1 Timothy 4: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2. Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3. Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.” Apostasy

2 Thessalonians 2: Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” Apostasy

Origin of the Catholic Church They claim to be the New Testament Church The Bible teaches that: Church started on Day of Pentecost - Acts 2:1 Started in Jerusalem A.D. 33 “and the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:47

The Church Changes Eldership Presiding Elder Plurality of Elders Organization Bishop

The Church Changes Eldership Presiding Bishops Called Father, (Papa)

Presiding Bishops (Popes) vie for Supremacy Rome Constantinople Antioch Jerusalem Alexandria

Rome Wins Boniface III Received title of "Universal Bishop" 606 AD

Was Peter the First Pope ? A Catechism of Christian Doctrine, there can be no Roman Catholic Church without a pope. The pope is called the:  “Bishop of Rome”  “Vicar of Christ”  “Visible Head of the Church.” The Catholic Church believes Peter was the founder of the church and was its first Pope.

Was Peter the First Pope ? 16. And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 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.”

Was Peter the First Pope ? 1 Corinthians 3:11 “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” NKJV Jesus is the foundation - Not Peter Jesus died for the church – Not Peter Jesus was the Son of God – Not Peter

Was Peter the First Pope ? The Apostles never recognized Peter as the pope ! Peter never claimed to be the pope in 1 & 2 Peter 1 Pet. 1:1 “an apostle of Jesus Christ” 2 Pet. 1:1 “a servant and an apostle” 1 Pet. 2: 6-7 Christ is “chief corner stone” 1 Pet. 5:1 “fellow-elder” 1 Pet. 5:3 “neither as being lords” Paul did not know that Peter was the pope Gal. 2:11 “resisted him to the face”

Was Peter the First Pope ? What about Celibacy ? The pope cannot be married Peter was a married man Matt. 8:14 “And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.” 1 Corinthians 9:5 “Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?” 1 Pet. 5:1 “elder” 1 Tim. 3:2 “the husband of one wife”

Was Peter the First Pope ? No record of Peter ever being in Rome Paul wrote epistle to Rome Romans 16 sent personal greetings 20+ Never mentioned Peter Paul spent two years in Rome Acts 28 no mention of “pope” He saw Peter in Jerusalem – Gal. 1:18

False Doctrines of Catholicism Calling Priests “Father” Matthew 23:9 “Do not call anyone on earth your father; ‘for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.” NKJV Priests as Mediator between God and Man I Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,” NKJV

False Doctrines of Catholicism Worship of Mary Rosary “mother of God” Bible teaches that Mary Was a Human being Mother of the fleshly part of Christ Does not call her “mother of God” Jesus was the mediator between God & Man Necessary to be Son of man & Son of God Mary had other children - Matt. 13:55-56

False Doctrines of Catholicism Purgatory “The place and state in which souls suffer for a while and are purged after death, before they go to heaven, on account of their sins.” Hebrews 9:27. “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,” NKJV Rich man and Lazarus - Luke 16:19-31

False Doctrines of Catholicism Authority Catholicism claims that “Divine Tradition” is to supplement the teachings of the Bible. Jude :3 “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” NKJV

The Roman Catholic Church is not the church founded by Christ in the first century. The Bible does not teach that Peter was the first Pope. Many of its teachings contradict God’s Word

Christ is the head of His Church “but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ” (Eph. 4:15, NKJV) Christ church Pope church

 Is in existence today  Christ is the head of His church  You can be a member of this church This is the church you read about in the Bible !

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga Sunday Evening March 24, 2013