It is apparent from the New Testament that Peter enjoyed some kind of primacy over the other apostles and that Jesus’ intention was not to set up Peter as a rock, since Peter himself could never endure for generations, but as an institution with power and authority, hence the ability to bind and to loose (Matthew 16:19). Of course, this same power was given to the rest of the apostles as well (Matthew 18:18), but it was first promised to Peter, to whom Jesus gave the charge of strengthening his brothers (Luke 22:32).
