It is strange however, that most professing Catholics, while being devout and sincere in their faith, are completely in the dark as to what the official standpoints of the Catholic Church are; and more alarmingly, what the Bible says. The Laws of Catholicism include the Catechisms and Canons of the Church; laws fabricated and written by men that deny the pure and simple Gospel of Jesus Christ. These catechisms and canons are the laws governing the Catholic church, under which ALL Catholics fall and are subject to. What many don't realize is that by following this Church and it's traditions, they are committing a very serious offence in the light of what Scripture says. The purpose of this article is to turn the spotlight of truth upon Roman Catholicism and show conclusively that Roman Catholicism is NOT Christianity.
For centuries, Roman Catholics were taught that all those outside their membership were heretics to be shunned, persecuted or even killed. The Catholic Inquisition, in which hundreds of thousands of people were butchered and burnt at the stake and the Crusades are merely 2 examples of this. It was not until the middle of this century that the Roman Catholic Church modified and softened its stand by calling non-Catholics, "separated brethren." More recently, even that negative connotation has been eliminated. Today, Catholics are taught to consider "all Christians" to be "brothers and sisters in Christ." However, these changing outward attitudes on the part of Roman Catholics toward non-Catholics and their increasing usage of evangelical terminology has unfortunately resulted in many mistakenly believing that the basic false doctrines and heresies of Romanism have changed, something that simply is not true.
Thus, both Catholics and non-Catholics alike should take a fresh look - a Biblical, historical and current look - at this world's largest, supposedly Christian denomination.
If it is the one true Church, as it claims to be, then every believer in Christ should become a part of it.
But if it is a false church, then all who truly believe the Bible and trust Jesus Christ as Saviour should separate from it, warn about it, and urge others to do likewise.
If it is the one true Church, as it claims to be, then every believer in Christ should become a part of it.
But if it is a false church, then all who truly believe the Bible and trust Jesus Christ as Saviour should separate from it, warn about it, and urge others to do likewise.
Before discussing the many errors of Roman Catholicism, it is essential to understand that there are a few fundamental errors in Catholicism, that place anyone who follow this system in danger of damnation.
1. Church Tradition (the traditions of men) was declared OFFICIALLY to be of EQUAL AUTHORITY TO THE BIBLE by the Council of Trent in 1545 AD; and the church also elevates the edicts of popes and councils (the words of men), to the same or an even greater level of authority than the Word of God.
In Matthew 15:6, Jesus said, And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. (7) You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: (8) 'THIS PEOPLE HONOURS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. (9) 'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN.'"
In Matthew 15:6, Jesus said, And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. (7) You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: (8) 'THIS PEOPLE HONOURS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. (9) 'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN.'"
It is critical to understand this warning about following the traditions of men, specifically forbidden in Scripture.
2. Roman Catholicism, although teaching that faith in Jesus Christ is necessary for salvation, actually denies the truth of the Gospel by adding sacraments, transubstantiation (the mass), good works, confession, penance and purgatory as additional requirements for forgiveness of sin and for eternal life. This amounts to the preaching of a different Gospel to the one taught by Jesus; a false Gospel, which places the Roman Catholic Church under God's curse.
Galatians 1:6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; (7) which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. (8) But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! (9) As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! (!!!)
Galatians 1:6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; (7) which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. (8) But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! (9) As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! (!!!)
3. Roman Catholicism, although teaching that the Bible is the Word of God, adds the apocryphal books to the Scriptures, -
Rev 22:18 says very clearly: “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes away from this book of prophesy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city.”
The Catholic Bible adds the apocryphal books to the Scriptures, which amounts to adding to the Word of God.
Rev 22:18 says very clearly: “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes away from this book of prophesy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city.”
The Catholic Bible adds the apocryphal books to the Scriptures, which amounts to adding to the Word of God.
Thus, by Scriptural standards, the Roman Catholic Church has thrown the Bible out the window, created their OWN Gospel, added substantially to the Bible and thereby is a false church that can only expect God's judgment, not a true church that can claim God's blessing. No amount of outward change should be permitted to obscure this fact. Let's see why:
· CATHOLICS SAY THAT THE WORD OF GOD CANNOT SAVE YOU!
The Catholic Catechism For Adults on page 52 says: "Can you learn to save your soul just by reading the Bible?"ANSWER: No, because certain things in the Bible can be misunderstood, and because the Bible does not have everything God taught." Notice that the first part of their answer to "Can you learn to save your soul just by reading the Bible?" is, "No...!"
However, their own translations of the Bible teaches the opposite. All Scriptural quotations that I will be giving are from Catholic translations.
2 Tim. 3:15-17 says, "And because from thy infancy thou hast known the holy scriptures, which can instruct thee to salvation, by faith which is Christ Jesus. All scripture, inspired of God, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice, that the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work."
