THE SERIOUS ERRORS OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
CONTRASTED WITH THE TRUTH OF THE BIBLE
A study of the more serious errors of Romanism
In order to preserve the brevity and therefore the usefulness of this
page, we are restricting our Roman Catholic source to the Catechism of
Christian Doctrine published by the Catholic Truth Society (unless
otherwise stated) which carries the imprimatur of the Church of Rome.
Arguments from RC apologists that such does not adequately state the RC
faith are dismissed on the simple grounds…why publish them then
in the first place? Why imprimatur them? These are the doctrines being
taught to Roman Catholics and those listed below are clearly refuted by
the Scripture of Truth which is the final authority on all spiritual
matters.
THE MASS
OFFICIAL TEACHING OF ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH:
The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist is the true Body and Blood of Jesus
Christ, together with his soul and divinity, under the appearances of
bread and wine. (Q266)
The bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Christ by the power of God, to whom nothing is impossible. (Q267)
The bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Christ when
the words of consecration, ordained by Jesus Christ, are pronounced by
the priest. (Q268)
The Blessed Eucharist is not a Sacrament only: it is also a sacrifice. (Q274)
A sacrifice is the offering up of a victim by a priest to God alone, in
testimony to his being the Sovereign Lord of all things. (Q275)
The Holy Mass is the Sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ,
really present on the altar under the appearances of bread and wine,
and offered to God for the living and the dead. (Q277)
The Holy Mass is the one and same sacrifice with that of the Cross,
inasmuch as Christ, who offered himself a bleeding victim, on the Cross
to his heavenly Father, continues to offer himself in an unbloody
manner on the altar, through the ministry of his priests.
(Q278)
The Sacrifice of the Mass is offered for four ends: first, to give
supreme honour and glory to God: secondly, to thank him for all our
benefits: thirdly to satisfy God for our sins and to obtain the grace
of repentance: and fourthly, to obtain all other graces and blessings
through Jesus Christ. (Q279)
WHY WE REPUDIATE THE TEACHING OF THIS CHURCH OF ROME
Jesus Christ cannot be physically in two places at one and the same
time… or else He did not have a real human body… which
denies His all important humanity. The words of institution (Matthew
26:26-28) are evidently figurative.
The Bible uses the word "is"
figuratively elsewhere: Matthew 13:38/Genesis 49:14 etc.,
To eat the literal body and drink the literal blood of Jesus Christ is, by definition, cannibalism!
No man has the power to create his Creator, as claimed by the priest of Rome.
The sacrifice of Jesus Christ was once and for all time and was offered
in the past. e is now seated at God's right hand.
He is not being
sacrificed on the Roman altars.
His sacrifice is associated with His
humiliation (Philippians 2:5-8)
His being at God's right hand (Hebrews
1:2) is associated with His glory (Philippians 2:9-11)
He cannot be
humiliated and glorified at one and the same time.
One thing is impossible to God (Cp Q267 above)…He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13)
The Mass cannot bring glory etc., to God seeing it contradicts God's word.
The mass is a damnable heresy (2 Peter 2:1)
God is already satisfied for the sins of His people through the once
for all sacrifice of Christ.
The Mass denies the finished work by
insisting it is still ongoing.
Far from bringing the grace of
repentance… belief in the blasphemy of the mass itself needs to
be repented of.
GOD'S WORD DECLARES
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we
have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no
more. (2 Corinthians 5:16)For from Israel was it also: the workman made it; therefore it is not
God: but the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces. (Hosea 8:6)
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished:
and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. (John 19:30)
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of
Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering
and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away
sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for
ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till
his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath
perfected for ever them that are sanctified…Now where remission
of these is, there is no more offering for sin. (Hebrews 10:10-14/18)
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)
Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour,
for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. (Acts 5:31)
Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not
right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and
pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
(Acts 8:21-22)
MORE DETAILED REFUTATION OF THE MASS
THE SPECIAL PLACE OF THE PRIESTHOOD
OFFICIAL TEACHING OF ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH:
"…a priest approved by a Bishop." (Q295)
Holy Order is the Sacrament by which bishops, priests and other
ministers of the Church are ordained, and receive power and grace to
perform their sacred duties. (Q 305)
Our Lord instituted the Sacrament of Penance when he breathed on his
Apostles and gave them power to forgive sins, saying, 'Whose sins you
shall forgive shall be forgiven.' (Q283)
The priest forgives sins by the power of God when he pronounces the words of absolution. (Q284)
WHY WE REPUDIATE THIS TEACHING OF THIS CHURCH OF ROME
The Bible teaches the priesthood of all believers (who offer up
spiritual sacrifices e.g. praise and does not teach that any one (other
than Christ) has an elevated priesthood.
