As long as the gospel remained on the Jewish ground, there were mainly Jewish assemblies and, therefore, no discussions about the Godhead were known. At this stage, Roman and Greek thoughts and pagan thinking over gods and goddesses were brought into the discussions.
The spiritual and prophetic view that what was foreshadowed in the Old Testament became an apparent reality in the New was lost more and more, even though Tertullian emphasised quite strongly the thought: “… that Old and New Testament agree and prophecy is the connection between the Old and the New Testament” (F. Hauss, Väter der Chri-stenheit, pg. 20). In regards to doctrine, Christendom was slowly taken step by step from the Jewish foundation and placed upon heathen thinking. This happened in contrary to the apostolic and the direct post-apostolic times. Then, the Old Testament was being applied in connection with some passages of the New Testament against the Jews. Already in the second century, spiritually blind leaders who were in co-operation with the Roman Caesars have set the initiation against Judaism. The word “anti-Semitic” used only for the Jews is not correct as all Arabic nations are Semitic.

The Roman Caesar Constantine used a great strategy. He availed himself of the apostate Christendom and at the same time he did not break totally with heathenism. He supported the building of heathen temples and also the erection of Christian churches. Already in the year 315 A.D., Constantine declared the conversion to Judaism as a capital crime. Jews who converted others to Judaism and the converted Christian, were both to suffer death. In 321 A.D., the decree was issued that Sunday must be observed as the state holiday. This was not enough. The Jews were threatened to be punished and were forced to deny the Sabbath and celebrate Sunday. Constantine only proclaimed what the bishops of that time had already decided.

At the council of Nicaea, Arius and Athanasius were the two main speakers. Their statements and views were thoroughly documented in the church history. Apparently Arius had no knowledge about Christ. Athanasius instead testified freely, “that in Jesus God Himself appeared to us, God manifested Himself to us, and redeemed us, in Him we have the Father Himself … that in Jesus the Father Himself redeemed us“ (K.D. Schmidt, Grundriß der Kirchengeschichte, pg. 98).

Since this time, the Roman church constituted itself. At the time of the Nicene Council, there was yet no pope or no cardinal known of. Also there was no Roman bishop who would have claimed the pre-eminence. In this regard, church history is partly backdated, manipulated and gravely falsified. It was Constantine who ordered the Nicene council. He himself was the host and also the chairman of the council. It was his aim to unite the various fractions into one church which would serve in his state. The uniting of state and church together took place and thus the state-church came into being.

In the year 380, Theodosius the Great and Gratian set an end to common religious freedom. “At the II Ecumenical Council (381) the bishops sanctioned the edict of Caesar Theodosius I decree in February 380 in which all Roman subjects were challenged to receive the Christian trinity belief as it was formulated at Nicaea in 325 … The belief in the trinity which consists of the tri-unity of God as Father, Son and Holy Ghost was thereby the only valid creed for all Christians. It became the state-furthered religion.” (B. Harenberg, Chronik der Menschheit, pg. 212). “Gregory of Nyssa was one of the central figures at the II Ecumenical Council in Constantinople. He defended the Nicene creed and formulated decisively the trinity doctrine.” (B. Harenberg, Chronik der Menschheit, pg. 214). “Every citizen from henceforth was obligated to be an orthodox Christian. Heathenism and heresy were declared to be a capital crime.” (K. D. Schmidt, Grundriß der Kirchengeschichte, pg. 83). All those who because of their conscience could not follow this decree and did not join this state-religion were branded as heretics. From then on, the persecution was started by this Christian state-church against the members of the Biblical church.

Under pope Leo the Great (440-461), the universal church experienced an enormous growth. By most of the church historians he is believed to have been the first pope. But in the list of popes by Herder, 246 popes are named including Paul VI and therein Leo I is listed as the 45th pope. In this official book, question marks are found after the first fifteen which according to the listing began with Peter. The overwhelming majority of protestant historians place question marks behind fortyfour popes. It is commonly agreed that the papal history began with Leo I. He himself had to be satisfied at the council of Chalcedon (451) to be treated in the same way as the bishop of Constantinople. Even then the thought of primacy was not known but it began to develop.

