Friday, May 21, 2021

One thing Peter had in common with the Papacy

"The Pope is designated, throughout the religious world, Protestant
and Catholic alike, by the adulatory title, “His
Holiness.” 
 
How well the designation befits him may be seen by a reference to the apostle of whom he claims to be the successor. Upon this claim his pretensions to super-human sanctity and authority rests.
 
--Peter, as any reader of Scripture knows, was never addressed by such a title as the above. 
--But Peter at one time had the spirit of the Papacy in his heart,—the spirit of self-exaltation. 
All the disciples had it; for they disputed among themselves which should be the greatest
 
And that contest, happily abandoned by them, was afterwards revived in the Church and finally settled in favor of the Bishop of Rome. 
--Since that time he—as Pope—has been the “greatest,” claiming authority and power superior to all his fellows, and making himself God on earth. 
 
At that time when Peter possessed this spirit, the Savior addressed him by a peculiar but not a flattering title.
Jesus had been telling His disciples... 
Matthew 16:21 ...how that He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 
22 Then Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him, saying, Beit far from You, Lord; this shall not be unto You. 
 
Q: What prompted Peter to do this? 
A: The reason is plain; he wanted his Master to set up a glorious earthly kingdom,where he himself would be given an exalted place
His selfish mind may have pictured a position of splendor and power not unlike that occupied by his pretended successor in the Papacy's palmy days." E.J. Waggoner