This is one of the sillier criticisms of Catholicism. The assumption is that if the word is not present, then the idea is also not present. Since we don’t see any of these words in the Bible, then they obviously do not have a biblical basis, right? WRONG. We will look at each of these concepts one by one, and you will see how they are all “hidden” in Sacred Scripture.
The Papacy
While it is true that the word “Pope” does not appear in Scripture, the idea that Peter had some kind of primacy over the other Apostles is clear. In the Gospels, Peter is mentioned by name more than all the other Apostles combined. Peter was one of the “inner circle” (along with James and John, the sons of Zebedee) of Jesus that witnessed the Transfiguration and was invited to pray with the Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane. When all of the Apostles are named, Peter is always first, and Judas is always last. In Acts, it was Peter that took a leadership role in finding a replacement for Judas. At the council in Jerusalem, it was Peter’s pronouncement that ended the discussion of circumcision. The special place of Peter is undeniable. Also, the need to replace Judas established that bishops had an office, and it was to continue into the future. The Pope is the successor of Peter, Prince of the Apostles. So yes, the Papacy is in the Scriptures.
The Ministerial Priesthood
How many have you heard that the only priests mentioned in the New Testament are the Levitical priests? This claim comes from exegetical laziness. We need to look at some etymology first. “Priest” comes from the Greek word “presbyteros”. This word is found in the New Testament, and is usually translated as “elder”. Yes, priests are in the Bible.
Religious Orders
This one is a little harder to show. Monasticism was indeed a later development, but the idea religious communities are easily found. If one does a little historical research, he will find that the Qumran community, the Essenes, were a Jewish celibate order. In the Passion Narrative, it is reasonable to conclude that “the man carrying a jar of water” was a member of this or some similar community. Carrying water was “women’s work” so it is likely that the man doing this would be a community of celibate men. Also, Elijah had a band of prophets that worked with him (of which Elisha was one). So religious communities are not altogether foreign to the Scriptures.
If you want to criticize the Catholic Church because , for example, you disagree with the basis of the Eucharist, that is one thing, but to make claims based on poor exegesis is inexcusable.
Catholic Ramblings 