Roman Catholicism, the Bible, and Tradition
One of the great differences between Protestant and Catholic doctrine is in the area of Tradition. The Protestant church maintains that the Bible alone is intended by God to be the source of doctrinal truth (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The Catholic Church, however, says, “Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture make up a single sacred deposit of the Word of God . . .” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 97. All citations in this article are from this Catechism).
The Catholic Church reasons thus:
1. “The apostles left bishops as their successors. They gave them ‘their own
position of teaching authority.’” (Paragraph 77)
2. “This living transmission, accomplished through the Holy Spirit, is called
tradition...” (Par. 78)
3. “Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honoured with equal
sentiments of devotion and reverence.” (Par. 82).
Within the Catholic scope of Tradition, many doctrines have been “revealed” to the Church over the centuries. For example, there is the veneration of Mary, her immaculate conception and her bodily assumption into heaven. There is also the apocrypha, transubstantiation, praying to saints, the confessional, penance, purgatory, etc. Protestantism as a whole differs with Catholicism in these additions.
Tradition in the Bible
The Bible speaks about tradition nevertheless. Some verses speak for tradition and others speak against it. This is not contradictory, for the contexts are different and carry different meanings. For examples:
Against Tradition --
Matt. 15:3-6,
"And He answered and said to them, And why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, Honor your father and mother, and, He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death 5 But you say, Whoever shall say to his father or mother, Anything of mine you might have been helped by has been given to God, 6 he is not to honor his father or his mother. And thus you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition.”
Colossians 2:8,
"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ."
Mark 7:8-9,
"Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men. 9 He was also saying to them, You nicely set aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition."
For Tradition –
2 Thess. 2:15,
"So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by
word of mouth or by letter from us."
2 Thess. 3:6,
"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep aloof
from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you
received from us."
1 Cor. 11:2,
"Now I praise you because you remember me in everything, and hold firmly to the
traditions, just as I delivered them to you."
In the discussions regarding ‘Tradition’ between Protestants and Catholics both sets of scriptures are often quoted in order to establish their respective positions. The Protestants often quote Matt. 15:3-6 in opposition to ‘Sacred Tradition’. In an appeal to be biblical, many Catholic apologists cite 2 Thess. 2:15 to validate their position on Sacred Tradition. Certainly, God's word is not contradictory -- the Bible is for tradition (2 Thess. 2:15) when it supports the teachings of the apostles and is consistent with biblical revelation. Yet, it is against tradition when it "transgresses the commands of God" (Matt 15:3). By the Lord Jesus' own words, tradition is not to transgress or contradict the commands of God. In other words, it should be in harmony with biblical teaching and not opposing it in any way.
Though the Catholic Church officially states that Sacred Tradition should not and does not contradict Scripture, Protestants see much of the teaching from this ‘Sacred Tradition’ as doing just that. It is not enough for the Catholics to say that their church is the true church, that they have the apostolic tradition, that they hold the keys to the truth, and that they have revealed doctrines consistent with biblical revelation without biblical evidence. Likewise, it is not enough for Protestants to pass judgment upon Catholic doctrines simply because they are Catholic and are derived via Sacred Tradition -- likewise, biblical evidences must be produced. (This article was written with this in mind).
Are Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition Really Equal?
It is not enough for the Catholics to simply say that Sacred Tradition is equal to Scripture based upon the decree of the Catholic Magesterium. Like any spiritual teaching, it must be scrutinized by comparing it with the Bible. Our Lord Jesus’ own words in Matt 15:3 gives support to subject the fruit of ‘Sacred Tradition’ to the pruning of God's word. In other words, do the teachings of the Catholic Church that are derived through tradition transgress the commands of God? (Of course, the Catholic will say that they do not).
When the Lord Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees in Matt 15:1-6, He reprimanded them for not understanding God's word. They were appealing to the tradition of the elders, those who had passed down oral and written tradition. Jesus, on the other hand, exposed their error by citing scripture. Take note of what He said in Matt 15:1-6,
“”Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem
Besides other insights that may be drawn from this passage, our topic of concern draws the attention to one area -- the tradition of the religious leaders was subjected to the Word of God. Are the religious leaders of the Catholic Church exempted from subjection to the Word of God? And likewise, is their Sacred Tradition also exempted? Obviously not.
Where the Protestants would interpret Tradition in the light of Scripture, the Catholic Church does the opposite. Please read the following,
"The Second Vatican Council indicates three criteria for interpreting Scripture in accordance with the Spirit who inspired it. 1. Be especially attentive ‘to the content and unity of the whole Scripture.'. . . 2. Read the Scripture within ‘the living Tradition of the whole Church.' . . . 3. Be attentive to the analogy of faith." (Par. 111, 112, 13, 114).
