Studying God's Word

The Catholic catechism states that Priests have the power to forgive sins. To me the most ungodly act committed by Catholics is confessing their sins to a Priest, a sinful human being who most likely has molested a child at some point in his past. Only God can forgive sins and the Bible makes that abundantly clear. The sad thing is Catholics go around thinking their sins have been forgiven when, in truth, if they haven’t confessed their sins directly to God and asked for His forgiveness their sins are still with them.

1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Psalm 51:2-3 – Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

Throughout the history of the Roman Catholic church it has claimed they have the right to condemn people to hell. Popes used the threat of “excommunication” to scare people into obeying the church. The church clergy sold eternal life to the highest bidder. Through these “indulgencies” the sins of Catholics, both alive and those in Purgatory, can be forgiven. What a bunch of lies! Only God can forgive sin or send someone to to hell. This is nothing more than a complicated system of spiritual blackmail by having members perform good works established by the church to keep members in bondage while at the same time maintaining the power and influence of the church. The point is to keep money pouring into the church coffers.

Matthew 10:28 – (Jesus speaking) – And do not fear those kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Titus 3:5 – Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saves us.

What is clear from Scripture is that sin brings spiritual death and the degree of sin makes no difference in our ultimate fate because sin is sin. No amount of money or good works can erase our sin debt. If we don’t get rid of our sin we are destined for an eternity in hell. God in His love and mercy has given us a way out of our ultimate fate if we take it by our own free will. Only the blood of Christ can remove our sin and that as a free gift from God through faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. Trust in anything else leads to an eternity in the fires of hell.

Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psalm 119:97-99 – Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.

Catholicism teaches that after death some people go to hell, others go to heaven and those who need further purification go to a place called Purgatory. The church views the work of Christ on the cross to be insufficient to remove all sin. The Catholic catechism admits this doctrine was formulated at the councils of Florence and Trent. The Bible is clear that salvation is a free gift of God and the work of Christ on the cross is complete to redeem the sins of all men, past, present and future. Purgatory is not mentioned in God’s Word and if there was such a place God would have said so. What’s very clear in the Bible is that the eternal spirit of those who die in Christ go immediately to heaven to be in the presence of Jesus.

If a person dies in their sin they go straight to hell within the earth upon their death. It’s one place or the other, there is no third choice. There is no holding area where you can eventually earn your way into heaven. This is another man-made tradition with no basis in Scripture. This Catholic doctrine was instituted to keep members in spiritual bondage to the church by having them give multiplied millions of dollars to the church to have prayers and Masses said on behalf of departed loved ones. This scam gives people false hopes. Our “time of decision” is over at death and our fate is sealed. We either accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior or we don’t. We’re going to heaven if we do and we’re going to hell if we don’t. It’s that simple and there is no do-over.

Ephesians 2:8 – For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.

Romans 5:9 – Much more then, having been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

Romans 8:1 – There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Not only does the Roman Catholic church mistakenly require its members to pray to Mary, they compound their blasphemy by requiring members to pray for dead church members in Purgatory as well praying to those declared to be “saints” by the church. According to Scripture, anyone born again by faith in Christ is a saint and praying to or for the dead is not only meaningless it’s condemned in the Bible. God’s Word is clear that praying to and for dead human beings is not scriptural and it’s an affront to God. Prayer is a precious gift from God so that His children can communicate directly with Father God. Prayers going to others or through others fall on deaf ears. It’s like spitting into the wind. God will only hear and respond to prayers directed to Him in faith.

Hebrews 4:16 – Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

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

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 – There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord, an because of these abominations the lord your God drives them out before you.

Catholic doctrine commands members to pray to the virgin Mary as the Mother of Mercy and the All Holy One. Catholics are taught Mary welcomes them at death and lead them to Jesus. Hundreds of Scriptures teach us to flee to God in prayer when trouble comes our way but not once does any Bible verse encourage us to pray to Mary. These are all man-made traditions that came from the minds of early church leaders. Satan corrupted the Roman Catholic church early on and for at least the last 1500 years the Catholic church has been under the sway of the powers of darkness. How else can you explain the fact that every single doctrine and sacrament of the church is in direct opposition to what it says in God’s Word?

Psalm 50:15 – Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.

Jeremiah 33:3 – Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

Ephesians 2:18 – For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Ephesians 3:11-12 – According to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.

Catholic doctrine teaches that Mary is the Mediator, Advocate and Helper who intercedes on the behalf of all Catholics who pray to her. Supposedly Jesus is too busy to take the call Himself so it’s up to Mary to round up all the prayers and take them to Jesus. This is blasphemy and utter nonsense! How can God be too busy! In Scripture it’s clear Jesus is the only conduit to God the Father. We are to pray directly to God the Father in Jesus’ name. Think of all those faithful Catholics fervently praying to Mary, a mere human being, thinking their prayers are reaching God. Their prayers aren’t reaching God because they’re not following God’s instructions and therefore their prayers will not be answered. Praying to Mary is a wasted exercise. This was Satan’s intention all along.

Hebrews 8:6 – But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

1 Timothy 2:5 – For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.

1 John 2:1 – My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

Catholicism has handed down the pagan ritual of goddess worship because the church contends that at Mary’s death the Lord took her up to heaven and gave her the title, “Queen over all things.” Scripture never teaches this doctrine and, in fact, condemns it. Many false religions throughout history have worshipped a, “Queen of heaven,” and Catholicism has simply continued that false narrative. The Catholic church insists on exalting Mary but the Bible exalts only God Almighty.

Psalm 18:46 – The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted.

Isaiah 33:5 – The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness.

The Bible declares that God receives glory through the Lord Jesus Christ. In the New Testament the name “Jesus” appears 943 times. The name “Christ” appears 533 times, while the words “Lord Jesus” appears 115 times. The books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John chronicle the life of Jesus while the rest of the New Testament revolves around Him. Mary, on the other hand, appears in God’s Word only a handful of times and is never referred to as a queen of anything. If Mary was the Queen of heaven don’t you think God would say so in His Word instead of making only passing references to her in the Bible? The consistent pattern of Catholicism is to demote Jesus and exalt Mary which has no basis in Scripture. Will you believe God or man?

Philippians 2:9-10 – Therefore God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.

1 Peter 4:11 – If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever.

Acts 5:31 – Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

Roman Catholicism insists Mary is the immaculate and perpetual virgin and she never had any children on earth with her husband Joseph even through the Bible clearly refutes this. The New Testament books of James and Jude were penned by half-brothers of Jesus so how can the Catholic church deny it? Will you believe God or man?

Galatians 1:19 – (Paul speaking) – But I saw none of the other Apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.

Mark 6:3 – Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us? So they were offended at Him.

Matthew 13:55 – Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?

Catholics assert Mary was saved at birth and never sinned during her lifetime though the Bible states otherwise. The Bible clearly says only Jesus was sinless. The Catholic church demands its members worship Mary but they admit this is another man-made church tradition. The catechism further states Mary is the model and source of true holiness but the Bible repeatedly affirms only God is holy. Will you believe God or man?

Ecclesiastes 7:20 – For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin.

Romans 5:12 – Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.

1 Peter 15-16 – But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Psalm 99:5 – Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool – He is holy.

Isaiah 43:15 – I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.

Leviticus 11:44 – For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy.

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?