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| Are Catholics Christian?
10 Proofs Roman Catholics Are NOT Christian The politically correct attitude is 'Don't offend them or rock the ecumenical boat. Just accept all Catholics as brothers and sisters in Christ, no questions asked.' But what about these blatantly unscriptural Catholic doctrines? Roman Catholics place their hope for eternal life in their church, the pope, good works, Mary, the Eucharist ... almost everything except the Lord Jesus Christ, who said: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through ME ..Holy Bible John 14:6 Should Christians witness to Catholics? If you really love them, 'YES' True love warns people so that they will not die in their sins, and go to Hell. This page will show you that the Roman Catholic religion is false, and how to be truly saved; through Christ ALONE 10 Unscriptural Basic Catholic Doctrines . From the 1994 Catechism of the Catholic Church 1. Salvation comes only through the Roman Catholic Church Details 2. Only the Catholic Church can forgive sins Details 3. Catholic Baptism saves Details 4. The Pope is infallible Details 5. Roman Catholic Priests are infallible Details 6. The Sacraments are necessary for salvation. Details 7. Only the Catholic Church can correctly interpret Scripture Details 8. Transubstantiation; God becomes a wafer. Details 9. The Eucharist preserves from sin. Details 10.The Virgin Mary saves. Details Salvation Through The Church Roman Catholicism teaches that salvation is available only through the Catholic church: "The Second Vatican Council's Decree on Ecumenism explains: 'For it is through Christ's Catholic Church alone, which is the universal help toward salvation, that the fullness of the means of salvation can be obtained.'" Pg. 215, #816 Here, the 1994 catechism reaffirms the existing teaching of Vatican II, that salvation can be obtained only through the Roman Catholic church. The catechism leaves no doubt that the Catholic church is necessary for salvation: "...all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body: Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation..." Pg. 224, #846 Past popes have taught this doctrine, as have previous catechisms and church fathers. Here is but one example… On May 7, 2001, Pope John Paul II told 2,000 youth gathered at the Greek- Melkite Cathedral of Damascus that "you cannot be a Christian if you reject the Church founded on Jesus Christ."1 Catholic friend, you personally may not believe this, but your pope does. And it is an official doctrine of your religion. If you check God's Word on this subject, you will not find a single verse requiring one to go through a church to be saved. In fact, the opposite is taught: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13 When Jesus died on the cross, He paid the full price for the sins of all mankind. According to God's Word, anyone can go directly to Him for salvation. Jesus Himself announced that: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:36 Jesus preached: "He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life…" John 5:24 "He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." John 6:47 Jesus repeats this message in John 3:16, 3:18, and 6:40. If the Catholic church really is necessary for salvation, then Jesus Christ is a liar. The Apostle Paul gives step by step instructions on how to be saved: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:9-10 Notice, no church is required. So if Catholicism is right, then the Apostle Paul is also a liar. And since he wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit is a liar as well. "But as many as received (trusted in) him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." John 1:12 John says you become God's child by believing in Jesus Christ. If this Catholic doctrine is true, then John's name must be added to the list of liars. But John is not a liar. Jesus never requires a church for salvation: "To him (Jesus) give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." Acts 10:43 The key is belief in Christ, not a church: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…" Romans 1:16 According to Paul, Timothy needed faith in Christ to be saved, not a church: "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3:15 When the Philippian prison guard asked Paul, "What must I do to be saved?," did Paul answer, "You must become a member of the Roman Catholic church?" No, he responded: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…" Acts 16:31 Remember when Jesus was hanging on the cross? The thief on the cross next to Him cried out: "…Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." Luke 23:42 When that dying sinner uttered those words of faith, Jesus responded by saying: "To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." Luke 23:43 Salvation is in Christ… not in a church. The catechism claims salvation comes "…through Christ's Catholic Church alone…" But God's Word says it is obtained through Jesus Christ: "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23 "… God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." 