Grade 12 - Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States

Sunday School Curriculum Grade 12
of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world‖.
d) (2 Thessalonians 2:15) ―Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which
you were taught, whether by word or our epistle‖.
e) (Galatians 1:8) ―But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to
you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed‖.
f) (Galatians 1:9) ―As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any
other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed‖.
We are judging the teaching and not the people.
II. Supremacy of St. Peter
A. Primacy of honor not of authority
Rome insists that all Christian Churches should submit to the Catholic Pope.
a) No reconciliation until this first step is taken.
b) No authority over other bishops.
c) Nowhere in Scripture do we see St. Peter taking decisions on his own.
B. First among equals
In the early church all were equal with different areas of jurisdiction.
St. Peter is certainly the foremost among the disciples, but again only in honor.
a) Spoke on behalf of the Apostles.
b) Mentioned first in all the list of the Apostles in Scripture.
c) ―...As having precedence in honor, he (Peter) always begins the discourse. But observe
how Peter does everything with common consent; nothing imperiously (domineering,
dictatorial).‖ (St. John Chrysostom).
III. Papal Infallibility
Became dogma in 1870‘s under Pope Pious.
A. Misunderstood verses
(Matthew 16:18) ―And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my
church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
(Matthew 16:19) ―And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you
bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in
heaven.‖
B. Rock of Faith
The rock to which Christ alluded is the rock of faith, the proclamation that He is the Christ,
the Son of the Living God.
C. Could not mean flesh and blood
(Colossians 3:10) ―According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master
builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he
builds on it‖.
a) (1 Corinthians 3:11) ―For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid,
which is Jesus Christ‖.
6 FILLER LESSONS