It is clause 2 that is of major concern here. What does it mean to read Scripture “within the living Tradition of the whole Church?” If Scripture is “within the living Tradition”, then Tradition encompasses Scripture! In other words, it is the tradition of the Church that interprets Scripture. This is in contradiction to the Word of God spoken by Jesus in Matt. 15:1-6.
The Catholics may say that the Pharisees didn’t have apostolic authority and succession that was ordained by the apostles as does the Catholic Church, therefore, Matt. 15:1-4 cannot be used to nullify ‘Sacred Tradition’.
But the issue in Matt 15:1-6 is not succession of authority but the traditions of men being used to oppose the truth, the Word of God. Jesus, in contrast to this, cited the Word of God to judge their traditions. Essentially, the Pharisees were seeing the Word of God ‘within’ their sacred tradition. Similarly, the statement in Acts 17:11,“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so,” endorses people to check apostolic teaching by comparing it with Scripture. This important yardstick could be seen succinctly when apostle Paul corrected apostle Peter for not practicing and behaving biblically according to the Word of God! See Galatians 2:11-21,
“But when Peter was come to Antioch
Thereby substantiating the position that even what the apostles taught and practised are subjected to Scriptures, (see also, 2 Tim. 3:16-17). In Acts 17:1-2 we see apostle Paul taught and reasoned with the people based according to Scripture. Furthermore, apostle John echoed what the Lord Jesus has commanded in Jn. 14:21-24; Mt. 15:3-6 and Mk. 7:8-9, about the importance of adhering to His commandments in 1 John 2:3-5,
“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”
in 1 John 3:24, “And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.”
and in 2 John verse 9, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.”
Therefore true apostolic teaching does not contradict Scripture. After all, no doctrinal teaching should contradict biblical revelation and the Sacred Word of God was and is the final authority in all things spiritual (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The Catholic Church's position and teaching based on Sacred Tradition are no different. They must be scrutinised by Scripture.
Catholic Terminology
This list of terms used by the Catholic Church is brief and succinct. It should help those who are learning about Catholicism and who desire to be conversant with Catholics on
their terms.
Absolution : the act of releasing someone from their sin by God, through the
means of a priest.
Actual sin : any sin that a person commits.
Annunciation : When the angel Gabriel told Mary that she was to be the mother
of the Messiah.
Assumption : the taking of the body an soul of Mary, by God, into glory without
dying.
Baptism : One of seven sacraments that takes away original sin and actual
sin.
Bishop : the head of a diocese, successor of the apostles.
Blessed Sacrament: the elements of the communion supper, bread and wine, in which
Christ dwells. It is offered at the altar in the church.
Capital sins : the seven causes of all sin: pride, covetousness, lust, anger,
gluttony, envy, sloth.
Confession : telling sins to a priest.
Confessional : a small compartment where the priest hears the confessed sins
of a sinner.
Confirmation : a ceremony performed by a bishop that is supposed to
strengthen a person and enable him to resist sin. It is usually
done at the age of 12. The Bishop dips his right thumb in holy oil
and anoints the person on the forehead by making the sign of the
cross and says, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Consecration : a moment during the ceremony of the mass where God, allegedly
through the priest, changes bread and wine into the body and
blood of Jesus.
Contrition : extreme sorrow for having sinned with a deep repentance
concerning that sin.
Diocese : an area of many parishes presided over by a bishop.
Eucharist : The elements of the communion supper where the bread and
wine are the body and blood of Christ.
Extreme Unction : A sacrament given to a person who is in the danger of dying. It
is intended to strengthen the person's soul and help his love be
pure so he may enter into heaven. It is done through prayer
and the anointing of oil.
Guardian Angel : a special angel assigned by God to each person in order to
protect and guide that person with the goal of reaching
heaven.
Heresy : denial of the truths found in the Catholic Church.
Holy Chrism : the special oil used in the sacraments of Baptism,
Confirmation, and Holy Orders.
Holy Orders : one of the seven sacraments by which men, bishop, deacons,
and priests, are given the power and authority by a bishop to
offer sacrifice and forgive sins.
Holy Water : Special water that has been blessed by a priest used to
combat demonic forces.
Host : the bread in the communion supper that is changed into the
body of Christ.
Immaculate Conception: The teaching that Mary was conceived without original sin.
Indulgence : a means by which the Catholic church takes away some of
the punishment due the Christian in this life and/or purgatory
because of his sin.
