Why do Roman Catholics accept the authority of the Pope? ?

Question

This is one of my fundamental problems with Catholicism. How can RCs believe that this man is the only one who can truly interpret and speak to God?

Answer 1

The Pope is just another man.

Think for yourself.

Answer 2

The Pope simply leads the Church. The Church has the only authority over doctrine. The Pope only has authority to have a leadership role in faith and morals. Contrary to whatever bias you have, it would be impossible to lead the church without the limited authority that the Pope has.

Answer 3

Jesus told them to.  He appointed Peter The Rock as leader of his church, giving him the power to make rules and such, and down through the ages, the authority was passed on.  So, Benny has the power of Peter, given by the Christ.  And you best be obeying Jesus now, right?  

Answer 4

All churches have bishops or archbishops that do the same thing. They may be called other names, but that is what they are.  There is always one in charge of the group, one who has the last word.

Answer 5

<<How can RCs believe that this man is the only one who can truly interpret and speak to God?>>

Because this is the way God set it up.

If you look at the Old Testament, we see that God continuously setup a leader for his people. Abraham and Moses are good examples. Even though God's people had the law and the scriptures, God also gave them an authoritative leader to interpret for them and guide them.

Moses was the final authority and the people knew it. Jesus even refers to the "chair of Moses" and instructs the people to "listen" to those who sit in authority but not to copy them in their personal lives. In other words Jesus says they are to follow and adhere to the authority that has been passed down from Moses because that authority is of God and has nothing to do with the person who has the authority.

When Jesus gave Peter his authority and the keys to the kingdom of heaven, there is so much that is telling about this, it will be difficult to get it all in.

First of all, Jesus is asking the disciples "who do people say that I am?" they all give different answers. The Jesus says "and who do you say that I am?" only Peter answers "thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Jesus then informs Peter and the others that "this is a revelation from God the Father." Peter does not say "I believe thou are the Christ" he makes a statement of absolute divine truth that is given to him by God. Jesus then comfirms this. Jesus then changes Simon's name to Peter (Rock) and proclaims that on this Rock (meaning Peter) he will build his Church.

So here we have Peter's first infallible truth revealed and expressed. Scripture describes Peter as "illiterate and ignorant" (Acts 4:13). Such a description means that Peter has no formal training in theology. This just underscores God's divine intervention into the mind of Simon Peter, a man without theological training, and yet the only apostle to confess profound, theological truth about Jesus Christ.

God chose the uneducated Simon to emphasize that He (and not Simon) wwould really be the one in charge of guiding His Church into the truth, as Jesus later promises the other apostles.

So after Simon makes an infallible statement about Jesus, Jesus immediately changes his name to Rock. In Jewish tradition, names were very important and functioned as titles that defined a person's role in society. In fact, in the Jewish Torah, changing a person's name meant chaning the person's spiritual status and mission. God changed Abrams name to Abraham (meaning Father of all nations) and changed Abraham's mission as well. God did the same thing with Jacob and changed his name to Israel and changed his mission. Jesus changed Simon's name to Petros (Cephas in Aramaic) to designate his new role and mission. The Jews would have immediately understood the significance.

Archeological and historical evidence demonstrate that Simon was the first man to ever have the name Peter. And like the roles of Abraham and Israel, who served as earthly shepherds of God's people in the Old Testament, Simon Peter would be the earthly shepherd  of God's people in the New and Everlasting Testament.

Jesus also gave Peter the "keys" and the authority to loose and bind. God appointed Moses over the house of Israel, and he gave him authority over his covenant people. God communicated with Moses on a regular basis and protected Moses from teaching in error. God also directed Moses to hand on his authority to successors. The authority of Moses and the tradition of his chair were passed down through the ages to Joshua, the elders, the prophets, and finally to the Sanhedrin of Jesus' time. God gave special graces to the ones who sat in the chair of Moses, so that Israel would have access to God's infallible judgments (even through their fallible leaders).

So there is a wealth of precedent in the Old Testament of fallible men being given the authority to rule and teach God's truth. This authority is not theirs personally but belongs to the one who holds the office or sits in the chair.

Peter, obviously setup as the leader of the new Church, instituted by Christ, is given this same authority. He is saved from error as he teaches and guides the early Christian Church. This is Christ's promise. His authority is passed on to his successors, just as Moses' authority was passed on. Each one who succeeds Peter has that same authority and is given special graces in order to provide the faithful with the infallible teaching of Christ.

I could go on and on. When you get into the words Christ spoke, the parallel meanings all throughout scripture, the true Greek and Aramaic root meanings of the words used by Christ, it is amazing that anyone does not see it.

The Pope is the successor to Peter and the authoratative head of the Church because this is the will of God. Jesus left us with an earthly shepherd to feed and guide his flock.

Answer 6

Oh wow, where to start...

My advice is read "The Biblical Basis for the Papacy" by John Salza.

Here's his site that can help, but the book goes into a much more detailed explanation and understanding of Peter's Primacy, the keys and Apostolic Succession.

Here's his site: http://www.scripturecatholic.com/index.h...

