Quick Facts on Roman Catholicism
By Pastor Nick
Bibile
Is there a
difference between Catholic and Roman Catholic?
Yes. Many are not aware that there is a difference between Catholicism and Roman Catholicism. According to Webster Encyclopedic dictionary the word Catholic means universal or general. In the beginning of the church there were no denominations but only one general church and was called Catholic not Roman Catholic.
Then how did Roman
Catholicism begin?
The early church which was called Christian or Catholic was
persecuted by the Roman Emperors. Christians were crucified, burnt alive and given
to wild beasts to be eaten alive. Then there was a sudden change as Constantine the Roman emperor (A.D 313) granted liberty to all
Christians as before Christians were persecuted and killed but now
Then Emperor Theodosius (A.S 378-398)
made Christianity the state religion of the
What
is the meaning of Pope?
The word pope means Papa, Father. The Pope commands all to call him `Holy Father', and his priests feel insulted if persons do not address them as `Father'
Was Apostle Peter
the First Pope?
Roman Catholic Church will list Peter as
the first Pope but in truth for 500 years there were no Popes. It was
first given to Gregory I by the wicked emperor Phocas,
in the year 604. Gregory, however, refused the title, but his second successor,
Boniface III (607) assumed the title, and it has been the designation of the
bishops of
Peter
was not the first pope. According to
the Roman Catholic Church the Pope is infallible, means he never makes
mistakes. No one can rebuke the pope. However Apostle Paul rebuked Peter.
Ga
Then
Why Does the Roman Catholic Church List Apostle Peter as the First Pope?
The Church of Rome use
the following scripture to prove their case. Let us read.
Mt
No. It does not. Peter in Greek is Petros
it means a small rock or a stone. Jesus in Matthew 16:18 said, Thou art Peter, meaning a small rock/stone. Then Jesus
said upon this rock. Rock here in Greek is not Petros
but
Is
there other holy scriptures in the Bible to say that Jesus is the Rock?
Yes. Read the following.
1Co 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
Ps 89:26 He shall cry unto me, Thou
art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.
Is
the Church Built on the Foundation of Christ Jesus?
Yes, Read the scripture.
1 Cor 3: 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Ok, now I understand from the Holy Bible the Church is not built of Peter but of Jesus Christ. But what about Jesus telling Peter the following?
“And I will give unto
thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt
bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt
loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matt
Can you answer?
Yes, certainly. The
word keys are used as metaphorically as a key has to do with a door. Keys of the kingdom of heaven has to do with door of faith,
the door for the gospel. It was first given to Peter and we see at the
Pentecost how the Lord used Peter opening this door to the Jews in preaching
the gospel (Acts 2:1) and then to the Gentiles (Acts 10:1) But it was not only
given to Peter but to the rest of the apostles, a commission to preach the
gospel to all nations, then to all the believers. It was not given to one man
but to the church in unity. Only Jesus has the keys to hell and death.
Re
Only Jesus has the authority to shut and
open doors
Re 3:7 And to the angel of the church
in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is
holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and
shutteth, and no man openeth;
Then what about when Jesus said, “whatsoever
thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:
and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be
loosed in heaven.”
Can
you answer?
Here we see Jesus gave the church to exercise authority in
reference to church discipline, this authority was not only to Peter but to the
church. Compare Matthew
Mt
Did
apostle Peter himself ever claim to be the Pope?
Peter said he was apostle and elder but not a pope. Read the following Scripture.
1Pe 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed.
According to Roman
Catholicism Pope is the Head of the Church. What does the Holy Bible say?
The word of God is very clear, it is not the Pope who is the head of the Church but Jesus Christ is the head of the Church.
Eph
The Pope is called
the Chief Shepherd, what does the Bible say?
The Bible is again clear that it is not the Pope who is the Chief Shepherd but Christ Jesus is the Chief Shepherd.
1Pe 5:3 Neither as being lords over
God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall
receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Pope is called the Holy Father. Now I see that that the Bible is true,
what does the Bible say?
Many are calling him Holy Father.
This is an abomination to God. Jesus said, "Call no man
your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven"
(Matt. 23:9) Here Jesus is not
talking of our physical fathers but referring to a spiritual father, the only
spiritual Father we have is God not the Pope.