Why does Les say Peter was not the first pope?
Peter was not the first pope because his ministry was to Jews, not Gentiles. In this account he speaks to rulers, elders, and Israel, never to Romans or Gentiles. The gathering was entirely Jewish, and Peter remained the spokesman to Israel, so he never had a ministry among Gentiles.
Les explains that Peter is always the spokesman, beginning with his earthly ministry, but he rejects the idea that Peter was the first pope. His reason is that Peter never had a ministry among Gentiles. In the passage, the rulers, elders, and scribes gathered in Jerusalem were all Jews, next of kin of the high priest, with no Gentile present. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, addresses “ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,” not Romans or Gentiles. Les notes that Catholic friends may disagree, but he sees Peter’s ministry as exclusively to Israel.