First of all, the Pope does not dictate over the Church. The Pope is the servant of the servants of God, yes, he is in the seat of authority but his job is to serve the laity.

And actually, the Pope's talks about AIDS and contraception have quite a bit more than limited success.

But in the Bible we are told to submit to authority. Paul explains this when he says the head of every woman is man and the head of man is Christ and the head of Christ is the Father.

He shows a succession of authority. When he describes the authority of the people he says "Paul, Apollo, Peter, Christ", placing himself last and showing that Peter is only second to Christ.

As it is, we know that the infallible teachings are not bound just to Peter because it isn't a matter of personal faith, Peter is even described as ignorant and illiterate. The Holy Spirit leads the authoritative head of the Church, which is the Pope. The Holy Spirit guides the Pope's office, not that particular person.

We believe, as Catholics, that since it is the Holy Spirit who is leading the Pope's office, that it is the Holy Spirit that chooses the Popes. This also goes for anything the Pope teaches upon faith and morals ex cathedra, we believe the Pope is speaking as Christ's Vicar and thus it is infallible.

We know that we should listen to everything the Pope does teach, but we are only bound to follow those that are given ex cathedra (from the chair--thus the office).

Contraception is against God and many of the things the Pope expressed would happen if contraception was legalized have happened. Abortion has become legalized, promiscuity has skyrocketed, STDs/HIV/AIDs and so on have reached an all high, the dehumanizing of human life (not just in abortion, but for men and women, many have become nothing more than s*x objects) and the lowering of the sanctity of marriage.

God created the human body and as He cannot do anything imperfectly, we have been made perfectly. There cannot be human life without God, but using contraceptives is literally telling God no and taking advantage of the act of s*x. It is to be a complete giving of oneself to another, but withholding your fertility is not completely giving and selfish "I love you, but not enough to have a child with you".

Female contraceptives are abortificants, meaning it doesn't stop a woman from getting pregnant, it keeps a woman from *staying* pregnant. It says it right on the pamphlets, but many women don't read this and don't know how many abortions that truly have had.

And when the birth control doesn't work, those women turn to abortion clinics to take care of the "mistake". This dehumanizes us, this degrades s*x and causes our society to allow genocide. Birth rates are at an all time low, they believe this will be a problem in about 10 decades...

If you read the Popes' writings, you will understand that they are correct and have more insight that you ever will. This is because they *are* led by the Holy Spirit.

As the Church is Christ's Church and the Pope is the Vicar of Christ, I will follow because I believe that the Pope is the authority on earth until Christ comes again and I don't want to have to explain to God why I didn't follow His appointed authority.

Answer 7

For one thing, Roman Catholics do not usually make a careful study of all the different denominations, and decide to be Roman Catholic.  They are born into it, just like many of the rest of us were born into Protestant denominations.  They believe the teachings of their church because it is their church.

There are other Roman Catholics who converted because their new church met profoundly personal spiritual need within themselves.  In their reasons for converting may lie the answer to your question.

I tire of the disrespectful comments about the "booble" and similar juvenile insults.

Answer 8

cuz they can't think for themselves

Answer 9

Roman Catholicism is no more flawed than any denomination or religion for that matter.

How can one believe anything?

Answer 10

Hello,

You don't get the job of Pope by being dim witted. The Pope has many theological advisers as well and many issues on faith are studied and discussed for years before being implemented. Unlike other Christian leaders he does not blurt out God has spoken directly to him  nor has any pope claimed they have the power to heal the sick like Benny Hinn etc.

We like one man to be an ultimate leader in order to keep some consistency and discipline with some final say necessary to any human run institution from the military to big business otherwise everything falls apart where you get 30,000 different Christian denominations as in the Protestant faith that started with the concept that even a milk or scullery maid has the power and where with all to interpret scripture correctly.

Cheers,

Michael Kelly

Answer 11

All authority was given to the apostles from Christ and at least some of that special authority is recorded in Scripture and is certainly attested to by the ante Nicene fathers.

There is no doubt that the apostles knew that their ministry would survive their death as it was needed to be a permanent living presence until the Parousia.

(Mat 28:20 DRB) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.

Knowing their responsibility in preserving the teaching of Christ they ordained successors giving them the gift of the Spirit with Episcopal consecration:

(Act 1:8 DRB) But you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth.

(Act 2:4 DRB) And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost: and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak.

(Joh 20:22 DRB) When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost.

(Joh 20:23 DRB) Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them: and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.

(1Ti 4:14 DRB) Neglect not the grace that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with imposition of the hands of the priesthood.

(2Ti 1:6 DRB) For which cause I admonish thee that thou stir up the grace of God which is in thee by the imposition of my hands.

(2Ti 1:7 DRB) For God hath not given us the spirit of fear: but of power and of love and of sobriety.

There is no doubt that “Apostolic Succession” is a historical fact. Scriptures, as well show clearly that Christ chose these apostles and commissioned them to establish and continue his work with his authority and they ordained successors. It is Apostolic Succession that is the link connecting the Church to Christ. It is the authority from Christ of the Episcopacy that brings so many knowledgeable people to return to the Catholic faith as I am a witness.

