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The Protestant Pope and The Passion

What is the order?.

Is it the regular person, then decon, then priest, then bishop, then pope?.I just know of those names but not sure what role they all play in church,well only that the pope is the Leader. Wat is the pope? Is he high priest or is he high bishop?. I dont know how it all works.
Well, the pope definitely is not the High Priest.

1 Timothy 2:5 (KJV) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Hebrews 4:14 (KJV) Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
 
well, as much as I find many Catholic concepts, such as the common good (so -sorely- lacking in many, possibly most, Protestant circles in the 21st century USA) both appealing and -necessary- ...

when I "add it up," look at the organization, itself, and also apply the Biblical standard -- "ye shall know a tree by the fruit it bears" -- I'm...

not convinced, I'm afraid. I lean antipsychiatry. I did before Jesus saved (is saving, will save) me, and now...I think of it more as Christian post-psychiatry, as in...

"he whom The Son has set free is set free, indeed..." and per Dr.Thomas Szasz, psych "treatment" = slavery (at all levels). Jesus has set me free. I know this may sound like some "radical" 60s or 70s stuff, but...

no, I'm afraid not. as a psych survivor, I simply do not fit in society, in general. the church is almost -never- an exception. The Catholic church, I'm afraid...

is ridiculously gung ho with all things mental health, inc. - related. Keep in mind; I've never been officially committed, never been to a state facility, and...

my current state of escape from psychiatry by playing the hand I'm dealt (read: pretend to accept the labels, pray and move forward, best I can...) is something of a miracle. thing about that is...

a "devout" Catholic psych was a big part of my own total and complete destruction, early 20s. He charged a whole lot for it, too...then came around for more money and more money...

I attempted suicide in large part because of this Catholic psych. and no one cared, largely because being psychiatry-ized is to be dehumanized and truly enslaved. Jesus, Himself, saw fit to spare me and then bring me to genuine repentance...


and now? now, I cannot be a part of any "Christian" church that celebrates the false religions of psychiatry and psychology. The Catholic Church is also...

-sigh- not to sound "radical" or whatever, but the treatment many nuns have reported strikes me as misogynistic, not just in the individual cases, but probably at the institutional level.

and...it seems there is an awful lot of variability in the sort of message one receives, depending upon the parish. the more affluent parishes in my area trend towards some of the softer touches one associates with affluent liberalism, light on the emphasis on -economic- aspects of social justice...

while one made news a few years back for some rather rabid, 'pick yourself up by your boot straps' - style teaching from the current priest. one closer to me is more for poor people and misfits...

with the result that its poor, often immigrant, people and then "the gays" (LOL) and more thoughtful, reflective people coming out of the mainline denominations (Protestant). awesome, right? yeah, well...the message seems to have been adjusted, accordingly. :-(

sorry to ramble, per usual. its just...Jesus saved (is saving, will save) -me- , individually...and I don't think the RCC, with its acceptance of the mental health guild and the customization of teachings to meet the needs of a given parish, is going to do much (anything?) to facilitate His work in my life, at least. I also obviously think the dogma and comfort level with the surrounding, dark and dying culture is...

a lot like many Protestant churches, all over the place, on any given Sunday. :-(
 
What do catholics believe that other christians dont believe?. I dont even know. I dont think anyone fully agree with everyone on everything but the foundation and salvation is the same belief. Thats the main thing.

I think the catholic church has some practices im not a fan of like human mediators instead of going directly to Christ as mediator and High priest, and lots of idols and statues in Gods house but anyhow i dont take part in it.
Catholics believe in purgatory, which means To Cleanse.
They also believe Mary holds a special place in the Church and church...they believe she is the Mother of the Church by way of John when Jesus said "This is your mother"...and so she becomes the mother of all disciples through John and it's the disciples that make up the church.
And they do believe that sins must be confessed to a priest and that God forgives the sin, but the priest states that it is absolved.

No catholic is told to go through a mediator instead of going directly to Christ.
Some persons are "devoted" to specific saints - I don't know why, but this practice is not so popular with younger Catholics.
I don't see many statues in churches as when I was a child...
also, a statue is not an idol unless you venerate the actual statue -- which no catholic does.

