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Jesus made him the first pope, or head of the church.
Matthew 16:18-19 (Jesus is speaking to Peter) "And I say to
thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my
church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And
I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And
whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in
heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth it shall be
loosed also in heaven."
Peter is called the first, even though he wasn't the first one
to join Jesus.
Matthew 10:2 "And the names of the twelve apostles are these:
The first, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother..."
John 21:15 Jesus tells Peter to "...Feed my lambs.
John 21:16 "...feed my lambs.
John 21:17 "...feed my sheep.
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said:Simon,Simon, behold
Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat"
But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not: and thou, being once converted,
confirm thy thy brethren.
Acts 15:7 "And when there had been much disputing, Peter, rising up, said to them:
Men, brethren. you know, that in former days God made choice among us, that by my
mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe".