Do Romanist really believe the Pope is Holy Trinity?

As 115 Bishops gather in a secret conclave in the Sistine Chapel under the historic work of Michelangelo, the world waits to see who will be the next man to claim holy inerrancy. I find it interesting that by the vote of 115 bishops a man is declared to be, from that point forward, inerrant and assumes holy names for himself that the Scripture ascribes to God alone. I want to examine three of those here.

“The Holy Father”
How often do we hear on the news or read in the paper someone referring to John Paul II as the “Holy Father?” This name more than the others gives attention to the hierarchical structure of the Roman Catholic Church. They believe this man elected by other men to be the head of the Roman Church to be worthy of a title that Jesus says belongs to God alone. In Matthew 23.9 Jesus tells his followers, “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.” Jesus is in the midst of exposing the gig of the Pharisees, who “say things and do not do them. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places” (v3-7) He warns of setting yourself up as one who claims to have superiority over others. Certainly we understand that within the structure of the Church, God has established order and structure; however, we must exercise such leadership with great care and in all humility. The name “Father” is reserved for God alone for it assumes not only positional headship but superiority of essence. Then to be so bold as to attach the descriptive “Holy!” I tremble when folks at our church call me “Pastor.” What a weight of responsibility! In assuming the adjective “Holy” the Pope is declaring a status the Scripture indicates we will not attain until we reach Glory.

"The Pontiff"
To pontificate means to “make a bridge” The etymology of the word is Latin, from pont-, “bridge” + facer “to make.” Therefore, assuming the title “Pontif” is to assume the right and responsibility to be one's bridge to God. The Pope claims to be the one who gives the faithful access to God. Thus the Pope, and the rest of the Holy Mafia, can offer forgiveness, absolution, etc in exchange for various indulgences. The Scripture teaches there is only one mediator between God and Man. That mediator is not Mary! It is the man Jesus Christ (1 Tim 2.5,6) In fact the writer of Hebrews also reminds us of the intercessory role of Christ. “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (4.14-16). Neither the Pope, nor anyone else, can take the mediatory role of Christ.

“The Vicar of Christ”
A “vicar” is one who serves as a substitute or agent. It comes from the Latin vicarius, also the root of the English word “vicarious,” as in the vicarious (substitutionary) atonement of Christ. By assuming this title, the pope actually claims to be the one who stands in the stead of Christ. This is how the pope, as well as other Roman Catholic clergy believe they have a right to delcare “Your sins are absolved!” to a faithful Catholic who observes the Sacrament of Penance. The Bible declares that it is Christ alone who stands as our Advocate before God. It is His privilege to deliver to us the absolution of our sins as a result of the once for all sacrifice He made on the cross. But the Pope claims to be standing in the stead of Christ. There is only one “vicar of Christ.” In John 16.5-15 Jesus promises, “But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.” Christ declares that the Holy Spirit will be His vicar. The Holy Spirit will stand in the stead of Christ. No man, no pope is ever to blasphemously claim to be the vicar of Christ.

Thus in assuming the three blasphemous names of “Holy Father,” “Vicar of Christ,” and “Pontificate,” the Pope is taking the role and assuming the very identity of the Holy Trinity - God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Thus the origin of the historical claims of Biblical Protestants that the Papacy is the seat of the Antichrist. Whether Pope John Paul II is in fact THE Antichrist prophesied in Scripture is yet to be determine. It is, however, certain that The Pope, all popes, are antichrists. Drawing attention away from the real Savior Jesus Christ and redirecting it to the Church, Mary or The Pope himself.

As Bible believing Christians, we must continue to warn of the wolves in sheep's clothing and faithful proclaim the once for all, finished, sufficient sacrifice of Christ alone.

Grace to You!