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900 lines
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Plaintext
The following materials are copyrighted by Christian Equippers
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International (916-542-1509). We are availing the booklet here with its
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author's permission. You may read and download them for your own personal
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use only. You should get CEI's permission if you are going to reproduce
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it for other use. CEI and Family Radio have no business relation.
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Availing the information herein does not necessarily mean that Family Radio
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Forum endorses CEI or materials put out by them. We are availing them
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just for your personal consideration. -Richard Yim: Sysop of Family Radio.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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0> Introduction
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1> A Conciliatory Comment
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2> The Root Problem
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3> The Bible and Roman Catholicism
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4> A Religious System of Biblical Distortions
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5> The Gradual Development of Roman Catholic Errors
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6> Roman Catholicism and Tradition
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7> The Virgin Mary
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8> The Papacy
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9> Papal Infallibility
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10> Papal Decrees
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11> Mortal and Venial Sins
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12> Confession
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13> Penance
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14> Purgatory
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15> Indulgences
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16> The Assurance of Salvation
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17> Peter
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18> The Priesthood
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19> Mass
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20> Ritualism
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21> Conclusion
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INTRODUCTION
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There are hundreds of millions of Roman Catholics world-wide, yet many are
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largely unaware of the dramatic differences between the official teachings,
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practices, and positions of the Catholic Church, and the clear teaching of
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the Holy Bible. There are multitudes of dedicated Catholics who are
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spiritually uninformed concerning these differences because of a lack of
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sound biblical instruction and exposure.
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Though many Roman Catholics give unquestioned support to their church and
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strongly reject any possibility that their church may be in conflict with
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their own Catholic Bible, there are sincere Catholics who see glaring
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inconsistencies and contradictions between the official teachings of the
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Roman Catholic Church and the fundamental truths contained in the sacred
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Scriptures.
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This booklet offers Roman Catholics, who are seeking after truth, a clear-
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cut comparison between the major teachings of the Catholic Church and the
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Word of God. The Word of God is the supreme authority from which all Roman
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Catholics must derive their beliefs and practices. All Scripture
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references cited in this booklet are taken only from official Catholic
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translations of the Bible.
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A CONCILIATORY COMMENT
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While this booklet scripturally challenges many of the teachings within
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Roman Catholicism, it is not an attack upon the competence, sincerity,
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intelligence, integrity, or religious dedication of individual Catholics.
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This booklet doesn't deny the reality that many Catholics possess strong
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convictions and are deeply devoted to their religious beliefs. Neither do
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we deny the fact that some Catholics have had a genuine, born-again
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experience in Christ.
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However, this booklet does challenge many of the positions and practices
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of the Catholic Church by using a point-by-point comparison of its major
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teachings and the obvious truths of the Word of God. This booklet asks
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Roman Catholics to carefully examine the Scriptures with an intellectually
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honest and open attitude (Acts 17:11), and to judge for themselves what the
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Bible actually says apart from official church censorship, restrictions,
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warnings, indoctrination, and qualifications. We believe the clear truths
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of the Catholic Bible will speak for themselves.
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THE ROOT PROBLEM
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The fundamental problem confronting the average Roman Catholic is the
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fact that they are almost completely unaware of what the Catholic Bible
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really teaches. Many sincere Catholics, including laymen and parish
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priests alike, have never had sufficient cause to question the teachings
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of their church because they have never been adequately instructed in the
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Scriptural truths which challenge the principle doctrines of Catholicism.
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The tragic reality is that the overwhelming majority of Catholics have
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either never personally studied the Bible, or have only done so under the
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strict supervision and scrutiny of their church. Many have not been
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exposed to the clear, simple truths of the Bible because they have been
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repeatedly warned to rely on the official interpretations, opinions, and
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traditions of the church.
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Even though Catholic versions of the Bible (Jerusalem Bible, New American,
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and Challoner-Rheims Version of the Latin Vulgate) encourage Bible reading
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and study (Deut. 6:7-9; Ps. 119:9-11; Acts 17:11), the tragic historical
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fact is that Catholicism, with very few exceptions, has repeatedly
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discouraged Bible reading and study, and even banned or restricted its use,
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distribution, and possession.
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THE BIBLE AND ROMAN CATHOLICISM
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The Roman Catholic Church has traditionally suppressed, opposed, and
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forbidden the open use of the Bible. It was first officially forbidden to
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the people and placed on the index of Forbidden Books List by the Council
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of Valencia in 1229 A.D. The Council of Trent (1545-63 A.D.) also
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prohibited its use and pronounced a curse upon anyone who would dare
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oppose this decree. Many popes have issued decrees forbidding Bible
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reading in the common language of the people, condemning Bible societies
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and banning its possession and translation under penalty of mortal sin and
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death. The Roman Catholic Church has openly burned Bibles and those who
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translated it or promoted its study, reading, and use (John Hus, 1415 A.D.;
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William Tyndale, 1536 A.D.)
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Though external pressures have caused Rome to relax its restrictions and
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opposition against Bible reading in America, the Bible is still widely
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withheld and its distribution and free use discouraged in many countries
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which are heavily influenced by Roman Catholicism.
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A RELIGIOUS SYSTEM OF BIBLICAL DISTORTIONS
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Roman Catholicism is a system which is comprised of a mixture of truth and
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error. On the surface, it appears to many to be a brand of Christianity
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because it staunchly claims to embrace and defend the essential doctrines
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of the Christian faith. However, a closer examination proves that it is a
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system which actually nullifies and distorts Scriptural truth by adding
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erroneous, man-made teachings which openly contradict the Catholic and
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non-Catholic Bibles.
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For example, the Roman Catholic Church claims the inspiration of the
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Scriptures, but dilutes the Word of God by exalting the authority of its
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own traditions, councils, and decrees above the Bible. Catholicism teaches
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the deity of Christ, but places Mary and priests as mediators between God
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and believers so that free access to Jesus is only possible through them.
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It teaches the forgiveness of sin, but only through confession to a priest
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and the absolution given by him. Catholicism teaches salvation, but
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substitutes a system of grace plus works in which human works are more
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important. It teaches that Christ established the Church, but exalts a man
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(the pope) as its head and invests absolute, infallible authority in him
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and his official decrees. These are just a few of the distortions we will
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further examine in this booklet.
