Rev. David Holwick
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
October 8, 1995
Matthew 16:15-18
THE POPE IS HERE
I. The pope in New Jersey.
A. He had to pass up Ledgewood this time.
1) Celebrity status - excitement at getting lottery-drawn ticket.
2) One woman got in a corporation's sky box - much more plush
than sitting on grassy hillside to listen to Jesus!
B. Significant position. (have been almost 300 of them)
1) 600 million Catholics worldwide, and he is leader, main
spokesman and Christ's best representative on earth.
2) John Paul II has had significant impact in fall of communism.
3) Church has taken bold stands on sexuality, abortion,
economic justice.
C. How come we don't have a pope?
II. History of the papacy.
A. Principle of apostolic succession.
1) Jesus made Peter the "Rock" of the church. Matt 16:18
a) He is being made the leader by Jesus.
b) He is given authority over entrance to heaven. "keys"
2) Authority of Jesus and Bible flows through select line.
a) Peter's authority passes down by ordination.
b) Ordinances became sacraments - sacred ceremonies.
c) Only priests could perform Mass, read Bible.
3) Bishop of Rome developed into Pope.
a) Growth from leader of a church, to a region, to an empire.
b) "Ex cathedra" - some statements become absolute doctrine.
1> On same level as words of Jesus or the Bible.
2> Infallibility is claimed. (1876)
B. Gradual increase in worldly power.
1) Some popes were very spiritual, but others became highly
corrupt and "Machiavellian".
2) Kings and political powers considered second-rate.
a) Outgrowth of idea that Jesus is king of the whole world.
Second Coming superseded by growth of his kingdom
on earth, by Church and pope.
b) "Donation of Constantine" in 726 claimed to be
Emperor Constantine's gift of Western Roman Empire
to the pope.
It was not revealed to be a forgery until the 1400's.
3) Papal armies and politics (nation of Italy).
a) Popes claimed superiority over kings, but kings tended
to run them.
This led to bizarre episodes.
b) In 1400's there were three popes in three cities, each
excommunicating the others.
In 1305 the papacy moved to Avigon, France, because
the new pope was French.
Over the next 70 years about 82% of the new cardinals
were French and only 13% Italian.
In 1378 the papacy moved from France back to Rome.
Angry crowds there wanted an Italian pope so they began
to fight until they got one.
Some of the cardinals did not like how this was done,
so they elected a new pope.
However, the old one didn't resign, so now there were
two popes whose armies fought each other.
One stayed in Rome, another moved back to France.
Many church leaders were upset about this and 30 years
later held a council to bring Catholicism back together.
They elected another pope.
Since the first two wouldn't resign, there were now
three popes.
C. Modern shift.
1) Did poorly with political power, now limited to Vatican,
world's smallest country.
2) More spiritual emphasis today by popes.
3) But even Catholics are rejecting pope's authority.
a) They are actually functioning as Protestants.
III. Why we don't have a pope. [A Baptist response]
A. Our conscience, guided by Scripture, is our leader.
1) "Ex cathedra" is unbiblical.
a) Right after Jesus commended Peter as a rock, he
denounced him as Satan. Matt 16:18,23
b) Ultimate authority is from God, not people.
2) Apostolic authority ended with the apostles.
a) Apostles had to be eyewitnesses of Jesus. Acts 1:21f
b) Their authority now flows through the Bible. 1Th 2:13
c) Jesus used Bible as ultimate authority of God, not human
traditions. Mark 7:7-9
3) A simple person can understand enough from Bible to
find God.
B. We do not need to go through humans to get to God.
1) Jesus is the only bridge. 1 Tim 2:5
2) The "keys of the kingdom" is not a monopoly of a hierarchy.
a) Entrance into heaven hinges on the same answer as
Peter gave Jesus - you are the Christ. (Lord)
b) Peter (=pope?) alone doesn't possess keys, but all
the apostles ("you" is plural). See Matt 18:20
3) We can learn from humans, and benefit from their leadership,
but they cannot channel us to God.
4) Baptists have been leery of human leaders - our pastors
are considered ordinary members, and so don't wear robes.
C. The church must be primarily spiritual, not political.
1) This world is still under the sway of Satan.
2) Eventually Satan will rule completely - for a short time.
a) Ancient tradition that antichrist will be head of church.
b) Every human institution will bow to him. Rev 13
1> In past, Baptists (and even some Catholics) assumed
the Catholic church would be antichrist's throne.
2> However, any Baptist institutions will also bow to
Satan in end times.
3> Surviving church will be underground.
3) Only Jesus can bring spiritual dominion to earth.
a) Church's task is to proclaim lordship of Jesus.
Martin Luther King, Jr.:
"The church must be reminded that it is not the master
or the servant of the state, but rather the
conscience of the state."
#3086
b) We must teach about salvation and ethics of Jesus.
IV. We need earthly leaders.
A. Bible endorses human leadership.
1) Hierarchies are important part of human community.
a) We may not like such structures, but the way we are
made, we need them.
2) World corrupts hierarchies into dominating power centers.
B. The proper place of leaders. Heb 13:7,17
1) Authority.
a) Depends on adherence to correct doctrine.
b) "Keys to kingdom" refers to church's possession of
gospel message, not inquisitions.
2) Service. 1 Peter 5:2-3
a) Love is greatest mark of a Christian leader.
3) Integrity.
a) Not by position, but knowledge and godliness.
b) Moral qualities stressed. 1 Tim 3:1-13, Tit 1:6-9
c) Ability to teach God's word.
C. Keep human leaders in perspective.
1) Jesus chose Peter, but God later chose others (Paul, Philip).
2) Leadership depends on Holy Spirit, not politics.
3) We must remember any human leader can fail.
V. God must lead us.
A. Any human leader is second-rate.
1) God should be our real leader (choosing of Saul). 1 Sam 8:7
2) Even King David was a compromise.
B. He leads, we must follow.
1) Do you see yourself as being under God's authority?
2) Have you obeyed his commands?
3) Do you value his direction?
4) Have you made him the Lord of your life?
