Friday Church News Notes
April 17, 2026 - Volume 27, Issue 16
The Friday Church News Notes is designed for use in churches and is published by Way of Life Literature. Unless otherwise stated, the Notes are written by David Cloud. Of necessity we quote from a wide variety of sources, though this does not imply an endorsement.
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THE PRESIDENT VS. THE POPE (Friday Church News Notes, April 17, 2026, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - U.S. President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV have been exchanging sharp criticisms. The pope called for an end to the Iran war and suggested that “delusion of omnipotence” is the driving factor. The pope said, “Enough of war.” Trump called the pope “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy” and stated on his social media, “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.” We would make the following observations. (1) Trump, with all his imperfections, is a duly elected ruler of a nation and operates under the authority of Romans 13. The pope is a usurper who has zero authority from God. In the Bible, there are no popes, no pontiffs, no papal keys, no papal thrones, no papal crowns, no papal palaces, no papal treasury. The papacy was a brazen lie from its inception. (2) The popes have always tried to subject secular rulers to their authority. Consider Pope Gregory VII (Hildebrand) and Henry IV, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1076, the pope called a council of bishops and proclaimed that the emperor could no longer rule his kingdom. “In the name of Almighty God, and by your authority, I prohibit Henry from governing the Teutonic kingdom and Italy. I release all Christians from their oath of allegiance to him; and I strictly forbid all persons to serve or attend him as king.” In January 1077, the emperor traveled to Italy to the castle where the pope was staying on a visit with the duchess Matilda and begged his forgiveness. The brazen and cruel pope forced the emperor to stay outside in the winter cold, barefoot and fasting, for three days. After that, he was allowed to humble himself before the feet of the pope and was granted absolution after professing allegiance to the pope in all things. This type of thing continued for hundreds of years, as the popes declared themselves rulers over the thrones of this world. Not all of the popes were able to exercise power effectively, but they tried to. (3) Rome is associated with Mystery Babylon of Revelation 17 and will unite with the Antichrist at the end of the age. The pope’s peace plan is a deception. Consider the testimony of the infallible Word of God: “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-4). The Antichrist will come on the scene as a man of peace, but it will be a lie.
THE PAPACY AT THE TURN OF THE FIRST MILLENNIUM (Friday Church News Notes, April 17, 2026, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The following is a description of the conditions existing at the turn of the first millennium AD: “In the tenth century the dominion of the Roman pope had exceedingly obscured, and taken possession of, nearly all the churches in Europe, so that everything had to be done according to his pleasure, both in spiritual and secular governments; hence, great darkness prevailed at this time, in which but very few learned, virtuous, and celebrated men lived. For fear of the great tyranny, one dared scarcely speak the least word of the adulteration of the doctrine, or the abuses in the false worship, and the increase of the abominable blasphemies; for, as soon as those who knew better, and feared God, uttered the least word of opposition, the pope instantly thundered, with hail and lightning as it were, excommunications from the Roman chair, so that everyone was terrified, since also the secular lords were bewitched and controlled by him” (Martyrs Mirror, 5th English edition, p. 248). (For more on the office and history of the papacy, see The History of the Churches from a Baptist Perspective, 2 volumes, at the Courses section of www.wayoflife.org.)
THE CORONATION OF POPE GREGORY IX (Friday Church News Notes, April 17, 2026, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The coronation of Gregory IX (1227-1241) illustrates the character of the papacy in former times: “On the day of his coronation he proceeded to St. Peter’s, accompanied by several prelates, and assumed the pallium according to custom; and after having said mass he marched to the palace of the Lateran, COVERED WITH GOLD AND JEWELS. On Monday, having said mass at St. Peter’s, he returned wearing two crowns, mounted on a horse richly caparisoned, and surrounded by Cardinals CLOTHED IN PURPLE, and a numerous clergy. The streets were spread with tapestry, INLAID WITH GOLD AND SILVER, the noblest productions of Egypt, and the most brilliant colors of India, and perfumed with various aromatic odors” (George Waddington, A History of the Church from the Earliest Ages to the Reformation, 1834, p. 335). (For more on the office and history of the papacy, see The History of the Churches from a Baptist Perspective, 2 volumes, at the Courses section of www.wayoflife.org.)