Laity : the members of the Catholic church who are not in the clergy.
Lent : a forty day period between Ash Wednesday and Easter
Sunday. Usually some form of prayer and fasting
accompanies it.
Mass : a re-enactment of the sacrifice of Christ at the cross in a
ceremony performed by a priest. This ceremony is
symbolically carried out by the priest and involves
Consecration where the bread and wine are changed into the
body and blood of Jesus.
Mortal Sin : a serious and wilful transgression of God's Law. It involves
full knowledge and intent of the will to commit the sin. If left
unrepentant, can damn someone to eternal hell.
Original Sin : the inherited sin nature of Adam that resulted from Adam's
sin.
Parish : a subdivision of a diocese with the priest as its head.
Passion : The sufferings of Christ from the time of the Last Supper to
His Crucifixion.
Penance : a means by which all sins committed after baptism are
removed. The means are assigned by a priest and usually
consist of special prayers or deeds performed by the sinner.
Peter : the first pope.
Pope : Christ's representative on earth. He is the visible successor of
Peter.
Priest : one who mediates between God and man and administers the
sacraments and graces of God. He has received the Holy
Orders.
Purgatory : a place of temporary punishment where the Christian is
cleansed from sin before they can enter into heaven.
Relic : a part of the body of a saint including clothing, jewellery, etc.
The relic is considered holy due to its association with the
saint.
Rosary : A string of beads containing five sets with ten small beads.
Each set of ten is separated by another bead. It also contains
a crucifix. It is used in saying special prayers, usually to Mary
where the rosary is used to count the prayers.
Sacrament : an outward sign of God's grace.
Sacramentals : Special prayers, deeds, or objects used to gain spiritual
benefits from God.
Saint : A very holy person. Usually, it is someone who has been
dead for many years and has been canonized by the Catholic
Church. Saints do not have to pass through purgatory.
Scapular : two small cloth squares joined by a string. One cloth is
positioned in the front and the other in the back. Indulgences
are attached to it.
Sign of the Cross : A sacramental. It is the movement of the right hand from the
forehead to the chest and then left and right upon the
shoulders.
Tradition : handing down through the centuries from mouth to mouth of
the teachings of Jesus. It began with the apostles and
continues unbroken to the present bishopric of the Catholic
Church.
Transubstantiation : The teaching that the bread and wine in the communion
supper become the body and blood of the Lord Jesus at the
Consecration during the Mass.
Venerate : to honor, admire, and regard with respect.
Venial Sin : A sin but not as bad as Mortal Sin. It lessens the grace of
God within a person's soul.
Vicar of Christ : the Pope.
Is the Bible Alone Sufficient for Spiritual Truth?
According to Roman Catholicism, Sacred Tradition and the Bible together provide the foundation of spiritual truth. Protestantism rejects Sacred Tradition and holds fast to the call for “Sola Scriptura,” or “Scripture Alone.” Catholics then challenge, “Is Sola Scriptura biblical?”
The Bible does not say it is all that is needed for spiritual truth. However, in 2 Tim. 3:16-17, it says that scripture is inspired and sufficient for correction and teaching. In its comments on tradition, the Bible says both to listen to tradition as well as warning about tradition nullifying the gospel as mentioned in detail earlier.
In discussing the issue on the Bible alone being sufficient, several issues arise:
1. Many doctrines in the Bible are not referred from scripture as a statement to the
effect, yet they are believed and taught by the church. For example, there is no
statement in the Bible that says there is a Trinity (three-in-one), or that Jesus has
two natures (God and man), or that the Holy Spirit is the third person in the
Godhead. Yet, each of the statements is considered true doctrine within Christianity.
This is because these doctrines nevertheless are derived from biblical references –
in brief, (a) Trinity and the Holy Spirit is the third person in the Godhead: 2 Cor.
13:14; John 1:1-15; Heb. 9:14; 1 John 5:7; Acts 5:3-4; John 3:16 with John 14:16-
17. (b) Two natures of Jesus Christ: Rom. 9:5 with Phil. 2:6-8; and Psalm 102:25-27.
Hence, it is not required of Scripture to have a statement to the effect. So, for the
Catholic to require the Protestant to supply chapter and verse to prove Sola
Scriptura is not necessarily consistent with biblical exegetical principles. This will in
fact negate their doctrinal belief on the Trinity for example.
