I know that there will be those who will value this printed version of Rev Daniel Henderson’s sermon – Benedict XVI – Saint or Scoundrel?
which he has shared with me.
May the Lord be pleased to bless the message which has already ruffled a few feathers amongst those who would change the truth of God into a lie!
Sincerely in Christ’s name,
Ivan Foster
Benedict XVI – Saint or Scoundrel?
(A summary of the sermon preached by Rev. Daniel Henderson from 1 John 2:18 at Moneyslane Free Presbyterian Church on Sunday morning, 8th January, 2023.)
“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.” (1 John 2:18)
On Saturday, 31st December, 2022, Joseph Ratzinger – commonly known as Pope Benedict XVI – died in a monastery in Vatican City. At the moment when his soul left his body, he stood before Almighty God and has already experienced wrath and judgment. Today – sad as it is to say of any soul – he is in a lost sinners Hell. I say that because as Pope he committed the ‘Unpardonable Sin’ of Matthew 12:31-32 – blasphemy against the Holy Ghost – a sin which God will not forgive and will not forget.
In fact, Benedict XVI in his titles blasphemed all three Persons of the Godhead – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In his title, the “Pope” or “Papa,” he claimed to be the spiritual father of all mankind. Matthew 23:9 tells us that such an action is blasphemy against God the Father. In his title, the “Pontiff” – which means ‘the Bridge’ – he claims to be the Mediator, the go-between or the bridge between God and men. In taking this title of “Pontiff” to himself, he blasphemed God the Son who is the only Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). Then in his title, “the Vicar of Christ”, he claimed to be Christ’s representative on earth. There is only One that is the representative of Christ on earth and that is the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). In the titles and offices he claimed, he had the unique audacity of blaspheming God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Benedict has now stood before the God he sought in his life to usurp and has been condemned to Hell for his heretical crimes.
So, such a character has died, what did our so-called Protestant religious leaders have to say? The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland – Right Reverend Dr. John Kirkpatrick had this to say: “Many people across the island of Ireland today will be greatly saddened by the news of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict. In making contact with Archbishop Eamon I wanted to pass on my sympathy and express the condolences of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland as we acknowledge the grief being felt by so many of our Roman Catholic neighbours at this particular time.”
How out of step this wolf in sheep’s clothing finds himself with his own Doctrinal Standards. Let’s just remind ourselves of the Doctrinal Standards of the Presbyterian Church – The Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 25, Section 6: “There is no other Head of the Church but the Lord Jesus Christ: nor can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof; but is that antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalteth himself in the church against Christ, and all that is called God.” Sadly, once again the Presbyterian Church has failed the cause of Protestantism.
Did the Methodist Church do any better? The President of the Methodist Church in Ireland – Reverend David Nixon had this to say: “Pope Benedict had a profound influence on the life of the Church. His life was deeply rooted in God, and in his teaching he encouraged all to a closer relationship with Jesus in their everyday lives. He was a man of prayer and an insightful theologian. We pray for comfort for all who mourn his loss.”
Let’s just remind ourselves of the Founder of Methodism – John Wesley’s – view of Romanism: “At this time more especially will we speak, that ‘by grace ye are saved through faith:’ because never was the maintaining this doctrine more seasonable that it is at this day. Nothing but this can effectually prevent the increase of the Romish delusion among us. ‘Tis endless to attack one by one all the errors of that apostate church… It is this doctrine that first drove Popery out of these Kingdoms, and ‘tis this alone can keep it out.” Oh, how Methodism has changed from the days of John Wesley. Sadly, once again the Methodist Church has failed the cause of Protestantism.
Well, how did the Anglican Church fair on this subject? The Head of the Church of Ireland – Archbishop John McDowell has this to say: “I wish to extend my sympathy on behalf of the Church of Ireland to Archbishop Eamon Martin, and to the Bishops, Priests, Deacons and Roman Catholic people of Ireland on the death of His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. We owe a common debt to him, not least as a Biblical scholar and the unique richness of the person of Jesus.”
The 39 Articles of Religion – the Doctrinal Standards of Anglicanism are plain and clear on the subject of Popish heresy: Article 37 – “The Bishop of Rome hath no jurisdiction in this realm…”; Article 31 – “Of Masses… blasphemous fables, and dangerous deceits”; Article 28 – Of the Mass “…repugnant to the plain words of Scripture…” and Article 22 – “The Romish Doctrine concerning purgatory…” has “…no warranty of Scripture, but is rather repugnant to the Word of God.”
But, if truth be told, any Bible Believing Protestant that is aware of the days of apostasy that we live in will hardly be surprised at the compromise from Presbyterianism, Methodism and Anglicanism; but what I found to be the saddest statement of all was from our new so-called Protestant King – Charles III. He wrote to Pope Francis the following: “Your Holiness, I received the news of the death of your predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, with deep sadness. I remember with fondness my meeting with His Holiness during my visit to the Vatican in 2009. His visit to the United Kingdom in 2010 was important in strengthening the relations between the Holy See and the United Kingdom.”
