Do Catholics know the real Jesus?

[Church_Militant]

I didn’t get a PM!

Maybe I should color my posts too. Hmm.

Chris

Church Militant! You lucky dog! Haha, I’m pretty sure I have not received one. Oh well. Good luck!

No. No pm from him.

Well, I guess I am special or something.

Maybe Jehu should read my testimony very carefully.

 

[anamchara]

Hi, I haven’t had a vision or anything where I could see Jesus plainly or even talk to him plainly as two humans would normally talk. I’ve come to know him through his words recorded in the bible and in a much less clear way through prayer. But I’d be glad to hear about your experience of Him.

What a lovely post Neil great way to open friendly dicussion.

 

[FCEGM]

I rather doubt it personally. He seemed pretty sincere to me. However, if his profile is correct he is just young.
He is probably heavily indoctrinated in his “bible-believing” philosophy and has never run into such heavy and learned debate opponents.

. . . . .

Peace
James

I agree, James. He presents himself as the young man that he is, i.e., naively and enthusiastically, assuming his expertise on the subject of Catholicism and Catholics.

 

[sodak]

I would first like to state that the bible translation in which I read is King James, also, the work we do as christians is produced by our faith.I’ve shared that verse. The catecism is not valid doctrine. It’s the same doctrine in which the pope adds too. God said do not add to His word.
I have nothing to do with the reformation, I can care less. I don’t believe that Mary is devine. She cried out for a saviour. I would never call any man father except for who is in Heaven, Jesus mentioned this in His Word. Praying to the dead is a sin. Worshiping a graven image is a sin. Changing the commandments, which I’ll explian later, is a sin. Israel is God’s time clock. Just read Daniel, Revelation. The Church is not Peter, Christ is the Shephard of the church. Pergatory is not in the bible, the apacratha is not valid doctrine. Everything Catholics hold to is tradition. Prove me wrong.

You have a lot of questions from us that you haven’t answered. You are the one who started this conversation, if you were really truthful about being sincere, start answering.

 

[Gamera]

Excellent replies so far. Allow me to address my personal favorite of these old saws, though.

I would never call any man father except for who is in Heaven, Jesus mentioned this in His Word.

“For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.” 1 Cor. 4:15.

There’s St Paul calling himself “Father” right in the Bible. That’s exactly the same sense in which Catholics refer to priests as Father. Do you believe St Paul sinned by calling himself “father” in 1 Cor 4:15? If not, why not?

BTW, I too think the OP is sincere. It seems he is working from a standard list of anti-Catholic misconceptions. I hope he remains here long enough to learn what Catholics really believe, since our doctrine is thoroughly Biblical and his is not.

 

[Randy_Carson]

Hello I’m Alexander (edited personal information) and I’m 21 years old. I’m new to Forums and I would like to talk and share Christ Jesus with anyone that would like to hear His Word. I’m a “Christian” a believer in Christ, faccording to God’s word. I’m not hear to argure but state facts. I not here to say what is "right and what is “wrong”. I’m here to pray for the catholics in hope that they will see the Christ as He is.

Welcome!

What “facts” do you wish to state that Catholics would not agree with?

:tiphat:

 

[Randy_Carson]

Praying to the dead is a sin.

The Saints Can Hear Our Prayers Proved From Scripture

1. Jesus teaches from the Old Testament
“Have you not read in the book of Moses, in the account of the bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!” (Mark 12:26-27)

In this teaching, Jesus tells us plainly that the Father is the God of the living.

2. Speaking with the “Dead” - Jesus teaches by parable
"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ (Luke 16:19-31)

In this parable, Jesus has two of the “dead” characters in his story talking with one another, and one of the “dead” men intercedes on behalf of his living relatives.

3. Speaking with the “Dead” - Jesus teaches by personal example
“After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.” (Matthew 17:1-3)

At the transfiguration, Jesus was talking with two “dead” people, Moses and Elijah. They’re actually alive, though.

4. Speaking to the dead – Peter teaches by example
Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. (Acts 9:40-41)
5. Those in Heaven Hear Our Prayers - John teaches through prophetic revelation
“He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” (Revelation 5:7-8)

The 24 elders in heaven are men, and notice that they each have a golden bowl full of the prayers of the saints. That’s us since we’re all saints! So, how did they get hold of our prayers in order to offer them to God?

“Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne.” (Revelation 8:3)

Here, an angel also offers our prayers along with incense.

Hope this helps. :tiphat:

 

[cascherman]

he’s gone, never to be seen again.

prolly.

 

[Randy_Carson]

II would never call any man father except for who is in Heaven, Jesus mentioned this in His Word.

Call No Man “Father”

Matthew 23:8-10
8"But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ.

Based on the preceding passage, many non-Catholics claim that the Catholic Church violates the scriptural prohibition against calling anyone “father” since its priests are commonly called “father” and the pope is referred to as the “Holy Father.” Is this really what the Bible teaches? Let’s take a closer look at this issue by reviewing not just a single verse but all that the Bible has to say on this subject.

Ephesians 4:11-13
11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, says that God has established some people as “teachers” in the Church; this appears to be a direct violation of Jesus’ prohibition against calling anyone “teacher”. Does God contradict Himself?

James 3:1
1Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

James, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, says that not many believers should presume to be “teachers.” This implies that a few (though not many) should and would rightfully have that position. Does God contradict Himself?

Luke 16:24
24So he called to him, “Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.”

Jesus tells a parable in which He has one of the characters speak to “Father Abraham” which would obviously be a bad example for His audience. Does Jesus contradict Himself?

Romans 4:1-18
11And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised."

In this passage (quoted in part), Paul refers to Abraham as a spiritual father eight times. This is a terrible precedent to establish if Jesus has prohibited us from using the term “father.”

James 2:21
21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

James, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, refers to the spiritual fatherhood of Abraham. This is a terrible precedent to establish if Jesus has prohibited us from using the term “father.”

1 Corinthians 4:14-15
14I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. 15Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

In this passage, Paul refers to himself as the spiritual father of the Corinthians. This is a terrible precedent to establish if Jesus has prohibited us from using the term “father.”

Hope this helps. :tiphat:

 

[Randy_Carson]

Worshiping a graven image is a sin.

Catholics do not worship images. We do make them, however. There is nothing wrong with this as the Bible clearly shows.

Exodus 25:18-20
And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends. The cherubim are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them.

Exodus 32:1-8
When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.” Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.” So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a festival to the LORD.” So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’

Numbers 21:4-9
They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!” Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. The LORD said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.

2 Kings 18:3-5
[Hezekiah] did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done. He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan.)

The Lord commanded Moses to make an image of a snake to save the people who were bitten by serpents. However, when they began to worship it and burn incense to it, Hezekiah destroyed it as a false god.

Hope this helps. :tiphat:

 

[Randy_Carson]

The Church is not Peter, Christ is the Shephard of the church. Prove me wrong.

The Church is the body of Christ who left Peter in charge as the Shepherd of the flock as the Bible clearly shows.

John 21:15-19
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and he clearly left Peter in charge of the flock just before He ascended into heaven.

Hope this helps. :tiphat:

 

[Randy_Carson]

Pergatory is not in the bible, the apacratha is not valid doctrine…Prove me wrong.

Sure it is…if you know where to look. And even if you exclude Maccabees as “apacratha” [sic], you can’t deny that this ancient Jewish text illustrates clearly that the concept of praying for the dead was part of Jewish thought. Here’s what God’s COMPLETE word has to say:

PURGATORY

2 Maccabees 12:42-46
Turning to supplication, they prayed that the sinful deed might be fully blotted out. The noble Judas warned the soldiers to keep themselves free from sin, for they had seen with their own eyes what had happened because of the sin of those who had fallen. He then took up a collection among all his soldiers, amounting to two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice. In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection of the dead in view; or if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death. But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin.

Matthew 12:32
And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but he that shall speak against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in the world to come**.**

Does this not imply that some sins can be forgiven in the age to come? Now think this through…There is no sin to forgive in heaven, right? Sin is not forgiven in hell because it’s too late and judgment is permanent. So, the world to come where sin can still be forgiven must be purgatory.

Matthew 18:23-35)
Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.

Luke 16:19-31
There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ "He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’

(cont.)

 

[Randy_Carson]

1 Corinthians 3:10-15
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

1 Peter 1:7
These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1 Peter 3:18-20
For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.

