Roman Catholics have been taught that God and Jesus are too busy and unapproachable to hear our prayers and they should pray to Mary, the mother of Jesus, who will then go petition her Son for an answer to those prayers. Why is this done when the Scriptures clearly say we are to pray directly to the Father in Jesus’ name because He is our Mediator and High Priest in heaven?
Catholics are taught Mary is the divine Queen of Heaven, sinless and a perpetual virgin. Why is this done when the Scriptures clearly say Mary was born in her sin like we all are and had to forgiven just like us. Mary is not the Queen of Heaven and she went on to have several more children with her husband Joseph.
Here are some examples of Catholic traditions which cannot be supported by the Scriptures:
1. Prayers for the dead and the sign of the cross – 310 AD
The dead do not need prayers. If they died in Christ they are in heaven and if not they are in hell and can’t be helped.
2. The Mass – approximately 394 AD
Each time the Catholic Mass is is performed the faithful are led to believe the bread and wine are miraculously turned into the actual body and blood of Christ so, in effect, it is a bloodless sacrifice of Christ for our sins all over again. The real thing didn’t do it. The Bible tells us Christ’s death is a once-for-all event and the Eucharist is in memoriam and not a literal statement.
3. The worship of Mary (approximately 431 AD) and the Immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary (Approximately 1854 AD) have already been discussed.
4. The doctrine of purgatory – approximately 593 AD
The Bible is clear those who die in their sin go directly to hell from which there is no escape and just as clear that forgiveness of sins is free for the asking and no works are needed.
5. Holy Water – approximately 850 AD
This was borrowed from paganism.
6. Confessions to a priest – approximately 1215 AD
The Bible is clear only Jesus is our High Priest and only God can hear and forgive our sins and not some sin-marred human being sitting in a box.
7. Canonization of dead saints – Approximately 995 AD
No human being is worthy of this.
8. Fasting on Fridays and during Lent – approximately 998 AD
Nowhere in the Bible does God mandate this so it of no value to God.
Witnessing for Christ