Page 470 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

POMMEL - POPE

17). David, Solomon, and other kings who had multiple be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on
wives were living contrary to God’s Word. (c) Most men earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
of God even in the O.T. had only one wife. This is true Authority of the Pope
for Adam (Ge. 2-4), Noah (Ge. 6:18), Isaac (Ge. The pope is said to have the authority to establish
25:20-23), Joseph (Ge. 41:45), Moses (Ex. 2:21), Boaz doctrine. When he speaks officially, ex-cathedra, his
(Ru. 4), Job (Job 1), Isaiah (Is. 8:3), and Hosea (Ho. declarations are considered to be infallible. The New
3:1-3). (4) There is no N.T. example of a godly Christian York Catechism says: “The pope takes the place of Jesus
having more than one wife. (5) Those who have more Christ on earth ... By divine right the pope has supreme
than one wife today are forbidden to hold church and full power in faith and morals over each and every
leadership positions (1 Ti. 3:2,12; Tit. 1:6). This shows pastor and his flock. He is the true Vicar of Christ, the
that God is against polygamy. Those who practiced this head of the entire church, the father and teacher of all
were disobeying God, even though some were godly Christians. He is the infallible ruler, the founder of
men. David is a key example. He multiplied wives to dogmas, the author of and the judge of councils; the
himself in spite of God’s command against this, but his universal ruler of truth, the arbiter of the world, the
lust also brought him into terrible grief. [See Adultery, supreme judge of heaven and earth, the judge of all,
Divorce, Fornication, Home.] being judged by no one, God himself on earth” (Loraine
POMMEL. Anything round. ‘An apple or ball-shaped Boettner, Roman Catholicism, p. 127).
protuberance; now most commonly used of a sword or History of the Papal Office
saddle, but formerly of more general application’ (The
Bible Word-Book). It formed some part of the chapiters The concept of a supreme, infallible pope grew up
of the two pillars in the temple built by Solomon (2 Ch. gradually over the centuries as the Roman Catholic
4:12, 13). The same word is translated “bowls” in 1 Ki. Church came into existence and consolidated its power.
7:41, 42 (Concise). This history is traced in the book, Catholicism Against
Itself, Volume II, by O.C. Lambert. We will quote from
POMP. A procession distinguished by ostentation of his book, keeping in the mind that the following
grandeur and splendor; show of magnificence; pride (Is. statements are documented from Catholic resources:
5:14; 14:11; Eze. 7:24; 30:18; 32:12; 33:28; Ac. 25:23).
Pope Damascus (366-384 A.D.) was the first to call
[See Pride.] himself pope and was also the first to appeal to Mt.
PONDER. To weigh; reflect upon (Pr. 4:26; 5:6, 21; 16:18 to bolster his claim of ascendancy over all
Lk. 2:19). churches (Catholic Encyclopedia, IV, p. 614). Note that it
PONTIUS PILATE. [See Pilate.] was almost four hundred years after the ascension of
PONTUS (the sea). A region of Asia Minor (Ac. 2:9). Christ that a man began to claim to be the universal
POOR. (1) Of poor quality (Ge. 41:19). (2) Poverty pope.
stricken; destitute of property, or not having property Pope Gregory I, the Great (590-604 A.D.) was the
sufficient for a comfortable subsistence; needy first to use the phrase “to speak ex cathedra” (Lives and
(Webster) (Ex. 22:25; Re. 13:16). (3) Weak; wounded Times of the Roman Pontiffs, I, p. 139). “Ex cathedra”
in spirit (Ps. 109:22). (4) Humble (Mt. 5:3). (5) means to speak from the throne, and is the idea that
Spiritually destitute (Re. 3:17). [See Humble, Poverty.] when the pope makes a solemn pronouncement from
POPE. The leader of the Roman Catholic Church. He his throne that pronouncement is infallible.
lives in Rome, Italy, in the Vatican which is the Pope Theodore I (642-649 A.D.) was the first pope
headquarters for Roman Catholicism. officially called Sovereign Pontiff (General History of the
Meaning of the Term “Pope” Church, Darras, II, p. 232). “Sovereign” refers to
Pope is from the Latin word papa, meaning “father.” supreme power, and is a title which should only be
According to Roman Catholic dogma, Peter was the first applied to God, not to a man. “Pontiff” means “a
bishop, or pope, of Rome, and to him was given the bridge,” and refers to the pope of Rome as the bridge
authority to open and shut the kingdom of God to men. between God and men. This, of course, is a title which
Supposedly, Jesus gave to Peter the supreme authority belongs solely to Jesus Christ (1 Ti. 2:5).
in the church on earth, and this authority was passed on Pope Gregory III (731-741 A.D.). Along about this
to other bishops of Rome. These claims are supposedly time the kissing of the pope’s foot was instituted
based upon Mt. 16:18-19—”And I say also unto thee, (Catholic Encyclopedia, XII, p. 270). Also carrying the
That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my pope in a stately sedan chair (Darras, p. 339).
church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Pope Stephen II (752-757 A.D.) became practically
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of the first pope- king (Catholic Encyclopedia, XIV, p. 288).
heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall

470 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity