From Humble Bishops to World Power: A Historical and Biblical Examination
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RECEIVE (read), REFLECT (answer), RECALL (close book, write from memory), RECITE (teach someone), REVIEW (spaced repetition), RESPOND (apply).
"Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins..." — Revelation 18:4
Introduction: This workbook traces the historical development of the Roman Catholic papacy from the simple structure of the New Testament church to the political-religious superpower of the medieval era and beyond. Through documented historical facts, primary source quotes, and Scripture comparison, we will examine how a system emerged that changed times and laws, persecuted millions of believers, and claimed authority over kings, nations, and conscience itself.
What You Will Learn:
Sacred Names Used: Yahuah (not LORD), Elohim (not God), Yahusha (not Jesus). These are the restored Hebrew names.
Target Audience: Teens (14+) and Adults
Study Time: 8-10 hours for complete workbook
The New Testament describes a church with a very different structure than the hierarchical pyramid that developed later. Understanding this contrast is essential.
In the early church, there were five main centers of Christianity, each with a "Patriarch" (leading bishop):
| City | Significance |
|---|---|
| Jerusalem | Birthplace of the church; led by James |
| Antioch | Where disciples were first called "Christians" (Acts 11:26) |
| Alexandria | Major center of scholarship and theology |
| Constantinople | "New Rome" after 330 AD |
| Rome | Capital of the Empire; ONE of five, not supreme |
1. The Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 was led by , not Peter.
2. Peter calls himself a "fellow " in 1 Peter 5:1.
3. Yahusha said, "Call no man your upon the earth" (Matthew 23:9).
4. The Greek word "episkopos" means (bishop/overseer).
5. In the early church, there were Patriarchates, not one supreme Pope.
6. Peter presided over the Jerusalem Council and gave the final ruling.
7. The terms "bishop" and "elder" were used interchangeably in the New Testament.
8. Peter encouraged church leaders to "lord over" the flock as their supreme authority.
9. Rome was one of five major church centers in early Christianity.
10. If Peter was the first "Pope" with supreme authority, why did Paul rebuke him "to his face" in Galatians 2:11?
11. How does Matthew 23:9 ("call no man father") contradict the title "Pope" (Papa = Father)?
"Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven."
Close this workbook. Write from memory: (1) The 5 early church centers, (2) What Matthew 16:18 actually says about the "rock," (3) Paul's rebuke of Peter.
Explain to someone why Peter was not the first "Pope" using Scripture.
Person I taught:
The merger of church and state began with Emperor Constantine in the 4th century. This marriage of religious and political power would define Christianity for the next 1,500 years.
1. The Edict of Milan was issued in the year AD.
2. Constantine worshiped Invictus, the sun god.
3. The first ecumenical council was held at in 325 AD.
4. Constantine's Sunday Law was issued in AD.
5. Constantine was only baptized on his .
6. Constantine stopped worshiping the sun god immediately after his vision in 312 AD.
7. Constantine presided over the Council of Nicaea as a political leader.
8. The Sunday Law of 321 AD was based on the biblical Sabbath commandment.
9. After 380 AD, Christianity became the only legal religion in the Roman Empire.
10. How did the merger of church and state change Christianity? What are the dangers of government-controlled religion?
11. Constantine called Sunday the "venerable Day of the Sun" (not the Lord's Day). What does this reveal about the origin of Sunday worship?
"Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues."
Close this workbook. Write from memory: (1) The year of the Edict of Milan, (2) Constantine's Sunday Law date and wording, (3) What Constantine worshiped before and after 312 AD.
Explain to someone how Constantine merged church and state and why his "conversion" is questionable.
Person I taught:
As the Western Roman Empire collapsed (476 AD), the Bishop of Rome stepped into the power vacuum, claiming spiritual AND political authority over the Christian world.