THE PAPAL CROWN (Friday Church News Notes, April 17, 2026, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The authority claimed by the pope through the centuries is signified by the papal tiara. It is a white helmet-like crown made of gold and silver, ornamented with precious stones and pearls, encircled with three rings, with a small cross at the top. Thus, it was a crown of three crowns. Crowns were worn by popes as early as the 8th century, but they had no rings or only one ring. The three crowns were added gradually. Pope Boniface VIII (1294-1303) added a second circle or crown. Benedict XII, who died in 1342, added the third crown. The triple crown is called the Triregnum (triple rule). The pope was crowned with these words: “Receive the three-fold crown of the Tiara, and know that thou art the Father of princes and Kings, the Ruler of the round earth, and here below the vicar [representative] of Jesus Christ, to whom be Honor and Glory forever, Amen.” It is said that the triple crown signifies the pope as “supreme pastor, supreme teacher, and supreme priest.” This is a blasphemous usurpation of Christ’s offices. Pope Paul VI (r. 1963-1978) was the last pope to wear the tiara, but it is still used to crown the statue of Peter in St. Peter’s Basilica each year and remains a part of the papal coat of arms. (For more on the office and history of the papacy, see The History of the Churches from a Baptist Perspective, 2 volumes, at the Courses section of www.wayoflife.org.)
THE PAPAL BULL UNAM SANCTUM (Friday Church News Notes, April 17, 2026, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - An example of the pomposity of the popes in former times is the proclamation issued in 1302 by Pope Boniface VIII titled Unam Sanctum (One Holy). King Philip IV of France and Edward I of England, tired of papal meddling in their nation’s affairs, were resisting it. For example Boniface had issued a bull in 1296 forbidding kings to tax the clergy without papal permission. After Philip had a bishop tried for treason and imprisoned, the pope responded with Unam Sanctum. He claimed that no one can be saved who does not submit to the pope as the supreme head of the church and demanded that kings and all earthly authority be subject to him. Following is an excerpt: “Furthermore, we declare, we proclaim, we define that it is absolutely necessary for salvation that every human creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff.” (For more on the office and history of the papacy, see The History of the Churches from a Baptist Perspective, 2 volumes, at the Courses section of www.wayoflife.org.)
ROME’S FORGERIES (Friday Church News Notes, April 17, 2026, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - There is no authority for the papacy in the New Testament, but this problem was solved with the forgery of official documents. There was the Donation of Constantine, the Decretals of Isidore, and other papal decretals. The Donation of Constantine was a shameless forgery claiming that Constantine I, emperor of Rome, gave the bishop of Rome supremacy “over all the churches of God in the whole earth.” The Donation was supposed to be a reward from Constantine to “Pope” Sylvester for healing him of leprosy. It granted him a crown, royal robes consisting of a “purple mantle and scarlet tunic,” and “all the pomp of our imperial eminence and glory of our power.” It donated “the city of Rome, and all the provinces, places and cities of Italy and the western regions.” It gave Catholic clergy the authority to ride on white horses and to wear white sandals like the Roman senators. This brazen lie was invented to strengthen the pope’s claim to northern Italy and his authority as both a civil and spiritual ruler. It was used by Pope Stephen III (752-57) to help convince Emperor Pepin of the Franks to take some 20 cities by force of arms from the Lombards and to hand them over to the pope. Pope Adrian I (or Hadrian) referred to the Donation in a letter in 774 to Charlemagne, Pepin’s son. The forgery was used by other popes until it was publicly exposed in the 15th century. It has never been renounced by Rome. (For more on the office and history of the papacy, see The History of the Churches from a Baptist Perspective, 2 volumes, at the Courses section of www.wayoflife.org.)