1 John 4:9 Only Christ can offer us salvation because He alone shed His blood for us: "Much more then, being now justi-fied by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." Romans 5:9 No church can offer salvation. Only Jesus can: "Neither is there salvation in any other (except Jesus): for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:10, 12 Conclusion Since the Bible and Catholicism clearly disagree, here are some questions you must answer: • If the Catholic church is necessary to escape hell and reach heaven, would not God have clearly stated it in His Word… at least once? • Why would Jesus repeatedly lie by saying that salvation is available through faith in Him? •Are you willing to call Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul and the Apostle John all liars? For your religion to be right, you must. • For centuries, Bible believing Christians have contended that this unbiblical doctrine was created to keep members in bondage. Was it? • Lastly, you must again answer the question, "Which will I obey and serve, the traditions of men, or the Word of God?" You cannot say "both" because each says the other is wrong. Someday you will stand face to face with Jesus Christ. You will look Him right in the eyes. You might want to start thinking about how you are going to tell the Lord that you rejected His teachings and obeyed the traditions of sinful men because you assumed He was lying. "For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men…" Mark 7:8 The Church Forgives Sins Catholicism teaches that it has the power and authority to forgive people's sins. Here are a few quotes from the Catechism. (Please note that whenever the Catechism mentions the "Church," it is referring to the "Roman Catholic church"): "There is no offense, however serious, that the Church cannot forgive." Pg. 256, #982 "By Christ's will, the Church possesses the power to forgive the sins of the baptized..." Pg. 257, #986 "The Church, who through the bishop and his priests forgives sins in the name of Jesus Christ..." Pg. 363-364, #1448 Does the Catholic church have power to forgive sins? Let's see what the Scriptures say: "Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?" Mark 2:7 "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32 According to Scripture, God wants His children to come straight to Him for forgiveness of sins, not to a church: "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16 This verse loudly proclaims that forgiveness of sins comes from God's throne, not from a church. Still, Catholicism teaches a contrary doctrine: "Indeed bishops and priests, by virtue of the sacrament of Holy Orders, have the power to forgive all sins 'in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.' " Pg. 367, #1461 "The Church must be able to forgive all penitents their offenses, even if they should sin until the last moment of their lives." Pg. 255, #979 However, this man-made doctrine contradicts God' s written Word. Many Bible characters freely approached God's throne for forgiveness of sins. The psalmist went straight to God: "I acknowledged my sin unto thee... I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin..." Psalm 32:5 King David went directly to God to ask forgiveness for his sins: "Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins." Psalm 25:18 In Psalm 51, David asks God for forgiveness again: "Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight..." Psalm 51:2,4 King Solomon was also aware that he and all the children of Israel could go straight to God to receive forgiveness for their sins: "Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall make toward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive." 2 Chronicles 6:21 God tells people to come to Him for forgiveness: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 God never requires anyone to go through a church to receive forgiveness for their sins. "For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee." Psalm 86:5 "... if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." Colossians 3:13 Why then would the Catholic church insist that forgiveness of sins is only available through her? The following Catechism quote provides the answer: " Were there no forgiveness of sins in the Church, there would be no hope of life to come or eternal liberation. Let us thank God who has given his Church such a gift." Pg. 256, #983 Rather than looking to Jesus for forgiveness of sins and eternal life, Roman Catholics are taught that their sins can only be forgiven through the Catholic church. Whether intentional or not, this doctrine keeps people in bondage to the Catholic church. Conclusion Once again, God' s Word stands on one side, while the traditions of men stand on the other. God says He alone forgives sins, while Catholic tradition contends that the Catholic church has the power to forgive sins. Which side will you choose? "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities..." Psalm 103:2-3 Baptism Saves The Catholic church contends that baptism is necessary for salvation: "The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation." Pg. 320, #1257 All Catholics should be aware that the Lord does not agree with this statement. The Bible teaches that salvation is a free gift that works can never buy. This doctrine was devised by Catholicism: "The Church does not know of any other means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude..." Pg. 320, #1257 "The faithful are born anew by Baptism..." Pg. 311, #1212 "Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, and