| Infallable? The Pope does not sin? | | | | the Holy Spirit to his Church, and promised he would |
| Many Protestants do not understand Catholic | | | | be with it forever. (John 14:8-17) |
| terminology (many Catholics don't either!) Suffice to | | | | * Paul wanted complete unity among all believers |
| say, some of them believe that Catholics profess the | | | | regarding their doctrines and belief (1 Corinthians 1:10) |
| Pope to be without sin. ImageThis idea is of course | | | | The above passages demonstate that the Holy Spirit |
| inconsistent with Scripture (Romans 3:23). As such, | | | | never lies, and as such, the Catholic Church, when |
| this is certainly not the position of the Catholic | | | | invoking the assistance of the Holy Spirit, speaks |
| Church. Infallibility refers to his teaching, not his | | | | without error. This is the ultimate meaning of |
| conduct. Infallibility does not mean impecability. | | | | infalliblity. |
| Simply put, the Catholic term "infallability" refers only | | | | Sometimes Scripture is not Enough for Protestants. |
| to the official teachings of the Pope when the | | | | Non-Catholics may debate the interpretations of the |
| following conditions are met: | | | | above verses. You may be prepared to answer their |
| * he is teaching to the universal Church | | | | objects verse by verse, or you may not. The |
| * it is an issue regarding faith and morals (not merely | | | | following is a line of logic for the absolute "need" for |
| customs and discipline) | | | | Papal authority: |
| * he specifically intends to profess such a teaching | | | | In the United States we have a master document |
| The personal opinion of the Pope about the Middle | | | | that guides much of our lives: the Constitution. For |
| Eastern conflict, while perhaps valuable for all mankind | | | | Christians, they have a master document as well: the |
| to consider, would not fall under the doctrine of | | | | Bible. |
| infallability. Nor would his hope for a certain soccer | | | | The Founding Fathers of the United States realized |
| team to win the World Cup. Finally, it should be noted | | | | that if everyone were able to interpret the |
| that the use of this ultimate authority is very rare, | | | | Constitution as they saw fit, that there would |
| having taken place only a few times in history. | | | | complete chaos and anarchy. As a result, they |
| Where is it in the Bible? | | | | instituted an ultimate authority, the Supreme Court, |
| Simply communicating, with charity, to Protestants | | | | to interpret the Constitution for us. |
| what Catholics actually believe about the Pope and | | | | In a similar way, the Founding Father of Christianity |
| his authority, is the first step in discussing this topic. | | | | realized that if people were able to interpret the |
| The next step is to demonstrate from Scripture that | | | | Scriptures on their own, that complete anarchy and |
| the Catholic position is in fact the position taught | | | | division would persist within Christianity. As such, he |
| within its pages. | | | | instituted an ultimate authority, the Catholic Church, |
| * First, Christ appointed the first Pope, Peter. | | | | to interpret the Bible for us. |
| (Matthew 16:18) | | | | Protestantism has demonstrated Scripture to be true. |
| * Christ gave specific authority to Peter, alone. | | | | This is why they have over 30,000 denominations |
| (Matthew 16:19) | | | | and divisons. This division is counter biblical. According |
| * Peter confirms the Catholic interpretation of | | | | to Scripture, unity and truth are lost when individuals |
| Matthew 16:18-19 when he exercised authority during | | | | take it upon themselves to privately interpret |
| one of the earliest disputes mentioned in Scripture. | | | | Scripture. They do this, according to the Bible, "to |
| (Acts 15) | | | | their own destruction." (2nd. Peter 3:15-18) |
| * Peter was often mentioned first when the other | | | | Fortunately for the majority of Christians in the world |
| Apostles were named. In other cases, Scripture just | | | | --- who happen to be Catholic --- they have the |
| names Peter, and then mentions the others who | | | | successor of Peter, to whom the assistance of the |
| "were with him". (Matt. 10:1-4, Mark 3:16-19, Luke | | | | Holy Spirit was guaranteed, to guide them on issues |
| 6:14-16, Acts 1:13 Luke 9:32) | | | | of Scripture interpretation, faith and morals. And |
| * Peter was so important to the early believers that | | | | following his guidance is something in keeping with the |
| even Peter's shadow brought about miraculous | | | | Bible, which they do to their own benefit. Indeed, the |
| healings. (Acts 5:15) | | | | infallibility of the Pope does make the Catholic Church |
| * As the leader of the Church founded by Christ | | | | a Church with a lifetime guarantee. |
| (Matthew 16:18-19), Christ promised the assistance of | | | | |