Faith Well Grounded

The Vatican released a document stating that any church apart from the Roman Catholic Church is not a true church. Protestants everywhere are outraged. Story here...

Why?

All that the Vatican has done is restate the tautology that they have always held. If Protestants look to the Roman Catholic Church for assurances that we are the Body and Bride of Christ, then there are bigger problems here than mere perception and theological ego.

The Word says that there is but one Mediator between me and God, and that is Christ (1 Timothy 2:5), not the Pope. And as the bride of that Mediator, my assurances come from Him. He gave those assurances in John 3:16 without ever mentioning the Vatican's approval. Paul defines our standing with no mention of the Vatican's approval.

Rom 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom 5:2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

I have the testimony of my Mediator and the Holy Spirit, independent of the Vatican:

John 15:26 "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf.

Of this testimony:

1Jo 5:7 For there are three witnesses-
1Jo 5:8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood-and these three are one.
1Jo 5:9 If we accept human testimony, God's testimony is greater, because it is the testimony of God and because he has testified about his Son.
1Jo 5:10 The person who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in himself. The person who does not believe God has made him a liar by not believing the testimony that God has given about his Son.
1Jo 5:11 This is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is found in his Son.
1Jo 5:12 The person who has the Son has this life. The person who does not have the Son of God does not have this life.

There are only three witnesses, and the Vatican isn't one of them. I accept the witness of the Spirit above that of any man. So, who cares? Let the Vatican make all of the definitions and distinctions they want. I still have the blood of my Savior, His mediation, the Gospel and the Testimony.

I am my Father's son.

Be blessed...

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