Denies
Peter not the rock; Jesus is the rock; no papal succession or primacy
Jehovah's Witnesses firmly reject the traditional Christian reading of Matthew 16:18 as conferring authority on Peter. Witnesses teach that Jesus Christ alone is the rock upon which the church is built. Peter is a disciple but not given universal authority or primacy over other apostles. The notion of papal succession is rejected as unscriptural.
For Witnesses, the true church is composed of those anointed by God's spirit and governed by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, not by any individual or apostolic succession. Peter's role was apostolic and limited to his time. Christ is the sole head and foundation of the church, not Peter or any pope.
Key Distinctions
- Rock referent:
- Christ alone
- Peter role:
- disciple only
- Papal primacy:
Scripture References
Sources
- Watchtower Bible and Tract Society publications