Page 13 - Read and Recognize

Read and Recognize
The Papacy

We are taught that the Pope is the successor of the Apostle Peter. That is
right in so far as he guards like a rock the apostolic teaching, not,
however, if he wishes to be a further rock upon which JESUS builds the
Church. Peter is and remains
the rock of the Church!

The Pope, however, has to stand on the rock of Peter. For the Church is
not called papal, but apostolic.

Matth. 16,18-19 „And I say to you: That you are Peter, and upon this rock I
will build my church. And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I
will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever you shall
bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever you shall
loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.“

From this it follows that the popes must stand on the rock of Peter
concerning teaching, stability and mission.

If the Pope does not act accordingly, then he is no longer standing on
the rock of Peter, and instantly he does not speak and act on his behalf
any more. As a result he is without authority! Peter was and is the rock
upon which CHRIST built His Church, but in no way did he lay claim to
any greater power or violent rule towards his fellow Apostles. He saw
his ministry exactly as CHRIST explained it to him, namely
as first among equals!

This should say it all. It is therefore not in the Spirit of GOD, if the Pope
appropriates powers while stripping his fellow brothers in the episco-
pate of them. In doing so he is no longer first among equals, but a
tyrant and prescriber. Being first predominantly means that he is the first
authorized representative who among equals (bishops) unites, com-
forts, encourages, helps, advises and exercises the office of guard-
ian in the spirit of Peter. Only in case of disagreements and strife
should he be able to put his foot down. It is therefore absolutely wrong
if the Pope rules over bishops, and forbids them actions for which they
have been qualified by the HOLY SPIRIT through their high-priestly con-

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