The Pope is a Thief

In one way I am sad because of the papal visit to my nation but in another way I am glad because it has caused me to once again focus on the Church of Rome and her doctrines and claims. So often we can become indifferent and complacent to the presence of this institution in our midst and the popes visit has given me reason to once again focus on these things.

I was reminded this morning as I listened to the media coverage of this visit of another one of the popes many titles, this one he has stolen form God Himself, I refer of course to his title ‘Holy Father’.

In the scriptures we only find this title being used once. In John chapter 17 we have what is termed the ‘High Priestly Prayer’ of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we approach John 17 we should really take our shoes off because we are standing on ‘holy ground’. This chapter is a record of the outpouring of the heart of our Saviour (the second person of the Godhead) to His Father (the first person of the Godhead). In verse 10 & 11 the Saviour utters these words.

‘And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.’

Right here in this passage the Lord Jesus refers to His Heavenly Father as ‘Holy Father’, who does the pope of Rome think he is stealing this Divine title?

Not only is it stealing for him to take this title but it is also a lie, for he in neither holy, nor a father (although with all Rome’s scandals you never know).
Holiness is an attribute that belongs to God alone, no man can be said to be holy for all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God, the scriptures call upon us to strive for holiness but we know that we can never attain it, that is why we need a Saviour to get into heaven.

With regard to the name father, has the Church of Rome forgotten what the Saviour said in Matthew 23 v 9 ‘And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.’ Even the very Priests of Rome want to be called ‘father’ in violation of this command.

How we need to pray more earnestly in these days for the masses of deluded Roman Catholics that are depending upon this system for their Salvation. We love them for Christ, our quarrel is not with them but with the system that blinds them.