Roman Catholicism
Comparison of Roman Catholicism to Our Beliefs
Brief History
The Christian Church began as the followers of Jesus Christ met on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38-47). The Holy Spirit came as promised by Jesus (John 14:16) to initiate the Church, the Bride of Christ (Rev. 22:17). Its long and methodical march through history is both historical and heartbroken. The Church met much resistance through conflicts with Jews and Romans in the early years as persecution was inflicted upon it. Later heretical teachings and ecclesial misdeeds haunted the work of those called to evangelize the world. Later, the rise of Islam gave the Church a troublesome time as it used its resources to return to free Jerusalem from Islamic domination in a period known as the Crusades (1095-1291). This proved to be disastrous and centered more on the conquest for material things rather than spiritual.
However, two great schisms caused the Church much more despondency (Eastern-West Schism in 1054 and the Reformation in 1517) from which it would never recover. The latter schism centered upon the misuse of ecclesial authority, the insistence of absolute and unwavering papal loyalty, unbiblical dogma, and questionable ethical treatises. These abuses led to many church leaders, such as Martin Luther, to demand a “reform” in order that the Christian Church return to the Great Commission and leave political aspirations to the secular. Luther, a German monk, is the personification of resentment against the corruption and abuse within the Church. He is best known for defiantly nailing of his “95 Thesis” on the door of the Wittenberg Chapel on October 31, 1517. He would soon stand trial as a heretic.
The name for Catholicism began as Ignatius of Antioch is credited with the first use of the word “catholic” meaning universal. Therefore, the Catholic Church became the Roman Catholic Church to differentiate itself from other Christian faiths formed in Protestantism. The Roman Catholic Church has over 1.1 billion members found around the world.
Acts 2:38-47
38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.John 14:6
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.Rev. 22:17
17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.-
The Trinity
Protestants and Roman Catholics recognize and affirm the same perichoresis nature about the Trinity.
God
Protestants and Roman Catholics affirm the same attributes and beliefs about God’s nature.
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Jesus
Protestants and Roman Catholics affirm the same attributes and beliefs about Jesus’ nature, birth, death, and resurrection.
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Holy Spirit
Protestants and Roman Catholics affirm the same attributes and beliefs about the Holy Spirit.
Bible
Roman Catholics affirm and believe the 66 books are authoritative but add other non-canonical books referred to as the Apocrypha. These additional books were written to instruct the Church using a variety of other writings and methods. Some were of the Old Testament era while others of the New Testament. The Council of Trent settled the matter for the Roman Church by accepting them into their version of the canon while Protestant churches rejected them outright.
Catholics should be encouraged to read the Bible (2 Tim. 3:15-17), but not the Apocrypha as they are not a part of the canon. The Apocrypha contains various texts that do not support Scripture and Jesus never quoted them, or referred to them. Many are questionable in origin, too mystical in nature, and do not support the other canonical books. Some were a part of the Gnostic Bible and therefore are not favored by any Christian denomination. An example would be the Gospel of Judas, which casts the disciple Judas Iscariot in a favorable role of an equal conspirator with Jesus as to the true mission of Christ.
It is important to remember that the Bible teaches not to add or take away from scripture, as it is God’s written word (Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18-19).
2 Tim. 3:15-17
15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.Deut. 4:2
2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you.Rev. 22:18-19
18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.Authority
Roman Catholics recognize three different forms of ecclesial authority – The Bible (including the non-canonical Apocrypha), Tradition (teachings obtained through church history and councilor action), and the Magisterium (teachings from church hierarchy). Tradition is defined as the practices, rites, dogmas, and liturgical customs of the Roman Church and are equal to scripture (C.C.C. 78; 82). The Magisterium is the most divergent part of the Roman Catholic Church as bishops and popes reveal the “mystery of the gospel” through interpretations which are treated equal to the Bible and Tradition (C.C.C. 85;87;95). (See Tradition)
Sin
The Roman Catholic Church does not dismiss that humans are sinners and God must forgive any sin. However, it defines sin as existing in two distinct categories – venial (minor) and mortal (major) (C.C.C. #1854). The venial category consists of smaller, less atrocious offenses while the mortal sin consists of murder, rape, suicide, etc. Each sin reacts differently to sanctifying grace (C.C.C. #1856; 1863).
Scripture does not teach that sin is categorized. Sin is rebellion against God committed by all who have ever lived with death as its ultimate result (Rom. 3:23; 6:23; James 2:10). God’s grace is not limited by the type of sin (John 10:27-29).
Romans 3:23
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.James 2:10
10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.John 10:27-29
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.Salvation
Baptism is necessary for salvation according to the Council of Trent – Herbst, 1. “Our Lord tied the forgiveness of sins to faith and Baptism: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved." Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification, so that "we too might walk in newness of life." (C.C.C. #977). Penance & Baptism - It is through the sacrament of Penance that the baptized can be reconciled with God and with the Church: Penance has rightly been called by the holy Fathers "a laborious kind of baptism." This sacrament of Penance is necessary for salvation for those who have fallen after Baptism, just as Baptism is necessary for salvation for those who have not yet been reborn. (C.C.C. #980). “We must hold as of faith, that out of the Apostolic Roman church there is no salvation…” Pope Pius IX – Herbst, 3.The Roman Catholic Church has nullified the Gospel of grace by requiring additional necessities for salvation, which were never intended by Jesus Christ and the apostles. The Roman Church added the need for baptism (C.C.C. #1257), church membership (C.C.C. #845), the sacraments (C.C.C. #1129), obeying the commandments (C.C.C. #2068), good works (C.C.C. #1821) and the sacrifice of the mass (C.C.C. #1405) are all necessary for salvation. These requirements are taught through the official catechism of the Roman Church and they require a strict belief in them in order to remain a catholic in good standing. This is another gospel, and those who teach it are condemned as severely as Paul condemned the Judaizers for teaching a false gospel (Galatians 1:6-9).
Gal. 1:6-9
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.Catholic priests are needed to dispense salvation through seven sacraments. From baptism through purgatory, Catholics are taught they can gain a right standing before God by what they do instead of believing what God has done for them through Christ. Catholics are taught they "can merit the graces needed for the attainment of eternal life" (C.C.C. #2027). Each Catholic must attain, through a variety of works, their own salvation (C.C.C. #1477).
Salvation is to be obtained by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning work on the cross (John 3:14-18; Acts 2:21, 4:10-12; 1 Cor. 1:18). One does not need another human in which to be saved, only Jesus Christ.
John 3:14-18
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.Acts 2:21
21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’Acts 4:10-12
10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”1 Cor. 1:18
18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.Heaven
Those who die in God's grace and friendship and are perfectly purified live for ever with Christ. They are like God for ever, for they "see him as he is," face to face: By virtue of our apostolic authority, we define the following: According to the general disposition of God, the souls of all the saints . . . and other faithful who died after receiving Christ's holy Baptism (provided they were not in need of purification when they died, . . . or, if they then did need or will need some purification, when they have been purified after death, . . .) already before they take up their bodies again and before the general judgment - and this since the Ascension of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ into heaven - have been, are and will be in heaven, in the heavenly Kingdom and celestial paradise with Christ, joined to the company of the holy angels. Since the Passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, these souls have seen and do see the divine essence with an intuitive vision, and even face to face, without the mediation of any creature. (C.C.C. #1023). The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire: As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come. (C.C.C. #1031).Nowhere does the Bible indicate a temporary abode called “purgatory” apart from heaven or hell. Christ’s blood is the only necessary means to cleanse sin (Matt. 26:28; Acts 20:28; Rom. 3:25; Eph. 1:7; 1 Peter 1:2; Rev. 1:5).
Matt. 26:28
28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.Acts 20:28
28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.Rom. 3:25
25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.Eph. 1:7
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,1 Peter 1:2
2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
“This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin." From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God. The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead: Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.” (C.C.C. #1032).Rev. 1:5
5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.The Bible neither teaches nor encourages “praying for the dead” for that is found in the Apocrypha, which is outside the canon and is not to be trusted for scriptural integrity.
A baby who dies without the benefit of baptism will go to Limbo and receive eternal happiness. – Herbst, 5.Nowhere does the Bible indicate an eternal abode called “limbo” apart from heaven or hell.
Hell
We cannot be united with God unless we freely choose to love him. But we cannot love God if we sin gravely against him, against our neighbor or against ourselves: "He who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him." Our Lord warns us that we shall be separated from him if we fail to meet the serious needs of the poor and the little ones who are his brethren. To die in mortal sin without repenting and accepting God's merciful love means remaining separated from him for ever by our own free choice. This state of definitive self- exclusion from communion with God and the blessed is called "hell." (C.C.C. #1033). Those who die in God's grace and friendship imperfectly purified, although they are assured of their eternal salvation, undergo a purification after death, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of God. (C.C.C. #1054).Scripture does not teach of a post-mortal “purification” to achieve holiness. It does teach that after comes judgment (Heb. 9:27). Therefore, the blood of Christ is sufficient to remove all sin and enable the believer to receive eternal life directly into heaven (Matt. 26:28; Rom. 3:25; Eph. 1:7; 1 John 1:7; Rev. 1:5).
