Protestant opposition to papal supremacy

Luther used to be a devout Roman Catholic who highly esteemed the Pope. Luther first believed that the problems with the church lied with the curia around the Pope but not the Pope himself. Even after nailing the 95 theses he still had hope that the Pope would accept his theses. However later Luther developed his critical approach against the papacy, especially after his excommunication in 1521.[3]

In England as Henry VIII wanted annul his marriage, but the Pope would not grant it, thus King Henry rejected the Pope's authority and started the Church of England.[4]

Herman Bavinck gave several reasons for why Protestants do not believe in the papacy:[5]

• 1. The distinction between clergy and laity which underlies Roman Catholic hierarchy
• 2. The use of the episcopal system
• 3. The apostolate was an exceptional and temporary office
• 4. Scripture does not show Petrine supremacy.
• 5. Even if Peter had unique authority it would still not establish papal primacy[5]

Clement of Rome wrote a letter to Corinth to settle a dispute in the church, this is sometimes seen as evidence of papal supremacy. However, James White tried to answer the argument by saying that Clement of Rome did not write as claiming special authority, and that his ecclesiology shows that there was no episcopacy yet in Rome.[6]

Polycrates of Ephesus resisted the claims of Pope Victor about the date of celebrating easter, which Protestants have claimed against papal supremacy.[7]

Some Catholics have pointed to Origen as calling Peter "the Prince of the Apostles" as evidence for papal claims. However, Origen wrote: "we become a Peter, and to us there might be said by the Word, 'Thou art Peter,' etc. For a rock is every disciple of Christ of whom those drank who drank of the spiritual rock which followed them, and upon every such rock is built every word of the Church".[8]

James White argued that Saint Cyprian is an argument against the papacy, during his debate with Stephen I, in the council of Carthage, Cyprian argued against the authority claims of Stephen I.[9][10] John Calvin cited Cyprian saying "None of us says he is the bishop of bishops", to argue against Papal power.[11] Paul Misner argues that Firmillian did not accept the authority of Rome in the question of baptism of heretics.[7] Fr. Ray Ryland argued that because the African church later stopped re-baptizing heretics, they had accepted the views of the Bishop of Rome.[12]

After Pope Liberius condemned Athanasius by making an agreement with the Arians, Athanasius refused to submit to the condemnation. James White argued that this shows Athanasius did not accept a view of papal supremacy.[13]

James White argued that canon 6 of the Council of Nicea the bishop of Rome is seen as having jurisdiction in his own territory:[14]

Let the ancient customs in Egypt, Libya, and Pentapolis prevail, that the Bishop of Alexandria have jurisdiction in all these, since the like is customary for the Bishop of Rome also. Likewise in Antioch and the other provinces, let the Churches retain their privileges.

James White argued that this shows that just as Alexandria has regional authority, so Rome also only has regional authority.[14]

Matthew 16:18 has caused much controversy, the Catholic church sees this as the basis for the papacy. A common Protestant interpretation is that the Rock is Peter's confession or Peter's confession about Jesus' identity.[15]

• Eastern Orthodox opposition to papal supremacy