Pope and Christianity
By Nick Bibile
“Test all things;
hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
Pope John Paul II died on April 2, 2005 the world began to mourn and began to praise his life. The following were some headlines of the new media.
Washington Post – “The Church Loses Its Light”
ABC News in Spain – “The life has just ended of probably the most important man of our time”
CBS - World Mourns Pontiff's
Passing
Fox News - John Paul was God's gift to a church in need of leadership
NBC – “A towering figure in the history of the church and the world”
President George W. Bush - "The Catholic Church has lost its shepherd. The world has lost a champion of human freedom, and a good and faithful servant of God has been called home,"
President Bill Clinton - "In speaking powerfully and eloquently for mercy and reconciliation to people divided by old hatreds and persecuted by abuse of power, the Holy Father was a beacon of light not just for Catholics, but for all people."
Billy Graham - "Pope John Paul II was unquestionably the most influential voice for morality and peace in the world during the last 100 years."
Pat Robertson – “The Most Beloved
Religious Leader of our Age.”
There are many other protestant leaders
have praised Pope John Paul II as a great Christian leader. We even hear the news media saying calling
the Pope as the Holy Father, the Vicar of Christ, Apostle Peter’s succession
and church is built on the rock of Peter.
When the world is praising a religious
leader, don’t you think there is something is wrong? Read the words of our Lord.
Joh 15:19 If ye were of the world, the
world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have
chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
I am not against Roman Catholics and I
love them as I want them to know the truth. They have been blinded by the
traditions of men and many are ignorant of the word of God. The word of God is
above traditions.
I challenge them to search the Scriptures in order to know what is true. The Scriptures are not merely the writings of men but of the Holy Spirit, Jesus said:
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words shall not pass away" (Matthew 24:35).
Also Jesus said:
Mr
7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye
may keep your own tradition.
Peter said:
"But holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (II Peter 1:21).
Paul said:
"All Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproving, for correcting, for instructing in justice; that the man of God may be perfect, equipped for every good work: (II Timothy 3:16-17).
Constantine the Roman emperor (A.D 313)
granted liberty to all Christians as before Christians were persecuted and
killed but now Constantine gave religious freedom to the people. He exempted
Christian ministers from taxes and encourage to build churches. He moved his
capitol to Byzantium and he called Constantinople, “New Rome.” Of the Empire.
Then Emperor Theodosius (A.S 378-398)
made Christianity the state religion of the
The following is from CNN, biography on Pope John Paul II
“Before he became the Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Christ,
Successor of St. Peter, Prince of Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the
Many are praising the Pope for all the
good work he has done. He was against abortion, homosexuality, he even visited
the person who tried to assassin him in prison. He visited
There were Pharisees and Jewish
religious leaders who had a great outward passion for God, they had all the rituals,
the traditions and looked very holy outside but Jesus rebuked them for their
error in doctrine. Jesus called them
wolves in sheep clothing. There are many
holy people looks like sheep but when you check their doctrine we see a
wolf.
What
is the meaning of Pope?
The word pope means Papa, Father. 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.
The word was first applied about 500 A.D
to all Bishops and then it became restricted to the Bishop of Rome. 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
Was
Peter the first Pope in
Pope is falsely
called the successor of Apostle Peter, historically; no one can prove
Peter was the first bishop of
If Peter was the first Pope
why didn’t the rest of the apostles recognize his divine appointment? They gave
more supremacy to Apostle James.
In Acts 15 we find
the great Jerusalem Council. Again, if anywhere Peter’s papacy should be
recognized, here is the first counsel and we see Peter does not act like a pope
but makes his defense but it is not Peter who has the last word, it is James.
It was James who concludes the matter and then the vote is taken. James had
more supremacy over Peter.
Ac
Ga 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars,
perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the
right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto
the circumcision.
If Peter was the first Pope
then why Apostle Paul rebuke him?
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
Did Peter ever claim to be
the Pope?
There is not one verse in the Bible where Apostle Peter claimed to be
the first Pope. Peter said he was apostle and elder but not a pope.
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.
Pope had stolen the titles that belong to the
Lord Jesus Christ and by committing blasphemy against God.
Universal Bishop
Pope is called the Universal Bishop. This is again blasphemy again the God as this title belongs not to the pope but to the Lord Jesus Christ.
1Pe
Our Most Holy Lord
Pope is called, 'Our Most Holy Lord' - Council of Trent, 1545. Here again the glory that belongs to God is being stolen by the pope. Read Isaiah 6:3
Isa 6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
God’s holiness is repeated not to the second degree but to the third degree, which means he is infinitely holy. On the other hand the Antichrist is called with the number 666, repeated to the third degree of evil
Head of the
Church
The pope is called
the head of the church. Again this title does not belong to the pope but to
Christ Jesus.
The Chief
Shepherd.