The completion of this state-church institution happened under Caesar Justinian (527-565). The priests were made civil servants. It is very obvious that Christ is not the one who created this universal state-church. It was done by political and religious leaders who were interested to put all powers together for the interest of the whole Roman empire. Since the 4th and the 5th century, we are dealing with the church historically. On one side with the church of Jesus Christ and on the other with all the groups which deviated from the true faith and joined together in this great church. The tragic history of this heathenish-Christian world institution took its course.

The bishops were made dignitaries endued with religious and poli-tical power. All were carrying the same title, because they were looked upon as spiritual fathers. Rome was the capital of this empire and, therefore, the Roman bishops systematically assumed the various
titles of honour. It started with the “Pontifex Maximus”. This title was already used by the heathen high priests, the Caesars in the Roman empire and also by Constantine. The wrong developments connected to the church of the popes were accompanied by strife for power and recognition in special positions. “Since Bonifatius VIII (1294-1303) is the belief on the pope even necessary to obtain salvation, because all inhabitants of the earth are subdued under him. Thus also said Gregory VII (1073-1085) in his Dictatus papae. The Roman pontifex only is rightfully called universal” (H. Heinz, Zwischen Zeit und Ewigkeit, pg. 176). Thus Churchianity and Christendom was established without emphasising a personal experience and relationship with Christ. The only thing which counted was to belong to this great institution. The authority was taken away systematically from Christ and the Word of God and placed upon this institution and its representatives. Christ is the Head of His church while the popes are always the head of this universal and institutional church.

Into this state-church, people were baptised by force and later were made members of the same right after birth without having the possibility to decide for themselves. This unscriptural baptismal practice was used to make members by force and it became the very base for the people’s church. Also church tax was introduced, with which the financial aspect for extensive power of this church was guaranteed.

Parallel to this development “away from the Word of God”, the disconnection from Judaism took place and later on also from the Jewish Christian churches. This was not enough. Already Justin, bishop of Smyrna (167 A.D.) made derogatory statements. The Christians were declared to be God’s Israel and the Jews to be renegades who had fallen away. The apostle Paul looked upon this matter in a totally different way, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything nor uncircumcision but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them and mercy, and upon the Israel of God” (Gal. 6:15-16). The apostle Peter also made an important statement in this regard “… of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (Acts 10:34-35).

Polemical statements against Jews were already in circulation very early and became more aggressive. Bishop Ignatius of Antiochia began to implant antijudaistic thoughts into the minds. The antijudaistic paroles uttered by the representatives of the church in the first centuries are well documented in the history books. They were responsible for the killing of over a million Jews before the Roman church itself was instituted. The clergy took the right to call the Jews “murderers of Christ” even “murderers of God”. They were accused of many other things, and therefore were killed in various manners. The church has totally annulled for itself the commandment “Thou shalt not kill”.

The church father Chrysostomos (354-407), one of the most vicious enemies of the Jews, taught: “… with Jews one may not dare to have communion just as not with the devil. They are not better than pigs and goats … the synagogue is not only a theatre, it is a house of prostitution, a den of robbers, a shelter of unclean animals and a dwelling place of the devils. Christians should not consult Jewish physicians but rather die and turn away from all Jews as from a pest and from the epidemic of the human race” (K. Deschner, Krimi-nalgeschichte des Christentums, Vol. I, pg. 134).

Cyril († 444), patriarch of Alexandria, already spoke of the final solution to the Jewish question. In the 20th century, this final solution has reached its climax. Cyprian and Tertullian, Athanasius and Hieronymus, Gregory of Nyssa, Ambrosius, Augustinus, Justinian and many others had such a hatred for the Jews and planted the same into all the clergy and the people for all times. The slogans against the Jews became part of the thinking with all belonging to the Roman empire. The Jews were accused and held responsible for any calamity, and therefore they had to be exterminated with all means possible. What our Lord said was equally fulfilled with the Jews as well as with the followers of Christ, “They shall put you out of the synagogues; yea, the time comes, that whosoever killeth you will think that he does God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them …” (Jn. 16:2-4).

