I agree. Can anyone really imagine the Apostle Peter writing things in his epistles (letters) to the church that he "made up" or were his own personal opinions, yet demanding that they still all receive and obey them under threat of hell? It is a historical fact that the Catholic Church persecuted other Christians who refused to give allegiance to the Pope of Rome. They justified their actions by citing such proclamations as those of Pope Boniface in his Unam Sanctum and so-called "heretics" were persecuted and prosecuted - some even executed - based solely on their refusal to be subject to the Pope. It sure seemed as though this teaching was incontrovertible back then, but now they say it was just a misunderstanding and he really didn't mean it the way it sounded. Peoples' LIVES were at stake here! It is stuff like this that convinces me that the Roman Catholic Church cannot possibly be THE one, true church. It is patently obvious that Jesus was speaking of a spiritual body and not an institution whose claim to fame is longevity. If what they teach is NOT verified by the sole, objective authority we have - the Word of God - then they are no more authentic than any other religion is.
It is a historical fact that the Catholic Church persecuted other Christians who refused to give allegiance to the Pope of Rome.Amen sister.
They justified their actions by citing such proclamations as those of Pope Boniface in his Unam Sanctum and so-called "heretics" were persecuted and prosecuted - some even executed - based solely on their refusal to be subject to the Pope.It sure seemed as though this teaching was incontrovertible back then, but now they say it was just a misunderstanding and he really didn't mean it the way it sounded.
Peoples' LIVES were at stake here!
It is stuff like this that convinces me that the Roman Catholic Church cannot possibly be THE one, true church.
It is patently obvious that Jesus was speaking of a spiritual body and not an institution whose claim to fame is longevity.
If what they teach is NOT verified by the sole, objective authority we have - the Word of God - then they are no more authentic than any other religion is.