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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]. |
Subject: Evangelicals and Catholics |
Bible Note: Brian, you did not begin to address my questions. 1) Why wasn't there any other popes who were Jewish? Why wasn't Peter's immediate successor Jewish? In the alleged 2,000 year history of the papacy, why isn't there another Jewish pope? If there is nothing to be found that can explain that there were no other Jewish popes, then this is "conclusive" to me that the idea of the papacy not only did not originate in Jerusalem but originated much later and by Gentiles. Therefore, the true lineage of popes starts somewhere else (other than Peter) and you have a leader and authority given to that leader by man instead of by God Himself. 2) Also, why didn't the papacy remain as leader of the church of Jerusalem? If Peter held the office of the 'apostle to the Jews' as you claim and if he was the leader of the church in Jerusalem, then why didn't any other pope in history assume these titles or responsibilites also, since they would come with the acceptance of Peter's title? Again, if you cannot find any reasonable explanation here, then this helps to reveal the truth as to how the papacy really began. It did not start with Jesus and Peter in Matthew 16:18. If it did, then we would see a clear line of succession here, but history has proven that we, in fact, do not. This is enough to disprove the truthfulness to the Catholic lineage to Peter and enough to prove to me that God has not directly given the pope any more authority then that which is given to every single believer. So my conclusion is that the Catholics alleged claim of a "leadership lineage" to Peter is flawed, not proven as "truthful" in light of history and is not supported in Scripture or by the early church. --Nolan |