CONCLUSION: The Friday Church News Notes is designed for use in churches and is published by Way of Life Literature’s Fundamental Baptist Information Service. Unless otherwise stated, the Notes are written by David Cloud. Of necessity we quote from a wide variety of sources, but this obviously does not imply an endorsement. We trust that our readers will not be discouraged. It is God’s will that we know the times (1 Ch. 12:32; Mt. 16:3) and that we be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves. The News Notes remind us that the hour is very late, and we need to be ready for the Lord’s coming. Are you sure that you are born again? Are you living for Christ? “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Ro. 13:11-14).
THE PAPACY AT THE TURN OF THE FIRST MILLENNIUM (Friday Church News Notes, April 17, 2026, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The following is a description of the conditions existing at the turn of the first millennium AD: “In the tenth century the dominion of the Roman pope had exceedingly obscured, and taken possession of, nearly all the churches in Europe, so that everything had to be done according to his pleasure, both in spiritual and secular governments; hence, great darkness prevailed at this time, in which but very few learned, virtuous, and celebrated men lived. For fear of the great tyranny, one dared scarcely speak the least word of the adulteration of the doctrine, or the abuses in the false worship, and the increase of the abominable blasphemies; for, as soon as those who knew better, and feared God, uttered the least word of opposition, the pope instantly thundered, with hail and lightning as it were, excommunications from the Roman chair, so that everyone was terrified, since also the secular lords were bewitched and controlled by him” (Martyrs Mirror, 5th English edition, p. 248). (For more on the office and history of the papacy, see The History of the Churches from a Baptist Perspective, 2 volumes, at the Courses section of www.wayoflife.org.)
THE CORONATION OF POPE GREGORY IX (Friday Church News Notes, April 17, 2026, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The coronation of Gregory IX (1227-1241) illustrates the character of the papacy in former times: “On the day of his coronation he proceeded to St. Peter’s, accompanied by several prelates, and assumed the pallium according to custom; and after having said mass he marched to the palace of the Lateran, COVERED WITH GOLD AND JEWELS. On Monday, having said mass at St. Peter’s, he returned wearing two crowns, mounted on a horse richly caparisoned, and surrounded by Cardinals CLOTHED IN PURPLE, and a numerous clergy. The streets were spread with tapestry, INLAID WITH GOLD AND SILVER, the noblest productions of Egypt, and the most brilliant colors of India, and perfumed with various aromatic odors” (George Waddington, A History of the Church from the Earliest Ages to the Reformation, 1834, p. 335). (For more on the office and history of the papacy, see The History of the Churches from a Baptist Perspective, 2 volumes, at the Courses section of www.wayoflife.org.)
THE PAPAL CROWN (Friday Church News Notes, April 17, 2026, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The authority claimed by the pope through the centuries is signified by the papal tiara. It is a white helmet-like crown made of gold and silver, ornamented with precious stones and pearls, encircled with three rings, with a small cross at the top. Thus, it was a crown of three crowns. Crowns were worn by popes as early as the 8th century, but they had no rings or only one ring. The three crowns were added gradually. Pope Boniface VIII (1294-1303) added a second circle or crown. Benedict XII, who died in 1342, added the third crown. The triple crown is called the Triregnum (triple rule). The pope was crowned with these words: “Receive the three-fold crown of the Tiara, and know that thou art the Father of princes and Kings, the Ruler of the round earth, and here below the vicar [representative] of Jesus Christ, to whom be Honor and Glory forever, Amen.” It is said that the triple crown signifies the pope as “supreme pastor, supreme teacher, and supreme priest.” This is a blasphemous usurpation of Christ’s offices. Pope Paul VI (r. 1963-1978) was the last pope to wear the tiara, but it is still used to crown the statue of Peter in St. Peter’s Basilica each year and remains a part of the papal coat of arms. (For more on the office and history of the papacy, see The History of the Churches from a Baptist Perspective, 2 volumes, at the Courses section of www.wayoflife.org.)
