Page "Pope" Paragraph 8

Some Protestants generally agree that Jesus singled out Peter as the focal point of the 1st century church.

However, they contend that the New Testament offers no proof that Jesus established the papacy nor even that he established Peter as the first bishop of Rome.

Others, using Peter's own words, argue that Christ intended himself as the foundation of the church and not Peter.

Others have argued that the church is indeed built upon Jesus and faith, but also on the disciples as the roots and foundations of the church on the basis of Paul's teaching in Romans and Ephesians, though not primarily Peter.