2. When the Catholics appeal to the Bible for authentication of ‘Inerrant Sacred
Tradition’, the Catholics have shown that the Bible is superior to Sacred Tradition –
for the lesser is blessed by the greater (Heb. 7:7) This is why, if the Bible said do not
trust tradition, then Sacred Tradition would be instantly and obviously invalid. If the
Bible say, to trust Sacred Tradition, then the Bible is authenticating it. In either case,
the Scriptures hold the place of final authority and by that position, are shown to be
superior to Sacred Tradition. If Sacred Tradition were really inerrant as it is said to
be, then it would be equal with the Bible. But, God’s word does not say that
Sacred Tradition is in errant or inspired as it does say about itself (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
3. If the Bible is not used to verify Sacred Tradition, then Sacred Tradition is
functionally independent to the Word of God. If it is independent of Scripture, then it has no
right to exist as an authoritative spiritual source.
4. Sacred Tradition is invalidated automatically if it contradicts the Bible. Of course, the
Catholics will say that it does not. But, Catholic teachings such as purgatory,
penance, indulgences, praying to Mary, etc., are not explicit in Scripture. That is not
to say that there are no verses used by Catholics to support their positions,
(distorting it, cf. 2 Peter 3:16 or handling it deceitfully, cf. 2 Cor.4:2).
But a natural reading of the text or application of hermeneutics will not lend itself to
such beliefs and practices.
The Catholic apologist will state that both the Bible and Sacred tradition are equal in
authority and inspiration and to put one above another is a false comparison. But, by
what authority does the Catholic say this? Is it from tradition that the Catholic
Church authenticates its Sacred Tradition? If so, then there is no check upon it. Is it
from quotes of some of the church ‘Fathers’ that say to follow Tradition? If so, then
the church Fathers are given the place of authority comparable to scripture. Is it
from the Bible? If so, then Sacred Tradition holds a lesser position than the Bible
because the Bible is used as the authority in validating Tradition.
Since the Bible is the final authority, we should look to it as the final authenticating and inerrant source of all spiritual truth. If it says Sacred Tradition is valid, fine. But if it does not, then Catholics must put trust the Bible alone.
1. SIGNIFICANT DATES
312: Constantine Christianizes Roman Empire .
440: Leo I, official pope who emphasized his universal rule over all churches.
590: Gregory the Great - first medieval Pope to put the theory of universal rule
of all churches into more practice.
880: Charlemagne crowned by the Pope revealing the magnitude of power that
the Popes held. Approximate beginning of the Holy Roman Empire
1054: East/West split - separation of the Orthodox churches from Rome
1378 – 1415: Two popes, and for a time three.
1517 - ? : Protestant Reformation - Reformation implies return to purity of
doctrine. (Revival implies return to purity of life.)
1200 - 1800 : Spanish Inquisition.
1542 : Roman Inquisition.
1545 - 1563 : Council of Trent - Counter Reformation. R.C. churches response
to the Protestant Reformation.
1870 : Vatican
1962 - 1965 : Vatican II.
1970 - ? : Catholic Charismatic Movement.
2. ATTITUDES TOWARD BIBLE BELIEVING CHRISTIANS
The Catholic church has had quite a varied history which has more emphasis
upon the church as authority than on the Bible. Although it is not so easy or fair
to generalize their attitudes concerning Protestants, I think we can safely divide
them into two broad categories: the Catholics whose major religious influence
came before Vatican II, and those whose major religious influence came after
Protestants because (1) the decision to put Bibles into the hands of the lay
people gives them more common ground and (2) among Charismatic Catholics
the influence of the modern Charismatic movement throughout all denominations
also gives more emphasis upon unity, although most of their major doctrines in
many cases are unchanged.
To the older and more traditional Roman Catholics we are viewed as
Protestants and not in the true church. Most would believe:
A. Our church is young while theirs goes back to the Apostle Peter.
B. Peter was the first pope and head of the church.
C. The pope, Church tradition, and the Word of God have all religious authority.
The pope also represents Christ on earth. He is the vicar of Christ, i.e.
in place of Christ.
D. Luther, Calvin, etc. were rebellious heretics.
E. There is much disunity among Protestantism while they are unified.
F. To become Protestant is a mortal sin.
G. Our Bible is incomplete while theirs is not. (Theirs includes the Apocrypha.)
3. CATHOLICS SUBSTITUTIONS FOR FAITH
A. Substitute the work of the Holy Spirit by partaking of the means of grace,
i.e. Eucharist (Mass), baptism, confirmation, penance, extreme unction,
marriage and becoming a priest or nun. These sacraments impart literal
sanctifying grace and the first five are indispensable for salvation.
