Catholic
Catholic, Roman Catholic Church
What Is Catholicism All About?
What Do Those Outside The Catholic Church Want To Know About Catholics?
A frequent question is stated, “What Is Catholic.” Those outside want to know while many inside Catholicism do not understand the Roman Catholic Church. Catholic’s understand what they are taught, but does it make sense? Nonetheless, a high percentage of Catholic’s never seriously question their Catholic belief’s. The questions can be very specific involving Catholic Prayer, Catholic Mass, Catholic Saint, Catholic Confession, Catholic History, Catholic Celibacy, and endless others. “Catholic’s Question” will help Catholics to better understand Catholicism. “Catholic’s Question” will help non-Catholics to better understand their own beliefs. By exposing the Catholic Church you are also uncovering the truth. The things you believe religiously must always make sense to YOU. This website is here to help you rightly divide the truth. Other websites can also help:
> Heaven Coach
> What is Life All About
Catholic Origin, Authority
Catholics Question has value for everyone. It is helpful for ALL Religions and really ALL PEOPLE to correctly understand Roman Catholicism
Is the Catholic Church what God intended and thus the One True Church?
Bible Is Authority Used For Judaism / Christianity
If we are dealing with Judaism and/or Christianity we will be using the Bible (their respective parts) as authority. In the case of both of these religions that is the basis. In the case of “Catholic Christianity” they claim the Catholic Church itself is an additional source of authority. Of course, they need to first go to scripture to establish some reason for their special authority.
As we begin to look at Catholicism or any religion we need to be on solid ground and there is no better place to begin than to understand God’s purpose for mankind and that God has provided us an explanation. Regardless of which religion is being discussed at this website the following provides God’s purpose for mankind. In fact, despite the wide range of religions only a few provide us with any purpose and those only provide at best a weak characterization of man’s purpose.
God’s purpose for mankind is clear from scripture – men may not agree but the following seems very straight forward. It is not God’s fault that men have selfish motives and fight over everything! I might say especially fight over religion! God’s very simple plan has been gradually revealed and today we can fully understand it!
Adam, Eve, the Devil and the Purpose of life
The world looks at the story of Adam and Eve and the serpent (Devil) and they mock it’s simplicity and think it is a children’s story. Therefore, the beauty, meaning and significance is frequently lost. This initial interaction between God, Adam and Eve and Satan is revealing and sets the stage for what follows, that is for human history. The correct understanding of what happens here can seriously affect your thinking about life.
God is careful, accurate in delivering to man His purpose
There is so much fundamental misunderstanding about life that could be clarified if we were more careful. God has been careful and accurate in providing man the answers he wants and needs. The following is an example of how God from the beginning pointed to what life would be about. It shows how every detail of the plan was in the mind of God. God provides how the study of His Word can move one from faith largely unseen in the beginning to a faith where more and more is seen. In the case that follows, a person’s faith is strengthened by looking at just one thing God has said and seeing its uniqueness. It is highly unlikely that man could conceive of such a statement and then how it is eventually fulfilled. Our example comes from Genesis 3.15, where God begins immediately after the sin of Adam and Eve to reveal His plan of reconciliation. God in Genesis 3.15 is speaking to the serpent, that is, Satan:
I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel.
God will place enmity or opposition/hostility between Satan and her Seed. God’s answer to what had just happened, namely, sin, would somehow be addressed by the Seed of woman. God’s plan involved bringing the solution through the Seed of woman, a “Man” who would deliver a bruise to the head of Satan that is a serious or mortal wound to Satan and his plans. God would allow this Man to suffer a bruise to His heel that is a painful but temporary wound.
It is quite amazing how this all “plays out.” I cannot envision man conceiving of the series of events that would actually occur based on what God said here to Satan. It would truly be what life was all about, and very directly (God directing this statement at Satan) show the “beginning” of a battle between good and evil. It was in response to sin, a spiritual thing, and God was talking about bringing a very spiritual solution. Today we can easily understand the meaning of what God revealed in Genesis 3.15, and yet few understand. Even though God knew full well that Adam and Eve would not understand what was said at that time, God also knew that in these “last days,” man could easily understand.
First, let’s note that God speaks of “her Seed.” Over much of the early history of mankind, women were not generally, if at all, thought of as much more than a possession of man. Even in childbearing, it was the seed of the man that was responsible for reproduction with the woman simply being a place for the early growth of a child. So when God mentions the Seed of woman, it would be something that man would not understand until more modern times. Yet why didn’t God say the seed of man and the seed of woman since all children that have been born into the world are the result of the seed of man and the seed of woman? It was not a mistake on God’s part. We are to learn over a thousand years later in Isaiah 7.14:
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
Later in Matthew 1.21–23, we have a similar statement, but we learn that Immanuel is translated, “God with us” and that His name shall be given as Jesus because He will save His people from their sins.
Jesus would be the Seed of woman, a virgin bearing a Son. God reveals a great deal more about Genesis 3.15 in Luke 1.26–38:
And behold you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.
He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.
And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.
Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be since I do not know a man?”
And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.”
Certainly, as God told Satan, the Seed of woman would bruise his head, and now we learn that Seed would be the Son of God. It would be Jesus, the Messiah; the answer to man’s spiritual, eternal problem was to be Jesus. He would be born of woman’s seed and not of any man, but also conceived of God the Father. He would have the likeness of man, but also be called the Son of God. Now, we can further improve our understanding of God’s plan from Genesis 3.15 and His means to bring Jesus by studying Genesis 12.2,3. In these verses, God makes certain promises to Abraham:
I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.
All the families of the earth shall be blessed in Abraham. It would be God’s plan to bring Jesus through the lineage of Abraham. For this reason the children of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob or, as we know them, the children of Israel or the Jewish nation would become God’s people. It is only for this singular reason, the reason of Genesis 3.15, and God’s spiritual purpose to bring Jesus that the children of Abraham are God’s chosen people. It had to do with providing the blessing, the reconciliation that was to come to all nations but first to the Jews through Jesus. As part of that plan, God would be with the children of Abraham in certain ways that would benefit them, especially as they were obedient. God also through Moses and others would be laying the groundwork for the coming of the blessing. One key element was that of the priestly offerings made for the people. All of the Old Law being a shadow of what was to come in Christ. So the lineage of Jesus beginning with Abraham covers forty-two generations. Finally, in Joseph, Jesus’s earthy but not actual father being the husband of Mary, Jesus is born. The generations from Abraham to Joseph, husband of Mary, are given in Matthew 1.1–16.
God’s focus was always on the reconciliation with man. Jesus was the answer. Isaiah is just one of many places where God during the time of the lineage would be revealing information about the Messiah and His purpose. Isaiah 53.4,5 provides some details of God’s plan in Christ:
Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
We see the Messiah being wounded and bruised for us, for our iniquities, that is, for our sins. We can read on in Isaiah 53.9, 10, 11 and see that this Messiah would be without sin and God would allow Him to be bruised. Furthermore, that “God’s Seed” would be made an offering for sin, and it would satisfy God. As a result of this bruise, which in reality is the suffering and death of Jesus, many will be justified, “for He shall bear their iniquities.” It might not seem to someone that the terrible suffering and death of Jesus could be a bruise to His heel, but God looks at things spiritually, eternally. Jesus accomplished God’s will and receives the honor, sitting at the right hand of God. Our faith can be greatly strengthened by the study of God’s Word. There are so many things in the lessons from God that can help us to be eternally successful. Look to the patience and obedience of Jesus in the process of reconciliation. Jesus could see the suffering and death as temporary, as a bruise. Look at the certainty of every Word that comes from God. Realize that life is about the soul, about the eternal, and live and make decisions with that understanding.
