Summary

The Roman Catholic Church is estimated to be the largest Christian Denominations in the world at approximately 68.5 million as of the year 2019.  It is administrated by a hierarchy consisting of a Pope, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Deacons and a few other areas of administrators. 

At the foundation of the Roman Catholic Church, around 313 AD, there was also a thriving eastern leg of Christianity in Greece and Asia Minor, which has expanded into eastern Europe and Russia. 

At the time of the writing of the Book of Revelation, approximately between 81 to 90 AD, Biblical Scholars have estimated there was at least 500 to 1000 Churches established. 

The current day eastern European and Russian Christian Orthodox Churches have some similarities to the Roman Catholic Church, but they:

• Do not require celibacy of their priests.
• Their earliest recorded teaching are a pre-millennial and pre-tribulation eschatology, where the Roman Catholic view is slightly different.
• The total estimated number of these Orthodox Christians represent 1/4th of the world's Christians and is the second largest in membership after Roman Catholicism.
• There is some documentation, in Roman Catholic sources that state that the Orthodox Churches recognized Apostle Peter as a Pope.  Many Biblical Scholars state that research shows that Peter was recognized as the leader based on his Apostleship not a Pope.

The Roman Catholic tradition has designated the Apostle Peter as the first Pope based Matthew 16:17-19.  This is incorrect based on a misunderstanding of Matthew 16:19 which are:
1.    The mission of Jesus Christ, with the Church, will accomplish the mission that Jesus Christ set.  
2.    Peter was given a gift of binding evil on Earth where the binding will be agreed upon by God in Heaven.
3.    Peter could lessen the penalty of Earthly sin that would loosen the loss of Rewards in Heaven.
4.    Jesus Christ did NOT say that the gift given to Peter could be assumed by anyone else after Peter had died.

In the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope is sometimes called the Bishop of Rome.  According to Roman Catholicism, the first Pope of the Roman Catholic Church is designated to be the Apostle Peter based on Matthew 16:17-19.  The succession of Peter is designated to be Pope Clement 1 based on Philippians 4:3.
 

Philippians 4:3

Indeed, true companion, I ask you also, help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement as well as the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Interestingly in the scriptures, there is no mention of the Apostle Peter ever visiting Rome.  The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Roman Christian groups that some Biblical Scholars believe numbered around 25 different small groups of Christians.  Furthermore, Apostle Paul indicates that Jesus' brother James, the Apostle Peter and Apostle James were co-leaders in the church at Jerusalem, as the Apostle Peter was the Apostle to the Jews.   

There is absolutely no historic evidence that proves that the Apostle Peter died in Rome other than highly speculative conjecture.  There is the supposed "Grave of St Peter", also called "Peter's Tropaion", which should be more like a type-of war memorial, where when excavated by archaeologists in the mid-1900s, there was a few bone fragments and a medieval coin with debris found.  Pope Pius physician in 1942 examined the bones and declared them to be a man in his 70s that was of strong stature, where the Pope declared a year later that it was Peter. 

There is also a fanciful peace of fiction called the Apocryphal Acts of Paul, Peter, John, Andrew and Thomas (if link is missing click here) which seems to be possibly written around 200 AD or maybe later, which is full of whimsical tales of several of the Apostles that include Peter flying in the air through the city of Rome:

The additional reasoning of the Roman Catholic Church is Peter was the leader of the Apostles, and because of his leadership, this made the Church at Rome the leader of all the Churches that were formed everywhere in the World, even though the Apostle Peter cannot even be associated with Rome in the scriptures or definitive historical evidence.  The questions, on this assertion, are primarily:

1. Did Jesus Christ designate a specific Church to be the leader of all the Churches?
2. Did Jesus Christ state that there was a leader of the Apostles whose position gave authority over all matters of interpretation, setting of scriptural laws to follow and authority for administration?
3. Did Jesus Christ indicate that there would be a succession of leaders, which the Roman Catholic Church calls a Pope, that would be Jesus Christ's emissary in the world?
4. Did Jesus Christ state that the Pope would be infallible in all matters concerning scriptures, scripture interpretation, Christian law and Christian etiquette?

The point of this topic is to only target the anti-Biblical tradition of the Pope being infallible along with Roman Catholic belief of superiority over other Christian Denominations that includes the often-heard belief that belonging to the Roman Catholic Church automatically means entrance to Heaven. 

This author absolutely believes the Roman Catholic Church is a place that anyone can go:

• To worship God,
• Accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior unto Salvation. 

