THERE IS A VICAR OF CHRIST

HIS NAME IS THE HOLY SPIRIT

The word "vicar" means deputy-one who has been sent to take

another's place. The Lord Jesus Christ, knowing the need for an

infallible Vicar for His church, speaks of the coming of the Holy

Spirit and His office as Vicar of Christ. St. John 14:26- "But the

Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my

name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your

remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

St. John 15:26-"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send

unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth

from the Father, He shall testify of me." St. John 16:7-"Nevertheless

I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I

go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I

will send Him unto you."

St. John 16:13,14-"Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come,

He will guide you into all truth...He shall glorify me: for He shall

receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you."

THE IDENTITY OF THE VICAR OF CHRIST

If someone were to approach you on the street and say,"I am the

President of the United States" you might believe him. Of course, if

you personally knew the President, or if you had documented evidence

that he were someone else, you would deny the claim of the imposter.

The Pope claims to be the Vicar of Christ; those who know the Holy

Spirit immediately reject his claim, and others can see the documented

evidence that proves this man to be an imposter.

THE PERFECTION OF THE VICAR OF CHRIST

The Lord Jesus Christ, Himself the Infinite Son of God, knew that

the Church would need an infallible Vicar to keep it from errors that

would assail her. Rather than designate a man, He appointed the Holy

Spirit, Himself not only infallible, but infinitely perfect.

There is a sharp contrast between the person and work of the Holy

Spirit and that of the pope of Rome, who claims to be the Vicar of

Christ. Papal "infallibility" is an empty doctrine when compared to

the infinity of the Holy Spirit.

DOES THE CHURCH NEED A VISIBLE HEAD?

"We walk by faith, and not by sight" (2 Cor. 5:7) Do you trust

the judgement of a human imposter or the ability of God Himself to

guide you into all truth?

THE WORK OF THE VICAR OF CHRIST

1. He convicts of sin (Jn.16:8). Only He can show you that, outside

of Christ, you are infinitely lost.

2. He testifies of Christ (Jn. 15:26). He reveals to your heart the

Bible truths of a crucified and resurrected Saviour.

3. When you respond to this heart-revelation, the Holy Spirit

baptizes you into the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13). By this

regenerative act you are born again. (Jn. 3:5)

If you are incorrectly assuming that the pope is the Vicar of

Christ, your salvation is being worked out by his system-the Mass,

Confessional and Sacraments. You are invited to put your trust for

eternity in the Christ of the Bible who completed a work on Calvary

for your eternal salvation (Heb. 10:11-18)

COPYWRIGHT 1987 by Bill Jackson

Anyone is free to use this material

in its complete and original form.

ANY alterations, deletions or additions

to this document violate this agreement!