Summary – God’s Purpose / God’s solution
Matthew 16.16-19 Is the total basis of Catholicism
but it cannot withstand scrutiny.
The Catholic Church Falls Easily Because It Is A Total Fabrication.
This is perhaps one reason it has sustained, because it is so incredibly deep in deceit that it is hard to imagine even for its present hierarchy.
Note: These are strong statements – Do Not Believe Me, please do not believe others also – Require evidence, seek truth and then you will be fine. Obviously I am very certain but my confidence is in God and His ability to clearly deliver what man needs. It of course, is your decision and undoubtedly you already believe what you believe because of others and your many interactions, but do you have the truth? We live in a world that reduces the spiritual to the insignificant when in fact it is the most important thing.
Of all the evidence that can be provided to show that the Roman Catholic Church is not the church belonging to Christ, there is nothing as visibly, understandably in error as their claim made in Matthew 16.16–19 of a pope and Peter being the first pope. I don’t know how a person who is a truth seeker, one seeking the God of heaven, can honestly follow after the Roman Catholic Church having the realization (of what life is all about) that follows:
There was the creation of man (and woman), followed by the failure of man in the transgression of God’s command. Immediately God puts in place a plan that will allow man to be reconciled to Him. In Genesis 3.15 we understand that this involves a bruise for the Seed of woman and a fatal blow for Satan. As time passes, more details are revealed. We learn that through the seed of Abraham, all nations will be blessed. Gradually more and more of what God has in mind for the reconciliation is being revealed. Few, if any, really accurately understood the what, why, how, or when of God’s “early” revelations. The prophets of God down through the Old Testament, nonetheless, record the things of God. In fact, we find God indicating (after the mystery has been revealed in the New Testament) that, indeed, the mystery “was not made known to the sons of men” but “has been hidden in God” according to Ephesians 3.5 and 9. Of course, many during those days of the Old Testament believed they knew what God had in mind. In general, the nation of Israel believed God was going to restore Israel to physical greatness over nations. Indeed, they did not see all that God was doing was directly related to what happened in the Garden of Eden. God was revealing a spiritual solution to reconcile Himself back to man. We now know that the solution for man’s sin was to be Christ. It was to be an expensive solution, requiring Christ to suffer terribly and die.
We see Jesus come onto the scene to begin His work at about the age of thirty. He was the Seed of Abraham and the Seed of woman. The way in which this occurs shows the accuracy of God’s Word and how man does not understand God unless He reveals Himself. This is explained in detail in chapter 43.8 (of “What Is Life All About”). The short version is that Jesus was born of Mary by direct intervention of God. There is no biological father, therefore, just the Seed of woman as God carefully predicted. Joseph is the earthly, non biological father of Jesus. That is, Joseph is in title, responsibility, and via the lineage God specified through Abraham, the earthly father of Jesus (via his marriage to Mary). So the lineage of the Messiah beginning with Abraham is different than man could anticipate, yet was correctly defined in Genesis 3.15. This was because it was to be a mystery until God revealed it. Again and again we see that we only understand God’s meaning after He reveals it. Jesus at the beginning of his ministry was beginning to end the mystery as He gradually revealed more and more. He comes indicating the kingdom of God is at hand. He speaks of the kingdom of God and provides various parables of the kingdom that give insight into the nature of the kingdom. Some of these parables He explains in detail. We learn that the seed of the kingdom is the Word of God. The Word of God is to be the key. In fact, Jesus indicates that “heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” This idea is consistent throughout scripture. We can trust God’s Word and nothing else. Today (because God has revealed all we need to know) you and I can understand the meaning God intended. It depends on our study, our humility, our open-mindedness to the will of God, and our truth-loving spirit. Then we will not be like those whom Jesus spoke of who hear and shall not understand.
Matthew 16.16-19
16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Peter and the other apostles of Jesus are present for this exchange recorded in Matthew 16.16–19. After God the Father reveals to Peter that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, we see Peter verbally proclaiming this revelation. Jesus is continuing to reveal the kingdom, but now He speaks of it using a new term, namely, the church. To those with Jesus, the word church would mean “called out.” From the phrase Jesus uses here (“I will build My church”), it will be those who are called out by Jesus. The church will consist of those who belong to Jesus.
Note: there is no detailed indication (in Matthew 16.16–19) of how they are to be called out, but there are hints that we clearly understand as more is revealed.
Jesus says to Peter that “you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church.” The mystery is beginning to unravel; the disclosure that began back in Genesis 3.15 is about to be fully revealed. The reconciliation of man and how it will occur is being gradually revealed in the work that Jesus is doing. Now if Jesus was going to build the church on Peter, He could have said, “Thou art Peter and upon you I am building My church.” Yet He says that upon this rock, I am building My church. Jesus is associating Peter and the rock with the church. This whole discussion is occurring here because God (the Father) has revealed something to Peter, and Peter verbalized it. Peter states that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Catholics claim Jesus was building the church on Peter.
Is this what all of life is about, namely, that God would have His answer to reconciliation based on some man, on Peter? Understand the words “on this rock I will build My church.” Can you see the seriousness of this? The whole of history, all that God had in mind for reconciliation, is built on this rock, and that rock is claimed to be Peter. The church being built on Peter means that Peter is the foundation of the “called out.” In all kindness, I would not want to base my eternity on such an unreasonable and totally man-made concept.
Beyond Comprehension
God’s Plan is Perfect, God is Perfectly Logical
Peter As the Head of the Church Is Unbelievable, Inconceivable
The Position of Pope Is Not Found or Even Hinted At In Scripture
The Church Organization Is Defined In Terms of Elders, Deacons & Members
Peter is certainly in no way what God reveals the church is built on. Whatever the church is built on, it must be the most solid thing in the universe! If the church could be built on Peter, then Jesus would not have been required in any way. The rock that Jesus mentions would never have been in question had it not been for those who decided to find a means of justifying what had developed as the church (but was not the church) in the early centuries. The rock is simply that which Peter proclaimed, namely, that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God. Now, can the church have as its basis being built on people coming to this same realization that Peter did and then confessing Jesus? Yes! Does this indicate who the “called out” (the church) would be? Yes, those who acknowledge Jesus. Now we know Jesus is the rock, the chief cornerstone, and the key figure in the reconciliation of man. As the revelation of God continues throughout the New Testament, we see the church, forgiveness of sins, reconciliation, and salvation all tied to recognition of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. This is substantial and irrefutable evidence that the rock on which the church is built is the recognition and personal acknowledgment of Jesus as God’s Son. This turns out not to be all that God requires, but it is the focal point from which all else flows. We come to understand that Jesus is the author of salvation to all those who obey Him (Hebrews 5.9).
We see the following verses providing a picture of the acknowledgment of Jesus as the rock, as that which the church is built upon. Indeed, the church would be built upon faith in Jesus as God’s Son. We see that Peter is not the center of attention, but Peter’s confession of Jesus as God’s Son is the foundation for the reconciliation. The preaching of God’s Word provides for men the opportunity of reconciliation. It is the Gospel of Christ that is the power of God unto salvation.
