The Vicar Of Christ. Viva Il Papa

[MC Just]

The Catholic Church’s Foundations

Let’s start before Jesus created his Church. Jesus grew up going to the Jewish temples and Holy places, he knew everything because he is God in flesh, he is also a Priest, Prophet and King. He amazed the Pharisees and scribes. When he was around the age of thirty and began to preach about the coming kingdom of God, he began to have Disciples and Apostles he chose twelve for his Apostles, they were: 1) Saint Peter (First Pope and Prince of Apostles) 2) Saint Andrew, 3) Saint James 4) Saint John 5) Saint Philip 6) Saint Bartholomew 7) Saint Thomas 8) Saint Matthew 9) Saint James 10) Saint Jude 11) Saint Simon 12) Saint Matthias. Ok now the part when he built his Church. In the Old Law, which Jesus obviously knew about? There were kings and, assistant to the Kings, the Prime Minister or Chief Steward. The King would give his Authority along with the Keys to the house of David to the Chief Steward or Prime Minister. Jesus is the King of Israel. In the 16th chapter, verses 15-19 of the book of Matthew, we read about Jesus talking to Simon Peter. In verse 18 Jesus builds his Church upon Rock. Peter, if you noticed was not called Simon Peter, but Peter, which in the Original Language of the Gospel of Matthew (Aramaic) means “Rock” So obviously Jesus builds his Church upon Peter, the Rock. If one reads the Gospel enough and keeps track of Peter, he/she will learn that Peter was always put above the other Apostles and Disciples. Jesus’ is the fulfillment of Judaism. Jesus’ created the New Jerusalem. Now just like the King in the Old law Jesus needed a Chief steward or Prime minister to hold his Keys and Authority to run the New Jerusalem. He chose Peter, “The Rock”, in the 19th verse of Matthew we read about Jesus giving Peter the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven and the Authority of Binding and Loosing that comes with the Keys. From that point on The New Jerusalem had a Hierarchy. The Apostles (12) were all Bishops and Priests headed by the Chief Steward, Peter, “the Rock”. I know that Protestants (Bible Christians) reject the idea of an earthly shepherd. But if you read the Scriptures without adding your own emphasis you will learn the truth. Anyhow, If you read Isaiah 22:19-23 you will find out that in the Old Law such a Hierarchy existed once before, in fact we read in those verses that Eliakin son of Hilkiah was given the Kings authority and that ‘He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem’. If you look at the Hierarchy of the Catholic Church you will see the Resemblance of the Jewish Law. Which no other Church on earth contains. Eliakin since it says ‘He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem’ if you read that in Latin he would be called Papa to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Word “Pope” comes from the Latin word Papa in English it’s father. So the Pope is the Father to the Inhabitants of the New Jerusalem. (The Christian Church) In the Old Law the Chief Steward also had successors, when he died, a new Chief Steward was elected and all of the Authority was carried on. It’s the exact same thing with the Hierarchy of the Catholic Church also called “The Papacy” The keys to the kingdom of heaven and all authority that was once given to Peter, The Rock was handed down to his Successors. So for 2000 years, Jesus’ Church has been intact, Authoritve, and Un-changing. All authority passed on to each of the Popes for over 2000 years. 264 popes to be exact. Study of honest history, the scriptures and documents of the early Church fathers will clearly show you that Peter was the first Pope and that the Catholic church is the Church founded by Christ upon himself and Peter. The Solid Foundations. How can you trust that this is true? Jesus promised that the Gates of Hell will not prevail against his Church and that he will always be with it, again history proves this to be true. Many have rejected the Catholic Church and come against it militantly, threatening to destroy it. All have failed. Because it can’t be destroyed it’s a creation of God, he is the only one that can destroy it. The Catholic Church is also the most hated Religious group in the world. Why? Just as Christ taught us, he was hated by all and so must we.

Scripture Verses on this subject:

Matthew. To Revelation. - Peter is mentioned 155 times and the rest of apostles combined are only mentioned 130 times. Peter is also always listed first except in 1 Cor 3:22 and Gal. 2:9 (which are exceptions to the rule).

Matt 10:2; Mark 1:36; 3:16; Luke 6:14-16; Act 1:3; 2:37; 5:29

Matthew. 14:28-29 - only Peter has the faith to walk on water. What other man has walked on water? This faith ultimately did not fail.

Matt. 16:16, Mark 8:29; John 6:69 - Peter is first among the apostles to confess the divinity of Christ.

Matt. 16:17 - Peter alone is told he has received divine knowledge by a special revelation from God the Father.

Matt. 16:18 - Jesus builds the Church only on Peter, the rock, with the other apostles as the foundation and Jesus as the Head.

