The Catholic church has set up a self-perpetuating system based on nothing else other than the fact than "because we said so."
>> The Catholic church has set up a self-perpetuating system based on nothing else other than the fact than "because we said so." <<
Yes! The office was given to St. Peter firstly, and to the apostles, collectively, that they DO get to say so! Jesus very plainly told Peter that he had such authority! He was given the keys to the kingdom, the mark of a regent. And the office of regent, to fulfill its function, was always handed down until the return of the King. So yes, the Pope does get to say, "because I said so." Because he has the power given to him by Christ, which every Protestant claims for himself: to declare what is bound and loosed in Heaven and on Earth.
Hey cocky :)
It comes down to authority, as always. Your church was founded by a heretic. My church was founded by Jesus. Apostolic succession and all that. He handed the keys not to Luther or Calvin or Zwingli or the King of England, but to Peter -- and his successors.
What's your pastor's pedigree? :)