As always, the true teachings of Christ provide a sure escape from spiritual illusions and snares.  As Peter and the apostles said to the Temple rulers of their time, “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)

Christ said, “God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him,” (John 3:17) and “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44).  Also, Jesus rebuked his disciples for proposing to “bid fire come down from heaven and consume them” after a Samaritan village had refused to welcome Jesus and his followers (Luke 9:52-55).  There’s no hint that Christ wanted his followers to use force against enemies of the Faith. 

Christ also said, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:31-32).  Knowledge of truth was to be for all his followers; truth and spiritual freedom were not to be limited to the Popes and the Bishops. 

When the apostle John told Christ, “Teacher, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he was not following us,”  Jesus replied, “Do not forbid him; for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon after to speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is for us.” (John 9: 38-40)  This is the opposite of the claim, maintained for centuries by Rome, that adherence to the Roman Catholic Church was a prerequisite for salvation.

After a squabble among his disciples over who was greatest among them, Christ said: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.  It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matt. 20:25-28)  So much for the idea that Popes and churchmen ought to be temporally rich and powerful!

Contrast the teachings and example of Christ with the record of many Popes and with the attitude of many Vatican loyalists today – including Opus Dei, the Legionaries of Christ, and other cults within the Church.

Follow Christ; accept no substitutes!

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The Document has been broken up in four sections:

Published on February 2, 2006

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