=indijanka-Pat,
thanks for writing all that. These are things most of us know but still it’s great to have it explained in the way you did.
I have one question. I often have to defend Catholicism (my in-laws are Lutheran). All the Bible verses about Confession (correct me please if I’m mistaken) are true about Lutheran Confession,too. Still, it’s VERY different from the Catholic one. As far as I know, which migh not be accurate, Lutherans confess together and out loud, something like this: “I confess that I’ve sinned.” and they often argue that it’s enough and it’s according to the Bible. Where in the Bible will I find that we have to speak personally and individually to the priest? Because, a Lutheran pastor then says something like “I abslove you from your sins.” I don’t know exactly. So, what shall I tell them to defend our face-to-face confession? Of course, I realize all the benefits it has.
Thanks
You’re welcome
The bible answers all questions on faith, practice of faith and morals, all though not always in specific language. Use the bible references I provided and as foundation and explaination of the Primacy of Peter and the authority Christ gave to Him and only His Church. **
[Mt.18-15-19 and Eph. 4:4-8 noting ONE Body, One Faith, One set of beliefs and practice.]
The seven Sacraments are unique to the CC and all instituted [authorized and set up by Christ.] Outside of His One Church, the Sacraments are only “signs and symbols” nothing more.
Valid administration of them requires direct Apolostolic Succession, not found outside the CC.
***I must answer for you the W’s, who, what, where and why?
Who?* Jesus Christ (Mt. 16:16) The Son of God. All Knowing - all Wise - all everything Good. A key element of Gods Perfect Goodness is that God is and has to be “All-Fair and All Just.”
The words used by Jesus are carefully selected to insure proper understanding.
What? This is part of the discourse in which Christ makes clear in unambiguous language that He intends to: 1. Form His Church (singular use of “I” and “you” “rock” and “church.” 2. That it is to be only ONE church. 3. That Peter is given the access (gate keys) to heaven. 4. Peter (and Peter alone) is given all of the power and authority to govern with COMPLETE autonomous authority, answering ONLY to God [the King] Himself!
To “bind” and to “loose” were common, rabbinical, legally binding at Law terms for exactly that! Complete, and free governance. Jesus, Peter and all that heard knew exactly what Jesus meant!
WHERE? Mt. 16:13: “Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” “
Caesarea Philippi is in the hill country of Judea. It was a by their standards, a large town. It was also the site of the areas Major Pagan Temple. Thus Jesus ask, “ who do people say that I am.” Not satisfied with the response Jesus then “ask His deciples (plural.) PETER answers, (Mt. 16: 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
The location Jesus chooses is a clear indication of the Mission of His Church, and Peter and the Apostles. “Overcome, do away with pagan worship.” Jesus not only gives His Church this Mission, He gives His Church all of the tools and authority needed to accomplish it!
**
Why?** Jesus clearly knew what lie in store for His Deciples and the persecution His Church, and His Deciples, would have to face. This is precisely why the mandate, why the authority, why the church, why they too would die professing that Christ is Lord! That Jesus remains present “ Really Present,” why Jesus instituted the Seven Sacraments. All this so that His Church would have the power and the authority, the tools and the grace, to become the “Narrow Gate” of Christ plan for our Salvation. (Mt. 7: 13.)
The “Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven” is a literal statement of FACT!
This is what Jesus said, did, intended and has accomplished.
Why did Jesus use the term “the keys?” Was there a specific reason? Would those to whom Jesus was speaking have easily picked up on what Jesus was saying and doing?
Jesus often used Parables that told stories in order to make the point He was trying to make. So we can understand that whatever words Jesus selected were carefully chosen.
Back in the time if Jesus all major cites were walled in for protection from attack. These cities actually had two real GATES, with REAL KEYS. A minor gate and the Main gate.
Now under independent rule, each major city also had there own king, and thus a “kingdom.” So there were many Kings and many kingdoms. A brief reading of the Old Testament list many Kings (who often merged with other kingdoms for the purpose of self-defense) because they were usually too small to be completely independent against other NATIONS, who too merged all of their kingdoms resources to do battle and gain territory.
So the Apostles and the Jewish people of that time period would have known and been comfortable with the idea of a King and his Kingdom.
Like our President, Kings and Kingdoms all day to day governance was given to a person that they selected as “Prime Minister.” An example of this is Genesis 42 and Joseph, the brother sold into slavery, who is made Prime Minister of all of Egypt.
Typically a Prime Minister had complete, autonomous control of ALL day to day activities. The Prime Minister answered to NOONE except the King Himself and.
This is the common understanding and the very reason for the specific reference to “Keys” and the “Kingdom.” There would have been absolutely zero doubts about what Christ was saying, doing and mandating for Peter, now the “Prime Minister” for Christ!
This account is historically provable. Indeed Christ intended to start His (ONE) Church, and to give Peter and those “prime-ministers” (POPES) complete and autonomous control and governance of His Church. COLOR]
Hope this helps, if not let me know.
Pat**
