Expert: Sal - 7/2/2010

Question
QUESTION: Quote; I believe the Catholic Church is the Church established by Jesus Christ for the salvation of the world. end quote.
.........................................................................
Could, or would you please back up this statement of belief, with some scriptures?
Thanks
Mr.B.

ANSWER: Dear Bar:

Let’s look at the question: Did Jesus intend to bestow upon Peter a special office? The key passage in this regard is Matthew 16:13-20. I will focus on v. 18 and v. 19.

“I for my part declare to you, you are Rock, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it. I will entrust to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you declare bound on earth shall be bound in heaven; whatever you declare loosed on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

In the first part of v. 18 Jesus changes Simon’s name to Rock or Peter. Simon means “grain of sand”. Now he is Peter which means “rock”. Peter is the only person who has his name changed by Jesus (James and John are only given the nickname “Sons of Thunder” [Mark 3:17; cf. Luke 9:54]). When God changed someone’s name in the Old Testament it was very significant and related to salvation history (Genesis 17:5, 15-16; 32:29). Like wise, Jesus changes Simon’s name to signify his important new role in salvation history. The name changes in the Old Testament all brought about a positive change in that person’s status. For Simon it meant going from being just one of the Twelve to being the chief Apostle (Matthew 10:2). It also meant that much more responsibility would be laid upon Simon’s shoulders, but Jesus knew that Peter would be able to handle it. Peter would not be rock-like in all his actions, however, the office he held would be a rock of stability and truth that would give the new Church great assurance just as it still does today.

Some make the claim that Peter isn’t the rock upon which Jesus would build his Church. They may say that it is Peter’s confession. “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!” (v. 16). Others posit that the rock is Christ himself. Let’s notice that the context is all about Simon Peter. In v. 17a Simon is blessed, 17b God revealed to Simon, 18 a Jesus declares to Simon, 18b Simon is named Rock, 18c “on this rock” (disputed), 19a Peter receives the keys, 19b whatever Peter declare bound is bound, 19c whatever Peter declares loosed is loosed. Now let’s take a look at the pattern in these verses. We find it goes like this Peter, Peter, Peter, Peter, (disputed), Peter, Peter, Peter. I suggest that the one disputed reference is, in context, also referring to Peter. It is unlikely that Jesus would be focusing on Peter only to switch without warning to himself for a moment and then back to Peter.


Many Protestant scholars now admit that the Catholic Church is correct in its belief that Peter is the rock. Of course, they disagree with the conclusions that the Catholic Church draws from this fact. However, as honest scholars they admit that Peter is the rock upon which Jesus says he will build his Church. For example, David Hill a Presbyterian minister admits, “It is on Peter himself, the confessor of his Messiahship, that Jesus will build the Church. Attempts to interpret the ‘rock’ as something other than Peter in person are due to Protestant bias, and introduce to the statement a degree of which is highly unlikely.” Admissions like this could be multiplied.

In v. 18 we learn that the gates of hades will not be able to overcome the Church established by Christ. The gates of hades is an expression that has military connotations. The gates of a city was the place where the greatest number of, and the most powerful, forces were positioned. In v. 18 the “gates of hades” refers to the dark forces that opposed the establishment of Christ’s Church. Jesus promised that these forces would never prevail against his Church. (As a side note this promise also relates to papal infallibility. A Church that could teach error as truth would have been defeated by the powers of evil thus Jesus’ promise would have failed.)

Peter received the keys in the first part of v. 19. It is informative to know that Jesus gives these keys to no one else. This is a prime example of Peter’s primacy over the rest of the Apostles. The keys represent a special authority in the Church. To hold the keys is to occupy an office. Even Martin Luther acknowledged this. He wrote in 1530, nine years after leaving the Catholic Church, that only Peter held the keys to heaven. Then he wrote as if Jesus were speaking: “Don’t look for them (the keys) in heaven or anywhere else except in Peter’s mouth where I left them. Peter’s mouth is my mouth, and his tongue is my key case. His office is my office, his binding and loosing are my binding and loosing.” The holder of the keys has the authority of Christ in the Church of Christ. In other words, the holder of the keys occupies the office of the Vicar of Christ. The Catholic Church eventually titled this office the Papacy and the holder of this office the Pope or “papa”. It is this Christ established office that is meant to be the rock of the Church. It gives Christians great assurance that what they believe and practice is in accordance with the dictates of God. Their papa is always there to offer guidance and correction to his children. When papa dies the Holy Spirit brings forth another to be papa to the family of God. “I will not leave you orphaned” (John 14:18) are words that give great comfort. Jesus would not establish such an important office in his Church only to have it die with Peter. “The powers of death shall not prevail against it” (RSV).

With the authority of the keys goes the power to “bind and loose”. The rest of the Apostles received this power also, but importantly without reference to the keys (Matthew 18:18). Since Peter has the keys he can bind what they have loosed and loose what they have bound. He is the highest representative on earth for the people of God. Peter’s ability to bind and loose means that he possesses the ultimate authority to determine what is forbidden and what is allowed in Christ’s Church. He not only determines this in reference to the Bible, but, like the Chief Rabbi, determines this in reference to oral tradition as well.

