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NASB | Romans 3:28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 3:28 For we maintain that an individual is justified by faith distinctly apart from works of the Law [the observance of which has nothing to do with justification, that is, being declared free of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]. |
Bible Question: Brian.g, this is not a post inviting a debate with you regarding the Roman Catholic faith. I won't do that. It is rather about a few questions concerning it on which I invite your answers. (1) Since the verses in Matthew 16:18,19 seem to keep popping up in relation to the papacy, are these the key verses, the proof text if you will, on which you and your fellow Catholics base your belief that Jesus appointed Peter the first pope of the Roman Catholic church?...... (2) If Jesus did appoint Peter the first Pope, where does the Bible say this plainly? (I can't see it as saying this in these two verses of Matthew 16) If the doctrine is derived from these two verses, can you shed more light on how it came to be so interpreted from them?...... (3) Whence comes the idea that Jesus made Peter the first in line of the popes; how is this seen as the intention of Jesus?...... (4) Since Peter was an Apostle of our Lord, were the "keys of the kingdom of heaven" not meant for Peter? How can it be inferred that the keys were to be passed down through the ages by a succession of popes? (5) How does the Catholic Church explain the doctrine of the infallibility of the pope? Isn't he a man and therefore fallible?...... (6) On what grounds do they justify the praying to various canonized saints instead of to the Father in Jesus' name?....... I recognize that there are six questions, and you might wish to address each one as a separate post. In any event, I think that your answers, on which I believe you will make every effort to be clear, objective, and complete, will be an instructive addition to the other resources available on the forum, and I thank you in advance. --Hank |
Bible Answer: Number 1, 2 and 3 The full answer to these questions - the proof you are seeking - is a very long answer, which does not lend itself to this forum and in reality, I don't know if I am the person that can give you the full proof you seek. I will answer your questions, but please allow me the right to summarize in places, and accept some of my discussion as having a foundation. John Paul II (1978 to present), our current Pope is the 265th, with Peter (years 32 to 67) being the first. The second Pope, Linus (67 to 76 or 79), is thought to be the same Linus, Timothy refered to in 2 Timothy 4:21. The Church recognizes 30 antipopes. An antipope is a false claimant of the Holy See in opposition to a pontiff canonically elected. First, why Rome for the location of the Church. Peters final years were spent in Rome, or more specifically, in an area known as Ager Vaticanus. This area did not belong to ancient Rome, nor was it built within the walls of Rome. This is were Peter died and was buried. This simply became the physical center of the Church. When Peter lead the Church, he created a Senate consistng of 24 priests and deacons - this is documented. One of the roles of this Senate was to elect the new Pope - with Linus being the first Pope elected by men. Over time, the Senate structure while having taken different shapes - has remained constant. Keep in mind, Peter gave formal organizational structure to the Church. This is important, because this is the correcting factor when the office of the Pope was occupied by a man who was more interested in this world, than in heaven. It is through this election of the Pope by the Senate (College of Cardinals), this formal organization created by Peter, which enables us to discern who the properly elected pontiffs were as opposed to the antipopes, who, at the same time, were claiming the Church. How do we know Peter was choosen by Jesus to head his Church. Three reasons: first, Matthew 16:17-19, And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church Second: In numerous references within the Bible, when Jesus spoke to the Apostles as a group, He directed His conversation to Peter Mathew 26:40 - And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? Third, on various occasions Peter speaks in the name of the other Apostles (Matthew 15:15; 19:27; Luke 12:41, etc.). Then Peter said to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?" Is there anyplace in the Bible where Jesus flat out said 'Peter - your the first Pope', no. It is not the strength or depth of the discussion between Jesus and Peter, it is the fact that it was Peter acting as the representative head of the Apostles with Jesus. Did Jesus intend for Peter to be the head of the Church, or did Peter just assume this role. I believe Jesus selected Peter. |