NO OFFICE OF POPE IN THE SCRIPTURES

By David J. Riggs

Those who claim that Peter was the Supreme Pontiff, the Pope, look to him and his successors as a source of authority. Christians, who deny that Peter was the Prince of the Apostles, look to the holy Scriptures alone as the standard of authority. Of course all understand that Jesus Christ, being the Son of God, Lord of Lords, and King of Kings, is the true source of authority in religion. However, does Christ express Himself, and thus guide and govern His church, through the Pope, or through the Scriptures alone?

If the Pope is a source of authority in religion, and not the Scriptures alone, we must look to him for instruction and guidance in matters of faith and practice. However, if the Bible is our only source of authority, we must look to it to furnish us to every good work and to guide us to heaven. If the Pope is not a true standard of authority, he is therefore the most colossal fraud ever perpetrated on man, and is the fulfillment of the prophecy of the "man of sin" in 2 Thess. 2:3-4. Here the apostle Paul declared, "Let no one deceive you in any way, for the day of the Lord will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and is exalted above all that is called God, or that is worshiped, so that he sits in the temple of God and gives himself out as if he were God."

The holy Scriptures contain the laws of the Lord (1 Cor. 14:37). All teachers are to be tested by the Scriptures to verify the truthfulness of their teaching (1 Cor. 4:6; Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1). The sacred writings are the standard which will judge us in the last day (Rev. 20:12). The Scriptures repeatedly warn us not to follow men (Col. 2:8; Eph. 4:14; Matt. 15:9; 2 Cor. 11:13-15). Indeed, "...Let God be true but every man a liar." (Rom. 3:4).

In order to prove the authority of the present day Pope, at least three things must be established by the holy Scriptures. First, it must be proven that Christ established such an office or position as that of Pope, or Vicar of Himself. Secondly, it must be established that Christ appointed Peter to the first such office. Thirdly, it must be proven that Christ ordained that Popes or Vicars would continue in succession from Peter to the end of time.

Let us consider first of all, "Did Christ establish such an office as that of Pope, or Vicar of Himself." An office of such magnitude as "Pope," "Supreme Pontiff," or "Vicar of Christ," should be clearly revealed in the Scriptures. If the office of Pope is true, it is without question the greatest office and position which has ever been or could be bestowed upon man. When we search the Scriptures, we discover that there is not a single reference which gives the slightest hint that Christ wanted a Vicar of Himself. The terms "Pope," "Supreme Pontiff," "Primacy of Peter" are not mentioned in the Scriptures. As a matter of fact, the only reference to someone taking the place of God (Christ Himself is God) is the "man of sin" in 2 Thess. 2:3-12. The only reference to the "Holy Father" is to God Himself (John 17:11). Surely, if Christ had intended to establish such a magnificent, supreme office as a Pope, He would have stated its powers, duties, and given the qualifications for its officers. Undoubtedly, He would have revealed to mankind how such officers are to be selected, and by what means they are to succeed one another.

When God appointed the Levitical priesthood in the Old Testament era, He defined in elaborate detail their qualifications and duties, i.e., the whole book of Leviticus. In the New Testament, bishops (also called pastors or elders) who were overseers of the local congregations, are distinctly and repeatedly mentioned (Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28-31; 1 Pet. 5:1-4). The terms "bishop" and "office" are clearly established (1 Tim. 3:1; Titus 1:5-7). Their qualifications and how they were to be appointed are plainly and clearly specified (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-11). Moreover, their functions and responsibilities are explicitly defined as is shown by the following:

Bishops (or elders) are to take heed to themselves. Acts 20:28

Bishops are to oversee the church. Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2; 1 Tim. 3:2-5

Bishops are to feed the flock. Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2; Eph. 4:11

Bishops should seek to rule well. 1 Tim. 5:17; Rom. 12:5-8

Bishops are to admonish us. 1 Thess. 5:11-12

Bishops are stewards of God. Titus 1:7; 1 Pet. 5:3

Bishops are to watch for souls. Heb. 13:17

Furthermore, the duties of the members toward the bishops are abundantly revealed in the Scriptures. Our responsibilities toward them are:

Recognize and esteem them highly. 1 Thess. 5:12-13

Obey and submit. Heb. 13:17

Receive the food and follow their example. 1 Pet. 5:1-3

Give double honor to those who rule well. 1 Tim. 5:17-18

Don't receive gossip against them. 1 Tim. 5:19

Use them. James 5:14-15

In contrast to the above, we do not find in the holy Scriptures a single mention or allusion to the office of a Pope. The qualifications for one, and the duties or powers of one are nowhere revealed. Successors are not mentioned. The responsibilities of the members toward such officer is never mentioned. In all of the holy Scriptures, there is not a single hint or allusion to an office of a Pope or Vicar of Christ. Instead, the Bible is emphatic in stating that Christ is the only foundation on which we can lay. "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1 Cor. 3:11). The Scriptures strongly affirm that Christ has all authority both in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18). They state that Christ is head over all things in the Church (Eph. 1:22-23), and that He is "the" head, not "a" head, but "the" head of the body, the church (Eph. 5:23). They proclaim that in all things Christ holds the preeminence (Col. 1:18). For a mere man to claim to be head of Christ's body, the church, is to supplant the Lord, and is the height of arrogance and blasphemy. Truly, only the "man of sin" would attempt such (2 Thess. 2:3-12).