Another text that shows that Peter did receive a special office from Jesus is John 21:15-17. In this passage the Risen Lord confronts Peter. Since Peter had denied his Lord three time, Jesus now invokes from Peter a three fold affirmation of his love. The Good Shepherd turns over the care of his flock to Peter alone. As the Christ-appointed chief shepherd of the Lord’s flock Peter has the ultimate authority in all matters concerning the people of God.

Peter is told by our Lord to tend and feed the flock. This means that he is to rule and teach them. The word tend is translated from the Greek poimaine. This word has the meaning of to rule. This can be seen from other usages of the same word. Matthew 2:6-“that shall rule (poimaine) my people Israel.”  Revelation 19:15-“He will rule (poimaine) them with a rod of iron” (also Revelation 2:27; 7:17; 12:5). Old Testament passages that show poimaine to mean rule especially when used in passages that speak of a leader are 2 Samuel 5:2; 1 Chronicles 11:2; 17:6; Psalms 2:9; 78:72; Isaiah 40:10; Ezekiel 34:23; Micah 7:14. Peter is to rule and spiritually feed the Church. In other words, to exercise his authority as the one who occupies the office of key-holder.

One final example indicating that Jesus intended to bestow upon Peter a special office is the strong connection between Matthew 16:17-19 and Isaiah 22:20-24. Note particularly v. 22: “I will place the key of the House of David on his shoulder; when he opens, no one shall shut, when he shuts, no one shall open.” The Davidic kings had stewards or ministers to see to the day-to-day activities of the kingdom. Even Gentile kings employed this concept (Genesis 41:40-44; 45:8). The king had one chief steward or prime minister over all other ministers. This person acted in the king’s name with the full authority of the king. He was the vicar of the king. He was only exceeded in authority by the king himself. He was obeyed by all people in the kingdom. He was often called the master of the house or palace (2 Kings 18:18; 19:2; Isaiah 22:15; 36:3; 37:2; 2 Chronicles 28:7). He was also called the vizier (1Kings 18:4; 2 Kings 10:5; 15:5; 2 Chronicles 26:21). Even though the king was the master of the house his vicar was the master in a secondary sense. Likewise, Peter is the head of the Church in a secondary sense.

I believe that Jesus in Matthew 16:17-19 was making it very clear, especially to first century Jews, that he was establishing the office of chief steward/prime minister in his own kingdom just as the Davidic kings had before him. The chief steward is given a key to the Davidic kingdom (Isaiah 22:22a). Peter receives the keys to the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:19a). The chief steward can bind and loose which is confirmed by the king (22:22b). Peter can bind and loose that is confirmed by heaven (16:19b). In this we can clearly see the Bible rule that the New Testament anti-type is always greater then the Old Testament type. The New Testament reality must always be greater than the Old Testament shadow (see Colossians 2:16-17). The office of chief steward in the Davidic kingdom is replaced by the greater office of the papacy in the Church of Christ, the kingdom of God. The chief steward is replaced by the chief apostle. The master of the house is replaced by the Pope, the master of Christ’s House. I believe that the biblical evidence favors Jesus having established the office of the papacy for his One True Church--the Catholic Church.          

       
Thank you for the question,
Sal

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Sal, when one builds a house on a sand foundation, then the whole house will fall.... Your premise of Peter being someone special is in error.. Jesus said, that of anyone born of a woman, (which Peter was) there is no one more greater than John the baptist..  Matt 11:11 ..Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Secondly. IF Peter was promoted to this high position, Paul didn't seem to get that message, when He rebuked Peter. Galatians 2:11..But when Peter was come to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was to be condemned.
 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
 13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

And thirdly. Peter wrote two books of the bible himself, and yet, never even mentions this promotion you have proclaimed Jesus laid upon him?

The Rock, Jesus was speaking of, that builds the church of Christ, is the Revelation of who Christ is, by the Holy Spirit. This is what Jesus was referring to, not only to Peter, but the whole gospel. The revelation of Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit is what Jesus talks of again and again, John 14, 15, and 16.... When the Holy Spirit/the Comforter/the Spirit of Truth, HE SHALL TAKE OF MINE AND REVEAL IT UNTO YOU. HE shall lead you into all truth....   

1 John 2:26  These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
 1 John 2:27..But the anointing(Holy Spirit) which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

And again, Paul states.. 1 Cor.2:9..But 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.
 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
 11 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.
 12 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.
 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

Jesus said of Peter, when Peter was asked who Jesus was, the Holy Spirit revealed to Peter the revelation of who Jesus was...Peter, flesh and blood, did not reveal this to you.....BUT My Father, the Spirit did..

No man, no church, no denomination can reveal to the seeker who Christ is, but the Holy Spirit Himself...  This is He who builds the church.

Sorry Sal, but you have been deceived from the beginings of Catholicism, because Peter was no more special than any of the disciples...So says, Paul, so says Jesus....Your *church* has been built by man, not the Spirit. But it isn't too late to repent, and get born of the spirit, as Jesus was in the womb of Mary.... Oh, by the way, what Jesus said about John the Baptist, also goes for Mary...