2 Tim. 3:15-17 says, "And because from thy infancy thou hast known the holy scriptures, which can instruct thee to salvation, by faith which is Christ Jesus. All scripture, inspired of God, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice, that the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work."
Thus, the apostle Paul by the inspiration of God, says to Timothy "thou hast known the holy scriptures, which can instruct thee to salvation" and make you "perfect, furnished to every good work."
Scripture contains everything that is necessary to equip the man of God for every good work. There is not a solitary good work that the Christian can do which is not provided for in Scripture.
Scripture contains everything that is necessary to equip the man of God for every good work. There is not a solitary good work that the Christian can do which is not provided for in Scripture.
· PETER THE FIRST POPE?
As for the claims of the Roman Catholic Church that its history can be traced back to Jesus Christ, Peter, or any of the other apostles, such claims lack both historical and Scriptural support. The true Church of Jesus Christ was not founded upon Peter, but upon Peter's confession of Christ's deity as recorded in Matthew 16:16: "...Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Peter was not the first pope, nor is there any Scriptural justification whatever for such an office.
1 Cor 10: 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
Catholics base their claims on the following verse:
Matt 16: 18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 20Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
Peter was not the first pope, nor is there any Scriptural justification whatever for such an office.
1 Cor 10: 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
Catholics base their claims on the following verse:
Matt 16: 18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 20Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
Interesting that, if taken in context with the verses before and after, the passage says something completely different to what Catholics WANT it to say!!
Rock = Petra (Grk); Peter = petros meaning "pebble", not rock.
In the verses where Jesus says He will give Peter the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus is commending Peter for his faith, but is talking collectively to the Apostles. He is giving the Apostles the keys to knowledge, to doctrine definition; He gives them authority, which was taken away from the Sanhedrin (Luke 11:52). Furthermore, Revelations 3:7 states that Jesus has the keys to heaven.
Rock = Petra (Grk); Peter = petros meaning "pebble", not rock.
In the verses where Jesus says He will give Peter the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus is commending Peter for his faith, but is talking collectively to the Apostles. He is giving the Apostles the keys to knowledge, to doctrine definition; He gives them authority, which was taken away from the Sanhedrin (Luke 11:52). Furthermore, Revelations 3:7 states that Jesus has the keys to heaven.
But, amazingly forgotten (very conveniently) .... just 3 verses later in Matt 16:23, after Jesus has supposedly appointed Peter as the first pope, what happens?.... let's read...
.... 23But Jesus turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
What! ...Jesus calls Peter Satan!? .... And this is remarkably similar to what the Catholic church does - savouring the things of men rather than the things of God. It's also a really strange way to talk to someone you've just appointed Pope!! Isn't it amazing how all false cults will pervert Scripture to say what they want it to say?
.... 23But Jesus turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
What! ...Jesus calls Peter Satan!? .... And this is remarkably similar to what the Catholic church does - savouring the things of men rather than the things of God. It's also a really strange way to talk to someone you've just appointed Pope!! Isn't it amazing how all false cults will pervert Scripture to say what they want it to say?
Peter's own inspired testimony as to his position and ministry is given in 1 Peter 5:1-4. He then identifies himself in 2 Peter 1:1 as "a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ.... ". History confirms the fact that there were no popes in the early church, not even in the Roman Catholic Church during the first few centuries of its existence!
· THE ONLY UNCHANGED CHURCH?
Furthermore, the long-held claim that the Roman Catholic Church was the only unchangeable church is not supported by church history - not even Roman Catholic history. How sad to realize that this false claim influenced so many to join or to stay in this false church, which actually is the product of centuries of changes. Most of these changes resulted from the Roman Catholic Church's yielding to pagan/heathen customs and practices that were subsequently incorporated into Roman Catholic teachings and worship, most notably by Constantine. The following is a partial list of heathen, unscriptural practices that became a part of Roman Catholic dogma over a period of seventeen centuries. Some of the dates given are approximate. In many cases, these heresies were even debated for years before being given the status of required beliefs. Note that most of these beliefs and practices are expressly forbidden by Scripture:
1. Prayers for the dead .....300 ADThe Sin of Necromancy, which is... talking, consulting, praying to, or for, the DEAD.
Just one of the MANY Scriptures that FORBID NECROMANCY:
Deuteronomy 18: 9 When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. 10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. 13 You must be blameless before the LORD your God.
Just one of the MANY Scriptures that FORBID NECROMANCY:
Deuteronomy 18: 9 When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. 10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. 13 You must be blameless before the LORD your God.