Since there is no literal sacrifice… therefore we do not need a
literal priest. Any one purporting to claim special priesthood is
usurping the unique place of Christ.
The Bible speaks only of ordaining men to the ministry of the preaching
of the word of God (1 Timothy 4:11-14) which is entirely different to
the whole concept of the priesthood.
John 20:23 (quoted in Q283) relates the power of any spiritual
Christian to pronounce in a declarative way that a penitent's sins are
forgiven i.e. if someone credibly professes to be a Christian…he
may be assured that he has "…forgiveness of sins" (Ephesians 1:7)
The priest has special power to do so… because he has no warrant for his office.
Why did Peter not simply forgive Simon in Acts 8:21-22?
GOD'S WORD DECLARES
And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be
glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:6)
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a
peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath
called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1 Peter 2:9)
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God
continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices
God is well pleased. (Hebrews 13:15-16)
Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? (Mark 2:7)
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another... (James 5:16)
YOUR LOCAL PRIEST HAS SOMETHING TO TELL YOU
THE POPE
OFFICIAL TEACHING OF ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH:
The Church has a visible Head on earth - the Bishop of Rome, who is the Vicar of Christ. (Q86)
The Bishop of Rome is the Head of the Church because he is the
successor of St. Peter, whom Christ appointed to be head of the Church.
(Q87)
I know that Christ appointed St. Peter to be the Head of the Church
because Christ said unto him: 'Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I
will build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against
it. And to thee I will give the keys of the kingdom of Heaven. (Q88)
The Bishop of Rome is called the Pope, which word signifies Father. (Q89)
The Pope is the Spiritual Father of all Christians. (Q90)
The Pope is infallible. (Q92)
WHY WE REPUDIATE THIS TEACHING OF THIS CHURCH OF ROME
Matthew 16:18-19 says nothing about Peter or any one being the Head of
the Church.
In Matthew 16:18-19, Peter's name means stone/pebble (and
so is moveable)
Rock means unmoveable and refers to Peter's confession
regarding Christ.
The Rock in the Bible is always God.
Peter had the
keys of the Kingdom in the gospel and he used them very effectually on
the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and in bringing the gospel to the
Gentiles (Acts 10)
In this sense, every preacher has the "keys" - the
Pharisees had them and abused them (Matthew 23:13)
There is no Biblical
evidence that Peter was ever Bishop of Rome.
Paul greeted nearly 30
Roman Christians in Romans 16 without any mention to Peter.
Only God is
our Father - not Peter in any special sense. The "Vicar of Christ" is
the Holy Spirit - not a mere man.
The Bible reserves infallibility for the Bible alone.
This study alone
shows just how fallible the Pope really is when the major doctrines he
propagates are at odds with the written word of God.
GOD'S WORD DECLARES
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11)
And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. (Matthew 23:9)
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter,
that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the
world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him:
but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
(John
14:16-17)
Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way. (Psalm 119:128)
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. (Psalm 19:7)
THE BLASPHEMOUS CLAIMS OF THE POPE:
PRAYING TO/THROUGH MARY AND THE SAINTS
OFFICIAL TEACHING OF ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH:
We should ask the Angels and Saints to pray for us, because they are
our friends and brethren, and because their prayers have great power
with God. (Q158)
We can show that the Angels and Saints know what passes on earth from
the words of Christ: There shall be joy before the Angels of God upon
one sinner doing penance. (Q159)
The chief prayer to the Blessed Virgin is the Hail Mary. (Q160)
"…Holy Mary, Mother of God pray for us sinners now…"
(Q161)
WHY WE REPUDIATE THIS TEACHING OF THIS CHURCH OF ROME
We are not at liberty to take upon ourselves what is not commanded in
the word of God., especially when such contravenes Bible teaching that
Christ alone is our Mediator and way to the Father.
That the angels are aware of sinners repenting (not doing penance - a
mistranslation) is a far cry from the Romanish doctrine being
propagated here. If the glorified knew our sufferings…would
their joy not be dampened?
