Papal Supremacy: How the Catholic Church Denies Christ's Authority

That is a very important and profound question, as the denial of Christ can occur not only through outright rejection but also through subtle distortions of His role and authority. The Catholic Church denies the person of Jesus Christ primarily by exalting its own authority—especially through the doctrine of papal supremacy and infallibility—above the authority, sufficiency, and teachings of Christ HimselfSPCCSR 37.1+1.

This denial is manifested in several critical ways concerning the source of authority, the means of salvation, and the governance of the faithful.

👑 Usurping Christ's Authority and Supremacy

The fundamental denial stems from the Papacy assuming a position of authority that belongs only to the Divine Head of the Church, Jesus Christ.

• The Pope opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped, so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God 2 Thessalonians 2:4.

• The high degree of papal infallibility is proven by the ability of the Pope to issue inconsistent and contradictory decrees and decisions, a power that places him above the Almighty, who cannot deny HimselfAMS July 1888, page 56.16.

• The internal result of the Vatican Council's decree on papal infallibility was the completion of papal absolutism, allowing the Pope to state, "I am the church"HBS 136.1.

• This desire for supremacy mirrors the first conflict in heaven, where Lucifer questioned why Christ should have the supremacy and why He was honored above LuciferPP 36.3.

• This continual strife for supremacy among those claiming leadership inevitably corrupts the individual, disqualifying them for the society of heavenly angels3SM 310.3+1.

• In asserting temporal dominance, Popes have historically secularized the spiritual supremacy of Rome, degrading the kingdom of Christ into a kingdom of this worldECE 209.2.

📖 Setting Aside Divine Law

The denial of Christ’s authority is confirmed when human mandates are prioritized over the divine requirements laid out in Scripture.

• When human legislation conflicts with God's claims, the Word of God must be recognized as above all human legislation, and the crown of Christ must be uplifted above the diadems of earthly potentatesSPCCSR 37.1.

• Just as the Jews rejected God's commandment to hold the tradition of men, those systems that reject the truth prioritize human commandments19MR 252.3.

• The Papacy, described prophetically as the little horn, set out to wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws Daniel 7:25.

• The opposition to the reading of the Bible by the common people stems from the papal principle of denying the right of private judgmentAMS March 12, 1896, page 82.13. To admit that individuals have the right to understand Scripture for themselves would be for Rome to abdicate the throne of spiritual dominion which she has usurpedAMS March 12, 1896, page 82.13.

🛡️ Undermining the Sufficiency of Christ's Sacrifice

The sufficiency of Christ as the sole way to salvation is denied when alternative, human-controlled methods are instituted to secure remission of sin.

• Christ is denied when human works or outward forms are exalted above faith in Christ alone for salvationPTUK February 10, 1898, page 84.11+2.

• The doctrine of indulgences was a necessary fabrication to allow Rome to profit from the fears and vices of its followersHF 38.5+2.

• Through this doctrine, full remission of sins—past, present, and future—and release from temporal penalties were promised for payment of money to the church or for enlisting in the pontiff’s warsGC88 59.1+1.

• By filling its coffers through this system, Rome sustained the luxury and vice of those who pretended to represent Him who had nowhere to lay His headHF 38.5+1. This implied that faith in Christ's sacrifice was not, in itself, sufficient for salvation, equating to a flat denial of the GospelGTI 75.1+1.

• Papal Rome, metaphorically identified as Jezebel, seduced God’s servants by teaching papal doctrines, corrupting the church during the 1260 years of Catholic supremacyARSH October 2, 1860, page 159.6. This era, known as the Dark Ages, was marked by gross darkness that settled upon the world as the Roman bishop increased in strengthEVRR204+1.