(Luk 11:27) And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. (Luk 11:28 ) But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. (emphasis mine)

If Mary were to be revered in any manner, this would have been a good time for Christ to point that out, don’t you think? Here someone was lifting Mary up and honoring her. What was Christ’s response? Yes rather – not Yes also – and He goes on to say that the one who is blessed is not His mother but the who who hears the Word of God and keeps it! Not only was this a perfect time for Jesus to honor His mother but instead He chose to say that hearing and keeping the Word was more blessed! This is just yet another instance in Scripture where the Word states one thing yet church tradition and magisterium contradict or try to supersede what God has said. The born-again Christian considers Mary honored to have been chosen to be the vessel which God used to bring His Son into this world. However, that honor stops there. She is no different than any other. She was a sinner in need of a Saviour. (Luk 1:46) And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, (Luk 1:47) And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Do you know that the only time the phrase “my Saviour” is used in the New Testament was voiced by Mary? She was in need of a Saviour just as much as you and I were. She brought sacrifices to the temple just like Joseph and the rest of the Jews of the day. If she were sinless, would there be a need for her to call God her Saviour or for her to bring sacrifices to the temple?

I have also found how the Lord is no respecter of persons. Of all the people to say this, the Apostle Peter said it. (Act 10:34) Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: It’s ironic that God does not respect any man but the catholic church sets certain people apart as “better” than others. For instance, the catholic church states that the pope is infallible. They also designate people to “sainthood.” Also, the magisterium and church traditions are considered superior to the Bible – in that if the Bible says, “Thou shalt not” and church leaders and pope say the opposite, then it’s OK. If God is not a respecter of persons, why would He allow their words to be obeyed over His?

It’s not rocket science. God says He is not a respecter of persons. No one is above the other. The priest is not above the lay person. There is no hierarchy as held by the catholic church which must be followed. Christ is the Head of the church and that is it – final – period. We are all considered “priests,” if you will. (Rev 1:6) And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. We do not need a priest as we have the High Priest, Jesus Christ. (Heb 7:24) But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. (Heb 7:25) Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Heb 7:26) For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Our High Priest saves us to the uttermost. No church or earthly power or “god (i.e. Allah, Buddha) can save us.

The catholic church’s hierarchy is established on the ways of the Nicolaitans. The word “Nicholaitan” is derived from the Greek nikao – meaning to conquer – and laos (people), or to rule over the laity. Is there any better description of the catholic church than its leaders ruling over the lay people of the church? The offices held in the catholic church are priests, bishops, archbishops, metropolitans, patriarchs, cardinals, and popes. The only offices in the true born-again Christian church are: (1) the office of pastor/elder/bishop – all perform the same task and (2) deacons (servants). Plain and simple. But like everything else that the catholic church teaches, their structure is complicated and their teachings are complicated. Try reading their catechism and tell me that you can understand its writings the first time around. One must pick the sentences apart and read them over and over before understanding the teaching. No wonder that church says that only the leaders can interpret God’s Word. I’m thankful that the Word of God is simple and can be read by the simplest of minds – yes even a child can understand it. No wonder Christ didn’t want the disciples to prevent the little children from coming to Him. He even said that the Kingdom of God could only be entered “as a child” – meaning child-like faith. We do not need someone to interpret God’s Word for us. God would be a cruel God if He were to command us to obey His Word and yet not provide us with the means to read it and obey it. But the catholic church insists that its respected people are the only ones who can intepret God’s Word.

(Rev 2:6) But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (Rev 2:15) So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Not only were the Nicolaitans absorbed with hierarchy and ruling over the lay people but this particular sect were known for their liscentious practices. If God states twice that He hated the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, then why would you associate yourself with a church that practices some of their doctrine? Would not not stay away from anything that God hates?

Just on a side note, there are several verses that discuss the things that God hates:

(Deu 12:31) Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. and (Deu 16:22) Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the LORD thy God hateth. – Idolatry

(Psa 11:5) The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. – Violence

(Mal 2:16) For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously. – Divorce

(All emphases are mine)

So, my friend, since God does not respect persons – no one is above another in His eyes – why would He place Mary on a pedestal or give the pope (and the hierarchy of the catholic church) any authority over His church?

Three times the Word says that Christ is the head of the church! I love that it appears three times because the number three symbolizes the godhead – the Trinity – completeness!

(1 Co 11:3) But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.(Eph 4:15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:(Eph 5:23) For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. (emphasis mine)