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**All Scripture quotations and
references are taken from the Confraternity of Christian
Doctrine Translation of the Catholic New Testament and the Douay
Version of the Old Testament**
THE TRUE CHURCH
The Roman Catholic
Church claims to be God's true Church and all members are to
promise obedience to the Bishop of Rome, whom she claims is
successor to Saint Peter, Prince of the Apostles and Vicar of
Jesus Christ.
The Roman Catholic
Church is built on the assumption that in Matthew 16:13-19 Jesus
appointed Peter the first pope and so founded His Church and
established the papacy. If this is true, then all true
Christians must become Catholic. If it is false, the whole
Catholic religion is false and cultic and no true Christians
could be identified with such a system. We must, then, search
the Scriptures in order to know what is true. The Scriptures are
not merely the writings of men, “But holy men of God spoke as
they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (II Peter 1:21). “All
Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for
reproving, for correcting, for instructing in justice; that the
man of God may be perfect, equipped for every good work: (II
Timothy 3:16-17). “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words
(the Bible) shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). Both Scripture
and history testify to the authenticity, reliability,
efficiency, and sufficiency of the Bible. Though some Catholic
translations are better than others, all are reliable enough for
general study with Catholics.
When Jesus, in
Matthew 16:18, said, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will
build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against
it" He used the demonstrative "this" (taute), pointing to
Peter's confession, "Thou are the Christ, the Son of the living
God" as the rock. Jesus said, "Thou are Peter (petros, a stone -
all believers are stones, see I Peter 2:5 and Ephesians 2:21),
and upon this rock (petra, a huge rock foundation - the
confession that Jesus is the Christ), I will build my church".
He did not promise to build His Church upon Peter. Jesus would
not have trusted such a precious possession as His Church to the
leadership of even one fallible man much less a whole succession
of them. The pope of Rome is called the Vicar of the Son of God
(Vicarius Filii Dei). In the Bible we find that the Holy Spirit,
not a pope, was sent to take the place of Jesus on earth. That
is what Vicar means. The Holy Spirit was given to guide us into
all truth (John 16:7-15) and the Scriptures were given for
teaching, for reproving, for correction, and for instruction (II
Timothy 3:16). Christ did not leave His Church to human
leadership. Jesus Himself is still the Head of His Church. He
speaks to us through His infallible Word, the Holy Scriptures,
by His ever present and infallible Holy Spirit.
Let us remember
that Christ is the Rock and only Head of the Church. I
Corinthians 3:11. For other foundation no one can lay, but that
which has been laid, which is Christ Jesus.
I Corinthians
10:4. The rock was Christ.
Ephesians 1:22,23.
Head over all the Church.
Ephesians 2:20.
Christ Jesus... the chief corner stone.
Around thirty-four
times in the Old Testament God is call a Rock or the Rock of
Israel. You see, the Bible clearly teaches that when Jesus
founded His Church, He was to be the only Head, the Holy Spirit
the Vicar and Guide, and the Bible the only authority for faith
and practice. All true Christians constitute THE TRUE CHURCH
(those in whom the Holy Spirit dwells, who believe and obey
Christ's teachings). True believers were called "Christians",
not "Catholics".
Scriptures:
Acts 11:26
Disciples were first called Christians.
Acts 26:28
Persuade me to become a Christian.
I Peter 4:16
Suffer as a Christian
There were no
Roman Catholics until Christianity was merged with paganism into
a state religion around 315 A.D. The true Christians obeyed
God's Word, they never joined in the pagan corruption. The gates
of hell have never prevailed against the true believers, they
are few, their way is narrow, they would rather suffer martyrdom
than compromise the Word of God or deny their Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ. "Go out from her, my people, that you may not
share in her sins, and that you may not receive of her plagues"
(Apocalypse 18:4). Believers must not be identified with
compromising or counterfeit Churches!
THE POPE
The Pope is called
"Our Holy Father". See encyclical letter of Pope Leo XIII in the
Douay Version of the Bible. He is also called "Our Most Holy
Lord", Pope Pius X. See Cardinals Oath. Moreri, a famous
historian said, "To make war against the Pope is to make war
against God, seeing the Pope is God and God is the Pope". Decius
said, "The Pope can do all things God can do". Pope Leo XIII
said of himself, "The supreme teacher in the Church is the Roman
Pontiff. Union of minds, therefore, requires, together with a
perfect accord in the one faith, complete submission and
obedience of will to the Church and to the Roman Pontiff, as to
God himself." Pope Pius X said, "The Pope is not only the
representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ himself
hidden under the veil of the flesh. Does the Pope speak? It is
Jesus Christ who speaks." Pope Pius XI once declared, "You know
that I am the Holy Father, the representative of God on earth,
the Vicar of Christ, which means that I am God on the earth."
All this is blasphemy!
Scriptures
Isaias 44:8 Is
there a God besides me?
Matthew 23:9 Call
no one on earth your father.
Ephesians 4:5 One
Lord.
