Thanks for the information. I have to say, I've abandoned this thread. I was more than a bit turned off by some of the vitriol, even though your response doesn't fall in that category. I'll just post this response to you and leave it there. I won't be back here.
I have a vague understanding of the development of the early church. But as far as sacrifice, there was Jesus on the cross, which is remembered in the sacrifice of the mass as Jesus instructed it be done, if you believe Paul; as far as that and masses, 1 Corinthians 11:24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.". Whether they used the Aramaic, Greek, or Latin word signifying mass, from this it doesn't seem sensible that they would not have had this early tradition which later became 'mass'. As for priests, similarly, they may have been called something different, the understanding of the functionary aspect of their role may have changed over time before becoming established, but to say there were no priests seems a little disingenuous when the function of priest was still performed in some way then. Pope is a word from the Latin word for father. The title may well have come later, but the role of leader of the church was given to Peter by Jesus. I haven't heard anyone deny that, or even address it here. These don't seem like substantial differences, just superficial ones
The book you're referencing seems to be from a reputable Protestant publishers, but I just had a quick look. I think there are other Church historians who would disagree with some of his conclusions though. I can't fault him for his etymologies.
Thanks again. Take care.
“i think other Church historians would disagree......”
yes, i would think anyone who considers themselves an historian would read St Ignatius and Justin Martyr.
Well then let’s start.
Jesus made the following positive declaration, which is diametrically opposed to Roman teaching: 'But be ye not called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shalt exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.' Matthew 23:8-12.
Paul is silent about Peter's primacy. He wrote some thirteen or fourteen epistles, and never once refers to Peter's authority over the others. If such authority had existed would he not have spoken of it?
Paul considers himself Peter's equal. He says: 'I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.' 2 Corinthians 11:5. If Peter had been Pope would he have dared to speak after this fashion?
Paul censured Peter openly. He says: 'When Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.' See Galatians 2:11-16. How would Paul have dared to censure Peter openly for failure to practice what he preached in his action toward the Gentiles, if Peter had been Pope?
Peter was considered only as one of the pillars of the Church. See Galatians 2:8-10. He was like James and John, one of the pillars of the Church, not its head.
No writer of the New Testament speaks of Peter as Pope. What does their silence mean? Can it be a conspiracy against him? Why do they ignore his authority? Why? Because Peter never was Pope. All the apostles were brethren.
James actually was the evident authority in the first church council gathering in Jerusalem. Acts 15:12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. 13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: 14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: 17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. 18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. 19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
One can clearly see what the author is saying in the scriptures themselves.. There is no priesthood in the new church. Greek is very clear on that
. There is a word for priest in greek and it is NEVER USED FOR THE NEW CHURCH. That word is "hiereus", the greek word for elder is presbyteros'''. The defination for elder is a term of rank or office a) among the Jews
1) members of the great council or Sanhedrin (because in early times the rulers of the people, judges, etc., were selected from elderly men
)
2) of those who in separate cities managed public affairs and administered justice
b) among the Christians, those who presided over the assemblies (or churches) The NT uses the term bishop, elders, and presbyters interchangeably
c) the twenty four members of the heavenly Sanhedrin or court seated on thrones around the throne of God
Elders is a leadership role, not a roll of sacrificer .
You see the scriptural division in passages like this
Mark 15;1And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.
Young's Literal Greek Translation ... Acts 4:5 And it came to pass upon the morrow, there were gathered together of them the rulers, and elders, and scribes, to Jerusalem,
Even the Douay-Rheims Bible does not translate that as priests..
Acts 4:5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their princes, and ancients, and scribes, were gathered together in Jerusalem;
A poor translation from the greek, but non the less even they did not translate it as priest.
The sacrifice of Christ on the cross is the final sacrifice.. not a model for the mass :)