Statues help us to remember people that gave up their lives for the church.
The patron saint of my town is Saint Lawrence. He was only about 19 when he suffered a terrible martyr's death.
There's a statue of him in my hometown church.
Maybe we don't consider enough how many died for the faith many of us take for granted today..debating this and that...when so many gave their lives.

After the death of Sixtus, the prefect of Rome demanded that Lawrence turn over the riches of the Church. St. Ambrose is the earliest source for the narrative that Lawrence asked for three days to gather the wealth.[7] He worked swiftly to distribute as much Church property to the indigent as possible, so as to prevent its being seized by the prefect. On the third day, at the head of a small delegation, he presented himself to the prefect, and when ordered to deliver the treasures of the Church he presented the indigent, the crippled, the blind, and the suffering, and declared that these were the true treasures of the Church.[8] One account records him declaring to the prefect, "The Church is truly rich, far richer than your emperor." This act of defiance led directly to his martyrdom and can be compared to the parallel Roman tale of the jewels of Cornelia.

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lawrence
 
well, as much as I find many Catholic concepts, such as the common good (so -sorely- lacking in many, possibly most, Protestant circles in the 21st century USA) both appealing and -necessary- ...

when I "add it up," look at the organization, itself, and also apply the Biblical standard -- "ye shall know a tree by the fruit it bears" -- I'm...

not convinced, I'm afraid. I lean antipsychiatry. I did before Jesus saved (is saving, will save) me, and now...I think of it more as Christian post-psychiatry, as in...

"he whom The Son has set free is set free, indeed..." and per Dr.Thomas Szasz, psych "treatment" = slavery (at all levels). Jesus has set me free. I know this may sound like some "radical" 60s or 70s stuff, but...

no, I'm afraid not. as a psych survivor, I simply do not fit in society, in general. the church is almost -never- an exception. The Catholic church, I'm afraid...

is ridiculously gung ho with all things mental health, inc. - related. Keep in mind; I've never been officially committed, never been to a state facility, and...

my current state of escape from psychiatry by playing the hand I'm dealt (read: pretend to accept the labels, pray and move forward, best I can...) is something of a miracle. thing about that is...

a "devout" Catholic psych was a big part of my own total and complete destruction, early 20s. He charged a whole lot for it, too...then came around for more money and more money...

I attempted suicide in large part because of this Catholic psych. and no one cared, largely because being psychiatry-ized is to be dehumanized and truly enslaved. Jesus, Himself, saw fit to spare me and then bring me to genuine repentance...


and now? now, I cannot be a part of any "Christian" church that celebrates the false religions of psychiatry and psychology. The Catholic Church is also...

-sigh- not to sound "radical" or whatever, but the treatment many nuns have reported strikes me as misogynistic, not just in the individual cases, but probably at the institutional level.

and...it seems there is an awful lot of variability in the sort of message one receives, depending upon the parish. the more affluent parishes in my area trend towards some of the softer touches one associates with affluent liberalism, light on the emphasis on -economic- aspects of social justice...

while one made news a few years back for some rather rabid, 'pick yourself up by your boot straps' - style teaching from the current priest. one closer to me is more for poor people and misfits...

with the result that its poor, often immigrant, people and then "the gays" (LOL) and more thoughtful, reflective people coming out of the mainline denominations (Protestant). awesome, right? yeah, well...the message seems to have been adjusted, accordingly. :-(

sorry to ramble, per usual. its just...Jesus saved (is saving, will save) -me- , individually...and I don't think the RCC, with its acceptance of the mental health guild and the customization of teachings to meet the needs of a given parish, is going to do much (anything?) to facilitate His work in my life, at least. I also obviously think the dogma and comfort level with the surrounding, dark and dying culture is...

a lot like many Protestant churches, all over the place, on any given Sunday. :-(
Sorry to hear this CE.
As usual, it's those non-Christian persons that declare themselves to be Christian that give us all a bad name...

One of the worst sins a person could commit is to overcharge for a service or product because they are taking advantage of people.
The CC is very much against this practice...but, alas, man does what he does and then also gives himself the title "christian"...this is reprehensible.
 
There's no such thing as a "Pope" according to the Roman Catholic definition thereof. UP until Rome did their "Power Grab", ALL Bishops were "Popes".
👍

But not ALL Bishops were dearingly called "pope".
The major ones were:
Rome
Jerusalem
Antioch
Alexandria
Constantinople

When a problem arose, Rome was always consulted.
Thus it happened that it was believed that there should be only one pope and since Rome was the authority....it would be the Bishop of Rome.