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THE GRADUAL DEVELOPMENT OF
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ROMAN CATHOLIC ERRORS
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Before we compare the fundamental teachings of Roman Catholicism with the
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Catholic Bible, it should be pointed out that the distinctive features of
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Catholicism originated several hundred years after the early church.
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Though the Catholic Church argues that its roots can be traced to Christ,
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the historical facts do not substantiate this claim. Roman Catholic dogma
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has gradually evolved over the centuries. However, none of its major
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traditions and doctrines were taught, defended, practiced, or embraced by
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the apostolic church. The following list will indicate the approximate
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date when the various doctrines, rituals, decrees, and beliefs were
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instituted:
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1. Prayers for the dead. (A.D. 300)
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2. Making the sign of the cross. (300)
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3. Wax candles. (320)
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4. Veneration of angels and dead saints, and use of images. (375)
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5. The beginning of mass as a daily celebration. (394)
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6. The worship and exaltation of Mary and use of term "Mother of God"(431)
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7. Priests begin to dress differently from laity. (500)
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8. Extreme unction. (526)
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9. The doctrine of purgatory, instituted by Gregory I. (593)
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10. The Latin Language used in worship and prayer Gregory I. (600)
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11. Prayers directed to Mary, dead saints and angels. (600)
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12. Title of "Pope" or "universal bishop" first given to Boniface III.(607)
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13. Kissing the pope's foot, began with Pope Constantine. (709)
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14. Temporal power of the popes, conferred by Pepin, King of France. (750)
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15. Worship of the cross, image, and relics authorized in (786).
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16. Holy water, mixed with a pinch of salt and blessed by a priest. (850)
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17. Worship of St. Joseph. (890)
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18. College of Cardinals established. (927)
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19. Canonization of dead saints, first by Pope John XV. (995)
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20. Fastings on Fridays and during Lent. (998)
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21. The mass developed as a sacrifice and attendance made mandatory. (11th
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Century)
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22. Celibacy of the priesthood, decreed by Pope Gregory VII. (1079)
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23. The rosary, used in prayer. (1090)
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24. The Inquisition, instituted by the Council of Verona. (1184)
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25. Sale of Indulgences. (1190)
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26. Transubstantiation, proclaimed by Pope Innocent III. (1215)
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27. Auricular (private) confession of sins to a priest, instituted by Pope
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Innocent III in Lateran Council. (1215)
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28. Adoration of wafer (Host), decreed by Pope Honorius III. (1220)
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29. Bible forbidden to laymen and placed on Index of Forbidden Books by
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Council of Valencia. (1229)
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30. The Scapular, invented by Simon Stock, an English monk. (1251)
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31. Cup forbidden to the people at communion by Council of Constance.
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(1414)
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32. Purgatory proclaimed as a dogma by Council of Florence. (1439)
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33. The doctrine of seven sacraments affirmed. (1439)
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34. The Ave Maria (Hail Mary) invented and completed 50 years later. (1508)
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35. Jesuit order founded by Loyola. (1534)
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36. Tradition declared to be of equal authority with the Bible by Council
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of Trent. (1545)
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37. The Apocryphal books added to the Bible by the Council of Trent. (1546)
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38. Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, proclaimed by Pope Pius IX.
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(1854)
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39. Syllabus of Errors, proclaimed by Pope Pius IX and ratified by the
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Vatican Council; condemned freedom of religion, conscience, speech, press,
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and scientific discoveries which are disapproved by the Roman Church;
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reasserted the Pope's temporal authority over all civil rulers. (1864)
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40. Infallibility of the pope in matters of faith and morals proclaimed by
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the Vatican Council. (1870)
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41. Public schools condemned by Pope Pius XI. (1930)
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42. Assumption of the Virgin Mary (bodily ascension into heaven shortly
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after her death), proclaimed by Pope XII. (1950)
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43. Mary proclaimed mother of the Church by Pope Paul VI. (1965)
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Many other scriptural abuses and irregularities could be added to this
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list: Monks, nuns, monasteries, convents, forty days of Lent, holy week,
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Palm Sunday, Ash Wednesday, All Saints Day, Candlemas Day, fish day, meat
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days, incense, holy oil, holy palms, St. Christopher medals, charms,
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relics, novenas, and many more. This revealing list represents an overview
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of the many human inventions which have corrupted, distorted, and perverted
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the official positions presented as truth by the Roman Catholic Church.
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ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES WE WILL COMPARE THE MORE PROMINENT POSITIONS OF
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ROMAN CATHOLICISM WITH THE FUNDAMENTAL TEACHINGS OF THE SCRIPTURES USING
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ONLY ROMAN CATHOLIC TRANSLATIONS OF THE BIBLE INCLUDING THE CHALLONER-
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RHEIMS VERSION (C.R.V.) OR THE JERUSALEM BIBLE VERSION (J.B.V.). The New
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American Bible (N.A.B.) can also be used to substantiate these comparisons.
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ROMAN CATHOLICISM AND TRADITION
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The church of Rome claims that the Bible is the inspired Word of God but,
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in reality, they supplant and undermine its absolute authority by exalting
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church traditions, councils, and decrees above the Scriptures. In fact,
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the Council of Trent (1546 A.D.) declared that church tradition was of
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equal authority with the Word of God.
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Roman Catholicism places tradition on an equal and often higher level than
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the Bible. Roman Catholic traditions, commandments, papal decrees, and
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councils have repeatedly usurped and contradicted the clear teachings of
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Scripture. The fact is that many of the positions and dogmas of Roman
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Catholicism rest upon the foundation of human innovations, traditions, and
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teachings rather than the Bible. For this reason, Catholicism strongly
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defends its traditions and rigidly regulates any interpretations of the
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Bible which conflict with its positions. Rome has even added a section of
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uninspired books to the Bible called the Apocrypha because they provide the
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only semblance of support for a limited number of their teachings, beliefs,
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and practices. These books are not found in the Hebrew Old Testament, and
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were never referred to as Scripture by Christ or His disciples, and were
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not even sanctioned by the Catholic Church until the Council of Trent in
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1546 A.D.
