Author: hillturnfs

When the Roman emperor Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the empire in 313 AD the pagan temples in Rome became Christian houses of worship and the pagan priests simply adopted Christianity. They also incorporated some of their previous pagan traditions into the church such as holy water and, more importantly, goddess worship. The Roman Catholic church catechism declares that Mary, the mother of Jesus, is responsible for the salvation of mankind and not Jesus Christ. According to God’s Word, Mary never had anything to do with the salvation process. Scripture reveals that Jesus is the only one who can provide salvation.

Acts 4:12 – (referring to Jesus) – Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

John 14:6 – (Jesus speaking) – I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John 10:9 – (Jesus speaking) – I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

Jesus is mentioned in just about every book of the Bible while Mary is only briefly mentioned and where Mary is mentioned she freely admits her need for the saving grace of the Lord. Anyone with half a brain who actually takes the time to read God’s Word can’t miss the fact that the Bible is Christ-centered. Christ is Christianity. Christianity means, “Christ’s men,” and not, “Mary’s men” or “the Pope’s men.” It is abundantly clear in Scripture that it’s faith in Jesus that saves our eternal soul and to believe otherwise is the ultimate sin and blasphemy before God and the wrath of God will abide on those who believe in such nonsense. The Catholic church has chosen to establish this unscriptural tradition of men which usurps the honor and glory of Jesus for His atoning death on the cross for our sins. Mary is weeping in heaven over this injustice.

Isaiah 43:11 – I, even I, am the LORD; and beside Me there is no Savior.

Hosea 13:4 – Yet I am the LORD thy God….there is no Savior besides Me.

John 4:42 – We have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.

Will you believe the clear teachings of the Word of God or will you believe the doctrines of men who have a vested interest in keeping people in spiritual bondage their whole lives? You’d better be right on this issue because your eternal destiny hangs in the balance. There’s a reason why the Catholic church doesn’t promote individual Bible study or stray far from selected Bible passages during their services. The church seeks to discourage members from reading their Bibles and discovering verses that clearly contradict the church’s traditions of men that are clearly unscriptural. The Catholic church doesn’t want members to question the tenets of the Catholic faith so they threaten them will eternal damnation if they stray from the traditions of the faith. That is the definition of spiritual bondage.

A loving God wants all believers to have the peace and security of knowing they have eternal life and that’s clearly expressed on the Bible. Catholicism calls this the sin of presumption because the church has a vested interest in keeping all church members in spiritual bondage. The church wants to keep everyone in fear of the fires of hell in order to keep the members coming to church, doing good works and giving their money to the church. The Catholic church wants you to believe you can earn your way to heaven by good works but the Bible is clear that salvation is a free gift of God.

1 John 2:25 – And this is the promise that He has promised us – eternal life.

John 6:47 – (Jesus speaking) – Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.

Infant Baptism is one of the most critical doctrines of the Catholic church and they admit it’s a man-made tradition. It further ties the child and the family to the church. As I’ve said previously, Baptism is the outward showing of the inner faith of the believer. Baptism is used in Scripture in this manner and nowhere is Baptism viewed as act that saves someone unto eternal life. To be saved requires the acceptance of Jesus Christ as someone’s personal Lord and Savior. It’s obvious an infant can’t do that. The spirits of all children who die before reaching the age of decision go directly to heaven by the grace of God. Sprinkling water on a child’s forehead during a man-made ceremony does not save the child because they are saved already by God’s grace due to their innocence.

Mark 7:9 – (Jesus speaking) – All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.

The Catholic catechism teaches there are varying degrees of sin. There are minor sins called venial sins and then there are mortal sins. This is not scriptural. God’s Word makes no such distinction; sin is sin. Catholicism keeps its members in spiritual bondage by declaring lowly sinners can help pay for varying degrees of sin through their good works. The Catholic church is saying Jesus’ death on the cross was not enough on its own to wash away the sins of men. This robs Jesus of the honor and glory that He deserves for His atoning death on the cross. That is a disgrace!

Hebrews 10:12 – But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.

Hebrews 10:17-18 – Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more. Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

Let’s review some of the tenets of Catholicism. Catholics are taught that salvation is available only through the Catholic church but the Bible, which was written before their were any established churches, says otherwise. When the Bible mentions church it is referring to the body of believers in Jesus Christ. Salvation is in Christ, not in a church. Catholic doctrine requires continual performance of good works which is just the opposite of what the Bible says.

John 1:12 – But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.

