The Origin of Rome's Unbiblical False Teachings

1. Prayers for the dead began about 300 A.D. - Hebrews 9:27

2. Making the sign of the cross - 300 A.D. - Matthew 6:5 & 6; 23:5

3. Wax candles (for religious purposes) about 320 A.D. - Matthew 5:14-16; 1 Timothy 1:3 & 4

4. Easter decreed throughout the Roman Empire as law by Constantine - 306-337 A.D.
Galatians 4:10 & 11; Revelation 22:18

5. Christmas invented by Pope Julius I - 337-352 A.D. - Galatians 4:10 & 11; Revelation 22:18

6. Christmas decreed as holy day by Pope Liberius - 354 A.D. - Galatians 4:10 & 11; Revelation 22:18

7. Veneration of angels and dead saints, and use of images - 375 A.D. - Exodus 20:4; Colossians 2:18

8. The Mass as a daily celebration - 394 A.D. - Proverbs 15:8; Jeremiah 5:31; Hebrews 10:10-12; Revelation 22:18

9. The beginning of the exaltation of Mary, the term “Mother of God” first applied to her at the Council of Ephesus - 431 A.D. - Corinthians 4:6; 2 Corinthians 4:2

10. Priest began to dress differently from laymen - 500 A.D. - Matthew 23:5-7;1Peter 5:1-3

11. Voluntary confession - 500 A.D. - Mark 7:6-9, 14 & 15

12. Lent fast and abstinence decreed by Council of Aurelia - 519 A.D. - Mark 7:7; Colossians 2:16-23

13. Extreme Unction - 526 A.D. - Ecclesiastes 3:14; Matthew 22:29; 2 Peter 3:16

14. The doctrine of Purgatory established by Gregory I - 593 A.D. - Proverbs 30:5 & 6; 2 John 2:9; Revelation 22:18

15. Latin Language, used in prayer and worship, imposed by Gregory I - 600 A.D. - 2 Corinthians 4:2-4; Colossians 4:3 & 4

16. Prayers directed to Mary, dead saints and angels about - 600 A.D. - Isaiah 8:19 & 20; Acts 4:12; Colossians 2:18; 1 Timothy 2:5

17. Title of Pope (means “Father”) given to Boniface III by Emporer Phocus - 610 A.D. - Matthew 23:9

18. Kissing the Pope’s foot began with Pope Constantine 709 A.D. - Acts 10:25 & 26

19. Temporal power of the popes conferred with Pepin, King of France - 750 A.D. - Jeremiah 5:30 & 31

20. Worship of the cross, images and relics authorized in 786 A.D. - Exodus 20:4 & 5; 2 John 5:21

21. Holy water mixed with a pinch of salt and blessed by a priest - 850 A.D. - Proverbs 30:5 & 6

22. Worship of St. Joseph - 890 A.D. - Isaiah 8:19 & 20; 1 John 5:21

23. College of Cardinals established - 927 A.D. - 1 Peter 5:1-3; Revelation 22:18

24. Baptism of bells instituted by Pope John XIV - 965 A.D. - Mark 7:7

25. Canonization of dead saints, first by Pope John XV - 995 A.D - Ephesians 3:8;
Philippians 4:22; 1 Corinthians 6:1; 1 Timothy 4:1

26. Fasting on Fridays and during Lent - 998 A.D. - Colossians 2:16-23

27. The Mass developed gradually as a sacrifice, attendance made obligatory in the 11^th Century - Hebrews 4:1 & 2; Hebrews 10:10-12; 1 Peter 5:2

28. Celibacy of the priesthood decreed by Pope Gregory VII - 1079 A.D. - 1 Timothy 4:1& 3

29. The Rosary, mechanical praying with beads, invented by Peter the Hermit - 1090 A.D. - Isaiah 8:19 & 20; Matthew 6:7 & 8; 1 Timothy 4:1

30. The Inquisition, instituted by the Council of Verona - 1184 A.D. - 2 Timothy 3:12

31. Sale of Indulgences - 1190 A.D. - Titus 1:11; 2 Peter 2:3

32. Transubstantiation proclaimed by Pope Innocent III - 1215 A.D. - Exodus 20:4 & 5; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 10:20 & 21

33. “Compulsory” confession of sins to a priest instead of to God, instituted by Pope Innocent III in Lateran Council - 1215 A.D. - Proverbs 30:5 & 6; 1 John 1:9

34. Adoration of the wafer (host) decreed by Pope Honorius III - 1220 A.D. - Exodus 20:4 & 5

35. Bible forbidden to laymen, placed on the Index of Forbidden Books by the Council of Valencia - 1229 A.D. - Romans 1:17 & 18; 2 Timothy 3: 15-17

36. The Scapular, invented by Simon Stock, an English monk - 1287 A.D. - Psalm 18:1-3

37. Cup forbidden to the people at communion by Council of Constance - 1414 A.D. – 1 Corinthians 10:16-32 (“we”)

38. Purgatory proclaimed as a dogma by the Council of Florence - 1438 A.D. – Proverbs 30:5 & 6; 1 John 1:9

39. The doctrine of Seven Sacraments affirmed - 1439 A.D. - Leviticus 10:1 & 2

40. The Ava Maria (part of the last half was completed 50 years later and approved by Pope Sixtus V at the end of the 16^th Century) - 1508 A.D. - 1 Corinthians 4:6- 35

41. Jesuit order founded by Loyola - 1534 A.D. - Numbers 16:1-10; 1 Timothy 4:1

42. Tradition declared of equal authority with the Bible by the Council of Trent – 1545 A.D. - Deuteronomy 4:2; Deuteronomy 12:32; Mark 7:7; Revelation 22:18 & 19

43. Apocryphal books added to the Bible by the Council of Trent - 1546 A.D. - Revelation 22:18 & 19

44. Creed of Pope Pius IV imposed as the official creed - 1560 A.D. - Romans 6:16; 1 Peter 5:2 & 3

45. Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, proclaimed by Pope Pius IX - 1854 A.D. Luke 1:46 & 47; Romans 2:10, 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:16; 1 Peter 1:21 & 22; 2 John 3:15 (Jesus)

46. Syllabus of Errors, proclaimed by Pope Pius IX and ratified by the Vatican Council; condemned freedom of religion, conscience, speech, press and scientific discoveries which are disapproved by the Roman church; asserted the Pope’s temporal authority over all civil rulers - 1867 A.D. - John 8:32; Romans 13: 1- 5; 1 Peter 2:17

47. Infallibility of the pope in matters of faith and morals, proclaimed by the Vatican Council - 1870 A.D. - Isaiah 64:6; Romans 2:10; Ephesians 5:22 & 24; 2 Timothy 3:16 & 17

48. Public schools condemned by Pope Pius XI - 1930 A.D. - Romans 13:1-5

49. Assumption of the Virgin Mary (bodily ascension into heaven shortly after her death (Ezekiel 18:4), proclaimed by Pope Pius XII - 1950 A.D. - Proverbs 30:5 & 6