Since the office of pope contradicts the New Testament, why do catholics insist Jesus started their religion?

Fully agree with you, the papacy is unbiblical as is much Catholic doctrine and their rituals.

You've got a bit of a logic fail going there.

1. The pope never says anything that contradicts the NT.

2. Jesus only started ONE Church, not thousands, in Matthew 16. "...I will build My Church..." (singular).

3. Since Jesus only started ONE Church, that Church is the UNIVERSAL Church, meaning it was the sole Church for all believers in all nations in all eras. The text doesn't have to use the word "universal" because there was only ONE Church in question. I get that this could be hard for you to grasp in a world where there are tens of thousands of conflicting denominations, but that's the reality of the New Testament.

4. "The moment the office of the pope was adopted" is also found in Matthew 16, when Jesus told Peter specifically, "You are Peter (rock) and on this rock I will build My Church." Remember that Jesus is the one who changed Simon's name to Peter, so Jesus was intentionally referring to that one guy as Rock. (He didn't call ALL the Apostles "Rock" - just Simon!). And look at the syntax in Jesus' statement: "You are Peter ****and**** on ****this**** rock...." Not, "You may be Peter, but on a different rock..." or something like that, which would imply a contrast. Jesus is clearly equating Peter with the "rock" He was building His Church upon, and thus Peter is the first pope.

5. The Catholic Church, being the source for the New Testament, has always been a Biblical religion. If you think otherwise, it's because you were lied to and haven't bothered to research the question seriously.

6. The papacy is not an insult to Christ, but a "supporting role" to His Kingship.

7. There is nothing "unbiblical" about the papacy.

8. Jesus did indeed give Peter authority, and not just in Matthew 16. Look at John 21, when Jesus instructs Peter (and ONLY Peter) to feed and tend His flock. Look at Acts 1, when Peter immediately takes charge and has the other Apostles find their new 12th man. Look at Pentecost in Acts 2, when Peter speaks for the whole Church. Look at 10, when God revealed to Peter (and ONLY Peter) that the dietary restrictions were lifted from all Christians. Obviously, James, John, Andrew, Matthew and all the others who lived and walked with Jesus day by day were convinced that Jesus gave Peter this authority. What makes you think that you are smarter than they are?

How does the office of pope contradict the New Testament?

The Greek word "ekklesia" means "the one's called out" from ek="out from" and kaleo="to call." Originally, "the one's called out" had reference to legislative bodies, therefore "assemblies." Basically, when we say we are the Church, we are saying "we are the one's God has called out of the world for himself."

So - while congregation might be a fine translation on some levels, it could be found wanting on others. So it is important to look at where and how the term is used in the NT. In the Gospels the term is used only twice. Both times in Matthew and both times by Christ himself AND both times it is connected to the granting of authority to "Bind and Loose" - "Whatever". (Mt 16:17-19) (Mt 18:15-18) This connection implies more than a simple "congregation" and FAR more than the "invisible church" idea of some protestants.

Jesus grants authority to bind and loose to His Church. That Church (in Acts 15) acts upon this authority to settle a doctrinal question that had effect, not in a single "local" community, but in all the "Ekkleisa" - universally.

So - based on this and looking at what St Paul says about the Ekklesia being the pillar and bulwark of Truth, it would make sense that he is talking about a universal, visible and authoritative Ekklesia (Church) and not a loosely connected collection of "local communities" tied together in some "invisible church"...

ROTFL

Unbiblical authority???

The power to forgive or retain sins? The power to issue statements that bind and loose in heaven and on earth? The authority to set new doctrine not covered by the old law (Acts 15:28)?

What's left...or are you starting that stupid Sunday argument again?

Jesus said, "Peter, upon you I will build my Church". It is right there in the new testament. Peter's name was Simon before, and Jesus then referred to him as "Petra" literally meaning "rock". Jesus was basically saying "Peter you are a rock and you will build my Church".

Pope means "Papa" in Italian for Father. The "Father" of the Church.

The office of Pope is biblical.

John 21:15-17 states:

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."

He then said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep."

He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." (Jesus) said to him, "Feed my sheep.

Matthew 16:17-19 states:

Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

The Catholic Church believes the Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the "rock" of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock.

The Pope is the senior pastor of 1.1 billion Catholic Christians, the direct successor of Simon Peter.

The Pope’s main roles include teaching, sanctifying, and governing.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 880-882.

With love in Christ.