Christians or Anti-christians?

Question

In the second half of the first century, following Peter the apostle, Linus the Bishop of Rome established the doctrine of Apostolic Succession whereby the authority granted by Jesus to his apostles at the Pentacost to teach in his name was believed to be passed on from the original apostles to their disciples, in turn.

Now, given that the only Christian denominations that can truly trace their history back to the apostolic period are the Roman Catholics and the Eastern Orthodox, by what authority do evangelical ministers claim the right to interpret Christian scripture?

Furthermore, if these denominations are truly lacking in authority to proclaim scripture, why should they not be considered apostates, heretics and false prophets?

And if they are thus, arent they (and their followers) going to hell?

"Jesus never existed, point to a single source of his existence other than the Bible and maybe your question will have meaning. "

Independant sources that confirm Jesus existance: Flavius Josephus' Testimonium Flavianum. Jospehus was a historian for the pagan emperor of Rome. He was not a Christian and actually supported the persecution of Christians...he had no agenda and he still acknowledged Y'Shua ben Yusef who was crucified by the Roman Governor of Judea Pontius Pilate.

i mentioned Linus because he was the person that PETER chose to succeed him...so are you guys saying that you dont trust Peter either?

The Catholics and Orthodox ere the people who decided what books were going to make up the new testement. How can you accept the book but deny the editorial voice behind it?

Answer 1

I just love the Catholic bashers. You guys are great. Did you know that there are more Catholics world-wide that all other Christian denominations put together; or that the Catholic church does more work and gives more money to the poor, homeless, orphaned, dying, homeless, etc than all other Protestant churches combined or, I love this one, the very Bible, the Word of God that you throw around so much and claim to believe in and quote (usually out of context) wouldn't even be around if it weren't for the...do I dare say it...yes, I will...Catholics.

God bless you all and have a great life ;o)

Answer 2

First of all, if you want to claim all that authority, take accountability for what they did that caused Martin Luther to separate from them. The Catholics were fighting to keep the bible in a dead language, and even did masses in Latin until the 1960's. Why did they not want the word available in every language? They were a political force with religion as a front. Pope's sons were generals, some committed incest with their own children and many abominations were committed by the Vicars of Christ. They granted annulments of the marriages of kings for political reasons, and sell them to this day no matter how many children are born to the couple.That said, if Protestants can move on, you should follow their lead. I only have to trace my linage back to the day I became a daughter of the Living God. Catholics may well be the largest denomination, but it sure makes one wonder how they plan on getting through that narrow gate. There is a wide road, though, and perhaps many would do well do read were it leads.

Answer 3

I can understand why they're offended by things that are anti-Christian. Anti is a negative, so it's reflecting on them in a specifically negative way. But the non-Christian stuff they find offensive because they're right and everyone else is wrong, and whenever they speak they're just trying to prove that they're right, but when people say something that has nothing to do with Christianity or is against Christianity then they feel persecuted. Like modern Christians in the Western world have any idea what persecution is. )O(

Answer 4

I'm pretty sure they were considered apostates, heretics and false prophets by the Catholic church. Remember the Spanish Inquisition. The fact is that the bible instructs us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. To drink from our own cisterns. The Catholic church lost power with the translation of the bible into the language of the common man and I firmly believe that was God's doing.

edit: How?...shall we return to the days of Luther where you could buy forgiveness for sins in advance. My friend, the leadership became corrupt and because of that God allowed the common man access to the bible apart from the church and the rest is history.

Answer 5

I don't understand how it is that those who are doing what Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19 &20 could be the ones who are in the wrong. I don't see Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox people out there preaching and making disciples!

Answer 6

I am not a theologian, but my understanding is, doctrines like for example Roman Catholic, became so far removed from Jesus' original teachings, with so many man made concepts and rules added for the continued power and control of the church hierachy, that protestant denominations arose, by people trying to brings Christianity back to the original teachings of the Bible and Jesus.
Jesus also commanded us to go into all the world and preach the gospel, and He gave all of us the responsibilty to let people know of God's love and His gift of love to them through Jesus.
The pomp and ceremony and ostentacious wealth and granduer shown by roman church heirachy is - I think - an insult to God. Its certainly not how Jesus presented Himself to man, and its not how His apostles specially Peter (Jesus never called him a pope or set him up in a palace) portrayed themselves.

This is why I dislike so much the word religion. So much stuff is lumped under that heading.

Christianity is simply striving ones best to live life as Jesus taught, to serve, with love and caring for fellow man, treating others with respect and concern, and loving Jesus and accepting his sacrifice as a wonderful gift.

Religion involved in wars, hatred, discrimination etc is - to me - NOT Christianity......or any other religion, it is of the Devil...

Answer 7

I just want to comment on the first part of your statements. Linus the Bishop of Rome may have established that doctrine of Apostolic Succession but God did not. That is not a Biblical principal. So tell me about this anti-christian view you have now.

Answer 8

I thought to be a "Christian" meant to follow Christ. If so then all Christian denominations can trace their history back to the apostolic period. Interesting question! Blessings.

Answer 9

Alot of churches do consider the Roman Catholic church to be apostate.

Apostate does not mean ALL the followers are going to hell. The gospel can still be found in apostate churches, just it is normally hidden by all the other stuff.

Answer 10

It's just politics and a false history that you can't prove. When the Catholics and their kind destroyed the gnostic bibles Christianity lost a lot of its history. The Catholics were just a lot of men who wanted control of the church. Its called politics, not religion. Besides its all a lot baloney anyway.