We see those who were ordained in apostolic succession fulfilling their ministry:

(Act 20:28 DRB) Take heed to yourselves and to the whole flock, wherein the Holy Ghost hath placed you bishops, to rule the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood.

(1Th 1:1 DRB) Paul and Sylvanus and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians: in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ.

(1Th 1:2 DRB) Grace be to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for you all: making a remembrance of you in our prayers without ceasing,

(1Th 1:3 DRB) Being mindful of the work of your faith and labour and charity: and of the enduring of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ before God and our Father.

(1Th 1:4 DRB) Knowing, brethren, beloved of God, your election:

(1Th 1:5 DRB) For our gospel hath not been unto you in word only, but in power also: and in the Holy Ghost and in much fulness, as you know what manner of men we have been among you for your sakes.

(1Th 1:6 DRB) And you became followers of us and of the Lord: receiving the word in much tribulation, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

(1Th 1:7 DRB) So that you were made a pattern to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.

(1Th 1:8 DRB) For from you was spread abroad the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and in Achaia but also in every place: your faith which is towards God, is gone forth, so that we need not to speak any thing.

(1Th 1:9 DRB) For they themselves relate of us, what manner of entering in we had unto you: and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.

(1Th 1:10 DRB) And to wait for his Son from heaven (whom he raised up from the dead), Jesus, who hath delivered us from the wrath to come.

(2Ti 1:6 DRB) For which cause I admonish thee that thou stir up the grace of God which is in thee by the imposition of my hands.

(t*t 1:5 DRB) For this cause I left thee in Crete: that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting and shouldest ordain priests in every city, as I also appointed thee:

(t*t 1:6 DRB) If any be without crime, the husband of one wife. having faithful children, not accused of riot or unruly.

(t*t 1:7 DRB) For a bishop must be without crime, as the steward of God: not proud, not subject to anger, nor given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre:

(t*t 1:8 DRB) But given to hospitality, gentle, sober, just, holy, continent:

(t*t 1:9 DRB) Embracing that faithful word which is according to doctrine, that he may be able to exhort in sound doctrine and to convince the gainsayers.

(1Ti 4:14 DRB) Neglect not the grace that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with imposition of the hands of the priesthood.

(2Ti 1:6 DRB) For which cause I admonish thee that thou stir up the grace of God which is in thee by the imposition of my hands.

St. Paul goes on to instruct St. Timothy as to who is a qualified candidate for ordination:

Answer 12

They believe that he is a spiritual descendant of the apostles. It is sort of like British royalty - he comes from a long line of Popes.

However he doesn't have ALL the power. The big decisions are made among the pope and the cardinals & bishops.

Having said that I do agree - no intercession is needed between you and God/dess.

Answer 13

If a Roman Catholic denies the authority of the Pope, they are in fact admitting the that RCC is not a Christian Church.  They contend that Jesus Christ established the Papacy and apostolic succession.  Without the Papacy, then the RCC has no Christian foundation.

If they deny the Papacy, then the whole RCC crumbles as well.

They have to believe in the Pope or there is no Christianity to the RCC.

Answer 14

Catholics break every rule or don't that Jesus spoke of. Know any?

Answer 15

I disagree with almost everything the Pope says, but that is one thing about the Catholic Church I actually agree with.  They have a definitive interruption of the bible.  You Evangelicals can read the bible and get all kinds of strange interpretations or take in literally when most likely the author didn't intend it as so.

Where do you think all the crazy Christians and crazy Muslims come from?  They read something and make some absurd interpretations.

edit:  I don't disagree with you.  I think the biggest problem the Catholic Church has is it's stance on birth control and just s*x in general.  I know the church doesn't work from the bottom up, but some how they have managed to work in all kinds of things that apply  to modern life and current science that for the most part contradict the bible.  I would hope for the future they could somehow modify doctrine to be more in line with the average Catholics view about s*x in general and contraception in particular.

Just so you know I'm not Catholic and don't even believe in god.

Answer 16

Galatians 3: Bewitched

A Bishop, concerning the Pope:

Returning to the middle ages is intellectual suicide

Confessing sin is about as humpty dumpty as it gets;

Adding more deadly sin to confess is a baby-lon fall,

which is twice fallen to "great"<--greater<--greatest

We're talking earthy sensual devilish wisdom,

the sort that gets "no escape" in 1Thess 5:3,

for saying Peace and safety in the law.

Duh: Law worketh wrath, not mercy

God(Grace) worketh mercy, not wrath.

The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ with you all. Amen.

Answer 17

It's cos of the whole 'upon this rock I will build my church' line in the booble...I mean bible. The Catholics think they have a direct link to  Jebus through Peter.

Answer 18

actually its the same way everyone else does like there are heads of churches different denominations and you all have heads of the church. so why can't we. If you also remember if God does not like whom they have picked he has died very quick and early as you have seen in the past and that is not made up. everyone has to have someone to lead them and hes picked by God we beleive so therefore that is why.