Indeed those murderers were convinced of doing God and the church a great service. The trinitarian Christianity was to be freed from the Jewish monotheism. Also Christians were being persecuted because they did not submit to that state-church. It was impossible for them to become part of this blood-stained system. They remained in fellowship with Christ. Even the esteemed reformer Martin Luther could not rid himself of the hatred towards the Jews. As a monk this idea penetrated into his flesh and blood. One can read but hardly understand what he said, “Luther said in his last sermon on Feb. 15th, 1546, about the Jewish physicians that they prescribe medicine by which one later must perish.” (H.-J. Gamm, Das Judentum, pg. 64).

From century to century, the hatred mounted and the statements against the Jews became more severe. Partly passages from the Scrip-tures were used to justify all that cruelty. When Jesus spoke of the unbelieving Jews, that was one thing and when He referred to the believing Jews, that was another. But the same applies to all the people and nations.

Considering this, the universal church must allow itself to be asked whether it brought salvation as claimed or whether it brought the most destruc-tive actions without mercy against Jews, the heathens and those who believed differently because they had their own goals in view. It was responsiblefor all the wars, all the persecutions, confiscating properties and com-mitting crimes and murders right until the dark ages, when a third of the European soil was under its possession. Property from the living and the dead was found therein. Princes and kings nor anyone in the authority dared to withstand but on the contrary all were eagerly co-operating. “Rudolf von Habsburg declared in 1286 the Jews with person, possessions and land as belonging to his chamber” (H.-J. Gamm, Das Judentum, pg. 84).

All the curses which were repeated especially by the popes, the bishops and the whole curia have laid the foundation for the Jews and those believing differently to be persecuted without mercy at all times by the Roman church. It will only be clarified at the last judgment whether the six-million Jews who were killed and exterminated by the Third Reich during World War II will be put on the account of the German people or on the account of the Roman Catholic church. For the Catholics Hitler, Himmler and the Jesuit Goebbels, the ground was long prepared. Popes have repeatedly spoken of the providence as did the deceiver — Führer Hitler.

Whoever has read the literature about popes and their doings right into our time would have been shaken. Jews and believers of different faith were simply regarded as nothing. The Jesuit-pope Leo XIII (1878-1903) declared, “Anathema on the one who says: the Holy Spirit does not want us to kill the heretic” (E. Paris, The secret history of the Jesuits, pg. 167). Since when does the Holy Spirit kill? According to the testimony of the Scriptures, the Spirit brings life. Those who did not stay true to the state-church were branded as heretics, and the clergy gave itself the right to liquidate them. From this viewpoint, we also understand why pope Pius XII kept silent during World War II when millions of Jews were slaughtered. Only one city block away from the Vatican, a Jewish synagogue was burned down, and the pope did not say a single word. But the present pope was being celebrated when he visited the new synagogue and enjoyed listening as Psalm 150 being sung by the blinded Jewish congregation.

When the Lord met Abraham He gave him the promise, “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curses thee …” (Gen 12:2-3). This utterance should have stood before them who pretended to believe God and His Word.

The strict monotheism which is originally and exclusively in the Jewish faith stood in the way of those bishops who came out of heathenism. At first they wished to get rid of the Jews and then they also did not want to be identified with the God of the Jews. The Hebrew word “Mashiah” was transferred the Greek Christos — the anointed. The Hebrew “Yahshua” became the Greek Jesus. The formulations concerning the Godhead sprung up from Hellenistic thinking and were to the people and God of Israel totally strange. The New Testament does not know any hatred towards the Jews as some historians would try to say. What most of them did not realise is found in the utterance of the Lord: “Salvation cometh from the Jews” (Jn. 4:22).

