Do Catholic's consider the Pope the Earthly Christ?

Question

If not, what is the purpose of a Pope? If Jesus died on the Cross for our sins, now we don't need a "In between". Doesn't Hebrews 10:19 claim that, "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus?" It doesn't say through the Pope. And isn't Jesus the only one who can forgive sins? Not the Priests, or Biships, or Cardnials, or the Pope? Just asking. :)

Answer 1

The term "vicar" comes from the Latin word vicarius, which means "instead of." In the Catholic Church, the vicar is the representative of a higher ranking official, with all of the same authority and power that that official has. In calling the Pope the "Vicar of Christ," this implies that he has the same power and authority that Christ had over the Church. The title is derived from Jesus' words in John 21:16-17 to Peter, "Feed my lambs . . . Take care of my sheep." This, according to Catholic reasoning, defines Peter as the Prince of the Apostles, the first Pope, and fulfills the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:18-19 (calling Peter the rock upon which Jesus will build His church).

For a better understanding of whether or not it is biblical to consider that a mere man is the representative of Christ, we turn to the pages of Scripture to find out what it says about Jesus' role in our lives, when He walked the earth and what He continues to do right now. The letter to the Hebrews draws the comparison between Jesus and the high priest Melchizedek (Genesis chapter 14), and contrasts this with the old Levitical priesthood. The question posed is, if perfection could be obtained by following the law, why was another priest to come (Hebrews 7:11)?

The writer says, “For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of power of an indestructible life. For it is declared ‘You are a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.’ The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God” (Hebrews 7:14-19).

This makes Jesus superior to the priests, and most importantly, the high priests. This is the key text: “Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:23-25).

This means that Jesus is our high priest forever. Since He is "holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, [and] exalted above the heavens" (Hebrews 7:26), He is unlike other priests in that He "does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once and for all when He offered Himself" (Hebrews 7:27). Men are appointed by the Law, and men are weak. But the Son was appointed by the New Covenant, and He has been made perfect forever (Hebrews 7:28). The ministry of Jesus is superior to the old, and it is founded on better promises (Hebrews 8:6).

The Bible says of Jesus that there is no other name by which men can be saved (Acts 4:12). There is only one mediator between God and men, and that is Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). We can now see that there is no Biblical foundation for claiming to be a representative of Christ on earth. No man could do what Christ has done, or what Christ is now doing on behalf of humankind. But the title of vicar also carries with it another implication: the bearer has the same jurisdictional power of the official he represents. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus Christ is the one who says He will build His church, He never delegates this power. By claiming the title of Vicar of Christ, the reigning pope is, in fact, promising to do what Christ promised.

Jesus does indeed predict a “vicar” in the sense of a “replacement” for His physical presence here on earth. However, this “vicar of Christ” is not a priest, high priest, bishop, or pope. The only Biblical “vicar of Christ” is the Holy Spirit. John 14:26 declares, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:16-18 proclaims, “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” The Holy Spirit is Christ’s “replacement” on the earth. The Holy Spirit is our Counselor, Teacher (John 14:26), and guide into all truth (John 16:13).

In claiming that the pope is the “vicar of Christ,” the Catholic church rejects the sufficiency and supremacy of Christ’s priesthood, and grants to the pope roles that Christ Himself declared would belong to the Holy Spirit. It is therefore blasphemy to ascribe to the Pope the title of “vicar of Christ.”

Recommended Resource: The Gospel According to Rome: Comparing Catholic Tradition and The Word of God by James McCarthy.

Answer 2

No, Catholics do NOT believe that the Pope is the earthly Christ. He is the servant of Christ. And so are we, but he's responsible for more souls than we are.

The purpose of the Pope is that people get lost without a shepherd. Read some of the Old Testament and you'll see.

The Pope is not an "in between." All Catholics seek Salvation in Christ alone. The Pope helps us along in our spiritual journey through his teaching and his prayers, but he's no savior.

We don't try to enter into the Holiest through the Pope.

Jesus is the only One who can save us from our sins, but He Himself commissioned His apostles to be able to tell people that their sins were forgiven by His Precious Blood.

John 20:22-24
"And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

It's in the Bible, dude. Jesus spoke the words Himself. If you don't like the fact that He made it possible for mere men to act as His agents and let people know they are forgiven by His Blood, take it up with Jesus.

Answer 3

Short answer

No the Pope is not the Earthly Christ. He is just the Head Pastor of 1 billion Catholics.