2. Making the sign of the cross .....300 ADIn the Papal system as is well known, the sign of the cross and the image of the cross are all in all. No prayer can be said, no worship engaged in, no step can be taken, without the frequent use of the sign of the cross. The cross is looked upon as the grand charm, with magic powers able to deliver in every season of danger, in every hour of temptation as the infallible preservative from all the powers of darkness. To say that such superstitious feeling for the sign of the cross, such worship as Rome pays to a wooden or a metal cross, ever grew out of the saying of Paul, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" - that is, in the doctrine of Christ crucified - is a mere absurdity. The magic virtues attributed to the so-called sign of the cross, the worship bestowed on it, never came from such a source. The same sign of the cross that Rome now worships was used in the Babylonian Mysteries, was applied by Paganism for the same magic purposes, was honoured with the same honours. That which is now called the Christian cross was originally no Christian emblem at all, but was the mystic Tau of the Chaldeans and Egyptians.
3. Veneration of angels & dead saints .....375 A.DSee Necromancy in 1. above.
4. Use of images in worship .....375 A D.
Isaiah 42: 8I am the LORD: that is my name: and my
glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to
graven images.
Isaiah 42: 8I am the LORD: that is my name: and my
glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to
graven images.
5. The Mass as a daily celebration .....394 ADSee expose on the Catholic mass and the abomination of 'transubstantiation' below.
6. The exaltation of Mary; the term, "Mother of God" applied at Council of Ephesus .....431AD.
7. Extreme Unction (Last Rites) .....526 AD
8. Doctrine of Purgatory-Gregory I .....593 ADTaken from the Apocrypha and perverted/misinterpreted beyond reasonable context.
9. Prayers to Mary & dead saints .....600 ADcf: 1. Necromancy.
10. Worship of cross, images & relics .....786 ADJeremiah 51: 47Therefore, behold, the days come, that I will do judgment upon the graven images of Babylon: and her whole land shall be confounded, and all her slain shall fall in the midst of her.
11. Canonization of dead saints .....995 ADcf: 1. Necromancy
12. Celibacy of priesthood .....1079 AD1 Timothy 4:1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
13. The Rosary .....1090 ADMatthew 6:7, Jesus said, "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking."
14. Indulgences .....1190 AD
According to a Catholic book of devotion, this brief petition, "Sweet heart of Mary, save me!" gives three hundred days indulgence every time it is repeated. From the infallibly authorized Book of the Scapular, we take note that: To those who wear the scapular during life, Mary (!!) makes this promise; "I, their glorious mother, on the Saturday after death, will descend to purgatory and deliver those whom I shall find there, and take them up to the holy mountain of eternal life." To visit a Carmelite church on Saturday procures eighty-seven years of indulgence and the remission of two-sevenths of all sins; to wear a blue scapular gives full indulgence, cancels all sins and gives a free ticket to paradise.
This is an absolute joke, it's laughable! Totally unbiblical trash.
According to a Catholic book of devotion, this brief petition, "Sweet heart of Mary, save me!" gives three hundred days indulgence every time it is repeated. From the infallibly authorized Book of the Scapular, we take note that: To those who wear the scapular during life, Mary (!!) makes this promise; "I, their glorious mother, on the Saturday after death, will descend to purgatory and deliver those whom I shall find there, and take them up to the holy mountain of eternal life." To visit a Carmelite church on Saturday procures eighty-seven years of indulgence and the remission of two-sevenths of all sins; to wear a blue scapular gives full indulgence, cancels all sins and gives a free ticket to paradise.
This is an absolute joke, it's laughable! Totally unbiblical trash.
15. Transubstantiation - Innocent III .....1215 AD
See expose on the Catholic mass and the abomination of 'transubstantiation' below.
16. Auricular Confession of sins to a priest .....1215 AD
Council of Trent declared, "Whoever shall say that the mode of secretly confessing to a priest alone, which the Catholic Church has always observed from the beginning and still observes, is foreign to the institution and command of Christ, and is a human invention; let him be accursed. . . ." .
This is a blatant LIE! In fact, auricular confession became a practice of the Catholic Church only at the council of Lateran, A.D. 1215. Pope Innocent III, of the merciless Inquisition, was its founder. Catholics, generally, do not know that. My friends, here is God’s way: first, for the alien sinner when in Acts 2, the believing Jews cried out, ". . . ‘what shall we do?’ Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’ " (Acts 2:37, 38). No command here to confess to any priest or any other man for the purpose of obtaining absolution.
Let us look, just for a moment, at this question, "Does the Catholic Church really teach that the priests can forgive sin?" In Deharbe’s Catechism, page 150, we read, "Question: Does the priest really forgive sins, or does he only declare them forgiven? Answer: The priest really and truly forgives sins through the power given him by Christ." How is the little child, or ignorant adult, or the one educated in a Catholic school going to recognize how much the Scriptures are perverted in that statement? To forgive sins is God’s prerogative ONLY and He has never EVER delegated it to any priest! "He as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." Such blasphemy!
Council of Trent declared, "Whoever shall say that the mode of secretly confessing to a priest alone, which the Catholic Church has always observed from the beginning and still observes, is foreign to the institution and command of Christ, and is a human invention; let him be accursed. . . ." .