Ephesians 2:8-9 – For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Catholicism teaches it’s the only true church of God and it has the power and authority to forgive sins. The church makes this boast because they claim the Apostle Peter as their first Pope. According to the Catholic church Peter established the church under the authority and direction of Jesus Christ. The Catholic church bases their whole authority on Matthew 16:18. Unfortunately, Catholicism has taken this verse out of context and misinterpreted it. The rock Jesus was referring to was not Peter but the fact that Jesus was himself the Christ, the eternal Rock, the Son of the living God, and those who believe in Him would be His church on this earth. This invalidates the claims of the Catholic church.

Matthew 16:16 – Simon Peter answered (Jesus) and said to him, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16:18 – (Jesus speaking) – And I also say that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Mark 2:7 – Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?

1 Corinthians 10:4 – And all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ.

The Catholic church views the Pope as Christ’s substitute here on earth who alone can interpret God’s Word, which would make him a prophet. The Bible is clear there will always be false prophets but we have the indwelt Holy Spirit to teach us the things of God. The Pope has assumed a position reserved for the Holy Spirit of God. In their pride Popes welcome the praise of men who kneel before them, kiss their hand and call them Holy Father, a title reserved for God alone. Catholic doctrine says Popes are infallible in matters of doctrine, faith and morals but the Bible declares that all men are sinners. The Catholic church says the Pope and ordained members of the priesthood can forgive sins but the Bible is clear only God can forgive sins and He will not give His glory to another.

Revelation 15:4 – Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested.

Isaiah 42:8 – I am the Lord, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another.

Romans 3:10 – As it is written: There is none righteous, no, not one.

Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

6. Holy orders – This sacrament allows the Roman Catholic church to consecrate (ordain) bishops, priests and deacons to perform church rituals of the faith. The Catholic church recognizes these church officials as a continuation of Jesus’ priesthood which He supposedly bestowed on His disciples (the Apostles). For Protestants, all, believers are disciples of Jesus equally and there is no priesthood level of believers above us that we must go through to reach God. Jesus is our high priest who sits at the right hand of God as our Mediator and Advocate and we can go to Him directly without any need for an earthy intermediary.

The Catholic church believes they are the only true church of God appointed to the Apostle Peter (the first Pope) by Jesus based on one verse of Scripture in Matthew that they misinterpreted. Since the Catholic church thinks they are the official church of God we can understand their thinking when they declare their church officials to be supernaturally endowed members of the priesthood. Their original premise is wrong and therefore so is their belief in their clergy as surrogates of Jesus.

According to the catechism of the Catholic church priests can forgive the sins of church members and during the Eucharist they can supernaturally change bread and wine into the actual body and blood of Christ. Every function performed by the clergy is as if it was Jesus himself doing it. We know from the Bible only God can forgive sins and He hasn’t delegated that right to the Pope, priests or anyone else. This is false doctrine and blasphemy before God! Seeking forgiveness of sins by confessing to another sinful human being sitting in a box means God will not hear your prayers and He will not forgive your sins because you haven’t followed the prescribed procedure to receive forgiveness. That means your sins remain on you and you’ll be held accountable on the last day.

7. Matrimony – This is the last sacrament of the Roman Catholic church and I don’t have any real issues with it other than there are some restrictions the church imposes that the Bible doesn’t confirm. The Catholic church requires all Catholics to be married by a priest. To be married in a Catholic church at least one person must be Catholic and a divorced person can’t be married in a Catholic ceremony until their previous marriage is annulled. The Catholic church urges all married couples to be fruitful and to raise their children in the church.

5. Anointing of the sick – This sacrament of the church is given to all church members who suffer from serious illness or infirmity. It can be given multiple times if needed. If a person is dying this ritual is known as the last rites. The belief is that this anointing completes our conformity to the death and resurrection of Christ. In other words, according to the church Christ’s work on the cross wasn’t good enough to save our souls completely so the church has to step in and complete the process to ensure we get to heaven. Without this anointing the church says we aren’t saved. God’s Word says Christ’s work on the cross is complete yet the tradition of the Roman catholic church says the just the opposite. Time after time the Catholic church has consistently established rules and rituals that are not only contrary to the clear message of God’s Word but also consistently disrespect our Lord and steal the honor and glory of Jesus for His atoning death on the cross for our sins. The Catholic clergy must understand they’ll one day stand before the Lord in judgment for their arrogance and pride in thinking they know better than God.

Philippians 3:8-9 – Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.

The Catholic church catechism declares anointing of the sick is necessary for eternal life and can only be performed by a priest of the church. This is done to keep the members in bondage to the Catholic religion from birth right up to moment of death. This is simply another man-made doctrine that God neither initiated nor endorsed. According to the Bible this ritual is neither the “seed of eternal life” nor the “power of resurrection” as the catechism claims. This act is simply one more earthly good deed which the Bible proclaims to be useless.

Matthew 15:9 – (Jesus speaking) – And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.

