Response to ‘Sword of Illogic’

13.JUL.07

Editor: As the author of the Sword of the Spirit article, I am grateful for the opportunity to respond to the concerns raised by ‘Salt’ in the letter published in your July 6, 2007 issue.

Firstly, ‘Salt’ accuses me of slander, ie. a false report meant to do harm to the good name and reputation of another.{{more}}

However, if anyone follows my column, they will discover that I take great effort to give the sources of my information, which the readers themselves could check for verification.

Next, ‘Salt’ says that I actively seek to drive a wedge of hatred between Catholics and Protestants.

I wish to say that my mother and brother are Catholic, and there is no hatred between us. I have many Catholic friends, and I do not hate them.

I do not hate nor condemn Catholics, for the Lord Jesus says, “…Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” [Matthew 22:39 – KJV]

Instead, because of love for Catholics, I am seeking to warn Catholics.

If, for chronicling the history of the papacy and its teachings, I am accused of a crime, it seems that we are still in the dark ages.

If it is criminal to examine a professed Christian institution’s teachings to see if they are BIBLICAL, then where are we in Christianity? We have therefore become as the Muslims and Jews.

It is Salt’s very position that led to the persecution of the saints by the very papal powers, and leads to persecution in general of any free-speaking person.

However, I realize that Biblical truth is always construed as hatred. Paul asked, “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” [Galatians 4:16 – KJV]

Salt contends that the antichrist is a single person. I am glad for the opportunity to inform us that the SCRIPTURES declare that “…ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists…” [1 John 2:18 – KJV]

So who are we to believe? Salt says Antichrist is one person, the scriptures say that there are many antichrists.

Also the SCRIPTURES declare that “…every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” [1 John 4:3 – KJV]

Here the doctrine of denying Christ has come in the flesh is identified as of an ANTICHRIST SPIRIT and this spirit was already in the world in Paul’s time.

LOGICALLY, if there is an antichrist spirit, then it is possible that there are other dogmas and doctrines that are ANTICHRIST in their spirit or character. One could LOGICALLY say that any organization responsible for such dogmas and doctrines would therefore be ANTICHRIST as long as those dogmas and doctrines are upheld.

The word ‘antichrist’ is the greek ‘antichristos’, composed of ‘anti’ meaning ‘substitution’, and ‘Christos’ meaning ‘anointed or Christ.’ Thus antichrist means to ‘substitute Christ’.

And this is the warning to my Catholic friends, that the papal teachings are consistently shown to be substituting other means of salvation in place of Jesus Christ.

‘Salt’ claims that the popes encourage faith in Christ. However, I guess ‘Salt’ in unaware that Pope John Paul II declared that we must obtain salvation “through Mary,” herein is a substitute salvation.

‘Salt’ claims that the popes encourage avoidance of SIN. ‘Salt’ is unaware that the papal 10 Commandments have omitted the Commandment which forbids praying to statues. And since SIN is “…the transgression of the law.” [1 John 3:4 – KJV], then my Catholic friend ‘Salt’ is committing SIN when he/she reveres the statues that the papacy has set up.

While space will not permit me to contest the theory of Peter being the first pope, I wish ‘Salt’ to answer if he/she could, the following questions concerning Peter and the papacy.

• Jesus said to Peter, “…That thou art Peter [Petros], and upon this rock [Petra] I will build my church…”[Matthew 16:18 – KJV]

Does the Scripture use ‘Petra’ to refer to Peter or to Jesus Christ? Hint: 1 Corinthians 10:4.

Is the Church really built on Peter? Hint: Ephesians 2:20

• When Jesus prayed to God the Father, He said, “…I come to thee. Holy Father,…” [John 17:11 – KJV]

Why then is the title ‘Holy Father’ being used by the popes, something Peter never did?

• Jesus claimed, “…All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.” [Matthew 28:18 – KJV]

Yet the popes claim, “The Pope and God are the same, so he has all power in Heaven and earth.” Pope Pius V, quoted in Barclay, Chapter XXVII, p. 218, “Cities Petrus Bertanous”

• When Cornelius met Peter and attempted to worship him, “…Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.”[Acts 10:26 – KJV]

Notice Peter called himself ‘a man’ not ‘God on earth’ as present popes do. And Peter forbade any worship of himself. Yet, when anyone comes to a pope, why must they do what Peter forbade Cornelius to do?

• We read that Peter had a wife. [Matthew 8:14 – KJV]

Why is it that Popes and priests are forbidden to have wives?

If ‘Salt’ really wishes to defend and maintain these things and many others, he/she has a right, and he/she will receive the reward for doing so.

But if he/she wants to receive a BIBLICAL faith, and to know the Jesus of the BIBLE, I will gladly share what little I know.

Maurice Rogers
Author, The Sword of the Spirit