It was such a joy for me when I came to true salvation in Jesus Christ, and realized that I did not need the leadership of the Pope in Rome at all. I know that I speak for many former Roman Catholic people when I say these things, because when the Holy Spirit of truth enters the heart of the believer, there has to be a mighty change. After I was born again of the Spirit, I knew that all of the religious ceremonies of my Roman Catholic past meant absolutely nothing! I was baptized as an infant, and was supposedly “born again” at that time according to Rome, but when I was truly saved many years later, I knew my infant baptism was nothing but a sham. When I came to know the real Jesus Christ, I knew that the Roman Catholic priests, and their “superiors” did not even know the Lord for themselves. I knew that they were UNSAVED, and I knew that by the Holy Spirit of truth. When a person comes to know the Lord Jesus Christ, they know that he ALONE, is the chief cornerstone which was prophesied by the Old Testament prophets, and the only one that they need! God’s Word is absolutely incredible when you see how it all fits perfectly together. In the book of Isaiah there is the following scripture:*
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in ZION for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. (Isaiah 28:16)
We know now that this scripture speaks prophetically of Jesus the Christ [Messiah] who came to this earth at the appointed time, died, and rose again from the dead. Jesus Christ [Messiah] was rejected by His own Jewish people [John 1:11], but to those who believed on Him, they became the sons [children] of God. [John 1:12] We can see the very same scripture used by Peter in the New Testament.*
Ye also, as lively (LIVING) stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the SCRIPTURE, Behold, I lay in Sion (ZION) a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a STONE of STUMBLING, and a ROCK of OFFENCE, even to them which STUMBLE AT THE WORD, being DISOBEDIENT: whereunto also they were appointed. (1 Peter 2:5-8 )
Peter tells that we are now a SPIRITUAL house, which simply means that we as believers are filled with the Holy Spirit, and we recognize that Jesus Christ is Lord. We recognize that Jesus is the chief cornerstone in that SPIRITUAL house.
Peter also tells us that we are a Holy Priesthood, which simply means that any person who repents of their sin, and turns to the Lord, is now part of that SPIRITUAL priesthood of believers. If you are reading this today, and you do not know the Lord, and you realize that you are a sinner that needs salvation, the GOOD NEWS is that you can be SAVED. The GOOD NEWS is that you can become part of the SPIRITUAL priesthood of believers the moment that you are born again into the Kingdom of God. You do not need to seek the counsel of the UNBIBLICAL priesthood of the Roman Catholic system. Why? Because you can become part of the only priesthood that God recognizes, when you put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ alone.
Peter tells us that the “builders” disallowed this cornerstone who is Jesus Christ, which simply means that they [the Jewish people] disapproved and rejected Him. Jesus Christ was a “stumbling stone” to the people of Israel, for He was not what they expected. They did not anticipate the Messiah to come as He did in a meek and humble way, even riding upon a donkey into Jerusalem EXACTLY as prophesied by the prophet Zechariah. [Zechariah 9:9] Not only that, but Peter tells us that he [Jesus Christ] became the HEAD of the corner, or cornerstone.
When the foundation for a major building is being laid, you will often witness a very big ceremony when the cornerstone of the building is put in place. The News reporters will be there taking pictures and all of the local politicians will be there with big smiles on their faces, and shovels in their hands, as they announce the beginning of construction.
Almost two thousand years ago, the GREATEST CORNERSTONE was laid in the SPIRITUAL BUILDING of Almighty God. That cornerstone is Jesus Christ and the offer to become part of that SPIRITUAL building has been going on that whole time. The offer is for both Jewish and Gentile, but there is one catch, you must believe that Jesus Christ is the CHIEF CORNERSTONE.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)
Peter tells us that we are now part of a HOLY NATION, and that we have been called out of darkness into the marvelous light [of Jesus Christ]. We are now the people of God, and that is an awesome thing folks. We have obtained mercy!
I believe that any person who truly knows the Lord, and who has been born again of the Spirit, realizes the awesome and incredible mercy that they have obtained from God. Folks, I also believe that any person who has been truly born again of the Spirit, also realizes that they were doomed to an eternal Hell without that awesome mercy of God, through Jesus Christ!
Once again I tell you that this offer is for any person on planet earth. You may have lived the most wretched life imaginable, and yet you can become part of this HOLY NATION that Peter is telling us about.
