DOES PETER AND THE POPES REALLY HAVE «THE KEYS» TO RULE THE CHURCH OF CHRIST ?
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We are going to look at several questions:
1. Were the keys given to Peter or to the evangelical church?
2. Is Peter the «rock» the Church is built upon?
3. Does «the keys» involve the right to change The Ten Commandments?
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The claim of the Catholic Church’s authority
For most Catholics, the continuity of the church from the days of the apostles is what secures their loyalty to the church. That this «lineage» of popery was instituted by God and that all who leave the church leave the one true ordained church. The pope even indicate that salvation cannot be obtained outside the church organization. To go against the leader, the Pope, is to oppose the order Christ placed when He first gave Peter the scepter.
This belief is the foundation in which the Catholic Church is built. But what if it’s not even true? That the Catholic Church is not the oldest church, that Christ didn’t start a line of popery beginning with Peter, and that He never established the Catholic Church?
During the early, middle and late middle ages, the Catholic Church did everything it could to eliminate competition. Historical records clearly show that there was a Christian church that continued from the church of Jerusalem and pre-existed the Catholic Church. Historical writings also show us when the Pope got his power from the Roman pontiffs and how the church’s power actually came when the Roman emperor gave THEIR keys to the Pope which again established the Catholic Church as the biggest and most powerful church while the others were subdued or persecuted. (See more about historical sources regarding this here) There is a reason the Popes carry the titles of the Roman
So to whom was the keys Christ has spoken of given to, the one that allied itself with the Roman leaders or the ones who refused to give up on principle and would rather be martyred than to ally with Pagan-Christian rulers? Jesus said: «Ye shall know them by their fruits» (Matt. 7:16)
It’s understandable the Christians was tired of persecution and wanted to get in a powerful position and make allies that prevented the persecution from continuing. I think we all can understand the desperate need for the persecutions to stop. However connecting church with
Did the Catholic church give us the Bible?
Another myth circulated by the Catholic Church is that we can thank this church for the Bible. However again, historical writings show there was work done on Bible manuscript not only in Rome and Alexandria but also in Antioch. The manuscripts from Rome and Alexandria did give us the Catholic bible, but other manuscripts gave us «the persecuted Bible». Many of the later persecuted Christians spread the one that was never in the hands of the Catholic Church nor did it originate from it. For a long time, the Bible was actually forbidden to be translated into local languages and it was forbidden to own it if you were an ordinary person
To claim the Catholic Church gave the world the Bible is not only not true, but a mockery towards those who worked so hard to bring the Bible out to the public.
The conquering church is the blessed church?
This is another argument Catholics have been taught to believe, that because this church was able to eliminate other Christian groups they were the ones with God’s blessings. However, Jesus says the opposite. He says His true followers will be persecuted in His, Christ, name.
«Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.» (Joh 15:20-21)
Several times in the New Testament we learn that Christ true church will be in a desperate state, persecuted by worldly people and by people claiming His name.
The book of Revelation predicts several times that God’s true church will be a persecuted church.
The argument that someone is «stronger» or able to eliminate its competition is nowhere in the New Testament a sign that they are the true church.
God’s people will be victorious when Christ returns and save them from their enemies. Until then they will be treated as Jesus was treated by the religious leaders in His days.
Who does Jesus give «the keys to»?
«And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.» (Mat 16:18-19)
To the left: Peter depicted with the keys. To the right: The Pope claim
When we are used to reading a scripture wrong we will continue if we are not honestly seeking the truth. The
Catholic Church has taken this scripture and used it to legitimize their doctrines, their persecutions, their leadership and everything they have ever done.
The scriptures true meaning is evident the moment we look at the verse before and after.
The verses before say:
«And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.» (Mat 16:16-17)
Jesus answers Peter and says he is a rock in the work and that the truth he had spoken is what the church would be built on, the truth that Peter had spoken: «Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God». The foundation the church would be built on was that Christ was the Messiah, the son of God. Jesus Himself. The keys belonged to the truth.
