Focus On God, Not the Pope
The
Roman Catholic Church has around 1.285 billion members worldwide, is the
largest Christian denomination, and is one of the oldest religions. Like other
Christian denominations, the Roman Catholic Church believes that Christ died
for our sins; however, there are a few distinct differences between Catholicism
and other Christian denominations. The one I want to discuss today is the
leadership of the Roman Catholic Church.
Most people, Christian or not, have heard of Pope Francis. He is the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and is easily the most well-known leader of any Christian denomination. However, how many people are aware that most Christian denominations have similar hierarchies? Evangelicals have Geoff Tunnicliffe who is responsible for leading the World Evangelical Alliance. The churches that are part of the World Evangelical Alliance have over 600 million members and was founded in the mid-1800s. The World Communion of Reformed Churches has Jerry Pillay. You may not even know if you’re a member of this religious organization, but denominations in the United States that are members include multiple Presbyterian churches and the United Church of Christ. Membership to this “communion” is only beat by the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.
If you belong to a Christian denomination there is likely a leader and a structured hierarchy. So why are Christians so bothered by the Pope? Well, although most denominations have an “Article of Faith” that lists traditional beliefs for that denomination, most do not require you to put faith in their leader. In many cases the denomination makes no mention of their leadership or hierarchy. How many Baptists know who John Upton is? Maybe a few here and there, but I’m sure that most do not. While attending Pentecostal churches I never once heard the name Guneratnam. The only other denomination that requires a declaration of faith in their leadership that I’ve personally experienced was The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
When we think of Catholicism we don’t think of Jesus Christ. Like Mormonism, most people don't even consider Catholicism to be a Christian denomination. They view it as a separate religion all together. Our first thought goes to the Pope. He has become the symbol of the Roman Catholic Church. For any denomination that truly believes Jesus Christ died for our sins the focus should be on Him alone. No man should take attention away from God or His Son. Any denomination that has leadership in the foreground should be approached with caution.
Although I don’t believe leadership within each denomination is unbiblical, I do believe that that leadership should always function strictly in the background as to not take attention away from God. I also believe that all denominational leadership that believes in Christ and God should encourage one thing and one thing only, a belief in God and Christ. Most focus on the sole conversion to their particular denomination instead of spreading the Good News. If the congregation is too small, or brings in too little financially, then the preacher is at risk of being fired. Unfortunately, this results in a greater focus on money and giving financially to the church instead of focusing all of our attention on God and Christ.
Apostles were responsible for spreading the Good News and making sure that glory was given to God and not themselves. They put attention on Christ and God and nothing more. When people mentioned being followers of this person or that person, they were quick to correct and encouraged all believers in Christ to follow only Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:10-13"Nevertheless, brothers, I call on you in the name of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah to agree, all of you, in what you say, and not to let yourselves remain split into factions but be restored to having a common mind and a common purpose. For some of Chloe’s people have made it known to me, my brothers, that there are quarrels among you. I say this because one of you says, “I follow Sha’ul”; another says, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Kefa”; while still another says, “I follow the Messiah!” Has the Messiah been split in pieces? Was it Sha’ul who was put to death on a stake for you? Were you immersed into the name of Sha’ul?"
Most Catholics do not consider themselves followers of the Pope; however, they view the Pope as someone who acts as a mediator with Christ. Many Roman Catholics will even pray to the Pope or saints. They view his teachings as being divine in nature no matter how unbiblical they may be.
1 Timothy 2:4-7"He wants all humanity to be delivered and come to full knowledge of the truth. For God is one; and there is but one Mediator between God and humanity, Yeshua the Messiah, himself human, who gave himself as a ransom on behalf of all, thus providing testimony to God’s purpose at just the right time. This is why I myself was appointed a proclaimer, even an emissary — I am telling the truth, not lying! — a trustworthy and truthful teacher of the Goyim."
If we are told that there is one mediator, Jesus, between man and God why, then, do so many people follow others that claim to be such mediators? Why do so many people put their faith into men that claim they can influence God's decision if only you pray to them? They claim that prayer is a means of communication and not an act of worship, but they make requests to the Pope, Saints, and dead loved ones. If you are making requests to someone or something, then you are showing that you believe they have the power to change your circumstances. Only God and Christ have the power to answer prayers.