This is a blatant LIE! In fact, auricular confession became a practice of the Catholic Church only at the council of Lateran, A.D. 1215. Pope Innocent III, of the merciless Inquisition, was its founder. Catholics, generally, do not know that. My friends, here is God’s way: first, for the alien sinner when in Acts 2, the believing Jews cried out, ". . . ‘what shall we do?’ Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’ " (Acts 2:37, 38). No command here to confess to any priest or any other man for the purpose of obtaining absolution.
Let us look, just for a moment, at this question, "Does the Catholic Church really teach that the priests can forgive sin?" In Deharbe’s Catechism, page 150, we read, "Question: Does the priest really forgive sins, or does he only declare them forgiven? Answer: The priest really and truly forgives sins through the power given him by Christ." How is the little child, or ignorant adult, or the one educated in a Catholic school going to recognize how much the Scriptures are perverted in that statement? To forgive sins is God’s prerogative ONLY and He has never EVER delegated it to any priest! "He as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." Such blasphemy!
17. Adoration of the wafer (Host) .....1220 ADSee expose on the Catholic mass and the abomination of 'transubstantiation' below.
18. Cup forbidden to the people at communion .....1414 AD
19. Purgatory proclaimed .....1439 AD(Luke 16:22-26). After death, there is a great gulf fixed between them which cannot be crossed, and notice that this is before the final judgment, because later the rich man pleads that Lazarus might be sent to his father’s house in order to testify to his five brethren. Remember, too, the account reads, ". . . The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torment in Hades, he lifted up his eyes. . . ." That is the sequence. So, we see that after death there is a great gulf fixed that cannot be crossed. What purpose then, can purgatory serve? It is not strange that Catholicism rejects the Bible; to accept the Bible would be to destroy the foundations of Catholicism.
20. The doctrine of the Seven Sacraments confirmed .....1439 AD
21. Tradition declared of equal authority with the Bible by Council of Trent .....1545 AD
Church Tradition (the traditions of men) was declared OFFICIALLY to be of equal authority with the Bible by Council of Trent in 1545 AD; and the church also elevates the edicts of popes and councils (the words of men), to the same or an even greater level of authority than the Word of God. This is perhaps the greatest indictment of Catholicism, where the fabricated laws and traditions of Godless men are made of equal authority to the Word of God.
In Matthew 15:6, Jesus said, Thus have you made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 7You hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, 8This people draws nigh to me with their mouth, and honours me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
My friends, this couldn't be clearer. Church traditions are not part of God's plan... this is critical to understand.
Church Tradition (the traditions of men) was declared OFFICIALLY to be of equal authority with the Bible by Council of Trent in 1545 AD; and the church also elevates the edicts of popes and councils (the words of men), to the same or an even greater level of authority than the Word of God. This is perhaps the greatest indictment of Catholicism, where the fabricated laws and traditions of Godless men are made of equal authority to the Word of God.
In Matthew 15:6, Jesus said, Thus have you made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 7You hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, 8This people draws nigh to me with their mouth, and honours me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
My friends, this couldn't be clearer. Church traditions are not part of God's plan... this is critical to understand.
22. Apocryphal books added to Bible .....1546 ADDeuteronomy 12: 32 See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it.
23. Immaculate Conception of Mary (not only of Jesus!).....1854 AD
Can ANYONE find this ANYWHERE in Scripture??
Can ANYONE find this ANYWHERE in Scripture??
24. Infallibility of the pope in matters of faith and morals, proclaimed by the Vatican Council .....1870 AD
The Roman Catholic Church had considerable difficulty deciding that her pope is infallible, and the matter required much time. In fact, it was not until the Vatican Council in 1870 that the infallibility of the pope was adopted. Here is the result of that council’s vote on the matter: For 451, against 88, 62 would accept if modified, and 70 did not vote at all! On the basis of that, a fallible cardinal becomes infallible in the administration of his office when appointed pope. Who can believe such garbage? And remember, this was adopted more than eighteen hundred years after Christ had given to the world His fixed, final and complete revelation of what constitutes acceptable service to Almighty God.
The Roman Catholic Church had considerable difficulty deciding that her pope is infallible, and the matter required much time. In fact, it was not until the Vatican Council in 1870 that the infallibility of the pope was adopted. Here is the result of that council’s vote on the matter: For 451, against 88, 62 would accept if modified, and 70 did not vote at all! On the basis of that, a fallible cardinal becomes infallible in the administration of his office when appointed pope. Who can believe such garbage? And remember, this was adopted more than eighteen hundred years after Christ had given to the world His fixed, final and complete revelation of what constitutes acceptable service to Almighty God.
25. Assumption of the Virgin Mary (her bodily ascension into heaven shortly after her death) .....1950 AD
Can YOU find this ANYWHERE in Scripture??
