieurcharcutier4490]

Southern Baptist with an open mind and a strange "pull" towards Catholicism here. Just curious about your argument, don't mind me.

[@humble_prairie_homestead]

Lifelong protestant with the same curiosity. Been exploring catholicism for over a year now. It's fascinating.

[@WK-47]

You guys, too, huh? I'm a lapsed Christian, baptized at birth out of old family trsditiojband only briefly did my family practise or believe. I've spent about as many years as I've been faithless studying theology and related subjects out of personal interest, but things started coming together (very, very slowly) maybe three years ago. I've just found myself, without necessarily trying to, becoming more spiritual with each year that passes, meanwhile finding myself becoming increasingly interested and drawn to orthodoxy generally, whether Eastern/with a capital O or especially Catholicism. Really what I'm saying here is, I think I know what you mean when you describe a strange "pull". The same thing has brought me from agnosticism to diving deep into Abrahamic teaching generally (yeah, I even read the Qur'an out of curiosity - wasn't too impressed) and now to ending up living very near a small Catholic church by chance and meeting the priest just to discuss "where I'm at" spiritually. I hope to speak to him more and awkwardly attend my first Mass, even knowing I wouldn't be permitted for thr Eucharist. Despite that, I've already (again, mostly unconsciously trying to live as a Christian truly and found myself praying. God bless you all, whoever you are end whatever your faith.

[@shamelesspopery]

Hey, I found where the cool kids are hanging out! (Seriously, let me know if I can be of any help. 🙂)

[@marcokite]

Explore Holy Orthodoxy, look at Kyle and David Erhan's explanation of why Orthodoxy but NOT the RCC. ☦☦☦

[@monsieurcharcutier4490]

@@humble_prairie_homestead good to know I'm not alone in it 🙌

[@luizcarvalho1185]

Excellent content. Following right now! Greetings from Brazil

[@jditsfights256]

Hey Joe, I left a comment on your last video, and I don’t mean to be annoying, but I have a video suggestion that I personally would find very interesting. So just in case you didn’t see it I’ll try commenting on this matter one more time. But I’m very interested in the typology of Mary’s Queenship. In your video about the assumption of Mary you touched on her Queenship, but you mainly focused on Revelation 12. But I think there is a case that is as strong, if not stronger when looking at the typology on this matter, and I think a video on that would be very interesting.

[@timboslice980]

I think that would be good too. I like to think of the typology as well. You have the king (christ) you have his 12 ministers, one prime minister given the keys of the kingdom. You have the king’s many wives and concubines, and you have the queen mother. I think the types in the davidic kingdom are all clearly identified in Christ’s own ministry. He is the king in the line of David, the king’s Mother was always considered the queen. The king had wives but they didnt have the authority of the queen mother at all.

[@jditsfights256]

Yeah I believe the typology of Mary’s Queenship is based on ecclesiology.

[@jess96154]

Another amazing video! I look forward to these every week.

[@andrewscotteames4718]

I have read pope Peter and it’s very good

[@Sicarius089]

With Luke 22 I actually brought that up to a Protestant recently, thier counter argument was "Christ knew Peter was going to deny him so he wanted to encourage him". I had to point out how that actually isn't a good counter as firstly, Judas' betrayal was much more heinous so why wouldn't Christ offer encouragement to Judas, not only that but the other apostles also failed Christ that night and in the proceeding days, so the question would still remain why does Christ specifically single out Peter if he's not to be the elected leader i.e. Pope. Obviously pointing that out there wasn't any pushback so hopefully it flicked the light on. On Matthew another counter claim I see is Jesus rebuking Peter in the same setting, unfortunately protestants misinterpret papal infallibility to think it means a Pope is correct all the time.

[@ozoz2931]

Also what does history tell us? Did the THE church see The Roman bishop as successor of Peter? The answer is yes! Both east and west. History defeats the Protestant view! This view is not seen until the great deformation.

[@joelschumacher8028]

Must watch channel. Your content is always rewarding, enlightening, fun and we all love your smile.

[@andyontheinternet5777]

"I say it without the least hesitation, whoever calls himself the universal bishop, or desires this title, is, by his pride, the precursor of Antichrist, because he thus attempts to raise himself above the others. The error into which he falls springs from pride equal to that of Antichrist; for as that Wicked One wished to be regarded as exalted above other men, like a god, so likewise whoever would be called sole bishop exalteth himself above others...." - Pope Gregory the Great (6th century)

[@tafazziReadChannelDescription]

ok? And who claims to be the universal bishop?

