By Mark Swarbrick
Is the Pope the Vicar of Christ?
The title “Vicar of Christ” is nowhere found or taught in the Bible. Catholics call the Pope the Vicar of Christ, which means, “Instead of Christ.” The Bible does not teach that there was to be a fallen sinful man in the Church to replace Jesus Christ. Only the Holy Spirit, also called the “Spirit of Christ” (Romans 8:9, Acts 16:7, 1 Peter 1:11), was to be Jesus’ presence on Earth. Jesus is not gone from the earth as Catholics imagine. Our Lord said, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20).
Consider Jesus’ words:
But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:7)
Has Jesus been Replaced by the Pope?
Notice that Jesus did not say that when he went away, he would leave a Pope to be on earth “instead” of him. No, the only “Vicar of Christ” or “Instead of Christ” upon earth today is the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of Christ, who lives in the hearts of believers. To look to a Pope as a “Vicar of Christ” is to discount the real presence of Christ in the heart of the believer and to deny the presence of the Spirit of Christ through the Church. Proclaiming a Vicar of Christ is a disavowal of the power of Christ on earth today. And it denies Scripture, which declares:
“Because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood…because He always lives to intercede.” (Hebrews 7:24)
Blasphemy!
The unbiblical title, Vicar of Christ, implies that the bearer has the same jurisdictional power of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus Christ is the one who says He will build His church and Colossians 1:18 declares Christ is head of the Church. Our Lord has never delegated that power and position to anyone else. By claiming the title Vicar of Christ, the reigning pope is in fact, promising to do what Christ promised. The pope is claiming to be the head of the Church, and Catholics the world over see the Pope as exactly that. This is blasphemy.
Make no mistake, the Catholic Church fully embraces this blasphemy. The Catholic catechism teaches: “The Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered.” (1994 Catechism of the Catholic Church). There it is: Catholicism claims the Pope is head of the Church, instead of Christ, just as the blasphemous title Vicar of Christ implies.
This article is part of our series on Catholicism. See the full index here: The False Teachings of Catholicism
Have a Question or Insight? Join the Discussion — To Comment, Scroll to the Bottom. Please Be Courteous and Stay on Topic.
Books by Mark Swarbrick
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Real Science vs Evolution: The Scientific Evidence against Evolution
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Seventh-Day Adventism Examined: A Concise Summary of Adventism's Unbiblical Doctrines
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The Pre-Trib Rapture: Biblical Truth of the Blessed Hope
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Hidden History: The Untold Story of the Democratic Party
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The Covid Conspiracy: The Cure for Covid and the Plot to Hide it from the World
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The Carnivore Diet: The Science, the Promise, and the Pitfalls
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Heavenly Miracles: True Stories of Supernatural Intervention
When the author saw how demons flee at the name of Jesus, his growing faith resulted in numerous miracles in his life and ministry.
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King James Onlyism: Is the KJV the Best Bible Version?
KJV Onlyists have troubled the hearts of many a Christianand have split churches in half. Controversy, factions, and strive are their forte. No doubt, they are sincere, but they are sincerely wrong.
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The Hidden Truth about Catholicism
If you are a Catholic this book is for you. With loving respect, this book gives a detailed account of the history of Catholicism with an in-depth analysis of Catholic teachings.
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Life after Death: What Happens When We Die?
A refutation of soul sleep, the idea that people are unconscious or nonexistent until God raises their bodies from the dead at the resurrection.
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Mormonism Examined: The Bizarre History and Unbiblical Doctrines of Mormonism
This is not an anti-Mormon rant, but a thoughtful analysis of Mormonism in the light of the Holy Bible and historic Christian doctrine.
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Truly Amazing: The Real Story of Adam and Eve
Children get bombarded with confusion about gender, marriage, and evolution at a very young age.This book shows what God has to say on these crucial matters. This book is a creation story for kids that explains the creation and the fall in an interesting way that children can relate to.
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Global Warming: Socialism in Disguise
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Beyond Redemption: Love and Longing in the Old West (Book 1)
A thrilling historical western and romance packed with Gospel truth. A perfect gift for someone you want to share the Gospel with. Here is what one reader said about Beyond Redemption:
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Beyond Redemption: War & Peace in the Old West (Book 2)
The Second Book in the Beyond Redemption series. How the characters prayerfully deal with their challenges is a testament to the changing power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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Abducted by Demons - Saved by Jesus: My Journey for Hell to Heaven
Join Mark Swarbrick on a heart-wrenching journey from the depths of demonic oppression to the transformative peace and salvation found in Christ.
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Fossil Fuels – God’s Gift to Man: How God used Coal, Oil, and Natural Gas to Save Mankind
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Word of Faith Examined: A Refutation of the Prosperity Gospel's Unbiblical Doctrines
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The Israel of God: A Christian and Biblical Perspective of the Modern State of Israel
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Extraterrestrials Exposed: The Scientific and Biblical Evidence of a Grand Deception
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Socialism Examined: Man's Secular Answer to a Spiritual Problem
Author Mark Swarbrick explains, in simple terms, why socialism conflicts with biblical truth and why it consistently harms the very people it claims to help. You will learn how modern political leaders use fear, crisis, and entitlement to push a country toward greater state control — and why many don’t recognize it until it’s too late.
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Homosexuality and Trangenderism Examined: What the Bible Really Says
Author Mark Swarbrick covers the key biblical passages on homosexuality and transgenderism, showing what Scripture teaches and how those teachings shaped Western moral order for nearly two millennia before being rejected in our time.
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Once Saved Always Saved Examined: What the Bible Really Says
Author Mark Swarbrick covers the key biblical passages on unconditional security, showing what Scripture teaches and how the early Christian Church understood this important topic.
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The Mysterious Disappearance of Amelia Earhart Solved
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Jehovah's Witnesses Examined:
In Jehovah’s Witnesses Examined, author Mark W. Swarbrick carefully compares the doctrines of the Watchtower organization with the clear teaching of the Bible. This concise and readable book exposes the movement’s history, its controlling structure, and the serious doctrinal errors that separate it from historic Christianity.
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In Killing Cancer, Mark Swarbrick dives deep into more than two dozen alternative and integrative approaches that patients and researchers around the world are exploring. Drawing from scientific studies, clinical observations, and compelling anecdotal reports, this book examines therapies that range from repurposed drugs like ivermectin and fenbendazole, to natural compounds like curcumin, artemisinin, Turkey Tail mushroom (PSK & PSP), high-dose vitamins D3 & K2, red light therapy, and ketogenic or fasting-based diets.
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