CATHOLIC BELIEFS AND THE SCRIPTURES

The Catholic Church has many traditions and doctrines that are contrary to the Bible. The teachings are listed along with the Biblical response, decide for yourself

1. The scriptures alone are sufficient; Deut. 4:2, Isa. 8:20, 2Tim. 3:15-17, Rev. 22:18-19.

2. That the commandments of God are made of no effect by the traditions of men. Matt. 15:1-9. And that in vs.9 that those who teach the commandments of men as doctrine worship God in vain.

3. That there is no redemption in corruptible things received by tradition. 1Pet. 1:18.

4. The scriptures are for ALL. John 5:39, Acts 17:10-12, 1Pet. 2:2, 2Pet. 1:19-21, Rev. 3:1, and especially Mark 9:38-41.

NOTE: You might ask; If you alone have the right Bible, then why do you keep it from the people and only allow the priests to study it?

1. First let it be said that the word "Catholic" does not appear in the scriptures anywhere. The church is referred to as having several names in the scriptures.

A) It is referred to as the "church of God" in many places; Acts 20:28, 1Cor. 1:2, 10:32, 11:16,22, 15:9, 2Cor. 1:1, Gal. 1:13, 1Thess. 2:14, 2Thess. 1:4, 1Tim. 3:5,15.

B) It is also referred to by many other names; "church of Christ" Rom. 16:16, "church of saints" 1Cor.14:33, "church of Galatia" Gal. 1:2, 1Cor. 16:1, "church of Asia" 1Cor.16:19, "church of Thessalonica" 1Thess. 1:1, 2Thess. 1:1, "church of Macedonia" 2Cor. 8:1, "church of Judea" Gal. 1:22, and each of the churches in Rev. chapters 2&3 are named after each city. They are never referred to as "Catholic".

C) It should also be noted that the only title given to the followers other than saints, elect, sons, and other POSITION titles, was the name "Christians", Acts 11:26, 26:28, 1Pet. 4:16. Not Catholic.

2. The Bible makes it clear that salvation is for "ALL" that believe, John 3:16, and vs. 36 says "He that believeth" not "He that believeth and joins the Catholic Church". Salvation is in a belief in Jesus, His death, burial, and resurrection, and deity, and atoning work; NOT IN A MEMBERSHIP IN A TRADITION RUN CHURCH, BE IT CATHOLIC OR ANY OTHER.

3. The Bible makes it clear that salvation is not based on ANY works that we can do, Eph. 2:8-9, 2Tim. 1:9, Titus 3:5, and others. Jesus made it clear in John 3:16 that He died for "the world": NO PLACE in the scriptures indicates that salvation is only for a "select" few that belong to a specifically named group. In fact Jesus tried His whole ministry to convey this to the "tradition enslaved" Jewish religious followers of the blind Pharisees.

4. Salvation is in your belief and faith, not in what "title" you may bear. In fact no believer should be concerned with what title the congregation they attend bears, but should be extremely concerned if the leaders of that group stray from the Bible in any way and enact doctrines contrary to it. Maybe we as believers should just be content with being called a "believer" when asked, and not be concerned with any other titles.

1. Peter denies that the church was built on him, 1Pet. 2:4-8.

2. The church was built on Christ, Matt. 16:18; In this verse the Greek word for Peter is " petros " which means, a piece of rock; and the Greek word for Rock ( referring to the church) in this verse is " petra " which means, a massive rock.

3. Peter never claimed to be the head of the church, in fact it is very clear in the scriptures that there is only one head. 1Pet. 2:4-8, Eph. 5:23, Col. 1:18.

4. Peter did not claim superiority. 1Pet. 5:1, neither did Paul, 2Cor. 11:5.

5. James not Peter, presided at the first church council at Jerusalem. Acts 15:13,19. In fact Christ taught them NOT to exercise dominion over anyone, Matt. 20: 25-28.

NOTE: Isn't it odd that the first "Papa" or "Pope" mentioned is the sixth century!

6. They also claim that the Popes are successors to Peter, yet scriptures never indicate that; (man made tradition), in fact scriptures only indicate one such succession and that was only to complete the twelve. Acts 1:15-26. Notice the rule which applied to the successor also: Must have companied with Christ from the baptism of John to the ascension, Acts 1:21-22. Obviously the popes of our time are either extremely old, or they are above the requirements of God on this issue.

7. When James (who was scripturally the first leader of the church) was killed they did not meet and select a successor for him as with Judas, Acts 12:1-5.

8. If the Pope is infallible, then Peter was not a good one, for he was fallible many times, in fact Paul had to confront him publicly, Gal. 2:11-14.

NOTE: If the claim is that Peter was only infallible in spiritual matters; well this was a spiritual matter.

