I bet they had to turn off the microphones. According to this report Read about it here, pope Benedict paid a visit to what is believed to be the Apostle Paul's grave yesterday. Why did they have to turn off the microphones? Because, if they didn't, the whole world might have heard the Apostle Paul rolling over in his grave.

In a recent email I was asked why I hated Catholics. Friends, just because I have some negative things to say about the Catholic leaders, that doesn't mean I hate Catholics. You see, Jesus had some very harsh things to say about the religious leaders of His day. In fact, if we replace the words "scribes, Pharisees and Moses," with the words, "cardinals, Papacy and Jesus," we come up with pretty much the same ugly picture regarding the modern Catholic leaders. Jesus said:

The scribes [cardinals] and the Pharisees [Papacy] have seated themselves in the chair of Moses [Jesus]; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men. But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted (Matthew 23: 1-12 New American Standard Bible).

Coming back to Paul, the Apostle had some interesting things to say about the motives of false religious leaders. Paul said:

They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them (Galatians 4:17).

You see, the Bible teaches, our salvation doesn't depend on man, or any religious institution. When we place our faith in Christ for our salvation, we are saved without human agency. Jesus saves us. And, once saved, we are complete in Him. In other words, we don't need to bow our knee to the Catholic Papacy. 

In fact, that's the very reason the Apostle Paul left a stern warning for the elders of the church at Ephesus. Before his final departure to Rome, Paul said:

I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears (Acts 20: 29-31).

Friends, when pope Benedict visited Paul's grave yesterday, Paul didn't just lie there.

He rolled over.