Unfortunately, many Roman Catholics have started using the term "Catholic Bashing" as a defense-mechanism to not investigate or listen to problems, where in actuality the scriptures admonish us all to do so in ALL CHRISTIAN MATTERS in ALL CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS.

Scripture Inerrant?

The follow-up comment by someone critical of the scriptures is something to the effect of:

"How do we know if the scriptures have not been changed, altered or portions have been lost?"

The answer to that question is similar to answering the comment of "the scriptures are not true, full of errors, etc.".  In a very high-level summary statement, the scriptures are inerrant in their original language where translations are continually being corrected as there are many types of figures of speech that have changed meanings over time.  Additionally, there have been attempts in history by people and groups to deliberately sabotage the scriptures by introducing alternate translations of previous scriptures, which also require research to correct.

There are many scriptural passages that let us know that the Word of God is pure:

Traditions Good for Christianity?

As an example, many Christian Congregations always begin their Christian Service and Catholic Mass with singing.  For the Catholic Mass, the Priest will also either bow to the Altar or bow to a statue/painting of Jesus Christ on the Crucifixion Cross. 

There are two primary questions often asked concerning Christian Traditions:

1. Are traditions good for Christianity?
2. Can traditions become important, required and hold the same equivalence as scriptures? 

The high-level summary answers are:

1. Yes, on traditions are good for Christianity as they help us:
   (a) To recognize God for who He Is.  By how we approach Him for confession of sins, prayer, worship and our daily dialogues of thankfulness.
   (b) To help new Christians with introductory ways to speak and honor God.
   Jesus Christ told us that we can speak boldly unto our Father God in Jesus Christ's name because of what Jesus Christ did for us on the Cross where we are now become "sons of God" through Jesus Christ's righteousness and not our own.  Two scriptures of many beautiful scriptures to consider:

   1 John 5:14	This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
   John 1:12-13	12 But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.

   
   
2. Absolutely "NO" on traditions becoming important, required and holding equivalence to scriptures.  The reasons are so numerous that it is impossible to list all of the explanations.  Here are just a few summary points, where the assumption is the reader is familiar with the Levitical Priesthood that was started at the time of Moses:
   (a) The Levitical Priesthood was replete with rituals, requirements and of course laws that were absolutely righteous and required for approaching God and the forgiveness (really a covering) of sins and to point to the Messiah Jesus Christ.  The rituals and requirements:
   * The requirements were spoken by God and given to Moses to write in the scriptures in the first five books of the Bible, that is often called the Pentateuch. 
   * The rituals and requirements were never man-made. 
   * The rituals were never traditions that evolved from a man-made type of trial and error processes.
   * The rituals, which included feast days and many other specific actions, all pointed to Jesus Christ, which is a fascinating study.
   (b) God required rituals and requirements, not traditions, for Israel in the Old Testament Levitical period.
   (c) Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of the Mosaic Laws, that freed us from Levitical ritualistic system.  This new freed allowed us:
   * To go directly to God with our confession of sins, worship, prayers of thankfulness and requests for help in our lives.
   * Jesus Christ was the final payment for sin which the Old Testament animal sacrifices were just coverings for sin which required the rituals to be performed to be able to approach God for the covering.  Animal Sacrifice went to the beginning as read in the history of Cain and Abel.
   (d) Tradition can never be considered on the same importance, equivalence and level as the God Breathed Scriptures of the Bible because traditions come from flawed human beings.  Traditions change and the Word of God changes not.

   Malachi 3:6

   For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.

   
   
3. Optionally on traditions created by the Apostles which were not written as commandments.
   (a) Christian Fellowship held on Sunday instead of Saturday, is perfectly permissible.
   (b) How to greet one another which was done in the early years of Christianity.  There was use of a sign of a fish drawn in sand, on doors and as a wave of the hand.
   (c) Women covering their heads in church.   See 1 Corinthians 11:6.

Note there is a very good article written by Catholic.com about traditions, which has some good points, but it never discusses a single Catholic tradition that other Christian Denominations point out as anti-Biblical  The article sets up a straw man argument, which is to setup a fallacious argument that distorts and opposing view, where straw man arguments are deception. 

Israel When They Killed the Prophets

Jesus Christ when overlooking Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, made a startling statement in Matthew 23:37-39.  The passage deals with the day that Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem as read in (Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19, John 12) riding on a donkey / colt.

Israel as a nation was guilty at the time of Jesus Christ of not recognizing Him as their Messiah, but there were many Jewish men and women who loved God along with recognizing Jesus Christ as the Messiah. 

