| Introduction | | | | but for the knowledge they contain. In fact, this |
| I am going to try to make the case that the | | | | additional knowledge of the early church has to be |
| church that Jesus established was given the | | | | more reliable than speculation made 1500 years |
| authority to make decisions concerning doctrine to | | | | later. |
| such a degree that the decisions thus made | | | | Jesus renamed Simon to his more common name |
| became "law" in heaven as well as on earth. | | | | Peter which actually means "rock" or "stone". |
| The Private Interpretation that the title of this | | | | "When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea |
| article refers to is the Reformation concept that | | | | Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do |
| every Christian has the opportunity and thus | | | | men say that I the Son of man am? And they |
| responsibility to decide for himself/herself just | | | | said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: |
| what Scripture means. This may also be called | | | | some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the |
| "private judgement". | | | | prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye |
| We will discuss this in the light of Scripture. We will | | | | that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, |
| also bring out what the early church believed and | | | | Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. |
| how that relates to us here and now. We will also | | | | And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed |
| discuss the authority of Church including: | | | | art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath |
| - Infallibility of Pope | | | | not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is |
| - Line of Popes | | | | in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art |
| - Preeminence of Peter/Rome | | | | Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; |
| - Public/Private Revelation | | | | and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. |
| - Body of Knowledge | | | | And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom |
| - Private Interpretation | | | | of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on |
| St. Paul said: | | | | earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever |
| "Let every man be fully persuaded in his own | | | | thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in |
| mind." [Rom. 14:5b] | | | | heaven." [Matthew 16:13-19] (Emphasis added.) |
| Paul preached in Berea where the people | | | | There is some special place given to Peter. This |
| "received the word with all readiness of mind, and | | | | may have been challenged 1500 years later but it |
| searched the Scriptures daily, whether those | | | | was acknowledged by the early church when we |
| things were so." [Acts 17:10] | | | | look at the writing of the first few hundred years. |
| St. Peter said: | | | | Yes the Eastern Catholic Church broke of in about |
| "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the | | | | 1,000 but they have maintained very similar |
| Scripture is of any private interpretation." [2 Peter | | | | except for the acknowledgment of the pope. |
| 1:20] | | | | They, in fact, had no strong leadership during the |
| There appears to be more than one meaning to | | | | following 1,000 years. The Roman Catholic Church |
| the term "private interpretation". Peter seems to | | | | brought Christianity to the Americas along with all |
| be talking about using Scripture in a way not | | | | of Europe. They actively heeded Jesus' command |
| intended by God. I am not going to try to explain | | | | to "go". |
| this verse away but just let it sit there to "keep | | | | The leaders of the Reformation came out of the |
| us honest". | | | | Roman Catholic Church. They did not come out of |
| My reading of that verse is that there is one | | | | "heathenism" nor out of "paganism". They did not |
| interpretation for each Scripture. Verses are not | | | | get "saved" after they left the Roman Catholic |
| subject to our private needs nor the needs of | | | | Church. Perhaps the Roman Catholic Church was |
| any one special interest group. While there may | | | | somewhat "corrupt" at the time of the |
| be multiple applications, there is only one | | | | Reformation but it was "right" enough to produce |
| interpretation. | | | | the Christians who did leave. |
| A good friend of mine was a Roman Catholic all | | | | I now understand that there were "reformers" |
| his life up to just a few years ago. While he | | | | who never left the Roman Catholic Church both |
| cannot possibly speak for the Catholic Church, he | | | | before the Reformation and after. I cannot tell |
| certainly is typical of the product of the teaching | | | | you much about them because my 40 years plus |
| of the Catholic Church. He was kind enough to | | | | of Christian learning was totally void of any |
| respond to the first Article in writing explaining his | | | | positive aspects of the Roman Catholic Church. |
| conversion from Catholicism to Protestantism. In | | | | Apparently even some popes were reformers |
| part, he says: | | | | who fixed "mistakes" and or "corruptions" of |
| "...not really knowing what His bible even said | | | | previous popes. |
| because I never opened it like most good | | | | Public/Private Revelation |
| Catholics. I always had the impression from | | | | I would submit to you the two types of |
| church the Holy Scriptures were for the Priests to | | | | revelation defined by the CCC. The first is |
| read and interpret for us." [Comments on first | | | | "private revelation" which is illustrated by these |
| Article] | | | | three examples: |
| He is very intelligent and a successful | | | | "And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, |