are incorporated into the Church..." Pg. 312, #1213 The Bible could not disagree more: "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" John 1:12 Despite Bible verses like these, the Catechism teaches that: "Baptism not only purifies from all sins, but also makes the neophyte 'a new creature,' an adopted son of God, who has become a 'partaker of the divine nature,' member of Christ and co-heir with him, and a temple of the Holy Spirit." Pg. 322, #1265 "By Baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as all punishment for sin." Pg. 321, #1263 (See pg. 257, #985) All these doctrines violate a host of Scriptures. The Bible teaches that only Christ can forgive our sins, performing a "good work" like baptism will never do it: "In whom we have redemption through his (Christ's) blood, the forgiveness of sins..." Ephesians 1:7 If baptism is necessary for salvation, would the Apostle Paul have proclaimed: "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel..." 1 Corinthians 1:17 Or would this same great man of God have stated: "I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;" 1 Corinthians 1:14 John the Baptist's message was: "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 3:2 After people repented, then they were... "... baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins." Matthew 3:6 Listen to what the Ethiopian eunuch asked Philip as they discussed the subject of baptism: "And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Acts 8:36-37 The Bible teaches that baptism should occur after salvation, not as a requirement for salvation. When the Philippian jailer asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Paul answered: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house... And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway." Acts 16:30, 31, 33 First, they believed, then they were baptized. Baptism always follows salvation! Here's another example: "And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized." Acts 18:8 In Acts chapter two, Peter, the supposed first pope, preached. When he finished: "... they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Acts 2:41 Again, they were baptized, not to become sons of God, but because they already were sons of God. When Philip preached to the people of Samaria, first came salvation, then baptism: "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." Acts 8:12 Soon after in that same passage, Simon, a deceiving sorcerer, followed the same path: "Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip..." Acts 8:13 The Catechism states: "All the sacraments are sacred links uniting the faithful with one another and binding them to Jesus Christ, and above all Baptism, the gate by which we enter into the Church." Pg. 248, #950 Just before his death, the thief on the cross next to Jesus put his faith in Jesus Christ. Obviously, he was never baptized, but he still went to paradise. Why? Because salvation is through faith in Christ, not through baptism. The Catechism also contends that when a person is baptized, it is really Jesus Himself who is doing the baptizing: "By his (Christ's) power he is present in the sacraments so that when anybody baptizes, it is really Christ himself who baptizes." Pg. 283, #1088 Simply stated, this is another Catholic tradition not found in God's Word. Another Contradiction Here is another Catholic doctrine: "Baptism indeed is the seal of eternal life." Pg. 324, #1274 But the Bible disagrees again, stating that the eternal destiny of God's children has been sealed with the Holy Spirit: "... in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise," Ephesians 1:13 "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." Ephesians 4:30 Conclusion Is baptism necessary for salvation? Catholic tradition and God's Word are at odds. The Catechism says "yes." God's Word says "no." Who will you believe? The Pope: Infallible According to Catholic doctrine, the Pope is infallible in matters of doctrine, faith and morals. "In order to preserve the Church in the purity of the faith handed on by the apostles, Christ who is Truth willed to confer on her a share in his own infallibility. By a supernatural sense of faith the People of God, under the guidance of the Church's livi ng magisterium, unfailingly adheres to this faith." Pg. 235, #889 The Catechism restates the same belief this way: "The Roman Pontiff... enjoys this infallibility in virtue of his office, when, as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful - who confirms his brethren in the faith - he proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals... This infallibility extends as far as the deposit of divine Revelation itself." Pg. 235, #891 Sadly, this doctrine is but another tradition of men that contradicts Scripture. The Bible declares that all people are sinners. No one is perfect or infallible in anything: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23 "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" Romans 3:10 Notice, you didn't read, " no one, except the pope." Jesus is the only infallible person who ever lived: "For he (God) hath made him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin..." 2 Corinthians 5:21 Are other Catholics infallible too? The Catechism further alleges that other Catholic leaders have also somehow