Catholic Reality Check - Your attention, please?

Question

Every once in a while I need to throw a few facts into the mix to thin out the all misinformation that clogs up Y/A.

Several times I have read people's posts which basically say: Christians follow Jesus and Catholics follow the pope. This is so outlandishly stupid that I'm tempted to not address it. But, I will.
Let me put it simply: Christians, if you could somehow go back in a time machine and meet the apostle Peter, how would you react? Would you listen to him? Would you respect the fact that he was given his apostleship by Christ himself? Can you deny that you would be at least a little excited to met this Simon Bar Jonah who Jesus renamed Peter?
Well, that's how we feel about the pope. We believe he is Peter's successor. (Here is a list: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12272b.htm )
Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, the Son of the Living God. The pope is a man. But, the pope occupies an office we feel was established by Christ himself (Matt: 16: 17-19) and we respect that

Does anybody out there understand this?
Does anybody NOT understand this?

(More information can be found at http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12260a.htm )

Comments?
(Please spare me the "Chick Tracts")

To " evolvedk..." You mean popes are sinners too? You don't say! Of course there have been bad popes. What's your point?

To "Gods child " : Here is your info on Papal Infallibility: http://www.catholic.com/library/Papal_Infallibility.asp

Answer 1

Of course Catholics follow Jesus. We take our faith from the Master, not from the disciple.

But what a disciple. Peter stood out among the disciples for faith, insight, and leadership.

On meeting Simon, "Jesus looked at him, and said, ‘So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas (which means Peter)’" (John 1:42). The word Cephas, in Aramaic Kepha, means Rock. Jesus saw Peter as a solid man, a man of convictions who could act on faith.

At Caesarea Philippi, Peter made the first profession of faith in Jesus: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt. 16:16). Jesus told him that this was a revelation, not just something Peter imagined, and he promised that the Church would be founded, in some way, on Peter (Matt. 16:18).

Jesus gave Peter an important assignment that was later shared with all the apostles: "Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matt. 16:19). Here Peter was singled out for the authority to forgive sins and make disciplinary rules. Later the apostles as a whole would be given similar power (Matt.18:18).

Jesus promised something else to Peter alone: "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 16:19). In ancient times, keys were the hallmark of authority. The city to which Peter was given the keys was the heavenly city itself.

Immediately before predicting Peter's denials, Jesus told him, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again [after the denials], strengthen your brethren" (Luke 22:31-32). Christ prayed specifically for Peter, that his faith that would not fail, and that Peter would be a guide for the others.

After his resurrection, Jesus spoke privately with Peter and asked him three times, "Do you love me?" (John 21:15-17). When Peter gave a threefold affirmation of love, Jesus gave Peter the authority he earlier had promised: "Feed my sheep" (John 21:17). This specifically included the other apostles, since Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me more than these?" (John 21:15), the word "these" referring to the other apostles who were present (John 21:2).

Anyone else getting the picture of Peter's special friendship with Jesus and his authority as leader of the Church?

Cheers,
Bruce

Answer 2

When the Pope speaks ex cathedra he is speaking in the seat of Peter. He is infallible simply because He is given divine assistance to speak the truth promised by Jesus Christ Himself. The Pope is not infallible when exercising his political authority, if does so. History in the last 2000 years has borne both out. Compared to the frivolous arrogant self-serving games of Martin Luther and other "reformers" with the Lord's word (example removing "works" in some places and leaving it in others) in scripture, the Pope is under pain from Christ himself to speak the truth about God and Jesus Christ. He knows this all too well. The history of Arius and Pope Vigilius (who died for the true doctrine after attempting to take over Pope Silverius's seat by force) who sought to usurp the seat of Peter is all too well known.

To put it in perspective. Peter was a sinner. So is the Pope. But speaking in the authority of Peter is infallible, by the decree of Jesus Christ Himself. Never will the gates of hell prevail against the voice of this human authority declaring Jesus Christ to humankind, the vicar of Christ on earth.

In fact my own understanding of judgement is that it will come when this human authority is sought to be wiped out or replaced by those who are Satan's cronies in the end-times. It will coincide in the awakening of the Jews to their Messiah. Then will Jesus come.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

Next you will have to explain how the Holy Spirit protects the Pope from error in regard to faith and morals. God bless and keep up the good work in evangelizing

Answer 5

I do understand this.
So basically there is nothing wrong with being Catholic.I am Christain and I can see how we are simular yet there is a difference which makes us sort of different (in a way) religons.

Answer 6

Amazing that such a simple concept to understand can be so easily mis-understood.

So much mis-information, so little time.

I wonder if those that knowingly spread lies about us ever stop and think about "Thou shall not bear false wittiness"?

Peace and God Bless!

Answer 7

LOL! I saw this question and just had to say AMEN! You're dead on target but it was those little perks of humor that got me laughing. Thanks!

Answer 8

if the christians and the catholics beieve in the same thing, then why are they always fighting?

Answer 9

If i went back in time, I would be listening to Paul. Peter never preached to the Gentiles.

I don't have to repect the Pope, God is no repector of persons. We are not to put on man higher then everyone else. Only God.

Answer 10

Can you explain the appalling behavior of so many of the popes, including, but not limited too, incest, patricide, infanticide, and attempted genocide? Are the Popes all better now?

I just find it incredible that such an historically corrupt office could still be so highly regarded. To me it has no credibility left.

Atheist.