What has been done, is to use some clever construct that Jesus calls Peter a rock, and then goes ahead to say that on this rock He will build His church. If you look closer at the Greek words that Jesus is using, you’ll notice a subtle difference. Jesus does call Peter ‘Petros’ which means ‘small rock’, ‘pebble’, or ‘a (piece of) rock’. If we then take a little look at which ‘Rock’ Jesus will build His church on, the word ‘Petra’ is used. Now both of them can be translated rock, but the word petra is actually more like a bigger rock, a cliff so to speak. Now this difference in words is not there by chance. Jesus told Peter, that he is a small rock, and that He would build the church on Himself, a larger rock. I’m pretty sure that if you search out scriptures for the word cliff, you’ll be able to figure out that our Lord is called
«For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?» (Psa 18:31)
That word is not used on anyone else in that sense. It is also interesting to note that Peter himself understood what Jesus meant, and he talks about that later in 1. Peter 2:4-8:
“To
whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed ofmen, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, aslively stones , are built up a spiritual house,an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
He knew very well that the cornerstone of the Church was Christ, and not himself. Actually, he says that we all are living stones that build up the spiritual house and that we are all a holy priesthood. How then can the Catholic church claim that Peter was the person Christ built His church on when Peter himself understood that Jesus was that cornerstone in the Church and that we are all
None of them to rule over the other
The Papal church is built on Roman principles and not Biblical. Not long after Jesus had said that He would build the church on the truth Peter had spoken, there was strife over which one of them was the greatest. If Christ had already given Peter that position there would be no confusion as to who it was, but here they are discussing it and Jesus tells none of them are.
«And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
But ye shall not be so…» (Luk 22:24-26)
Jesus didn’t say it was Peter, and they didn’t think it was Peter, because it wasn’t Peter but all of them. And they were sent to serve mankind and not rule over anyone.
Peter refuse to take a pagan authority role.
When Cornelius who was custom to the Roman practice of venerating people tried to bow before Peter, Peter showed that he knew this was wrong:
«And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man» (Act 10:25-26).
Popes have done by the manner of heathens and it’s been custom in the church for lower ranks to kneel before the pope and kiss his ring of authority. This is not following in Peters footstep, it’s following in the Roman leaders’ footstep, they who gave the Pope its authority.
Peter clearly said to Cornelius that he was a fellow man.
«I am the true vine»
Jesus explains again what he said regarding «the keys» only this time He uses a parable. This time, instead of using a mass of rock and a rock as an example, He now calls Himself a vine and His followers branches:
«I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.» (Joh 15:1-2)
Here Jesus makes it clear that the only continuity is Himself and the Father. His followers are all branches that will be cut off if they don’t bring the right fruit. There is no successive line from Peter to the last pope. There is only a line from Christ that continues as Christ as the «only mediator», and throughout time there have been branches whom by their behavior is either «on» or «cut off».
Paul says the exact same thing in Romans 11:11-24.
The Catholic principle of being chosen no matter what because of something Jesus once said to Peter is unbiblical and is not in harmony with either Christ words or a single New Testament book.
Here behavior conduct is the only thing that determines if we are «in Christ
But throughout time, even Biblical time, religious leaders representing God has made the false claim that they are chosen to be God’s spokespersons no matter
We are doing the same mistake today if we think that safety lies in Popery and in the Catholic church as an institution.
What does having the keys involve, can we change God’s commandments?
If it wasn’t Peter personally that got the keys, who got them? Well, if the church of Christ built on Christ as the «mass of rock» got the keys, they belong to Christ and His followers. In the book of Revelation Jesus says He has the keys:
«I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.» (Rev 1:18)
Christ, as head of the Church, as the cornerstone gives
Of those redeemed by Christ we read:
«And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.» (Rev 1:6)
Does having these keys through Christ give the Church the ability to change or remove God’s law? The answer has to be no, as Christ says that only if we «stay in Him», «have the right fruit» we are the church.
And so if anyone wants to change or remove God’s law it means they have separated themselves from Christ righteousness and truth and they are no longer branches.
Any act that is done, revolving any keys, can only be done in harmony with God’s law and order.
The Church is to reflect Christ character and mission and it’s only when it does this that it has «keys». This goes back to Christ statement to Peter, that the church was built or founded upon the truth concerning who Christ was and what His mission was. The moment the truth is removed from the congregation, that moment that congregation
The keys
Every single time in Bible history, from the time of
And the Bible confirms that anyone who does this is in opposition to God, not His spokesperson.
«And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master.. ..The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.» (Isa.24,2 & 5)
The book of Revelation describes God’s true church with having two traits, the faith of Jesus, the testimony of Jesus and the commandments of God. (Rev.12,19 & Rev.14,12) What the church is built upon, the truth of who Christ is, and the condition of staying as a branch on the vine is having the right fruit. The commandments of God
This is the true church, the one that is connected to the vine, the one that has Christ righteousness and sacrifice as the cornerstone. They are the rocks that make the building. And one of these rocks of fundament was called «Peter». The apostles were all chosen to bring the gospel to the world, not to rule over anyone, but to spread the truth that Peter had spoken which were to be the foundation of the church.
And all twelve will forever have their memorial in the wall of the New Jerusalem:
«And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.» (Rev 21:14)
Those who succeed the apostle Peter and the other apostles are those who live and believe what they believe. In the Bible, succession is not done any other way.
