The recorded words of Christ to Peter were, “…from you I have established a base for the remnant whom I have summoned to knowledge.” [the words of Matthew 16:18 that are used to declare Peter as the first head of the church of Rome are not a mandate for the organized church. The word translated church is ekklesia which refers only to a movement or ‘called out company’.]
Christ continues with, “For many will accept our teaching in the beginning. and they will turn from them again by the will of the Father of their error….those who became mingled with these shall become their prisoners, since they are without perception. and they will cleave to the name of a dead man, thinking that they will become pure. But they will become greatly defiled and they will fall into a name of error, and unto the hand of an evil, cunning man and a manifold dogma, and they will be ruled heretically.
Whether liberal, moderate or conservative, all church organizations have subtly imprisoned the Christian population. All churches have rituals, rules, protocols, ordinances, sacraments and standards that are non-optional. All faiths have also developed ‘manifold dogmas’ which the congregants are enjoined to defend if they want to reman in good standing with the church and with God. Jesus saw this coming.
“But others shall change from evil words and misleading mysteries. Some who do not understand mystery speak of things which they do not understand, but they will boast that the mystery of the truth is theirs alone. And in haughtiness they shall grasp at pride…” [Every religion has their own version of what they claim is absolute truth.]
[the false nature of organized religion is foretold in the following words.] “For if the immortal soul (sincere seeker) receives power in an intellectual spirit- But immediately they join with one of those who misled them. [many factions in the early days of Christianity, “Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Acts 20:30]
“But many others, who oppose the truth and are the messengers of error, will set up their error and their law against these pure thoughts of mine, as looking out from one (perspective), thinking that good and evil are from one (source). They do business in my word. And they will propagate harsh fate.” [hellfire and brimstone]
Jesus describes the true ekklesia as “…the brotherhood which really exists, which is the spiritual fellowship with those united in communion, through which the wedding of incorruptibility shall be revealed.”
Just to be clear he also says, “And there shall be others of those who are outside our number who name themselves bishop and also deacons, as if they have received their authority from God. Those people are dry canals.”
quotes are from “The Apocalypse of Peter” (VII,3) The Nag Hammadi Library in English. third Edition, James M. Robinson, editor, pages 373-376