1. Leo I was the first pope to strongly claim " Supremacy."
2. Emperor declared the Bishop of Rome "head of all the holy churches" in 533 AD.
3. "Vicarius Christi" means " of Christ."
4. The Greek word "anti" means "in of."
5. Many historicist scholars mark AD as the beginning of papal temporal power.
6. "Vicar of Christ" literally means "Substitute for Christ" or "Anti-Christ" in Greek.
7. Leo I negotiated with Attila the Hun, demonstrating papal political influence.
8. The New Testament clearly establishes the Bishop of Rome as head of all churches.
9. Justinian's decree in 533 AD was a spiritual, not political, statement.
10. Look up John 14:26. Who does Yahusha say is the true "Comforter" (Paraclete/Helper) who represents Him on earth?
11. If the Holy Spirit is Yahusha's representative on earth, what does it mean for a man to claim that title for himself?
"But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things."
Close this workbook. Write from memory: (1) Who was Leo I and what did he claim?, (2) What year did Justinian's decree take effect?, (3) What does "Vicarius Christi" literally mean in Greek?
Explain to someone why "Vicar of Christ" literally translates to "Anti-Christ" in Greek.
Person I taught:
For over 1,000 years (roughly 538-1798 AD), the Papacy held political (temporal) power over kings and nations. This era saw the church become a political empire.
1. The territories ruled by the Pope as a political king were called the States.
2. Emperor Henry IV stood in the snow for days at Canossa.
3. Pope VII humiliated Emperor Henry IV in 1077.
4. The papal bull Sanctam (1302) claimed all must submit to the Pope for salvation.
5. Yahusha said, "My kingdom is not of this ."
6. The Pope ruled the Papal States as a political monarch with an army.
7. European kings willingly submitted to papal authority without resistance.
8. Yahusha established a political kingdom for His followers to rule on earth.
9. Vatican City is the last remnant of the once-vast Papal States.
10. How does the Papacy's political kingdom contradict Yahusha's statement "My kingdom is not of this world"?
11. What happens when a religious leader has the power to punish, imprison, or kill those who disagree?
"My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight."
Close this workbook. Write from memory: (1) What were the Papal States?, (2) What happened at Canossa in 1077?, (3) What did Unam Sanctam (1302) claim?
Explain to someone how the humiliation of Henry IV at Canossa demonstrated papal power over kings.
Person I taught:
The medieval church used violence to enforce its doctrines and eliminate "heretics" (anyone who disagreed). Millions were killed in the name of Christianity.
| Event/Era | Estimated Deaths |
|---|---|
| Crusades (all) | 1-3 million |
| Albigensian Crusade (Cathars) | 200,000-1,000,000 |
| Spanish Inquisition | 3,000-5,000 executed; 150,000+ tried |
| Waldensians persecution | Tens of thousands |
| St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre (1572) | 30,000-70,000 Huguenots |
[Note: Historical estimates vary widely. These are scholarly ranges.]
1. Pope II launched the First Crusade in 1095.
2. The Inquisition was established by Pope Gregory IX in .
3. The Fourth Crusade sacked , a Christian city.
4. At Béziers, the papal legate allegedly said, "Kill them all. will know His own."
5. The Spanish Inquisition targeted (converted Jews) among others.
6. Crusaders only killed Muslims and never harmed other Christians.
7. The Inquisition used torture to force confessions from accused heretics.
8. Crusaders were promised forgiveness of sins by the Pope for participating.
9. Yahusha commanded His followers to kill those who reject the gospel.
10. How does killing "heretics" contradict Yahusha's teaching to love enemies? What spirit was behind the Inquisition?
"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you."
Close this workbook. Write from memory: (1) When was the Inquisition established and by whom?, (2) What happened at the Fourth Crusade?, (3) The estimated death toll of the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre.
Explain to someone how the Crusades and Inquisition contradict Yahusha's command to love enemies.