Prior to the Messiah Jesus Christ, the Jewish people had many periods of following God directions and following the covenant that they had with God.  Other times, they suffered the consequences of spiritual adultery when worshipping other gods along with other sins.  The Jewish people were under the old Levitical Covenant, where the benefits were derived by strict obedience, faithfulness and God written scriptural rituals (not traditions). 

Jesus Christ gave us a new law of the Holy Spirit, that did away with the Levitical system for the forgiveness of sins.  This did not all of the laws, just those dealing with rituals to forgive and cover sins until the final sacrifice of Jesus Christ the Messiah slain for the sins of the World. 

The question to ask ourselves is what caused Israel to falter, leave their Godly Heritage at different points in history, and fail to recognize their Messiah?  The answer in brief is people became complacent, and the Levitical System's Priests became corrupted.  Two scriptural references as evidence to consider:

1. The Temple in Jerusalem had changed into a den of robbers as read in Matthew 21:12-13.
2. The Sanhedrin plotted to have Jesus Christ killed because He was a threat to their power base and financial income.

If Israel as a nation failed, can there be failure in the Christian Church?  Both the Roman Catholic Church and every other Christian Denomination, including the newest form of Christian Worship called Non-Denominational has many, many failures and scandals.  This is why so many highly respected Biblical Scholars have pointed out that the only path to truth is to confirm truth with verification in the scriptures. 

The scriptures are the Word of God, and the scriptures must be the authority for confirmation, and the only governing source of how we all should live as Christians when worshiping and loving God, along with loving one another.

Roman Catholic Church and other Denomination Problems

The history of the Roman Catholic Church can be described as an entity that has not always exemplified the mission that it has taken onto to itself, which was to represent the entire teaching of the scriptures.  Here is a brief summary of the historic and current-day problems in the Roman Catholic Church that prove the office and infallibility of Pope cannot be truth:  After the history some points about other Christian Denomination problems.

• Plagued with all types of scandals in the affairs of setting nations in battle against other nations for the purpose of Papal Power.
• Two and three Popes at the same time, during what was known as the Western Great Schism.  The Popes even went as far to excommunicate one another with publicly declared statement that the other Pope is now condemned to Hell.
• Selling of Indulgences, starting in the 9th century, with the promised guaranteed entrance into heaven with recognition and rewards from God for the right price.
• Teaching of two after-death places called Purgatory and Limbo, which are absolutely not scriptural.  Limbo has been finally renounced in recent times.
• Misappropriation of Church monetary funds for the purpose of ostentatious living by all of the leaders.
• Many executions of pagans and Christians, often by burning at the stake, of people who opposed the incorrect teachings of the Roman Catholic Church,
• Open hypocrisy with the accumulation of wealth, power and open sexual immorality.
• Crusades that ended up being anything but a Jesus Christ centric mission that resulted in the slaughtering of men, woman and children in the areas invaded by the Crusaders.
• For many centuries, the scriptures were only taught in Latin even when most people could not speak or understand Latin.
• Teaching many unscriptural things such as eating meat on Friday would condemn someone to Hell.  Note that this has been recently renounced by a recent Pope.  The original edict was based on a belief that Jesus Christ was crucified on Good Friday, which can be proven logically by the scriptures to be incorrect.
• Teaching that Jesus Christ is not necessarily the only way to enter Heaven (if the person rejects Jesus Christ in life), as entrance can be deferred with acceptance later of Jesus Christ.  This is against many, many scriptural references and there is more on this later in this topic.
  (The only exception is the scriptures concerning the Age of Accountability.)
• Teaches that Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, can be prayed to instead of praying directly to God in the name of Jesus Christ as the scriptures instruct.  Also embraces Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, in an almost Godly type of deity role.
• Instructs people to pray to Apostles instead of directly to God in Jesus Christ's name, which is also clearly against the scriptures.
• Set a requirement that Priests, Bishops, Cardinals and the Pope not be able to marry and have sexual intimacy.  This is not scriptural and can also be a cause of the historic and modern-day problems of many Priests, and higher-ranking leaders to being caught in sexual scandals.
• Openly wrote edicts and sent out men and even armies to kill Jewish people who were labeled the "Christ Killers".
• Declared that the promises made by God to Israel were all forfeited, and the Roman Catholic Church is now the heir to them.  This is scripturally incorrect as God made many unconditional promises to the Nation of Israel and men like King David, which are prophesied to still occur.  More examples are Jesus Christ will sit on King David's thrown, the Tribulation Purpose, and there is the 144,000 Jewish virgin men who will evangelize the world during the Great Tribulation.
• Many Biblical Scholars state the Roman Catholic Church is the Church of Thyatira, and the Protestant Churches are the Sardis Church in the Seven Churches in the Book of Revelation.

