I'm Catholic, this is my opinion. Many Christians want "direct" communication with the Spirit/God only. Jesus acted as a "bridge" btwn. God and Man. He was of "flesh" too and he was a rabbi(priest). the role of priests is to CONTINUE to provide through visual human acts how to live and love God just as Jesus did. yet, remember they are people so they aren't perfect. wut do u think>?
2006-06-22 16:18:37 · 17 answers · asked by esero26 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Of coarse Jesus meant to have a Pope, (Matthew 16:18-19) and bishops. Jesus knew he was going to heaven and could no longer be on Earth. That is why he gave the world apostles, to teach in the name of Jesus.(Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus believed there needed to be authority through the Apostles to define truth. Without this, there is chaos and everyone wants to be their own Pope. Look at the 40,000 denominations.
2006-06-22 17:25:19 · answer #1 · answered by enigma21 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello,
First of all, Rabbi does not mean "Priest", it means teacher. Christ was never a priest on earth. The book of Hebrews refers to Christ as our High Priest in heaven who continually makes intercession for us.
I am an ex Catholic and left the church for many reasons. If you want to know some reason for leaving the church just contact me.
If the role of priests is to "continue to provide through visual human acts how to live and love God" then I would say they are doing a terrible job. You read more terrible stories about what so many of them have done and are still doing. Yes, they are human and capable of sin but they (more than anyone else) should show some self control.
The Scripture clearly states that there is only one mediator between God and Man. That is, Jesus Christ. Not Mary, the Saints or anyone else. Do not rely on a priest, Bishop or anyone else to get you to heaven. You have to take responsibility for your own soul and the souls of your family if you are married. Please read and study the Scripture.
2006-06-22 18:21:22 · answer #2 · answered by J-Artist 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When Jesus knew he was to be crucified he told the disciples he would send another to come along side them, a teacher, a guide. That is the Holy Spirit. Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The spirit-man and the God-Spirit can communicate and the Holy Spirit is actually the conduit. There is no longer a need for a person to act as a go-between. Christians can come before the throne of God in prayer at any time they want. Jesus said to ask anything in his name and God would hear and answer. So the Christian asks in the name of Jesus by the Holy Spirit directly to God.
2006-06-22 16:34:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. No man was ever appointed to sit in the place of God on earth as the Pope does. ---blasphemy
2. Priest can not forgive--blasphemy
3. Saints mediate between man and Jesus---no way, no scriptural support.
4. Penance for forgiveness---- works, it won't help
Jesus is our High Priest and He is able to forgive our sins.
Jesus is the only mediator that we have, no one else has ever been appointed by Him.
For those who don't have a Greek lexicon, Peter is only a pebble, but Christ built His church on a mass of rock or a cliff.
Peter the first Pope? and then he denied His Lord. Peter as the first pope is fiction.
2006-06-22 16:32:33 · answer #4 · answered by Marty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a Catholic, I would say yes. The Catholic church is the only one started by Christ himself. Before he died, he appointed Peter as the next leader of his ministry. This has continued on through the centuries to Benedict XVI. Obviously, priests aren't perfect as has been shown many times. 99.9% try to live their lives as Christ would want them to and provide excellent examples to the rest of us. Priests continue to be the link between man and God, so I think they are necessary and needed.
2006-06-22 16:30:14 · answer #5 · answered by Fhloston Paradise 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not. Christ is our High Priest, and our mediator between us and the Father. In the Bible we are given a list of people in authority in the Church. - Apostles, prophets, evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. The apostles are replaced by their writings, the Bible
Prophets those committed to truth
Evangelists, those proclaiming the gospel,
Pastors, shepherds of the sheep.
Teachers - those who give understanding of the truth.
Where are the Pope and the Priests in this list. They did not come out of the Bible, but out of Catholic tradition.
Follow the Bible
2006-06-22 16:27:09 · answer #6 · answered by oldguy63 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have one mediator between us and God and thats Jesus. We do not need priests or popes or pastors for us to communicate with God. Though sometimes it is good to have someone to agree in prayer with you about something but it is not nessisary.
2006-06-22 16:23:49 · answer #7 · answered by impossble_dream 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus didn't. As a matter of fact he said he that wants to became great must humble himself to be the least.
There is no scriptural support for a Christian Clergyclass.
It was adopted from the pagans.
2006-06-22 16:22:20 · answer #8 · answered by Tim 47 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you read or have read the entire bible, you already know that you can speak directly to God with out any help from anyone else in this world. It also says that when two or more gather and pray they will be heard.
2006-06-22 16:23:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus said,"I am the way the truth and the life no man come to the father but by me."
2006-06-22 16:26:51 · answer #10 · answered by robert p 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