Sincerely In christ
Bar.

ANSWER: Dear Bar:

John the Baptist being the greatest man born of woman doesn’t affect Peter being made the first Pope. Jesus didn’t say that his Church would be built upon the greatest man ever born of woman.  Paul did exactly what loyal Catholics should do that is, to rebuke error. Peter was not following his own teaching that Gentiles were equal with Jews and that all food was now clean; therefore, Paul rebuked Peter’s hypocrisy. This doesn’t affect Peter being the Pope. Jesus never said that he would build his Church upon a perfect human.

If you are right that Peter doesn’t mean rock why do so many Protestant scholars, very knowledgeable in the Greek language, disagree with you? For example, Gerhard Kittle, editor of the 10 vol “Theological Dictionary of the New Testament”, wrote “But what does Jesus mean when He says” ‘On this rock I will build my church’? The idea of the Reformers that He is referring to the faith of Peter is quite inconceivable…Rather, the parallelism of ‘thou art Rock’ and ‘on this rock I will build’ shows that the second rock can only be the same as the first. It is thus evident that Jesus is referring to Peter, to whom He has given the name Rock…To this extent Roman Catholic Exegesis is right and all Protestant attempts to evade this interpretation are to be rejected.”

A Baptist (known to be anti-Catholic) Professor of New Testament, Craig Blomberg admits, “Jesus’ declaration, ‘You are Peter’, parallels Peter’s confession, ‘You are the Christ’, as if to say, ‘Since you can tell me who I am, I will tell you who you are’. The expression ‘this rock’ almost certainly refers to Peter, following immediately after his name, just as the words ‘the Christ’ in v. 16 applies to Jesus. The play on words in the Greek between Peter’s name (Petros) and the word ‘rock’ (petra) makes sense only if Peter is the rock and if Jesus is about to explain the significance of this identification.”

I believe that a professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, Donald Hagner, was very honest and insightful when he stated the frequent attempts in the past to deny that Peter is the rock were “largely motivated by Protestant prejudice against a passage that is used by the Roman Catholics to justify the papacy.”

My reason for listing these few Protestant quotes (which could be easily multiplied) is to show that you are out of step with the world of biblical scholarship. Perhaps it is you who have been deceived by anti-Catholic apologists.

Best Wishes,
Sal


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Sal.... You may quote hundreds of protestant theological and cemetary, exponents of the scripture, but it doesn't change the fact of other scripture, which has been quoted, that it is the  Holy Spirit, that builds the church, not man!

Please also note....  Matt 18   And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock[[[[[[[[[[[ I will build my church;]]]]]] and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
That it is Jesus, who is saying... ( I .....will build my church,) not Peter, or any succession of Peter..

Also.Acts 2:47  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And [[[[[[the Lord added to the church]]]]] daily such as should be saved.

Who was adding to the church? The Holy Spirit Himself!

Ephesians 5:26  That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
 27 That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Is it possible that one has lost sight of what Church Jesus is talking about, compared to what denominations man has considered the church?

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him,  I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,....[[[[ but by ME!]]].

Galatians 1:1  Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

Here Paul proclaims his God given authority, and yet Peter says nothing?

Sal, all one has to do, is look to the History of the papacy, and even today the things that are going on behind closed doors.. How does this line up with...Ephesians 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

I think someone forgot how to have the inside of the cup cleaned, so the outside would become clean!

Could it be possible that what Jesus said about the church and all its traditions have nullified the power of God to *clean* the church?

Since experiencing an intimate relationship, and fellowship with the Spirit of the living Christ near 30 years ago Sal, I have had the privilege of having the Spirit open His word to my understanding, that I not only know, and understand the Spiritual thought, with the spiritual words. but have come to know the author on a first name basis.
1 Corithians 2: 13  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things[words] with spiritual [thoughts].

Sincerely In Christ
Mr.B

Answer
Dear Mr. B:

You still haven't dealt with the Scriptures that I presented to support the Catholic Church being the one founded by Christ upon Peter. Nor have you dealt with the fact that Prostestant scholars know that Peter is the Rock. You just dismiss their scholarship as if you know better.

I completely agree with you that the Holy Spirit builds the Church not man. That fact doesn't in any way alter the fact that the Catholic Church is the Church founded by Christ for the salvation of the world. It's the Holy Spirit that has guided the Catholic Church through the ages. This is in accordance with the words of our Lord to the first Catholic Bishops a.k.a. the Apostles.

24"He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. 25All this I have spoken while still with you. 26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (Jn.14:24-27).

The fact that popes and bishops have not always been prefect and holy doesn't change the fact that the Catholic Church is His Church. It's the Evil One who is trying the Church right now. We must remain faithful to Christ and His Church. The Holy Spirit is cleansing the Church right now by bringing out and removing the sin within. So a holy and without blemish Church with be left to glorify the Lord. Remember that the good and the bad will coexist in Christ's Church until he returns.

24Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
27"The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' 28" 'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' 29" 'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'" (Mt. 13:24-30).

God Be With You,
Sal