Highlights from "Rome's Audacious Claim" - Chapter 3

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Peter was a bishop in Rome, but not the only bishop. He calls himself a "fellow presbyter" in 1 Peter 5:1. In 1 Peter 5:2, he charges the presbyters to whom he is writing with "overseeing" the flock of God. The word overseeing is the verb form of the noun typically translated "bishop." Peter, like Paul, set up churches governed by a college of elders, all called bishops, and all charged with shepherding the church of God. In other words, "bishop," "overseer," "presbyter," "elder," "pastor," and "shepherd" are all equivalent in the New Testament.

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Victor, who led the Roman church from 189 to 199, tried to force churches in Asia Minor to celebrate Passover on Sunday rather than on the same day the Jews celebrated it. Those churches refused, and Victor excommunicated them. Other churches "sharply rebuked" Victor for this, and a letter from Irenaeus persuaded Victor to back off for the sake of peace.

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In 218, the well-known church father Hyppolytus split the church in Rome. He had himself elected bishop in the place of Callistus, Rome's legitimately elected bishop. Almost twenty years later, Hippolytus reconciled to the church while imprisoned in the mines alongside Pontianus who had been elected in 230.

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In 251, Novatian split the Roman church again, having himself elected bishop against Cornelius. Bishops across the Roman Empire supported Cornelius, but this did not dissuade Novatian. His faction continued for centuries. Its adherents are generally known as Novatians, but they eventually came to call themselves Cathari. They gained followers all over the empire and lasted until at least 600 (AD).

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Stephen became the first bishop of Rome we know to have claimed authority over other churches based on his descent from Peter.

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Cyprian, bishop of Carthage, wrote many letters against Stephen, and even called a council of eighty-seven North African bishops to refute him.

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While Cyprian taught that all bishops together were the descendants of Peter and the foundation of unity, Stephen saw himself as the primary representative of Peter.

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During the fourth and such council, in Chalcedon in 451, Leo was bishop of Rome. Not only did Leo declare that Peter was still "fully and effectually" at the helm of the Church through himself, but after his letter was read at the Council of Chalcedon, the bishops cried out, "Peter has spoken through Leo." Because of this, many historians regard Pope Leo "the Great" as the first pope, and the first to make Rome's Audacious Claim.

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Once the Church is no longer universal, neither is it catholic. The "Roman Catholic Church" consists only of those churches who submit to the authority of the bishop of Rome (the pope). It may call itself "the Catholic Church," but it is, by definition, no longer "catholic."