[@killianmiller6107]

The bishop of Rome is… get this, the bishop of Rome. He’s not the bishop of the whole world. Everyone must be in communion with him, but he isn’t in charge of the diocese of Minneapolis.

[@andyontheinternet5777]

@@killianmiller6107 "Everyone must be in communion with him." - I think you missed the point Gregory the Great was making. You had better listen to him, though. He was pope long before the circus came to town.

[@andyontheinternet5777]

@@tafazziReadChannelDescription The Catholic church has been claiming primacy over the universal church since the middle ages. Pope Gregory the Great, however, rejected the primacy of Rome, and even called it the precursor to the anti-Christ.

[@tafazziReadChannelDescription]

@@andyontheinternet5777 primacy does not mean universal bishop. And papal supremacy is taught at the ecumenical council of Ephesus.

[@Conor13104]

This is great Joe! The common Protestant response to this will be that even if Peter had a special role himself, this doesn’t establish succession. Do you have any thoughts on how to respond to this?

[@owl2]

That cake at 14:30 looks good

[@RooK61]

Made me think of a big glass of milk. Lol

[@mr.fahrenheit8185]

“And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” - ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16:18-19‬ ‭NABRE

[@TheCatholicNerd]

I think it's clear by looking at the Bible and at early church history that the papacy is established by God. I mean they didn't call it the papacy but let's look at a few points. Did the early church have leadership? Obviously it did. This is evident in both acts and the letters of Paul. The second question, was St. Peter in a special position in this leadership. I would say that's demonstratable in Acts by the fact that it's always referring to Peter and the 12, Peter seems to have a special position in the house of Cornelius, and in the gospels, as you're showing in this video, Peter is often singled out with special authority. The last point, which you can't really get from scripture because these dudes are still alive when the scripture was being written, is does that authority pass to successors after the death of the Apostles? I would say by looking at early church history, it's clear that this apostolic authority is given to the bishops either concurrently with the the apostles while they live or as the apostolic generation dies out this authority is delegated to the bishops. I guess one final question would be in addition to the authority of the bishops, does the bishop of Rome have Peter's special authority as leader of the bishops , and I think that's pretty clearly a yes by looking at early church history, especially the councils. And you can see Rome having a special position. I don't think it's as defined as it is now in the early days, but then again and acorn doesn't look much like an oak tree. By that I mean the doctrine of papal authority has developed over time, but that's to be expected when an organization grows that things get more defined. Like think of a baby in the womb, everything's there. It's just there in a germ form. As the baby grows, things get differentiated and developed. Same thing with the church. As She grew She became more defined and differentiated. The Bride of Christ started out as a baby in the Bible and is maturing into a beautiful woman. (Unfortunately, sometimes she acts like Gomer but that's okay because Jesus acts like Hosea).

[@nalkarj2840]

I appreciate the video. I’m a Catholic who is strongly considering leaving the Church, probably for another “high-church” denomination such as Episcopalianism or Lutheranism. So I’m not a Protestant yet (if “Protestant” is even a good descriptor for a high-church Anglican…), and anyway I couldn’t speak for all Protestants, but I have no problem admitting that Peter had some kind of leadership role among the 12 or that Christ prayed specially for him. He consistently seems the spokesman, even the representative, for his spiritual brethren. I also think that James and John, especially James, appear to have leadership roles in the early church. The problem is that I don’t think that leadership role translates into a papacy with ex-cathedra infallibility and immediate absolute jurisdiction over every other church. I know Catholic Answers has responses to, say, Acts 15:19 (“James’s decision doesn’t really count, he’s just backing Peter up”) and to Galatians 2:11 (“Peter wasn’t speaking ex cathedra”). But suffice it to say I find these responses unconvincing and/or anachronistic. As for Luke 22, all it proves, for me, is that Jesus is praying in a special way for Peter. There are many ways to explain this-one being that Peter was weak in his faith and needed special, particular prayers. After all, after Jesus has already prayed for Peter’s faith not to fail and for Peter to strengthen his brethren-and after Peter’s receiving the keys in Matt. 16:18-Peter still betrays Jesus. Did he not have papal authority, infallibility, at this point? Anyway, again I have no problem saying that Peter had some kind of “first among equals” role; generally I see him like Peter the “High King” in the Narnia books, who as the firstborn has some kind of precedence of honor over his sibling monarchs. But does that mean that St. Peter had infallibility or absolute supremacy? I simply don’t see that in the text.