We are not to seek or pray to the dead. King Saul was judged when he
did so (1 Sam 28:7-8)
GOD'S WORD DECLARES
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (1 Timothy 2:5)
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)
And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto
Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee.
And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be
upon me. (2 Kings 2:9)
THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE VIRGIN MARY
OFFICIAL TEACHING OF ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH:
The Catholic Church shows great devotion to the Blessed Virgin because
she is the Immaculate Mother of God. (Q166)
WHY WE REPUDIATE THIS TEACHING OF THIS CHURCH OF ROME
Mary is nowhere declared in the Bible to be without sin…such
contradicts the Bible…if Mary never sinned…why did she
die when death is the wages of sin? (Christ died because He took the
sinner's place.)
Mary recognised her own need of a Saviour (Luke 1:47) He came to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15) and the lost (Luke 19:10)
Mary is nowhere referred to as the Mother of God.
She is the mother of
Jesus who is also God, but she could not conceive eternal Deity.
GOD'S WORD DECLARES
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin;
and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Romans
5:12)
And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God…. (Matthew 19:17)
THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF MARY
MARY IS A CO-SAVIOUR WITH JESUS CHRIST
OFFICIAL TEACHING OF ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH:
This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace continues uninterruptedly
from the consent she loyally gave at the Annunciation and which she
sustained without wavering from the cross, until the eternal fulfilment
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
under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress and Mediatrix. (1995
Catechism p221)
WHY WE REPUDIATE THIS TEACHING OF THIS CHURCH OF ROME
None of these titles are given in the Bible to Mary.
They are reserved
uniquely for Jesus Christ.
None in the Bible ever resorted to Mary for
salvation or prayed to her, even in the darkest hours.
The Mary of the
Church of Rome is another Mary…just as their Jesus is "another
Jesus" (2 Corinthians 11:4)
GOD'S WORD DECLARES
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (1 Timothy 2:5)
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name
under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)
. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ
the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: …. (1
John 2:1-2)
TRADITION IS CO- EQUAL WITH SCRIPTURE
OFFICIAL TEACHING OF ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH:
Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture make up a single sacred deposit
of the Word of God (DV 10) in which, as a mirror, the pilgrim Church
contemplates God, the source of all her riches. (1995 Catechism
p28)
WHY WE REPUDIATE THIS TEACHING OF THIS CHURCH OF ROME
Any positive Bible references to tradition (2 Thessalonians 2:5/3:6)
refer to that which was later written down and are preserved in the
Bible. Rome cannot prove that her Traditions are apostolic except by
subjecting them to the teaching of the Bible.
GOD'S WORD DECLARES
Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold
the tradition of men… And he said unto them, Full well ye reject
the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition…
Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye
have delivered: and many such like things do ye. (Mark 7:7-9/13)
SALVATION IS BY EARNED GRACE
OFFICIAL TEACHING OF ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH:
The Sacraments always give grace to those who receive them worthily. (Q250)
We ought to have great a desire to receive the Sacraments, because they are the chief means of our salvation. (Q252)
In order to receive the Blessed Sacrament worthily it is required that
we be in a state of grace and keep the prescribed fast; water does not
break this fast. (Q271)
To be in a state of grace is to be free from mortal sin, and to be pleasing to God. (Q272)
The penance given by the priest does not always make a full
satisfaction for our sins. We should therefore add to it other good
works and penances and try to gain indulgences. (Q299)
An indulgence is a remission, granted by the Church, of the temporal
punishment which often remains due to sin after its guilt has been
forgiven. (Q300)
WHY WE REPUDIATE THIS TEACHING OF THIS CHURCH OF ROME
Grace in the Bible is always given to the undeserving.
The Pharisee in
the temple trusted in the sacraments of his day and was
rejected…the poor publican simply cried out and said: God be
merciful to me a sinner...and was saved (Luke
18:10-14)
GOD'S WORD DECLARES
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it
is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians
2:8-9)
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his
mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the
Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5)
THE WAY OF SALVATION
BAPTISM
OFFICIAL TEACHING OF ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH:
Baptism is a Sacrament which cleanses us from original sin, makes us
Christians, children of God and members of the Church. (Q256)
Baptism also forgives actual sins, with all the punishment due to them,
when it is received in proper dispositions by those who have been
guilty of actual sin. (Q257)
Baptism is necessary for salvation, because Christ said: Unless a man
be born again of water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter into the
Kingdom of God. (Q261)
WHY WE REPUDIATE THIS TEACHING OF THIS CHURCH OF ROME
The only remedy for sin, prescribed in the Bible, is the blood of Jesus
Christ.