There is of course many, many scandals and all types of evil things done in the other Christian Denominations! 

Every Christian Denomination has had numerous scandals by many prominent, well-known and considered Godly Leaders and Pastors concerning:
(a) Wrongful use of Tithes and Gifts for the enrichment of themselves.
(b) Sexual scandals, often involving adultery, that also often involved very deviant sexual practices.
(c) Openly seen pretentiousness, ostentatious acts and a non-approachable attitude towards others.
(d) Contentious views against other Christian Denominations.

There are several Christian Denominations, besides the Roman Catholic Denomination, that have an administrative group that controls all the church locations.  This structure is often brought up as a defense against rogue and problems when anyone acts in a position of authority in the Christian Denomination against the Word of God.  Unfortunately, this has proven in Christian Denominations that it is not completely effective and does not always accomplish the elimination of problems, just as it doesn't work completely in human government.

There is no perfect Christian Denomination as the problem is:

1. Lucifer and the Satanic Realm will always try to infiltrate into all groups of Christians to thwart the power of the Gospel.  Note the related topic on why is Lucifer still active.
2. Whenever there is money, power and glory to be obtained, then there will be those who will be there for the wrong reason.
3. There is a new movement today in Christianity that is called a home church which appears to be more effective and highly rewarding as an alternative to meeting at a building. 

Many Christians do not realize that the Church at Rome was never the only successful Christian Church during the history of the Gospel beginning.  There was and still are very large Eastern Orthodox Christian Denominations that grew at the same time, so the common expression used by many Roman Catholics of "The Roman Catholic Church is the only true Church", is simply not true.  Besides the Church in Rome, there were other well-known Churches in Antioch, Colossae, Derbe, Galatia, Iconium, Jerusalem, Lystra, Miletus, Pilipi and Troas.

The Roman Catholic Church can trace its roots at being solidified as an entity in approximately the year 313 A.D. under the Roman Emperor Constantine, which is several hundred years after the start of the mission given by Jesus Christ to the Apostles which grew quickly in the formation of hundreds of Churches.

One of the best books on the history of the Roman Catholic Church is a book written by Dave Hunt called "A Woman Rides the Beast".  The book according to some Biblical Scholars and this author, is an excellent and very well researched book on the history of the Roman Catholic Church.  This author disagrees with the book in identifying the Woman Who Rides the Beast of Revelation 17 as the Roman Catholic Church.  See the topic on Babylon's Fate for more information.

Pagan Practices In The World

Many Biblical Scholars point out that the origination of all evil pagan worship types of practices and religions of the world, have their origin dating back to the time of the first world leader named, Nimrod in the city of Babel, later became Babylon.  The pagan practices continued to flourish in the area where we read about them in the scriptures during the time of King Nebuchadnezzar who was the well-known king of the Chaldean Babylon Empire. 

The city of Babylon, was the capital of the Babylonian Empire, and at a later time, Alexander the Great planned on making it his capital city.  After the decline of the Babylonian empire, the priests of these pagan religions, simply reinvented themselves, and moved to the new succeeding empires, which includes eventually entering the Roman Empire. 

The observation can be stated that the pagan priests simply moved because of the money and power, so they could keep their jobs intact.  With each succeeding move, they kept their religious traditions but with new names.  Some of these traditions even invaded the Christian Faith.

According to the scriptural prophecies, concerning Babylon which have not been fulfilled, there will be a judgment that Babylon would be wiped out like Sodom and Gomorra, Jeremiah 50.  This judgment has not happened, which then means Babylon still has a future judgment to occur. 

Many Biblical Scholars state that there is a linkage between Babylon's judgment and the prophecies concerning the end-times Tribulation Period which will have a worldwide religion that is initially used by the Antichrist and False Prophet. 

There are a few Biblical Scholars who state the Roman Catholic Church, along with Christian Denominations, and absolutely other pagan religions in the world are linked to the worldwide Religion and Babylon's fate.  The linkage is because before the Tribulation Period begins, the true Christians will be Raptured, which means the only people left on Earth, who belong to some Christian Denominations including Roman Catholicism, are associated in name only.  All of us have known of people going to church for social, business, networking, spouse takes them and other reasons that have no belief in God.