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However, Jesus rebuked the usurping and undermining of Scriptures through
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man-made tradition when He said "The worship they offer me is worthless,
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the doctrines they teach are only human regulations. You put aside the
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commandment of God to cling to HUMAN TRADITIONS. . .In this way you make
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God's word null and void for the sake of your TRADITION which you have
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handed down." (MK 7:7, 8, 13, J.B.V.).
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Such prominent Roman Catholic doctrines and practices as the mass,
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purgatory, the priesthood, Transubstantiation, prayers for the dead,
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indulgences, penance, the worship of Mary, the use of images in worship,
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holy water, rosary beads, the celibacy of priests and nuns, the papacy, and
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many others are based totally upon tradition and are without the slightest
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shred of Scriptural support to substantiate them. In fact, the Bible gives
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strong witness against many of these teachings and practices.
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THE VIRGIN MARY
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In spite of the great emphasis upon Mary in Roman Catholicism, the Bible
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says very little about her. In fact, she is never even mentioned by Peter,
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Paul, James, or John. Furthermore, none of the New Testament epistles
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refer to her either. This is significant in light of the elaborate system
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of Mariology created by Rome with its Mary works, veneration, and
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devotions. What is even more surprising is the fact that some of the most
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significant teachings concerning Mary are of fairly recent origin (i.e.,
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the Immaculate Conception, [1854], and the Assumption of Mary, [1950]).
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Though the Bible honors Mary as the mother of Jesus and calls her
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"blessed. . .among women" (not above women, Lk 1:28), it does not teach us
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to deify her, worship her, or pray to her. The Scriptures recognize Mary
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as a woman of humility, obedience, and virtue, but reject Rome's adoration
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of her on the grounds that it is idolatrous worship condemned by the Word
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of God.
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On the following pages we will examine some of the more prominent Roman
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Catholic teachings concerning Mary in light of the Bible. The information
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footnoted was written by an individual canonized as a saint, and his book
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was officially endorsed by the church of Rome.
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1. Rome claims that Mary acts as a mediator between sinners and God, and
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teaches that sinners receive pardon through Mary(1). This is refuted by
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the Scriptures. "For there is only one God, and there is only one mediator
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between God and mankind, himself a man, Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 2:5, J.B.V.).
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Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one can come to the
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Father except through me" (Jn 14:6, J.B.V.).
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2. "The Holy Church commands a worship peculiar to Mary"(2), but the Bible
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rejects this demand on the ground that it is idolatry. The worship of Mary
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in the form of prayers (Hail Marys), songs to her, and kneeling before her
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statues is blatant idolatry specifically forbidden by Christ: "You must
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worship the Lord your God, and serve him alone" (Matt. 4:10, J.B.V.).
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3. Catholicism teaches that Christ is a stern, wrathful judge who cannot
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be approached by sinners. It teaches that Mary, on the other hand, is a
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tender understanding, merciful intercessor who is more sympathetic and
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compassionate than Christ and will plead our cause to her Son with the
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forceful persuasion of a loving mother. But the Bible rejects Rome's
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claim that Mary is an intercessor or advocate who intercedes to God on our
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behalf in order to obtain grace for the sinner(3). The Bible declares
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that Jesus Christ is at the right hand of God where "He stands and pleads
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for us" (Rom. 8:34, J.B.V.),--not Mary and that He is "living forever to
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intercede for all who come to God through Him" (Heb. 7:25, J.B.V.; see also
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Heb. 9:24).
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4. The Bible rejects Rome's claim that "Mary is the Peacemaker between
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sinners and God"(4). The Bible states, "But now in Christ Jesus, you that
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used to be so far apart from us have been brought very close, by the blood
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of Christ. . .For he is the peace between us. . .Through him, both of us have
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in the one Spirit our way to come to the Father" (Eph. 2:13, 14, 18,
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J.B.V.). Christ is our peacemaker, not Mary, priests, popes, dead saints,
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or even the Church.
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5. The Bible rejects Catholic claims that Mary is ". . .the gate of heaven
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because no one can enter that blessed kingdom without passing through
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Her"(5), that "the Way of Salvation is open to none other than through
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Mary, and that our salvation is in the hands of Mary."(6) "Neither is
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there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven
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given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12, C.R.V.). "Jesus said:
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I am the Way. . .No one can come to the Father except through me" (Jn 14:6,
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J.B.V.).
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6. The Bible gives absolutely no support to the many exalted titles which
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the Roman Catholic Church has bestowed upon Mary such as, "Queen of the
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Angels, Prophets, Patriarchs, Apostles, Confessors, Virgins, and All
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Saints"(7), "The Door of Paradise," "The Gate of Heaven," "Our Life,"
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"Mother of Grace," "Morningstar," "Refuge of Sinners," and "Mother of
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Mercy". These titles represent Rome's attempts to elevate Mary to a
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glorified position which is not taught in the Scriptures.
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7. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception which teaches that Mary was
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born without sin is contrary to the Scriptures which stress that "everyone
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has sinned" (Rom. 5:12, 13 J.V.B.), and "there is no man who does not sin"
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(1 Kg. 8:46, J.B.V.; see also Ps. 53:3, 1 Jn. 1:8, 10). Even Mary
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acknowledged that she was a sinner in need of a Savior: "My soul proclaims
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the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exults in GOD MY SAVIOR" (Lk. 1:46,
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47, J.B.V.).
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8. The Roman Catholic doctrine of the Assumption of Mary which teaches
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that Mary's body was raised from the dead and taken to heaven as "Queen of
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Heaven" is a teaching which can't find the slightest support in the Bible
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and was not made an official doctrine in the Catholic Church until 1950.
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9. Roman Catholicism's emphasis on Mary's perpetual virginity is clearly
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refuted in the Bible which plainly states that Jesus had brothers and
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sisters (Matt. 13:54-56; Mk. 6:3; Jn. 7:5, 6). Though Rome claims that
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these verses refer to Christ's cousins, the original Greek wording clearly
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refers to brothers and not cousins. After the virgin birth of Christ, Mary
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and Joseph lived a normal husband and wife relationship, bearing other
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children.
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1 Bishop Alphonse de Liguori, The Glories of Mary, pp. 82, 83.
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2 Ibid., pg. 130.
