The Pope and the Church Foundation
Evil will never prevail (defeat, completely overcome) the Church:
Matthew 16:18 And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build
my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
QUESTION: Must not the true Church must have a visible, historically verifiable
existence which can be traced back to the Apostles?
ANSWER: The Roman Catholic Church, through it's unbroken succession of Popes,
accompanied by the Church Magisterium and consistent doctrine, can historically verify
an unbroken existence.
The Apostolic Church will exist until Christ returns in Glory, and Christ will be
with the Church until that time:
Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and
behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.
QUESTION: Is there any instance in the New Testament where Christ uses the term 'with
you' (Latin 'sum vobiscum') that he does not refer to his physical, bodily form?
ANSWER: The Roman Catholic Church has Christ, bodily yet mysteriously, present in the
consecrated Host of the Eucharist.
The body of Christ is a single unit with Christ as head:
Romans 12:5 So we being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of
another.
No division is permitted from the Church:
1 Corinthians 12:25 That there might be no schism in the body; but the members might be
mutually careful one for another.
QUESTION: Is this statement a 'wish' or a command in relation to the Church, which at
that time was a single, united body?
ANSWER: Since Galatians 5:20 says those who engage in 'dissensions(divisions), sects
(heresies) shall not "obtain the Kingdom of God," separation from the Church
established by Christ must be regarded as a command not to be broken.
QUESTION: Did God ever command (or condone) the separation of the Godly Israelites from
the often sinful and irresponsible priests and established religion in Jerusalem?
ANSWER: No.
There is only on faith (body of correct teachings):
Ephesians 4:3 Careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 One body and one Spirit; as you are called in one hope of your calling.
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism.
QUESTION: Is a variety of theological opinions or interpretations acceptable in the
church?
ANSWER: Galatians 1:7 Which is not another, only there are some that trouble you, and
would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach a gospel to you besides that which we
have preached to you, let him be anathema.
Keys in the Bible always symbolize authority:
Revelation 1:18 And alive, and was dead, and behold I am living for ever and ever,
and have the keys of death and of hell.
Isaiah 22:22 And I will lay the key of the house of David upon his shoulder: and he
shall open, and none shall shut: and he shall shut, and none shall open.
Peter is the only apostle given a 'key' by Jesus, setting him apart:
Matthew 16:18 And I say to 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 to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou
shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt
loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.
QUESTION: Isn't this authority given to all the apostles, just as 'binding and loosing'
was in Matthew 18:18?
ANSWER: The Douay Rheims (and King James Version also) use 'thee' to signify a singular
subject or person, and you for plural. Thus, Jesus was specifically addressing Peter.
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS:
1. There is no other disciple mentioned as frequently and prominently in the New
Testament as Peter.
2. Peter served as:
a. Group spokesman following Pentecost (Acts 1:14 +)
b. God chooses Peters in Acts 10_11 to introduce the Gentiles into the Church, and
those who objected 'held their peace' (Acts 11:18) at Peter's testimony
c. Peter is a target of imprisonment and miraculous escape (rather than being a
martyr as James)
d. Peter's words are respected and authoritative at the first Church Council in
Jerusalem (Act 15:7 +)
e. Paul specifically visits Peter before working for the Church: Galatians 1:18
Then, after three years, I went to Jerusalem, to see Peter, and I tarried with
him fifteen days.
3. Only Peter is commissioned specifically by Jesus to "feed my lambs" (John 21:15).
Aside from references to Christ, the Greek word lamb (arnion) is only used in he
New Testament to refer to the disciples (aren) in Luke 10:3. Thus, Jesus is
commissioning to lead and care for the other apostles.
The apostles regarded their office (apostleship) as a distinct office which needed to
be filled in the case of vacancy:
Acts 1:25 To take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas hath by
transgression fallen, that he might go to his own place.
26 And they gave them lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with
the eleven apostles.
QUESTION: Since the apostolic office would be filled from that point on, wouldn't
Peter's particular position of authority also be filled?
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