Something to Think About
If you answered with a 'non-Catholic' view, consider these points for each question.
Bible references are at the end of the page...


Question 1
1.If ‘rock' is the idea, why would Jesus say ‘thou art Peter (meaning rock)' specifically?
2. Jesus was speaking to all the disciples...why single Peter out in this statement?

Question 2
1. Since Luke 23:23 and other verses show ‘prevail' as clearly meaning ‘defeat' (katischuo Greek), who can Christ's promise be true if it had to be re-established?
2. What modern ‘denominations' besides the Catholic Church, can claim unbroken, consistent doctrine in a historically verifiable ‘body' from the Apostles until today?

Question 3
1. The KJV and DR both use ‘thee' for singular and ‘you' for plural, how can ‘thee' be anyone but Peter?
2. Since Christ knew that the apostles would die but their leadership positions would continue (episkope or ‘bishop' in Acts 1:20) , wouldn't Peter's office of authority also have successors?

Question 4
1. What do Isaiah 22:22, Revelations 1:17-18 and Revelations 20:1 show keys as representing?
2. Who else does Jesus give keys (authority) to in the New Testament?

Question 5
1. To whom does the Lord give power to heal and cast out devils in Luke 9:1-2?
2. Who is the exclusive beneficiary of Christ's post-resurrection teaching in Acts 1:2,3

Question 6
1. Is believing that Christ is the Son of God enough for salvation in James 2:19?
2. Is calling on Jesus enough for salvation in Matthew 7:21.

Question 7
1. Who is the only one who can forgive sins (Mark 2:7,10)?
2. Is anyone besides the Twelve even given this power in the New Testament?

Question 8
1. Does Paul indicate there is a distinct Christian doctrine in Galatians 1:8?
2. Does St. Jude indicate correct doctrine, along with belief in Christ, is important?

Question 9
1. Despite great corruption of the priesthood, did God ever permit schism from the established assembly (i.e. Temple) in the Old Testament?
2. Have any ‘reformation' groups ever disputed Rome's contention to have been the ‘established' church from the times of the Apostles?

Question 10
1. Doesn't the dictionary definition show that the English word ‘priest' is a derivative of the Greek ‘elder/presbyter?'
2. Since other writers at the time (such as Hippolytus 215 AD) called presbyters ‘priests,' wouldn't the English have understood the term to imply sacerdotal functions, not just leadership?

Luke 23:23 But they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified; and their voices prevailed.

Acts 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms: Let their habitation become desolate, and let there be none to dwell therein. And his bishopric let another take.

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.

Apocalypse 1:17 And when I had seen him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying: Fear not. I am the First and the Last, 18 And alive, and was dead, and behold I am living for ever and ever, and have the keys of death and of hell.

Apocalypse 20:1 And I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit, and a great chain in his hand.

Luke 9:1,2: Then calling together the twelve apostles, he gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

Acs 1:2-3: 2 Until the day on which, giving commandments by the Holy Ghost to the apostles whom he had chosen, he was taken up. 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion, by many proofs, for forty days appearing to them, and speaking of the kingdom of God.

James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God. Thou dost well: the devils also believe and tremble.

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Mark 2:7,10 Why doth this man speak thus? he blasphemeth. Who can forgive sins, but God only? 10 But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins...

Galatians 1:8 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.

Jude 3 Dearly beloved, taking all care to write unto you concerning your common salvation, I was under a necessity to write unto you: to beseech you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.

WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY DEFINITION: Priest n. [OE. prest, preost, AS. preóóst, fr. L. presbyter, Gr. elder, older, n., an elder, compar. of an old man, the first syllable of which is probably akin to L. pristinus. Cf. Pristine, Presbyter.] 1. (Christian Church) A presbyter elder; a minister; specifically: (a) (R. C. Ch. & Gr. Ch.) One who is authorized to consecrate the host and to say Mass; but especially, one of the lowest order possessing this power. Murdock. (b) (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.) A presbyter; one who belongs to the intermediate order between bishop and deacon. He is authorized to perform all ministerial services except those of ordination and confirmation.
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