THE KEYS |
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ROME SAYSDOGMATIC CONSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH-LUMEN GENTIUM (Vatican Council II) CHAPTER I-THE MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH This is the one Church of Christ which in the Creed is professed as one, holy, catholic and apostolic which our Saviour, after His Resurrection, commissioned Peter to shepherd (John 21:17), and him and the other apostles to extend and direct with authority (Matt. 28:18), which He erected for all ages as “the pillar and mainstay of the truth (I Tim. 3:15). This Church constituted and organized in the world as a society, subsists in the Catholic Church, which is governed by the successor of Peter and by the Bishops in communion with him (Matt. 16:18-19), although many elements of sanctification and of truth are found outside of its visible structure. These elements, as gifts belonging to the Church of Christ, are forces impelling toward catholic unity.
The fundamental teaching of the Roman Catholic Church is that Peter is the foundation of the church and that Peter was given the keys to the church (Matthew 16:18-19). Peter as “the supreme head of the church” was the first pope and passed this headship on to his successors by means of apostolic succession. Isaiah 22:20-25 is further proof of this Papal authority. Furthermore, the Catholic Church teaches that the keys given to Peter were the keys to the Church; thus giving him and his successors absolute authority over all affairs of the Church. Peter was the foundation of the Church and the first pope. Peter and his successors through apostolic succession are granted special power by Christ and are therefore literally “Christ’s representative on earth.” That the pope is referred to as the “Vicar of Christ” is indicative of the previous statement. |
THE BIBLE SAYSThe Bible makes it quite clear that Peter not only was not the first pope, but also that he had no special powers that were not also given to the other apostles. Jesus Christ is the head of the church and there is ample proof of this in the Scriptures. For instance we read the following in Colossians 1:15-18. “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” Furthermore, we clearly see this amplified in Ephesians 1:22. “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church.” Then again we see in Ephesians 6:23-24. “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their husbands in every thing.” Peter certainly was not head of the first church and neither were any of the popes. The pope has falsely usurped this authority that does not belong to him; rather to Christ alone. It is interesting that the Catholic church attempts to use John 21:17 to prove that Peter was commissioned to be the first pope. When that verse is examined in light of its context as found in verses 15 to 17, we find out that Jesus is actually rebuking Peter for his lack of love for Him. Beginning in verse 15, Jesus asks Peter if he loves (agape) him. Peter answers that he has an affection (philio) for him. In verse 16, Jesus once again asks Peter is he has a real love (agape) for Him. Again Peter answers that he has an affection (philio) for Him. Finally in verse 17, Jesus changes the verb from (agape) to (philio) and asks if Peter really has even an affection for him. Note that Peter is now grieved because Jesus has actually questioned if Peter even has an affection for him. Peter answers Jesus that yes, he has an affection for Him. These verses certainly do not even begin to prove that Jesus was commissioning Peter to be the first pope. It is also worthy of note that in Matthew 28:18-20, the “great commission” is given to all the apostles and not just to Peter. The church of the living God which is the pillar and ground of the truth as mentioned in I Timothy 3:15 in no way is directed to the Roman Catholic church. The church consists of all believers who have experienced true Biblical salvation by grace through faith alone and certainly is not limited to the Roman Catholic church alone. To even assert this is a grave error and among other tings makes the Catholic church guilty of preaching and teaching another gospel (Galatians 1:8-9). For a thorough discussion of Matthew 16:18, look at the link to PETER on the home page of this website. Isaiah 22:20-25 has absolutely nothing to do with papal authority. Let’s examine verse 22. “And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder: so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.” Who is actually being spoken of in this verse? Let’s look at a couple of passages in the book of Revelation for our answer. In Revelation 1:18 we see the following, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and death.” This verse clearly tells us the Jesus Christ has the keys. Furthermore, Revelation 3:6-7 utterly destroys the Catholic interpretation of Isaiah 22:22. “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is true, he that hath the keys of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;” As clearly stated above in Ephesians 6:22-23, Christ is the head of the church and certainly not the pope. According to Revelation 1:18, Christ has the keys of hell and death and not the pope. Revelation 3:6-7 utterly destroys the Catholic teaching that the pope has the keys of David. It is evident that the Holy Spirit has the keys of David today and not the pope. Isaiah’s prophecy is actually about Him who now maintains the church on earth in place of Christ. the Holy Spirit is the sealer of souls for all eternity. One final thought. Going back to the passage in Isaiah 22, notice that Eliakim had the keys before David had them. What were these keys? These keys were to the house of David. that is the physical, literal, earthly, Jewish, visible kingdom headed up by God’s choice. He had the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Elikim’s keys had absolutely nothing to do with the church and he had the same keys that Peter had. For a further explanation on the binding and loosing aspect, view the link to CONFESSION on the homepage of this website. |
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