1 Peter 4:6
For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

Hope this helps. :tiphat:

 

[wanner47]

Alexander, if you’re still around and still reading… please know that Jack Chick is grossly misinformed about Catholicism, and Loraine Bottner’s book is not accurate in the slightest.

I hope you choose to dialogue some more. I’d love to hear your response to some of the responses given thus far.

 

[Ignatius]

Hello I’m Alexander (edited personal information) and I’m 21 years old. I’m new to Forums and I would like to talk and share Christ Jesus with anyone that would like to hear His Word. I’m a “Christian” a believer in Christ, faccording to God’s word. I’m not hear to argure but state facts. I not here to say what is "right and what is “wrong”. I’m here to pray for the catholics in hope that they will see the Christ as He is.

Hello JehuandGod, and welcome to Catholic forums. You seem pretty confident that you know what Catholics believe. You should be aware that on this forum, according to a recent poll, more than half of the Catholics here are converts from Evangelical Protestanism. A number of them were ordained Protestant ministers, so your audience is fully aware of Protestant theology and it’s weaknesses. May the Lord bless you on your faith journey and guide you to the Pillar and Foundation of Truth.

Your servant in Christ.

 

[MarcoPolo]

I would first like to state that the bible translation in which I read is King James, also, the work we do as christians is produced by our faith.I’ve shared that verse. The catecism is not valid doctrine. It’s the same doctrine in which the pope adds too. God said do not add to His word.
I have nothing to do with the reformation, I can care less. I don’t believe that Mary is devine. She cried out for a saviour. I would never call any man father except for who is in Heaven, Jesus mentioned this in His Word. Praying to the dead is a sin. Worshiping a graven image is a sin. Changing the commandments, which I’ll explian later, is a sin. Israel is God’s time clock. Just read Daniel, Revelation. The Church is not Peter, Christ is the Shephard of the church. Pergatory is not in the bible, the apacratha is not valid doctrine. Everything Catholics hold to is tradition. Prove me wrong.

My good man, have you not been reading this thread? Have you read anything about what Catholicism actually teaches? It is apparent the answer is no based on your questions which argue against false premises. If you only throw out accusations and ignore all the responses, you will quickly become boring to your audience, and not to mention remain ignorant. Sorry, but that is the truth.

 

[toaslan]

I would like to state that the bible translations in which I read are the New King James, New American, and the Revised Standard Version. The works we do as Christians are not complete without our faith and vice-versa. The catecism absolutely contains valid doctrine. It’s the same doctrine in which the Apostles taught. God taught not to add nor take away from to His word.
I have nothing to do with the reformation either. Like you, I could care less. I don’t believe that Mary is divine either. She cried out for a savior. I would never call any man my Heavenly Father except for Who is in Heaven. Like you said, Jesus mentioned this in His Word. To worship the dead is a sin. To worship a graven image is a sin. Changing the commandments - which after you explain I shall reply to later - is a sin. Israel is God’s people, the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Just read Revelation. You are absolutely right. The Church is not Peter. Christ is the Shepherd of the Church. The word “purgatory” is not in the bible. Nor is the word “trinity”. The apocrypha is valid doctrine. Everything Catholics hold to is the faith of the Apostles. Prove me wrong.

 

[JehuandGod]

I will stay here… so that your souls ay be saved.

Catholics believe that Mary is sacred and holy. They have statues of Mary in their churches, even though this is against God’s commandment. Exodus 20:4-5 “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them…” They pray to Mary. Nowhere in the Bible does it tell us to pray to Mary, or any other person, but it tells us only to pray to God the Father. Matthew 6:6 “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” They pray to Mary because they believe that she intercedes for us. This is not supported by any Scripture, but Scripture states that Jesus intercedes for us. Hebrews 7:25 “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” Romans 8:34 “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

Without a doubt Mary was a blessed woman, but she was not perfect. Catholics believe that Mary never sinned. Again, this is not supported by any Scripture. Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” There is only one person that never sinned, and that person is Jesus. Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin.” 1 John 3:5 “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.” 1 Peter 2:22 “‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’”

They believe that Mary was always a virgin, and had no children other than Jesus. Matthew 13:55-56 “Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?” Mark 3:31 “There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.” Matthew 12:46 “While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.” Catholics argue that when the Bible refers to brothers of Jesus, that these are spiritual brothers and not blood relatives. The following verses make a clear distinction between spiritual and blood brothers: Luke 8:19-21 “Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.’ He replied, ‘My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.’” Jesus’ spiritual brothers are the ones who hear God’s word and put it into practice. Catholics also believe that Jesus used the word “brethen” or “brothers” when referring to His disciples. This is true in some cases, but in the following verses there is a definite distinction between Jesus’ brothes and His disciples. John 2:12 “After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.” John 7:3 “His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.”