It is Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, that the church is built on, and God’s emphasis is on that idea throughout the entire New Testament (there is absolutely no indication of the church being built on Peter).
PETER IS PLACED AFTER HIS DEATH IN A POSITION NEVER ENVISIONED BY GOD AND IN OPPOSITION TO THE PURPOSE OF GOD
The following are some of the verses that powerfully demonstrate that the acknowledgment of Jesus as God’s Son is the rock upon which the church is built.
John 3.15,16
15 That whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
Acts 2.29–47
Here we have Peter speaking after the Holy Spirit fell upon him and the apostles.
29 Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
30 Therefore, being a prophet and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on His throne.
31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.
32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:
“The Lord said to my Lord,
“‘Sit at My right hand,
35 ‘Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’”
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So-continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
The message is “Let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” It is exactly what Peter proclaimed (coming from God the Father) in Matthew 16.16 and what Jesus said the church would be built on. Now Peter claims it again, being led by God (Holy Spirit) to tell these Jews on this first day of the kingdom, the church. Indeed, we see God adding to the church on this basis in verse 47.
Acts 4.8–12
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:
9 “If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well,
10 “let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, who God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.
11 This was the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.”
12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Now does Peter understand that he is not the rock of Matthew 16.16–19? Yes, of course, and he knows there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4.12). It is exactly what Peter stated in Matthew 16.16 and upon which the church belonging to Christ is built.
During the time of the Apostles when the word of God was being confirmed with signs and wonders we see a single focus and that is Christ as would be expected if you understand how God planned the reconciliation from Genesis 3.15.
Acts 16.31
31 So they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.
Galatians 3.26–29
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew or Greek, there is neither slave or free, there is neither male nor female; you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham seed, and heirs according to the promise.
John 8.24
24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.
Acts 4.4
4 However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of men came to be about five thousand.
Romans 10.9,10
9 That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved
10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
So we see that which Peter revealed (that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God) is indeed the basis for salvation. This is so simple, and God is very thorough in pointing to Jesus as the answer to reconciliation. Jesus makes it clear that the central ingredient for being in the church (called out) was recognition of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. The church very, very simply is built on Jesus as the cornerstone (no church without Him), and those who make up the building are those called by Jesus (the Gospel of Christ). They have called on Jesus recognizing Him as the Christ, the Son of the living God. It is a beautiful thing as individuals are called by the Gospel of Christ (2 Thessalonians 2.13,14), and then they choose to call on Jesus as Lord (Acts 2.21; Acts 22.16).
Matthew 10.32
32 Therefore whoever confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven.
All these verses give witness of the central nature of what Peter expressed in Matthew 16.16–19. Missing from all scripture is any indication of Peter being the basis for the church. Of course, Peter in all the years after Jesus’s death, never assumed such a position. Peter was a fellow elder in the local church in Jerusalem. The rock cannot be both the confession of Jesus as God’s Son and be Peter! Clearly the church stands on Jesus being recognized as God’s Son and those “called out” being those that make such a confession. In no conceivable way (from all God revealed) could God have the church built on Peter in any way.
The New Testament comes to a close and the scriptures indicate:
1. The scriptures should not be changed
As we begin to look at Catholicism or any religion we need to be on solid ground and there is no better place to begin than to understand God’s purpose for mankind and that God has provided us an explanation. Regardless of which religion is being discussed at this website the following provides God’s purpose for mankind. In fact, despite the wide range of religions only a few provide us with any purpose and those only provide at best a weak characterization of man’s purpose.
God’s purpose for mankind is clear from scripture – men may not agree but the following seems very straight forward. It is not God’s fault that men have selfish motives and fight over everything! I might say especially fight over religion! God’s very simple plan has been gradually revealed and today we can fully understand it!
The world looks at the story of Adam and Eve and the serpent (Devil) and they mock it’s simplicity and think it is a children’s story. Therefore, the beauty, meaning and significance is frequently lost. This initial interaction between God, Adam and Eve and Satan is revealing and sets the stage for what follows, that is for human history. The correct understanding of what happens here can seriously affect your thinking about life.
I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel.
God will place enmity or opposition/hostility between Satan and her Seed. God’s answer to what had just happened, namely, sin, would somehow be addressed by the Seed of woman. God’s plan involved bringing the solution through the Seed of woman, a “Man” who would deliver a bruise to the head of Satan that is a serious or mortal wound to Satan and his plans. God would allow this Man to suffer a bruise to His heel that is a painful but temporary wound.
It is quite amazing how this all “plays out.” I cannot envision man conceiving of the series of events that would actually occur based on what God said here to Satan. It would truly be what life was all about, and very directly (God directing this statement at Satan) show the “beginning” of a battle between good and evil. It was in response to sin, a spiritual thing, and God was talking about bringing a very spiritual solution. Today we can easily understand the meaning of what God revealed in Genesis 3.15, and yet few understand. Even though God knew full well that Adam and Eve would not understand what was said at that time, God also knew that in these “last days,” man could easily understand.
First, let’s note that God speaks of “her Seed.” Over much of the early history of mankind, women were not generally, if at all, thought of as much more than a possession of man. Even in childbearing, it was the seed of the man that was responsible for reproduction with the woman simply being a place for the early growth of a child. So when God mentions the Seed of woman, it would be something that man would not understand until more modern times. Yet why didn’t God say the seed of man and the seed of woman since all children that have been born into the world are the result of the seed of man and the seed of woman? It was not a mistake on God’s part. We are to learn over a thousand years later in Isaiah 7.14:
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
Later in Matthew 1.21–23, we have a similar statement, but we learn that Immanuel is translated, “God with us” and that His name shall be given as Jesus because He will save His people from their sins.
Jesus would be the Seed of woman, a virgin bearing a Son. God reveals a great deal more about Genesis 3.15 in Luke 1.26–38:
And behold you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.
He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.
And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.
Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be since I do not know a man?”
And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.”
Certainly, as God told Satan, the Seed of woman would bruise his head, and now we learn that Seed would be the Son of God. It would be Jesus, the Messiah; the answer to man’s spiritual, eternal problem was to be Jesus. He would be born of woman’s seed and not of any man, but also conceived of God the Father. He would have the likeness of man, but also be called the Son of God. Now, we can further improve our understanding of God’s plan from Genesis 3.15 and His means to bring Jesus by studying Genesis 12.2,3. In these verses, God makes certain promises to Abraham:
I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.
All the families of the earth shall be blessed in Abraham. It would be God’s plan to bring Jesus through the lineage of Abraham. For this reason the children of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob or, as we know them, the children of Israel or the Jewish nation would become God’s people. It is only for this singular reason, the reason of Genesis 3.15, and God’s spiritual purpose to bring Jesus that the children of Abraham are God’s chosen people. It had to do with providing the blessing, the reconciliation that was to come to all nations but first to the Jews through Jesus. As part of that plan, God would be with the children of Abraham in certain ways that would benefit them, especially as they were obedient. God also through Moses and others would be laying the groundwork for the coming of the blessing. One key element was that of the priestly offerings made for the people. All of the Old Law being a shadow of what was to come in Christ. So the lineage of Jesus beginning with Abraham covers forty-two generations. Finally, in Joseph, Jesus’s earthy but not actual father being the husband of Mary, Jesus is born. The generations from Abraham to Joseph, husband of Mary, are given in Matthew 1.1–16.