| businessman. He obviously honestly believed what | | | | saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the |
| he wrote because, while he attended his church | | | | way that goes down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, |
| quite regularly, I am confident that he never | | | | which is desert. And he arose and went: and, |
| heard any teaching that he was suppose to read | | | | behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great |
| the Bible on his own. | | | | authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, |
| He was never taught that the Catechism of the | | | | who had the charge of all her treasure, and had |
| Catholic Church (CCC) is very clear on its teaching | | | | come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, |
| concerning the individual lay person's responsibility | | | | and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. |
| concerning Scripture: | | | | Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join |
| "133 The Church 'forcefully and specifically exhorts | | | | thyself to this chariot." [Acts 8:26-28] |
| all the Christian faithful... to learn 'the surpassing | | | | "And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, |
| knowledge of Jesus Christ', by frequent reading of | | | | named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a |
| the divine Scriptures. 'Ignorance of the Scriptures | | | | vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, |
| is ignorance of Christ.[112]'" (The 133 refers to the | | | | Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go |
| number of the item in the CCC while the [112] | | | | into the street which is called Straight, and enquire |
| refers to footnotes for that section. If you want | | | | in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of |
| to know the footnotes, you need to refer to | | | | Tarsus: for, behold, he prays, And hath seen in a |
| your copy of the CCC.) | | | | vision a man named Ananias coming in, and |
| The Roman Catholic Church promotes the | | | | putting his hand on him, that he might receive his |
| layman's reading of the Bible in its official | | | | sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard |
| documents but apparently has had difficulties | | | | by many of this man, how much evil he hath |
| getting that message out to the laymen as | | | | done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath |
| evidenced with my friend's comments. | | | | authority from the chief priests to bind all that call |
| Pastor B-- asks: | | | | on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy |
| "Was the right to READ the Scriptures revoked in | | | | way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear |
| 1229 by The Council of Valencia? It was placed on | | | | my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the |
| the list of forbidden books on that occasion. | | | | children of Israel: For I will shew him how great |
| Sounds to me like they were forbidden to read | | | | things he must suffer for my name's sake." [Acts |
| the Bible as well as not interpret it." [Comments | | | | 9:10-16] |
| made on draft articles] | | | | The first two examples are with Philip, one of |
| Both Pastor B--, who has only been a Protestant, | | | | those selected for that first "holy order" of |
| and my friend, who has only been a Catholic (until | | | | "serving tables". The first is a revelation made by |
| his conversion), seem to be in agreement that | | | | an angel directing to take a specific journey. Few |
| the Roman Catholic Church does not promote the | | | | of us ever get that type of revelation but Joseph |
| reading of the Bible by laymen. | | | | got a number of them concerning the birth of |
| The only two documents that I am referencing in | | | | Jesus. |
| these Articles are the Holy Bible for absolute | | | | The second example is the Holy Spirit prompting |
| authority and the Catechism of the Catholic | | | | Philip to take some specific action right then and |
| Church for what the Roman Catholic Church | | | | there. This type happens even now quite often in |
| officially teaches. | | | | the form of an "inner witness". Sometimes it is |
| I suggest that the problem concerning Catholics | | | | quite clear while other times it is just an |
| and Scripture comes from the meaning of the | | | | impression. |
| concept of Scripture interpretation. The Roman | | | | The third example is with a lay person. He gets a |
| Catholic Church has maintained its right and | | | | vision of the Lord who has an extensive |
| obligation to interpret Scripture from well before | | | | conversation with him. This is also rare. |
| the 1500's. Unfortunately, this has yielded the | | | | All three of these examples are "private |
| misconception that only officials of the church | | | | revelations" as they direct or discuss something |
| have the authority to even read the Scripture. | | | | of local events. This is contrasted with "public |
| Not only have Protestants held this view but also | | | | revelation" which would establish doctrine for the |
| the average Catholic layman. | | | | entire church body. It is the contention of the |
| The Scripture is quite clear on most issues and | | | | Roman Catholic Church that "public revelations" |
| that clear understanding is and has always been | | | | ceased with the death of the last Apostle. The |
| the Roman Catholic Church's official position on | | | | last "public revelation" is the Book of Revelation |
| those issues. In fact, the example of Acts 15 | | | | written by the Apostle John. |
| gives us the procedure of deciding on issues. The | | | | Body of Knowledge |
| first part of that procedure is that the individual | | | | What is now in the Catechism of the Catholic |
| Christian has full right and obligation to "Go ye into | | | | Church is the sum total of the teaching of both |
