𝗣𝗢𝗣𝗘 𝘃𝘀 𝗝𝗘𝗦𝗨𝗦 𝗖𝗛𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗧 — 𝗔𝗨𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗬, 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡, 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗩𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

POPE vs JESUS CHRIST — AUTHORITY, MEDIATION, AND SALVATION

Key Text: 1 Timothy 2:5 (KJV)
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

INTRODUCTION

Throughout history, men have sought visible authority, while God has provided a living Savior.
The issue is not personalities—but authority, mediation, and salvation.

From a rightly divided Pauline perspective, we must ask:
Who has final authority?
Who mediates salvation?
Who alone saves?

Today we examine 9 clear contrasts between human religious leadership and the Lord Jesus Christ, as revealed in Paul’s gospel for this dispensation of grace.

SOURCE — MAN-MADE vs MANIFEST GOD
Galatians 1:11–12; John 1:14 (KJV)

A. Human office arises from succession
B. Christ arises from incarnation
C. One is appointed by men, the other sent by God
Truth:
Paul received revelation directly from Christ, not through religious hierarchy.

SOVEREIGNTY — HUMAN AUTHORITY vs HEAVENLY AUTHORITY
Colossians 2:10; Matthew 28:18 (KJV)

A. Religious authority is delegated
B. Christ’s authority is absolute
C. One governs institutions, the other governs eternity
Dispensational Insight:
The Church, the Body of Christ, is complete in Him, not under earthly heads.

STANDARD — TRADITION vs TRUTH
Colossians 2:8; 2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)

A. Tradition develops over centuries
B. Scripture is God-breathed
C. One adds, the other authorizes
Pauline Warning:
Beware of philosophy and tradition that displace Christ.

SUPPLICATION — INTERCESSORS vs INTERCESSOR
1 Timothy 2:5; Romans 8:34 (KJV)

A. Religious systems multiply mediators
B. God appoints one Mediator
C. One relies on saints, the other rests in Christ
Grace Truth:
Christ alone intercedes for the Body of Christ.

SIN — FALLIBLE MEN vs FAULTLESS MESSIAH
Romans 3:23; Hebrews 4:15 (KJV)

A. All men sin
B. Christ remained sinless
C. One needs redemption, the other provides it
Dispensational Clarity:
Only a sinless Savior can redeem sinners.

SALVATION — SACRAMENTS vs SUFFICIENCY
Ephesians 2:8–9; Colossians 2:13–14 (KJV)

A. Religious systems emphasize rituals
B. Grace proclaims a finished work
C. One requires performance, the other requires faith
Paul’s Gospel:
Salvation is by grace through faith, not through works or rites.

SEAT — EARTHLY THRONES vs HEAVENLY REIGN
Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3 (KJV)

A. Earthly leaders rule temporarily
B. Christ reigns eternally
C. One sits among men, the other sits at God’s right hand
Hope:
Our Head is seated in heavenly places.

SERVICE — INSTITUTIONAL vs INDWELLING
Colossians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 5:20 (KJV)

A. Religion operates through structure
B. Grace operates through the indwelling Christ
C. One manages systems, the other transforms lives
Pauline Reality:
Christ in you is the hope of glory.

SUPREMACY — SHARED HONOR vs SOLE GLORY
Colossians 1:18; Philippians 2:9–11 (KJV)

A. Religious honor is distributed
B. Christ receives all glory
C. One points upward, the other is exalted above all
Final Authority:
Christ alone is Head of the Body.

CONCLUSION

The issue is not Catholic vs Protestant.
The issue is Christ vs substitutes.
One is religious authority
The other is redemptive authority
“Christ is all, and in all.” (Colossians 3:11)

CALL TO ACTION

Trust Christ alone
Stand on Scripture alone
Rest in grace alone
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31)

FINAL THOUGHTS

Religion cannot save
Tradition cannot redeem
Offices cannot forgive
Rituals cannot justify
Saints cannot mediate
Works cannot complete
Christ finished the work
Grace secures salvation
Jesus alone is Lord