I have a devout former Catholic friend who accepts prayers to the Saints and asking prayers of other Chritians per Paul.
But she has a valid point and I quote:
The issue is not having ever used an intermediary. Instead it is is an intermediary required.
She is saying that priests are fine and prayers to the Saints are fine.
But that in the end they are not required, I think she makes a good point. I really can’t rebut it from Scripture.
This person, formerly a devout SSPX traditionalist catholic, is “liberal” in a sense. She is now evangelical but believes catholics can and will be saved too.
So, while prayers to Sainst may be fine and priests too, isn’t Christ all that is required. And we can get there w/o priests or bishops or a Pope? So she argues.
***Hi, rien!
…without exaggerations… your friend’s problem is with Jesus Christ for it is He who instituted both:
Intercessory Prayer***:
37 Then he saith to his disciples, The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth labourers into his harvest. (St. Matthew 9:37-38–DRV)
The Priesthood:
18 And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven. (St. Matthew 16:18-19–DRV)
(14-22) And when they had ordained to them priests in every church and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, in whom they believed. (Acts 14:23)
And when Paul and Barnabas had no small contest with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of the other side should go up to the apostles and priests to Jerusalem, about this question. (Acts 15:2)
Let the priests that rule well be esteemed worthy of double honour: especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. (1 Timmothy 5:17)
For this cause I left thee in Crete: that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting and shouldest ordain priests in every city, as I also appointed thee: (Titus 1:5)
Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. (St. James 5:14)
And hath made us a kingdom, and priests to God and his Father. To him be glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen. (Apocalypse 1:6)
And hast made us to our God a kingdom and priests, and we shall reign on the earth. (Apocalypse 5:10)
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection. In these the second death hath no power. But they shall be priests of God and of Christ: and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Apocalypse 20:6)
…so it seems that Jesus had it all wrong, according to your devout friend…
Maran atha!
Angel