From the time this happened, every Bishop of Rome going back to Peter. were then given the title Pope.
And this is how Peter becomes the first Pope --- which, really, he wasn't.
 
But when it comes to the Gospel, doctrine is of utmost importance...

Galatians 1:8-9 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! NASB

[8] But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach a gospel to you besides that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema. [9] As we said before, so now I say again: If any one preach to you a gospel, besides that which you have received, let him be anathema. Douay

That's one area we don't want to get wrong.

Deuteronomy 32:2 (KJV) My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:


Proverbs 4:2 (KJV) For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

Isaiah 28:9 (KJV) Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

Isaiah 29:24 (KJV) They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.

Matthew 7:28 (KJV) And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

Matthew 16:12 (KJV) Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Matthew 22:33 (KJV) And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

Mark 1:22 (KJV) And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

Mark 1:27 (KJV) And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

Mark 4:2 (KJV) And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

Mark 11:18 (KJV) And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.

Mark 12:38 (KJV) And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,

Luke 4:32 (KJV) And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.

John 7:16 (KJV) Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

John 7:17 (KJV) If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

John 18:19 (KJV) The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.

Acts 2:42 (KJV) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Acts 5:28 (KJV) Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

Acts 13:12 (KJV) Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

Romans 6:17 (KJV) But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

Romans 16:17 (KJV) Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

1 Corinthians 14:6 (KJV) Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

1 Corinthians 14:26 (KJV) How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

Ephesians 4:14 (KJV) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

1 Timothy 1:3 (KJV) As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

1 Timothy 1:10 (KJV) For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

1 Timothy 4:6 (KJV) If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

1 Timothy 4:13 (KJV) Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

1 Timothy 4:16 (KJV) Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

1 Timothy 5:17 (KJV) Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

1 Timothy 6:1 (KJV) Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

1 Timothy 6:3 (KJV) If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

2 Timothy 3:10 (KJV) But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2 Timothy 4:2 (KJV) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

2 Timothy 4:3 (KJV) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Titus 1:9 (KJV) Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Titus 2:1 (KJV) But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

Titus 2:7 (KJV) In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

Titus 2:10 (KJV) Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Hebrews 6:1 (KJV) Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Hebrews 6:2 (KJV) Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

2 John 9 (KJV) Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

2 John 10 (KJV) If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

Revelation 2:14 (KJV) But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

Revelation 2:15 (KJV) So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

Revelation 2:24 (KJV) But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
Many verses Crossnote.

Every church/denomination has doctrine you or I may not agree with.
I'll say that we agree on the important teachings of the N.T.

I'll also say that most of the division, which some of your verses speak against, have occurred in the Protestant churches....
one disagreement and we're off to start our very own church.

Yes, this is one of the cons of the reformation....
It wasn't all perfect either.

You and I might not even agree on HOW one becomes saved...
and THAT is a major doctrine.
 
👍

But not ALL Bishops were dearingly called "pope".
The major ones were:
Rome
Jerusalem
Antioch
Alexandria
Constantinople

When a problem arose, Rome was always consulted.
Thus it happened that it was believed that there should be only one pope and since Rome was the authority....it would be the Bishop of Rome.

From the time this happened, every Bishop of Rome going back to Peter. were then given the title Pope.
And this is how Peter becomes the first Pope --- which, really, he wasn't.

Here are at least three clear examples of the bishop of Rome (pope) exercising his authority over the Church universal beginning in the Church's infancy...


I. First we have the example of St. Clement, bishop of Rome, instructed and intervening in the church at Corinth. The church at Corinth was some 843 miles away. It is significant that the Corinthians would consult Rome, when St. John the Apostle was still living in Ephesus, which was only 297 miles from the Corinthian church. (cf. Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book 3:3, circa 180 A.D.)