We believe that he is the successor of the Apostles and does everything the original Apostles did except he does not give new revelations from God.

He can sin and he does make mistakes and the only time he is infalliable is when he makes an authoritative declaration on faith and morals and says it is binding on the whole Chirch.

He usually only does this to clarify an issue of morals or Dogma which is being challenged.Look I am going to be blunt. Your question on the Pope is not going to be answered with a little blurb on Yahoo Answers and the people here who are not Catholic don't really know what they are talking about when it come to MY RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.
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You wanna know what Catholics actually believe about the Pope and not what other people think we believe I suggest you go to Catholic sites and let them explain it to you.

Here are a few links.

Biblical support:
The Primacy of Peter.
http://scripturecatholic.com/primacy_of_peter.html

Apostolic Authority and it being passed down
http://scripturecatholic.com/apostolic_succession.html

http://catholic.com/library/church_papacy.asp

Catholic Encyclepdia
www.newadvent.com

These are some starter places.

Answer 4

The pope used to be the head of a powerful governmental force. His function was similar to the role of king in a monarchy, before the beginning of democracy and the concept of self-governance.

Today the pope is conceived of as more of a spiritual leader than anything else. Not that I see a reason for one, especially when people can come to spiritual conclusions on their own, and the pope's doctrine is often sexist and unconscionable (no female priests and no birth control or condoms for aids).

Then again, if that's how someone wants to direct their life or religion, then they're free to do so. It's just not for me.

p.s i'm catholic.

Answer 5

If you read (and understood) your Bible, the purpose of the pope would be obvious. Jesus personally appointed the first pope (even though the term "pope" came later). He told the Apostle Simon (1) that Simon would be the Rock upon whom Christ would build His Church; (2) that Simon would exercise full authority over Christ's Church, symbolized by the keys to the kingdom that were given to Simon alone; and that Simon would teach infallibly, so that whatsoever he defines as binding teaching upon earth is also seen as binding teaching in heaven, that is, by God. These are the gifts Christ gave to His Church in the person of Simon the Apostle, and his successors throughout time. It works! Note that His Church, the Catholic Church, has taught in authority and unity for 2,000 years, and today remains united in belief, united in teaching and united in worship throughout the world, just as Christ intended ("that they all may be ONE"). Note also that manmade "Christianity", having no real authority at all, has fragmented into thousands of conflicting, contradicting denominations in just a few hundred years, in open violation of the stated will of God. You just can't beat God's plan.

Answer 6

The Pope isn't Christ. We Catholics aren't taught that he is Christ on earth. He is simply the Keeper of the key to the Kingdom. Apostolic succession - Peter was given the key to the Kingdom to watch over until Christ's return - the Pope is the successor of Peter thus he holds the Key to the Kingdom.

And concerning the forgiveness of Sins:
"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Cor. 5:18)

Answer 7

NO! The Pope is not considered "the earthly Christ."

There is only one Son of God. We adore and worship Him alone, in His fullness in the Trinity.

The Pope is the Vicar of Christ, one who administers the day-to-day needs of Christ's people.

And yes, God alone pardons our sins. When we confess, as directed by Christ, we confess to him. The priest acts in accordance with the command "whatever you loose on earth is loosed in heaven, whatever you hold bound is held bound." Again, the priest is the representative of Christ to His people, not His replacement.

Answer 8

The pope is supposed to be Christ's representative on earth and the Catholic Church takes his words and decisions as divine guidance from God. The only church to follow him is the Catholic Church as far as I know.

Protestants believe that there is only one Mediator between God and man and that is Jesus Christ. I pray to God, in the name of Jesus through the Holy Spirit. I confess to no man, but to God and trust that I am forgiven as promised.

Most Catholic heirarchy give absolution and forgive sins in the name of Jesus, but I believe that only God, through Jesus, can truly forgive sin.

Answer 9

First off, no - the Pope is not the "Earthly Christ" anymore than you and I are. We're ALL called to be Christlike.

Secondly, the Church is like a boat - and a boat needs a rudder. ONE rudder - not millions of rudders claiming to be individually led by the Holy Ghost. To have more than one rudder would make the boat impossible to steer.

Scott<<<

Answer 10

ummm NO!!!!

by going to the priest or pope to confess our sins we are recognizing our sins and showing that we understand what we did was wrong!

the pope isnt the "in between" he is preaching the word of the lord. without them we wouldnt know about God.