The reasons for this theory of the few Biblical Scholars, which this author agrees, require a great deal of explanation that are beyond the purpose of this topic on the Pope, but here are a few summary points that are essential in understanding some of the unfortunate Roman Catholic Church edicts that prove the Pope cannot be infallible regarding Christianity:

1. In the end-times of the Tribulation Period, there will be a large type of worldwide Religion, centralized in the areas of the Old Roman Empire areas, which the Antichrist will at first use to grab power through a false-peace, and then take over as a false god.  When the takeover occurs, the Antichrist will destroy this false religion and enforce worship of himself, which the scriptures state begins at the second occurrence of the Abomination of Desolation.  See Revelation 17:3-6.  
2. In order for the Antichrist to use, facilitate and takeover the predominate religions, then the largest by membership will be used, which is the Roman Catholic and Muslim religions along with some others. 
   a) The Roman Catholic Church recognizes the Muslim faith as part of the unity of those who should receive Salvation by God by a series of supporting statements that are given as a proof because of the Muslims belief in a Creator and also a linkage of commonality through the Prophet Abraham:
   b) According to https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/the-catechism-on-islam  (Excerpts from the Catholic article in light purple)

   Catholic Magazine: The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day” (CCC 841).

   c) Additionally:

   Catholic Magazine:“ Finally, those who have not yet received the gospel are related in various ways to the people of God.”

   d) Furthermore, in the Catholic Magazine topic link states that God has made plans for Muslim's salvation:

   Catholic Magazine: It means that God desires their salvation and has made plans for their salvation—plans that include giving them graces that lead in the direction of salvation and the Church. But that doesn’t mean that they can be saved by being nothing more than non-Jewish theists. Within the category of non-Jewish theists, Muslims today hold the first place in that they are the largest such group and have a number of commonalities with Judaism and Christianity, several of which the council goes on to note: (1) They “profess to hold the faith of Abraham.” The operative word here is “profess”—they claim to hold the faith of Abraham. In reality, their faith is an imperfect version of the faith that comes from Abraham, but they are trying to follow in the footsteps of Abraham, and the Council gives them credit for that. (2) “Together with us they adore the one, merciful God.” For many, this statement is perplexing. However, as we saw in last issue’s “Brass Tacks” column, God is aware of and acknowledges all that is good and true in the worship offered to him, however imperfect an understanding of him a worshiper may have. While Muslims, like Jews, do not accept the Trinity, they do acknowledge that God is the only true God and that he is merciful. This means that they honor things that are true about God but have a limited understanding of him.

   e) but then gives a statement that is paradoxical where it is implying that the Muslim will become Christians if God shows the light to them.

   Catholic Magazine: There should be no doubt that the Church recognizes that followers of Islam have elements of truth. But while it is possible for them—as for all men—to be saved if they live up to the light God has given them, it cannot be said that Islam is a path of salvation or that Muslims do not need to become Christians.

3. There are many Biblical Scholars state that the final large worldwide Religion, which will initially have a form of some sort of godliness but against Jesus Christ, will have its Capital City and central Thrown of Power in the historic city of Babylon.  Babylon is currently in what could be called a state of a village or small town, but it is still inhabited so Jeremiah 50:1-40's destruction to the city has not occurred yet.  Furthermore, these same many Biblical Scholars are stating that Babylon will eventually be rebuilt, rise in prominence and face God's Judgment. 
   (a) Many Biblical Scholars state that the Bible, amongst the central theme of Jesus Christ, can be said to be partially a history of two cities.  The first is the city of God called Jerusalem, and the other city is called Babylon which is Lucifer's city.
   (b) Sadam Hussein, before his execution, had many building and a palace built in Babylon, along with holding affairs of state there.
   (c) The Antichrist's empire is a type of rebuilt Roman Empire, which is brought together through many means that is created first through diplomacy, that includes a marriage of several religions according to Biblical Scholars to enable a false peace in the world, followed by military subjugation.  This empire will be geographically in the same area as the Roman Empire, which had nations in Europe and also the Middle East areas.  There are many scriptural references such as those in the Book of Daniel where in particular is King Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a statue, where God gives Daniel the interpretation that points to this Antichrist's empire.  This empire was the "iron and clay feet", of Daniel 2:41-43.  Note that there are other empires in the Tribulation Period such as the Kings of the East scriptural reference.  Lucifer never has complete control of the entire world, which is why the Battle of Armageddon occurs albeit its initial purpose changes to the armies preparing to a ridiculous attempt to fight God.
   (d) There will be a false peace between the Antichrist's empire and the nation of Israel.  See Daniel 9:27.
   (e) The Antichrist will break a peace treaty with the Abomination of Desolation act.
   (f) The Book of Revelation, Ezekiel and many other Books of the Bible, give a very detailed synopsis that the world religion will be the start of the power-base for the Antichrist where the Believers in Jesus Christ, at that time and when discovered, will lose their lives during the Tribulation Period.
4. As already stated, some Biblical Scholars believe that in order for there to be a type of worldwide religion then there will need to be a process for the largest and most "powerful" religions to unite in some type of fashion.  This is why many Biblical Scholars identify both the Roman Catholic Church, Christian Denominations and the Muslim faiths. Note the following:
   (a) There are a few different Muslim sects who believe in many of the same core beliefs but differ on other areas.  There are an estimated 1.5 billion Sunni Muslims and an estimated 400 million Shia Muslims in the world.
   (b) There will be of course other unknowable variations of the formation that most likely none of us can predict on how the unification of any religions will happen.
   (c) There are many Biblical Scholars who point out that the recent Pope's edicts on the Muslim Faith is evidence of many things including the assumption of the desire for the Roman Catholic Church to somehow merge with the Muslim Believers.  Additionally, most likely have the Roman Catholic Church be accepted by the Muslim Faith.