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3 Bishop Alphonse de Liguori, The Glories of Mary, pg. 80; see also pp.
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254, 257.
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4 Ibid., pg. 197.
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5 Bishop Alphonse de Liguori, The Glories of Mary, pg. 160.
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6 Ibid., pg. 169.
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7 St. Joseph's Daily Missal, pg. 1305.
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THE PAPACY
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The word "pope" comes from the Latin word "papa" meaning father. Most
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scholars agree that the first real pope was Gregory I (590- 604 A.D.). The
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pope claims to be the mediator between God and men with the power over
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souls in purgatory. However, the Bible contradicts this claim by stating
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that "For there is only one God, and there is only one mediator between God
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and mankind, himself a man, Christ Jesus" (I Tim 2:5 J.B.V.). The papacy
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attempts to usurp the power and authority belonging solely to Christ by
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claiming the pope as the head of the church, but the Bible declares that
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Jesus is the head of the Church (Col. 1:18), and that "He has put all
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things under his feet, and made him, as the ruler of everything, the head
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of the Church; which is his body" (Eph. 1:22, 23, J.B.V.; see also Col. 2:9,
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10).
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The pope also claims the titles of "His Holiness" or "The Holy Father" in
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direct violation of Christ's warnings to His followers: "You must call no
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one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in
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heaven" (Matt. 23:9, 10, J.B.V.).
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PAPAL INFALLIBILITY
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The doctrine of papal infallibility was ratified in 1870 when the Vatican
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Council decreed that papal judgments involving faith and morals were
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infallible when spoken "ex-cathedra," meaning in his official capacity as
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head of the church while sitting in the chair of St. Peter. However, the
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concept of the papacy and papal infallibility can find no justification in
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the Scriptures.
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Most Catholics are unaware of the scandalous history of the Roman papacy.
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The historical record of papal corruption causes extreme embarrassment to
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the church in its attempts to defend papal infallibility and its moral
|
|
authority. For this reason, the church hierarchy endeavors to deny,
|
|
suppress, and cover-up the historical facts concerning its many doctrinal
|
|
and moral abuses. What makes the idea of papal infallibility and purity
|
|
so absurd is its notorious record of papal corruption, contradictions,
|
|
inconsistencies, and reversals during its history. Though most popes were
|
|
men of integrity and high moral character, many were wicked and corrupt.
|
|
What is more, these facts can be easily substantiated by secular,
|
|
Protestant, and even Catholic sources!(1)
|
|
|
|
As shocking and unbelievable as it may seem, many popes were guilty of
|
|
committing nearly every crime in the catalog of sin (2) including rape,
|
|
adultery, fornication, incest, murder, assassinations, robbery, conspiracy,
|
|
bribery, fraud, perjury, and the purchase of the papacy with money (3).
|
|
The corruption and gross immorality of twenty-nine popes was so flagrant
|
|
that Rome has listed them as "anti-popes" in order to minimize the
|
|
scandalous testimony of the papacy and erase this notorious blot from their
|
|
history.
|
|
|
|
Furthermore, some popes have contradicted each other (Sixtus V recommended
|
|
Bible reading, while Pope Pius VII condemned it); some popes condemned
|
|
scientific truth (Paul V and Urban VIII tortured and imprisoned Galileo
|
|
for teaching that the earth revolves around the sun); many have promoted
|
|
and defended doctrinal heresies in direct conflict with the clear teachings
|
|
of Scripture; and some have endorsed massacres, atrocities, torture,
|
|
imprisonment, and inquisitions against Rome's opponents resulting in the
|
|
deaths of millions!(4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Ludwig Pastor, History of the Popes (a Roman Catholic historian).
|
|
2 H.H. Halley, Halley's Bible Handbook, pp. 767-793.
|
|
3 Glen D. Kittler, The Papal Princes (a Roman Catholic author), 358
|
|
pages.
|
|
4 John Foxe, Foxes Book of Martyrs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
PAPAL DECREES
|
|
|
|
The following selected examples are only a few of the many abuses
|
|
demonstrated through papal decrees:
|
|
|
|
Innocent III (1198-1216 A.D.) claimed the right to dispose of kings,
|
|
ordered the extermination of heretics, instituted the Inquisition, ordered
|
|
the massacre of Albigenses, condemned the Magna Charta, and forbade Bible
|
|
reading in the common language; Innocent IV (1241-54 A.D.) sanctioned
|
|
torture of suspected heretics to extract confessions; Nicolas V (1447-55
|
|
A.D.) authorized war on African peoples and their enslavement; Sixtus IV
|
|
(1471-84 A.D.) sanctioned the Spanish Inquisition; Leo X (1513-21 A.D.)
|
|
declared the burning of heretics a divine appointment; Clement XI (1700-21
|
|
A.D.) issued a papal bull (pronouncement) against Bible reading; condemned
|
|
all religious freedom, tolerance, Bible societies, and Bible translations;
|
|
Pius IX (1846-78 A.D.) decreed papal infallibility, condemned separation
|
|
of church and state, denounced Liberty of Conscience, Liberty of Worship,
|
|
freedom of speech, freedom of press, decreed the Immaculate Conception and
|
|
deity of Mary, condemned Bible societies, and proclaimed the right to
|
|
suppress heresy by force; Leo XIII (1878-1903 A.D.) pronounced Protestants
|
|
"enemies of the Christian name".
|
|
|
|
|
|
MORTAL AND VENIAL SINS
|
|
|
|
Roman Catholicism divides sins into two categories: 1.) Mortal sins which
|
|
are defined as serious offenses against God that can damn a soul to
|
|
eternal punishment, and 2.) Venial sins which are lesser infractions
|
|
against God and man. Both can subject a soul to an indefinite stay in the
|
|
purifying fires of a place referred to as "purgatory". There is no uniform
|
|
agreement among priests concerning which sins are venial or mortal. Mortal
|
|
sins could include not attending mass, breaking Ten Commandments, sexual
|
|
offenses, reading a Protestant Bible, or going to a Protestant church.
|
|
Venial sins could be anything a priest decides. Only a priest can forgive
|
|
mortal sins, but both mortal and venial sins must be paid for by temporal
|
|
penance and inevitable punishment in purgatory.
