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Originally Posted by
lenox263
For the municipality in Almería, Spain, see Vícar.
"Vicariate" redirects here. See also Deanery... The papacy first used this title in the eighth century; earlier they used the title vicar of Saint Peter or vicarius principis apostolorum, the vicar of the chief of the apostles... While the Catholic church elevates the pope to the position of "supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful,"
Actually, Jesus did that:
Scripture says:
John 21:16
He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
It sounds as though the Shepherd appointed a supreme shepherd to feed His sheep in His place. Therefore, vicarious Christi sounds like a very appropriate title directly from Scripture.
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God's Word reveals that someone else already fills that position:"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth..." John 16:13
This doesn't say that the Holy Spirit will take Christ's place. It says that He will bring to remembrance all which Christ did.
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Jesus promised that this infallible teacher would abide with us forever:
"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;" John 14:16
Sure did. We believe the Holy Spirit is with the Church and will be with the Church forever.
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The pope has clearly assumed a position reserved for the Holy Spirit of God. It is a position no man can fill:
"For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." 1 Corinthians 2:11
This actually confirms that the Spiritual man (in this case, the Pope) knows the things of the Spirit but you trimmed selectively. Read two sentences before:
9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
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The Apostle Paul reiterates that the Holy Spirit of God, not a man, is the infallible teacher of all true Christians:
"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man' s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth..." 1 Corinthians 2:12-13
Similarities?
Error in your interpretation. This confirms that the Spirit has revealed the truth to the Church, which is here represented by St. Paul:
1And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
6Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Obviously then, the Spirit revealed the mysteries of God to men of the Church. Not to all men as you imply.
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If the pope is Christ' s substitute on earth, there should be many similarities in their lives. Let' s see:
While on earth, Jesus never controlled great wealth. The pope controls one of the wealthiest corporations in the world.
You have actually used a correct term. The Church is the Body (i.e. corpus) of Christ. Jesus did institute the most successful corporation ever known on this planet. Jesus instituted a Corporation with a Board of Directors (originally the Apostles now the Bishops). And a Chairman (the Pope). This is an ongoing concern which continues to this day.
The great wealth of the Church is not its financial assets as you suppose, but its faithful Christians.
The reason the Church has so much financial wealth, is because the faithful love Jesus Christ and give Him their wealth. This is from Scripture:
Mark 12:43
And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
I wonder how many televangelists apologize for their wealth? How about the Baptist Church?
In fact they don't. Because their wealth signifies the success of their evangelization of the world. And the Catholic Church is the most successful of them all.
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Jesus dressed like a common man. The pope, on the other hand, is never seen in anything but regal apparel.
Jesus lived in simple surroundings, but the pope views opulence at every turn.
Again because of us, the faithful who love Jesus Christ. The Pope was installed by Jesus Christ as His Representative. We love Christ, therefore if Christ were with us in person, we would treat Him as a King and adorn Him with the most precious of jewels and finery.
But Christ is not with us in person. So we treat His Vicar as we would treat Him.
On the other hand, Christ is with us in the Real Presence of the Holy Eucharist. And we also adorn the Holy Eucharist in precious metals:
monstrance - Google Image Search
Therefore, the beauty of the Pope's dress stems from our love for Christ.
I suppose if Christ were with you, you would treat Him in miserly fashion. Kick Him to the curb perhaps. But we don't.
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Jesus tirelessly served the multitudes, while the pope travels the world on his private jet, meeting with world leaders from every nation.
Actually, Jesus always met with the leaders which He appointed. He did speak to the multitudes, but in parables which they couldn't understand.
The Pope continues in that fashion. He speaks to all His Bishops throughout the world. However, he never fails to feed Christ's sheep the Living Bread of Heaven in the Holy Eucharist. Just as Christ instructed of him.
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Most people eventually rejected and hated Jesus because He told the truth. The pope is worshipped and adored by millions worldwide. The pope gladly welcomes the praise of men, but Jesus directed all worship to the Father, and said of Himself: "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God." Mark 10:18
Actually, the Pope directs all praise to Christ.
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Should popes accept the worship of multitudes? Look how "Pope" Peter reacted when Cornelius tried to worship him:
"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." Acts 10:25-26
Cornelius worshipped Peter. That means that he assumed that Peter was some form of deity. A god.