[@UncleKlausSchwab]

Have you seen how those Churches are going? Anglicanism is in free fall. The protestant experiment has just yielded more and more division, 30,000 churches and more. As regards infallibility the passage was stayed, was loosed on earth will be loosed on heaven. The charism of infallibility is not every declaration but is conditional and rarely exercised. The ex cathedra statements are miniscule, while other determinations as infallible are subject to debate eg whether all canonisations are infallible. I find it odd you'd leave the faith because you aren't convinced by scriptural testament for infallibility yet you will leave the faith for Churches that openly and flagrantly promote issues contrary to scripture? Eg, divorce, homosexuality,female clergy, and non apostolic succession. The Episcopal Church was created by Henry the 8th due to his favouring loins, male primogeniture over the truth. He had defended the Church until lust caused him to surrender his reason. Lutheranism similarly was established by an errant Catholic priest, who purposely removed canon to fit his new Church. How do you reconcile these issues? Just interested. It just seems you are looking for a way out without the same scrutiny for that which you seek to enter? I'm European, those denominations are almost extinct here because they stand for absolutely nothing. I find this very surprising. God bless.

[@TheEdzy25]

Here is one for the Ortho bros. Unless they deny St. John of damascus😂. St. John of Damascus' Homily on the Transfiguration #2; J.P. MIGNE PATRALOGIA GRAECA, 96:548 [706 AD] "Today the supreme head of the New Covenant- the one who proclaimed Christ as Son of God [Peter] most clearly when he said. "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.- sees the leader of the Old Covenant [Moses] standing next to the lawgiver of both."

[@atomiclead8647]

Aquinas had to make the historically untenable accusation of Nestorian influence against St. John of Damascus to get around his completely obvious witness against Filioquism.

[@Catholic-Christian]

@@atomiclead8647This is actually not true. On the contrary if he must be harmonized with either EO or Catholic communion then St John Of Damascus was a filioquist. That is because his saying of ”We don’t say the Spirit proceeds from the Son” Can be validly be interpreted as meaning not proceeding from Christ as head and principle of the whole Godhead. However his statement that the Spirit is from the Father through the Word demolishes eastern ”orthodoxy” because your council at blachernae 1285 explicitly condemned this. So your council condemned John Of Damascus as a heretic 😁😂

[@TheEdzy25]

@@atomiclead8647 you have to stop parroting scripts of EO psuedo theology. The filoque was being debated in the east, some believed it some were not sure. The modern EO apologist try to scrap the history..😂🤣

[@atomiclead8647]

@@Catholic-Christian Aquinas agrees with the Orthodox that St. John of Damascus rejected the Filioque and no ad hoc reinterpretations about “principle vs. secondary causation” will change that, or the fact that “through” and “from” are different words with different meanings.

[@atomiclead8647]

@@TheEdzy25 There was no debate East or West. Even the proto-papal supremacist Anastasius the Librarian gave the same interpretation of “from the Son” as St. Maximus which was rejected multiple times at Florence.

[@claujff7092]

I think it's difficult nowadays to grasp that Our Lord reigns over a Kingdom, we tend to think the best way to govern is a democracy, where we decide who is your leader and it's ok to challenge authority. But if you want to be part of the Kingdom we must have the humility to acknowledge that we are not the ones who run it. We are meant to be wise, but like sheep or children, not to be in constant challenge of authority.

[@thisis_chavez]

I always pray that I become a successful Catholic Social Media Influencer to spread the teachings and Revelations of the Catholic Church and the entire Christendom. I hope and pray the Devotion to the Eucharist and the Holy Souls in Purgatory helps me.

[@rafaelroxas2818]

A very good presentation. Thank you.

[@rodneysmith3686]

Thanks Joe as always very informative God bless you

[@americapires3742]

I’m really grateful for this video 🙏

[@michelangelopainters5519]

Just a perfect presentation. Thank you!

[@Revolver1701]

MacArthur doesn’t like what holy scripture says about Peter but he denies what the actual words say.

[@KevFer]

One critique of this great video: Monergism and MacArthurism are not synonymous. Ss. Augustine, Fulgentius, Prosper, Thomas Aquinas and the majority of Catholic tradition has always been Monergist. Monergism doesn’t exclude free will but it teaches that grace brings about a free response. St. John Damascene would say that God willed that Peter didn’t deny Him antecedently but that He did will his denial consequently.

