Clearing the Air Part IV

Catholics. Referring to the book of Matthew, chapter 16, verse 18, we read, "And I say 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." Now, it's understandable how a scripture like this one can be misunderstood, as many are. People of the Catholic "faith" believe that it was here that Peter was ordained as the first "Pope" of the "church." This simple discrepancy was made by not reading the scripture in its proper context. According to the scriptures prior to this one, Peter was asked who he thought the Christ was. Peter proclaimed Jesus as the Christ, hence, the reason for the reply we've just read. Translated in context to the subject, what Jesus was saying was simple. It can and should be understood, "And I say unto thee, That thou art Peter," translated "rock," "and upon this rock," meaning, upon the faith shown by Peter, confessing that Jesus is the Messiah without being convinced by no man, "[Jesus] will build [his] church.

" Simple. The "church of Christ" will be built on this level of unfeigned faith. We have only one "foundation," or "rock," and this is Jesus. Peter was the representative of Christ on earth, but so isn't every Christian supposed to be. Peter did in many ways become the "head" of the church, which made him "Bishop," but this was not a title that Peter held to himself, and passed on to successors. Many held this same title while Peter was alive, and was only given to men that were proven worthy. As far as the "keys" are concerned, that Jesus said that whatsoever is bound and loosed on earth will likewise be bound and loosed in heaven, was not just directed to Peter, as many believe. This same saying was repeated to all the disciples according to Matthew 18:18. It's meaning is explained at John 20:23 where, again he says to all the disciples and not just Peter, "Whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosoever sins ye retain, they are retained." Every Christian shares these "keys." Now, for the cherry. Although many claim the origins of the "Catholic 'faith'" to begin with Jesus and Peter, this is just misinformation due to the lack of historical knowledge.

True, the term "Catholic Church" was used by the then Bishop of Antioch, Ignatius, around 107 B.C.E., but it must be understood that this term was used not to describe an organization as the "Catholic" church is seen today, but was simply a reference made to describe the oneness of Christians, as the term "catholic" means "universal." It wasn't until more than 200 years after Ignatius that the term "Catholic Church" was used as an official name for the "church" by a so-called "Saint Cyril of Jerusalem," which was done purposely to divide this "church" from others they felt to be heretical sects. I'm sure with the dark, evil history of the "Catholic Church" which is very well-known world-wide, that its "authority," if any was given, had to have been stripped from it during these wicked times, as was the case with the religious leaders of Israel that rejected the Messiah. Repentance is not limited, but common sense alone will declare that in order for the whole "church" as an organization to be forgiven of its atrocities, then the whole "church" as an organization will have to repent as well. Regardless of the name, and its affiliates, only the "wheat" is going to pass on into the next stage, the kingdom of Heaven. The "chaff" will be discarded. Are we to believe that "GOD" is going to base His judgment on our affiliations? In this case, only the "Catholic Church" is going to be saved, but I find that impossible to believe. This would make the "Catholic Church" even above the then "chosen nation of 'GOD', Israel." I don't think so. The lack of leadership is what destroyed the natural "nation of Israel," and led to the adoption of the "Israel of 'God'." Will the "Catholic Church" boast this quite lofty position against the "branches?" Do I have to remind you of the warnings written in the 11^th chapter of Romans? "GOD" forbid.