Millions of people today follow the “pope,” referring to a leader who positions himself as the head of all true Christians. A number of men claimed that position for themselves. For example, Constantinople’s bishop John IV, also called John the Faster, proclaimed himself “archbishop and ecumenical (universal) patriarch” in 588. Rome’s bishops Pelagius II and Gregory I strongly objected to such a novelty. According to the New Catholic Encyclopedia, Gregory’s letter of protest “expressly disclaims the name ‘universal’ for any bishop, including himself.”
Gregory denounced such “diabolical arrogance” and charged that anyone claiming such a title for himself was “Antichrist.” Nevertheless, in 607, Gregory’s successor, Boniface III, took the very title—“universal bishop”—that Gregory had so vigorously rejected.
The conflict over supremacy between Constantinople’s patriarchs and Rome’s bishops became so fierce that it led in 1054 to the final division between Western (Latin) Christendom and Eastern (Greek) Christendom, a split that continues today. Such power struggles should never have taken place. They reflect more of the world than the Spirit of Christ.
Now the works of the flesh are evident: … enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions…. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19- 21 cf. Luke 11:17; John 17:21-23; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Ephesians 4:4-6)
Even the disputed terms should never have been used. “Pope” means “father” from the Greek word pappas. “Patriarch” has a similar meaning. Concerning religious titles, Jesus stressed our brotherhood, and He commanded,
Call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. (Matthew 23:9-10)
Though the New Testament honors the apostles, no one of them is given the position of “head.” One body has one head, and He is identified with crystal clarity.
[God] put all things under His [Christ’s] feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body…. (Ephesians 1:22-23)
“CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH.”
Christ is the head of the church, His body, and is Himself its Savior…. The church submits to Christ. (Ephesians 5:23-24 cf. Ephesians 4:15; Colossians 1:18; 2:10, 19)