[@westcoastwarrior9140]

One thing while doing the Bible in a year with Father Mike Schmitz, he mentions that out of the 12 tribes of Israel, Judah was the leader of the tribes - the first to lead the tribes in desert wanderings, the first to lead the people over the river into the promised land, the same tribe that King David and Jesus were from. The 12 tribes were foreshadowed in the 12 apostles and Peter was the first to perform a miracle, first to call Jesus the Messiah, the first one given the powers to binding and loosing, many times when listed upon the apostles Peter was the first one listed

[@suburbanbanshee]

People who say that only God is the Rock forget that only God is called holy, and yet Christians are called holy because they are part of Christ's Body. Only God is called Father, but God named Abraham with a name that means father. God gives us all sorts of names that are part of His names. He gives them away to us, and does not lose them Himself. You probably bear Christ's Name if you are reading this.

[@whatthefitt]

For 36 years of my entire life, I lived my life based on science and facts, without faith or religion. Now at 37 after having committed much sins and knowing if I continue my life by myself without God, I know I will continue to experience more troubles ahead and destroy myself, I am halfway through RCIA and waiting to be baptized at Easter.. thank you Jesus for saving me. Please pray for me 🙏🏻 “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost but now I'm found Was blind, but now I see”

[@UncleKlausSchwab]

Welcome home

[@cv5369]

this has become my favorite channel, as some one who is in the middle of catechism, I yern for some sound theolgy

[@hirakisk1973]

Great video! I would love to see a video (I'm sure you are flooded with video/topic ideas) on the fact that the Gospels are NOT biographies of Jesus, but theological narratives. I think this is the biggest reason why Protestants have such a hard time with things. They don't understand that the historical details that are given in the gospels aren't just retelling the life of Jesus like a modern day biography, but the details included were included and told in a specific manner to highlight a certain theological point. For example, why include the renaming of Simon into Peter in Matthew? It was for a specific theological reason. Why does John's gospel include Jesus telling Peter three times in three different ways to take care of his lambs/sheep? Why doesn't John's gospel give an account of the "Last Supper", but the early Church all understood John 6 as talking about the Eucharist? The list goes on and on, but the vast majority of Protestants don't have any idea about this.

[@batmaninc2793]

The three I use are: St. John 1:42 St Matthew 16:18-19 Acts 15:7

[@JustJordan126]

How doesJohn 1:42 & Acts 15 teach the papacy?

[@batmaninc2793]

@@JustJordan126 St. John 1:42 is where Jesus changes Simon’s name to Kepha, “which is interpreted Petros/Peter”; which all mean “Rock”. The Aramaic copy of St. Matthew’s Gospel, which St. Matthew had written before the Greek version, also has written Kepha. “Thou art Kepha, and upon this kepha…” St. Matthew 16:18-19 is obvious at this point. Acts 15:7 has St. Peter saying: Brethren, *you know as well as I that* in the Days of Old, *God chose* from among you that by *my voice* the Gentiles shall hear the gospel and believe. Fun fact: Simon bar Jonah is also the first person in history to go by the name Rock (Kepha/Cephas/Petros/Peter). The name given to him by God, the Son.

[@davidallred2947]

"Revealed this to you by my Father which is in Heaven. And upon THIS rock I will build my church." The rock of revelation, though the chosen Apostles. Peter was called out as the chief apostle. Play on words? Yes. Was Peter chosen by Christ to lead the church with Apostolic Keys and Authority? Yes. But, Peter is NOT the rock upon which the church was built. If that were the case, the authority to lead the church ends with Peter.

[@hopejordanguerrero7554]

And this is why I prefer using older translations like the Douay, the KJV and the RSV, as it is easier to see the difference between the plural “you” and the singular “thou”. When both plural and singular “you” is in use, it is easy for Protestants to argue that Christ was praying for THEM plural and not Simon Peter in particular. I know because that is how they argued it in college.

[@Grokford]

This is a lot of talking around the basic problem There is no reason to assume that Peter’s responsibilities and privileges are transferible, let alone to someone in Rome, a place where there’s no record of Peter ever being. And you can paint ideals all you like it doesn’t change the fact that the Holy See is a complicated monarchical bureaucracy/nation state.

[@andyontheinternet5777]

I agree with one caveat. There is credible historical evidence Peter was executed in Rome by crucifixion.

[@Frst2nxt]

It was by statements of early Greek fathers that i knew Peter went to Rome.

[@RedWolf5]

1 Chro 28:1 “all the chief men of Israel” paralleled to Acts 15:4-6 “the apostles and elders gathered” :::: Acts 15:7 - Peter stands at the first apostolic council “by my mouth the Gentiles shall hear the gospel and believe” ::: paralleled to ::: 1 Chro 28:2-4… David stands at the council “God Our Lord chose me to be king of Israel forever”

[@jonatasmachado7217]

Excellent content

[@janusg8680]

Thank you, Joe. From the Faroe Islands.