9. That the Popes and priests should live in an unmarried state; obviously Peter was not a Catholic Pope, he was married, Matt. 8:14, Mark 1:30, Lk. 4:38, and even Paul said Peter had a wife, 1Cor. 9:5.

10. The Popes in many ways are worshipped, priests and cardinals bowing down and kissing his ring(sound familiar; pagan kings), Peter would not allow it, Acts 10:25-26, neither would Paul, Acts 14: 11-15, Christ forbade worshipping of men, Matt. 4:10, not even angels accept it, Rev. 19:10, 22:8-9. I guess the Popes feel superior to all these.

1. There is ONLY ONE mediator between God and man and that is Christ, 1: Tim. 2:5,

2. Jesus said, "Come unto me", Matt. 11:28, not "go to Peter or some priest".

3. The book of Hebrews tells us that Christ is the only means of access, Heb. 9:11-22, 10: 10-15.

4. Christ has the only unchangeable priesthood, Heb. 7:11-24.

5. The Bible speaks of only one earthly priesthood, and it involves EVERY believer, 1Pet. 2:5&9, Rev. 1:5-6.

1. Jesus said "call no man your father upon the earth", Matt. 23:9: obviously indicating that no one on earth should take a title reserved for God alone. If you read the entire chapter (which is recommended) you can plainly see that Jesus is not referring to calling your birth father "father", but clearly speaking of a spiritual usage. The priest will say that Paul referred to himself as a father, but you read the section of scripture yourself and find ONE PLACE where Paul tells them to call him father, 1Cor. 4:10-16. What they do is make a scripture fit their tradition as they always do, in fact Matt. 23:1-36 is a very accurate description of the Catholic priesthood. What Paul is saying is that these people were saved under his preaching and in that manner he is their " spiritual father ", but nowhere asks them or any of his converts to call him "father".

2. It wasn't until the Council of Trent that the Catholic hierarchy decided that the priests could absolve sin, unfortunately the forgiveness of sins is reserved only for God. Mark 2:6-10, 1John 1:9, 2:1. Isn't it interesting that in Mark 2:6-10 that even the priests knew that only God could forgive sins, but apparently the priests of the Catholic church are superior to the priests who followed the law for 2000 years.

1. Scriptures teach against this doctrine, Hebrews 9:27.

2. Jesus made it clear there was no second chance even for someone desperately wanting one, Luke 16:19-31.

NOTE: The word Purgatory nor the concept appear anywhere in scripture.

1. Forgiveness of sins belongs to God alone, Mark 2:6-10, 1John 1:9, 2:1.

2. Redemption cannot be purchased with silver or gold, 1Pet. 1:18.

1. Christ was materially present "outside" of the bread and the fruit of the vine when He said, "This is my body," and "This is my blood", Matt. 26:26-28.

2. When Jesus said He was a vine (John 15:1) and a door (John 10:9), He did not become a literal vine or door.

3. The Lord's Supper commemorates a "FINISHED" sacrifice, Luke 22:19.

4. Repeating of Christ's sacrifice is strictly forbidden, Hebrews 6:6, 9:25-26, 10:11-12.

5. The Lord's Supper is not a sacrifice, but a remembrance, 1Cor. 11:26.

6. The bread and the fruit of the vine are to be given to all Christians, Matt. 26:27, Mark 14:23, 1Cor. 11:28.

7. A bloody sacrifice is the only one acceptable, Heb. 10:10, and only one sacrifice of Christ, Heb. 10:12.

1. The scriptures NEVER call Mary by these titles.

2. The scriptures teach that Mary was like other women, subject to the same laws and weaknesses, Luke 2:22.

3. Jesus gave Mary no special recognition and only considered her to be human, Matt. 12:46-50, Mark 3:31-35, Luke 8:19-21, John 2:3-5.

4. Mary realized Jesus was her Savior, Luke 1:47. You wouldn't think the "Mother of God" would need a Savior.

5. The angels directed the shepherds to "the babe", not Mary, (Luke 2:12) and the worship was directed to Jesus not Mary, (Luke 2:15-20).

6. Mary did not hold any position of authority in the first church, Acts 1:4.

7. Mary commands men to follow Jesus, not her, John 2:5.

1. The use of images is forbidden (no exceptions given), Ex. 20:4, Isa. 42:8.

2. In the same scripture (Ex. 20:4) it clearly states "no graven images".

NOTE: Catholicism ascribes to different images of the same personage different attributes, so this does make the image the object of worship.

