From Humble Bishops to World Power: A Biblical and Historical Examination
Youth Edition (Ages 12-17)This workbook uses the 6 Rs Learning Method to help you really understand and remember what you learn:
"Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins..." — Revelation 18:4
To understand how the papacy rose to power, we first need to see what the original assembly (church) looked like. It was VERY different from what most people think!
The early assembly had:
Notice: NO popes, cardinals, or church hierarchy!
Fill in the Blanks:
1. The Greek word for "church" is which means "called out assembly."
2. The early believers met in , not fancy buildings.
3. In the New Testament, "elder" and "bishop" were the role.
True or False:
Think About It: How does the early assembly compare to many churches today?
Write from memory: What three leadership roles existed in the early assembly? What did "ekklesia" mean?
Explain to a family member what the original assembly looked like vs. the Catholic Church today.
Who did you teach? Date:
"But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Messiah, and you are all brethren."
How did one bishop—the Bishop of Rome—end up claiming to be the head of ALL believers worldwide? It didn't happen overnight!
The Catholic Church claims Peter was the first pope based on Matthew 16:18:
But look closer:
Fill in the Blanks:
1. In AD, Emperor Justinian declared the Pope supreme head of all churches.
2. "Petros" means small stone, while "Petra" means .
3. Peter called himself a "fellow ," not supreme leader.
True or False:
Explain "Petrine Supremacy" and why it's NOT supported by Scripture:
Explain the difference between "Petros" and "Petra" in Matthew 16:18.
Who did you teach? Date:
"The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder..."
When Constantine made Christianity the official religion, MILLIONS of pagans suddenly "converted"—but they brought their beliefs WITH them!
| Pagan Practice | Christian Version | Bible Teaching |
|---|---|---|
| Sun worship on Sun-day | Sunday worship | Sabbath is the 7th day (Saturday) |
| December 25 - birthday of Sol Invictus (sun god) | "Christmas" | Scripture gives no birth date for Yahusha |
| Easter - fertility goddess Ishtar | "Easter" | Passover is the biblical memorial |
| Mother goddess worship | Mary veneration | Worship Yahuah alone (Exodus 20:3-5) |
| Prayers to dead heroes | Praying to saints | One mediator - Yahusha (1 Tim 2:5) |
Match the pagan origin to its "Christian" version:
| Sol Invictus (Dec 25) | → |
| Ishtar festival | → |
| Sun-day | → |
True or False:
List 3 pagan practices that entered Christianity and their biblical corrections:
Explain how paganism entered Christianity when Constantine made it the official religion.
Who did you teach? Date:
"Take heed...that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.'"
From about 538 AD to 1798 AD, the papacy wielded enormous political AND religious power. This era is called the "Dark Ages" because biblical truth was hidden from common people.
Fill in the Blanks:
1. The Inquisition was used to punish .
2. The were Sabbath-keepers nearly wiped out by the papacy.
3. Daniel 7:25 says this power would "intend to change and law."
True or False:
Name 4 ways the papacy controlled people during the Dark Ages:
Explain what the Inquisition was and why people were killed.
Who did you teach? Date:
"He shall...persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law."
Yahuah raised up brave men who challenged papal corruption and pointed people back to Scripture!
Nearly ALL Protestant Reformers identified the papacy as the "Antichrist" or "Man of Sin" from Scripture:
Fill in the Blanks:
1. Martin Luther nailed Theses to the church door in 1517.
2. "Sola Scriptura" means alone.
3. The Reformers identified the papacy as the .
True or False:
Write the 5 "Solas" of the Reformation and what each means:
Explain what Martin Luther did in 1517 and why it mattered.
Who did you teach? Date:
"The just shall live by faith."
Bible prophecy predicted EXACTLY when papal power would fall—and when it would rise again!
Napoleon's General Berthier marched into Rome and took Pope Pius VI prisoner. The Pope died in exile in 1799. The papacy received a "deadly wound" (Revelation 13:3).
Fill in the Blanks:
1. Papal supremacy began in AD and received a wound in AD.
2. General took the Pope prisoner in 1798.
3. The Treaty in 1929 restored Vatican sovereignty.
True or False:
Calculate: 538 + 1260 = ? What happened that year? What does "the wound being healed" mean?
Explain the 1,260 year prophecy and how it was fulfilled.
Who did you teach? Date:
"And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed."
How can we identify the power Daniel and Revelation describe? Scripture gives us specific markers!
| Prophetic Description | Fulfillment |
|---|---|
| Rises from "the sea" (peoples/nations - Rev 17:15) | Rose from populated Europe |
| Comes from the 4th beast (Rome) | Grew out of Roman Empire |
| "Different" from other kingdoms (Dan 7:24) | Religious AND political power |
| Speaks "great words against the Most High" | Claims to forgive sins, be "God on earth" |
| Persecutes the saints | Inquisition, martyrdom of millions |
| "Think to change times and laws" | Changed Sabbath to Sunday, removed 2nd commandment |
| Rules for 1,260 years | 538 AD - 1798 AD exactly! |
Fill in the Blanks:
1. This power "thinks to change and laws."
2. The papacy claims to have changed the to Sunday.
3. "The sea" in prophecy represents and nations.
How many marks does the papacy fulfill?
List at least 5 identifying marks from Daniel 7 and how they fit the papacy:
Explain how the papacy "thought to change times and laws."
Who did you teach? Date:
"He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law."
Yahuah doesn't just reveal this system—He calls His people OUT of it!
Fill in the Blanks:
1. Revelation 18:4 says "Come of her, my people."
2. We should test everything against .
3. The Sabbath is Yahuah's between Him and His people.
Personal Commitment: What changes do YOU need to make to "come out"?
List 5 practical ways to "come out of Babylon":
Share with someone what "Come out of her, my people" means and why it matters.
Who did you teach? Date:
"Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues."
Review each lesson at these intervals for long-term memory:
| Lesson | Finished | Day 1 | Day 3 | Day 7 | Day 21 | Day 60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Early Assembly | ||||||
| 2. Rome's Bishop | ||||||
| 3. Paganism Enters | ||||||
| 4. Dark Ages | ||||||
| 5. Reformation | ||||||
| 6. Wound & Healing | ||||||
| 7. Identifying Marks | ||||||
| 8. Come Out |
1. ekklesia 2. homes 3. same
T/F: False, True, True
1. 538 2. massive boulder/bedrock 3. elder
T/F: False, True, True
Sol Invictus → Christmas, Ishtar → Easter, Sun-day → Sunday worship
T/F: True, True, False
1. heretics 2. Waldensians 3. times
T/F: True, False, True
1. 95 2. Scripture 3. Antichrist
T/F: True, False, True
1. 538, 1798 2. Berthier 3. Lateran
T/F: False, True, True
1. times 2. Sabbath 3. peoples
All checkboxes should be checked
1. out 2. Scripture 3. sign