[@daviddabrowski01]

The only thing ludicrous is Macarthur’s straw man. He may want to fix that nestorianism before he gets all spicy with his exegesis.

[@OHCA-p5c]

Let me get this straight. Single verse: BAD if you are Catholic. Single verse: ABSOLUTELY GREAT!!! If you are a Protestant? Romans 3:28 or John 3:16 or 2 Timothy 3:16 (but NEVER 2 Peter 3:16)... Beam me up, Scotty!

[@mr.fahrenheit8185]

“Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).” - ‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭42‬ ‭NABRE

[@miss__k]

The fact that Jesus met Peter first after his resurrection..... (yes after the women) Both Luke and Paul mentioned it. There are many places in the New testament which proves the primacy of Peter ❤

[@Justas399]

Yet at the 1st church council it is James who makes the decision for the church in Acts 15:19. It was not Peter.

[@johnbrowne2170]

So Mary Magdalene is the first pope?

[@davidfarrell4289]

7:58 'the rock' is probably the guy whose name got changed to 'rock.' makes sense

[@juncatv]

Jesus was speaking as a builder "I will build (oikodomēsō / house builder) my church". Jesus is not speaking as the foundation stone or key stone. The simbolic languaje is diferent because the example is diferent. But that is not the main problem. The protestants question the authority of Peter's successor.

[@andreeattieh2963]

The papacy is a gift from God

[@davido3026]

The gates of hell have not prevailed against the church in 2000 years. Protestants pull their hair but can not explain it! Even though they read and re-read it on the bible!!! The Catholic church will never be destroyed! Acts 5:38-39!

[@DavidLTJ]

What our protestant friends don't get is that Christ left behind His Church. They refute this and will argue that instead He left behind scriptures. I wonder who assembles scriptures and by who's authority?

[@johnbrowne2170]

So the Catholic church assembled the Old Testament? lol.

[@DavidLTJ]

@@johnbrowne2170 What is the definition of assemble?

[@johnbrowne2170]

@@DavidLTJ Depends what you are talking about. The CC assembled books that already existed, including some that didn't belong in the Bible but suited their doctrine.

[@mr.fahrenheit8185]

”built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.“ - ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬ ‭NABRE

[@consumedbyfire1359]

It is all to Jesus and for thr glory of His name. The Scriptures do not support such a claim. Psalm 18:31 is very clear. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? It is a rhetorical question. The answer is absolutely no one! Just as the Scriptures say there is "no other God" ,"no other Savior", and "no other Creator" we need to take all of these crystal clear statements to be true yesterday, today, and forever. Let us not celebrate or idolize denominations but let us make our boast in the Lord. Jesus is the only Rock. Praise God. Rejoice in Him. He is all we need.

[@MrGoodwell]

Excellent video, Joe. I still want to pick up a copy of your book, Pope Peter. God bless.

[@neilanadams5173]

In these dark times, the Church and it's teachings are shining brighter and brighter and Joe is part of that.

[@marcokite]

You think pope Francis is a shining bright? He is after all the papacy. Time for Orthodoxy ☦☦☦

[@neilanadams5173]

@@marcokite Orthodoxy doesn't accept the Pope, so no thanks. Christ placed His Vicar as head of the Church. Time for Christianity not heresy.

[@stephenkneller9318]

Christ, foretelling St. Peter’s denial of Him, and praying for St. Peter not losing his faith, isn’t an argument for establishing the office of Pope, that St. Peter office has a perpetual successor, that any powers given to St. Peter are given to anyone else, infallibility, that St. Peter was a Bishop of Rome or held any other office in Rome, or any of the other claims of Rome. Yes, the Apostles will be honored in Heaven. Yes, St. Peter did have a place of honor among the Apostles. No one who reads the Bible can deny these facts. But Rome, claiming the Bishop of Rome has similar or the same duties as an Apostle, doesn’t prove the Bishop’s office is a continuation of St. Peter’s. Rome still makes massive assumptions to “prove” her claims.

[@cooking.with.catholicism]

Joe is so delightful, I can imagine what he’s like in person.

[@TrueChristianityWithSandra]

Maybe it’s because I’m more practiced with it, but to me Matt 16 is an easier and more convincing argument for the papacy, especially because of the name change and all that signifies, but also the Keys of the Kingdom and all that signifies.

[@silverwater211]

Luke 22,31-32 About the faith of Peter, fortifying the other apostles faith.