26. Mary proclaimed Mother of the Roman Catholic Church - the Mother of God!!.....1965 AD
All these absolutely blatant heresies continue to be practiced by millions of Catholics around the world. The urgent need today is for Roman Catholics, as well as all who claim to be Christians, to examine their own beliefs and the teachings of their churches by the only sure standard - the Bible.
Whatever contradicts, adds to or subtracts from the sixty-six books of the Old and the New Testaments, is error, no matter how many may cling to it.
Roman Catholics who read the Bible will soon discover that many Catholic teachings and practices are specifically forbidden by Jesus Christ Himself. Note carefully the following warnings given by the Lord Jesus Christ to the religious leaders of His day concerning vain worship, vain tradition and vain repetitions. All of these are particularly applicable to Roman Catholicism today.
Vain Worship - In Matthew 15:8-9, Jesus said, "This people draws nigh unto me with their mouth, and honors me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." All worship is indeed vain when it is based upon the commandments of men rather than the Word of God.
Vain Tradition -In Matthew 15:6b, Jesus said, "Thus have ye made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. "
Valid tradition is based upon Scripture and confirms it. Vain tradition is based upon man's teachings and violates it. In Roman Catholicism, tradition is consistently elevated equal to or above the Scriptures. This results in vain worship (no matter how sincere) and makes the commandment of God of no effect -a very serious matter.
Valid tradition is based upon Scripture and confirms it. Vain tradition is based upon man's teachings and violates it. In Roman Catholicism, tradition is consistently elevated equal to or above the Scriptures. This results in vain worship (no matter how sincere) and makes the commandment of God of no effect -a very serious matter.
Vain Repetitions - In Matthew 6:7, Jesus said, "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." A basic part of Roman Catholic worship is the frequent repetition of The Rosary. Its origin is clearly tied to heathen religions. Roman Catholics should listen to the words of Christ rather than use the vain repetitions of the Catholic Church.
· CALL NO MAN FATHER
The fact that the Catholic church tries to usurp that which belongs to God is amply illustrated in this disobedience. Let us consider the fact that the priest is called "Father." Jesus said, "But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven" (Matthew 23:8, 9). The usual pathetic Catholic quibble is, "You call your paternal parent ‘father’." Yes, and Jesus speaks of the earthly parent in that manner quite clearly, but here it plainly has a SPIRITUAL designation as the context clearly shows. Catholic Priests are called "Father" - blatantly disobeying Scripture.
· THE SINFUL WORSHIP OF MARY - the woman who rides the beast
The place bestowed to Mary in the Roman Catholic Church is not Scriptural, rather Satanic - the Woman who rides the beast in Revelations is The Catholic church with her abominable perversion of the figure Mary.
Revelation 17:7-9 And the angel said to me, "Why do you wonder? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. (8) "The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction. And those who dwell on the earth, whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will wonder when they see the beast, that he was and is not and will come. (9) "Here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits,
Interestingly, the woman who rides the beast sits on 7 hills. Which city in the world is built on 7 hills?
No! Not the Vatican City, surely not!
No! Not the Vatican City, surely not!
It cannot be denied that during the last one hundred years, veneration of Mary has dramatically increased. Note in the historical chart given earlier in this article that the exaltation of Mary and the term "Mother of God," became official Catholic dogma in 431 AD with prayers to her proclaimed in 600 AD. Note also that the "Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary" was not proclaimed until 1854 AD; her "Assumption" not until 1950 AD; and her title "Mother of the Church" not until 1965 AD.
Some Roman Catholic observers believe it may not be much longer until Mary is officially proclaimed "Co-redemptrix with Christ." In fact, the premier issue of the Roman Catholic publication Catholic Heritage displayed a front page with the title: "Mary, Mother of the Church." In a Question and Answer column the question is asked, "At the foot of the cross, Mary shared in the mystery of the passion. True or False. Answer: True. Mary united her sorrows to those of her Son. The sorrowful and immaculate heart of Mary bled with her Son for all of mankind. For this reason, we invoke her under the title of Co-redemptrix."Mary was NOT immaculately conceived, nor was she immaculate, nowhere near perfect. She was blessed among women, but still a SINNER! Her spirit is in heaven along with all the dead saints, but her body awaits the 2nd coming of Christ!
During the past forty years, each pope has done his part to increase Mary's influence in the Roman Catholic Church based completely on tradition rather than upon the Bible. In the August 28, 1975, issue of the official Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Paul VI, speaking of the ceremony celebrated the day before in honor of the Madonna at the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, said, "Her venerate image, known as 'Salus Populi Romani,' was carried in procession from St. Mary Major's as part of the Holy Year ceremonies, so that the overflow crowd of pilgrims, coming from all parts of the world, could see it and thus increase their devotion to her. In this way we should all be reminded of the meaning and practice of the cult of Mary, inseparable from the unique and central cult of Christ ... Let us pray to her with humble, trusting and childlike faith." !!