Roman Catholic Church Accomplishments

In the previous sections of this topic, there is an identification of the problems and most likely the future of the Roman Catholic Church.  This author and all the commentaries that this author has read, on the correlation of the Roman Catholic Church and a future worldwide  Religion, believe that there are absolutely spirit-filled and anointed great men and women in the Roman Catholic Church, who love Jesus Christ fully and have Salvation. 

Unfortunately, there are many Christians, who are not Roman Catholic, who do not always recognize some of the rich and good traditions along with the great accomplishments of the people in the Roman Catholic Church in history, along with even today. Here are just a few Roman Catholic accomplishments:

1. Missionaries have traveled literally all over the world to spread the Gospel and have built Churches for worship.  The outreach far eclipses any work done in the recent century by other Christian Denominations.
2. Through the ritual Mass, the Priests have taught the mission and message of Jesus Christ.
3. Many parts of the entire world at one-time had hospitals set up by the Roman Catholic Church to administer, give healing and aid to the peoples in the area that was often given free of any costs.  Today, many hospitals still carry the name from the founding even if the hospital is no longer managed by the Roman Catholic Church.
4. Set up icons in missionary churches that contained the "Stations of the Cross" to give a pictorial story of the Gospel with the forgiveness of sins by Jesus Christ's death on the Cross for people who could not understand the missionaries language.
5. Built infrastructures to improve the living conditions for people in the areas that the missionaries traveled.

As an entity, the other Christian Denominations, should have a respect and thankfulness for the accomplishments done historically by the Roman Catholic Church, which is also being carried on by modern-day missionaries of many Christian Denominations. 

All Christians should of course realize that our entrance and Rewards in Heaven are based on our personal relationship with Jesus Christ along with the works that are done in Faith, which has nothing to do with affiliation or membership to a specific Christian Denomination.

The Roman Catholic critic, who either condemns or partially condemns the Roman Catholic Church because of the problems, heresies or even actions of some of the members, should consider that when the Word of God is spoken then it will accomplish many great things, which the Roman Catholic Church has done, regardless of problems!

Is The Pope the Vicar of Christ?

The "Vicar of Christ" is a Roman Catholic term, which means "instead of", is used regarding the office and title of the Pope.  It is meant to apply that the person with this title is taking and holding the position of authority over Jesus Christ's Church as if Jesus Christ were personally handling the administration.  The Roman Catholic Church holds steadfast in the stance of stating that whoever has this office, was selected by a process that guarantees the person to worthy, exemplifies, speaks and administrates as Jesus Christ would, which means infallibility in all matters of Christian Doctrine. 

When issuing statements concerning changes in the Roman Catholic positions on doctrine that previous Popes have spoken as Divine Truth, the explanation is the changes are the result of clarifications or Divine changes instituted by God.  Unfortunately, this undermines the credibility of the Roman Catholic Church on Vicar of Christ position, and the possibility for those who are not Christians, to reason in their minds that the changes in Roman Catholic doctrine is hypocritical.

The Vicar of Christ of title is also used to imply that the Pope has the same authority over the Church, all Christian Denominations, as supposedly Peter was given in Matthew 16:17-19 after Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven.  The belief, by the Roman Catholic Church, is their claim of evidence by the scriptural passage containing "keys of the kingdom of heaven" means authority was given to Peter and his successors, where they have complete authority over all matters of God on the Earth. 

