Why I'm discontent with my Protestantism

prodromos said:

No need to apologise. I don't bother reading them when they are that long and double spaced. I just skip to the end.

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Just_a_Christian said:

Indulgences are pretty much self explanatory. The notion that one can buy forgiveness of sins is about as far removed from His word as one can get. Not to mention God and God alone can forgive sins.

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Matthew 16 no Pope no office.
When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
The setting of our text has the Lord at the coast of Philippi and He asks the disciples, "Who do men say that I am?".
The disciples had just completed their limited commission and had gathered information on who and what the people thought about Jesus.
And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
The disciples answered by giving the positive answers; not the negative, for undoubtedly some had given negative responses.
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Jesus now turns the question to them making it personal, requiring an expression of their faith. Jesus undoubtedly knew their faith and it's depth; but for their good, asks for a confession.
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Peter here holds true to character, speaking first and for the rest of the group.

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Peter gave the great confession which is required by all in order to enter into a relationship with God. On that great day, when Christ returns, all knees will bow and all mouths will confess Jesus.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
The Lord blesses Peter confirming that flesh and blood, or men, had not revealed it. Here Jesus claims God as His Father and thus emphasizes the truth Peter had confessed.
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter,
"Peter" here means a "stone"

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(John 1:42) and in Greek is the masculine gender. In preaching the gospel Peter should be firm, unmovable like a rock. In the first persecutions against the church Peter was the rock which the Jews directed their anger (Acts 4: 8-10, 13: 3, 5)
His unbending courage defended the flock in the absence of the Shepherd.
and upon this rock

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"Rock" here is the feminine gender and refers to the foundation upon which Jesus built His church. "Petros" meaning a "stone" is one thing and "Petra" which means a "ledge of rock" is another. If "Peter" was the "rock" which the church was built upon, that would be saying Peter is the foundation of the church and would directly contradict 1st Corinthians 3: 10-11; Jesus is the foundation, no other foundation can be laid.
I will build my church;

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This is future tense and shows the church hadn't yet been established. This is the first use of the word "church" in the New Testament.
and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
In the New Testament, Hades is the place where all departed souls go, regardless of character. Jesus is saying that although He would be crucified and die, the power of Hades could not hold Him and prevent the establishment of His church.

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And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Giving the keys of the kingdom of Heaven is another way of saying I will give you the terms and or conditions of admitting people into the church. Peter used his keys on the day of Pentecost by announcing the terms of admittance into the church unto the Jews. (Acts 2)
Peter again used his keys by announcing the terms of admittance unto the Gentiles. It's well worth noting these conditions were the same.
Jesus promised to ratify in heaven just what the apostles would preach on Earth. The terms for admittance into the church were the terms for the forgiveness of sins. Those who complied with these terms were forgiven and constituted a portion of the church; Heaven ratified this. Those who refused to comply were held guilty and stood condemned; Heaven ratified this condemnation.

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Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
We can glean multiple things from the fact that He forbid them from announcing His identity at this time.
This statement confirms the focus of the text is Jesus being the Son of the Living God. This is the foundation of everything in Christianity; by all means including the church. The outspoken, tempestuous Peter would have, without a doubt, made it known to all, had he been given any special appointment. The church was built upon the solid rock foundation "Petra" of Jesus being the Son of God; not the "Petros" stone of Peter.
Again no Pope, no office
In Him

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Albion said:

Correct about the indulgences. They do not forgive sin. They are supposed to remit punishment.

Incorrect about Peter being pope or church king. To build is not to govern.

Incorrect about the keys. There is no parallel to the Old Testament reference.

Carry on.

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Root of Jesse said:

In your own words...you're incorrect.

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prodromos said:

He isn't

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