The present pope, John Paul II, has dedicated himself completely to Mary. During his visit to Vancouver, B.C. in 1985, the special souvenir edition of B.C. Catholic carried a full page color photo of the pope under the caption of, Totus Tuas which, in Latin, means "all yours." The following explanation was then given, "When Karol Wojtyla [John Paul II] was consecrated bishop of Cracow by Pius XII in 1958 he took, 'Totus Tuus' (all yours) as his motto, thus presenting himself to Mary. In his first Urbi et Orbi message immediately after being elected pope he said, 'At this difficult hour, full of fear, we must turn our thoughts with filial devotion to the Virgin Mary who always lives in the midst of Christ and exists as his mother. We must repeat the words, Totus Tuus which 20 years ago were inscribed into our heart and soul.'"
The present pope, John Paul II, has dedicated himself completely to Mary. During his visit to Vancouver, B.C. in 1985, the special souvenir edition of B.C. Catholic carried a full page color photo of the pope under the caption of, Totus Tuas which, in Latin, means "all yours." The following explanation was then given, "When Karol Wojtyla [John Paul II] was consecrated bishop of Cracow by Pius XII in 1958 he took, 'Totus Tuus' (all yours) as his motto, thus presenting himself to Mary. In his first Urbi et Orbi message immediately after being elected pope he said, 'At this difficult hour, full of fear, we must turn our thoughts with filial devotion to the Virgin Mary who always lives in the midst of Christ and exists as his mother. We must repeat the words, Totus Tuus which 20 years ago were inscribed into our heart and soul.'"
Pope John Paul II has visited many of the major Shrines to Mary. He attributed his escape from death at the hands of a would-be assassin and the overthrow of communism in Eastern Europe to the intervention of Mary. Millions of Catholics are making pilgrimages to the various Marian shrines, seeking and often claiming miracles of healing and answers to their prayers to Mary. New apparitions of Mary and special messages from her are being claimed in various parts of the world.
Yet, there is absolutely no Scriptural foundation for any of these beliefs or practices. Mary was indeed a virgin in fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy that Christ would be born of a virgin (Isa. 7: 14). She was a godly woman, but not sinless. As with all true believers in Christ, when Mary died, her soul and spirit went to heaven, but her body awaits the resurrection. She did not bodily ascend to heaven as did Jesus Christ. Nothing in Scripture indicates that prayers were ever offered to Mary nor that she was worshipped by anyone. Most of Roman Catholic teaching concerning Mary is based entirely on human tradition and contradicts God's Word - those that carry on this "filial devotion" to her will be judged for their disobedience.
· ONE WORLD RELIGION - ECUMENISM
The present ecumenical emphasis and activities of the Roman Catholic Church are also of recent origin. When Vatican Council I was held in 1869 - 1870, the Orthodox Churches refused to participate even though they were invited by the pope. His public appeal to "Protestants and all non-Catholics" to "return to the only true fold" also received resentful refusals. However, in the intervening years, it became increasingly obvious to the Roman Catholic hierarchy that their church needed some serious updating, particularly with regard to relationships with other churches. In 1960, Pope John XXIII established the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity; and in 1962 he convoked Vatican Council II which he called "An ecumenical council for the universal church."
Less than a year later, Pope John XXIII died. His successor, Pope Paul VI, attended four sessions of Vatican II before becoming pope and did everything possible to continue and expand the ecumenical emphasis. His said the Roman Catholic Church could best demonstrate the validity of its teaching, not by condemnation or severity, but with the "medicine of mercy." He emphasized "working for the full visible unity in truth among all Christians" and that this unity should extend also to non-Christians. This new approach of Vatican II was successful in gaining the cooperation of the major Orthodox Church bodies as well as 38 delegated observers from almost all the major Protestant denominations. Of course, Pope John Paul II has apparently expanded the ecumenical emphasis in the Roman Catholic Church to unprecedented heights. While this has received high praise from religious leaders and denominations, the kind of unity sought by the Roman Catholic Church is contrary to the Bible. All unity purchased at the expense of doctrinal purity is satanic and deceptive. 2 Cor. 6:14-18, Eph. 5:11, 2 Tim. 3:1-17; 4:1-8.
All who join hands in ecumenical fellowship with those who preach a false Gospel are under God's curse. Gal. 1:6-10.
All who join hands in ecumenical fellowship with those who preach a false Gospel are under God's curse. Gal. 1:6-10.
Christ gave a dire warning in Matthew 7:21-23. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
The pope and most Roman Catholics call Jesus, "Lord," but since they reject the one true gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, their profession is false. Today they are deceiving many evangelicals, but not God. Unless Roman Catholics trust Christ alone as Saviour before they die, they will one day be identified by Christ as those who were workers of iniquity even though they called Him "Lord."