| all the world, and preach the gospel to every | | | | the Old and New Testaments along with the |
| creature." [Mark 16:15] Notice that the results of | | | | findings of all of the Church Councils through |
| the Acts 15 affair did not include any prohibition | | | | today. Granted that there may be other |
| on the proclaiming by anybody. Acts 15 dealt only | | | | information than that in the CCC. But my reading |
| with the actual dispute and the ruling only settled | | | | of that document finds nothing that contradicts |
| an issue that was not clearly understood. | | | | Scripture. |
| In a communication with Pastor B--, he states in | | | | Protestants have no such document. Yes, there |
| part: | | | | are various Catechisms which are mainly used for |
| "It seems private interpretation is kept honest, in | | | | the teaching of children but none come close to |
| God's view, when we are in concert with the Holy | | | | the thoroughness of the Roman Catholic |
| Spirit, the author, who knows the intent with | | | | document. As an example, I have seen no |
| which He wrote it in the first place. That means | | | | Protestant document even addressing the issues |
| any genuine believer MAY (has permission to) | | | | of abortion, homosexuality, and birth control. |
| interpret the Scriptures truthfully and honestly | | | | The Catechism of the Catholic Church is organized |
| before God. Such interpretation will not conflict at | | | | as follows: |
| all with the whole counsel of God. The Holy Spirit | | | | First it affirms the authority of Scripture and |
| will safeguard His interests. Danger comes when | | | | explains the relationship to tradition. |
| unregenerates interpret Scriptures to suit their | | | | Next it goes through the historic creeds of the |
| own views. This, of course, has been repeatedly | | | | church, namely the Apostles Creed and the |
| done by many and from the broad spectrum of | | | | Nicene Creed. |
| Christendom." [Comments made by Pastor B--] | | | | Then it explains the sacraments. I, who have |
| I am in complete agreement with what Pastor B-- | | | | listened to over 40 years of Protestant preaching, |
| stated in that quotation from his comments. | | | | never even heard anything about the word |
| When we apply Pastor Brohm's comment to Acts | | | | "sacrament" and had no idea what it meant. |
| 15, we understand that those who were ruled | | | | It goes next into depth on how an individual |
| against did in fact have a perfect right to | | | | should live as a Christian. It deals with living a |
| interpret the Scriptures the way they did. Those | | | | moral life. It relates the ten commandments to |
| who disputed against them (you cannot have a | | | | practical life experience. |
| dispute unless someone takes the other side) also | | | | It finally finishes up with a detailed description of |
| had a perfect right to interpret Scripture the way | | | | prayer including a word by word analysis of the |
| they did. Neither side of the dispute was a | | | | Lord's Prayer. |
| "heresy". | | | | It is more than interesting that I prayed the |
| Both sides came to the table as equals. Neither | | | | Lord's prayer every day when I was in Public |
| was the "outsider". Both positions were presented | | | | School and less than a total of ten times in all the |
| fairly. The Church exercised its authority and now | | | | various Evangelical Protestant churches I have |
| that issue is decided both on earth and in heaven. | | | | attended over a 40 year period. Public schools |
| I personally am thankful it went the way it did | | | | now do not allow children to say the Lord's prayer |
| even though I probably would have been on the | | | | by law. The Christian school I am teaching at does |
| other side of that issue based on my present | | | | not say the Lords prayer even though it is not |
| knowledge of Scripture. Were I now to teach the | | | | prohibited by law. |
| other side of that issue I would be in heresy on | | | | "And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in |
| that issue. The right to interpret Scripture on an | | | | a certain place, when he ceased, one of his |
| issue ends when either Scripture clearly teaches | | | | disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as |
| the opposite or the Church has already decided | | | | John also taught his disciples. And he said unto |
| the issue. | | | | them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in |
| The Roman Catholic Church reads three separate | | | | heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom |
| Bible passages at each service and yet many still | | | | come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. |
| perceive that they do not promote Bible reading | | | | Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive |
| by the layman. I therefore pose this question to | | | | us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is |
| you the reader of this Article: "What more can | | | | indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; |
| the local Roman Catholic Church do to promote | | | | but deliver us from evil." [Luke 11:1-4] |
| Bible reading amongst its laymen?" | | | | I have decided to do what Jesus said when he |
| Infallibility of Pope | | | | said "say" and proceeded to give the exact |
| The Roman Catholic Church defined the "infallibility" | | | | words to say. As a Protestant, my "catechism" |
| of the pope in about 1870. The church had been | | | | was "Scripture alone" but it took me more than |
| considering the pope infallible from quite early on | | | | 40 years to figure out that when Jesus said to |
| but the matter of the earth being the center of | | | | say that particular prayer he actually meant for |
| the Universe caused confusion on the issue. | | | | me to say it. |
| Protestants have a hard time about infallibility | | | | Conclusion |