Matt. 16:19 - only Peter receives the keys, which represent authority over the Church and facilitate dynastic succession to his authority.

Matt. 17:24-25 - the tax collector approaches Peter for Jesus' tax. Peter is the spokesman for Jesus. He is the Vicar of Christ.

Matt. 17:26-27 - Jesus pays the half-shekel tax with one shekel, for both Jesus and Peter. Peter is Christ's representative on earth.

Matt. 18:21 - in the presence of the disciples, Peter asks Jesus about the rule of forgiveness. One of many examples where Peter takes a leadership role among the apostles in understanding Jesus' teachings.

Matt. 19:27 - Peter speaks on behalf of the apostles by telling Jesus that they have left everything to follow Him.

Mark 10:28 - here also, Peter speaks on behalf of the disciples by declaring that they have left everything to follow Him.

Mark 11:21 - Peter speaks on behalf of the disciples in remembering Jesus' curse on the fig tree.

Mark 14:37 - at Gethsemane, Jesus asks Peter, and no one else, why he was asleep. Peter is accountable to Jesus for his actions on behalf of the apostles because he has been appointed by Jesus as their leader

Mark 3:16; John 1:42 - Simon is renamed "Kepha" in Aramaic by Jesus which literally means "rock." This was an extraordinary thing for Jesus to do, because "rock" was not even a name in Jesus' time. Jesus did this, not to give Simon a strange name, but to identify his new status among the apostles. When God changes a person's name, he changes their status.

Luke 6:48 - the house (the Church) built upon the rock (Peter) cannot be shaken by floods (which represent the heresies, schisms, and scandals that the Church has faced over the last 2,000 years). Floods have occurred, but the Church still remains on its solid rock foundation.

John 21:15, John 21:15-17 Jesus asks Peter if he loves Jesus "more than these," referring to the other apostles. Jesus singles Peter out as the leader of the apostolic college.

Matt. 18:17-18 - the Church (not Scripture) is the final authority on questions of the faith. This demands infallibility when teaching the faith. She must be prevented from teaching error in order to lead her members to the fullness of salvation.

As you read on you can clearly see that Peter, “The Rock” was the head Apostle. If you compare Peter to our Current pope and most of the Catholic Popes, you will notice the comparison. The Pope is the earthly head of the New Jerusalem. Christianity. He is the Father of the inhabitants of the New Jerusalem. He has all the power and authority over the Christian church; those who go against the pope and his teachings reject Christ. The Pope is a Bishop along with the Apostles, but the Pope is the Father of the Bishops/Apostles.

Luke 10:16 - whoever hears you, hears me. Whoever rejects you, rejects me. Jesus is very clear that the bishops of the Church speak with Christ's infallible authority. Those who reject the Pope/head bishop and his college of Bishops, reject Christ and the one who sent Christ, again the Catholic Church is the only church that fits this description. Because all of the Catholic bishops around the world can trace their authority back to the Apostles and the Pope can trace his Authority back to Peter, “The Rock”. We have tons of proof that this is true. The bible itself proves this to be true. Old Testament and New.

[MC Just]

I dont care what any protestant says his words are not greater than that of the Vicar of Christ. Protestantism is a destructive force that cannot keep anything organized. There are sincere Protestants yes, but when they start acting like they know more than than a 2000 year old church, thats just wrong. I mean come on who dont see the resemblance of Peter in our Popes? The church was built on him, He is the Rock, Holder of the Keys to the kingdom of heaven. He feeds the Sheep, tends the Flock and feeds the Lamb. Where is peter in the Protestant churches? huh? Where did the keys to the kingdom of heaven go? Who is feeding the Sheep and tending the Flock of God? Protestantism denies an Earthly leader for the entire church. The Catholic Church is the only church which fits that description. Jesus singled out Peter and gave him all of his authority to lead the Church. We can see that in the Catholic church. The keys to the kingdom of heaven were not given to paul or any of the other Apostles. They were given to Peter, the First pope.

Edited August 7, 2003 by Mc-Just†

[littleflower+JMJ]

thanks Just that was amesome... :)

[MC Just]

No Problem. This subject is of much importance to me. I'm having a hard time understanding why our seperated brethren don't see the truth that is just so obvious and crystal clear. They might as well do what Luther did, just remove the verses or books that they dont agree with. Because the proof is in the scriptures.

Edited August 8, 2003 by Mc-Just†

[Jake Huether]

Sweet! That was amesome, Just! Thanks. I totally agree.

When I read the Bible, I always tell myself, "the Bible is just so Catholic! How can they not see?"