When Billy Graham began his ministry 40 years ago, he recognized Roman Catholicism as a false religion and warned against it. Then, as Graham's crowds and popularity grew, warnings about Roman Catholicism ceased and those who made professions of faith in his crusades were sent back into the Roman Catholic Church. Later, Graham accepted Roman Catholics as counselors if they took his prescribed training course. Still later, Roman Catholic priests, bishops and cardinals were included in the Graham Crusade committees, and finally, Graham called Pope John Paul II one of the world's great evangelists!!! - a false identification of a biblically defined evangelist if there ever was one! See the SATANIC POPE.
True believers need to realize that the Mass is at the very heart of Roman Catholic theology and worship, but its observance is based upon Roman Catholic tradition, not upon the Word of God. We urge you to take the time to study the Roman Catholic teachings concerning the meaning and importance of the Mass, then, compare those teachings with the Scriptures and see the contradictions involved. After such a study, those who are truly born again and filled with the Holy Spirit - as Charismatic Catholics claim to be - will reject the Mass as a contradiction of Bible salvation and separate themselves from the Roman Catholic Church in obedience to the Word of God, the Bible.
What does the Roman Catholic Church teach concerning the importance and meaning of the Mass?
Notice the following official statements:
Notice the following official statements:
The following quotations are taken from THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1994 edition, which contains the written approval of Pope John Paul II and makes an appeal to Mary concerning the future in these words: "At the conclusion of this document presenting the CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, I beseech the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Incarnate Word and Mother of the Church, to support with her powerful intercession the catechetical work of the entire Church on every level, at this time when she is called to a new effort of evangelization."
Canons (from the Council of Trent) concerning the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist
Canon 1.If anyone denies that in the sacrament of the most Holy Eucharist are contained truly, really and substantially the body and blood together with the soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and consequently the whole Christ, but says that He is in it only as in a sign, or figure or force, let him be anathema (CURSED!!).
Canon 2.If anyone says that in the sacred and holy sacrament of the Eucharist the substance of the bread and wine remains conjointly with the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, and denies that wonderful and singular change of the whole substance of the bread into the body and the whole substance of the wine into the blood, the appearances only of bread and wine remaining, which change the Catholic Church most aptly calls transubstantiation, let him be anathema.
Canon 3.If anyone denies that in the venerable sacrament of the Eucharist the whole Christ is contained under each form and under every part of each form when separated, let him be anathema.
Canon 4.If anyone says that after the consecration is completed, the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ are not in the admirable sacrament of the Eucharist, but are there only in usu, while being taken and not before and not after, and that the hosts or consecrated particles which are reserved or which remain after communion, the true body of the Lord does not remain, let him be anathema.
Canon 8.If anyone says that Christ received in the Eucharist is received spiritually only and not also sacramentally and really, let him be anathema.
From page 345, Article 5: "The Eucharistic sacrifice is also offered for the faithful departed who 'have died in Christ but are not yet wholly purified,' so that they may be able to enter into the light and peace of Christ."
"not yet wholly purified"??? You're either SAVED or you're going to HELL!!!!!!!!!
To summarize then, in plain terms, Catholics believe that their priest is a magician, with powers to convert the wafer and the wine into the physical, actual body and blood of Christ and then sacrifice Him again. Then, they EAT the physical, actual body and blood of Christ! What an abomination - they're not only heretics, but cannibals!!
But what does the Bible say concerning the sacrifice of Jesus Christ upon the Cross?
Hebrews 10:10-14, "By which we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily ministering and offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man [Jesus Christ], after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. "
THIS IS SO OBVIOUS, IT EVEN DESCRIBES THE CATHOLIC PRIEST STANDING, DAILY, OFFERING THE SAME SACRIFICE - WHICH CAN NEVER TAKE AWAY SINS !!!
THIS IS SO OBVIOUS, IT EVEN DESCRIBES THE CATHOLIC PRIEST STANDING, DAILY, OFFERING THE SAME SACRIFICE - WHICH CAN NEVER TAKE AWAY SINS !!!
What a difference there is between what the Bible teaches and what Roman Catholicism believes and teaches regarding the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross! The supposed continual offering up of Christ by the priests negates His finished work on the Cross. The Bible says, "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. " 1 Peter 3:18.
What about the future of the Catholic Church? It is a false church, not a true one. It is a divided church, not a united one. Its present head, Pope John Paul II, is not one of the world's great evangelists, he is one of the world's greatest deceivers. He has done more to promote the false teachings of Roman Catholicism than any other pope in history. His mild, humble, reverent demeanor makes him especially valuable to Satan since he appears as "an angel of light" (2 Cor. 11:13-15). His travels have taken him into almost every region of the world. His ability to speak fluently in several languages makes him an effective communicator. He is a master at the art of "double-talk," for he knows just the kind of language to use with certain groups-evangelical, ecumenical, charismatic, traditional Romanists or liberal, avant-garde Catholics.