Catholics tell us that Christ is the head, but the Pope is the visible, sub-head of the church. They have simply assumed and then asserted that the Pope is the visible head. To assume something and then assert it, is no way to prove anything. We ask, "Where in the Scriptures does it mention a visible head of the church?" The church or kingdom is a spiritual one (Luke 17:20-21; John 18:36), and therefore needs a spiritual head or king. For Catholics to prove the authority of the Pope, they must prove that Christ wanted a visible sub-head, a viceregent, a representative or proxy. This is what the Pope is supposed to be. The Scriptures do not sanction or allow such. They clearly teach that Christ is "the" head over ALL things to the church.

In Eph. 5:23-24 the apostle Paul declares, "...Because a husband is head of the wife, just as Christ is head of the Church, being himself savior of the body. But just as the Church is subject to Christ, so also let wives be to their husbands in all things." Thus, the Scriptures plainly state that the church is subject to Christ, not to Peter as Christ's Vicar. Certainly, if Christ had appointed a Vicar to be the visible head of His church, the apostles would have mentioned it at least once in their inspired writings. Surely, they would have mentioned it in their discourses on the head and to whom the church is subject. Friends, the Sacred Oracles say that the church is "subject to Christ." To whom will you be subject, to Christ, or, to an authority which can only be established by humans? As we mentioned, "Let God be true, but every man a lair..." (Rom. 3:4).

The Scriptures teach that the wife is subject to her husband as the church is to Christ. Just as the wife is subject to only one head--her husband, the church is subject to only one head--Christ. Just as the husband does not send a substitute or vicar to rule over his wife, Christ does not authorize a vicar to rule over His body, the church.

The church is often compared to the human body in the Scriptures. The members of the church are represented as the various parts of the body. Christ is always said to be the head. (See 1 Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:15-16). Our question is: "What part of the body is the Pope?" Also, "How does one get the idea of a sub-head into the body?"

In Eph. 4:11-12, Paul lists the officers of the church over which Christ is the head, "And he himself gave some men as apostles, and some as prophets, others again as evangelists, and others as pastors and teachers, in order to perfect the saints for a work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ..." Paul lists: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, but no Pope. Definitely, this would have been a logical place to mention the office of Pope, but alas, it is not there. He lists the offices which are clearly established in the Scriptures both here and elsewhere. However, both here and elsewhere, there is absolutely no mention of a Pope. There is no mention of any of the other names by which the Pope is addressed. As we mentioned, the only time the term, "Holy Father" is found, it is used of God Himself (John 17:11). Notice that in Eph. 4:11-12 those offices were given for the perfecting of the saints and building up of the body. Thus, the office of Pope adds nothing to the perfection of the saints or edification of the body. It adds nothing because it comes from man rather than God.

Since there is no mention of the office of the Pope, or any of the many other names which the Pope has assumed (Supreme Pontiff, Vicar of Christ, Holy Father), we must conclude that such an office does not exist. If the office does not exist, Peter could not have been placed into that office, and there could be no successors to that office. As we mentioned, the nearest thing to one claiming to take the place of God is the "man of sin" revealed in Paul's prophecy of the great apostasy. We quote it in full here, and encourage you to read and study it carefully.

"Let no one deceive you in any way, for the day of the Lord will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and is exalted above all that is called God, or that is worshiped, so that he sits in the temple of God and gives himself out as if he were God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you, I used to tell you these things? And now you know what restrains him, that he may be revealed in his proper time. For the mystery of iniquity is already at work; provided only that he who is at present restraining it, does still restrain, until he is gotten out of the way. And then the wicked one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of his mouth and will destroy with the brightness of his coming. And his coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all wicked deception to those who are perishing. For they have not received the love of truth that they might be saved. Therefore God sends them a misleading influence that they may believe falsehood, that all may be judged who have not believed the truth, but have preferred wickedness."

The Papacy has already fulfilled the prophecy, for it agrees in all the following points:

  1. It has one official man as it head, and the arrogance of its claims are centered in him.
  2. That man came with and out of an apostasy, the very kind the apostles describe elsewhere (1 Tim. 4:1-3; Acts 20:28-31; 2 Pet. 2:1-3).
  3. He exalts himself against all that is called God; i.e., he is addressed by terms (Pope, Supreme Pontiff, Holy Father, etc.) which belong only to God.
  4. He sits in the temple of God, i.e., his sphere of dominion is in the church.
  5. His appearance was hindered by some force in Paul's time (2 Thess. 2:6-7); i.e., when the bishops of Rome began to assert power, they were in conflict with the Roman civil government which dominated and persecuted; however, when the Roman empire collapsed, the Roman church became powerful.
  6. The mystery of iniquity was already working in Paul's day (2 Thess. 2:7) and would continue until the Lord's coming (2 Thess. 2:8).
  7. The Lord shall destroy him with the brightness of His coming (2 Thess. 2:8). Only by a continual succession of these men of sin could be this possible.
  8. The apostasy would produce fraudulent miracles, signs and wonders; i.e., supposed cures brought about by relics and shrines.
  9. The whole system is perfected through people's lack of love for truth (2 Thess. 2:10); i.e., Catholics do not love and respect the holy Scriptures as the only authority in religion, but rely on the Pope along with the Scriptures.


This is a serious matter. Eternity is involved. Please ask yourself these questions: "Am I following the man of sin of the great apostasy or, am I following Christ?" "Have I been building my hope of heaven on the false assumption that the Pope is the Vicar of Christ?" We hope you will turn from that false assumption and become a simple New Testament Christian, a follower of Christ and none other, a member of Christ's church, and nothing else.