achieved this state of infallibility: "The pastoral duty of the Magisterium is aimed at seeing to it that the People of God abides in the truth that liberates. To fulfill this service, Christ endowed the Church' s shepherds with the charism of infallibility in matters of faith and morals." Pg. 235, #890 "The infallibility of the Magisterium of the Pastors extends to all the elements of doctrine, including moral doctrine, without which the saving truths of the faith cannot be preserved, expounded, or observed." Pg. 495, #2051 It is important to understand that God did not declare these people to be infallible, other sinful men did. Scriptures overflow with stories of sinful people. Even those whom God used the most were sinners. God referred to King David as "a man after mine own heart" (Acts 13:22), yet David was a murderer and an adulterer, among other things. The Apostle Paul and all the other apostles were sinners. Paul said of himself: "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;" Ephesians 3:8 Nobody in Scripture, except Jesus, was infallible. More questions Aside from being unscriptural, this far reaching doctrine raises other important questions which you must answer for yourself: When the pope and other Catholic leaders, who claim to be infallible, disagree with God' s Holy Word, then God must be wrong. Are you willing to accept this? Why does the Catholic church want you to believe that the pope and other Catholic leaders are infallible in matters of doctrine? Is it to bring members into further bondage and obedience to the Catholic church? Where do fallible men obtain the authority to declare other men infallible? Why does the Catholic church refuse to honor Jesus Christ by acknowledging Him as the only infallible One, as the Holy Scriptures teach? Conclusion Here is another tradition of men that raises more questions than it answers. Please don't blindly accept this Catholic doctrine as truth. Look to God's Word for answers to these questions, then settle this issue in your own heart: "And being made perfect, he (Jesus) became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" Hebrews 5:9 The Sacraments Save Are the sacraments necessary for salvation? "The Church affirms that for believers the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation." Pg. 292, #1129 What are the sacraments?: "There are seven sacraments in the Church: Baptism, Confirmation or Chrismation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony." Pg. 289, #1113 These seven sacraments are nothing more than a series of good works. As we have already seen in previous chapters, the Bible states repeatedly that good works will never save anybody: "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight..." Romans 3:20 Here is what God thinks of our good works: "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags..." Isaiah 64:6 Must one be a Catholic to be saved? Since the sacraments are supposedly necessary for salvation, and since the sacraments are only available through the Catholic church, then obviously, one must be a faithful member of the Catholic church to be saved. Though you will never hear a spokesperson for Catholicism admit it, this is exactly what this Catholic doctrine purports. I ask you again, can you accept that everyone outside the Catholic church will burn forever in hell? Traditions of men Please understand, these sacraments, which the Catholic church contends are necessary for salvation, did not even come from God. They are man- made rules which have been handed down through generations. So when you perform them, you are not obeying God, you are obeying the traditions of men. One must wonder, under such conditions, if these sacraments are really necessary, or if the Catholic church is using man's traditions to scare people into lifelong obedience to the church, under the threat of eternal damnation. Salvation: through Christ or sacraments? If sacraments are necessary for salvation, why does God's Word proclaim the following? "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." John 20:31 Paul, the Apostle, delivered these sobering words on the subject: "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18 Catholic friend: do you believe that good works like the sacraments are necessary for salvation? Do you consider it foolishness to believe that salvation can only be obtained through faith in Christ' s work on the cross? If so, God's Word warns that you will perish in hell. When Jesus declared that salvation came only through Him, not only was He telling the truth, He was repeating what He heard from the Father: "But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God..." John 8:40 To suggest that Jesus is wrong is to suggest that the Father is wrong, as well. Jesus goes on to explain why people refuse to believe His Words: "He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God." John 8:47 To accept this Catholic doctrine, you must refuse to hear God's Words. Jesus said that if you can do this, then you are not of God. Are you sure, beyond any shadow of a doubt, Roman Catholic friend, that you are of God? Are you willing to turn your back on God's Word to accept man's words. If you can, you have reason for grave concern: "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men." Acts 5:29 Interpreting God's Word Are Catholics able to