«They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.» (Joh_8:39)
«And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the
axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.» (Mat 3:9-10)
Therefore, build your faith not on papal succession, but on Christ and His truth, and life. Then you will have built your church on «the mass of rock» in which building Peter is a rock that consists part of the fundament of the first church.
How did the Pope get its keys in the emblem? They lied to get power over the Christians so that the believers would subject to their control. They lied about their origin and their right to rule the church so that they could rule it. They were not the first to attempt this nor were they the last. The Roman emperors did the same, they claimed their authorities gave from the gods and therefore everyone had to follow their lead and laws. The Babylonian leaders did it as well. Many protestant leaders say the same thing.
But the truth is what is to lead and guide us, the truth of Christ, not men of power.
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Joh 8:31-32).
How did the Pope get its keys in the emblem? They lied to get power over the Christians so that the believers would subject to their control. They lied about their origin and their right to rule the church so that they could rule it. They were not the first to attempt this nor were they the last. The Roman emperors did the same, they claimed their authorities gave from the gods and therefore everyone had to follow their lead and laws. The Babylonian leaders did it as well. Many protestant leaders say the same thing.
But the truth is what is to lead and guide us, the truth of Christ, not men of power.
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Joh 8:31-32).
The Papal institution has changed God’s commandments and what God is going to do about it.
As we just saw, no one has the keys to change God’s commandments. And in the end, the Lord says even priests who have “changed the ordinance” and broken “the everlasting covenant” will perish with the unbeliever for this crime if they don’t turn from it.
The law as the Catholic knows it, the second commandment is removed and the tenth split up in two so that there will still be ten commandments. The now third, original the fourth in God’s law, the Sabbath is changed from one week-day (Saturday) to another (Sunday). Because of this change, most of the world has even changed the calendar to show Sunday as the Seventh-Day, they have gotten the whole world to follow their lead. (See movie explaining here) God’s original law was placed into the Ark of the Covenant, which bears its name because it contains the Covenant, the law.
God spoke these commandments with His own lips and wrote them with His own finger. He says:
“My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips” (Psa_89:34).
The Sabbath was sanctified at creation as a memorial of God’s true identity. “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it” (Gen.2,3)
The Bible warns us that anyone changing what God has made holy and make it unholy is not in a favor with God:
” Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isa 5:20)
“And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean” ( Lev 10:10)
God is the only one who can institute something as holy or unholy because it is the connection something has to Him that is holy that makes it holy. No man is holy in that way and therefore cannot make something holy by their effort.
God regards anyone changing His times and laws as enemies:
“And he shall speak great words against the
most High , and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws” (Dan.7,25)
Actually, if the Sabbath wasn’t respected God would take down the leadership and even His own temple (Jer 17:27, 24-25)
The popes have done a great crime against God and His law and they will soon be confronted with it.
In 1982 the Ark of the Covenant was re-discovered in Jerusalem with the original law inside, the very law the popes have changed and caused their millions of followers to break in Christ name.
The Ark was discovered underneath the crucifixion site and when an earthquake split the rocks when Christ died, and the soldiers pierced His side, Christ blood went unto the Mercy Seat and confirmed the Covenant, but also to pay the penalty of our crimes against this very law. What is also called “sin”.
God is going to show the whole world, on His appointed time, when the whole world embrace the changed version of God’s law was first instituted by the Pope, His original ten commandments. To show the world that it’s the breaking of this that constitutes sin, not the breaking of the changed version. That the law was never changed and that Christ Himself confirmed it’s validity by His own blood.
It’s in large part because of the papal lies God is going to bring these table of stones out for the world to see.
It’s not much time left. It’s nearly 40 years God has let people be forewarned of this event and it will soon take place.
What can you as a Catholic do? The Catholic Church not only have changed God’s law but over hundreds of customs, practiced are not even Biblical and have its origin in the ancient Roman religion. You need to leave the Church behind and commit yourself to God and His truth. Let go of everything that isn’t tied to the truth as it’s written in the law and the prophets or spoken of by Christ. Traditions have always competed with the truth. Jesus said: “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Mar_7:7). Do not let your worship be in vain, go back to the apostolic church, not a church built with physical stones but with spiritual stones.
“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities” (Rev.18,4-5).
In this time of turmoil in the earth’s history there is only one mediator you can have and trust:
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1Ti_2:5)
“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters” ( Jer 17:5-8)
Soon the world will be put on choice, to follow the changed version of the law made by man or to follow the law God wrote with His own finger. You must chose between the authority of man and the authority of God.
Flee for your life and don’t look back. Go back to Christ and find refugee there. For the Catholic Church are soon going to be severally punished by God for all her crimes against God and His truth and His followers throughout the ages. Those who chose to stand by the Vatican’s side will perish with them.
May God with you and help you make the right decision.