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