· PENANCE
What does John Paul II plan for the immediate future? His plans are clearly and concisely set forth in his latest book, "Celebrate 2000!: Reflections on Jesus, The Holy Spirit and the Father" by Pope John Paul II. On pages 8-10 of the introduction by Paul Thigpen, we read, "Pope John Paul II has announced that the Church will observe the year 2000 as a 'Great Jubilee': .... Like all Jubilee years, it will be, he says, 'a year of the remission of sins and of the punishments due them (!!! – It Says NOTHING about this in the Bible!!), a year of reconciliation between disputing parties, a year of manifold conversions and of sacramental and extra-sacramental penance' . .(Not in the Bible!!) .
Let us now take a look at the Sacrament of Penance. According to this point of Catholic doctrine, which is everywhere embraced, acknowledged and studied by Catholics, when men sin they incur the wrath of God and when they repent and receive the Sacrament of Absolution, they are forgiven but not altogether! The Council of Trent sets forth: "If any man shall say that the whole penalty is always remitted by God, together with the guilt, and that the only satisfaction of penitents is faith whereby they embrace that Christ has made satisfaction for them: let him be accursed."
Are we only HALF forgiven by repentance??? What TRASH. That makes Jesus' perfect sacrifice a sham, a half-job! What Blasphemy.
Are we only HALF forgiven by repentance??? What TRASH. That makes Jesus' perfect sacrifice a sham, a half-job! What Blasphemy.
Thus the Catholic Church teaches that there are two punishments for sin, the eternal and the temporal. Now, by the Sacrament of Penance, the eternal punishment is remitted, but the temporal punishment remains due. Man must do something to appease the wrath of God regarding the temporal punishment. The priest determines what is sufficient to satisfy God in this matter. In Peter Dens’ Theology, a long list of suggested works of satisfaction practiced in the Romanist Church are given: fasting, rising earlier, enduring cold, praying, reciting litanies, reading the penitential psalms, hearing masses, visiting churches, wearing sackcloth, making gift of food, clothes, money and so on. Let us see the gross offense to God’s Word in this. First, it makes God’s forgiveness incomplete. But hear the Lord in the matter: "Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool" (Isaiah 1:18).
Second, it makes Christ only a partial Saviour the ministry of the priest is altogether essential; he must determine what more is necessary in order to satisfy God. But we read of Christ: "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make inter-cession for them" (Hebrews 7:25). Get it, my friends! Christ is able to save to the uttermost them that come unto God by Him!
Finally, as already stated, it makes the priest an absolutely necessary mediator and in this we see the design of the Catholic Church to bind the people to herself through her system of priests and sacraments which they alone can administer. But hear the apostle Paul in this matter: "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (I Timothy 2:5). There is one mediator; that mediator is Jesus Christ and that eliminates the Catholic priest from God’s order.
Remember that all the teachings of Pope Paul II and the Roman Catholic Church (like all religious leaders, churches and organizations) must be carefully examined in light of God's Word, the Bible. Of course, some of the statements of the pope and a few portions of the Roman Catholic Catechism contain, (amazingly enough!!), scriptural truths. This is why so many people are being deceived today. They do not realize that counterfeit religions, like counterfeit money, must resemble the genuine in order to deceive those who lack spiritual discernment or those who have not had the opportunity or taken the time to compare Roman Catholicism with the truth of God' s Word. Only when one compares men' s words with Scripture will it become obvious that Roman Catholicism is a carefully crafted counterfeit, not the pure, genuine, biblical faith.
Roman Catholicism makes salvation a long, complicated process with no assurance of eternal life and forgiveness of all sin. Baptism, the Mass, Confession, prayers to Mary and the Saints, good works, and purgatory are all added to faith in Christ.
Roman Catholicism makes salvation a long, complicated process with no assurance of eternal life and forgiveness of all sin. Baptism, the Mass, Confession, prayers to Mary and the Saints, good works, and purgatory are all added to faith in Christ.
By contrast, the Bible teaches salvation by faith in Jesus Christ alone. Eph. 2:8, 9; Titus 2:13. Bible salvation is God's free gift to any sinner who believes with the heart that Christ died for his sins and rose again for his justification. 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 10:9-13. Bible salvation gives immediate assurance of eternal life. 1 John 5:10-13. Carefully read and believe John 1:12; 3:16-18; 3:36; 5:24; 14:1-6; 20:30, 31. No church ever saved anyone, but Christ can and will save everyone who will come and trust Him as their Saviour. Acts 4:12; John 6:37; 10:27-30.
Membership or faith in a church does not secure salvation for anyone, but trust Christ and Him alone and you will be saved for all eternity!
May God Bless all those who read this to seek the Truth. For he that hath an ear, let him hear!!
Main Reference & with thanks: H. Reynolds, Foundation Magazine, Vol. XIII, Issue 1, 1995
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