(Link to source)

 

[JehuandGod]

Catholics believe that Jesus made Peter the ‘rock’ of His Church. They believe that Jesus gave him the keys to His kingdom, and made him Head of His Church. They believe that this authority and power can be passed on to men who hold the position of Pope. Catholics base this belief of the supremacy and authority of Peter and the Pope on the following Scripture: Matthew 16:18-19 “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Catholics state that to Peter alone Jesus gave the authority and power to become the Head of His Church. If Jesus gave this authority and power to Peter alone then Catholic Popes do not have this power and authority. Catholics state that Jesus was referring directly to Peter and not to Peter’s faith when He said “on this rock I will build my church”. What about the time when Jesus called Peter “Satan”? Matthew 16:23 “Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.’” If we follow Catholic thinking then we conclude that Jesus was referring directly to Peter and not to Peter’s unbelief. I doubt that Jesus would make Satan the Head of His Church.

Popes, Priests, and Nuns are not permitted to marry. Catholics claim that Peter was the first Pope, yet Peter was married. Matthew 8:14 “When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever.” 1 Corinthians 9:5 “Have we no right to lead about a wife that is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?” Cephas is another name for Peter.

Is Peter the Head of the Church? The following verses state that Jesus is the Head of the Church. Ephesians 5:23 “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” Ephesians 1:22-23 “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.” Colossians 1:18 “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” Is Peter the rock or the cornerstone of the Church? The following verses state that Jesus is the rock and the cornerstone of the Church. 1 Corinthians 10:3-4 “They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.” Ephesians 2:20 “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone…” Acts 4:10-11 “then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’” Peter said this. Even Peter declares that Jesus is the cornerstone!

 

[JehuandGod]

Catholics believe that the Pope communicates to God for them and that he communicates to them for God. That is, he holds the office of the High Priest. But the Bible says that Jesus is the only way to God, and that He alone is our High Priest. John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” 1 Timothy 2:5 says “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…” The Pope is elected by a group of men, but Jesus was chosen by God to be our high priest. Hebrews 5:4-6 “No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father.’ And he says in another place, ‘You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.’” Jesus will never die so He has a permanent priesthood, and there is no longer a need for an earthly high priest. Hebrews 7:23-25 “Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” Hebrews 6:20 “Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” Peter was not the Head of the Church, the cornerstone of the Church, or the High Priest; Jesus was. The Pope is not the Head of the Church, the cornerstone of the Church, or the High Priest; Jesus is.

Catholics believe in Purgatory, the final purification process of the elect by fire, occurring after death and allowing them to enter into Heaven. Purgatory is a place of suffering, where one continues to pay for his sins committed after his baptism. Catholics say that the suffering in Purgatory may be shortened by prayers, good works of the faithful, and the sacrifice of the mass by individuals on Earth. They believe that the Pope (or a priest acting for him) can release individuals from punishment in Purgatory by transferring the superabundance of the merits of Christ and the saints. After their sins are atoned for and purged by their suffering in Purgatory, they are then translated to Heaven.

The doctrine of Purgatory is rooted in the Catholics’ division of sins. They have divided sin into two kinds: mortal sins which are a grave offense and kill the soul, and venial sins which are a small pardonable offense against God. Romans 6:23 says “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” That is not the wages of big or major sins, but any sin. God does not classify sins as small or big. With no distinction of sin the Catholic’s argument falls apart. Every sin is an offense to God and deserves punishment from Him. Any sin, however small, deserves eternal punishment. God is too holy to fellowship with any sin. Thus we need to be cleansed from all sin before we can enter into Heaven. Revelation 21:27 “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Hebrews 12:14 “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord…”