interpret God's Word for themselves? "The task of interpreting the Word of God authentically has been entrusted solely to the magisterium of the Church, that is, to the Pope and to the bishops in communion with him." Pg. 30, #100 Can only the pope and the leadership of the Catholic church properly interpret God's Word? Let's go to the Bible and see how God feels about this teaching. When Paul and Silas preached in Berea, the people: "... received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." Acts 17:11 In other words, they interpreted the Scriptures for themselves with the help of the Holy Spirit. "And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?" Mark 12:24 Why did Jesus chastise the Sadducees for not knowing the Scriptures if it was impossible for them to interpret them? And why did Peter, Catholicism's first " pope," declare the following? "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." 2 Peter 1:20 Why does Paul instruct us to study the Bible if we can't interpret it? "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 Jesus admonished the Jews to: "Search the scriptures..." John 5:39 Why would He do that, if He knew they couldn't interpret them? Who does the interpreting? The Bible reveals that the Holy Spirit, not a group of men, will interpret Scripture for God's children and will help them to understand all things: "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26 "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth..." John 16:13 The Apostle Paul recognized that the Holy Spirit was the One who taught him: "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." 1 Corinthians 2:13 "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." 1 Corinthians 2:12 Why are Christians commanded to memorize the Scriptures if they can' t understand them? "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11 "Keep my commandments, and live... write them upon the table of thine heart." Proverbs 7:2-3 A warning The following verses of Scripture should alarm anyone who believes they need a church to interpret the Bible for them: "These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie , and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." 1 John 2:26-27 Could God's position be any plainer? Conclusion Why is the Catholic church so determined to interpret the Scriptures for you? Is it because they want to control you and keep you in bondage to Catholicism? Are they afraid that if you read the Scriptures for yourself, you might discover that Catholic doctrines are contrary to God's Word? Do you really believe that all non-Catholics are groping around in spiritual blindness, needing the Catholic church to interpret the Bible for them? You must settle these things in your own mind, but your most important decision is: "Who will interpret Scripture for you... the Holy Spirit of God or the Roman Catholic church?" Your answer to that question will determine who you will obey and eventually where you will spend eternity: "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. " Psalm 119:97-99 Transubstantiation During the mass, priests allegedly have the power to supernaturally turn the bread and wine into the actual and literal body and blood of Jesus Christ: "The Council of Trent summarizes the Catholic faith by declaring: "Because Christ our Redeemer said that it was truly his body that he was offering under the species of bread, it has always been the conviction of the Church of God, and this holy Council now declares again, that by the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of his blood. This change the holy Catholic Church has fittingly and properly called transubstantiation." Pg. 347, #1376. This Catechism quote reveals that the Catholic church still adheres to this doctrine which was defined at the Council of Trent: "At the heart of the Eucharistic celebration are the bread and wine that, by the words of Christ and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, become Christ's Body and Blood." Pg. 336 # 1333 The Catechism even specifies when Christ comes into the eucharist and how long He stays: "The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of the consecration and endures as long as the Eucharistic species subsist. Christ is present whole and entire in each of the species and whole and entire in each of their parts, in such a way that the breaking of the bread does not divide Christ." Pg. 347 #1377 Since Catholicism is teaching members to partake in literal cannibalism, this doctrine requires serious examination. To begin with, we must determine this doctrine's origin. Is it from God, or is it a tradition of men? Catholicism insists it is scriptural, citing the words of Jesus in John 6: "Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:53-54 Though this one verse does appear to teach cannibalism, if you read the entire passage in context, the meaning becomes clear. Right before making that statement, Jesus said: "... For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." John 6:33-35 This teaching is consistent with the rest of Scripture. Eternal life comes through believing in Jesus Christ, not eating His body. The Lord goes on to further clarify: "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life..." John 6:40 Again, Jesus points out that eternal life comes through believing in Him. When