Bible Truth is the Only Truth

First and foremost, I must always emphasize that whatever critique is made of erroneous doctrine, it is the doctrine that is being put under scrutiny and there is not hatred of any person or persons.  However, false doctrines must be exposed, all that is unbiblical must be exposed.

One of the unbiblical aspects of Catholicism is the Papacy and the hierarchy of the church. The Bible, Paul in particular tells us not to add anything to what is in the book, in the inspired book, not historical, as the Book of Macabees, Ben Sira and such are not prophetic or apostolic, so only the prophetic and apostolic ones, those of true divine Holy Spirit and Christ revelation are to be adhered to from the Bible.  The Book of Acts is very clear on how the New Testament Church of Christ is to be run.  The criteria are also given for those who are to be in charge of the Church.  When the Catholic Church tries to use the whole Key thing to justify the Papacy, and I have to admit I tried to go along with it myself to accept it, they are barking up the wrong tree.  The rock which they are using to justify that role is Peter himself, which is really not at all proper, as the only major rock for any foundation is Christ.  What was that all about?  That's something for a more in depth future discussion, but for now let us say that the rock was a particular truth given to Peter, not Peter.   Then there are all those titles and offices given and the fact that the Vatican is a government, a state.  That in itself is another issue, as the Church is not to be a government entity of any kind, so it presents another friction, seems to me, to the Word.  It's mixing the world with things of Yahweh too much, isn't it? Seems so to me and makes me uncomfortable, seems too worldly.

What is the prescribed structure for the church? For one it is not an evolved thing as the Catholic Church says and attests to.  What was given by Yahweh from the beginning, the Ten Commandments and in general has not changed.  What would be the structure of the Church?  The CEO/CFO would technically be Christ.  The Pastor is the human head of the Church representing Christ on earth, his steward so to speak.  Then you have Elders and Deacons who deal with the overall and day to day administration of the church, though the Pastor should be aware of what is going on overall in the church as a good steward and that it is all Biblically aligned.  The decisions, mainly should be with the local church, though there can be a synod, regional for better management.  Churches, church members are to support each other.  What characteristic are those leading the church to have?  They are to be: above reproach, blameless, not of this world, very good stewards, with varying gifts of the Holy Spirit, very wisely applied.  They are not to add or take away with doctrines of men, legalisms and all that.  They are to strictly adhere to Biblical truth, not truth of man, particularly when it contradicts truth of Scripture.  If one truly and clearly examines the Bible, one will see that the office of Pope and the structure of the Catholic Church is not Biblical, no matter how well intentioned or what they might believe.  They believe tradition is equal to or even superior to Scripture and that can never be, never ever, never.

Shalom and Amen