Here is St. Clement circa 95 A.D intervening and exercising his authority as the Bishop of Rome:

"Owing, dear brethren, to the sudden and successive calamitous events which have happened to ourselves, we feel that we have been somewhat tardy in turning our attention to the points respecting which you consulted us; and especially to that shameful and detestable sedition, utterly abhorrent to the elect of God, which a few rash and self-confident persons have kindled to such a pitch of frenzy, that your venerable and illustrious name, worthy to be universally loved, has suffered grievous injury." (Letter to the Corinthians, Ch. 1)



II. The second example comes from St. Victor in the second century. St. Victor excommunicated the quartodecimen bishops living some 2097 miles away in Asia. Here are the words of two early Church historians describing the bishop of Rome exercising his authority over the Church universal in approximately the year 190 A.D.:


"Thereupon Victor, who presided over the church at Rome, immediately attempted to cut off from the common unity the parishes of all Asia, with the churches that agreed with them, as heterodox; and he wrote letters AND DECLARED all the brethren there wholly excommunicate." (Eusebius, Ecclessiastical History, Book 5, 24: 9)


"In Asia Minor most people kept the fourteenth day of the moon, disregarding the sabbath: yet they never separated from those who did otherwise, until Victor, bishop of Rome, influenced by too ardent a zeal, fulminated a sentence of excommunication against the Quartodecimans in Asia." (Socrates Scholasticus, Church History, Book 5, 22)

The bishops of Asia Minor actually had Apostolic tradition for celebrating Passover Easter as St. Polycarp (a disciple of St. John's) was an adherent. Yet he, and the other bishops of Asia, obeyed the authority of the bishop of Rome.



III. Lastly, we have another example from St. Victor exercising his authority over the Church universal is his excommunication of Theodotus of Byzantium, who lived some 843 miles away in the patriarchate of Byzantium under the bishop Olympian, also in the late second century.

"This man was deceived at one time by Asclepiodotus and another Theodotus, a money-changer. Both of them were disciples of Theodotus, the cobbler, who, as I have said, was the first person excommunicated by Victor, bishop at that time, on account of this sentiment, or rather senselessness." (Eusebius, Ecclessiastical History, Book 5, 28:9)


From the Church's infancy, the bishop of Rome had authority over the Church universal.
 
Here are at least three clear examples of the bishop of Rome (pope) exercising his authority over the Church universal beginning in the Church's infancy...


I. First we have the example of St. Clement, bishop of Rome, instructed and intervening in the church at Corinth. The church at Corinth was some 843 miles away. It is significant that the Corinthians would consult Rome, when St. John the Apostle was still living in Ephesus, which was only 297 miles from the Corinthian church. (cf. Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book 3:3, circa 180 A.D.)

Here is St. Clement circa 95 A.D intervening and exercising his authority as the Bishop of Rome:

"Owing, dear brethren, to the sudden and successive calamitous events which have happened to ourselves, we feel that we have been somewhat tardy in turning our attention to the points respecting which you consulted us; and especially to that shameful and detestable sedition, utterly abhorrent to the elect of God, which a few rash and self-confident persons have kindled to such a pitch of frenzy, that your venerable and illustrious name, worthy to be universally loved, has suffered grievous injury." (Letter to the Corinthians, Ch. 1)



II. The second example comes from St. Victor in the second century. St. Victor excommunicated the quartodecimen bishops living some 2097 miles away in Asia. Here are the words of two early Church historians describing the bishop of Rome exercising his authority over the Church universal in approximately the year 190 A.D.:


"Thereupon Victor, who presided over the church at Rome, immediately attempted to cut off from the common unity the parishes of all Asia, with the churches that agreed with them, as heterodox; and he wrote letters AND DECLARED all the brethren there wholly excommunicate." (Eusebius, Ecclessiastical History, Book 5, 24: 9)


"In Asia Minor most people kept the fourteenth day of the moon, disregarding the sabbath: yet they never separated from those who did otherwise, until Victor, bishop of Rome, influenced by too ardent a zeal, fulminated a sentence of excommunication against the Quartodecimans in Asia." (Socrates Scholasticus, Church History, Book 5, 22)

The bishops of Asia Minor actually had Apostolic tradition for celebrating Passover Easter as St. Polycarp (a disciple of St. John's) was an adherent. Yet he, and the other bishops of Asia, obeyed the authority of the bishop of Rome.



III. Lastly, we have another example from St. Victor exercising his authority over the Church universal is his excommunication of Theodotus of Byzantium, who lived some 843 miles away in the patriarchate of Byzantium under the bishop Olympian, also in the late second century.