|
|
|
|
However, the Bible makes no distinction between mortal and venial sins.
|
|
Though some sins are worse than others, all unrepented, unforgiven sins
|
|
will keep a soul out of heaven. It simply teaches that "the wage paid by
|
|
sin is death" (Rom. 6:23, J.B.V.), and that "The man who has sinned, he. . .
|
|
shall die" (Eze. 18:4, J.B.V.).
|
|
|
|
|
|
CONFESSION
|
|
|
|
The Baltimore Catechism defines confession as "the telling of our sins to
|
|
an authorized priest for the purpose of obtaining forgiveness."
|
|
Catholicism stresses that priests have the power and authority to forgive
|
|
sins without even asking God!(1) Forgiveness involves the assigning of
|
|
penance, punishments in the form of good works, a certain number of
|
|
prayers, fastings, or abstinence from certain pleasures as a token of
|
|
repentance. Priests can forgive the guilt of mortal sins, but cannot remit
|
|
the penalty which must be paid through the performance of good works which
|
|
he chooses to prescribe. Under penalty of committing a mortal sin, every
|
|
Roman Catholic is required to go to confession at least once a year.
|
|
However, the Bible gives no support for private (auricular) confession to a
|
|
priest for receiving the forgiveness of sins. Furthermore, this practice
|
|
didn't originate until the 5th century and wasn't officially made
|
|
compulsory until the Fourth Laterin Council in 1215 A.D. Even the Catholic
|
|
Bible challenges the concept of Catholic confession on the grounds that no
|
|
mortal man possesses the power to forgive or absolve sins, and clearly
|
|
reveals that God alone can forgive sins; "WHO CAN FORGIVE SINS BUT ONLY
|
|
GOD?" (Mk. 2:7, C.R.V.). No priest has the authority to forgive sins but
|
|
"the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" (Matt. 9:6,
|
|
J.B.V.).
|
|
|
|
By establishing a priest as the official forgiver of sins, the Catholic
|
|
Church usurps Christ's exclusive position and authority to act as the
|
|
mediator between God and man: "For there is only one God, and there is
|
|
only one mediator between God and mankind, himself a man, Christ Jesus" (I
|
|
Tim 2:5, J.B.V.; see also Heb. 8:6; 9:15). The Bible further declares
|
|
that, "if any one should sin, we have our advocate with the Father, Jesus
|
|
Christ, who is just" (I Jn. 2:1 J.B.V.).
|
|
|
|
The Scriptures also teach that each individual Christian has the privilege
|
|
of going directly to God for forgiveness: "but if we acknowledge our sins,
|
|
then God. . .will forgive our sins and purify us from everything that is
|
|
wrong" (I Jn., 1:9, J.B.V.). Even Peter confirmed that men receive the
|
|
remission of sins directly from Christ not through priests: "all who
|
|
believe in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name" (Acts
|
|
10:43, J.B.V.;see also Acts 13:38, 39).
|
|
|
|
1 Instructions for Non-Catholics, pg. 93.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PENANCE
|
|
|
|
The sacrament of penance involves the performance of good works which the
|
|
priest assigns after confession. According to Catholic teaching, God does
|
|
not cancel out all the punishment due the sinner when he is forgiven, and
|
|
thus requires works of penance to help relieve the penalty. Those sins
|
|
which cannot be fully paid by simple penance (such as "The Act of
|
|
Contrition," the recital of a given number of "Hail Marys," "Our
|
|
Fathers," or stations of the cross) must eventually be paid for by
|
|
suffering in purgatory until the debt is cleared.
|
|
|
|
However, the Scriptures say nothing about penance. God does not demand
|
|
outward penance but inward repentance, and a turning from sinful practices:
|
|
"Let the wicked man abandon his way. . .Let him turn back to Yahweh who will
|
|
take pity on him, to our God who is rich in forgiving" (Isa. 55:7, J.B.V;
|
|
see also Prov. 28:13) The Bible clearly teaches that our sins are
|
|
completely cleansed and forgiven through Christ when we repent directly to
|
|
Him; "but if we acknowledge our sins, then God. . .will forgive our sins
|
|
and purify us from everything that is wrong" (I Jn. 1:9 J.B.V.). God
|
|
bases complete, unconditional forgiveness and cleansing upon sincere
|
|
repentance and a forsaking of sin.
|
|
|
|
The main error in penance is the false assumption that Christ's sacrifice
|
|
was insufficient to totally atone for sin and must be supplemented by
|
|
human works. The Roman Catholic teaching that "penance is necessary for
|
|
salvation"(1) and "whosoever shall affirm that men are justified solely by
|
|
the imputation of the righteousness of Christ. . .let him be accursed"(2) is
|
|
a blatant perversion of the biblical teaching of justification by faith
|
|
apart from works.
|
|
|
|
The fundamental error of Catholicism is its unscriptural emphasis upon a
|
|
complicated system of salvation by good works and human effort. Though
|
|
good works are a natural outgrowth of genuine faith and salvation, they can
|
|
never save us--they are the result, not the cause of salvation. No man can
|
|
earn salvation by meritorious works. Only through the justifying grace of
|
|
God through faith are we saved: "For by grace you have been saved through
|
|
faith; and that not from yourselves, for it is the gift of God: not as the
|
|
outcome of works, lest anyone may boast" (Eph 2:8, 9, C.R.V.). Catholicism
|
|
contradicts the truth that "Man is not justified by the works of the Law,
|
|
but by the faith of Jesus Christ. . .because by the works of the Law no man
|
|
will be justified" (Gal. 2:16, C.R.V.; see also Rom. 1:17; 3:21, 22, 28;
|
|
5:1; 10:3; 11:6; Gal 2:21; Titus 3:5).
|
|
|
|
1 The Catholic Almanac, pp. 269, 559.
|
|
2 The Council of Trent.
|
|
|
|
|
|
PURGATORY
|
|
|
|
Rome teaches that when Catholics die in an unperfected state, they must
|
|
enter an intermediate realm of punishment called "purgatory" before being
|
|
released to heaven. Those who have accumulated sins which have not been
|
|
sufficiently atoned for through penance must endure the sufferings of
|
|
purgatory until the soul is refined and God's justice has been satisfied.