Let’s just remind ourselves of the King’s Oath before God and men only a few months ago: “I will to the utmost of my power maintain in the United Kingdom the Protestant Reformed Religion established by law.” “I, Charles the Third… do faithfully promise and swear that I shall inviolably maintain and preserve the Settlement of the true Protestant Religion… so help me God.” How tragic it is, that the King has broken such a solemn Oath and been found to be a liar so soon into his reign. Surely, we ought not to be surprised at God’s wrath upon our land and nation.
Even though no other Protestant pulpit wishes to say so, I freely declare, with the authority of the Word of God and as a Preacher of the truth that Benedict XVI, his predecessors and his successors – like that of Francis and whoever else would follow – are all scoundrels, God-deniers and antichrists in the sight of a Holy God and are to be resisted as such.
THE AGE
“Little children, it is the last time… whereby we know that it is the last time.” (1 John 2:18)
In this portion of Scripture, we find that John is not a young man, full of ignorance with too much zeal and energy to burn up – No! He is an older, aged, wise and experienced Christian passing on his knowledge and experience to a younger generation of believers – that is why he writes “Little children…” and as he passes on his experience he gives plenty of warnings (see 1 John 2:1A & 1 John 5:21). One of the warnings he gives is that “…it is the last time…” (1 John 2:18). The Word of God in numerous places warns us about the signs of the times. There are certain things that will be prevalent in the world just prior to the time of the Lord’s Return (See 2 Timothy 3:1-13). Some of the things that will be evident in the last days are apostacy and compromise in the so-called ‘church’, as well as, wickedness and immorality in the world. Many of the descriptions of 2 Timothy 3 describe our own nation in 2023. But why does the Word of God tell us this? So that we despair? So that we are discouraged and downcast? Oh no! So that we can look up with hope and assurance that the Word of God is true and that Christ is returning very soon. Luke 21:28 states: “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
THE ANTICHRISTS
“… ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists…” (1 John 2:18)
The Scriptures tell us that there will be an individual come into the world in the last of the last days called “the Antichrist” (2 Thess. 2:1-10). Many Christians often get ‘hooked up’ on the idea of antichrist and forget the purpose for why the Scriptures even mention him in the first place. The Bible tells us about the antichrist to inform us that he will be destroyed and totally consumed one day – Hallelujah! (See 2 Thess. 2:8). Too many believers miss this wonderful truth. The Scriptures also tell us how we are to handle ourselves in those days: “Therefore, brethren, stand fast…” (2 Thess. 2:15). Nevertheless, even though I do not believe that the Pope is ‘the’ antichrist (many excellent Christians may disagree) I do believe that he is ‘an’ antichrist. By his blasphemies, he is anti-God, anti-Bible, anti-Christian and anti-Christ. That is what John warns us of in 1 John 4:3 and 1 John 2:18 – the “…spirit of antichrist…” and “…even now are there many antichrists…” Even though I believe that ‘the antichrist’ is yet to be revealed in the future, I certainly believe that the Popes have been of the spirit of antichrist and as C.H. Spurgeon put it: ‘The Pope should be arrested on suspicion of being the antichrist’ He seems to come so close to the descriptions of that wicked character pictured in the Scriptures. As such, Protestantism is to resist him with full force and vigour as an enemy of Christ and the Gospel.
THE ANSWER
“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.” (1 John 2:18)
As I have already alluded, the Scriptures do not tell us these things so that we despair. The Word of God warns us so that we can be prepared for future days and so that we can make our effective stand for King Jesus in days of apostate darkness. In 2 Timothy 3, we find a chapter that outlines the signs of the last days in such a detailed fashion that we find our spines shudder at the similarities to our own day and age. But 2 Timothy 3 does not leave us without an answer. 2 Timothy 3:14 gives us the answer, “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of…” The Apostle Paul – writing under inspiration of the Holy Spirit – makes it clear that in days of apostacy and darkness, in the days of antichrists and – one day – the antichrist, we don’t compromise, we don’t lessen the standards, we don’t water down the Word of God but we continue. Just continue. Continue in the old paths (Jer. 6:16). We just keep going for God. Then further to that, we are to “Preach the Word” (2 Tim. 4:2).
Very simply put, as the age gets darker and apostasy becomes more prevalent, the times will get harder for the people of God. Cowards need not apply! But we keep on keeping on. We continue, we preach, we stand, we be salt and light for the Master; all the while looking up, awaiting his return. What a day that will be!
In conclusion, I firmly believe Benedict XVI was a scoundrel, an antichrist and an enemy of the most High God. We are to resist the Church of Rome and all her heresies. Let us continue with the sentiment of the hymn writer:
No peace with Rome shall be our cry,
While Rome abides the same;
We’ll let her know that Protestants
Will not disgrace their name.
Video of Rev Henderson preaching on the subject this Sabbath morning, January 8th.