Person I taught:
By the 1500s, the church was openly selling "indulgences"—certificates that promised to reduce time in Purgatory. This corruption sparked the Protestant Reformation.
| Latin | English | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Sola Scriptura | Scripture Alone | The Bible is the only infallible authority |
| Sola Fide | Faith Alone | Salvation is through faith, not works or payments |
| Sola Gratia | Grace Alone | Salvation is a free gift, not earned |
| Solus Christus | Christ Alone | Yahusha is the only mediator |
| Soli Deo Gloria | To God Alone Be Glory | All glory belongs to Elohim, not man or institution |
1. Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses in the year .
2. The selling of forgiveness certificates is called .
3. Johann was the famous indulgence seller.
4. "Sola Scriptura" means " Alone."
5. Luther discovered that "the just shall live by " (Romans 1:17).
6. Indulgences were used to fund the building of St. Peter's Basilica.
7. Martin Luther remained a Catholic in good standing after posting the 95 Theses.
8. The Reformation emphasized Scripture as the only infallible authority.
9. Tetzel taught that indulgences could free souls from Purgatory.
10. How does selling salvation for money contradict Ephesians 2:8-9? What was Luther's discovery that changed everything?
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of Elohim: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Close this workbook. Write from memory: (1) The Five Solas and their meanings, (2) When Luther posted the 95 Theses, (3) Tetzel's famous jingle about indulgences.
Explain to someone what indulgences were and how Luther's discovery of "Sola Fide" changed everything.
Person I taught:
Rome responded to the Protestant Reformation with the Council of Trent and the formation of the Jesuit Order—a military-style organization dedicated to reversing the Reformation.
1. The Council of Trent met from 1545 to .
2. The Jesuits were founded by of Loyola.
3. The Council of Trent declared that church is equal to Scripture in authority.
4. Those who believe in salvation by faith alone were declared "" (cursed).
5. The Jesuit order has a -style structure of obedience.
6. The Council of Trent affirmed Protestant doctrines of salvation by faith alone.
7. Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish soldier before founding the Jesuits.
8. The Jesuits were primarily focused on charitable work among the poor.
9. Trent declared tradition equal to Scripture in authority.
10. Why is absolute obedience to a human leader (Pope or General) spiritually dangerous? What does Scripture say about our ultimate authority?
"We ought to obey Elohim rather than men."
Close this workbook. Write from memory: (1) What did the Council of Trent declare about faith alone?, (2) Who founded the Jesuits and when?, (3) What was the Jesuit mission?
Explain to someone the Counter-Reformation: what it was, the Council of Trent's decrees, and the Jesuit role.
Person I taught:
In 1870, the First Vatican Council declared the dogma of Papal Infallibility—the claim that the Pope cannot err when speaking on faith and morals.
1. Papal Infallibility was declared at the Vatican Council.
2. "Ex cathedra" means "from the ."
3. The doctrine was declared in AD.
4. According to Mark 2:7, claiming power to forgive sins is .
5. Papal infallibility means the Pope's doctrinal statements are "" (unchangeable).
6. Papal Infallibility means the Pope cannot sin in his personal life.
7. The doctrine was declared as the Pope was losing his political territories.
8. According to Scripture, only Elohim can forgive sins.
9. Ex cathedra statements can be corrected by future Popes.
10. Does the Papacy fit the biblical definition of blasphemy (claiming divine prerogatives)? Explain using the quotes and Scriptures above.
"Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but Elohim only?"
Close this workbook. Write from memory: (1) When was Papal Infallibility declared?, (2) What does "ex cathedra" mean?, (3) The two biblical definitions of blasphemy.
Explain to someone what Papal Infallibility means and how it relates to the biblical definition of blasphemy.
Person I taught:
Since losing the Papal States in 1870, the Papacy has shifted tactics—from political force to ecumenical diplomacy, seeking to reunite all religions under Rome's umbrella.
