“Why do you think that Jesus picked up the ear of the centurion and placed it back where it came from? I am talking about the ear that Peter, roused from his sleep,and seeking to help save Jesus,lopped off.
And then,what did Jesus say to Peter? I believe He said,”those who live by the sword will die by the sword”,didn’t He?”
Actually it was the ear of a slave belonging to the High Priest and Jesus added to that comment that Jesus could call upon legions of angels for assistance if he choose.
So he didn’t need Peter’s sword or ours to protect or extend the church.
He also asks Peter in both gospels to put the sword away and in the one I had referred to He says those who live by sword shall perish by it.
I only mentioned it to draw attention to the fact that despite some of the comments questioning what the Pope was doing and saying there are many good reasons to believe the Pope was "following" Truth (Jesus) and Jesus believes it necessary to warn His slumbering people that they should at least be very careful lest their actions cause even more grief.
That is an excellent point! It is Almighty God who calls all men to repentance and faith in Christ. It is the Holy Spirit who is in the world to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. All we are called to do is speak the truth, preach the Gospel, be instant in season and out, and trust the Lord to open hearts to receive the truth. No soul was ever won to saving faith in Christ at the end of a sword. Jesus said all would know we are his disciples by our love one for another. This should be a HUGE clue to those who might be considering conversion to Islam.