|
|
The torments of this halfway hell can vary in intensity, severity, and
|
|
duration depending upon the guilt, impurity, lack of proper penance, or
|
|
sorrow of the sufferer.
|
|
|
|
Catholics are kept in fear all their lives by the prospects of going to
|
|
this imaginary place. But Rome teaches that the period of suffering in
|
|
purgatory can be shortened by gifts of money, prayers by the priests, and
|
|
masses. Catholicism also stresses that friends and relatives can help
|
|
lessen the time that loved ones remain in purgatory and even relieve their
|
|
suffering by financing masses on their behalf. Rome collects millions of
|
|
dollars each year from grieving individuals who willingly pay to alleviate
|
|
the agonies of those in purgatory.
|
|
|
|
However, this frightening doctrine cannot find a single verse in the entire
|
|
Bible to support it. Rome has had to rely on ingenious twistings of the
|
|
Scriptures to defend this terrifying teaching, along with an isolated
|
|
passage from the apocryphal book of II Maccabees (12:39-45).
|
|
|
|
The concept of purgatorial sufferings after death challenges the very work
|
|
of Christ on our behalf. The Bible declares that "Christ himself. . .had
|
|
died once for sins" (I Pet. 3:18, J.B.V.). There is no more need for
|
|
further sufferings in purgatory. To demand further suffering and sacrifice
|
|
is to deny that Christ's sacrifice was sufficient the first time! Jesus
|
|
said that "he who hears my word. . .has life everlasting and does not come to
|
|
judgment, but has passed from death to life" (Jn. 5:24, C.R.V.). The Bible
|
|
also teaches that "if we acknowledge our sins, then God. . .will forgive our
|
|
sins and purify us from everything that is wrong" (1Jn. 1:9, J.B.V.); that
|
|
God remembers our sins no more (Heb. 10:17); that to die is gain, not
|
|
torment (Phil. 1:21, 22); that to be away from the body is to be at home
|
|
with the Lord (II Cor. 5:8, 9); and that those who die in Christ are
|
|
blessed and receive rest from their labors and not excruciating pain (Rev.
|
|
14:13).
|
|
|
|
|
|
INDULGENCES
|
|
|
|
An indulgence is "the remission or limited release from the temporal
|
|
punishments one must suffer in this life or in purgatory for the sins a
|
|
person has committed." Indulgences can even be granted to souls already in
|
|
purgatory to shorten their stay. Both penance and indulgences originated
|
|
during the Middle Ages and have been commonly associated with fraud and
|
|
corruption. At times, Rome has openly sold indulgences to raise revenues.
|
|
Money raised from the selling of indulgences by emissaries appointed by
|
|
Pope Leo X (1513-21 A.D.) helped finance the construction of St. Peter's
|
|
Basilica. It was the public selling of them by Friar Tetzel who claimed
|
|
that "a soul is released from purgatory and carried to heaven as soon as
|
|
the money tinkles in the box" That outraged Martin Luther and helped
|
|
launch the Protestant Reformation (1517 A.D.).
|
|
|
|
The whole system of indulgences violates Scriptural truth and cannot be
|
|
supported by the Bible. Its practice amounts to placing a price tag on
|
|
salvation and perverting the message of salvation by grace.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION
|
|
|
|
The consequence of the doctrines of penance, indulgences, and purgatory
|
|
is that Roman Catholics can never have assurance or a genuine sense of
|
|
spiritual security concerning their salvation. All that a dying Catholic
|
|
can be sure of after death is that he will suffer an indefinite period of
|
|
excruciating punishment in the flames of purgatory. In fact, the Council
|
|
of Trent even pronounced a curse upon any who presumed to say that he had
|
|
assurance of salvation, or that the whole punishment for sin is forgiven
|
|
along with that sin.
|
|
|
|
However, the Bible says that "the blood of Jesus. . .purifies us from all
|
|
sin" (I Jn. 1:7, J.B.V.). It also assures us of our salvation and eternal
|
|
life. "This is the testimony: God has given us eternal life and this life
|
|
is in his Son" (I Jn. 5:11, J.B.V.; see also 5:13). Jesus also guaranteed
|
|
us that "he who hears my word, and believes him who sent me, has life
|
|
everlasting, and does not come to judgment, but has passed from death to
|
|
life" (Jn. 5:24, C.R.V.), and "He who believes in the Son has everlasting
|
|
life; he who is believing towards the Son shall not see life, but the
|
|
wrath of God rests upon him" (Jn. 3:36, C.R.V.).
|
|
|
|
|
|
PETER
|
|
|
|
Roman Catholicism endeavors to defend the papacy by claiming that Peter was
|
|
the first pope and was personally appointed by Christ. They base this
|
|
claim upon their interpretation of Matthew 16:13-19 in which Jesus responds
|
|
to Peter's confession that He is the Christ by declaring that upon this
|
|
rock He will build His Church and will give the keys of the kingdom to
|
|
Peter to bind and loose upon the earth. The papacy claims that Peter is
|
|
the rock, and the keys represent the pope's absolute authority and
|
|
infallibility over the Church. However, Jesus was not saying He would
|
|
build His church upon Peter, but upon the simple foundational confession
|
|
of faith which Peter made that Jesus is the Christ. The church is not
|
|
built upon Peter, but Christ--Christ is the rock, not Peter (I Cor. 3:11,
|
|
12; Eph. 2:20, 21).
|
|
|
|
The "keys" symbolize the authority to open the way of salvation through the
|
|
preaching of the gospel to all those who are bound in darkness and sin.
|
|
Peter was first entrusted with the keys because he was the first to give
|
|
this confession of faith in Jesus and was instrumental in initially opening
|
|
the door of salvation to the Jews at Pentecost (Acts 2), as well as the
|
|
Gentiles at Cornelius' house (Acts 10).
|
|
|
|
However, all true disciples possess the keys when proclaiming the way of
|
|
salvation to unbelievers and offering them spiritual liberty through Christ
|
|
(Matt. 18:18).
|
|
|
|
Furthermore, the Scriptures disprove Catholic claims concerning Peter.
|
|
Neither the Bible nor Peter ever claim to be a pope, head over the church,
|
|
or in a superior position over the other apostles. He simply referred to
|
|
himself as an elder among many (I Pet. 5:1). Peter challenged the
|
|
dictatorial nature of the papacy by warning ministers not to lord over the
|
|
flock. (I Pet. 5:3). Peter refused to receive homage from men (Acts
|
|
10:25-27). Peter proved he wasn't infallible when Jesus sharply rebuked
|
|
him for challenging the need of the crucifixion (Matt. 16:23), and Paul
|
|
scolded him for his vacillation, inconsistency, and spiritual hypocrisy
|
|
(Gal. 2:11-14). Peter was married (Matt 87:14; Lk. 4:38; I Cor. 9:5).
|
|
When Paul wrote the epistle to the Romans, he greeted many believers but
|
|
never mentioned Peter (Rom.16); and what is more, apart from Catholic
|
|
tradition, there is no biblical, historical, or credible archaeological
|
|
evidence that Peter ever went to Rome or presided as its supreme bishop.