B. Substitute God’s Word for the pope’s word and church tradition.
C. Substitute the intercessory work of Christ and bold access to Him with the
intercessory work of dead saints and their approachability. In other words it
is easier to approach and pray to the saints who in turn can go to the Father
rather than going directly to Jesus ourselves. This is one reason Mary is
worshipped and prayed to.
D. Substitute the finished work of Christ on the cross in payment for our sins
with the continual and literal sacrifice of the body of Christ in the mass
(transubstantiation). It is called the bloodless sacrifice.
E. Grace of God with the works of man. By grace we do works.
4. TERMINOLOGY
As always, we must be careful with our Christian jargon. To a Catholic:
A. Faith: Means believing in the faith of the Catholic Church. Also, they
definitely believe in the necessity of good works and keeping the Ten
Commandments.
B. Works: They would say that these cannot save you because you also need
God’s help. Ultimately they believe faith and obedience to the church.
C. Receiving Christ: This can mean partaking of the mass; therefore, they
receive Christ every Sunday. It is best to avoid this term.
5. SHARING THE GOSPEL
A. Purpose of the Ten Commandments.
Make it clear that the law cannot save but was given to reveal our sinfulness
and cause us to cast ourselves completely upon Christ’s finished work, His
grace and mercy.
B. Finished work of Christ was offered as a sacrifice once for all.
C. Personal Testimony.
1. Repentance --- turning away from sinful life-style, attitudes, etc.
2. Assurance of salvation.
6. VERSES ON THE LAW - Rom. 7 & Gal. 3
Be familiar with the main contents of each chapter even though you will only use
a few passages. This way they can read and think about it later when they go
home. This is perhaps much better than a lot of obscure verses pulled out from
various books of the Bible.
The law (Ten Commandments) was never given as means of obtaining or
attaining salvation. Ultimately its main purpose was to be a measuring rod
whereby man could see that he had fallen short, and to be a mirror to reveal our
true sinfulness as man saw that he had fallen short. The intended purpose was to
urge man to Christ for salvation as recognized that he had/has no other way.
Use either chapter, but you don’t necessarily have to use both.
A. Purpose of the Law - Rom. 7
1. Arouse sin (v5, 8, 9)
2. Reveal sin (v7)
3. Produce death (hopelessness) (v13)
4. Bring a man to Christ (v24-25)
B. Purpose of the Law - Gal. 3
1. Reveal man’s condemnation (v10-13). It must be completely kept or else
you are a law breaker. One broken law condemns you.
2. Reveal that the law never justifies a man before God (v-12). Faith plus
nothing.
3. Reveal man’s sinfulness (v19-22). It was never meant to bring life (v21).
It was only meant to urge us to the Life.
4. Bring man to Jesus Christ (v24).
7. VERSES ON CHRIST’S FINISHED WORK ON THE CROSS
Heb. 10:10-14. Verses 10, 12 and 14 all emphasise the word ‘one’, meaning
that no other sacrifice is ever needed again.
- Christ sacrificed once for all time. v10
- Only one sacrifice needed. v12
- Christ sitting down means He is finished. v12
- By that one sacrifice we are forgiven and made holy. v14
SHOW YOUR CATHOLIC FRIENDS THEIR ERRORS THAT GRIEVE GOD
1. Immaculate (sinless) Mary, is a lie or deception.
(Romans 3:23-24, 1 John 1:8, Luke 1:46-47,50, Luke 11:27-28, 1John 1:8)
Therefore to say Mary is sinless is against God’s Word, the Holy Bible; and that
because she was sinless, she was taken up to heaven (assumption) without
dying is also groundless. God’s Word, the Holy Bible did not teach that either.
It is based on man-made fabrication and man-made tradition, (not tradition laid
down by God). If anyone says that God, an angel, or through prayer and
meditation etc. has revealed to him, but if it contradict God’s established written
Word in the Bible, it is deception. This is one main way how errors, deceptions,
and cults come about. (1 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Peter 2:1-3, Colossians 2:8-10,
Matthew 15 : 3, 8-9, Mark 7:9-13 )
You see God does not change, and His Word always remain the same. God said
He does not change or lie, (Malachi 3:6, Numbers 23:19) and the scripture in
the Bible is for correction, reproof, instruction, teaching, that a man of God may
be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16,
2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 John 9). Take note what God’s Word say, we are complete
and thoroughly equipped in His written Word. We do not need extra!
Note: Mary is cleansed, forgiven, made righteous through her faith in God.