By the way this HOLY NATION is a SPIRITUAL NATION that is made up of people from all over the globe. It does not matter one iota where you live, because the moment you repent and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and receive the GIFT of salvation, you become part of that HOLY NATION of God!
Please make a note also, that there is no such thing as a “Holy Land” [including the State of Israel] because the only one that can make anyone Holy is the Holy Spirit. Any person who is living in the land of the present day State of Israel is confronted with the person of Jesus Christ, just like any other person, from any other other place in the world. It comes down to the individual, and their acceptance or rejection of Jesus Christ [Messiah]. If any one tells you otherwise then they are presenting a BOGUS GOSPEL MESSAGE to you!
The spiritual waters of this beautiful Gospel of Jesus Christ began flowing out from Jerusalem almost two thousand years ago, and they have reached the uttermost parts of the earth. The invitation that Jesus gave 2000 years ago remains the same: “. . . repent ye and believe the Gospel . . .” [Mark 1:15]
The Jewish apostle Paul was a former persecutor and murderer of Christians, until he was converted on the road to Damascus. [Acts 9] He confirms the words of Isaiah as well as Peter in the following passage:
What shall we say then? That the GENTILES, which followed not after righteousness, HAVE attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of FAITH. But ISRAEL, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath NOT attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it NOT by FAITH, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion (ZION) a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Romans 9:30-33)
In this passage of scripture this Jewish apostle of Christ tells us that the Gentiles [heathen] have attained the righteousness [before God] because of their simple faith!
Paul then tells us that Israel has NOT attained that same righteousness [before God] because they sought to earn their righteousness with God by their keeping of the Law, and so it is even until this very day! Paul then quotes the very same scripture, [3 time confirmation] that Isaiah and Peter quoted, regarding Christ being the cornerstone.
Listen to the cry from the heart of Paul, a man who was religious but lost until he was transformed by the power of Jesus Christ, almost two thousand years ago.
Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for ISRAEL is, that they might be SAVED. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but NOT according to knowledge. For they being IGNORANT of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish THEIR OWN righteousness, have NOT submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For CHRIST is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that BELIEVETH. (Romans 10:1-4)
Paul tells us in simple and plain language that the people of Israel [ethnic] have a zeal for God, but that zeal is NOT according to the knowledge and truth of God’s Word. Paul declared that they were ignorant of God’s righteousness, and so they decided to establish THEIR OWN righteousness. Israel missed the truth about Jesus Christ as being the END of the law for righteousness, for those who believe.
That same word stands as true today, as it did when Paul wrote those words so many years ago. The only RIGHTEOUSNESS that Almighty God will honor is that RIGHTEOUSNESS that is found in His Son Jesus Christ. To reject Jesus Christ is to reject the true RIGHTEOUSNESS, and obviously the salvation which gains entrance into Heaven.
Do Not Buy The Vatican Lie That Peter Is The Rock
One of the main boasts of the Roman Catholic system is that they are the one and only true church on earth. After I came to know the Lord in 1989 I realized that the Roman Catholic Church was NOT EVEN PART of the TRUE church of Jesus Christ. I went through all of the traditions and rituals of the Roman Catholic system but I did not know the Lord Jesus Christ at all until 1989. They teach that a person is “born again” when they are baptized as an infant, but I know that is not true, because I was born again the biblical way, many years later through hearing the “incorruptible seed of the word of God” being preached. Peter wrote this:
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being BORN AGAIN, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the WORD OF GOD, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the WORD of THE LORD endureth for ever. And this is the word which by THE GOSPEL is preached unto you. (1 Peter 1:22-25)
Let us take a look at the passage of scripture that the FALSE church of Rome likes to use to prove Peter as the ROCK, and Peter as the first Pope.