| because of the "all have sinned" Scripture is taken | | | | I would like to make a suggestion to Protestants |
| to mean that even "born again" "spirit filled" | | | | to do what I did, get a copy of the Catechism of |
| Christian cannot help but sin all the time. | | | | the Catholic Church just to find out what you |
| The person the Roman Catholics hold as the first | | | | don't agree with. You can then use what you do |
| Pope was "I never knew the man" Peter. How | | | | agree with as your personal catechism, your |
| can a man that Paul needed to "reprimand" in | | | | personal summary of your own Christian "Body |
| Scripture be infallible? Well, we hold the Bible to be | | | | of Knowledge". |
| the infallible written Word of God, don't we? Didn't | | | | I would like to think that my presentation is |
| Peter write the two epistles bearing his name? | | | | un-refutable but I know that if you are anything |
| Was he not infallible while he was writing those | | | | at all like me, then you don't accept something |
| books? | | | | just because the logic is compelling. For me it |
| What the Catholic Church did was to define that, | | | | takes thought, much thought. Thought about |
| when the individual holding the bishopric originally | | | | Scripture necessarily means much prayer and |
| held by Peter is carrying out the duties of that | | | | further study. We all call on the Holy Spirit to |
| office in a very specific way, then his decisions | | | | reveal to us even those things which might |
| and or actions are protected both by the Holy | | | | appear obvious from Scripture. |
| Spirit and by the authority first given to the | | | | My goal is not to change your mind but just to |
| Apostles and then passed on to their successors. | | | | get you to study the Scripture for yourself to |
| Line of Popes | | | | see if what was presented does or does not line |
| Whether or not you think apostolic succession is | | | | up with Scripture. |
| important or not, the fact remains, the present | | | | Again I ask for your feedback. Tell me what you |
| pope can document his apostolic succession back | | | | find in your search for truth on these issues. |
| to Peter in Rome where Peter was undeniably the | | | | "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of |
| Bishop of Rome when he was martyred there. | | | | the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect |
| The bishopric of Judas was passed on in Acts 1 | | | | man, unto the measure of the stature of the |
| after Judas died at his own hand. Do you think | | | | fulness of Christ:" [Eph. 4:13] |
| Peter's bishopric should not have been passed on | | | | I believe that whatever problems existed with the |
| after he died by the hands of Satan's agent? If | | | | Roman Catholic Church at about 1500 have been |
| not, then the church died after the last Apostle | | | | rectified enough that any further break in |
| died. Then the councils that decided on the canon | | | | fellowship is not justified whether or not there |
| of Scripture and the issue of the Trinity were | | | | actually existed reasonable justification for the |
| invalid and both of those two topics are up for | | | | actual break of the 1500's. Pastor B-- comments: |
| "private judgement". No, no, no. The bishopric was | | | | "The Reformers meant to reform the RC Church |
| passed on, again, and again, more than 100 times. | | | | and ended up as separatists precisely because |
| Luther and Calvin, who broke off from the | | | | their views were inconsonant with the Hierarchical |
| Roman Catholic church separately and with their | | | | System in the RC Church and they were |
| respective followers, did not agree amongst | | | | excommunicated. HOWEVER, it is not for a |
| themselves even enough to fight against the | | | | minute we believe they came away with absolute |
| Catholics when open warfare erupted in the | | | | truth. The Half-way Covenant is evidence of their |
| 1500's. Both of those groups experienced splits | | | | error. This led to the common belief that: 1. All |
| and break offs, and again, and again. These two | | | | children of the elect were saved because their |
| original 1500's break offs have resulted in well | | | | parents were elect. Carried further, they felt that |
| over 100 break offs. The results for Protestants | | | | all residents of Geneva were saved . All this flies |
| is a change of theology, namely "apostolic | | | | in the face of John 1:12,13 'But as many as |
| succession is unimportant". | | | | received Him, to them he gave the power |
| Preeminence of Peter/Rome | | | | (exousia = authority) to become the sons of God, |
| There were a number of local churches that | | | | even to them that believe on His name; which |
| made up that early church described in Scripture. | | | | were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the |
| The Apostle John discusses 7 churches in | | | | flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God'." |
| Revelation but does not include the churches at | | | | [Comments made by Pastor B--] |
| Jerusalem, Antioch, Corinth, nor Rome. John was | | | | I am not contending that the Roman Catholic |
| actually writing "to the seven churches which are | | | | Church was always correct in everything it did. |
| in Asia". [Revelation 1:4a] Perhaps John was | | | | "The Reformers meant to reform the RC |
| responsible for those 7 churches and other | | | | Church". Perhaps they did bring some of that |
| Apostles were responsible for other churches. If | | | | reform to the RC Church. What I am contending |
| we go be "Scripture alone", we do not have | | | | is that now they are "reformed" enough or |
| enough information. | | | | perhaps they need more "reform". Perhaps |
| We do have that information, if we take other | | | | further that continued separation is no longer |
| contemporary writings, not for their "infallibility", | | | | justifiable. |