God’s focus was always on the reconciliation with man. Jesus was the answer. Isaiah is just one of many places where God during the time of the lineage would be revealing information about the Messiah and His purpose. Isaiah 53.4,5 provides some details of God’s plan in Christ:
Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
We see the Messiah being wounded and bruised for us, for our iniquities, that is, for our sins. We can read on in Isaiah 53.9, 10, 11 and see that this Messiah would be without sin and God would allow Him to be bruised. Furthermore, that “God’s Seed” would be made an offering for sin, and it would satisfy God. As a result of this bruise, which in reality is the suffering and death of Jesus, many will be justified, “for He shall bear their iniquities.” It might not seem to someone that the terrible suffering and death of Jesus could be a bruise to His heel, but God looks at things spiritually, eternally. Jesus accomplished God’s will and receives the honor, sitting at the right hand of God. Our faith can be greatly strengthened by the study of God’s Word. There are so many things in the lessons from God that can help us to be eternally successful. Look to the patience and obedience of Jesus in the process of reconciliation. Jesus could see the suffering and death as temporary, as a bruise. Look at the certainty of every Word that comes from God. Realize that life is about the soul, about the eternal, and live and make decisions with that understanding.
Summary – God’s Purpose / God’s solution
Matthew 16.16-19 Is the total basis of Catholicism
but it cannot withstand scrutiny.
The Catholic Church Falls Easily Because It Is A Total Fabrication.
This is perhaps one reason it has sustained, because it is so incredibly deep in deceit that it is hard to imagine even for its present hierarchy.
Note: These are strong statements – Do Not Believe Me, please do not believe others also – Require evidence, seek truth and then you will be fine. Obviously I am very certain but my confidence is in God and His ability to clearly deliver what man needs. It of course, is your decision and undoubtedly you already believe what you believe because of others and your many interactions, but do you have the truth? We live in a world that reduces the spiritual to the insignificant when in fact it is the most important thing.
Of all the evidence that can be provided to show that the Roman Catholic Church is not the church belonging to Christ, there is nothing as visibly, understandably in error as their claim made in Matthew 16.16–19 of a pope and Peter being the first pope. I don’t know how a person who is a truth seeker, one seeking the God of heaven, can honestly follow after the Roman Catholic Church having the realization (of what life is all about) that follows:
There was the creation of man (and woman), followed by the failure of man in the transgression of God’s command. Immediately God puts in place a plan that will allow man to be reconciled to Him. In Genesis 3.15 we understand that this involves a bruise for the Seed of woman and a fatal blow for Satan. As time passes, more details are revealed. We learn that through the seed of Abraham, all nations will be blessed. Gradually more and more of what God has in mind for the reconciliation is being revealed. Few, if any, really accurately understood the what, why, how, or when of God’s “early” revelations. The prophets of God down through the Old Testament, nonetheless, record the things of God. In fact, we find God indicating (after the mystery has been revealed in the New Testament) that, indeed, the mystery “was not made known to the sons of men” but “has been hidden in God” according to Ephesians 3.5 and 9. Of course, many during those days of the Old Testament believed they knew what God had in mind. In general, the nation of Israel believed God was going to restore Israel to physical greatness over nations. Indeed, they did not see all that God was doing was directly related to what happened in the Garden of Eden. God was revealing a spiritual solution to reconcile Himself back to man. We now know that the solution for man’s sin was to be Christ. It was to be an expensive solution, requiring Christ to suffer terribly and die.
We see Jesus come onto the scene to begin His work at about the age of thirty. He was the Seed of Abraham and the Seed of woman. The way in which this occurs shows the accuracy of God’s Word and how man does not understand God unless He reveals Himself. This is explained in detail in chapter 43.8 (of “What Is Life All About”). The short version is that Jesus was born of Mary by direct intervention of God. There is no biological father, therefore, just the Seed of woman as God carefully predicted. Joseph is the earthly, non biological father of Jesus. That is, Joseph is in title, responsibility, and via the lineage God specified through Abraham, the earthly father of Jesus (via his marriage to Mary). So the lineage of the Messiah beginning with Abraham is different than man could anticipate, yet was correctly defined in Genesis 3.15. This was because it was to be a mystery until God revealed it. Again and again we see that we only understand God’s meaning after He reveals it. Jesus at the beginning of his ministry was beginning to end the mystery as He gradually revealed more and more. He comes indicating the kingdom of God is at hand. He speaks of the kingdom of God and provides various parables of the kingdom that give insight into the nature of the kingdom. Some of these parables He explains in detail. We learn that the seed of the kingdom is the Word of God. The Word of God is to be the key. In fact, Jesus indicates that “heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” This idea is consistent throughout scripture. We can trust God’s Word and nothing else. Today (because God has revealed all we need to know) you and I can understand the meaning God intended. It depends on our study, our humility, our open-mindedness to the will of God, and our truth-loving spirit. Then we will not be like those whom Jesus spoke of who hear and shall not understand.
Matthew 16.16-19
16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Peter and the other apostles of Jesus are present for this exchange recorded in Matthew 16.16–19. After God the Father reveals to Peter that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, we see Peter verbally proclaiming this revelation. Jesus is continuing to reveal the kingdom, but now He speaks of it using a new term, namely, the church. To those with Jesus, the word church would mean “called out.” From the phrase Jesus uses here (“I will build My church”), it will be those who are called out by Jesus. The church will consist of those who belong to Jesus.
Note: there is no detailed indication (in Matthew 16.16–19) of how they are to be called out, but there are hints that we clearly understand as more is revealed.
Jesus says to Peter that “you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church.” The mystery is beginning to unravel; the disclosure that began back in Genesis 3.15 is about to be fully revealed. The reconciliation of man and how it will occur is being gradually revealed in the work that Jesus is doing. Now if Jesus was going to build the church on Peter, He could have said, “Thou art Peter and upon you I am building My church.” Yet He says that upon this rock, I am building My church. Jesus is associating Peter and the rock with the church. This whole discussion is occurring here because God (the Father) has revealed something to Peter, and Peter verbalized it. Peter states that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Catholics claim Jesus was building the church on Peter.
Is this what all of life is about, namely, that God would have His answer to reconciliation based on some man, on Peter? Understand the words “on this rock I will build My church.” Can you see the seriousness of this? The whole of history, all that God had in mind for reconciliation, is built on this rock, and that rock is claimed to be Peter. The church being built on Peter means that Peter is the foundation of the “called out.” In all kindness, I would not want to base my eternity on such an unreasonable and totally man-made concept.