The prophets in the Old Testament had already foretold that
the gentile nations would participate in the salvation of God. “I, the Lord (Yahweh), have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the nations” (Isa. 42:6). “… I will also give thee for a light to the nations, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.” (Isa. 49:6b). The Lord commenced with the Jews when He said, “But go rather, to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Mt. 10:6). The apostle Peter first experienced how a Roman general by the name of Cornelius was saved with all his house (Acts 10). The apostle Paul was advised by the Lord, “And he said unto me, Depart; for I will send thee far from here unto the gentiles” (Acts 22:21). In the great commission, the Lord clearly gave the commandment: “Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations …” (Mt. 28:19). The church of the living God consists of all nations and peoples.

The Roman empire was everywhere present and, therefore, the Roman state-church could use all the civil means for their own goal. In reality there was never a Christianisation but a Catholicisation of the nations. The people did not come to believe in Christ through the proclamation of the gospel, they were forced to accept the Catholic state religion. During the approximate 1,000 years of the reign of the Roman Catholic church, the earth was soaked with blood. The number of the martyrs is estimated differently and the highest spoken of is 68 million. All who believed differently had no chance to survive. Even the counter-reformation was a very bloody one and earthly means were used to combat which certainly had again nothing to do with the proclamation of the gospel. On the contrary, the church used the earthly power to establish itself again. All know about the Spanish Inquisition and the witch trials. In the name of Christianity, people were deprived of their human rights, were burned, were driven out and were persecuted all over Europe simply because they believed differently. In the St. Bartholomew’s Eve, 23rd/24th August, 1572, at the wedding of Henry III of Navarre and Marguerite de Valois in Paris only 3,000 and in the whole of France, more than 20,000 Huguenots were slaughtered. “Pope Gregory XIII celebrated the slaughter of the French Protestants with a «Te deum»” (B. Harenberg, Chronik der Menschheit, pg. 437).

This church has never exhibited the nature of Christ nor has it ever represented the life of the early church. It is responsible for all doctrinal exchanges, so in reality, nothing concerning the faith is found within in its original form. The reading of the Holy Bible was forbidden and those who did were punished. It is shocking that especially Jews and Bible believing Christians were persecuted and burned by this church with their Bible. Why had this institution to fear the Bible in such a way?

As long as the gospel remained on the Jewish ground, there were mainly Jewish assemblies and, therefore, no discussions about the Godhead were known. At this stage, Roman and Greek thoughts and pagan thinking over gods and goddesses were brought into the discussions.
The spiritual and prophetic view that what was foreshadowed in the Old Testament became an apparent reality in the New was lost more and more, even though Tertullian emphasised quite strongly the thought: “… that Old and New Testament agree and prophecy is the connection between the Old and the New Testament” (F. Hauss, Väter der Chri-stenheit, pg. 20). In regards to doctrine, Christendom was slowly taken step by step from the Jewish foundation and placed upon heathen thinking. This happened in contrary to the apostolic and the direct post-apostolic times. Then, the Old Testament was being applied in connection with some passages of the New Testament against the Jews. Already in the second century, spiritually blind leaders who were in co-operation with the Roman Caesars have set the initiation against Judaism. The word “anti-Semitic” used only for the Jews is not correct as all Arabic nations are Semitic.

The Roman Caesar Constantine used a great strategy. He availed himself of the apostate Christendom and at the same time he did not break totally with heathenism. He supported the building of heathen temples and also the erection of Christian churches. Already in the year 315 A.D., Constantine declared the conversion to Judaism as a capital crime. Jews who converted others to Judaism and the converted Christian, were both to suffer death. In 321 A.D., the decree was issued that Sunday must be observed as the state holiday. This was not enough. The Jews were threatened to be punished and were forced to deny the Sabbath and celebrate Sunday. Constantine only proclaimed what the bishops of that time had already decided.

At the council of Nicaea, Arius and Athanasius were the two main speakers. Their statements and views were thoroughly documented in the church history. Apparently Arius had no knowledge about Christ. Athanasius instead testified freely, “that in Jesus God Himself appeared to us, God manifested Himself to us, and redeemed us, in Him we have the Father Himself … that in Jesus the Father Himself redeemed us“ (K.D. Schmidt, Grundriß der Kirchengeschichte, pg. 98).