Philippians 2:11
Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.
I Peter 5:3 Nor
yet as lording it over your charges.
I Peter 5:1-4 I,
your fellow-presbyter.
Peter called
himself a presbyter (pastor), not a pope. He refused honor (Acts
10:25,26) saying "Stand up for I myself also am a man". The
apostles argued regarding who was greatest in the kingdom
(Matthew 18:1) which indicates that even they did not accept
Peter as head of the Church. The wealth and power of the Roman
Popes could have come to Peter or any of the apostles. They had
charisma, they could heal and raise the dead and perform many
other miracles. They could have accumulated gold and land and
conquering armies, but they gave away all that was placed at
their feet (Acts 4:37, 3:6). They rejoiced that they were
counted worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus Christ (Acts
5:41). How could anyone be so naive as to think that the papacy
evolved out of such humility and simplicity. The office of Pope
is of pagan origin and cannot in any way be substantiated in
Scripture. Because of the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit,
such an office is not necessary or even desirable.
THE PRIESTHOOD
The Roman Catholic
Church teaches that Jesus Christ ordained the twelve apostles to
the priesthood at the Last Supper and that the powers of the
priesthood were handed down during the past two thousand years.
This teaching is clearly contrary to the Word of God.
In the Old
Testament the work of Christ was prefigured under the three
offices of prophet, priest and king. The nation of Israel had
each office. With the coming of Christ each of these offices
found its fulfillment in Him. Thus in the New Testament there is
no need for a human sacrificing priesthood.
Scriptures:
John 19:30. It is
consummated.
I Timothy 2:5.
There is one God, and one Mediator...Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 7:24.
Because he continues forever, has an everlasting
(non-transferable, intransmissible) priesthood.
Hebrews 7:25. He
lives always to make intercession.
Hebrews 7:27. He
does not need to offer sacrifices daily.
Hebrews 9:12.
Having obtained eternal redemption.
Hebrews 10:10. We
have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus
Christ once for all.
I Corinthians
12:28. God indeed has placed some in the Church, first apostles,
secondly prophets, thirdly teachers...(no mention of
sacramental priests).
Ephesians 4:11. He
Himself gave some men as apostles, and some as prophets, others
again as evangelists, and others as pastors and teachers...(again
no mention of sacramental priests).
I Peter 5:1-3. I,
your fellow-presbyter and witness...(Nothing about being a
priest).
The office of
priest is not the same as minister. The concept of a mediating,
sacrificing priesthood originated and developed under Cyprian,
the theological authority in the West until the time of
Augustine, and was part of the merger of paganism with
Christianity. Nowhere in the Scriptures will on find evidence of
a mediating, sacrificing priesthood after Christ.
THE MASS
The Roman Catholic
Church teaches that the Mass is the unbloody sacrifice of the
body and blood of Jesus Christ. It also teaches that the Mass is
the same sacrifice as that of the Cross. Both are against God's
teaching.
Scriptures:
Hebrews 7:27. He
died once for all.
Hebrews 9:11-15.
He entered once for all.
Hebrews 9:26. Once
for all.
Hebrews 9:28.
Christ offered once.
Hebrews 10:10.
Once for all.
Hebrews 10:11,12.
One sacrifice for sins.
Hebrews 10:14. For
by one offering.
Hebrews 10:15-20.
There is no longer offering for sin.
If Christ is
offered again by Roman Catholic priests as they claim, then the
above Scriptures are not true. There are more than 100,000
Masses said all over the world every day. Jesus suffers the
terrible agony of Calvary at least 100,000 times every
twenty-four hours instead of "once for all" as the Scriptures
teach. We must believe the Scriptures. If we truly love the Lord
Jesus Christ and seek to follow His Word, we will have no regard
for the teaching that the bread and wine are "changed" into the
body and blood of Christ and then presented to God as a
sacrifice by which God is appeased and atonement o sin is made.
When Jesus said, "This is my body" or "blood", He did not
"change" the substance, but was explaining that He is the one
"represented" by the Passover bread and wine. Jesus did not say
touto gignetai, this has become or is turned into, but touto
esti, which can only mean this represents or stands for. Just as
the Passover was a remembrance, so is Communion of the Lord's
Supper a remembrance until He comes. The Roman Church, in
advocating the doctrine of transubstantiation, departs from the
literal sense of Scripture. May we be able to say with the
Apostle Paul: "We at least, are not, as many others,
adulterating the Word of God." (II Corinthians 2:17)
CONFESSION OR
THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
The Roman Catholic
Church teaches that her priests exercise the power of forgiving
sins by hearing confession of sins and granting pardon for them
as ministers of God and in His name.
This teaching
is not from the Bible.
I Esdras 10:11.
Now make confession to the Lord the God of your fathers.
Mark 2:7. Who can
forgive sins, but only God.
Acts 4:12. Neither
is there salvation in any other.
Acts 8:12.
Repent...and pray to God. (Peter did not hear his confession
and forgive him, but said, "pray to God".)