Beyond Comprehension
God’s Plan is Perfect, God is Perfectly Logical
Peter As the Head of the Church Is Unbelievable, Inconceivable
The Position of Pope Is Not Found or Even Hinted At In Scripture
The Church Organization Is Defined In Terms of Elders, Deacons & Members
Peter is certainly in no way what God reveals the church is built on. Whatever the church is built on, it must be the most solid thing in the universe! If the church could be built on Peter, then Jesus would not have been required in any way. The rock that Jesus mentions would never have been in question had it not been for those who decided to find a means of justifying what had developed as the church (but was not the church) in the early centuries. The rock is simply that which Peter proclaimed, namely, that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God. Now, can the church have as its basis being built on people coming to this same realization that Peter did and then confessing Jesus? Yes! Does this indicate who the “called out” (the church) would be? Yes, those who acknowledge Jesus. Now we know Jesus is the rock, the chief cornerstone, and the key figure in the reconciliation of man. As the revelation of God continues throughout the New Testament, we see the church, forgiveness of sins, reconciliation, and salvation all tied to recognition of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. This is substantial and irrefutable evidence that the rock on which the church is built is the recognition and personal acknowledgment of Jesus as God’s Son. This turns out not to be all that God requires, but it is the focal point from which all else flows. We come to understand that Jesus is the author of salvation to all those who obey Him (Hebrews 5.9).
We see the following verses providing a picture of the acknowledgment of Jesus as the rock, as that which the church is built upon. Indeed, the church would be built upon faith in Jesus as God’s Son. We see that Peter is not the center of attention, but Peter’s confession of Jesus as God’s Son is the foundation for the reconciliation. The preaching of God’s Word provides for men the opportunity of reconciliation. It is the Gospel of Christ that is the power of God unto salvation.
It is Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, that the church is built on, and God’s emphasis is on that idea throughout the entire New Testament (there is absolutely no indication of the church being built on Peter).
PETER IS PLACED AFTER HIS DEATH IN A POSITION NEVER ENVISIONED BY GOD AND IN OPPOSITION TO THE PURPOSE OF GOD
The following are some of the verses that powerfully demonstrate that the acknowledgment of Jesus as God’s Son is the rock upon which the church is built.
John 3.15,16
15 That whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
Acts 2.29–47
Here we have Peter speaking after the Holy Spirit fell upon him and the apostles.
29 Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
30 Therefore, being a prophet and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on His throne.
31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.
32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:
“The Lord said to my Lord,
“‘Sit at My right hand,
35 ‘Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’”
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So-continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
The message is “Let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” It is exactly what Peter proclaimed (coming from God the Father) in Matthew 16.16 and what Jesus said the church would be built on. Now Peter claims it again, being led by God (Holy Spirit) to tell these Jews on this first day of the kingdom, the church. Indeed, we see God adding to the church on this basis in verse 47.
Acts 4.8–12
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:
9 “If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well,
10 “let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, who God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.
11 This was the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.”
12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Now does Peter understand that he is not the rock of Matthew 16.16–19? Yes, of course, and he knows there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4.12). It is exactly what Peter stated in Matthew 16.16 and upon which the church belonging to Christ is built.
During the time of the Apostles when the word of God was being confirmed with signs and wonders we see a single focus and that is Christ as would be expected if you understand how God planned the reconciliation from Genesis 3.15.
Acts 16.31
31 So they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.
Galatians 3.26–29
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew or Greek, there is neither slave or free, there is neither male nor female; you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham seed, and heirs according to the promise.
John 8.24
24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.
Acts 4.4
4 However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of men came to be about five thousand.
Romans 10.9,10
9 That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved
10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
So we see that which Peter revealed (that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God) is indeed the basis for salvation. This is so simple, and God is very thorough in pointing to Jesus as the answer to reconciliation. Jesus makes it clear that the central ingredient for being in the church (called out) was recognition of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. The church very, very simply is built on Jesus as the cornerstone (no church without Him), and those who make up the building are those called by Jesus (the Gospel of Christ). They have called on Jesus recognizing Him as the Christ, the Son of the living God. It is a beautiful thing as individuals are called by the Gospel of Christ (2 Thessalonians 2.13,14), and then they choose to call on Jesus as Lord (Acts 2.21; Acts 22.16).
Matthew 10.32
32 Therefore whoever confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven.
All these verses give witness of the central nature of what Peter expressed in Matthew 16.16–19. Missing from all scripture is any indication of Peter being the basis for the church. Of course, Peter in all the years after Jesus’s death, never assumed such a position. Peter was a fellow elder in the local church in Jerusalem. The rock cannot be both the confession of Jesus as God’s Son and be Peter! Clearly the church stands on Jesus being recognized as God’s Son and those “called out” being those that make such a confession. In no conceivable way (from all God revealed) could God have the church built on Peter in any way.
The New Testament comes to a close and the scriptures indicate:
1. The scriptures should not be changed
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
Later in Matthew 1.21–23, we have a similar statement, but we learn that Immanuel is translated, “God with us” and that His name shall be given as Jesus because He will save His people from their sins.
Jesus would be the Seed of woman, a virgin bearing a Son. God reveals a great deal more about Genesis 3.15 in Luke 1.26–38:
And behold you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.
He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.
And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.
Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be since I do not know a man?”
And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.”
Certainly, as God told Satan, the Seed of woman would bruise his head, and now we learn that Seed would be the Son of God. It would be Jesus, the Messiah; the answer to man’s spiritual, eternal problem was to be Jesus. He would be born of woman’s seed and not of any man, but also conceived of God the Father. He would have the likeness of man, but also be called the Son of God. Now, we can further improve our understanding of God’s plan from Genesis 3.15 and His means to bring Jesus by studying Genesis 12.2,3. In these verses, God makes certain promises to Abraham:
I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.
All the families of the earth shall be blessed in Abraham. It would be God’s plan to bring Jesus through the lineage of Abraham. For this reason the children of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob or, as we know them, the children of Israel or the Jewish nation would become God’s people. It is only for this singular reason, the reason of Genesis 3.15, and God’s spiritual purpose to bring Jesus that the children of Abraham are God’s chosen people. It had to do with providing the blessing, the reconciliation that was to come to all nations but first to the Jews through Jesus. As part of that plan, God would be with the children of Abraham in certain ways that would benefit them, especially as they were obedient. God also through Moses and others would be laying the groundwork for the coming of the blessing. One key element was that of the priestly offerings made for the people. All of the Old Law being a shadow of what was to come in Christ. So the lineage of Jesus beginning with Abraham covers forty-two generations. Finally, in Joseph, Jesus’s earthy but not actual father being the husband of Mary, Jesus is born. The generations from Abraham to Joseph, husband of Mary, are given in Matthew 1.1–16.
God’s focus was always on the reconciliation with man. Jesus was the answer. Isaiah is just one of many places where God during the time of the lineage would be revealing information about the Messiah and His purpose. Isaiah 53.4,5 provides some details of God’s plan in Christ:
Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
We see the Messiah being wounded and bruised for us, for our iniquities, that is, for our sins. We can read on in Isaiah 53.9, 10, 11 and see that this Messiah would be without sin and God would allow Him to be bruised. Furthermore, that “God’s Seed” would be made an offering for sin, and it would satisfy God. As a result of this bruise, which in reality is the suffering and death of Jesus, many will be justified, “for He shall bear their iniquities.” It might not seem to someone that the terrible suffering and death of Jesus could be a bruise to His heel, but God looks at things spiritually, eternally. Jesus accomplished God’s will and receives the honor, sitting at the right hand of God. Our faith can be greatly strengthened by the study of God’s Word. There are so many things in the lessons from God that can help us to be eternally successful. Look to the patience and obedience of Jesus in the process of reconciliation. Jesus could see the suffering and death as temporary, as a bruise. Look at the certainty of every Word that comes from God. Realize that life is about the soul, about the eternal, and live and make decisions with that understanding.
