The most recent election of the next Roman Pontiff occupied the minds of Catholics as well as, it would seem, most of the secular world. One newspaper assured its readers that "No other event in human society can compare with a papal conclave in its combination of tradition, drama, ceremony and pomp, and significance." After what seems to be an endless wait, the senior cardinal-deacon appears on a balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square and announces: "Habemus papam!" [21] Thus the climax of the drama and all the accompanying pageantry is the pronouncement - "Habemus papam!" we have a Papa! [22] Catholics and the world are told that they have a spiritual Papa to look after them. Christ Jesus constantly spoke about His Father, the word "Father" was seventy times on His lips to show true believers that they have a Father, a Father in Heaven - "my Father, and your Father" my God, and your God. [23] Distinctively true believers have an Abba Father, in the words of the Apostle, "for ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." [24] It is precisely because believers have an Abba Father that they are commanded not to call any man "Father" in the spiritual sense. Thus the Lord's command, "call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." [25] The Lord Christ Jesus prayed to the only "Holy Father" that exists, "Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are." [26] The Lord used His usual appellation "Father" but prefixed it with the word "Holy." He wanted to emphasize the absolute perfection of the Father's nature. So intimate and worshipful is this, that in a spiritual sense a true believer will only use the words "The Holy Father of God" alone! The Roman Pontiff not only takes to himself the office of "Vicar of Christ" but also the very title of the Godhead, "The Holy Father." We must therefore ask the question that Apostle John asks, "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son." [27] In assuming these titles to himself, the Pope shows that he truly is "vicar of Christ" in the biblical sense of the Antichrist!

Conclusion and Personal Response

Today some compromised and eclectic "Evangelicals" stop their ears and close their eyes to the true Vicar of Christ and mindlessly agree with the festivities that accompany the white smoke arising from the Vatican. Ignored once again are the questions: Whom do we honor? Whom do we fear? Is it God or man? As the world and false Evangelicals bow in admiration and anticipation of a new Pontiff, we might well take a moment to pause and consider where we personally stand as believers in the One Lord Christ Jesus and the One Holy Spirit.
Presented to the world is the office of Pope. The one who holds the office claims to mediate between God and man and to hold the keys of heaven and hell. Most appallingly he takes to himself the office of "Vicar of Christ" adding even the attribute of infallibility to his position[28], demanding that a religious respect of intellect and will be paid to his teaching. [29] The Papal arrogance tallies well with the Scripture's prediction for such claims, I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. [30] The words inscribed in the Pope's official miter are "Vicarius Filii Dei, Latin for "Vicar of the Son of God." Since there can be but one Vicar of Christ who is infinite, supreme, omnipotent, and all sufficient, the earthly pretender can be none other than a self energized Apostate system and will eventually be judged and utterly condemned by the Lord. [31] The ecumenical allies of the earthly Vicar multiply like mushrooms, yet we fear not because we know that in Him we are "more than conquerors through Him that loved us." [32]. Our victory is assured "for whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." [33] The "Evangelicals and Catholics Together" (ECT) accord determined its own condemnation, as "light has no fellowship with darkness." It is time however for us as "True Evangelicals Together in the Lord" to express ourselves!
It is the will of God that every true believer "should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." [34] Those of us who cling to Christ and His Word alone and who are saved before the all-Holy God by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, with all glory and praise to God alone must give voice to our profession of faith. At the time of Elijah there was a call to the people of God to make a stand for the true God or to follow Baal. In a similar way Joshua asked the people to decide between the gods of the land and the true God of Israel.
Con't Part IV

In our day, much more than at the time of Elijah or Joshua, it is urgent that we take seriously the command our Lord gave us to personally give witness as to where we stand. Regarding the recent Papal election, the world will have looked at the TV shows and listen to have listened to the news broadcasts, amidst the fanfare, pageantry and pomp. The media momentum will have enhanced the power and the glory of the so-called earthly Vicar of Christ. In the midst of all of these events, I solemnly ask you to make clear where you stand. What we ask is that in a few sentences you express your personal faith in the one Lord Jesus Christ and His one Vicar the divine Holy Spirit, together with a personal resolution to obey our Lord's command to "contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."

Richard Bennett