Those verses which speak of baptism saving us (Romans 6:4/Acts
2:38/1 Peter 3:21 etc.,) put the thing signified by the thing itself.
Baptism is only a sign…a badge…not the channel itself.
The Bible speaks of several who were saved without baptism e.g. the
Repentant Thief thus making a mockery of the claim that Baptism is
necessary for salvation.
The water in John 3:3 is figurative, I
believe, of the word of God (Ephesians 5:26)
GOD'S WORD DECLARES
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship
one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us
from all sin. (1 John 1:7)
WHY BAPTISM CANNOT SAVE US
DENIAL OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH ALONE
OFFICIAL TEACHING OF ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH:
Faith alone will not save us without good works: we must also have Hope
and Charity. (Q135)
WHY WE REPUDIATE THIS TEACHING OF THIS CHURCH OF ROME
Works are the evidence of salvation…not the cause or
contributing factor.
By confusing sanctification and justification,
Rome preaches another gospel as those in Galatia did (Galatians 1:8)
GOD'S WORD DECLARES
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it
is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians
2:8-9)
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (Romans 3:28)
ACCEPTANCE OF IMAGES IN WORSHIP
OFFICIAL TEACHING OF ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH:
The first commandment does not forbid the making of images, but the
making of idols; that is, it forbids us to make images to be adored or
honoured as gods. (Q181)
We should pay to the Angels and Saints an inferior honour or worship,
for this is due to them as the servants and special friends of God.
(Q185)
We should give relics, crucifixes, and holy pictures a relative honour,
as they relate to Christ and his Saints, and are memorials to them.
(Q186)
WHY WE REPUDIATE THIS TEACHING OF THIS CHURCH OF ROME
There is no mention of such items as being required or helpful for
worship in the New Testament.
They are of human invention - never a
good thing.
The distinctions which are introduced here are very fine
and exist on paper only.
St Augustine rightly observed: "No man prays
or worships looking on an image without being impressed with the idea
that it is listening to him" (Augustine: Epistle 49)
When this is the
case…this is rank idolatry.
Images were banned by the Church
Councils of Eliberius (AD 306) and Constantinople (AD 730) and rightly
so.
GOD'S WORD DECLARES
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous
man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ
and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of
these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
(Ephesians 5:5-6)
PURGATORY
OFFICIAL TEACHING OF ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH:
We are in communion with the souls in purgatory by helping them with
our prayers and good works: 'It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray
for the dead, that they may be loosed from their sins' (Q105)
Purgatory is a place where souls suffer for a time after death on account of their sins (Q106)
Those souls go to purgatory that depart this life in venial sin; or
that have not paid the debt of temporal punishment due to those sins
which the guilt has been forgiven. (Q107)
I prove that there is a purgatory from the constant teaching of the
Church; and from the doctrine of Scripture, which declares that God
will render to every man according to his works: that nothing defiled
shall enter heaven and some will be saved, 'yet so as by fire'. (Q109)
WHY WE REPUDIATE THIS TEACHING OF THIS CHURCH OF ROME
The verse which declares that it is a wholesome thought to pray for the
dead is not found in the Bible…but in the uninspired apocryphal
Book of 2nd Maccabees (12:46)
The verse quoted proves too much because
it speaks of men who died in idolatry and RC teaching is that they went
direct to hell…not purgatory.
The NT verses quoted (Matthew 16:27/ Revelation 21:27/1 Corinthians
3:15) are misapplied.
If we get what we deserved…then we
deserved an eternal hell…not a temporary purgatory.
We enter
Heaven undefiled because of the sufferings of Another even Christ (1
Peter 3:18) - His blood washing away our defilement (1 John 1:7) It is
our works which are tested by fire (1 Corinthians 3) - not our souls.
Christians go straight to Heaven when they die.
The whole family of God
are in Heaven and earth (Ephesians 3:15) - not in purgatory.
GOD'S WORD DECLARES
For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (Philippians 1:23)
We are confident, [I say], and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8)
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust,
that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but
quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18)
… when [Christ] had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Hebrews 1:3)
THE END
Cork Free Presbyterian Church, 10 Briarscourt
(Annex) Shanakiel, Cork, Ireland