“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath NOT revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is IN HEAVEN. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this ROCK I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:13-18
The Greek word for Peter is the word petros, which is a piece of rock, whereas the Greek word for ROCK, is the word petra which describes a mass of rock. Keep in mind that the Lord questioned his disciples as to what the people were saying about him. Jesus wanted to know who they thought he was. They told him that some thought that he was John the Baptist, which he was not. Some thought that he was the prophet Elijah, which he was not. Some thought that he was the prophet Jeremiah or some other prophet, which he was not. Jesus then asked THEM who they thought he was, and Peter (Simon) responded and told him that he was the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God, which he WAS! The Lord Jesus Christ then told Peter that flesh and blood (another human being) did not reveal that information to him, but his Father which is in HEAVEN! Jesus was letting Peter and his fellow disciples know that the church of God would be built upon the TESTIMONY, which Peter spoke, and the revelation which comes from above. The outside people did not have the revelation which Peter and his fellow disciples had, and thus they believed Jesus to be John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets. The true believer in Jesus Christ who has been genuinely born again of the Spirit, KNOWS that Jesus was indeed the Christ (Messiah) and the Son of the living God! That truth cannot be understood by the natural man, but ONLY by the Spirit of the living God.
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:12-14
The Roman Catholic Church will have you to believe that PETER is the ROCK of the church, but the scriptures are very clear that the Lord is the ONLY ROCK of our salvation. There cannot be TWO different rocks. If you believe Peter to be the ROCK of your salvation, and you are trusting in the Roman Catholic system, and you have nothing more than an EARTHLY ROCK, versus the ETERNAL ROCK which is Jesus Christ himself. The revelation which the TRUE believer in Jesus Christ has, is that the Lord our ROCK became flesh and dwelt among us, died (for our sins), and then rose again from the dead!
Peter would be the first to tell you that he is not a rock, and he would be the first to point you to the true and only rock, which is Jesus Christ. In fact Jesus Christ was the very same “rock” which led the true children of Israel in Old Covenant (Testament) times.
Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same SPIRITUAL meat; And did all drink the same SPIRITUAL drink: for they drank of that SPIRITUAL ROCK that followed them: and that ROCK was CHRIST. (1 Corinthians 10:1-4)
Yes, Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) and the spiritual rock which led the “fathers” of Israel all of those years. Until a person comes into contact with the REAL spiritual rock, which is Jesus Christ, they simply remain DEAD in their sins, and they are void of the everlasting life which God offers to all mankind. Jesus, NOT Peter, is the very cornerstone of the TRUE spiritual house of God, and entrance into that house is through a spiritual “new birth” better known as being “born again” of the Spirit! That is why I speak out against the false teachings of Rome like I do, because many are being led astray, and ultimately damned for eternity because they are not truly saved. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I would have ended up in Hell, if I had not come to a knowledge of the truth though God’s Word!
The LORD liveth; and blessed be MY ROCK; and let the God of MY SALVATION be exalted. (Psalms 18:46)
For thou art MY ROCK and MY FORTRESS; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and GUIDE ME. (Psalms 31:3)
He ONLY is my rock and MY SALVATION; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. (Psalms 62:2)
He ONLY is my rock and MY SALVATION: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. (Psalms 62:6)
After I came to know the one and only rock of may salvation, the rosary beads and prayers to Mary stopped immediately. The religious medals, beads and trinkets were discarded and tossed in the garbage can. I knew that I did not need Mary or any other created human being to intercede for me, because I met the REAL Jesus Christ for myself. I was “born again” the REAL way, and I now LOVE the Word of God, because it is the TRUTH which set me free. Jesus Christ prayed to his Father in the following way:
I have given them thy word; and THE WORLD hath hated them, because they are not of THE WORLD, even as I AM NOT of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are NOT of THE WORLD, even as I AM NOT of THE WORLD. Sanctify them through THY TRUTH: thy WORD is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through THE TRUTH. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through THEIR WORD; (John 17:14-20)
True revival will come when the Pastors in the “Protestant” and “Evangelical” churches start speaking out against the false gospels of our modern day, and that would include the false gospel of Rome. The Lord will NEVER bless a UNITY with a false gospel, BUT he will in fact curse it!
But though we, or an angel from heaven, PREACH ANY OTHER GOSPEL unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man PREACH ANY OTHER GOSPEL unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to PLEASE MEN? for if I yet PLEASED MEN, I should NOT be the servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:8-10)
Pope Francis and company need to repent and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ, because the blood of untold millions is upon their hands, and upon the hands of all of those who work hand in hand with them.
For there is ONE GOD, and ONE MEDIATOR between GOD and men, the man Christ Jesus; (1 Timothy 2:5)
Jesus saith unto him, I AM the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is NONE other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be SAVED. (Acts 4:10-12)