The answer I’m sure you are looking for is the apostle Peter, a key member of Jesus’ “inner circle” (Peter, James and John) who alone accompanied him to the Mount of Transfiguration and the Garden of Gethsemane.

Peter was indeed an important leader of the early church — in Acts he initially takes the lead in declaring the gospel and acting as ‘chief spokesperson’ for the apostles, at Pentecost, in Samaria, and in the official beginning of the Gentiles mission (through his visit to Cornelius’s house). Thereafter he appears, along with James (not the son of Zebedee, who was an early martyr, but Jesus’ brother [some say half-brother]) as the foremost leaders in the Jerusalem church.

And though Acts shows that Paul ends up being given a central role as “apostle to the Gentiles”, it was not a matter of his taking a role away from Peter (the NT never says that).

BUT you should know that the Protestant position, while able to appreciate the very important “kick-off” role given to Peter (though again, some overreact to Catholic teaching about the papacy that they disagree with), does not believe that his APOSTOLIC role — assisting in laying the foundational witness to the risen Christ– was “transferable” to a successor. In other words, Peter was a very important leader of the early church, arguably THE most important at the start –and that by Jesus’ direction. But that all by itself does not establish the institution of the papacy, nor the full hierarchical structure that later characterized the Catholic church.

Peter was named by Jesus as the first leader, however Paul took over after his conversion. Paul actively sought, much to the chagrin of Peter and the apostles, to convert gentiles (non-Jews) So in a way Paul is the first leader, because he took to making the church bigger through gentile conversion.

Now, if you want to look at the first person to make the Church an institution, then you should look at the emperor Constantine who “converted” to Christianity and started formal regulations of the Church.

(I’ve read it a long time ago. Sorry, I can’t remember the names and dates. Just do some research on your own.)
*note: Laity = non-Clergy = ordinary followers

Astrobuf

“gospels describe Jesus as calling Peter his “rock” upon which the future church would be built. After his martyrdom in Rome, traditions developed which led to the belief that the most important Christian church organization was located in Rome. This is why popes today are regarded as the successors of Peter, first leader of the Roman church.”

Hope that helps!

Jane Marie

There was no mention of Catholic anywhere. When the Catholic church was created, they named the Pope’s chair the Throne of St. Peter.

You should know that Peter did not lead the early Christian church. He wasn’t strong enough. It was Paul who blazed the trail and THEN Peter followed.