Verse and Thought Today
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”(Matthew 16:18).
Archeological excavation in Jerusalem
How we got the Bishops of Rome…AKA Popes
The term “pope” (papa or father) refers to the first bishops in Rome who are recognized today by Catholics as the final spiritual authority and head of the Universal “Catholic” Church.
The development of the papacy, or the “Office of the pope,” (not mentioned in scripture) evolved out of the “Office of the Apostles” over several centuries beginning with the early Christian church, to its eventual establishment as the central authority within Christianity. Here is a brief overview of how the papacy came to be:
Early Church Leadership: In the early Christian church, leadership was initially shared among the apostles and other elders (presbyters) as we read about in the New Testament. The “Bishop of Rome” (the Pope) emerged as one of the prominent figures due to Rome's status as the capital of the Roman Empire and its political importance in the early Christian community. Status and political power set the stage for the later development of the institution we know as the Catholic Church of Rome under the supreme authority of the Pope.
Historical records and traditions suggest that Peter was martyred in Rome around the year 64-67 AD during the reign of Emperor Nero. The exact timeline of the emergence of the “Bishop of Rome” as a distinct and recognized position is somewhat “fluid” due to the early church's organizational development from 70 AD to 200 AD, and the lack of detailed historical documentation from that period.
Emergence of Roman Primacy: By the late 1st century and early 2nd century (1 Ad to 200 AD), the Bishop of Rome began to assert a primacy of honor and influence (power grab?) among other bishops in the Christian world. This was theoretically based on Rome's apostolic foundation (traditionally linked to Peter and Paul), its size, and its role as a center of political and cultural influence. Basically, the Pope grew out of the political influence of Rome, but is ascribed to Peter as the first “Pope” due to Jesus statement:”And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”(Matthew 16:18).
Development of Papal Authority: Over the next few centuries, especially after the conversion of Emperor Constantine to Christianity in the early 4th century, the papacy gained increasing influence. Popes such as Leo I (Leo the Great, 440-461 AD) played crucial roles in defining theological doctrine and asserting authority over doctrinal disputes.
Papal Supremacy and Schisms: The doctrine of papal supremacy, asserting the pope's authority over the entire Christian Church, continued to develop through the Middle Ages. However, this led to tensions and eventually the Great Schism of 1054, which formally divided the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, followed by another divide during the Protestant Reformation when on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther, a German monk and theologian, proclaimed his 95 thesis leading to the development of Protestantism.
Medieval Papacy: During the Middle Ages, the papacy reached the height of its political and spiritual power, with popes exercising authority over both religious and secular matters in Europe. This period also saw challenges to papal authority, such as the Avignon Papacy and the Western Schism.
To be continued…
Today’s Question
Bible Study
…Cyrus issued a decree allowing various exiled communities, including the Israelites, to return to their homelands and restore their places of worship. This is when the Second Jewish Temple was restored. This marked the end of the Babylonian Exile of the Jews…
The time in between the First Temple and The Second Temple: 516 BC-70 AD
After Cyrus approved the rebuilding of the temple, this began what is referred to by historians as the Second Temple Period. It lasted from 516 BC-70 AD. This part of history also includes what many scholars call the “400 years of silence” in Jewish history. It covers the time between the ending of the Old Testament (Malachi), and the beginning of the New Testament (Matthew).
When the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947, many documents were found written by the Essenes during this time period. These years were definitely not silent - a lot was going on.
This was a significant period of Jewish history as it witnessed various developments in Jewish religious, cultural, and political life, including the expansion and spread of Jewish communities beyond Judah (later referred to as Judea), the emergence of different Jewish sects came on the scene during these years -including Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes - and Greek and Roman cultures influenced the reestablishing of Jewish society.
“The return to Judah, which occurred in waves over several decades, was not without challenges. The land they returned to was in ruins, and the task of rebuilding, both physically and spiritually, was daunting. Under leaders like Zerubbabel, Joshua the High Priest, and later Ezra and Nehemiah, the Israelites embarked on projects to rebuild the Temple and the walls of Jerusalem.These efforts, coupled with religious reforms, aimed to reestablish and fortify their distinct identity in a landscape still dominated by foreign powers.”(source).
