Papal Infallibility – #3 – Biblical Basis
Infallibility belongs to the Pope in a unique way since Christ granted primacy to the Apostle Peter. Therefore, the Bishop of Rome inherits this primacy through apostolic succession and, with it, infallibility.
Saint Peter (1650) painting by Guercino, Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento - Image Source
The famous passage from Saint Matthew 16:18 demonstrates this delegation of power.
"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my Church, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it." (St. Matthew 16:18).
Note then that Our Lord Jesus Christ says that the gates of Hell will not prevail against his Church. This necessarily means that the Church is protected from error and heresy because if these could enter, the gates of Hell would prevail.
Only Saint Peter is the one who receives the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. Only he is declared the rock.
This primacy is seen, for example, in Saint John 21, where N.S. Jesus Christ instructs him, as the primary shepherd of His flock, the Church, to feed his lambs and care for his sheep.
“[...] she feeds my lambs [...] she feeds my sheep”. - Saint John 21:15-17.
It is important to note that the Greek word for "shepherd" is "poimaino," which literally means to govern, lead, etc.
Fourth Council of Constantinople, painting by Cesare Nebbia - Image Source
The same word is used in other passages, such as Revelation 2:27, Saint Matthew 2:6, Revelation 12:5, and Revelation 19:15, where it is applied to N.S. Jesus Christ himself.
In Saint John 16:13, N.S. Jesus Christ promised the protection of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles to guide them into all Truth.
"But when that Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all Truth; for he will not speak of himself, but he will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you what is to come." (John 16:13).
This promise guarantees that the Church will never depart from its teachings, even if some Catholics do so individually.
This same reality is reflected in the Apostle Saint Paul's declaration that the Church is the pillar and foundation of Truth (1 Timothy 3:15).
Portrait of Leo X with cardinals Luigi de' Rossi and Giulio de' Medici, painting by Raphael - Image Source
If the Church is the foundation of religious Truth in this world, then it is God's spokesperson. Christ said to His disciples: "He who hears you hears Me, and whoever rejects you rejects Me, and whoever rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me" (St. Luke 10:16).
If those who listen to the leaders of the Church listen to Christ himself, according to this passage, then in the person of its highest leader on Earth, who is the Pope, the Church is unable to disseminate doctrinal errors officially, because as we have seen, it is protected by the Holy Spirit.
Furthermore, we must remember that Our Lord Jesus Christ said that he would never abandon His Church:
"But Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on Earth has been given to me. Therefore, teach all nations; Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to observe everything I have prescribed for you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the world." (St. Matthew 28:18-20).
Allegory of eternity - the succession of the popes, painting Peter Paul Rubens - Image Source
In this way, we, Catholics, are sure that Our Lord Jesus Christ accompanied and accompanied His Church throughout history, not letting it fall into heresy.
Furthermore, He promised that Hell's gates would never prevail against the Church. Let us consider that until the 16th century, there was no dominant Church anywhere on Earth other than the Catholic Church, whether in its Orthodox or Roman Apostolic form. We conclude that Our Lord Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled his promise to assist the Church and, at no time, allow the gates of Hell to prevail over it.
to be continued....
Bibliography; History of the Popes by Dr. Agostino Saba and Carlo Castiglioni.
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