About this episode

This episode explores the significance and historical origins of the Chair of St. Peter in Christianity.

For nearly 2,000 years, Christians have spoken of the Chair of St. Peter, but what exactly is it? Is it simply an ornate chair housed in St. Peter’s Basilica, or does it represent something far more significant? In this episode of FACTS with Stephen Boyce, we trace the biblical and historical origins of one of Christianity’s most misunderstood symbols of authority.Beginning with Moses’ Seat in Matthew 23, we’ll explore how Scripture presents the idea of a continuing teaching office before examining Isaiah 22, the Davidic steward, and Christ’s gift of the Keys to Peter in Matthew 16. From there, we’ll follow the evidence into the earliest centuries of the Church, examining the testimony of the Muratorian Fragment, Tertullian, Cyprian, Damasus, Augustine, and Leo the Great to see how the earliest Christians understood the Chair of Peter.We’ll also discuss why the phrase ex cathedra literally means “from the chair,” what Catholics actually mean by papal infallibility, and how this doctrine is rooted in the biblical concept of a continuing office rather than the personal holiness of any individual pope. Whether you’re Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, or simply interested in Church…

People in this episode

Host: Stephen Boyce

Topics covered

• Chair of St. Peter
• Christian authority
• Church history
• papal infallibility
• biblical origins
• teaching office

Keywords

• Chair of St. Peter
• Moses' Seat
• papal infallibility
• Christianity
• Church history
• Isaiah 22
• Matthew 16
• early Church
• authority

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Muratorian Fragment

More episodes of FACTS

• Perpetua and Felicity: The Prison Diary of Two Female Martyrs · July 18, 2026 · 1h 12m
• Who Wrote the Book of Hebrews? · July 3, 2026 · 1h 1m
• Did a Medieval Pope Excommunicate Slave Traders? · June 27, 2026 · 1h 7m
• Mary Had a Little Lamb—And He Takes Away the Sin of the World · June 20, 2026 · 1h 4m
• Women’s Orders: Why the SBC is Correct—But Can’t Defend It · June 14, 2026 · 1h 12m

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the FACTS podcast page.