This Roman Catholic belief of Vicar of Christ is incorrect, as they are stating that the Apostle Peter, and his successor Popes, have authority all over the Earth in Christian matters.  To state this means that the Pope supersedes Jesus Christ on the Earth, when a Pope can say, issue a Church edict or act in a way that scripturally can be incorrect. 

To reemphasize this wrong declaration by the Roman Catholic Church, there can be at least two types of problems by actions of a Pope:

• Statement, edicts and new requirements that are scripturally contradicting, and
• Whatever is spoken by a Pope can be considered a new revelation that may even supersede existing scriptures in the Word of God.

Yes, the Roman Catholic doctrine states that these two types of problems would never happen.  Unfortunately, these problems are easily shown to have happened repeatedly throughout the centuries.  There are multiple Popes, along with others in the hierarchy, who have done very grievous acts that are against the scriptures, where some are listed in the section of this topic called "Roman Catholic Church Problems".  For a very detailed history, read Dave Hunt's book on the "Woman Rides the Beast".

An already stated in this topic, the Roman Catholic belief of Vicar of Christ, is supposedly claimed by the wrongful interpretation of the passage in Matthew 16:17-19 and John 21:16-17.  The Matthew passage is dealing with the skill, aspiration and quality that Peter has that is needed to build Jesus Christ's Church.  Peter is only given the ability to judge and forgive righteously.  The scripture does not covey a position of being a Ruler, President, Chief Executive Officer that is also transferable to other men throughout the centuries.

There are Christians who may not be aware that there will be a Period of time, during the Tribulation Period, that the Antichrist is given power over the saints and will prevail as read in Revelation 13:7.  Rhetorically, if there is a Pope during the time of the Tribulation Period, will this Pope rhetorically have the ability to have authority over the Antichrist and the worldwide  Religion?

The primary question of this entire topic is whether the idea, authority and office of a Pope is scriptural?  The answer is "no".  This does not mean the administrational head cannot be called a Pope, as all organizations need a leader with a governing group. 

Regarding the question, here are more additional scriptural based reasons of many that the Pope cannot claim infallibility, leadership over all Christians and a Vicar of Christ role:

1. The Apostle Peter, all Apostles and anyone that comes into an place of Christian Leadership, such as the Pope or even a Priest cannot say anything that is:
   * Against,
   * Contradictory,
   * An addition
   to the already written scriptures as this is forbidden by the Word of God in Deuteronomy 4:2 and Revelation 22:18-19.  In the section of this topic, "Roman Catholic Church Problems" is a short list of bullet points that show the Roman Catholic Church did actions in direct contradictions to the Word of God for multiple centuries, along with still doing them.  That short list can be expanded to many pages of examples.  The Roman Catholic Church has a principle called "Sola Scriptura", which means that the Pope, when speaking is infallible even if his statements contradict the scriptures.  The Roman Catholic definition of "Sola Scriptura" is divine revelation that comes from scripture and Apostolic tradition.  The view of Apostolic tradition is against Deuteronomy 4:2 and Revelation 22:18-19.  Additionally, there were only 13 Apostles and there were never any more Apostles added.

   Deuteronomy 4:2	You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.
   Revelation 22:18-19	18 I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book: 19 and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.

2. Regarding proof fallibility, the Apostle Peter made a judgment error that was publicly reprimanded by the Apostle Paul at Antioch over his actions of not eating with the Gentile Christians because of fear of the Jewish Believers.  This is not meant as a criticism, but shows that the Apostles were fallible with exception of when the Holy Spirit had them writing the Books of the New Testament.

   Galatians 2:11-14

   11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to the face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before that certain came from James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing them that were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that even Barnabas was carried away with their dissimulation. 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest as do the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, how compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

3. The Apostle Peter additionally had to have his Apostleship restored by Jesus Christ because of his actions of denying Jesus Christ three times according to many Biblical Scholars.  See the Apostle's Topic Section on Peter temporary loss of the Apostleship for understanding what occurred.
4. Nowhere in any scriptures, does the Apostle Peter assert or claim divine supremacy over the other Apostles. 
   (a) Yes, Peter did have a leadership role, but there is no scriptural evidence of Peter having a role of judging them or correcting them on the Word Of God in the scriptures.
   (b) Yes, Peter was described as rock, but Jesus Christ was describing the Faith, Intuitiveness, Insight and Strength that Peter exhibited that others would have who will build the Church.
5. Nowhere in any of the scriptures, does there appear any information that the authority of the Apostles would be passed down to future generations to have more new Apostles.  For more information on the requirements of being an Apostle see the topic on the Apostles, where the following is an excerpt:

   Requirements for being an Apostle:     Concerning Matthias and Paul  1 Must have seen/spoken with Jesus Christ after the resurrection, and Matthias: Acts 1:21; Paul Acts 9:5-6, Acts 26:15-18 2 Selected by Jesus Christ personally to be an Apostle, and Matthias: Acts 1:24-26; Paul: Acts 26:15-18, Corinthians 1:1 3 Sent by Jesus Christ to go forth as an Apostle, and Matthias: Acts 1:24-26; Paul: Acts 26:15-18, Corinthians 1:1 4 Recognized in the scriptures and by the other Apostles as an Apostle.   Matthias: Acts 1:26; Paul: Galatians 1:1, Romans 1:1, 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Peter 3:15-16; Recognized by James, Peter and John in Galatians 2:9

6. Jesus Christ is our permanent High Priest.  All scriptures are God breathed, and by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  There may be new comments said that sound good and to honor God, but we cannot claim that it supersedes the authority of the scriptures.  To discuss something new or add a supposed new revelation, that is not confirmed by scripture, is to say that the Bible is incomplete.
7. The Old Testament Priest Melchizedek was a model, a type-of, foreshadowing of the future Jesus Christ who is our High Priest along with many other countless, wonderful Titles, and of course God! 
   (a) The model of Melchizedek was superior to the Levitical Priesthood of Aaron because Abraham gave tithes unto Melchizedek. 
   (b) The future Levitical priesthood was in the loins of Abraham through his future descendent of Jacob who becomes Israel with twelve sons.
   (c) Jesus Christ came from the Tribe of Judah, who were the rulers of the Jewish People.  The Levitical Priests came from the tribe of Levite.  In order for Jesus Christ to be our King and High Priest, the old Levitical Priesthood had to be stopped and replaced.
   (c)  Melchizedek, does not have a birth or death recorded in the scriptures, which does not mean he was a preincarnate Theophany appearance of Jesus Christ, but is a model pointing to Jesus Christ's Priesthood which has no end.  A side note: all of the Gentile Brides in the Old Testament did not have their death recorded either, and nor does the Church which is described as a type and model of the Bride of Christ in the scriptures.

   Hebrews 7:14-17 (also see Psalm 110:4)

   14 For it is evident that our Lord hath sprung out of Judah; as to which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priests. 15 And what we say is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there ariseth another priest, 16 who hath been made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life: 17 for it is witnessed of him, Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.

   (d) The Roman Catholic Church did not issue in a new type of Priesthood that replaced the Levitical Priesthood or Jesus Christ's role (of many) of High Priest.

Conclusion

In conclusion, based on all the points above in this topic, the foremost reason against the Roman Catholic's position of Papacy authority is the Roman Catholic Church did not replace the Priestly roles of:

1. Melchizedek,
2. The Levites, or
3. Jesus Christ's role as our permanent High Priest. 

The Roman Catholic Church therefore cannot give Christians of all Denominations, including Roman Catholics:

• New additions,
• Changes, or
• New Revelations that contradict

the already written Word of God, based on their assertion of Sola Scriptura, or even the assumption of fictional title of the Vicar of Christ.

Jesus Christ gave us a new law and replaced the old Levitical system, and what Jesus Christ gave us is the final replacement that:

• Sets us free to have a greater love of our God,
• Permanent forgiveness of sins,
• Ability to earn Rewards in Heaven, and
• With a greater responsibility to God.

Finally, this author states that no matter the problems listed in this topic, it does not mean that the Roman Catholic Church is not a place of worship for God.  We need to be aware of liberty in Jesus Christ, and the importance of knowing correctly what the scriptures state for us.  The same scriptural principles apply to all of us being at any Church regardless of Denomination. 

We all are to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” as read in Luke 10:27-28.  Next, we are "love one another" as read in John 13:34-36

Lastly, there is another related topic for those who of are in position of leadership in their Church which may be Pastors.

What to read next?

Should Mary be worshiped?  Did Mary remain a virgin after the birth of Jesus Christ?  The Crucifixion Psalm, Abraham's Location with Isaac,  Risen - 4 Gospels and is there a discrepancy on Easter? and Noah's Ark rests the day before Christ's Resurrection.  What is Salvation?  Is it is possible to lose Salvation?  We have eternal life.  Evolution is not real.  When a Christian suffers is there benefits from it.  Rewards in heaven.  Do we Tithe?  What does the 3rd Commandment tell us?  What is Grace and Mercy?  Is there an Age of Accountability?  Is there a place of unending punishment and exile form God?