We don't worship the Pope. We worship Christ. When we show reverence for the Pope it is because He represents Christ.
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Pope: head of the church?
Yes, visible head of the Church.
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The Catechism claims that:
"The Pope enjoys, by divine institution, supreme, full, immediate, and universal power in the care of souls" Pg. 246, #937
According to God's Word, the pope is not the head of the true church of Jesus Christ. That position is reserved exclusively for the Lord Jesus:
"For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church..." Ephesians 5:23
But Christ installed Peter as His representative:
Matthew 16:18 (King James Version)
18And 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.
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Concerning the pope' s title of "Holy Father," Jesus Himself instructed us to:
"...call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." Matthew 23:9
Yet, the pope not only accepts the title "Father," but "Holy Father" as well, a title reserved for God alone:
"Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy..." Revelation 15:4
If we look at Scripture, we see that the Apostles considered themselves Holy Men and Fathers to their flocks:
2 Peter 1 21 For prophecy came not by the will of man at any time: but the holy men of God spoke, inspired by the Holy Ghost.
And they also considered themselves our fathers:
1 Corinthians 4 15 For if you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, by the gospel, I have begotten you.
2 Corinthians 6 13 But having the same recompense, (I speak as to my children,) be you also enlarged.
1 Corinthians 4 14 I write not these things to confound you; but I admonish you as my dearest children.
Then certainly, not only is it right to call the Pope, Holy Father, but also every Bishop of the Catholic Church.
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It is not wise to assume a name reserved for God, for He will not share His glory with anyone:
"I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another..." Isaiah 42:8
The Apostles did not seem to share your fear. They teach to trust God and to have confidence in Him.
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More Nagging Questions
Once again, Catholic doctrine and Scriptures could not disagree more. As a result, you must choose sides on each of the following questions:
Why didn' t God tell us in the Bible that He was sending the pope as the Vicar of Christ?
He did. Matt 16:18. John 21:15-17.
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Why does the Bible insist that Jesus is still the head of the church, if He isn't?
Who said He isn't. The Catholic Church teaches that Jesus is the head of the Church:
CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 669 (412 bytes ) preview document matches
9 As Lord, Christ is also head of the Church, which is his Body. Taken up to heaven and glorified after he had thus fully accomplished his mission, Christ dwells
URL: CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 669
And that the Bishops are the visible heads of their particular Church.
CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 1462 (501 bytes ) preview document matches
Reconciliation with God, but also with the Church. Since ancient times the bishop, visible head of a particular Church, has thus rightfully been considered to be
URL: CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 1462
And that the Pope is the visible head of the entire Church because Jesus entrusted to him the keys:
CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 936 (281 bytes ) preview document matches
6 The Lord made St. Peter the visible foundation of his Church. He entrusted the keys of the Church to him. The bishop of the Church of Rome, successor to St. Peter,
URL: CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 936
Matthew 16:19 (King James Version)
19And 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.
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Why does the Catholic church want the pope to be the final authority instead of Jesus?
Jesus installed the Church as the final authority on earth:
Matthew 18:17
And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
And the Pope as the authority over said Church. See Matt 16:19 above.
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Why does the Catholic church want the pope to be your teacher instead of the Holy Spirit of God?
The Church obeys Christ's commandment to:
Matthew 28:19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Why do you set aside the Word of God to teach your own doctrine?
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Conclusion
Only you can answer these questions for yourself. And only you can decide which side you will believe - Catholic traditions of men... or God's Word?
We believe God's word. That is why we believe the Church which received the Word of God, wrote it down in the New Testament and canonized the books of the Old Testament.
It is the Church which God put on this earth to represent Him before men.
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"And ye are complete in him (Jesus), which is the head of all principality and power:" Colossians 2:10
"And he (Christ) is the head of the body, the church..." Colossians 1:18
I want you to see a sharp contrast Between the Word of God and Roman Catholism
Those are the key words. "I want". You want us to interpret the word of God as you do.
But Scripture shows no contrast between the Word of God and the Church. You have read that into Scripture because you don't want to submit to the authority which God placed in this Church to guide your soul:
Hebrews 13:17
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Apparently you don't realize that in disobeying the Church of God, you are disobeying God Himself. It is written:
Luke 10
16He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
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20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
That should be a warning to you. You are speaking against the Word of God. Therefore there is no light in you.
