Today was incredible! We began the day with a tour of the Vatican, the smallest country in the world. This includes the famous St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the surrounding area.
It is here that were dazzled and amazed with incredible works of art that depict many of the stories and characters within the Bible. However, it is within this city that we were confronted with the enslaving darkness of a works-based religion shrouded in the beauty of golden domes and breathtaking sculptures and paintings. At the center of this religion is man’s futile attempt to get to God by his own merits and effort. Is this hope and good news for mankind? Certainly not! The good news is that although man cannot get to God, God came down to man. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! It is only through Christ’s merits that we can have a relationship with God and therefore have His life in us. He is our mediator between God and man…not the Pope and his unfounded claims as the Vicar of Christ. Pastor Ferrell spent some time walking us through the contrast between Catholic teaching and the teaching from Scripture as we journeyed through the Vatican.
We also toured St. Paul's Cathedral, which was also a beautiful sight to behold. The pictures you will be seeing truly don't do the sites any justice! You find yourself just taken aback with the unbelievable architecture and all of the glittering gold, bronze, and marble. It is a sight that you will not see in other places.
Thank you for your patience in my lack of posting yesterday. The internet has been very intermittent, so I had to wait until today. We will see you on the blog very soon!
Your fellow servant,
Pastor Stephen
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