Heb. 9:27
27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,Matt. 26:28
28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.Rom. 3:25
25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.Eph. 1:7
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,1 Peter 1:2
2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.1 John 1:7
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
"If anyone says that after the reception of the grace of justification the guilt is so remitted and the debt of eternal punishment so blotted out to every repentant sinner, that no debt of temporal punishment remains to be discharged either in this world or in purgatory before the gates of heaven can be opened, let him be anathema" (Council of Trent - Canon 30). Nowhere does the Bible indicate a temporary abode called “purgatory” apart from heaven or hell. Christ blood is the only means to cleanse sin (Matt. 26:28; Acts 20:28; Rom. 3:25; Eph. 1:7; 1 Peter 1:2; Rev. 1:5).Rev. 1:5
5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his bloodMatt. 26:28
28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.Acts 20:28
28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.Rom. 3:25
25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.Eph. 1:7
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,1 Peter 1:2
2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.Rev. 1:5
5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his bloodJudgement
In the presence of Christ, who is Truth itself, the truth of each man's relationship with God will be laid bare. The Last Judgment will reveal even to its furthest consequences the good each person has done or failed to do during his earthly life: All that the wicked do is recorded, and they do not know. When "our God comes, he does not keep silence.". . . he will turn towards those at his left hand: . . . "I placed my poor little ones on earth for you. I as their head was seated in heaven at the right hand of my Father - but on earth my members were suffering, my members on earth were in need. If you gave anything to my members, what you gave would reach their Head. Would that you had known that my little ones were in need when I placed them on earth for you and appointed them your stewards to bring your good works into my treasury. But you have placed nothing in their hands; therefore you have found nothing in my presence." (C.C.C. #1039).Eternal security of the believer does not reside in giving to the poor or caring for the little ones for that is a type of works based salvation, which is unbiblical. It rests completely in God’s grace through faith in the work of Jesus Christ (Acts 4:10-12). Addition conditions for eternal salvation would be contrary to the Word of God and are determined to be human efforts of works. This is one of the fundamental tenets of Luther (Rom. 1:17).
Acts 4:10-12
10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”Rom. 1:17
17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”The Role of Mary
Mary's role in the Church is inseparable from her union with Christ and flows directly from it. "This union of the mother with the Son in the work of salvation is made manifest from the time of Christ's virginal conception up to his death"; it is made manifest above all at the hour of his Passion: Thus the Blessed Virgin advanced in her pilgrimage of faith, and faithfully persevered in her union with her Son unto the cross. There she stood, in keeping with the divine plan, enduring with her only begotten Son the intensity of his suffering, joining herself with his sacrifice in her mother's heart, and lovingly consenting to the immolation of this victim, born of her: to be given, by the same Christ Jesus dying on the cross, as a mother to his disciple, with these words: "Woman, behold your son." (C.C.C. #964).Mary, although a faithful servant of God, is not a co-redeemer in the divine plan of salvation. It is presumptuous to believe that somehow Jesus did not possess the efficacy enough to get through His suffering without the presence and support of His mother. Her support, though obviously maternal, was also demonstrated along with many other followers that Jesus chose while conducting his earthly ministry. Jesus regularly sought His Father’s support to earthly work, not His mother (Luke 22:42; John 6:35-40; 8:18; 10: 17-18; 17:1-5).
Luke 22:42 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
John 6:35-40
35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”John 8:18
18 I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.”John 10:17-18
17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”John 17:1-5
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.Although the Virgin Birth is a key doctrine of Christianity, Mary served its purpose to meet Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2). However, Jesus was the first born of other children of Mary (Matt. 13:55). In other words, scripture does not speak of her remaining a virgin for life in which in which to be venerated. This position remains at odds with Catholic dogma.
Isaiah 7:14
14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.Micah 5:2
2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
"Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death." (Pius XII, 1950). The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son's Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians: In giving birth you kept your virginity; in your Dormition you did not leave the world, O Mother of God, but were joined to the source of Life. You conceived the living God and, by your prayers, will deliver our souls from death. (C.C.C. #966).Matt. 13:55
55 Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Rom. 3:23).
The Roman Church teaches that Mary is the most unique person, except for Jesus, to ever live. She is treated with great honor and possess amazing attributes such as free from original sin (C.C.C. #508), taken to heaven via an ascension, similar to Jesus, (C.C.C. #966), and is to receive special worship (C.C.C. #971). The Bible does not support any of these divine attributes toward the mother of Jesus. Most were administered to her beginning with the Council of Trent (1545-1563). "This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace continues uninterruptedly from the consent which she loyally gave at the Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross, until the eternal fulfillment of all the elect. Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation ....Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix." (C.C.C. #969).The Bible does not teach that Mary works in heaven as an advocate or mediator for our eternal salvation. That honor reserved to Jesus Christ alone (1 Tim 2:5; Heb. 9:15, 12:24; 1 John 2:1).