1. Scripture says that the dead hear, and are aware of nothing, Eccl. 9:6.

2. Scripture is VERY clear that there is only ONE mediator between man and God, John 14:6, 1Tim. 2:5.

3. Scripture forbids angel worship, Col. 2:18.

4. Angels are created servants and it would be IDOLATRY to worship them, Heb. 1:5-13, Rev. 22:8-9.

5. From Genesis to Revelation, there is only "ONE" reference of anyone praying to a dead person(saint). This only reference is in 1Sam. 28 where Saul goes to a witch to have her bring up the spirit of Samuel so he can ask him for instructions because God would not hear his prayers. First let us look at the setting here; Saul has to go to a witch because God would not answer him because of disobedience. This does not present a very Godly atmosphere for this practice, in fact just the opposite.

There are many other areas that could be added, but hopefully this is enough to show the enormous error of traditions with no scriptural support. The scriptures are the "foundation" of the Christian belief and it is vitally important to never stray from the guideline that gives us the structure and principle's to keep us from error. Paul seen this apostate church coming and warned the elders of Ephesus, Acts 20:29-30. He warned that grievous wolves would arise to leadership and enter in from among ambitious elders and Peter admonished against lording over God's heritage, 1Pet. 5:3.

There was a plurality of bishops or elders in each church, ( Phil. 1:1, Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5) but no bishop or elder ever ruled over a plurality of churches until the apostasy came. The apostasy came when bishops or elders were appointed over a district, archbishops over many districts, cardinals over all these, and finally a pope over all. Authority was usurped in writing creeds and binding them on the consciences of men (sound familiar? the Pharisees, Matt. 23). Paul said, "The Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils....forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats", (1Tim. 4:1&3). NOTE: Isn't it interesting that the Catholic Church forbids priests to marry, and commands the church members to abstain from meats on certain days?

Peter saw the same apostasy approaching and told that false teachers would arise, 2Pet. 2:1. Jude also saw the same thing and realized it was a fulfillment of all the apostles had spoken concerning the falling away, Jude 17-19. Catholics have added to the scriptures so much over the years, that most Catholics can not see the teaching of God's Word. What they do see is ritual and tradition that have been piled on top of God's Word over hundreds of years by the Catholic Church. Many of these rituals and traditions have kept Catholics from knowing the simplicity of God's true Word. The Catholic Church has added doctrines, traditions, and ideas of men which are not found in the Scriptures and which are in fact contrary to them.

The Catholic Church has continued to teach these doctrines and traditions as if they are scriptural. It was not until 1545, at the Council of Trent, that the Roman Catholic Church declared for the first time it's official position that tradition was now to be in equal authority with God's Word, the Bible. Once the Church made tradition equal in authority with God's Word, it had the freedom to add more and more traditions, including such ideas as the immaculate conception of Mary, that she was born without original sin, that Mary lived a life of sinlessness, that she was lifted into heaven, and that she did not die. In the eyes of Roman Catholics, Mary truly became the Mother of God and the Mother of the Church. Many things could be added such as monks, nuns, monasteries, convents, a 40-day Lent, Holy Week, Ash Wednesday, All Saints Day, etc.. I think you can see the point.

For Protestants, the Bible is sufficient as the standard of our faith. For Roman Catholics, the Bible is not the sufficient rule of faith, but the Bible plus TRADITION. The Catholic Church does not encourage its members to follow Scripture, but the traditions it has established and placed above the Bible. The real rule of faith for a Roman Catholic is not the Bible, or even the Bible and tradition, but the Roman Catholic Church itself. The Church with its decrees and dogmas, has become the final authority for Roman Catholics. I challenge any Catholic who reads this, (and I pray that many do) to read "Foxxe's book of Martyrs", and see what you think. Don't go to the priest and ask his permission; of course he will not want you to find out the truth. Do it for yourself, what have you got to lose? I challenge you to follow Biblical instruction, " Study to show YOURSELF approved unto God. . . rightly dividing the word of truth." 2Tim. 2:15; because "from a child YOU have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make YOU wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is PROFITABLE for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness: That the man of God (that is all who believe in, and have accepted Jesus as their Savior) may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2Tim. 3:15-17. After reading these verses, can you say that from a child you were encouraged to study the scriptures yourself. The truth is that the priests have always kept the scriptures hidden from the people to keep them ignorant of the truth. This way the people are dependent upon the priest to get spiritual guidance instead of the scriptures; this is how the Catholic Church has kept control of it's people, because they don't know what the scriptures really say and depend on the priest for all their answers. It is a means of control and the scare tactic to keep this control is to tell the people that the Catholic Church is the only true church and if they depart from the church or reject the priests authority, they are condemned to hell. If your salvation was dependent upon following the priests or church's guidance; then doesn't that take out the factor of "believing by faith in Christ, His word, and His work"? If you have any questions, I would love to help in whatever way I can, feel free to contact me.

Adam Bartlett