Sts. Peter & Paul II
Catholic Church Apologetics Index Ex Cathedra Authority Magisterium First Pope One Authority Peter=Rock Sts. Peter & Paul
Over the years I have had "some'' try to convince me that Paul was the first head of the Church, not Peter. There are different arguments. One I hear is that; "If Peter was the first head of Christ's Church , why did he write so little in the New Testament?" I have never heard anyone explain this, but the New Testament itself is quite clear about certain facts pertaining to this matter.
Basically, the information at hand leads to a possible conclusion. The answer might be that Peter was an uneducated man and Paul highly educated and much more at ease with writing.
Act 5:34 But one in the council rising up, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, respected by all the people, (DR)
Gamaliel (Gamalihl). The grandson of Hillel, teacher of Paul (Acts_22:3), later president of the Sanhedrin, and the first of the seven rabbis termed "Rabban." (Matthew Henry's Commentary - MHC)
"The high place accorded him in Jewish tradition, and the fact that the title of Rabban, higher even than Rabbi or Master, was first bestowed upon him"
(International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - ISBE)
St. Paul studied under Gamaliel. In fact Paul was known as Gamaliel's star pupil.
(Dr. Scott Hahn) Paul was the 'whiz kid' of his time! He studied under one of the most famous teachers in all of Hebrew history.
"at the feet of Gamaliel"
" a Pharisee of Pharisees"
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Acts 22:3 And he saith: I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the truth of the law of the fathers, zealous for the law, as also all you are this day:
Acts 23:6 And Paul, knowing that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, cried out in the council: Men, brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees: concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
In fact, Paul was known, in some circles, for his great learning!
Acts 26:24 As he spoke these things and made his answer, Festus said with a loud voice: Paul, thou art beside thyself: much learning doth make thee mad.
Peter, on the other hand, was known as uneducated.
Acts 4:13 Now seeing the constancy of Peter and of John, understanding that they were illiterate and ignorant men,they wondered: and they knew them that they had been with Jesus.
Paul was at ease with words whether in witting or spoken. He used his vast knowledge as an artist using his pallet or a master swordsmen conquering a foe!
In light of what we know, it is fairly amazing that St. Peter wrote anything.
It is especially amazing that Paul subjected himself to the authority of Peter and even honored him as a 'teacher'!
Galatians 1:18 Then1899 after3326 three5140 years2094 I went up424 to1519 Jerusalem2414 to see2477 Peter4074, and2532 abode1961 with4314 him846 fifteen1178 days2250. (went up: or, returned) (KJV)
2477 historeo his-tor-eh'-o
from a derivative of 1492; to be knowing (learned), i.e. (by implication) to visit for information (interview):--see.
Strong's Bible Dictionary
To visit Cephas (istorhsai Khfan). First aorist infinitive of istorew, old verb (from istwr, one who knows by inquiry), to gain knowledge by visiting.
(Robertson's Word Pictures - RWP)
This is the first instance of someone making a pilgrimage to see the Pope!
St. Paul traveling to St. Peter to sit at his feet and learn.
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