Clearly, I understand types and figures. But, this scripture, that YOU brought up, is not a type or figure. It is a prophecy. Isaiah prophecies exactly what would happen. And it did. I am also aware that prophecy is often fulfilled on multiple levels. The simple question is whether you think that this was also a prophecy about Peter or not? I suppose one could claim that Peter's peg was pulled out when he was martyred. How does that justify men replacing that peg with another? Even if you make the huge assumption that Peter was appointed to the office of Pope, without ever mentioning that such an office existed, that would have been direct appointment by Christ. Where is the scriptural justification for the different way Catholics appoints popes now?
There may be some confusion on the part of others here. I do NOT advocate for sects. Not mine nor anyone else's. I advocate for serving Christ as instructed from scripture. I do not believe that Jesus intended for his people to be divided into denominations, no matter whether they are called Holy Roman Catholic, or Methodist, or Lutheran, Or Wesleyan, or Baptist, or an almost infinite number of other divisions. We are called to serve Him. We are to have no other Gods before him. A man cannot serve two masters. If one is serving a denomination it reduces his ability, in my opinion, to serve Christ. As we study we find things that differ between ANY denomination and the scripture. I understand that most people who think they are following Christ are doing it in a denomination and I have no doubt they do so in good conscience, thinking they are serving Christ. But, his word teaches us that Christ is not divided. We were not intended to separate ourselves from each other over stuff that matters little or perhaps not at all.
For example, I believe many things abut Baptism. Salvation. Washing. Burial. Joining Christ's death. Resurrection. Etc...... and yet, I would not divide myself from someone who says he was only baptized only because Christ told him to be. he may have incomplete understanding of serious issues, but he is trying to serve Christ. The discussion of how much error is acceptable is an interesting one. But, in truth it belongs to Christ to answer that at judgment. We need to continue to try to return to being the church that Christ built. I do not seek to be Catholic or Protestant, but merely Christian, in the way the first century church was, long before either denomination or sect came into being.
