The Papacy
Even though the word "Pope" is not used in the Scriptures or the Early Church writings, there is clear evidence that Jesus instructed faithful men to be "second-in-charge". In the early Church, the Pope is known as the Bishop of Rome. That is actually what the Pope is, the Bishop of Rome. When looking into the Pope and the Church's authority, We need to look at the Old Testament writings, particularly within the Davidic Kingdom. In the Davidic Kingdom, when the King was out of office, he would hand the office's keys onto another person who would be second-in-charge. Similar to a deputy role we would have today. The second in charge person would run the office while the King was away and have the keys to the house until he returned. This establishment appears a few times throughout the Old and New Testament. However, the most prominent verses that convey this tradition are Isaiah 22 and Matthew 16:18-19. These two verses correspond to the message regarding the critical aspect to the second in charge under the King in the Davidic Kingdom.
Let's take a look at both the verses in Isaiah and Matthew and see how it parallels with each other.
Old Testament
The LORD said to Shebna, "When that happens, I will send for my servant Eliakim son of Hilkiah”
(Isaiah 22:20)
I will put your official robe and belt on him and give him all the authority you have had. He will be like a father to the people of Jerusalem and Judah.
(Isaiah 22:21)
I will give him complete authority under the king, the descendant of David. He will have the keys of office; what he opens, no one will shut, and what he shuts, no one will open.
(Isaiah 22:22)
New Testament
‘Good for you, Simon son of John!’ answered Jesus. ‘For this truth did not come to you from any human being, but it was given to you directly by my Father in heaven.’
(Matthew 16:17)
And so I tell you, Peter: you are a rock, and on this rock foundation I will build my church, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it.
(Matthew 16:18)
I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven; what you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven, and what you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.
(Matthew 16:19)
This tradition of handing down the keys foreshadows the role of the Pope. Jesus is the King of both Heaven and earth and is the true King of the Davidic Kingdom. However, there is more than meets the eye in this verse in Matthew. Firstly, in verse 17, Jesus declares that Peter's knowledge and faith were given by God alone. This particular passage provides us with the understanding that Peter was receiving grace from God the Father by listening to Christ's teachings and following Him.
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Throughout the Old Testament, we discover that God changes particular individuals' names to imply a higher purpose, and for the role they are to play throughout Salvation History. For example, in Genesis 17:5, God changes Abram's name to Abraham; and then in Genesis 35:10 when God gives the name Israel to Jacob. These Bible verses in the Old Testament reveal God's promises to these people to bring together His family. This is the same as Peter in the New Testament.
Jesus acknowledges that Simon (Peter) will now be known as Cephas, which translates to the name "Peter". (see John 1:42). The name Peter means "rock" and Jesus purposely chose this name for Peter. This verse foreshadows the plan to make Peter the "rock" as a symbolic foundation of the Church.
However, we must remember that Peter continued to remain a flawful human being even after this event, as all individuals that God changed names of. When Jesus gave Peter the name "rock", this was not placing Peter higher than God, but instead establishing Peter as a "co-founder" for the Church. This also applies to the Church today. In no way should the Pope, (the successor of Peter) be seen as a higher being than his Creator.
Matthew 16:13 gives us a more historical and geographical approach to understanding the context of Matthew 16:14-19. We notice that Jesus and his disciples had come into Caesarea Philippi. This is important to understand as in Caesarea Philippi a large rock stood there with a temple dedicated to a Greek god. The fascinating part of Peter's confession was that he did not just declare that Jesus is the Son of God, but the Son of the living God. Peter sees that God the Father is the one, eternal, most powerful God who created everything and everyone; rather than the Roman gods who are dead. We also see that by using the word living, Peter acknowledges the Spirit of God working through him.
Considering the symbolical words that Jesus uses in this verse and the location, Peter and the disciples understood the significance of this event. Jesus is showing us that He is the wise man building his house on a rock, as we read in Matthew 7:24 “So then, anyone who hears these words of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock.” However, Christ is the solid foundation rock of the Church.
Considering that Jesus hadn't returned yet when Peter died, the "keys" were handed down to his successor.