That made Mary worthy for that ministry God gave her, to bare Jesus
Christ. She says God is her Saviour. (Luke 1:46-47, 50; Romans 3:23,24)
Examples, Abel, King David and Abraham etc. in the Old Testament,
look forward to the finished work of Jesus Christ at the cross by faith.
Just as Christians today look backward to the finished work of Christ two
thousand years ago by faith to be save. (Hebrews10 :1, Hebrews 9:28,
Hebrews 11:4, Hebrew 2:4, Romans 1:17, Habakkuk 2:4, Galatians 3:1-9)
Note: ... great thinkers ... refer to their Catholic Fathers but read God’s
Word in 1 Corinthians 1:19-21.
2. Mary is the Queen of Heaven is paganistic and an abomination to God.
(Jeremiah 7:18-19, 23; Jeremiah 44:17, 22-27)
3. Praying (i.e. ask, speak to, whether in your heart or verbally) to Mary or saints
are sinful and you are trafficking with the dead. It is demonic.
(Isaiah 8:19, Deuteronomy 18:11-12)
4. Praying to Mary as the mediator, where Mary is suppose to speak on behalf for
you with Jesus is sinful because Jesus Christ is your mediator between you and
the heavenly Father. You are suppose to pray to the heavenly Father through
Jesus Christ. (John 15:16; John 16:23-24; John14:13-14; 1 Timothy 2:5-6;
Hebrews 8:1,6; Hebrews 12:24)
5. Bowing, kneeling, offering flowers, kissing before the statues, images, of Mary,
the Saints Bleeding Hearts, crucifixes, miraculous medals etc., are sinful and
detestable before God. It is an act of worship, (worship is, adoring, honouring,
venerating). It is idolatry and paganistic. (Exodus 20:4-5, Deuteronomy 4:15-25,
1 Kings 14:15)
God says He is a jealous God and He will punish the sins of the fathers upon the
children to the third and fourth generation. God also says, when you bow down to
those images, God consider you to be hating Him, and not loving and obeying His
command (Exodus 20:4-6, Deuteronomy 4:15-25, 1 Kings 14:15).
It concerns spiritual matters and contacts. That makes it idolatry and sinful.
It is not concerning pop stars, movie stars or sport figures. It is also *praying before
those images, that makes it viciously idolatrous, plus trafficking with the dead. It is
demonic. (see number 3)
An investigation on the Prayer To Saint Joseph, used by the Catholics will show
three major blasphemous errors that would invoke God’s wrath! They are:
* (a) The blasphemous error of making and giving Joseph, God’s prerogative
power of changing circumstances, which only God can. Jesus said in His
Word, ... "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.''
(Mt. 19:26); “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14); “I know that
Thou canst do everything, and that no thought can be withholden from Thee.”
(Job 42:2).
Furthermore all men, angels, Satan, heaven, earth, and hell, are under God’s
authority and control. James 4:12-15, Hebrews 1:13,14, Job 1:12, Job 2:6,
Psalms 33:6-9, 107:25-29, Revelation 1:18, 20:12-14.
Hence Joseph is idolised as God.
*(b) The blasphemous error of putting trust in Joseph besides Jesus (God) is
idolatry! God’s Word, the Holy Bible says, For in Him dwells all the fullness
of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all
principality and power. Colossians 2:9-10.
*(c) The blasphemous error of placing Joseph and Mary equal with Jesus (God)
in power. It is spiritual idolatry and making Joseph and Mary Gods! (Exodus
20:1-7).
Most likely you are doing all the above without even realising you are
committing blasphemous errors which condemns, and possibly that goes too for
all the errors mentioned in this material you are reading. That is because you
are deceived. Example, when you bow or pray before the statue of Mary or a
saint, you are taught (brain washed) by the clergy that it is not idolatry, but It is
just like having a photograph before you as respect, contact etc. Note, Mark 7:9-
13. It is just like a father teaching the boy to tell lies without letting him know that is
call lies. The boy will not know the deceptions he speaks are actually lies!
The following are the set prayers to Joseph, which Catholics indulge in:
Prayer to Saint Joseph
O Glorious St. Joseph, thou who *(a) hast power to render possible, things that
are for us impossible, come to our aid and in our present trouble and difficult
affairs under thy particular protection that it may end happily.
O Dear St. Joseph, *(b) all our confidence is in thee. Let it not be said we
would invoke thee in vain and since *(c) thou art so powerful with Jesus and
Mary, shows that thy goodness equals thy power.