"This man was deceived at one time by Asclepiodotus and another Theodotus, a money-changer. Both of them were disciples of Theodotus, the cobbler, who, as I have said, was the first person excommunicated by Victor, bishop at that time, on account of this sentiment, or rather senselessness." (Eusebius, Ecclessiastical History, Book 5, 28:9)


From the Church's infancy, the bishop of Rome had authority over the Church universal.
Thanks for the detail Walpole.

Also, it might interest some to know that the official title of the Pope in Italian is Pontefice.
Ponte means bridge.

The Pope acts as a bridge between the loyal and heaven.

It's a nice title that was given to him.
 
Catholics believe in purgatory, which means To Cleanse.
I guess the blood of Christ is insufficient?...

Revelation 1:5 (KJV) And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
 
Thanks for the detail Walpole.

Also, it might interest some to know that the official title of the Pope in Italian is Pontefice.
Ponte means bridge.

The Pope acts as a bridge between the loyal and heaven.

It's a nice title that was given to him.
I have to correct you. It comes from the Latin Pontifex Maximus, which means “chief bridge builder”. It was given to the bishop of Rome after the Roman Empire split into two. The Western emperor, Gracian, bestowed the title on Pope Damasus, who became the first pope to have this title. It was a highly symbolic gesture at the time, signifying the bishop of Rome as the chief bridge builder between the East and West and that religious authority rests not in emperors, but in the bishop of Rome.
 
Catholics believe in purgatory, which means To Cleanse.
They also believe Mary holds a special place in the Church and church...they believe she is the Mother of the Church by way of John when Jesus said "This is your mother"...and so she becomes the mother of all disciples through John and it's the disciples that make up the church.
And they do believe that sins must be confessed to a priest and that God forgives the sin, but the priest states that it is absolved.

No catholic is told to go through a mediator instead of going directly to Christ.
Some persons are "devoted" to specific saints - I don't know why, but this practice is not so popular with younger Catholics.
I don't see many statues in churches as when I was a child...
also, a statue is not an idol unless you venerate the actual statue -- which no catholic does.

Statues help us to remember people that gave up their lives for the church.
The patron saint of my town is Saint Lawrence. He was only about 19 when he suffered a terrible martyr's death.
There's a statue of him in my hometown church.
Maybe we don't consider enough how many died for the faith many of us take for granted today..debating this and that...when so many gave their lives.

After the death of Sixtus, the prefect of Rome demanded that Lawrence turn over the riches of the Church. St. Ambrose is the earliest source for the narrative that Lawrence asked for three days to gather the wealth.[7] He worked swiftly to distribute as much Church property to the indigent as possible, so as to prevent its being seized by the prefect. On the third day, at the head of a small delegation, he presented himself to the prefect, and when ordered to deliver the treasures of the Church he presented the indigent, the crippled, the blind, and the suffering, and declared that these were the true treasures of the Church.[8] One account records him declaring to the prefect, "The Church is truly rich, far richer than your emperor." This act of defiance led directly to his martyrdom and can be compared to the parallel Roman tale of the jewels of Cornelia.

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lawrence

Im a bit confused. Jesus pointed to his disciples and called them his mother and brothers. As for "woman behold your son" and a diciple he said " behold your mother", whos to say the disciple Jesus loved was not one of his half brothers the diciple he was talking to so its it own Mother?. Scripture doesnt define who it was. And he just told them to take care of each other. Thats normal. I dont see what the big deal about it is. Sure to be known as blessed and loved by the church but i dont see anything more than that.

You said catholics believe sins must be confessed to a priest, yet at the same time you said no one is told to go through a mediator. Im not understanding what you mean here.
 
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You said catholics believe sins must be confessed to a priest, yet at the same time you said no one is told to go through a mediator. Im not understanding what you mean here.
1 Timothy 2:5 KJV
[5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Also if a person is not born again by God's Spirit he is not in God's family no matter what his pedigree is.
 
that's an excellent point, crossnote . I was surprised by some Barna data (data collection company headed by a Christian social scientist) on the % of --church leaders-- who held to the basics of a Christian worldview...

even the "conservative" and/or what unbelievers call "Holy roller" denominations...not good news, I'm afraid. the right wing can be just as deadly and treacherous in terms of false teachers, etc. as the left wing and/or 'progressive' denominations, that much is abundantly clear. a lie is a lie a lie...
 
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