Frederick II and the Papacy (1)

Under the above title Through the Ages the undersigned placed a series of articles on the subject of The Rise and Decline of the Papacy. In this article a return is made to that subject. Before continuing our story, it may be well to get our bearings. As was stated, in the apostolic churches, there was legal parity of those whom the Scriptures describe as bishops, presbyters, pastors, and teachers. But at the close of the second century we find the local congregation, including the ministers...