Since this time, the Roman church constituted itself. At the time of the Nicene Council, there was yet no pope or no cardinal known of. Also there was no Roman bishop who would have claimed the pre-eminence. In this regard, church history is partly backdated, manipulated and gravely falsified. It was Constantine who ordered the Nicene council. He himself was the host and also the chairman of the council. It was his aim to unite the various fractions into one church which would serve in his state. The uniting of state and church together took place and thus the state-church came into being.

In the year 380, Theodosius the Great and Gratian set an end to common religious freedom. “At the II Ecumenical Council (381) the bishops sanctioned the edict of Caesar Theodosius I decree in February 380 in which all Roman subjects were challenged to receive the Christian trinity belief as it was formulated at Nicaea in 325 … The belief in the trinity which consists of the tri-unity of God as Father, Son and Holy Ghost was thereby the only valid creed for all Christians. It became the state-furthered religion.” (B. Harenberg, Chronik der Menschheit, pg. 212). “Gregory of Nyssa was one of the central figures at the II Ecumenical Council in Constantinople. He defended the Nicene creed and formulated decisively the trinity doctrine.” (B. Harenberg, Chronik der Menschheit, pg. 214). “Every citizen from henceforth was obligated to be an orthodox Christian. Heathenism and heresy were declared to be a capital crime.” (K. D. Schmidt, Grundriß der Kirchengeschichte, pg. 83). All those who because of their conscience could not follow this decree and did not join this state-religion were branded as heretics. From then on, the persecution was started by this Christian state-church against the members of the Biblical church.

Under pope Leo the Great (440-461), the universal church experienced an enormous growth. By most of the church historians he is believed to have been the first pope. But in the list of popes by Herder, 246 popes are named including Paul VI and therein Leo I is listed as the 45th pope. In this official book, question marks are found after the first fifteen which according to the listing began with Peter. The overwhelming majority of protestant historians place question marks behind fortyfour popes. It is commonly agreed that the papal history began with Leo I. He himself had to be satisfied at the council of Chalcedon (451) to be treated in the same way as the bishop of Constantinople. Even then the thought of primacy was not known but it began to develop.

The completion of this state-church institution happened under Caesar Justinian (527-565). The priests were made civil servants. It is very obvious that Christ is not the one who created this universal state-church. It was done by political and religious leaders who were interested to put all powers together for the interest of the whole Roman empire. Since the 4th and the 5th century, we are dealing with the church historically. On one side with the church of Jesus Christ and on the other with all the groups which deviated from the true faith and joined together in this great church. The tragic history of this heathenish-Christian world institution took its course.

The bishops were made dignitaries endued with religious and poli-tical power. All were carrying the same title, because they were looked upon as spiritual fathers. Rome was the capital of this empire and, therefore, the Roman bishops systematically assumed the various
titles of honour. It started with the “Pontifex Maximus”. This title was already used by the heathen high priests, the Caesars in the Roman empire and also by Constantine. The wrong developments connected to the church of the popes were accompanied by strife for power and recognition in special positions. “Since Bonifatius VIII (1294-1303) is the belief on the pope even necessary to obtain salvation, because all inhabitants of the earth are subdued under him. Thus also said Gregory VII (1073-1085) in his Dictatus papae. The Roman pontifex only is rightfully called universal” (H. Heinz, Zwischen Zeit und Ewigkeit, pg. 176). Thus Churchianity and Christendom was established without emphasising a personal experience and relationship with Christ. The only thing which counted was to belong to this great institution. The authority was taken away systematically from Christ and the Word of God and placed upon this institution and its representatives. Christ is the Head of His church while the popes are always the head of this universal and institutional church.

Into this state-church, people were baptised by force and later were made members of the same right after birth without having the possibility to decide for themselves. This unscriptural baptismal practice was used to make members by force and it became the very base for the people’s church. Also church tax was introduced, with which the financial aspect for extensive power of this church was guaranteed.