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE PRIESTHOOD
|
|
|
|
Roman Catholicism has established a priesthood which serves as mediator
|
|
between God and man to offer blood sacrifices for an individual's sins in
|
|
the form of the mass. The function and structure of the Catholic
|
|
priesthood, which includes a sacrificial system (mass), is of Jewish origin
|
|
and was abolished through Christ. Christians no longer require human
|
|
priests to serve as mediators by offering sacrifices for them or forgiving
|
|
and remitting their sins through confession.
|
|
|
|
The Bible gives no support to Rome's attempt to place the priest between
|
|
the confessor of sins and the forgiveness of sins, or to exalt the
|
|
priesthood as mediator between the sinner and God. The Bible declares that
|
|
"For there is only one God, and. . .one mediator between God and
|
|
mankind. . .Christ Jesus" (I Tim 2:5, J.B.V.), regardless of the religious
|
|
title, no man has the power to forgive sins (Mk.2:7). Furthermore, every
|
|
believer has free, unrestricted access to God's grace through prayer (Rom.
|
|
5:2; Heb. 4:16). There is no need to repeat Christ's sacrifice for sins
|
|
because it has been accomplished once and for all (Heb.9:26; 10:10-14).
|
|
Any attempts to do so is an abomination before God.
|
|
|
|
Though the New Testament lists various kinds of ministries and offices
|
|
within the church (Eph. 4:11, 12; I Cor. 12:28, 29; I Tim 3), it never
|
|
mentions the Roman Catholic concept of a priesthood. According to Peter,
|
|
the Christian priesthood is a universal priesthood consisting of all true
|
|
believers and is not the exclusive privilege of a select few: "so that you
|
|
too, THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD that offers the spiritual sacrifices. . .you are a
|
|
chosen race, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, a consecrated nation, a people set apart"
|
|
(I Peter 2:5, 9, J.B.V.; see also Rev. 1:5, 6).
|
|
|
|
The Catholic concept of the priesthood is unscriptural and didn't even
|
|
originate until the 3rd century. Furthermore, there is no reference to
|
|
such titles as archbishop, cardinal, or pope, and the requirement of the
|
|
celibacy of the priesthood is an idea condemned by the Apostle Paul (I Tim.
|
|
4:1-3). In fact, when Paul listed the qualifications for bishops (elders),
|
|
he stated that they must "not have been married more than once" (I Tim.
|
|
3:2, J.B.V.; see also Titus 1:6).
|
|
|
|
|
|
MASS
|
|
|
|
The biblical teachings concerning communion are radically opposed to the
|
|
official Roman Catholic position regarding the mass.(1) While Protestants
|
|
view communion as a source of spiritual blessing and a symbolic sacrament
|
|
commemorating Christ's sacrifice on our behalf, Catholics claim that it is
|
|
the same sacrifice as Christ's death on the cross, and view it as a re-
|
|
enactment of Christ's crucifixion on Calvary in an unbloody manner.(2)
|
|
Mass is a ritual officiated by a priest it which Christ's body is
|
|
recrucified and resacrificed for the atonement of an individual's sins.
|
|
Catholicism further teaches that the physical presence of Christ is in the
|
|
sacrifice, and that the wine and wafer ("host") are miraculously changed
|
|
into the actual blood and body of Jesus Christ (the doctrine of
|
|
Transubstantiation).
|
|
|
|
The Catholic concept of the mass was unheard of in the early church and was
|
|
not invented until 831 A.D. by a Benedictine monk named Radbertus. It did
|
|
not become an official doctrine until the Fourth Laterin Council in 1215
|
|
A.D. The doctrine of Transubstantiation wasn't proclaimed until 1215 A.D.
|
|
by Pope Innocent the III, and did not become an official creed until 1564
|
|
A.D.
|
|
|
|
The elaborate ritualism associated with the mass is unscriptural in that it
|
|
stresses that Christ's sacrifice for sins was insufficient the first time.
|
|
The Bible repeatedly stresses the finality and completeness of Christ's
|
|
sacrifice and challenges any need for it to be repeated, reoffered,
|
|
renewed, or perpetuated through mass: "And every priest indeed stands daily
|
|
ministering and often offering the same sacrifice which can never take away
|
|
sins. But Jesus, having offered ONE SACRIFICE for sins, has taken his seat
|
|
forever at the right hand of God. . .For by ONE OFFERING he has perfected
|
|
forever those who are sanctified. . .Now where there is a forgiveness of
|
|
these, there is no longer offering for sin" (Heb. 10:11, 12, 14, 18,
|
|
C.R.V.; see also 7:27; 9:12, 22-28).
|
|
|
|
Even Jesus challenged the need for repeating His sacrifice for sins when
|
|
He declared: "It is finished" (Jn. 19:30, C.R.V.); and Peter confirmed
|
|
that "Christ himself. . .died ONCE for sins, died for the guilty, to lead
|
|
us to God" (I Pet. 3:18, J.B.V.).
|
|
|
|
1 II Vatican Council documents on the mass.
|
|
2 John A. O'Brian, The Faith of Millions, pg. 382
|
|
(Roman Catholic).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RITUALISM
|
|
|
|
1. Roman Catholic Ritualism can find no basis of support in the Bible. The
|
|
gorgeous vestments, colorful processions, exotic pageantry, mystifying
|
|
symbolism, stately music, dim cathedral lighting, flickering candles,
|
|
tinkling bells, and sweet-smelling incense is contrary to the character,
|
|
conduct, and spirit of Christianity. The dazzling theatrical display of
|
|
pomp and pageantry, the splendor of priests arrayed in costly jewels and
|
|
apparel, and the elaborate spectacle of ceremonies and liturgies associated
|
|
with Roman Catholicism is hardly in keeping with the purity and simplicity
|
|
demonstrated by Christ, the apostles, and the early church. Even Peter
|
|
warned against the wearing of gold, jewelry, or the putting on of rich
|
|
robes (I Pet. 3:3, 4). The external ritualism of Roman Catholicism is a
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superficial, religious display designed to impress the natural senses, but
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lacks the transforming power of the gospel and the Spirit of Christ to
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change the heart or save a soul from hell.
