"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
Heb 4:14-16 (KJV)
Enough to show that the Catholics have it wrong to start with, as Jesus is our High Priest, and no where in the New Testamant do we have a model or selection process to have one man in charge of the spiritual state of the church. There are guidelines for choosing pastors and deacons, and advice on choosing teachers, but no Pope guidelines. I remember very well one prominent local minister who held that in general Catholics were not saved, as by their teachings, they had no true conversion experience. He also held that some would be saved but out of their geniune search for the truth, and not for the dogma and rituals of the Catholic church. Having family members that are Catholic and having attended Catholic services, I tend to agree with his assessment. They think they need to reach out to Protestant faiths, when in fact the very opposite is true.
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