Parallel to this development “away from the Word of God”, the disconnection from Judaism took place and later on also from the Jewish Christian churches. This was not enough. Already Justin, bishop of Smyrna (167 A.D.) made derogatory statements. The Christians were declared to be God’s Israel and the Jews to be renegades who had fallen away. The apostle Paul looked upon this matter in a totally different way, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything nor uncircumcision but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them and mercy, and upon the Israel of God” (Gal. 6:15-16). The apostle Peter also made an important statement in this regard “… of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (Acts 10:34-35).

Polemical statements against Jews were already in circulation very early and became more aggressive. Bishop Ignatius of Antiochia began to implant antijudaistic thoughts into the minds. The antijudaistic paroles uttered by the representatives of the church in the first centuries are well documented in the history books. They were responsible for the killing of over a million Jews before the Roman church itself was instituted. The clergy took the right to call the Jews “murderers of Christ” even “murderers of God”. They were accused of many other things, and therefore were killed in various manners. The church has totally annulled for itself the commandment “Thou shalt not kill”.

The church father Chrysostomos (354-407), one of the most vicious enemies of the Jews, taught: “… with Jews one may not dare to have communion just as not with the devil. They are not better than pigs and goats … the synagogue is not only a theatre, it is a house of prostitution, a den of robbers, a shelter of unclean animals and a dwelling place of the devils. Christians should not consult Jewish physicians but rather die and turn away from all Jews as from a pest and from the epidemic of the human race” (K. Deschner, Krimi-nalgeschichte des Christentums, Vol. I, pg. 134).

Cyril († 444), patriarch of Alexandria, already spoke of the final solution to the Jewish question. In the 20th century, this final solution has reached its climax. Cyprian and Tertullian, Athanasius and Hieronymus, Gregory of Nyssa, Ambrosius, Augustinus, Justinian and many others had such a hatred for the Jews and planted the same into all the clergy and the people for all times. The slogans against the Jews became part of the thinking with all belonging to the Roman empire. The Jews were accused and held responsible for any calamity, and therefore they had to be exterminated with all means possible. What our Lord said was equally fulfilled with the Jews as well as with the followers of Christ, “They shall put you out of the synagogues; yea, the time comes, that whosoever killeth you will think that he does God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them …” (Jn. 16:2-4).

Indeed those murderers were convinced of doing God and the church a great service. The trinitarian Christianity was to be freed from the Jewish monotheism. Also Christians were being persecuted because they did not submit to that state-church. It was impossible for them to become part of this blood-stained system. They remained in fellowship with Christ. Even the esteemed reformer Martin Luther could not rid himself of the hatred towards the Jews. As a monk this idea penetrated into his flesh and blood. One can read but hardly understand what he said, “Luther said in his last sermon on Feb. 15th, 1546, about the Jewish physicians that they prescribe medicine by which one later must perish.” (H.-J. Gamm, Das Judentum, pg. 64).

From century to century, the hatred mounted and the statements against the Jews became more severe. Partly passages from the Scrip-tures were used to justify all that cruelty. When Jesus spoke of the unbelieving Jews, that was one thing and when He referred to the believing Jews, that was another. But the same applies to all the people and nations.

Considering this, the universal church must allow itself to be asked whether it brought salvation as claimed or whether it brought the most destruc-tive actions without mercy against Jews, the heathens and those who believed differently because they had their own goals in view. It was responsible  for all the wars, all the persecutions, confiscating properties and com-mitting crimes and murders right until the dark ages, when a third of the European soil was under its possession. Property from the living and the dead was found therein. Princes and kings nor anyone in the authority dared to withstand but on the contrary all were eagerly co-operating. “Rudolf von Habsburg declared in 1286 the Jews with person, possessions and land as belonging to his chamber” (H.-J. Gamm, Das Judentum, pg. 84).

All the curses which were repeated especially by the popes, the bishops and the whole curia have laid the foundation for the Jews and those believing differently to be persecuted without mercy at all times by the Roman church. It will only be clarified at the last judgment whether the six-million Jews who were killed and exterminated by the Third Reich during World War II will be put on the account of the German people or on the account of the Roman Catholic church. For the Catholics Hitler, Himmler and the Jesuit Goebbels, the ground was long prepared. Popes have repeatedly spoken of the providence as did the deceiver — Führer Hitler.