THE PAPAL BULL UNAM SANCTUM (Friday Church News Notes, April 17, 2026, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - An example of the pomposity of the popes in former times is the proclamation issued in 1302 by Pope Boniface VIII titled Unam Sanctum (One Holy). King Philip IV of France and Edward I of England, tired of papal meddling in their nation’s affairs, were resisting it. For example Boniface had issued a bull in 1296 forbidding kings to tax the clergy without papal permission. After Philip had a bishop tried for treason and imprisoned, the pope responded with Unam Sanctum. He claimed that no one can be saved who does not submit to the pope as the supreme head of the church and demanded that kings and all earthly authority be subject to him. Following is an excerpt: “Furthermore, we declare, we proclaim, we define that it is absolutely necessary for salvation that every human creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff.” (For more on the office and history of the papacy, see The History of the Churches from a Baptist Perspective, 2 volumes, at the Courses section of www.wayoflife.org.)
ROME’S FORGERIES (Friday Church News Notes, April 17, 2026, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - There is no authority for the papacy in the New Testament, but this problem was solved with the forgery of official documents. There was the Donation of Constantine, the Decretals of Isidore, and other papal decretals. The Donation of Constantine was a shameless forgery claiming that Constantine I, emperor of Rome, gave the bishop of Rome supremacy “over all the churches of God in the whole earth.” The Donation was supposed to be a reward from Constantine to “Pope” Sylvester for healing him of leprosy. It granted him a crown, royal robes consisting of a “purple mantle and scarlet tunic,” and “all the pomp of our imperial eminence and glory of our power.” It donated “the city of Rome, and all the provinces, places and cities of Italy and the western regions.” It gave Catholic clergy the authority to ride on white horses and to wear white sandals like the Roman senators. This brazen lie was invented to strengthen the pope’s claim to northern Italy and his authority as both a civil and spiritual ruler. It was used by Pope Stephen III (752-57) to help convince Emperor Pepin of the Franks to take some 20 cities by force of arms from the Lombards and to hand them over to the pope. Pope Adrian I (or Hadrian) referred to the Donation in a letter in 774 to Charlemagne, Pepin’s son. The forgery was used by other popes until it was publicly exposed in the 15th century. It has never been renounced by Rome. (For more on the office and history of the papacy, see The History of the Churches from a Baptist Perspective, 2 volumes, at the Courses section of www.wayoflife.org.)
CONCLUSION: The Friday Church News Notes is designed for use in churches and is published by Way of Life Literature’s Fundamental Baptist Information Service. Unless otherwise stated, the Notes are written by David Cloud. Of necessity we quote from a wide variety of sources, but this obviously does not imply an endorsement. We trust that our readers will not be discouraged. It is God’s will that we know the times (1 Ch. 12:32; Mt. 16:3) and that we be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves. The News Notes remind us that the hour is very late, and we need to be ready for the Lord’s coming. Are you sure that you are born again? Are you living for Christ? “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Ro. 13:11-14).
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Distributed by Way of Life Literature, publisher of Bible Study Materials and reports for Fundamental Baptists and other fundamentalist, Bible-believing Christians. Established in 1974, Way of Life Literature is a fundamental Baptist preaching and publishing ministry based in Bethel Baptist Church, London, Ontario, of which Wilbert Unger is the founding Pastor. Brother Cloud lives in South Asia where he has been a church planting missionary since 1979. OUR GOAL IN THIS PARTICULAR ASPECT OF OUR MINISTRY (REPORTS AND FRIDAY NEWS) IS NOT DEVOTIONAL, BUT TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO ASSIST PREACHERS IN THE PROTECTION OF THE CHURCHES IN THIS APOSTATE HOUR.
David Cloud, Way of Life Literature, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org
The Way of Life Literature preaching and publishing ministry is based at Bethel Baptist Church, London, Ontario, of which Wilbert Unger is the founding Pastor. A mail stop is maintained in Port Huron, Michigan.
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