Implications of "And the Gates of Hell will not Prevail Against It"

[Danny_OC]

When Christ said this to Peter; what implications does that bring? I know that for one it means that we can have absolute trust in the rightness of church teaching; but what else? What does that mean in terms of the standing of the Church of the World? Would you say it guarantees that Catholicism will always remain the World’s most prominent religion (recent reports that this has already changed are inaccurate-- comparing Islam to Catholicism can’t be done… you’d have to compare Catholicism to Sunni-Islam)? What else?

Thanks!

 

[cam100]

No, there is no guarantee that Catholicism will be the most prominent religion. Think about how the Church was when Christ founded it. It wasn’t the most prominent religion at that time, either.

What we do know is that this means that the Church, as Christ founded it, will last until the end of the world. This means that the Church’s core structure and teachings will remain. She will continue to possess the same marks that she possessed at the beginning - one, holy, catholic, & apostolic. She will continue to remain a visible entity, even if not the most prominent. She will continue to hold the same dogmas of the faith as taught by the apostles. She will teach the truth, and will never lead us into sin by teaching false doctrine or giving us false sacraments.

 

[Tammy111]

I don’t think the statement by Christ guaratees that the Catholic church will be most prevalent, but that it will always be in existence. The gates of hell/satan, his demons, the powers of darkness in this age will Not overcome the Church and the truth it stands upon. The apostolic teaching and succession ocntinues to pass the truth forward, continually pushing back the forces of hell.

 

[thistle]

When Christ said this to Peter; what implications does that bring? I know that for one it means that we can have absolute trust in the rightness of church teaching; but what else? What does that mean in terms of the standing of the Church of the World? Would you say it guarantees that Catholicism will always remain the World’s most prominent religion (recent reports that this has already changed are inaccurate-- comparing Islam to Catholicism can’t be done… you’d have to compare Catholicism to Sunni-Islam)? What else?

Thanks!

When Christ said that he is guaranteeing the Catholic Church is (and will remain) the only Church with the fullness of truth. That does not require it to be the biggest in terms of membership.

 

[Danny_OC]

Thanks.

Just your opinions: do you think Islam will overtake Catholicism, or even Christianity, in numbers?

 

[thistle]

Thanks.

Just your opinions: do you think Islam will overtake Catholicism, or even Christianity, in numbers?

Its not a numbers game. Better the Church is smaller but filled with faithful believers than to be larger in nominal numbers.

 

[Danny_OC]

Its not a numbers game. Better the Church is smaller but filled with faithful believers than to be larger in nominal numbers.

I know its not a numbers game, but I’m still curious.

Although… to an extent; it is a numbers game. I agree, better smaller and filled with faithful believers than larger with nominal believers. But, wouldn’t better than both be larger and with faithful believers? I mean, we *are *called upon to spread the faith, not just strengthen it in those who already know it.

 

[drafdog]

It means that God’s love and forgiveness is more powerful than evil. No matter what happens, there will be more of good, kind and generous acts than acts of violence, greed and corruption.

Matthew

 

[bogeydogg]

I have always thought it meant that since gates are a defensive thing, that the powers of Hell would be powerless to hold their own against the power of truth of Christ within His Church.

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

Daniel Mace New Testament (1729)
Matthew 16:18

and I tell thee likewise, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will hereafter build my church: and **death shall not prevail against it. **