What resources can you recommend to refute pastor's claims about the Catholic Church taking away our priesthood and Bible?

[JulieCO]

I will try to make this as concise as I can. I am a revert to the Catholic faith from Evangelicalism as of 2 years ago today. Along with Mass on the weekends, I still attend a Protestant church with my husband (to keep the peace). This weekend the Pastor claimed the following:

1. The early church was an Acts 2:42-47 church (breaking bread together and going out and preaching the good news) until Constantine converted and made it a political force and the gospel message was lost.
2. As a result of #1, the priesthood was taken away from the people (1 Pet 2:5,9) and given to a select group of people
3. The Bible was taken away from the people and held only by a few who had to interpret it for you.
4. Only when the Reformation occurred did the Acts 2:42-47 Church start again and the Bibles were given to the people and the priesthood was given back to the people.

I was so upset by what he was saying to the congregation that I wanted to stand up and run away. Then the anger turned to sadness as I felt my Lord’s Church was being blasphemed.

I am looking to lovingly present another view (the correct one) to this Pastor in an email or letter to him. I need to probably use Protestant resources and/or the Early Church Fathers to refute his arguments but that’s where I need some guidance. Can you offer me some examples of resources I can use (preferably online and free as time is of the essence) to point out the truth to him?

Thank you so much. Have a blessed Thanksgiving and Advent season.

In Christ,

Julie

 

[Devon_Caffran]

I will try to make this as concise as I can. I am a revert to the Catholic faith from Evangelicalism as of 2 years ago today. Along with Mass on the weekends, I still attend a Protestant church with my husband (to keep the peace). This weekend the Pastor claimed the following:

1. The early church was an Acts 2:42-47 church (breaking bread together and going out and preaching the good news) until Constantine converted and made it a political force and the gospel message was lost.

These links should be give you the answer you need. If you have any further questions or concerns that are not answered by this link, please [contact Catholic Answers (http://www.catholic.com/home/contact.asp) directly.
Recommended Reading:

• What do we say to those who believe Constantine created the Catholic Church?
• Constantine Has Been Beaten to Death
• Where does the Bible say Jesus started the Catholic Church?

1. As a result of #1, the priesthood was taken away from the people (1 Pet 2:5,9) and given to a select group of people

• Aren’t we all priests?
• What is the difference between the Common Priesthood and Ministerial Priesthood?
• The Priesthood Is Both Ministerial and Universal
• Does 1 Peter 2:9 indicate that we are all priests?

1. The Bible was taken away from the people and held only by a few who had to interpret it for you.

1. Only when the Reformation occurred did the Acts 2:42-47 Church start again and the Bibles were given to the people and the priesthood was given back to the people.

• Why Catholicism Is Preferable to Protestantism
• The Anti-Catholic Bible
• Reading the Bible and Getting it Right Video
• Where We Got The Bible: Our Debt to the Catholic Church

I was so upset by what he was saying to the congregation that I wanted to stand up and run away. Then the anger turned to sadness as I felt my Lord’s Church was being blasphemed.

I am looking to lovingly present another view (the correct one) to this Pastor in an email or letter to him. I need to probably use Protestant resources and/or the Early Church Fathers to refute his arguments but that’s where I need some guidance. Can you offer me some examples of resources I can use (preferably online and free as time is of the essence) to point out the truth to him?

Thank you so much. Have a blessed Thanksgiving and Advent season.

In Christ,

Julie

Suggested Book:

• Radio Replies: Classic Answers to Timeless Questions About the Catholic Faith