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RUSSELL SANDERS
6-15-2021
HISTORICAL PERSECUTION OF BELIEVERS – LESSON 6
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IS FORMED
CHURCH IN DISARRAY
Although the Roman catholic Church was formed in the fourth century A.D., they falsely claim that they were the original Christian church starting with the Apostle Peter as their first Pope. They claim the Catholic Church goes back to 29 A.D. with Jesus’ resurrection, ascension, and the Holy Spirit outpouring at Pentecost.
They also claim that Peter spent his last 25 years in Rome as the Bishop of Rome. History indicates however, contrary to this fabricated “tradition of the Catholic Church”, that Peter never went to Rome. He always led the new believers from Jerusalem only. It was in Jerusalem where he was martyred in 67 A.D. under Nero’s persecution.
From 29 A.D. to 325 A.D., the Roman Catholic church claims an unbroken succession of Popes heading their church. However, history shows that during that time period there were at least five major centers of Christian Church Administration each with a strong “bishop” leader. The Catholic Church over the years has periodically “changed” that succession from one “Pope” to a different “Pope.” They have changed the claimed papal line several times, essentially proving by their own indecisiveness that there really was no “pope” at all until the fourth century.
During 240 to 300 A.D. the true Christian movement had explosive growth. Since the written word of God was available only to a very few, there was no way to study it. Consequently, with a massive number of pagans coming into the faith, there was not much consistency in what they would be taught. This brought about many varied and diverse doctrines. There was no uniformity in teachings or beliefs or doctrines. This opened the gate for various heresies to be propagated.
Arius, the powerful bishop of Alexandria, spread a heresy that today bears his name, Arianism. His teaching became widely accepted in the third century (240-300 A.D.) and well into the fourth century (301-400A.D.). It continues in a somewhat modified form even to this day.
Arius taught that Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, was a created being, created by God (Father) out of nothing. Therefore, he was not co-eternal with The Father.
Trinitarian doctrine says that Jesus came from the Father, not created by the Father. Therefore, He has always been co-eternal with the Father as one. That is the doctrine we hold to, along with Roman Catholic and Protestant Christian denominations. Many of today’s so-called Christian” cults align more closely to the teaching of Arius.
When Constantine became Roman Emperor and a converted Christian, this is the “Christian Chaos” he inherited. Tomorrow we shall see how he dealt with it.
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