Pope is not the
Chief Shepherd but Christ 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.
Is the Church built on
Peter or Jesus?
Roman Catholics go to the Bible to say that Peter was the first Pope.
Let us see the scripture.
Mt
16 And Simon Peter answered and
said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said
unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not
revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I
will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19
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.
In Verse 17, Jesus calls Peter Simon Barjona. He does not call him Peter but calls his real
name, Simon Barjona, Barjona means son of Jonah. He calls him blessed are you
Simon, son of Jonah.
Then in verse 18
Jesus said, thou art Peter. It is very
interesting a verse later he doesn’t call him Simon son of Barjona but address
him, thou art Peter. Simon Barjona was also called Peter.
Mt 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw
two brethren, Simon called Peter,
and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
What is the
meaning of Peter? 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
He did not say
upon you Peter the small rock/stone I am going to build by church. But Jesus
said upon this rock referring to him as the large rock. If Jesus appointed
Peter to be the first Pope then a few verses later Jesus called the First Pope
Satan get thee behind. Infallibility of the pope is vanished in few seconds!
Mt
Also the rest of
the scriptures in the Bible the rock is referred not to Peter but to Jesus.
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.
Jesus is the
rock not Peter or the Popes. They all
died but Jesus lives. If the church is built on a man’s foundation we are in
trouble. But the true church is built on Jesus the rock and it cannot be
destroyed.
Mt
25 And the rain descended, and the floods
came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was
founded upon a rock.
In the Old
Testament the Rock was referred to the LORD.
Ps 94:22 But the
LORD is my defense; and my God is the rock of my refuge.
Peter himself said in his epistle that we are all living stones built
up a spiritual house and Christ is the Chief Cornerstone.
1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a
holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus
Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained
in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, and
precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
Apostle Paul said the chief cornerstone is Jesus not Peter.
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but
fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the
foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief
corner stone;
21 In whom all the building
fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord:
Foundation of the Church is not Peter but Christ as per Apostle Paul.
1 Cor 3: 11 For other foundation
can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Isa 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold; I lay in Zion for
a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure
foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
Did Jesus give authority to
Peter only?
What about Jesus telling Peter: “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 16: 19)
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 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for
evermore, Amen; and have the keys of
hell and of death.
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;
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.”
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.
Mt 18:15 Moreover if thy brother
shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone:
if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16 But if he will not hear thee,
then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three
witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to
hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let
him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.
Mt 18:18 Verily I say unto you,
Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye
shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again I say unto you, that if
two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it
shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
Then who is the Pope?
Pope is the substitute of Christ Jesus, very
clearly an anti Christ.
The New York
Catechism says, "The Pope takes
the place of Jesus Christ on earth. By divine right, the Pope has supreme and
full power in faith and morals over each and every pastor and his flock. He is
the true Vicar of Christ, the Head of the entire Church, the father and teacher
of all Christians. He is the infallible ruler, the founder of dogmas, the
author of and the judge of councils, the universal ruler of truth, the arbiter
of the world, the supreme judge of heaven and earth, the judge of all, being
judged by no one, God Himself on earth."
The Greek word [anti] in scripture most nearly
denotes something that is "in place of" another thing. The root
meaning is, "instead of" or "in place of". It is not the
original but a substitution, not Christ but a substitute for Christ. Instead of Christ a false Christ an
Antichrist.
Mt 24:4 And Jesus answered and
said unto them, Take heed that no man deceives you.
5 For many shall come in my
name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Conclusion.
Now let’s see the greatest preacher of
all time next to Jesus and the apostles, Charles Spurgeon what he had to say of
the Pope.
“Of all the dreams that ever deluded men, and probably of
all blasphemies that ever were uttered, there has never been one which is more
absurd, and which is more fruitful in all manner of mischief, than the idea
that the Bishop of Rome can be the head of the church of Jesus Christ. No,
these popes die, and how could the church live if its head were dead? The true
Head ever lives, and the church ever lives in him.” - MTP Vol 14 pg. 621.
“Christ did not redeem his church
with his blood that the pope might come in and steal away the glory. He never
came from heaven to earth, and poured out his very heart that he might purchase
his people, that a poor sinner, a mere man, should be set upon high to be
admired by all the nations, and to call himself God's representative on earth.
Christ has always been the Head of the church.” - MTP Vol 60 pg. 592
Roman
Catholicism is not telling the truth but the word of God the Bible is telling
the truth. The Roman church is not infallible but the word of God is
infallible.
The
pope is not infallible but the Lord Jesus is the same yesterday, today and
forever.
Heb
13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
He
is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
The teachings of Rome is full of error as it denies the original sin,
justification by faith alone, salvation by grace alone.
The
Church of Rome takes great pains in not telling the truth and wants people to
stay in ignorance of the word of God.