The Roots of the Papacy in the Old Testament

Old Testament Foundations and the New Testament Fulfillment

The office of the papacy is often seen as uniquely tied to the New Testament, particularly through Jesus’ conferral of authority upon Peter in the Gospel of Matthew. However, its roots extend deeply into the Old Testament, where key themes of leadership, authority, and covenantal responsibility prefigure the establishment of this office. By exploring the connections between Old Testament institutions and Jesus’ establishment of Peter as the rock of the Church, we can better understand the continuity of God’s salvific plan.

Old Testament Foundations of Leadership and Stewardship

The Old Testament establishes patterns of leadership that foreshadow the role of the papacy. One key example is the figure of Eliakim, a steward described in Isaiah 22:20-22:

"In that day I will call my servant Eliakim son of Hilkiah. I will clothe him with your robe and fasten your sash around him and hand your authority over to him. He will be a father to those who live in Jerusalem and to the people of Judah. I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open." (NIV)

Eliakim is given authority over the household of David, symbolized by the key to the house of David. This key signifies a transfer of authority, granting Eliakim the power to govern in the king’s stead. Notably, this passage emphasizes the steward’s role as a "father" to the people, prefiguring the paternal role of the pope as the spiritual father of the Church.

However, critics of the typological connection between Eliakim and Peter point out that Eliakim ultimately lost his position as steward. Isaiah 22:25 states:

"In that day,” declares the Lord Almighty, “the peg driven into the firm place will give way; it will be sheared off and will fall, and the load hanging on it will be cut down.” The Lord has spoken." (NIV)

This negative outcome demonstrates that Eliakim’s authority was temporary and subject to failure. In contrast, Peter’s office, as instituted by Jesus, is supported by the promise of divine guidance. Unlike Eliakim, Peter received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, granting him and his successors the ability to discern and uphold the truth. This divine assistance ensures the endurance and infallibility of the Church’s teaching authority in matters of faith and morals, a critical distinction between the two figures.

The concept of stewardship extends to the covenantal responsibilities of figures like Moses, Joshua, and the judges, who serve as intermediaries between God and His people. These leaders are tasked with guiding the people according to God’s laws, a function that aligns with the pope’s role as the custodian of doctrine and spiritual governance.

Jesus’ Commissioning of Peter in Matthew 16

The Gospel of Matthew offers the definitive New Testament articulation of the papacy. In Matthew 16:18-19, Jesus says to Simon:

"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (NIV)

This moment marks a turning point in salvation history. Simon’s name change to Peter (from the Greek Petros, meaning "rock") signals a new identity and mission. Just as God renamed Abram to Abraham and Jacob to Israel, the renaming of Peter denotes a divinely ordained role.

The "keys of the kingdom" Jesus bestows upon Peter directly parallel the key given to Eliakim in Isaiah 22. Both signify authority and stewardship, with the added dimension in Matthew of Peter’s spiritual authority over the Church. The power to "bind and loose" evokes rabbinical authority to interpret and apply God’s law, now elevated to a universal and eternal dimension.

The Limits of Papal Infallibility

It is important to note that the pope’s infallibility, derived from the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is limited to matters of faith and morals. This does not render the pope impeccable or free from personal sin. History provides examples, especially during the Middle Ages, of popes whose personal conduct fell far short of the moral ideals of Christianity. Some were embroiled in political intrigue, personal corruption, and other scandals. Despite these failings, the office of the papacy remained unshaken in its mission to safeguard the faith handed down by Christ.

Remarkably, even the worst popes never compromised the core teachings of the Church. The doctrines of faith and morals, entrusted to the Church by Christ, were preserved without error. This distinction underscores the unique protection of the Holy Spirit over the papal office, ensuring that the truths of the faith remain intact regardless of the personal failings of individual popes.

Continuity in God’s Plan

The parallels between the Old and New Testament underscore the continuity of God’s plan for His people. The Old Testament’s stewards and leaders were types, prefiguring the ultimate fulfillment of their roles in Jesus Christ and His delegation of authority to Peter. The image of the key as a symbol of authority transcends both testaments, emphasizing the divine origin and legitimacy of Peter’s role as the first pope.

Moreover, the covenantal framework—from the Mosaic covenant to the Davidic kingdom—finds its culmination in the New Covenant established by Christ. Peter’s role as the leader of the apostles and the Church echoes the leadership roles in Israel, yet it transcends them by establishing a spiritual kingdom that endures through the ages.

Conclusion

The papacy is deeply rooted in Scripture, with its origins visible in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament. The stewardship of Eliakim and the conferral of keys in Isaiah prefigure Jesus’ commissioning of Peter, creating a seamless narrative of divine authority and responsibility. While Eliakim’s tenure demonstrates the fallibility of human stewardship, Peter’s role is divinely safeguarded through the guidance of the Holy Spirit in matters of faith and morals. This continuity reveals the papacy not as a human invention but as a divinely instituted office, integral to God’s plan for guiding His Church throughout history.

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Learning about the role of Peter as the “Rock” and how his stewardship has its roots in the Old Testament has been a fantastic discovery for me. Although I plan to share more on this topic again in the future, I am including a video below of Fr. Mike Schmitz who discusses the origins of the papacy. This video is one of the very best that I’ve seen on this topic and I encourage you to watch it several times and share it with others. Enjoy!