Summary – God’s Purpose / God’s solution
Matthew 16.16-19 Is the total basis of Catholicism
but it cannot withstand scrutiny.
but it cannot withstand scrutiny.
The Catholic Church Falls Easily Because It Is A Total Fabrication.
This is perhaps one reason it has sustained, because it is so incredibly deep in deceit that it is hard to imagine even for its present hierarchy.
Note: These are strong statements – Do Not Believe Me, please do not believe others also – Require evidence, seek truth and then you will be fine. Obviously I am very certain but my confidence is in God and His ability to clearly deliver what man needs. It of course, is your decision and undoubtedly you already believe what you believe because of others and your many interactions, but do you have the truth? We live in a world that reduces the spiritual to the insignificant when in fact it is the most important thing.
Of all the evidence that can be provided to show that the Roman Catholic Church is not the church belonging to Christ, there is nothing as visibly, understandably in error as their claim made in Matthew 16.16–19 of a pope and Peter being the first pope. I don’t know how a person who is a truth seeker, one seeking the God of heaven, can honestly follow after the Roman Catholic Church having the realization (of what life is all about) that follows:
There was the creation of man (and woman), followed by the failure of man in the transgression of God’s command. Immediately God puts in place a plan that will allow man to be reconciled to Him. In Genesis 3.15 we understand that this involves a bruise for the Seed of woman and a fatal blow for Satan. As time passes, more details are revealed. We learn that through the seed of Abraham, all nations will be blessed. Gradually more and more of what God has in mind for the reconciliation is being revealed. Few, if any, really accurately understood the what, why, how, or when of God’s “early” revelations. The prophets of God down through the Old Testament, nonetheless, record the things of God. In fact, we find God indicating (after the mystery has been revealed in the New Testament) that, indeed, the mystery “was not made known to the sons of men” but “has been hidden in God” according to Ephesians 3.5 and 9. Of course, many during those days of the Old Testament believed they knew what God had in mind. In general, the nation of Israel believed God was going to restore Israel to physical greatness over nations. Indeed, they did not see all that God was doing was directly related to what happened in the Garden of Eden. God was revealing a spiritual solution to reconcile Himself back to man. We now know that the solution for man’s sin was to be Christ. It was to be an expensive solution, requiring Christ to suffer terribly and die.
We see Jesus come onto the scene to begin His work at about the age of thirty. He was the Seed of Abraham and the Seed of woman. The way in which this occurs shows the accuracy of God’s Word and how man does not understand God unless He reveals Himself. This is explained in detail in chapter 43.8 (of “What Is Life All About”). The short version is that Jesus was born of Mary by direct intervention of God. There is no biological father, therefore, just the Seed of woman as God carefully predicted. Joseph is the earthly, non biological father of Jesus. That is, Joseph is in title, responsibility, and via the lineage God specified through Abraham, the earthly father of Jesus (via his marriage to Mary). So the lineage of the Messiah beginning with Abraham is different than man could anticipate, yet was correctly defined in Genesis 3.15. This was because it was to be a mystery until God revealed it. Again and again we see that we only understand God’s meaning after He reveals it. Jesus at the beginning of his ministry was beginning to end the mystery as He gradually revealed more and more. He comes indicating the kingdom of God is at hand. He speaks of the kingdom of God and provides various parables of the kingdom that give insight into the nature of the kingdom. Some of these parables He explains in detail. We learn that the seed of the kingdom is the Word of God. The Word of God is to be the key. In fact, Jesus indicates that “heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” This idea is consistent throughout scripture. We can trust God’s Word and nothing else. Today (because God has revealed all we need to know) you and I can understand the meaning God intended. It depends on our study, our humility, our open-mindedness to the will of God, and our truth-loving spirit. Then we will not be like those whom Jesus spoke of who hear and shall not understand.
We see Jesus come onto the scene to begin His work at about the age of thirty. He was the Seed of Abraham and the Seed of woman. The way in which this occurs shows the accuracy of God’s Word and how man does not understand God unless He reveals Himself. This is explained in detail in chapter 43.8 (of “What Is Life All About”). The short version is that Jesus was born of Mary by direct intervention of God. There is no biological father, therefore, just the Seed of woman as God carefully predicted. Joseph is the earthly, non biological father of Jesus. That is, Joseph is in title, responsibility, and via the lineage God specified through Abraham, the earthly father of Jesus (via his marriage to Mary). So the lineage of the Messiah beginning with Abraham is different than man could anticipate, yet was correctly defined in Genesis 3.15. This was because it was to be a mystery until God revealed it. Again and again we see that we only understand God’s meaning after He reveals it. Jesus at the beginning of his ministry was beginning to end the mystery as He gradually revealed more and more. He comes indicating the kingdom of God is at hand. He speaks of the kingdom of God and provides various parables of the kingdom that give insight into the nature of the kingdom. Some of these parables He explains in detail. We learn that the seed of the kingdom is the Word of God. The Word of God is to be the key. In fact, Jesus indicates that “heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” This idea is consistent throughout scripture. We can trust God’s Word and nothing else. Today (because God has revealed all we need to know) you and I can understand the meaning God intended. It depends on our study, our humility, our open-mindedness to the will of God, and our truth-loving spirit. Then we will not be like those whom Jesus spoke of who hear and shall not understand.
Matthew 16.16-19
16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Peter and the other apostles of Jesus are present for this exchange recorded in Matthew 16.16–19. After God the Father reveals to Peter that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, we see Peter verbally proclaiming this revelation. Jesus is continuing to reveal the kingdom, but now He speaks of it using a new term, namely, the church. To those with Jesus, the word church would mean “called out.” From the phrase Jesus uses here (“I will build My church”), it will be those who are called out by Jesus. The church will consist of those who belong to Jesus.
Note: there is no detailed indication (in Matthew 16.16–19) of how they are to be called out, but there are hints that we clearly understand as more is revealed.
Jesus says to Peter that “you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church.” The mystery is beginning to unravel; the disclosure that began back in Genesis 3.15 is about to be fully revealed. The reconciliation of man and how it will occur is being gradually revealed in the work that Jesus is doing. Now if Jesus was going to build the church on Peter, He could have said, “Thou art Peter and upon you I am building My church.” Yet He says that upon this rock, I am building My church. Jesus is associating Peter and the rock with the church. This whole discussion is occurring here because God (the Father) has revealed something to Peter, and Peter verbalized it. Peter states that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Catholics claim Jesus was building the church on Peter.
Note: there is no detailed indication (in Matthew 16.16–19) of how they are to be called out, but there are hints that we clearly understand as more is revealed.
Is this what all of life is about, namely, that God would have His answer to reconciliation based on some man, on Peter? Understand the words “on this rock I will build My church.” Can you see the seriousness of this? The whole of history, all that God had in mind for reconciliation, is built on this rock, and that rock is claimed to be Peter. The church being built on Peter means that Peter is the foundation of the “called out.” In all kindness, I would not want to base my eternity on such an unreasonable and totally man-made concept.