1 Tim. 2:5
5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,Heb. 9:15
15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.Heb. 12:24
24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
“We believe that the Holy Mother of God, the new Eve, Mother of the Church, continues in heaven to exercise her maternal role on behalf of the members of Christ" (Paul VI, CPG # 15 listed as C.C.C. #975).1 John 2:1
2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.The head of the Church is Jesus Christ and Him alone (Col. 1:18). The Bible does not teach of a mother over the Church.
Col. 1:18
18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. “It gives great joy and comfort to this holy and general Synod that even among the separated brethren there are some who give due honor to the Mother of our Lord and Saviour, especially among the Orientals, who with devout mind and fervent impulse give honor to the Mother of God, ever virgin. The entire body of the faithful pours forth instant supplications to the Mother of God and Mother of men that she, who aided the beginnings of the Church by her prayers, may now, exalted as she is above all the angels and saints, intercede before her Son in the fellowship of all the saints, until all families of people, whether they are honored with the title of Christian or whether they still do not know the Saviour, may be happily gathered together in peace and harmony into one people of God, for the glory of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity.” (Lumen Gentium #69).“By the authority of our Lord HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus" \o "Jesus" Jesus HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ" \o "Christ" Christ, of the Blessed HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_apostles" \o "Twelve apostles" Apostles HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter" \o "Peter" Peter and HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul" \o "Paul" Paul, and by our own authority, we pronounce, declare, and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma: that the HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immaculate_Conception" \o "Immaculate Conception" Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” (Pope Paul III: written in the Munificentissimus HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deus" \o "Deus" Deus on November 1, 1950).
Tradition
“This living transmission [apostolic succession], accomplished in the Holy Spirit, is called Tradition, since it is distinct from Sacred Scripture, though closely connected to it. Through Tradition, "…the Church, in her doctrine, life and worship, perpetuates and transmits to every generation all that she herself is, all that she believes. The sayings of the holy Fathers are a witness to the life-giving presence of this Tradition, showing how its riches are poured out in the practice and life of the Church, in her belief and her prayer." (C.C.C. #78).Tradition is good; for the most part, but is never to be considered equal or more important than the Scriptures. Jesus (Matt. 15: 2-3, 6; Mark 7:8-9,13), Paul (Col. 2:8), and Peter, whom the Roman Church refers to as the first pope, all warned believers to be careful of placing too much emphasis on the traditions of men (1 Peter 1:18). The Roman Church teaches that papal infallibility (C.C.C. # 85, 88, 95, 2039, 2050, 2051) is genuine as the pope is referred to as the Vicar of Christ (Christ Representative on Earth) and receives divine revelation for scriptural interpretation and ecclesiastical leadership. This was reaffirmed in 1870 (Vatican Council I, Session IV, 1870). Peter, as an example, could never be defined as “infallible” even after Pentecost (Gal. 2:11-14). Protestants believe that this self-determination of papal infallibility is not only presumptuous and arrogant but also dangerous as history proved that many popes were worldly and least of all, infallible. A blind allegiance to a human (the pope) is what caused the two great schisms (See Brief History).
Matt. 15:2-3
2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” 3 He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?Matt. 15:6
6 he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God.Mark 7:8-9 8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”9 And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!
Mark 7:13
13 thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.”Col. 2:8
8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.1 Peter 1:18
18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,
“The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ." This means that the task of interpretation has been entrusted to the bishops in communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome. (C.C.C. #80). “We teach and HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogmatic_definition" \o "Dogmatic definition" define that it is a dogma HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divinity" \o "Divinity" Divinely revealed that the Roman pontiff when he speaks ex cathedra, that is when in discharge of the office of pastor and doctor of all HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity" \o "Christianity" Christians, by virtue of his supreme Apostolic authority, he defines a doctrine regarding HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith" \o "Faith" faith or HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morality" \o "Morality" morals to be held by the universal Church, by the Divine assistance promised to him in HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Peter" \o "Saint Peter" Blessed Peter, is possessed of that infallibility with which the HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus" \o "Jesus" Divine Redeemer willed that his Church should be endowed in defining doctrine regarding faith or morals, and that therefore such definitions of the Roman pontiff are of themselves and not from the consent of the Church irreformable.” (Vatican Council I, Session IV, 1870).Gal. 2:11-14
11 “But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”Catholicism addressed the “papal infallibility” issue in the first Vatican Council as a means to give complete interpretation authority to the successor of Peter. Therefore, any “ex-cathedra” orders are to be treated as though spoken directly from an apostle. Although Protestants believe, the canon closed and no new general revelation is valid, the Roman Church proceeds forth with new general revelation a key part of papal authority.