The word saint is also distorted by the Catholics. Saint means holy (and holy
means set apart, sanctified). It is used of Christians. It is through the blood
of Jesus Christ that Christians are cleansed from sins and become saints (set
apart, sanctified). "Sanctification" is designated by God for Christians into which
by grace He calls them and in which Christians begin their walk and to pursue
it. Hence they are called "saints" and is not applied merely to persons of
exceptional holiness, or to those who, having died, were characterised by
exceptional acts of "saintliness.” See especially 2 Thes.1:10, where "His saints"
are also described as, "them that believed," i. e., the whole number of the
redeemed that are alive. Cf. 1 Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians
1:1.
6. Depending on Jesus plus on your works; on the Eucharist; baptism;
confirmation; penance; and extreme unction for your salvation is heretic and
sinful. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 1:16-17; Galatians 1:6-9)
7. The Mass is sinful. The Wafer-God is a blasphemous fraud. The Scripture
says, “But Jesus, having offered one sacrifice for sins, has taken his seat forever
at the right hand of God. For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that
are sanctified.” Hebrews 10:12,14; cf. Hebrews 7:26-28, Hebrews 9:25-26)
In the Offertory, the priest offers the wafer and wine. Then comes, The
Preface, a prayer of praise...; followed by the Sanctus, a prayer of joy, a cry of
welcome for the Lord who will enter the wafer. Then comes the consecration,
which is the highlight of the Mass. This is when the wafer becomes God. The wine
is also consecrated, supposedly becoming the actual blood of Jesus. *The priest
supposedly with his magical powers, turns the wafer into the Lord Jesus Christ
(transubstantiation). The Catholic priest is so powerful, that he can pull Christ
out of heaven, put him on the cross, and sacrifice Him again during the Mass.
(*See Council of Trent statement, page 11). And that the, **Holy Eucharist are
contained truly, really and substantially the body and blood together with the soul
and divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ, and consequently the whole Christ. (** See
Council of Trent, Session 13, Chapter VIII; The Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. 4,
p.299 & vol. 14, p. 586).
Rome claims that the Mass is a sacrifice. It is held to be, *** one and the same
Sacrifice with that of the Cross, in as much as Christ, who offered himself, a
bleeding victim, on the Cross to his heavenly Father, continues to offer himself in
an unbloody manner on the altar, through the ministry of his priests. ***(A
Catechism of Christian Doctrine, 6-278: Catholic Truth Society, London 1985).
The Second Vatican Council (1962-65), continue to endorse the statement of The
Council of Trent. Though they altered the style, but not the substance. They are
as follows: If anyone shall say that in the Mass there is not offered to God a true,
proper and propitiatory sacrifice for the living and the dead, or what is offered is
nothing else than Christ given to be eaten i.e. transubstantiation, let him be
anathema (cursed) . . . If anyone shall say that in these words, This do in
remembrance of Me . . . let him be anathema.
A Catholic Truth Society 1985 booklet, “How the Mass Came to Be,” confirms this:
Thanks to the Second Vatican Council and Pope Paul VI, we have a new liturgy
today. But with all the changes, what we have is truly the Mass of Christ. What has
changed is the manner of its celebration, the liturgy. For there can never be a new
Mass. Vatican II held that the language of the Mass had changed, not the
substance.
But in Luke 22:19 and 1 Corinthians 11:24, of God’s Word informed us, Jesus
Christ said, And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto
them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of
me.
Hebrews 7:26-27 says, “For such an High Priest became us, who is holy, harmless,
undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth
not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then
for the people's: for this He did once, when He offered up Himself.”
Hebrews 9:25-28, “Nor yet that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest
have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the
world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is
appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once
offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear
the second time without sin unto salvation.” Cf. Hebrews 10:12
God’s Word tells us that Jesus Christ was sacrificed once and for all. The mass is
a hoax!
Then the Holy Eucharist is placed in the centre of a
Sunburst design called the Monstrance. The Catholics
must bow down and worship the little wafer as God.
This is idolatry and worshipping a false god(s). (See
point 5 above and point 7 below under the Wafer-
God diagram).
When the Catholics take the Wafer-God, they must
believe they are eating the creator of the universe.
They can than inform others that they have received
Jesus Christ, their saviour.
The bread and wine in the Holy Communion biblically are symbolic, as mentioned
in the whole of point 7. Furthermore, 1 Corinthians 11:24-26, tell us, Jesus
commanded His disciples to remember what He was about to do, (to be sacrificed
at the cross), it is a symbol in remembering the sacrifice of Him for us all, once
and for all two thousand years ago.
The wafer used in the mass, the Sacrament of the Holy
Eucharist is disk-shaped, like the sun. It has a sign of a
cross and the initials, IHS. Where does this sun-like wafer
with the initials come from?