I John 1:7. The
Blood of Jesus Christ...cleanses us from all sin.
I John 1:9. If we
acknowledge our sins. (To God, not to a priest - automatic
confession and absolution.)
I John 2:1. If
anyone sins we have an advocate (Jesus) with the Father.
Throughout the
Bible remission of sin and salvation are connected with faith in
Christ, nowhere with priestly absolution. In order to support
her tribunal upon earth, the Roman Catholic Church misinterprets
Matthew 16:19, "I will give thee the keys of the kingdom of
heaven; and whatever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in
heaven". Also Matthew 18:18, "Whatever you bind on earth shall
be bound also in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall
be loosed in heaven". And John 20:23, "Whose sins you shall
forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall
retain, they are retained". First of all, the "keys of the
kingdom" refers to the authority to proclaim the terms of
salvation in Christ. This is the privilege and duty of all
Christian believers. The authority to bind and loose is first
and foremost the commission to proclaim the gospel which
liberates those who believe it, and consigns to bondage those
who reject it. The Roman Catholic Church misinterprets this text
in order to support the practice of confessing sins to a priest.
The Biblical context clearly indicates, however, that the words
of Matthew 16:19, 18:18, and John 20:23 were not only spoken to
the apostles but also to those believers who were with them.
Christian ministers are to preach repentance, but nothing is
said about hearing confession and the granting of absolution
(forgiveness of sins).
JUSTIFICATION
The most important
question pertinent to religion is, "how may a man obtain the
forgiveness of (his) sins?" Here is where the most significant
deviation occurs. The Bible teaches that "faith" secures the
remission of sins (Acts 10:43) while Roman Catholicism teaches
that the "sacraments" (in addition to faith) do. We must be very
precise here for the Apostle Paul said that any different way of
salvation, even if given by an angel, would be accursed. Jesus
said that the seed sown on good ground "understood" the way of
salvation (Matthew 13:23). We urge you to embrace the Lord's way
and let go of the former way. The Scripture says, "Having been
justified therefore by faith, let us have peace with God through
our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). One Catholic writer is
defending his Church made a statement that we all should heed.
He said that if faith alone saves "the whole traditional
structure of Christianity is a needless empty show, the Mass,
the sacraments, the sacrificing priesthood, the teaching
hierarchy, the papacy, practices of penance, asceticism, habits
of self-restraint, prayer. Nay, these things are a hindrance, an
enormous sham, a terrible system of lies, and therefore to be
utterly swept away and destroyed." Philip Hughes, A POPULAR
HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, p. 176. True Biblical
Christianity rejects the notion that salvation is a moral
process, that the sinner is "made" just, or "works out" his
salvation by his own deeds.
Heed what God
teaches in the following texts:
John 3:3. Unless a
man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:16. For God
so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that
those who believe in him may not perish, but may have life
everlasting.
John 5:24. He who
hears my word, and believes him who sent me, has life
everlasting, and does not come to judgment, but has passed from
death to life.
Acts 4:12. Neither
is there salvation in any other.
Romans 4:5. but to
him who does not work, but believes in him who justifies the
impious, his faith is credited to him.
Romans 4:6. David
declares the blessedness of the man to whom God credits justice
without works.
Romans 3:28. We
reckon that a man is justified by faith independently of the
works of the Law.
Romans 5:1. Having
been justified therefore by faith.
Romans 10:3.
Ignorant of the justice of God, and seeking to establish their
own, they have not submitted to the justice of God.
Titus 3:5. Not by
reason of good works that we did ourselves, but according to his
mercy...
Cardinal Newman,
in his book, THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, admits
that "temples, incense, oil lamps, votive offerings, holy water,
holidays, and seasons of devotion, processions, blessings of
fields, sacerdotal vestments, the tonsure (of priests and monks
and nuns), images .. are all of pagan origin." (p.359) Yet, we
are told that to practice these traditions is to make void the
Word of God (Matthew 15:16), to worship in vain (Matthew 15:9).
Also see II John 9-10.
The Bible itself
declares that the way of salvation is so plain that even "fools
shall not err therein" (Isaias 35:8). When the blind lead the
blind, both fall...(Matthew 15:14). The urgent need of our day
is to search the never changing Scriptures to see if what popes,
cardinals, bishops, priests, minister, and teachers tell us is
the truth or not. In apostolic days this was done: "Now these
were a nobler character than those of Thessalonica and they
received the word with great eagerness, studying the Scriptures
every day to see whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11).
Those who do not teach and preach the Gospel as it is found in
the Scriptures are under the curse of God. "But even if we or an
angel from heaven should preach a gospel to you other than that
which we have preached to you, let him be anathema!" (Galatians
1:8). Do not be deceived by false teachers. See Colossians 2:8.
Test everything! (I Thessalonians 5:21)
These Biblical
truths are offered in a spirit of true Christian love. We ask
you to consider them objectively so that with the Psalmist you
can declare, "I have chosen the way of truth" (Psalm 118:
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