DEBUNKING SPANISH COLONIZATION WITH CHRIST'S WORDS
A RESPONSE TO THE SPANISH POSSESSION CEREMONY'S "REQUERIMIENTO 1510"
In Matthew 16:15-19, Christ asked His disciples “Who” did they believe that He was. Peter responded, “the Christ, the son of the living God.” Afterward, Jesus told Peter that he was blessed because this was revealed to him by God. Additionally, Christ said that Peter was a rock on which Christ would build His church. Further, He continued, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” However, this authority was intended for including the faithful in Communion and for excluding the unrepentant.
Furthermore, Peter was aware that he was called to forgive others because he had asked Jesus if people should be forgiven seven times. Christ had responded to Peter’s question with, “Seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22) Christ had even asked God for forgiveness for those who were crucifying Him. (Luke 23:34) Also, when He sent His disciples out to minister to various towns, Christ’s instructions were: to preach, to heal, to cleanse the lepers, to cast out demons, and to refrain from acquiring gold, silver, or copper for their money belts. (Matthew 10:7-9) Even if some did not receive them, they were to leave them in peace. (Luke 10:10-11)
THE CHURCH'S AUTHORITY IS CONFINED TO THE CHURCH
However, John 20:23 states that Jesus said to his disciples, “If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, then they have been retained.” Yet, God tests the faith of his priesthood to strengthen it. In I John 2:1-2, John reassures members of the church that Christ is willing to forgive them if they repent. As far as the people of the world, the church had no authority over them.
THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH
The head of the church is not the same as this claim of sovereignty over all of the earth and its peoples. Also, Christ told Pontius Pilate that “My kingdom is not of this world,” according to John 18:36. Sadly, it seems that men throughout history have often turned a religion into a political agenda to conquer other people. However, this was not the mission of the church. St. Peter was not appointed to be “Lord and Superior of all the men in the world.” Also, the Muslims did not even exist in St. Peter’s time. Furthermore, ancient Romans crucified St. Peter. Ancient Rome most certainly did not obey Peter as the “head of the human race.”
Christ warned against greed and the desire for power. In Matthew 16:26, Christ asked, “For what will a man be profited, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul?” In Luke 10:19-20, Christ advises, “Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”
THE CHURCH'S MISSION
Christ directed His apostles to take the message of the Gospel throughout the world. (Mark 16:15) The Gospel message was that God was so willing to forgive men for their hostilities that He had allowed His own Son to be sacrificed. This message was relevant throughout a world where ancient people were sacrificing humans, in order, to appease their gods. To receive mercy, people throughout the earth were asked to repent, to turn away from hostilities. However, Christ never called His apostles to forcefully claim the world for God or for a country.
As for the threat of war found in the final paragraph, there is a relevant story which is found in Luke 9:53-56. James and John asked Christ if they should send down fire from heaven to destroy the people of a town, whom had refused entry to Christ and His disciples. However, Christ rebuked James and John, telling them that they were not of God’s Spirit in this request.
Therefore, God would never lead His followers to behave in the ways of darkness. God’s followers would not make war against the world’s people. They would not steal their land nor their goods. Christians would not make slaves of other men’s wives and children. Nor, would Christians make “all the mischief and damage that can be done” to those who refuse tyranny. God gives freedom.
Please see:
Why Did Spain Conquer in the Name of God?
Excerpts From the Spanish Possession Ceremony
Coping With American Colonization