Wes Huff’s “6 Reasons Why I’m Not Roman Catholic” has 1.3 million views. His case against the papacy never mentions the Old Testament text that Matthew 16 is quoting. Isaiah 22, the Key of David, and every dated witness to Peter’s chair before A.D. 256. The full answer, plus a free 5-page cheat sheet. Seven centuries before Caesarea Philippi, God described the office Jesus would give to Peter: a steward set “over the house” of the Davidic king, carrying the key of David, called a father to Jerusalem, and succeeded in office when he is gone (Isaias 22:20-23). Today Joe walks through the design of the papacy in the Old Testament, its fulfillment in Peter, and the early Church Fathers who witness to Peter’s chair in Rome long before the “crystallization” Huff dates to Damasus, Leo, and Gelasius: Clement (96), Ignatius (107), Irenaeus (180), Tertullian (200), Cyprian (251). Then all six of Huff’s claims, stated fairly and answered one at a time.
SCRIPTURE (Douay-Rheims)
Isaiah 22:22 – “And I will lay the key of the house of David upon his shoulder: and he shall open, and none
shall shut: and he shall shut, and none shall open.”
Matthew 16:18-19 – “Thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”
Luke 22:32 – “I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and thou, being once converted, confirm thy
brethren.”
John 21:15-17 – “Feed my lambs… Feed my sheep.”
Apocalypse 3:7 – Christ, “he that hath the key of David”
Acts 1:20 – “his bishopric let another take”
Genesis 41:40-44; 4 Kings 18:18; Exodus 24:1-9; Numbers 11:16-25; 3 Kings 4:7; Luke 10:1-16; John 1:42;
Galatians 1:18, 2:9
EARLY WITNESSES (full texts at newadvent.org/fathers):
Clement of Rome, Letter to the Corinthians 44, 59 (c. 96)
Ignatius of Antioch, To the Romans, greeting and ch. 4 (c. 107)
Shepherd of Hermas, Vision 2.4.3 (c. 140)
Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies 3.3 (c. 180)
Tertullian, Prescription Against Heretics 22, 32, 36 (c. 200)
Cyprian of Carthage, On the Unity of the Church 4 (251); Letter 59 to Pope Cornelius (252)
Council of Nicaea, Canon 6 (325); Pope Julius I in Athanasius, Apology Against the Arians 35 (341); Council of Sardica, Canons 3-5 (343)
St. Augustine, Letter 43:7 (397); Letter 53:2 (400); Retractations 1.20.1
D. A. Carson, Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew; Albright and Mann, Anchor Bible: Matthew
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