It was in Babylon, where the people worshipped the Sun God,
Baal. Then this cult moved into Egypt using different names.
On the altars of Egypt were found sun shaped wafers made of unleavened bread.
These little wafers were consecrated by the Egyptian priest and supposedly
magically became the flesh of the Sun God, Osiris. Then they ate their God. The
initials, IHS in Egypt stood for their gods ...**** ISIS, Horus and Seb. (****See,
The two Babylons, by Hislop, p. 164). You should be upset to know the wafer
God or host you partake, and worship, is not really Jesus Christ, but false gods!
See point 5.
8. Maryolatry is devilish and sinful. God’s Word says beside Jesus there is none
others. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name
under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12,
John 14:6)
9. Purgatory is a deception. It is a money-making scheme. The Bible says,
The blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from ALL SIN. (1 John 1:7,9)
10. The Papacy is a fraud. Peter did not claim to be Pope and he was never in
Rome. He knew that Jesus Christ, not himself, was the Rock
Jesus said in Matt.16:18, You are Peter, (from the Greek word Petrous
meaning a stone) and upon this rock (in the Greek is petra meaning a large
mountain of rock), I will build my church. The mountain of rock that Jesus was
talking about refers to Jesus Himself, based on the confession, or truths that
Peter had just spoken when he said, in Matt.16:16, Thou art the Christ, the Son
of the living God. It was upon these truths (Jesus, the Son of the living God) that
the Church is being built.
Peter himself acknowledged that the church is to be built upon Jesus and not
himself. (1 Peter 2:4-6; cf. Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Cor.3:10-11).
God’s Word says, Call no one on earth your Father; for one is your Father,
who is in heaven. (Matthew 23:9)
11. Using the Rosary is sinful and deceptive. 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. (Matthew 6:7).
Citing the rosary to save or deliver souls from purgatory after they are dead is
unbiblical. That includes holding Masses for the dead for similar reason.
(Hebrews 9:26-28; John 3:16,18) No second chance after death.
12. The Confessional is not Christian, indecent and immoral. God’s Word says,
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man
Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5; Romans 1:8; Hebrews 8:6, 9:15, 12:24;
John 15:16)
13. Forbidding priests and nuns to get married, and forbidding eating of meat,
are deceptions. God’s Word says,
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from
the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in
hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding 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.” (1 Timothy 4:1-3)
14. You may say you are a Christian, but you cannot be a Christian and at the
same time a Catholic.
God’s Word says,
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips;
but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for
doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:8-9)
15. You may even call yourself a Charismatic Catholic. But nevertheless you must
likewise repent from all false man made teachings and obey God’s Word,
if not your sins are not forgiven. Jesus said 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.”
Cf. Luke 6:46-49; 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Jeremiah 7:18-19,23.
“What fellowship has light with darkness? ...come out from among them, be
separated, saith the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-17.
If you profess to be a Christian, you must leave the Catholic Church and join
a God honouring and Bible believing church (Revelation 18:4-6).
The Catholic Church claims that they are, The Church That Never Changes, but
to the opposite is true. They are constantly changing, (different deceptive schemes). It is full of splits and schisms. The Jesuits, Franciscans, and other Orders are in violent disagreement. This evil system enslaves people as well as the nuns and priests. The Bible says this Catholic System in Rev.17:5-6 as,
“And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.”
MANY SHOCKED BY POPE'S RETURN OF CATHOLIC CHURCH TO INDULGENCES November 30, 1998
A report today in the Electronic Telegraph says Roman Catholics are stunned at Pope John Paul II's return to the use of indulgences. In a "Papal Bull for the Millennium" the pope issued yesterday, the once controversial practice of earning indulgences was reinstituted and "describes in detail how Roman Catholics may gain indulgences for themselves and souls in purgatory." The article said, "A Roman Catholic Media Office spokesman claimed that indulgences had always been a part of the Church's teaching and occurred in every Holy Year, but had lapsed into the background." Indulgences are a non-biblical teaching adopted by the Roman Catholic Church which supposedly releases a sinner from time one must spend in purgatory as punishment for their sins. The common understanding of the Roman Catholic teaching is that "the living may earn indulgences on behalf of the dead and help to speed their journey from purgatory to heaven." Roman Catholic doctrine generally teaches that all who die, except their unique understanding of those termed "saints" who go straight to heaven, first must go to purgatory (a place only described in the Apocraphal books-outside the canon of Scripture), where time must be served for sins committed and confessed. However, indulgences reportedly are not to save unrepentant souls from hell.
