Rome Not Promised

If you keep in mind faith is lived out in what we think, say, and do; then you could see how Rome's thinking about itself could diverge from the teaching of Christ. By boasting in a false authority they departed from faith.

Catholics would insist you must have faith in the Church at Rome or the Orthodox Church, even if they had fallen doctrinally.

Rom 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

Catholics have thought and insisted Rome is the center of authority for the Church and that God had always upheld Rome by his providence, but the Roman letter makes it clear the Romans could be cut off as easy as any other church.

Rom 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

Rom 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

The relationship of the Roman Church with God was not 100% guaranteed. Rome was to see itself as a wild olive branch grafted into God's olive tree. Rome was not the root, but a branch. Rome was not the center of Christ's universe.

Paul affirmed the Romans could be cut off again. The relationship between disobedience and self exaltation apparent.

Psa 66:7 He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.

Rome eventually evolved out of the original teaching.

The promise of Matthew 16:18 was not a reference to Rome, since Rome could be cut off.

Mat 16:18 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.

It was for the church in general, not Rome specifically. Rome could be cut off.Peter was an apostle to the church, not the apostle to Rome.

Also, verse 19 uses a plural for "Thee" or "you", so Jesus has switched from speaking to Peter, to speaking to all the apostles. The last noun in v18 is Church, which is a plural number of people represented by the disciples currently standing before Christ.

Mat 16:19 And I will give unto thee (plural) the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou (plural) shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Mat 16:20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

He was now speaking to his disciples in v.19, not just Peter.

The same pronoun is used in Matthew 18 concerning severalpersons, so we know the pronoun is used for plural in some cases..

Mat 18:18 AmenG281 I sayG3004 to you,G1473 as much asG3745 you shouldG1437 tieG1210 uponG1909 theG3588 earth,G1093 it will beG1510.8.3 tiedG1210 inG1722 theG3588 heaven;G3772 andG2532 as much asG3745 you shouldG1437 untieG3089 uponG1909 theG3588 earth,G1093 it will beG1510.8.3 untiedG3089 inG1722 theG3588 heaven.G3772

Also, in both Matthew 16 and Matthew 18 the previous antecedent is the church.

I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Mat 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Matthew 16:19 and Matthew 18:18 are both plural andnot speaking of Peter only.