the Lord's disciples murmured at His words, Jesus explained: "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63 Jesus was talking spiritually, not physically. He was explaining that spiritually, all life comes through faith in Him, not eating His body. Nowhere else in the Bible does God endorse cannibalism. In fact, God forbids the practice: "But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat." Genesis 9:4 "... No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood." Leviticus 17:12 God would never command His children to do something He had already forbidden. The Biblical purpose Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians 11 shed even more light on this matter: "For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me." 1 Corinthians 11:23-24 When Jesus said, "Take, eat: this is my body," He was not suggesting that they reach out and begin eating His literal body. To even suggest such is ridiculous. He was speaking spiritually about what He was about to accomplish on the cross. Notice how that verse ends: "...this do in remembrance of me." Observing the Lord's Supper is a remembrance of Christ's work at Calvary, not a reenactment. The same is true of Christ's blood: "After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me." 1 Corinthians 11:25 Jesus Himself taught the same lesson to his disciples at the Last Supper: "And he (Jesus) 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." Luke 22:19 Conclusion Since transubstantiation is another unscriptural Catholic tradition of men, several more intriguing questions await an answer: Why does the Catholic church deliberately take one verse of Scripture out of context and build a doctrine the Bible obviously does not teach? Why would the Catholic church rather have you eating God than placing your faith in Him? Most importantly, can you knowingly partake in this practice now that you know the truth? "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17 Eucharist: Preserves from Sin Does partaking of the Eucharist have power to cleanse Catholics from past sins and preserve them from future sins? "For this reason the Eucharist cannot unite us to Christ without at the same time cleansing us from past sins and preserving us from future sins:" Pg. 351, #1393 "By the same charity that it enkindles in us, the Eucharist preserves us from future mortal sins." Pg. 352, #1395 Once again, God's Word and Catholic tradition couldn't be farther apart. Regarding cleansing from past sins, the Bible declares that all sins are washed away through the blood of Jesus Christ: "...the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7 "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness...Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood," Revelation 1:5 The Catechism strips away from Christ the credit He alone deserves for cleansing people from their sins, and credits instead a wafer with accomplishing that task. Why is Jesus demoted again? "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthians 6:11 Preserving from future sins There is no scriptural evidence that eating a piece of bread will preserve anyone from future sins. This doctrine's only practical function is to keep members returning to the Catholic church to receive the Eucharist, in hopes that it will help preserve them from sin. Aside from holding people in bondage to the church, there is little else such a practice can accomplish. Though God's Word does not endorse this practice, it does suggest a way you can protect yourself from sin: "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11 "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word." Psalm 119:9 To preserve yourself from sin, God suggests that you read, memorize and obey the Bible. Curiously, the Catholic church disagrees. It seems that the Catholic leadership would rather have you looking to the church for help than to God's Word. You must decide why: "The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil..." Psalm 121:7 "Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah." Psalm 32:7 "And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." 2 Timothy 4:18 Conclusion To cleanse you from past sins and protect you from future sins, Catholicism demands that you look to a piece of bread. It is imperative that you understand that this tradition of men directly contradicts God's Word. To obey this Catholic doctrine, you must reject Holy Scriptures. Do you really want to do this? "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. " Jude 1:24-25 Mary Saves Does Mary, the mother of Jesus, play a role in the salvation of mankind?: "Taken up to heaven she (Mary) did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation..." Pg. 252, #969 "Being obedient she (Mary) became the cause of salvation for herself and for the whole human race." Pg. 125, #494 Is this doctrine scriptural? According to God's Word, Mary has never had anything to do with the salvation process. Scripture reveals that Jesus is the ONLY One who can provide salvation: "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 Jesus Himself declared that He is the ONLY way to heaven: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6 "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved... " John 10:9 Still the Catechism insists: "She (Mary) is inseparably linked with the saving work of her Son." Pg. 303, #1172 Once again, it comes down to who you will believe, the Bible or church tradition. The Bible is unmistakably clear: "I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour." Isaiah 43:11 "Yet I am the LORD thy God... there is no saviour beside me." Hosea 13:4 "The God of my rock he is... my saviour..." 