Beyond Comprehension
God’s Plan is Perfect, God is Perfectly Logical
Peter As the Head of the Church Is Unbelievable, Inconceivable
The Position of Pope Is Not Found or Even Hinted At In Scripture
The Church Organization Is Defined In Terms of Elders, Deacons & Members
Peter is certainly in no way what God reveals the church is built on. Whatever the church is built on, it must be the most solid thing in the universe! If the church could be built on Peter, then Jesus would not have been required in any way. The rock that Jesus mentions would never have been in question had it not been for those who decided to find a means of justifying what had developed as the church (but was not the church) in the early centuries. The rock is simply that which Peter proclaimed, namely, that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God. Now, can the church have as its basis being built on people coming to this same realization that Peter did and then confessing Jesus? Yes! Does this indicate who the “called out” (the church) would be? Yes, those who acknowledge Jesus. Now we know Jesus is the rock, the chief cornerstone, and the key figure in the reconciliation of man. As the revelation of God continues throughout the New Testament, we see the church, forgiveness of sins, reconciliation, and salvation all tied to recognition of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. This is substantial and irrefutable evidence that the rock on which the church is built is the recognition and personal acknowledgment of Jesus as God’s Son. This turns out not to be all that God requires, but it is the focal point from which all else flows. We come to understand that Jesus is the author of salvation to all those who obey Him (Hebrews 5.9).
We see the following verses providing a picture of the acknowledgment of Jesus as the rock, as that which the church is built upon. Indeed, the church would be built upon faith in Jesus as God’s Son. We see that Peter is not the center of attention, but Peter’s confession of Jesus as God’s Son is the foundation for the reconciliation. The preaching of God’s Word provides for men the opportunity of reconciliation. It is the Gospel of Christ that is the power of God unto salvation.
It is Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, that the church is built on, and God’s emphasis is on that idea throughout the entire New Testament (there is absolutely no indication of the church being built on Peter).
PETER IS PLACED AFTER HIS DEATH IN A POSITION NEVER ENVISIONED BY GOD AND IN OPPOSITION TO THE PURPOSE OF GOD
The following are some of the verses that powerfully demonstrate that the acknowledgment of Jesus as God’s Son is the rock upon which the church is built.
John 3.15,16
15 That whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
Acts 2.29–47
Here we have Peter speaking after the Holy Spirit fell upon him and the apostles.
29 Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
30 Therefore, being a prophet and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on His throne.
31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.
32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:
“The Lord said to my Lord,
“‘Sit at My right hand,
35 ‘Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’”
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So-continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
The message is “Let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” It is exactly what Peter proclaimed (coming from God the Father) in Matthew 16.16 and what Jesus said the church would be built on. Now Peter claims it again, being led by God (Holy Spirit) to tell these Jews on this first day of the kingdom, the church. Indeed, we see God adding to the church on this basis in verse 47.
Acts 4.8–12
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:
9 “If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well,
10 “let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, who God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.
11 This was the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.”
12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Now does Peter understand that he is not the rock of Matthew 16.16–19? Yes, of course, and he knows there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4.12). It is exactly what Peter stated in Matthew 16.16 and upon which the church belonging to Christ is built.
During the time of the Apostles when the word of God was being confirmed with signs and wonders we see a single focus and that is Christ as would be expected if you understand how God planned the reconciliation from Genesis 3.15.
Acts 16.31
31 So they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.
Galatians 3.26–29
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew or Greek, there is neither slave or free, there is neither male nor female; you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham seed, and heirs according to the promise.
John 8.24
24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.
Acts 4.4
4 However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of men came to be about five thousand.
Romans 10.9,10
9 That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved
10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
So we see that which Peter revealed (that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God) is indeed the basis for salvation. This is so simple, and God is very thorough in pointing to Jesus as the answer to reconciliation. Jesus makes it clear that the central ingredient for being in the church (called out) was recognition of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. The church very, very simply is built on Jesus as the cornerstone (no church without Him), and those who make up the building are those called by Jesus (the Gospel of Christ). They have called on Jesus recognizing Him as the Christ, the Son of the living God. It is a beautiful thing as individuals are called by the Gospel of Christ (2 Thessalonians 2.13,14), and then they choose to call on Jesus as Lord (Acts 2.21; Acts 22.16).
Matthew 10.32
32 Therefore whoever confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven.
All these verses give witness of the central nature of what Peter expressed in Matthew 16.16–19. Missing from all scripture is any indication of Peter being the basis for the church. Of course, Peter in all the years after Jesus’s death, never assumed such a position. Peter was a fellow elder in the local church in Jerusalem. The rock cannot be both the confession of Jesus as God’s Son and be Peter! Clearly the church stands on Jesus being recognized as God’s Son and those “called out” being those that make such a confession. In no conceivable way (from all God revealed) could God have the church built on Peter in any way.
The New Testament comes to a close and the scriptures indicate:
1. The scriptures should not be changed
The New Testament comes to a close and the scriptures indicate:
1. The scriptures should not be changed
Revelation 22.18–19
18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book;
19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
This is essentially the same warning that God has always provided in his Word. Compare this to Deuteronomy 4.2 and 12.32.
Galatians 1.6–9
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,
7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
2. All that is needed has been revealed
2 Peter 1.3
3 As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.
Jude 3
3 Exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
2 Timothy 3.15–17
15 And that from childhood you have known the Holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Now let’s go back to Genesis 3.15. Has the reconciliation that God intended been achieved? It is apparent that it has since people have been saved, that is, reconciled to God. In the New Testament, there was no Roman Catholic Church or any Protestant churches. Can you see the scriptural simplicity without these man-made institutions? There was sin in the Garden of Eden, and God sent the answer in Jesus. Faith in Jesus is key, and “obedience to the faith” leads to a successful end to your life. Peter played a part as did Paul, as did the other apostles in bringing the message and confirming it. Of course, the message always came from God through the Holy Spirit as Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth – the message never originates from humankind!
Everything that man needs is known. God has authorized local churches and provided their organization. Again, His purpose is clear and simple. God’s people are to carry the Gospel message to the lost. God’s Words remain. The Word of God has been confirmed, and the function of the church is evangelism (in support of that mission, God adds edification for the local members and benevolence toward them by other members). The Lord’s church carries on the stated mission of Christ to “seek and save that which was lost” (Luke 19.10). God’s plan to allow men to reestablish the relationship with Him has been achieved, but the message of reconciliation must continually (generation after generation) be brought to the people.
Now we should learn from the mistakes of the past instead of repeating them. God’s plan was simple and very understandable. God proclaims the scriptures, the Gospel as unchangeable under penalty of eternal loss, of being accursed. He makes it clear that man has all he needs in what has been delivered. It is as simple to look into the scriptures and follow them and likewise simple to see those things that have been added to or taken away by men. Interestingly, what we see today is the hundreds of religious institutions created by men. These usually include everything but the truth that people need.
The Roman Catholic Church in the weakness of their position tries to cover every base. Thinking that somehow they will be seen as right for their much explaining. The Catholic Church provides rationality to a group of people who have been effectively indoctrinated, and by this means, they maintain “faithful members” and are even in some instances able to convert others. So every issue under the sun is given a Roman Catholic twist. A fair analysis of the Roman Catholic Church shows complexity of organization, proliferation of rules, and a changing of what has been delivered. All this can be expected when men do not have a correct understanding of God. As you understand God from what He has revealed about Himself, we see God’s purpose associates the perfect sacrifice of Christ as the answer to sin with the perfect spiritual law.
