That is, the Office of Peter was established by Christ himself. There is no other logical explanation for its endurance for so many centuries. Jesus established the Church and commissioned her to teach (Matt 16:18 & Matt 2818-20). But without authority, why should the Church be listened to? Without a teaching authority, the message of salvation would have been lost forever ~ left to the whims and opinions of each successive generation. For example, why do Christians accept that the New Testament has 27 books? Who decided that? The bishops united in prayer with the Pope - that's who! Without a teaching body with authority to accurately and faithfully interpret the bible, the bible would be only a source of division. (II Peter 3:15-16). The bible itself clearly affirms that the Church is founded by Christ and is the foundation for truth (Matt 16:18-19 & I Tim 3:15). In the case of the Magisterium (teaching authority) of the Church, it is the Holy Spirit ~ God and God alone ~ that has kept the Church (and the Popes) free from teaching heresy (false teaching about Christ or God) even though thousands of false teachings have abounded throughout history. The message of salvation taught by Christ is just too precious for God to simply leave in the hand of sinful and weak human beings. No Pope in history, therefore, can take credit for being kept from error in matters of faith. To God alone belongs that glory! Pray for us as we hang out with Pope in Germany this weekend!