Whoever has read the literature about popes and their doings right into our time would have been shaken. Jews and believers of different faith were simply regarded as nothing. The Jesuit-pope Leo XIII (1878-1903) declared, “Anathema on the one who says: the Holy Spirit does not want us to kill the heretic” (E. Paris, The secret history of the Jesuits, pg. 167). Since when does the Holy Spirit kill? According to the testimony of the Scriptures, the Spirit brings life. Those who did not stay true to the state-church were branded as heretics, and the clergy gave itself the right to liquidate them. From this viewpoint, we also understand why pope Pius XII kept silent during World War II when millions of Jews were slaughtered. Only one city block away from the Vatican, a Jewish synagogue was burned down, and the pope did not say a single word. But the present pope was being celebrated when he visited the new synagogue and enjoyed listening as Psalm 150 being sung by the blinded Jewish congregation.

When the Lord met Abraham He gave him the promise, “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curses thee …” (Gen 12:2-3). This utterance should have stood before them who pretended to believe God and His Word.

The strict monotheism which is originally and exclusively in the Jewish faith stood in the way of those bishops who came out of heathenism. At first they wished to get rid of the Jews and then they also did not want to be identified with the God of the Jews. The Hebrew word “Mashiah” was transferred the Greek Christos — the anointed. The Hebrew “Yahshua” became the Greek Jesus. The formulations concerning the Godhead sprung up from Hellenistic thinking and were to the people and God of Israel totally strange. The New Testament does not know any hatred towards the Jews as some historians would try to say. What most of them did not realise is found in the utterance of the Lord: “Salvation cometh from the Jews” (Jn. 4:22).

The prophets in the Old Testament had already foretold that
the gentile nations would participate in the salvation of God. “I, the Lord (Yahweh), have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the nations” (Isa. 42:6). “… I will also give thee for a light to the nations, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.” (Isa. 49:6b). The Lord commenced with the Jews when He said, “But go rather, to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Mt. 10:6). The apostle Peter first experienced how a Roman general by the name of Cornelius was saved with all his house (Acts 10). The apostle Paul was advised by the Lord, “And he said unto me, Depart; for I will send thee far from here unto the gentiles” (Acts 22:21). In the great commission, the Lord clearly gave the commandment: “Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations …” (Mt. 28:19). The church of the living God consists of all nations and peoples.

The Roman empire was everywhere present and, therefore, the Roman state-church could use all the civil means for their own goal. In reality there was never a Christianisation but a Catholicisation of the nations. The people did not come to believe in Christ through the proclamation of the gospel, they were forced to accept the Catholic state religion. During the approximate 1,000 years of the reign of the Roman Catholic church, the earth was soaked with blood. The number of the martyrs is estimated differently and the highest spoken of is 68 million. All who believed differently had no chance to survive. Even the counter-reformation was a very bloody one and earthly means were used to combat which certainly had again nothing to do with the proclamation of the gospel. On the contrary, the church used the earthly power to establish itself again. All know about the Spanish Inquisition and the witch trials. In the name of Christianity, people were deprived of their human rights, were burned, were driven out and were persecuted all over Europe simply because they believed differently. In the St. Bartholomew’s Eve, 23rd/24th August, 1572, at the wedding of Henry III of Navarre and Marguerite de Valois in Paris only 3,000 and in the whole of France, more than 20,000 Huguenots were slaughtered. “Pope Gregory XIII celebrated the slaughter of the French Protestants with a «Te deum»” (B. Harenberg, Chronik der Menschheit, pg. 437).

This church has never exhibited the nature of Christ nor has it ever represented the life of the early church. It is responsible for all doctrinal exchanges, so in reality, nothing concerning the faith is found within in its original form. The reading of the Holy Bible was forbidden and those who did were punished. It is shocking that especially Jews and Bible believing Christians were persecuted and burned by this church with their Bible. Why had this institution to fear the Bible in such a way?