1. Vatican II took place from 1962 to .
2. The movement to reunite all Christians is called the Movement.
3. Pope Francis said " is solemn nonsense."
4. The papal encyclical on climate change is called Si'.
5. The Vatican has diplomatic relations with over countries.
6. Vatican II reversed the anathemas of the Council of Trent against Protestants.
7. Pope Francis has met with both Protestant and Muslim religious leaders.
8. The Pope addresses the United Nations on global policy issues.
9. Vatican City is no longer recognized as an independent state.
10. Is ecumenical unity (bringing all denominations together) the same as biblical unity (based on truth)? What is the danger of unity without doctrinal agreement?
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith Yahuah, and touch not the unclean thing."
Close this workbook. Write from memory: (1) What changes did Vatican II make?, (2) What is the Ecumenical Movement?, (3) How many countries have diplomatic relations with the Vatican?
Explain to someone how the modern papacy uses ecumenism to unite religions under Rome's leadership.
Person I taught:
The Bible gives a vivid prophetic description of a corrupt religious system called "Mystery Babylon." Many Reformation-era Protestants identified this as the Papal system.
| Prophetic Symbol | Description | Possible Fulfillment |
|---|---|---|
| Woman | In prophecy, a woman = church (2 Cor 11:2, Eph 5:25-27) | A religious institution |
| Harlot | Apostate, unfaithful to her "husband" (Yahusha) | A corrupt church |
| Rides the Beast | Controls/guides political power (v.3) | Church controlling governments |
| Purple and Scarlet | Dressed in these colors (v.4) | Cardinals wear scarlet; bishops wear purple |
| Gold, Precious Stones | Extreme wealth (v.4) | Vatican wealth is legendary |
| Golden Cup | Full of abominations (v.4) | The Mass chalice? |
| Mother of Harlots | Has "daughter" churches (v.5) | Protestant denominations came from Rome |
| Drunk with Blood | Persecuted the saints (v.6) | Inquisition, Crusades, massacres |
| Seven Mountains | Sits on seven hills/mountains (v.9) | Rome is called "City of Seven Hills" |
| Reigns Over Kings | Has authority over earthly rulers (v.18) | Medieval papal authority over Europe |
1. In prophecy, a woman represents a .
2. The harlot sits on mountains (Revelation 17:9).
3. She is dressed in and scarlet.
4. She is called "Mother of ."
5. Yahuah says, " out of her, my people."
6. Rome is historically known as the "City of Seven Hills."
7. The harlot of Revelation 17 is described as poor and humble.
8. Revelation 18:4 implies that Yahuah's people are currently IN Babylon.
9. The Protestant Reformers (Luther, Calvin, etc.) identified the Pope as Antichrist.
10. Based on the historical evidence and prophetic descriptions, do YOU believe the Papal system fits the description of "Mystery Babylon"? Explain your answer.
11. What does "Come out of her, my people" mean practically for believers today?
"Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues."
Close this workbook. Write from memory: (1) The ten identifying marks of Mystery Babylon from Revelation 17, (2) Why Rome is called the "City of Seven Hills," (3) What "Come out of her, my people" means.
Explain to someone the prophetic marks of Mystery Babylon and why the Reformers identified it as the Papal system.
Person I taught:
Track your reviews: Day 1, Day 3, Day 7, Day 21, and Day 60 after completing each lesson.
| Lesson | Done | D1 | D3 | D7 | D21 | D60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Early Church Structure vs. Papal Claims | ||||||
| 2. Constantine & The State Church | ||||||
| 3. The Rise of the Roman Bishop | ||||||
| 4. Temporal Power & The Dark Ages | ||||||
| 5. Crusades & Inquisition | ||||||
| 6. Indulgences & The Reformation | ||||||
| 7. Counter-Reformation & The Jesuits | ||||||
| 8. Vatican I & Papal Infallibility | ||||||
| 9. The Modern Papacy | ||||||
| 10. Revelation 17-18 Analysis |
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