Anointing of the sick is a ritual that is never taught in the Bible and that includes the last rites. No character in the Bible ever administered or received this ritual. Anointing of the sick is just one more man-made sacrament with rules to keep church members bound to the church by their fear of losing their salvation if they don’t comply with every church commandment. God makes the rules not men. Will you believe God or man?

4. Penance – This sacrament of the Roman Catholic church is supposedly necessary for salvation and it requires Catholics to do good works to make amends for their sins and to restore themselves to full spiritual health. According to this man-made tradition of the church Jesus’ dying on the cross for our sins was not enough to completely remove the sins of men. The Bible clearly says Jesus’ work on the cross was complete. The Bible goes on to say good works cannot remove sins or gain anyone salvation. The Catholic church’s position is just the opposite of God’s Word and furthermore it degrades the work Christ did on the cross and steals the honor and glory from Jesus for His atoning death on the cross.

Hebrews 10:17-18 – (God speaking) – “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

Psalm 86:5 – For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon you.

Galatians 2:16 – Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

Galatians 2:21 – I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.

Romans 3:28 – Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

The Catholic church specifies good works as prayer, an offering, works of mercy, service of neighbors, voluntary self-denial, sacrifices and patient acceptance of the cross we all bear. The catechism even suggests penance can help the dead by almsgiving, indulgences and works of Penance on behalf of the dead. The church never passes on the opportunity to play on people’s emotions in order to keep the church coffers full by using spiritual blackmail.

Hebrews 9:27:27 – And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.

The Bible is clear that the “testing time” for man ends upon death and whatever they have sown they will reap. That is a spiritual law and nothing we do in this physical world will move the needle one way or the other. To say otherwise is to keep people in spiritual bondage based on false hopes. The Bible clearly says good works cannot save you when you’re alive so it stands to reason good works done on your behalf also cannot save you after you die. Will you believe what God says or will you believe in the traditions of evil men established for their own vested interest which in this case is to maintain the wealth, influence and power of the Catholic church.

3. Eucharist – This is the best known tradition of the Roman Catholic church where members during mass eat a piece of bread (i.e. wafer, cracker or cookie) and take a sip of wine. According to the church doctrine of transubstantiation the priest supernaturally turns the bread and wine into the actual body and blood of Christ. So during the Catholic church mass Christ is crucified over and over again. Members of the Catholic church become cannibals and devour the body of Jesus and drink his blood like some sort of vampire. By this ritual the Catholic church refutes the work of Christ on the cross as being complete which is the clear message of God’s Word. The Catholic church by their actions are saying God is not sovereign over his creation and is a liar and the Bible is not the truth. Nothing about the Eucharist is biblical. At the Last Supper Jesus dined with His disciples and broke bread and drank wine while making the following statements:

1 Corinthians 11:24-25 – (Jesus speaking) – Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you, do this in REMEMBRANCE of me. This is the cup of the new covenant in My blood, this do, as often as you drink it, in REMEMBRANCE of me.

The authority for the Eucharist is based on these Scriptures but it’s obvious Jesus was using bread and wine as a metaphor for his body and blood. This ceremony was to be kept as a memorial to the sacrificial death Jesus was about to make on the cross for the sins of all men. The key is the word remembrance used in both verses. Nowhere else in Scripture is the Catholic view of the Eucharist corroborated. I find it ominous that in a subsequent verse God metaphorically says he who partakes of this ceremony in an unworthy manner drinks judgment to himself. God knew the Catholic church would corrupt this ceremony for their own sinful reasons and in this verse God is passing judgement on them before it happens.

Leviticus 17:12 – Therefore I said to the children of Israel, “No one among you shall eat blood, nor shall any stranger who dwells among you eat blood.”

Genesis 9:4 – But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.

James 4:17 – Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

The Bible forbids men to drink blood so if Catholics were literally drinking the blood of Christ during the Eucharist it would be in contradiction to Scripture. We know God’s Word is perfect and without error therefore the premise on which the Eucharist is based is false. This is just another false sacrament established by men to keep the members of the church in spiritual bondage to maintain the power and wealth of the church.

2. Confirmation – This is another of the Roman Catholic sacraments necessary for salvation. This sacrament supposedly incorporates Catholics more firmly into Christ but the Bible teaches no such doctrine. According to God’s Word, you are either in Christ or you are not. Christ’s work on the cross is complete. Let’s think about this. The Catholic church is saying Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, is not capable of saving our souls completely on His own and needs a hand from the church to make sure people get to heaven. This is blasphemy! The Bible teaches us nothing is impossible for the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Ephesians 2:13 – But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Another supposed benefit of benefit of Confirmation is it imprints a spiritual mark or indelible character on the Christian soul similar to Baptism. Nowhere in the Bible will you read about the imprinting of spiritual marks on a Christian’s soul or character by a man-made tradition of men. Man from the physical world cannot affect the spiritual world which is God’s domain. The Bible clearly teaches when we are saved God himself seals our spirit as his possession through His Holy Spirit. The church is intimating when God seals our souls as His possession it’s not good enough on its own to save us so the church has to also step in and spiritually mark us in order for us to be saved. That’s one of the reasons the Roman Catholic church says you can only be saved if you’re a Catholic. The Roman Catholic church s is disrespecting all Protestants and God by declaring this.