The beauty of the New Covenant is its ability to obtain perfection through simplicity. It is simplicity in stark contrast to the Old Covenant in that it involves spiritual things versus “the handwriting of requirements that was against us.” Catholicism looks like many new rules or ordinances of requirements that are against us. The single most abhorrent thing to God is when men define in any way the things that belong to God. Roman Catholicism is the extreme case of man-made religion.
This discussion of Peter as the rock is seemingly straightforward, and it should be enough to make truth-seeking people think about the validity of the Roman Catholic Church. Catholics have built their entire organization on Matthew 16.16–19, and it in no way teaches that Peter is the rock upon which the church is built. Yet Peter would play a unique role as would the apostles and would Paul. Peter would be the one to bring the message first to the Jews on Pentecost and then to the Gentiles of Cornelius household. The apostles are a part of the Pentecost event and continue to spread the Word. Paul is specifically to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles, and his travels are extensive in that regard. Peter is the one initially selected by Jesus for these important tasks. The apostles have the same responsibilities, but Peter was selected to bring the Gospel message first to the Jews and then first to the Gentiles as seen in Acts 2 and Acts 10. We can see the selection of Peter for these tasks beginning with his confession of Jesus as God’s Son in Matthew 16.16–19. In conclusion, Peter was the first one to state the central theme of the reconciliation and the first to bring the reconciliation Gospel message to Jews and then Gentiles.
Feed My Lambs
Next, there are Jesus’s Words to Peter on the occasion of His third appearance to His disciples after He was raised from the dead. Jesus asks about Peter’s love of Him, and during this discourse, Jesus tells Peter, “Feed My lambs,” “Tend My sheep,” and “Feed my sheep.” Of course, Peter will do all these things in the course of being the first one to bring the message to the people and then in being a fellow elder in the church. Peter indicates to his fellow elders in the church at Jerusalem to shepherd the flock of God that is among you. Paul is also chosen by Christ to bear the name of Christ before the Gentiles, kings, and children of Israel. Indeed, Paul is told of the things he must suffer for the name of Christ, as is also Peter told of the eventual manner of his unpleasant death. Peter and Paul stand out in their uniqueness with respect to bringing the Gospel message. Many others would please God in this manner, some contemporary with these men and some down through the centuries to this day.
Peter and Paul did something that the Roman Catholic Church does not do: they obey and honor God. Indeed, they spoke where God spoke and were silent where God was silent. Both were led by the Spirit of God into the truth. So when Peter writes that God has “given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,” we can be sure that there is nothing else needed. Men and women have been saved, have become children of God, and are part of the church defined in the New Testament. This is enough for those who are spiritual, but not nearly enough for those who want to have their own way. They want to change the things that are a problem, define what God will receive as worship (they have some really good things for God, as did Cain), and quite often especially in those early days of Catholicism find a way to benefit (in this physical life) from the church.
Peter and Paul did something that the Roman Catholic Church does not do: they obey and honor God. Indeed, they spoke where God spoke and were silent where God was silent. Both were led by the Spirit of God into the truth. So when Peter writes that God has “given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,” we can be sure that there is nothing else needed. Men and women have been saved, have become children of God, and are part of the church defined in the New Testament. This is enough for those who are spiritual, but not nearly enough for those who want to have their own way. They want to change the things that are a problem, define what God will receive as worship (they have some really good things for God, as did Cain), and quite often especially in those early days of Catholicism find a way to benefit (in this physical life) from the church.
So, there it is the very thing that Catholicism is built upon has absolutely no validity and in fact Matthew 16.16-19 proves that there is no Roman Catholic Church.
The book, “What Is Life All About” provides considerably more detail about the Catholic story and its history of deceit and murder to maintain the lie. I mentioned there is nothing more amazing than how people prefer being right to facing up to the facts. People will choose looking good, being right over the truth and it is a very bad choice. Indeed we see God seeking humble individuals who possess a love of the truth. Life is about the soul and nothing else and Catholicism continues to mislead many at the cost of their souls.
Catholic Summary and Going Forward
The church is either built on Jesus (those who would obey Jesus) or it is built on Peter. Which one do you think is correct? I have heard people argue, “you have taken Matthew 16.16-19 out of context.” I would simply suggest that the world’s most significant “out of context violation” occurred when early Catholicism looking for some authority choose to build a story around these verses. In the weakness of their position they were very paranoid and would stop at nothing to maintain their earthly authority. The Roman Catholic Church in recent times does not have that extreme paranoia but they also have no legitimate association with God.
One last time, it could not be simpler. Jesus said, upon this rock I will BUILD My church. When you build on something it is the foundation and Peter cannot be the foundation. In such a scheme, Christ would not even be necessary. The church (the called out) must be built on the single most important thing, the center of God’s plan. The purpose of God is clearly defined since Genesis 3.15 all leading to Jesus being God’s answer to the reconciliation. The way in which this occurs is revealed in Matthew 16.16 as the “confession of Jesus as God’s Son” and the subsequent allegiance to Jesus. The only difficulty you face is overcoming what you have been taught and often in the case of Catholic’s the unthinkable tragedy of centuries of deceit.
Going Forward
Understanding the church as God defines it is also valuable in conjunction with realizing there is no authority for Roman Catholicism as well as getting you onto the road God intended. Things become more and more clear as we sort truth from error. After meandering through Protestantism which has an incredible number of fundamental issues related to salvation there will be a section on God’s defined church. Then onto Islam, Judaism and most of the others.
As we continue to study and uncover truth one very important help will be your growing understanding of God as He has revealed Himself. This is why we began by outlining God’s purpose for man as essential for making determinations such as we did with Catholicism. This is a theme throughout history, that although God’s purpose and teaching was spiritual, men continually twist scripture to have a physical meaning or purpose and in effect teach in opposition to scripture.
One last time, it could not be simpler. Jesus said, upon this rock I will BUILD My church. When you build on something it is the foundation and Peter cannot be the foundation. In such a scheme, Christ would not even be necessary. The church (the called out) must be built on the single most important thing, the center of God’s plan. The purpose of God is clearly defined since Genesis 3.15 all leading to Jesus being God’s answer to the reconciliation. The way in which this occurs is revealed in Matthew 16.16 as the “confession of Jesus as God’s Son” and the subsequent allegiance to Jesus. The only difficulty you face is overcoming what you have been taught and often in the case of Catholic’s the unthinkable tragedy of centuries of deceit.
Going Forward
Understanding the church as God defines it is also valuable in conjunction with realizing there is no authority for Roman Catholicism as well as getting you onto the road God intended. Things become more and more clear as we sort truth from error. After meandering through Protestantism which has an incredible number of fundamental issues related to salvation there will be a section on God’s defined church. Then onto Islam, Judaism and most of the others.
As we continue to study and uncover truth one very important help will be your growing understanding of God as He has revealed Himself. This is why we began by outlining God’s purpose for man as essential for making determinations such as we did with Catholicism. This is a theme throughout history, that although God’s purpose and teaching was spiritual, men continually twist scripture to have a physical meaning or purpose and in effect teach in opposition to scripture.
Look at the following section that contains some video’s and how to obtain a deeper appreciation regarding the origins of Catholicism (and other religions) and what can easily be understood about the church. Go to this link: “Getting to the truth.”