Conquest by Alexander the Great and the Romans
Judah would now fall under the influence, or direct control, of several successive non-Jewish empires. The Persians (Iran) were conquered by Alexander the Great (Greece) the late 4th century BC (300s BC).
After Alexander the Great died at 33, his empire broke apart, and Judah was ruled by the Ptolemaic dynasty (305 BC) in Egypt and the Seleucid dynasty in Syria. The Ptolemaic was the longest, final dynasty in ancient Egypt. In 30 BC it was incorporated into the Roman Republic.
By the 2nd century BC, under the Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes, tensions reached a boiling point. His policies, which included Hellenization efforts and the desecration of the Temple, sparked a revolt led by the Maccabean family (Jewish rebel warriors). This successful rebellion resulted in the rededication of the Temple, an event commemorated by Hanukkah, and the establishment of the Jewish Hasmonean dynasty.(source).
Changes during the Second Temple period
These are the highlights of the Second Temple period:
Return from Exile: The period began with the return of Jewish exiles from Babylon under the leadership of figures like Ezra and Nehemiah. This marked a revival of Jewish life in Judah/Judea and the rebuilding of the Temple.
“For we are slaves. Yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery, but has extended to us his steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to grant us some reviving to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us protection in Judea and Jerusalem.”(Ezra 9:9).
Rebuilding of the Temple: The Second Temple was constructed under Zerubbabel (Ezra 3:8), and later expanded and renovated during the reign of Herod the Great. It became the central religious and cultural institution for the Jews for several centuries.
Significant Religious Developments: changes to the Laws and religious practices evolved during this period, with the emergence of various Jewish sects such as the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, and others. The Pharisees, in particular, emphasized oral tradition (the Oral Torah, more on this at a later date) and the interpretation of Jewish law, laying the foundation for Rabbinic Judaism which began “expanding” God’s Laws with man’s “interpretive laws” under the “authority” of the priests.
It’s easy to see how a “pope (papa or father)” might have developed from Jewish tradition of priestly authority and power as the Universal “Catholic” Church was born in early Christianity. Jews converting to Christianity might have considered it “normal” to have a man who represented central spiritual authority in the church. This concept of spiritual authority is important to American churches today.
Hellenistic Influence: During the Hellenistic period, Judah/Judea came under the influence of Greek culture due to 20 year-old Alexander the Great’s ruthless thirteen year reign and conquests. This led to cultural exchanges and sometimes conflicts between Jewish and Greek traditions.
Maccabean Revolt: In the 2nd century BC, the Jewish revolt against the Seleucid Empire led to the independence of Judah under the Jewish Hasmonean dynasty. This period is celebrated during Hanukkah.
Roman Rule: In 63 BC, Judah/Judea came under Roman control. Initially, the Romans allowed Jewish religious autonomy under the rule of Herod the Great, but tensions after the rise of Christianity eventually led to the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD during the Jewish-Roman War.
Literature and Scholarship: The Second Temple period saw the writing of many Jewish texts, including parts of the Hebrew Bible, the Apocrypha, and other religious and historical works that are less known in today’s Christian teachings.
Diaspora Communities: Jewish communities flourished outside Judah/Judea during this time, particularly in Egypt, Asia Minor, and beyond, contributing to the spread of Jewish culture and traditions.
Cultural and Social Life: Jewish life during this period was diverse and dynamic, with developments in art, literature, education, and communal organization.
To be continued…
Verses to Explore
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, …”(Romans 13:1-7).
“…to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 1:25).
Today’s Prayer
Father, we submit to you today that you are our divine authority. We thank you Lord that you have placed in our lives leaders who are worthy of our respect and honor who will rightly handle your Word and teaching. We pray today for the Church, especially in America. We pray today for your people who call on your name. We ask for you to help us see the evil divisions that were created, not because of your desires, but because of the lack of faith we have in you and you alone, we desire to look to men, much like Israel wanted a king. When we take our eyes off Jesus, our King, and look to men instead, we forfeit the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. I pray that we become powerful in your truth; not in men’s traditions and political sway. Restore to your people the power and gifts of your Holy Spirit and wake us up to what we have thrown away in our spiritual walk. Help us to regain our spiritual standing in this world. May it bring glory and honor to you alone. Amen.❤️
Illustration - Building the second temple (public domain).