Romans 8:38-39 – For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angel or principalities nor powers. nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Galatians 5:1 – Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

The church catechism admits Confirmation is a tradition that originated in the church. Confirmation by church members is required to be performed often and even at the moment of death so that believers are perfected by the Holy Spirit with Christ’s fullness. The church is attempting to steal God’s glory and the Bible says God will not give his glory to another. The catechism freely admits this ritual more perfectly binds members to the church since it’s a requirement for salvation. The church teaches members if they want to go to heaven they must obey whatever the church commands them to do because the sacraments take precedence over God’s Word which says Confirmation isn’t necessary. Every church sacrament was crafted by the clergy solely to keep people in spiritual bondage by threatening to take away their salvation if they don’t toe the line. Every church sacrament was established to keep the clergy in firm control of the membership and keep the money rolling in so they can maintain their power and lavish lifestyles to the detriment of the church membership. Who will you believe, God or man?

Matthew 15:9 – (Jesus speaking) – And in vain they worship Me. teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.

John 8:36 – (Jesus speaking) – Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

It’s time to examine the Roman Catholic church sacraments and explanation in the 1994 catechism of the church.

1. Baptism – The Catholic church contends that the Lord himself affirms that baptism is necessary for salvation. The church also states that it’s baptism that seals the believer into God’s kingdom while at the same time making the person an official member of the Catholic church. The catechism goes on to say the Catholic church knows of no other means of ensuring entry into heaven other than baptism. The Catholic catechism states when a believer is baptized it’s Jesus himself doing the baptizing.

Nowhere in Scripture does the Lord say baptism is required for salvation or that the Lord himself baptizes all believers. There are many instances where people were saved first and then afterwards were baptized as a public profession of their faith and salvation. The Catholic clergy established this tradition of men on their own to bind their members to the church through baptism. By tying baptism to church membership the people were kept in spiritual bondage because the Catholic church contends anyone who is not a member of the church cannot be saved and only the Catholic church can say who will or will not enter heaven.

To maintain their salvation the members of the Catholic church had to keep coming to church regularly, working for the church and pouring their money into the church. This all cemented the wealth and power of the church and its clergy, who lived in luxury, while most of the people struggled to survive. In the Bible it’s clear the believer is sealed by the Holy Spirit and not by the act of baptism. The Catholic church is ignoring the truth of the Scriptures and establishing their own traditions to serve their own sinful interests. Now you know the truth so you have a decision to make. Will you believe God or man?

1 Corinthians 1:17-18 – (Paul speaking) – For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

John 1:12 – But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those whom believe in His name.

Ephesians 1:13 – In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.

Ephesians 4:30 – And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

The Roman Catholic church has seven sacraments and according to the official catechism of the church every one of the sacraments are necessary for salvation. The sacraments are: baptism, confirmation, eucharist, penance, anointing of the sick, holy orders and matrimony. These seven sacraments are nothing more than a series of good works. The Bible states repeatedly that good works will never save anybody yet the church says just the opposite. Will you believe God or man?

Romans 3:20 – Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Isaiah 64:6 – But we are all like unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

If the sacraments of the Roman Catholic church are supposedly necessary for salvation and the sacraments are only available through the Catholic church then that means you must be a faithful member of the Catholic church to be saved. This is the official stance of the Catholic church as stated in their catechism but you’ll never hear any Catholic admit it. The sacraments of the church are manmade rules, the traditions established by men, that are not required for salvation according to God’s Word. Will you believe God or man?

Acts 5:29 – But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.”

1 Corinthians 1:18 – For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

The clergy of the Catholic church are trying to keep their members in bondage to the church by setting up fake sacraments that threaten them with eternity in hell if they don’t comply. It’s clear in the Scriptures that only God can save your eternal soul and that precious gift is free to anyone simply for the asking. You don’t have to belong to a certain church or perform certain rituals or do good works or anything else. The Roman Catholic church can’t save you or prevent you from being saved. That is all nonsense. Men with vested interests in keeping their power over people’s lives and the money flowing into church coffers have decided these things. It’s contrary to God’s Word. Will you believe God or man?

John 8:47 – (Jesus speaking) – He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.

John 20:30-31 – And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.