However, I want to make it clear, that it’s the Bible who said that Peter is the Apostle assigned to the Jews. I agree that Peter was instrumental to the convertion of gentiles to Christian. But the truth is that the Bible doesn’t introduced Peter as the Pope of the church rather an Apostle of the Jews.

History kept by the Roman Catholic Church might prove that Peter became bishop of Rome but the Bible didn’t said so, because what the Bible attested is that Peter like Paul was an Apostle not a Bishop.

Then I also want to make it clear that it is not Peter whom the Church was built upon. Peter might be a rock but not as foundation rock of the church but as rock which built upon the rock…. seee http://www.selaplana.com/2006/04/28/the-church-built-on-peter/

okay, let say the pope is the rock upon whom the church was built (but not to concede), then it wouldn’t be peter who would become pope because the church was not built upon him but upon Christ (the rock) himself…. seee http://www.selaplana.com/2006/04/28/the-church-built-on-peter/

Anyway, I know this is an old post that I am commenting on. I found it when I did a Google search for Peter as the Apostle to the Jews. Anyway, I wanted to explain why Peter is considered the bishop of Rome even though he was the Apostle to the Jews.

First of all, it’s helpful to know that, even though Peter is commonly referred to as “the apostle to the Jews,” his ministry was not exclusively to them. For one, he was the one who spoke with the Spirit at Pentecost to men of all nations (cf. Acts 2ff.). Also, it was to Peter that God validated the Gentiles (as men worthy of the Gospel) in a vision (cf. Acts 10:9-16,28; 11:5-10), and Peter converted the household of Cornelius, the first Gentile converts (cf. Acts 10:44-48; 11:15-18). Finally, Peter himself says, at the Council of Jersualem: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe” (Acts 15:7).

So, Peter’s ministry was certainly for the Gentiles too.

Secondly, Peter is considered the bishop of Rome, because he, the pre-eminent apostle, lived there (at least for a short time) and was martyred there. This is a historical fact attested to by many early documents. For proof of this, see the following link:

http://www.catholic.com/library/Peter_Roman_Residency.asp

Ultimately, Peter is the Pope because he is the Rock upon whom Jesus founded his Church and he was the one given the keys of the kingdom of heaven (cf. Mt 16:16-20). Peter was also the one for who’s faith Jesus prayed would not fail (cf. Lk 22:32) and he was the one to whom Jesus gave the mission to feed and tend the sheep, including the other apostles (cf. Jn 21:15-19).

I hope that answers your question.

Pax Christi,
phatcatholic