There were many branches of the new Christian religion in the beginning. Eventually one of them called itself Catholic. The Roman Catholic Religion, though initially based upon the Chritain faith, has deviated tremendously over the 1700 years it has been in existance.
Today's Roman Catholic religion is entirely based upon two passages of Scripture which they consistently bring up as their authority to claim to be the "only" true church, and the "only" authority for salvation.
To verify the truth of this claim, we must turn to the Bible and examine these two verses.
But how many verses does the Bible contain totally?
The Old Testament contains 39 books
The Old Testament contains 929 chapters
The Old Testament contains 23,214 verses
The New Testament contains 27 books
The New Testament contains 260 chapters
The New Testament contains 7,956 verses
For a total in the Bible of: 66 books; 1,189 chapters; 31,170 verses
That's 31 thousand one hundred seventy verses. And out of all those words, written by men, under the inspiration (breathed) of God, their only claim to fame is alleged in these two verses.
But let's examine these verses and see if even these two substantiate the Roman claim. Rather than my "human" input, let's let Scripture itself answer any possible questions:
Let's begin by taking the two verses in "context".
Matthew, Chapter 16
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also 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.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. 21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Well, either Peter was given all authority such as the present Roman Catholic religion claims,
"OR"
Peter is Satan. All within the same short passages of Scripture. Don't you think there may be something else Jesus is saying here? If so, what does further research disclose?
Matthew Chapter 18
1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
[who is Jesus talking to? the disciples (plural)
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
[and to whom was Jesus talking to still ?] the disciples (plural)
Now, Jesus is telling "ALL" the disciples they have this same authority to bind or loosen, whatever that means. But whatever it does mean, it is certainly shared by all the deciples and not just Peter as the Catholics claim.
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Now, the Roman Catholic religion further claims that Peter was the Rock which Jesus built His Church.
Let's see what further research discloses.
Ephesians Chapter 2:
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
[and what is the foundation of the "household of God" built upon?
The apostles and prophets (plural again), with Jesus Himself being the corner stone.]
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
And paul continues explaining the Temple in which "all" present are helping build. And who is Paul telling this to? Ephesians is a "letter" to the Ephesians, a large commercial center being the most important city in Western Asia Minor - Now Turkey. But Paul did not include his usual personal greetings and most feel this letter was more of a "circular" intended to be read not only by the Ephesians but other churches as well. But, even it the letter was only intended for the Ephesians, it was certainly meant to be read by many Christians. Paul's text clearly indicated that "all" Christians were helping to build Christ's church.
I could not end this text without including the Greek for the words Jesus used when talking to Peter back in Matthew: thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church
Without going into great detail. as it is not important; the word "Peter" is actually the Greek word PETROS which basically means in English a small rock or pebble. But when Jesus says "this ROCK", the word PETRA was used, meaning a large rock or boulder. Clearly, Jesus is saying - (nope) I promised that I would not insert my opinion or understanding here, but I believe the meaning is very clear. How about you?
Jesus is also called, "The Rock Of Ages". Not Peter!
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Jesus said "by me". He did not say "by Peter".
Greg Moore
gregandsheila@usinternet.com