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2. Images, Statues, Shrines, and Pictures -- The Roman Catholic Church
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officially sanctioned the worship of images and pictures in 787 A.D. at
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the Council of Nicaea. However, the veneration of images, statues,
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pictures, and shrines of Christ, Mary, dead saints, and angels is nothing
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more than blatant idolatry strictly forbidden by the Bible: "Thou shalt
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not make to thyself a graven thing, nor the likeness of ANYTHING that is
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in heaven above, or in the earth beneath. . .Thou shalt not adore them, nor
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serve them" (Ex. 20:4,5, C.R.V.; see also Lev. 26:1). In fact, the Bible
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pronounces a curse upon all those who do! (Deut. 27:15).
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3. The Use of Relics -- The widespread use of relics consisting of a piece
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of bone, a fragment of a saint's body, or some article which a deceased
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saint touched during his life for the purpose of adoration, worship, or
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the impartation of blessings and miracles is simply fetishism and rank
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superstition borrowed from pagan practices. It has no support in the
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Scriptures. The attributing of supernatural power to such relics is
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simply another form of idolatry condemned by the Word of God.
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4. The Use of the Rosary -- The rosary is a device consisting of a chain
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|
of beads used in the ritualistic counting of repetitious prayers such as
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Hail Marys and The Lord's Prayer. It was first introduced by a monk named
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Peter the Hermit (1090 A.D.), but was not officially sanctioned until the
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|
16th century. The repetitious recital of prayers is a heathen practice
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|
specifically condemned by Christ: "In your prayers do not babble as the
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pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make
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themselves heard. Do not be like them" (Matt. 6:7,8, J.B.V.; see also
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N.A.B.).
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5. The Wearing of the Scapular -- The Scapular is a piece of brown cloth
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|
with the picture of the Virgin Mary which is worn over the shoulders next
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|
to the skin for the purpose of protecting the wearer from evil and danger.
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It was introduced by Simon Stock, an English monk, in 1287 A.D. This, like
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the wearing of St. Christopher medals, is nothing but superstition and
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fetishism which is practiced by pagan religions and primitive tribes in
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heathen countries, and condemned as idolatry by the Bible.
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6. The Use of Incense, Candles, and Holy Water in Roman Catholic worship
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can find no grounds of support in the Bible. Christians are called to
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worship the Father in Spirit and truth. This is what the Father is seeking
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for among believers (Jn. 4:23). Our worship is not to be adulterated with
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the trappings of pagan idolatry and empty ritualism. The use of none of
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these elements can be found in the New Testament or the practice of the
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early church.
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7. Prayers, Masses, and Other Rituals for the Dead -- A common practice
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among Roman Catholics are prayers for the dead in order to improve their
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|
condition in purgatory and eternal destiny. However, these practices are
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|
in conflict with the Bible which teaches that the status of the dead,
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whether they be righteous or wicked, is fixed and irrevocable. The only
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opportunity men have for determining their eternal destiny is in this
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present life. All of our ritualism on their behalf after death avails
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|
nothing and cannot alter their condition, for "men only die once, and
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after that comes judgment" (Heb. 9:27, J.B.V.).
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CONCLUSION
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We have carefully compared the major teachings of Roman Catholicism with
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the Bible and have shown it is a religious system composed of many manmade
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practices and teachings which often contradict the clear truths contained
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in the Word of God. The Scriptural facts should offer a sobering challenge
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to all Roman Catholics who love God and earnestly desire to follow the
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truth.
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Though this booklet has not attempted to question the religious sincerity,
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|
devotion, and dedication of Catholics nor deny that some have had a
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genuine, "born-again" experience in Christ, it does endeavor to inform
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Catholics of the Scriptural errors of Roman Catholicism and challenge them
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|
accordingly.
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We must each recognize that it is difficult to serve God acceptably and be
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|
approved by Christ if we willfully continue to condone teachings or
|
|
participate in practices which violate the Holy Scriptures. Jesus revealed
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|
that the true test of commitment and love for God is obedience and loyalty
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|
to the truth: "If you love me you will keep my commandments" (Jn. 14:15,
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J.B.V.; see also I Jn. 2:3, 4; II Jn. 9). An important fruit of salvation
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|
is obedience to those truths which have been revealed to us in the Bible.
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A persistent unwillingness to respond to Scriptural truth is usually an
|
|
indication that an individual has not fully surrendered his life to
|
|
Christ's Lordship. Furthermore, the Scriptures clearly caution us that
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"Everyone who knows what is the right thing to do and doesn't do it commits
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a sin" (James 4:17, J.B.V.).
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The inevitable challenge confronting Catholics is whether they are
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|
willing to risk salvation and eternal life by continuing to rely upon a
|
|
religious system which openly contradicts the Bible. Will you take the
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|
steps to embrace God's Word without reservation and follow Christ in
|
|
absolute obedience? This is a courageous decision which each Roman
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|
Catholic must personally settle in his or her own heart. It is a crucial
|
|
choice which confronts all conscientious Catholics who sincerely desire to
|
|
embrace the truth and trust solely in Jesus Christ for their salvation.
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For a more comprehensive treatment of this important subject, we recommend
|
|
reading Roman Catholicism, by Lorraine Boettner, and Foxes Book of Martyrs,
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|
by John Foxe. For a brief overview of the main points covered in
|
|
this booklet, please reread the boldly printed words on each page.
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