As a born-again Christian, I believe in reading the Bible exactly as it’s written — nothing more, nothing less. I have love for all people, including those of the Catholic faith, but I often find myself confused by how Catholic doctrine interprets key scriptures. It’s not judgment. It’s genuine confusion. If God wanted Peter to be the first pope, why didn’t Jesus say so plainly? If celibacy were a holy requirement for all priests, why would the Bible say that marriage is a good and honorable thing? And why are humans being bowed to, kissed on the hand, or treated as if they stand between us and God?

These are the questions that make me proud to be a Protestant. I read the Word, and the Word speaks directly.

1. Was Peter Really the First Pope?

Let’s start with what is often called the foundation of the papacy — Matthew 16:18, where Jesus tells Peter, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” Catholics interpret this to mean that Peter was the first pope. But let’s pause. Nowhere in the Bible does Jesus call Peter the pope. Peter never calls himself the pope either. There is no mention of “Pope Peter I” or any instruction from Christ saying, “Peter, you will be the earthly head of the Church after Me.”

Jesus is the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). The Church is built on Him, not on a man. If the pope is supposed to be the voice of Christ on Earth, shouldn’t Jesus have made that extremely clear?

2. Celibacy: Gift or Requirement?

The Catholic Church requires priests to be celibate. But 1 Corinthians 7 tells a different story. Paul says that being single can be good because it lets you focus on God — but he also says that if you have passion in your heart, get married.

“But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” — 1 Corinthians 7:9

Celibacy is not commanded. It’s described as a gift that some people have. Marriage, on the other hand, is honored by God. Genesis 2:18 says, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” That’s God speaking, not just Paul. So why would a church forbid its leaders to marry when scripture permits and even encourages it?

3. Bowing to the Pope: Honor or Idol Worship?

Let’s talk about reverence. In Exodus 20:4–5, God makes it clear that we should not bow to anyone or anything as an act of worship. Yet in Catholic tradition, people bow before the pope, kiss his ring, and treat him as if he holds divine authority. I ask with a sincere heart: why?

“You shall not make for yourself a carved image… you shall not bow down to them or serve them.” — Exodus 20:4–5

Even if the intention is honor, we have to be careful not to step into idolatry. The only one worthy of our worship is God — not a man, not a statue, not a title. Jesus never asked for intermediaries dressed in robes. He asked us to follow Him.

4. We Already Have a Mediator — And It’s Not the Pope

The Bible could not be clearer on this point:

“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” — 1 Timothy 2:5

Not one pope. Not a panel of saints. Just Jesus.

We don’t need to confess our sins to a priest in a box. We have direct access to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). Jesus tore the veil. That veil that once separated us from the presence of God? It’s gone. So why rebuild barriers Christ tore down?

5. Tradition vs. Truth

In Mark 7:8–9, Jesus warns:

“You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”

That hits me hard. Because when I look at some of the Catholic traditions — calling a man “Holy Father,” forbidding marriage to priests, confessing sins to another human — it feels like man’s ideas are being treated as holy when God never said they were.

Final Thoughts: I Say This With Love

This isn’t an attack. This is my heart. I’ve read the Bible front to back. I’ve cried over it, prayed over it, and studied it. And the more I read, the more I see a God who wants direct relationship — not religion. A Savior who came not to build hierarchy, but to bridge heaven and earth with grace and truth.

I don’t understand the Catholic interpretation of these key doctrines because they don’t align with what is plainly written in scripture. And I believe with everything in me that we should always go back to what God says — not what man has added.

If you’ve ever questioned these things too, I encourage you to open your Bible with fresh eyes. Ask God for discernment. He will show you what’s real and what isn’t.