Most people, Christian or not, have heard of Pope Francis. He is the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and is easily the most well-known leader of any Christian denomination. However, how many people are aware that most Christian denominations have similar hierarchies? Evangelicals have Geoff Tunnicliffe who is responsible for leading the World Evangelical Alliance. The churches that are part of the World Evangelical Alliance have over 600 million members and was founded in the mid-1800s. The World Communion of Reformed Churches has Jerry Pillay. You may not even know if you’re a member of this religious organization, but denominations in the United States that are members include multiple Presbyterian churches and the United Church of Christ. Membership to this “communion” is only beat by the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.
If you belong to a Christian denomination there is likely a leader and a structured hierarchy. So why are Christians so bothered by the Pope? Well, although most denominations have an “Article of Faith” that lists traditional beliefs for that denomination, most do not require you to put faith in their leader. In many cases the denomination makes no mention of their leadership or hierarchy. How many Baptists know who John Upton is? Maybe a few here and there, but I’m sure that most do not. While attending Pentecostal churches I never once heard the name Guneratnam. The only other denomination that requires a declaration of faith in their leadership that I’ve personally experienced was The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
When we think of Catholicism we don’t think of Jesus Christ. Like Mormonism, most people don't even consider Catholicism to be a Christian denomination. They view it as a separate religion all together. Our first thought goes to the Pope. He has become the symbol of the Roman Catholic Church. For any denomination that truly believes Jesus Christ died for our sins the focus should be on Him alone. No man should take attention away from God or His Son. Any denomination that has leadership in the foreground should be approached with caution.
Although I don’t believe leadership within each denomination is unbiblical, I do believe that that leadership should always function strictly in the background as to not take attention away from God. I also believe that all denominational leadership that believes in Christ and God should encourage one thing and one thing only, a belief in God and Christ. Most focus on the sole conversion to their particular denomination instead of spreading the Good News. If the congregation is too small, or brings in too little financially, then the preacher is at risk of being fired. Unfortunately, this results in a greater focus on money and giving financially to the church instead of focusing all of our attention on God and Christ.
Apostles were responsible for spreading the Good News and making sure that glory was given to God and not themselves. They put attention on Christ and God and nothing more. When people mentioned being followers of this person or that person, they were quick to correct and encouraged all believers in Christ to follow only Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:10-13"Nevertheless, brothers, I call on you in the name of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah to agree, all of you, in what you say, and not to let yourselves remain split into factions but be restored to having a common mind and a common purpose. For some of Chloe’s people have made it known to me, my brothers, that there are quarrels among you. I say this because one of you says, “I follow Sha’ul”; another says, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Kefa”; while still another says, “I follow the Messiah!” Has the Messiah been split in pieces? Was it Sha’ul who was put to death on a stake for you? Were you immersed into the name of Sha’ul?"
Most Catholics do not consider themselves followers of the Pope; however, they view the Pope as someone who acts as a mediator with Christ. Many Roman Catholics will even pray to the Pope or saints. They view his teachings as being divine in nature no matter how unbiblical they may be.
1 Timothy 2:4-7"He wants all humanity to be delivered and come to full knowledge of the truth. For God is one; and there is but one Mediator between God and humanity, Yeshua the Messiah, himself human, who gave himself as a ransom on behalf of all, thus providing testimony to God’s purpose at just the right time. This is why I myself was appointed a proclaimer, even an emissary — I am telling the truth, not lying! — a trustworthy and truthful teacher of the Goyim."
If we are told that there is one mediator, Jesus, between man and God why, then, do so many people follow others that claim to be such mediators? Why do so many people put their faith into men that claim they can influence God's decision if only you pray to them? They claim that prayer is a means of communication and not an act of worship, but they make requests to the Pope, Saints, and dead loved ones. If you are making requests to someone or something, then you are showing that you believe they have the power to change your circumstances. Only God and Christ have the power to answer prayers.
Comments
Post a Comment