Replies

'...would like to ask about the statement that Jesus founded, or started the Catholic church, but not the others...since you specifically name the Catholic church, can you point me to the supporting scripture?..'

You and I both know they can't.

Mat 21:42 — Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Mat/21/42.html

Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, ***Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];

1Cr 3:11 — *** For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/1Cr/3/11.html

The Roman Catholic church of course will site this:

Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Mat/Mat016.html#18

However, the form of the word used for 'Peter' is not the same as the word used for 'rock'. Peter is Strong's Greek 'Petros' number 4074; 'rock' is Strong's number 4073:

thou [4771] su
art [1488] ei
*****Peter, ****[4074] ****Petros
and [2532] kai
upon [1909] epi
this [5026] taute
*****rock *****[4073] ****petra
I will build [3618] oikodomeo
my [3450] mou
church; [1577]

Lexicon Results for ****Petros (Strong's 4074)
Greek for 4074
Peter = "a rock or a stone"

1) one of the twelve disciples of Jesus

Authorized Version (KJV) Translation Count — Total: 162
AV - ****Peter 161, ****stone 1; 162 . Each time the word is used, it is used for Peter's name, except for this:

Jhn 1:42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, **** A stone [4074].

Lexicon Results for *****petra (Strong's *****4073)
Greek for 4073

Pronunciation Guide
petra {pet'-ra}

Outline of Biblical Usage
1) a rock, cliff or ledge

a) a projecting rock, crag, rocky ground

b) a rock, a large stone

c) metaph. a man like a rock, by reason of his firmness and strength of soul

Authorized Version (KJV) Translation Count — Total: 16
AV - rock 16; 16
http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/words.pl?word=4073&page=1

I wonder if the Catholic church ever mentions that just five verses later, Jesus calls poor Peter, SATAN! http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Mat/Mat016.html#23 , hardly a name God would want to build His church on.

I pulled out my LUTHER video this morning, and wrote down the dialogue between Luther and his Professor Carlstadt:

Prof. Carlstadt [C] to class: "'Nulla salus extra ecclesiam.' This debate has raged for over 1,400 years, from the earliest days of the church, but now the Fifth Lateran Council has reaffirmed Saint Cyprian's famous dictum, 'Nulla salus extra ecclesium' - outside the Holy Roman church, there is no salvation."

Luther [L]: "Professor Carlstadt. What of the Greek Christians?"

C: "The Greek Christians?...Well, an early church document clearly states that a Roman bishop, not a Greek, was Saint Peter's successor. And, of course, it was Peter whom our Lord Christ made His representative on earth."

L: "So we must consider the saints of the Greek church to be damned?"

C: "You miss the point."

L: "But that is the inevitable consequences of Cyprian's claim - Greek Christians are outside salvation. Or is this claim based on an over-literal reading of Matthew 16:18 - 'Thou art Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church'? Yet two lines earlier, in verse 16, we FIND THE VERY FOUNDATION OF OUR FAITH - 'YOU ARE THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD.' ***Surely the more universal we make these great words, the nearer we come to the mind of Christ."

C: "You question the authority of the church Council, sir?"

L: "Not at all. Though in 1215, the Fourth Lateran Council allowed that Cyprian could be wrong AND SALVATION COULD EXIST OUTSIDE THE CHURCH, THOUGH NOT OUTSIDE CHRIST."

C: [Speechless glare....] LUTHER, the movie. 2004.

Jhn 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. +++ http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Jhn/14/6.html

Luk 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

Luk 23:40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

Luk 23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

Luk 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

Luk 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Luk/Luk023.html#43

[no works, no indulgences, no pope, no church; just faith in Christ. May all see the Light.]