“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.” (C.C.C. #100). "The Church knows that she is joined in many ways to the baptized who are honored by the name of Christian, but do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not preserved unity or communion under the successor of Peter." Those "who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church." With the Orthodox Churches, this communion is so profound "that it lacks little to attain the fullness that would permit a common celebration of the Lord's Eucharist." (C.C.C. #838). "If anyone says the sinner is justified by faith alone, meaning that nothing else is required to cooperate in order to obtain the grace of justification, let him be anathema." (Canon 9, Sixth Session, Council of Trent)The rulings of the Council of Trent were a direct condemnation of the Reformation leaders such as Luther. Justification is God’s grace imparted upon the believer. The believer, through faith in Christ, is justified; no other “works” are required. The Roman Church’s use of an anathema is misplaced and is not supported by scripture (Matt. 12:37; Acts 13:39; Rom. 1:17; 3:4, 24; 5:1; 8:30; 1 Cor. 6:11; Gal. 5:4).
Matt. 12:37
37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.Acts 13:39
39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.Rom. 1:17
17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”Rom. 3:4
4 By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written,“That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”Rom. 3:24
24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,Rom. 5:1
5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.Rom. 8:30
30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.1 Cor. 6:11
11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.Gal. 5:4
4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.The Catholic Church, "condemns with anathema those who say that indulgences are useless or that the Church does not have the power to grant them." (Sacred Liturgy, Chapter IV, paragraph 8, Vatican Council II).
"If any one denies, that, in the sacrament of the most holy Eucharist, are contained truly, really, and substantially, the body and blood together with the soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and consequently the whole Christ; but says that He is only there as in a sign, or in figure, or virtue; let him be anathema." (Council of Trent – Canon I).The Bible never teaches or alludes to what Catholicism regards as “transubstantiation.” That is the wafer and wine physically becoming the body and blood of Jesus Christ each time a thousand priests in a thousand masses perform this ritual daily around the world. This is contrary to scripture, which teaches that after His resurrection, Jesus took His rightful place in heaven and sprinkled His blood in the heavenly holy of holies (Heb. 9:11-14, 23-26; 10:8-13). This was a one-time event and no earthly reenactment can require God to re-administer Christ’s body and blood for perpetuity.
Heb. 9:11-14
11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.Heb. 9:23-26
23 Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.Heb. 10:8-13
8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.Regarding the Separated Brethren
“Why do the texts of the Council and those of the Magisterium since the Council not use the title of “Church” with regard to those Christian Communities born out of the Reformation of the sixteenth century?”
Papal Response
“According to Catholic doctrine, these Communities do not enjoy apostolic succession in the sacrament of Orders, and are, therefore, deprived of a constitutive element of the Church. These ecclesial Communities which, specifically because of the absence of the sacramental priesthood, have not preserved the genuine and integral substance of the Eucharistic Mystery cannot, according to Catholic doctrine, be called “Churches” in the proper sense.” The Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI, at the Audience granted to the undersigned Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, ratified and confirmed these Responses, adopted in the Plenary Session of the Congregation, and ordered their publication.” Rome, from the Offices of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, June 29, 2007, the Solemnity of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.The above official papal definition changes nothing since the Reformation of the early 16th century. Pope Benedict XVI is only reasserting the same Magistrium teaching of the past. His predecessor, Pope John Paul II reinforced the same papal position when he issued Ut Unum Sint (That All May Be One) on May 25, 1995. Therefore, those ecclesial Communities (Protestants) outside the Church are not recognized as being part of the Church and cannot hold any such claim to the same.
The True Church
The Bible requires the Church of Jesus Christ to meet certain criteria. The Church consists of individuals who each accept Christ as their Lord and Savior (Rom. 10:9-13). They in turn, serve Christ through an affiliation with a local church while still a part of the larger, universal one. The Church is the bride for which the bridegroom (Christ) will “marry” in a metaphorical sense in heaven (Rev. 21:9; 22:17). Therefore, all Christians, born again as required by Jesus (John 3:3) are secure for eternal fellowship in heaven. God’s word speaks that a return to perfect paradise is His plan for all who follow Him (Rev. 21:1-7). It is the only hope for a lost and dying world.
Rom. 10:9-13
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”Rev. 21:9
9 Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.”Rev. 22:17
17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.Rev. 21:1-7
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
