Required reading
Institutes of Christian religion by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 6 of Book 4.
My summary
Today Calvin continues his examination of ecclesiology by looking at the evidence for the papacy.
Calvin shows that the Pope's office is not supported by:
(i) the office of high priest in the Old Testament;
(ii) Matthew 16:18-19 'And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven';
(iii) John 21:15 ' So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs';
(iv) civil government practices;
(v) perpetual succession.
What grabbed me
It surprises me that Roman Catholics would use the role of high priest in the Scriptures as an argument for the Pope when the New Testament clearly teaches that Jesus is our high priest now
Calvin rightly says: 'Every one knows that the high priest was a type of Christ; now, the priesthood being transferred, that right must also be transferred. To whom, then, was it transferred? certainly not to the Pope, as he dares impudently to boast when he arrogates this title to himself, but to Christ, who, as he alone holds the office without vicar or successor, does not resign the honour to any other. For this priesthood consists not in doctrine only, but in the propitiation which Christ made by his death, and the intercession which he now makes with the Father (Heb. 7:11).'
I'd much rather have Jesus as my high priest than the Pope.
Next week's reading
Read Chapter 7 of Book 4.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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