2 Samuel 22:3 Before Jesus was born, an angel announced that He would be the Savior: "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21 After Jesus' birth, the angel repeated himself: "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11 Over and over, we read that Jesus is the Savior: "... we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world." John 4:42 "Him (Jesus) hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour..." Acts 5:31 "Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:" Acts 13:23 "But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ..." 2 Timothy 1:10 "Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour." Titus 1:4 "Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;" Titus 3:6 "... the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world." 1 John 4:14 Look at the words of Peter, recognized as Catholicism's first pope: "... through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:" 2 Peter 1:1 "... into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:11 "... through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ..." 2 Peter 2:20 Certainly, Peter knew that Jesus, not Mary, was the Savior. Peter glorified Jesus as the Savior, not Mary: "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." 2 Peter 3:18 This same Peter declares that: "... ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:" 1 Peter 1:18-19 Without question, Jesus is the Savior, not Mary. Conclusion The facts of this chapter leave several questions needing answers: Why does the Catholic church want people looking to Mary instead of Jesus for salvation? Why is glory stolen from Jesus and given to Mary? If Mary plays a role in salvation, why didn' t God tell us so in His Word? Most importantly, who will you trust to save you? The Mary of church tradition, or the Jesus of God' s Word? "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:" Philippians 3:20 The Mass If the Catechism is to be believed, then each time the Mass is performed, Christ's work on the cross is made present and the work of our redemption is carried out: "In this divine sacrifice which is celebrated in the Mass, the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and is offered in an unbloody manner." Pg. 344, #1367 "When the Church celebrates the Eucharist, she commemorates Christ's Passover, and it is made present. As often as the sacrifice of the Cross by which Christ our Pasch has been sacrificed is celebrated on the altar, the work of our redemption is carried out." Pg. 343, #1364 But the Bible reveals that the work of redemption was a one time act which was completed when Jesus died on the cross: "...but now once in the end of the world hath he (Jesus) appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself." Hebrews 9:26 "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Hebrews 10:10 When Jesus shed His blood, that one time act purchased eternal redemption for all who would put their faith and trust in Christ alone: "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he (Jesus) entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." Hebrews 9:12 The Bible specifically states that this sacrifice need not be done daily: "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 7:27 Yet the Catechism is adamant that: "Every time this mystery is celebrated, 'the work of our redemption is carried on' ..." Pg. 354, #1405 But God's Word is equally adamant that Christ's death was a one time event: "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many..." Hebrews 9:28 "But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;" Hebrews 10:12 Jesus did all the work necessary to procure man's salvation when He died on the cross. No further work has ever been needed. Who gets the credit? For the Catechism to claim that the Catholic church plays a part in the redemptive work of Christ is to steal from the Lord Jesus credit He alone deserves for the work He accomplished at Calvary. According to God's Word, Christ did it all, once and for all. His death was a divine act, the most wonderful sacrifice ever made. It occurred once, never to be repeated again. Still the Catechism insists: "The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice." Pg. 344 # 1367 As lovingly as possible it must be said that this statement is purely sacrilegious. To suggest that a priest performing a religious ritual is a part of the torturous death Jesus endured is nothing short of blasphemy. To associate the rituals of the Catholic church with Christ's work on the cross is ludicrous. The Catholic church played no part in the work that made redemption possible and it deserves no credit. Once again, Catholicism tries to force Christ to share His glory with the Catholic church, while the Bible shows that Jesus alone deserves the glory. Conclusion Where will you place your trust? In the Word of God... or the traditions and teaching of the Catholic church? "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:" 1 Peter 3:18 Click Here To Main Menu |