Love for Life

The Catholic Catechism
by Ecclesia.org

The Catholic Catechism

There are many good people involved with the Catholic Church. This article, in no way, attacks the godly people within the Catholic Church who humbly spread Christ's Truth to others, and live according to the Holy Scriptures. However, there are certain teachings within the Catholic Church that go contrary to scripture, and this article is intended to edify others in these areas by comparing its teaching with scripture. In this article, the term "Catholic Church" refers to the doctrines that this Church promotes; it does not refer to the actual people involved with this Church.

Acts 17:11, "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

False view of Image Worship

In order to excuse the gross idolatry on which her system of worship is founded, the Church of Rome must excuse the Second Commandment (the Catholic's first commandment), which forbids the worship of images:

Exodus 20:4-6 (Catholic Catchism, �3), "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or the 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: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments."

Of course, when challenged, the self-professing 'Holy Mother Church' vehemently denies that she practises image-worship, but consider the following from �1 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church which reinforces the doctrine of the Seventh Ecumenical Council of Nicea (A.D. 787) on images:

"Following the divinely inspired teaching of our holy Fathers and the tradition of the Catholic Church [Note: there is no mention of following the divinely inspired teaching of the Bible] we rightly define with full certainty and correctness that, like the figure of the precious and life-giving figure of the cross, venerable and holy images of our Lord and God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, our inviolate Lady, the holy mother of God, and the venerated angels, all the saints and the just, whether painted or made of mosaic or another suitable material, are to be exhibited in the holy churches of God, on sacred vessels and vestments, walls and panels, on houses and on streets."

To designate an image as 'venerable' and 'holy' is blasphemy. The word 'venerable' is derived from the Latin word venerare meaning 'to worship'. Moses was commanded by God: "Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus 26:1) God calls idols "abominations" (Deuteronomy 29:17). No one or no thing but God is to be worshipped. Accordingly, Jesus, when tempted by the Devil to worship him, said: "Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve" (Matthew 4:10)

To bow down to statues and pray, to venerate the relics of 'saints', to kiss crucifixes and adore 'sacred' images or icons of a Madonna � all that is contrary to the teaching of the Bible; yet even the Pope bows down to images of Mary. No wonder Rome banned and burned the Bible and those who preached from it, for her whole system of deception is too easily exposed in light of God's Word.

In order to avoid any possible accusation of not having addressed the forbidden practice of worshipping graven images � which is even mentioned in her own Bible � she tucks away a reference to it in a sub-section (Catechism, �2-2114) of her commentary on the Biblical First Commandment, defining idolatry as the 'condemnation of polytheism' (belief in many gods) and 'false pagan worship', whilst claiming that ''the Christian [read: 'Roman Catholic'] veneration of images is not contrary to the first [read: 'second'] commandment, which proscribes idols"; for "whoever venerates an image venerates the person portrayed in it" (�2). Good try! The Bible, on the other hand, says: "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24)

False view of Mary

1. The Catholic Church says Mary was a perpetual virgin having no other children after Jesus, but Jesus had brothers and sisters (Matthew 13:55,56, Mark 6:3, Acts 1:14, Galatians 1:19). Mary remained a virgin only until Jesus was born (Matthew 1:25). Even Psalm 69, which has many predictions about our Lord's earthly life, reads, "I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children" (Psalms 69:8).

2. The Catholic Church says that Mary, and saints in general, are a mediator between God and man; whereas, the scriptures reveal that Jesus is the only mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5, 1 John 2:1, Acts 4:12).

3. The Catholic Church says Mary was sinless, scripture says everyone, except Christ, has sinned (Romans 3:23). Even Mary herself knew she needed a Saviour (Luke 1:46-47) and went through purification for her sins (Luke 2:22,24). Mary, a Jewish woman and a sinner, had to make a sin-offering (Leviticus 12:6,8). Why does the Roman Catholic church insist she was sinless when the scripture says she was not? Mary was so poor, she and Joseph could not bring the required lamb for sacrifice (Leviticus 12:6,8). They could only offer a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons (Luke 2:24). However, Mary didn't need the lamb, she held Him in her arms! She had the Lamb who could save her from her sins! A Saviour her heart rejoiced in!

4. The Catholic Mary no way resembles the Jewish Mary of the scripture. Even in the days of Jesus, people tried to elevate Mary in a position that was not hers (Luke 11:27). But Jesus immediately corrected them and said, "Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it" (Luke 11:28).

False view of Peter

1. The Catholic Church says that the apostle Peter was the first pope; yet Popes didn't exist until 600AD.

2. The Catholic Church says Peter, being the first Pope, wasn't married. Yet Peter had a wife (Matthew 8:14; Mark 1:30; Luke 4:38; 1 Corinthians 9:5).

3. The Catholic Church says Peter was first in rank and authority, but Jesus said he was not (Luke 22:24,26, Mark 10:44, Matthew 20:27).

4. The Catholic Church says Jesus supposedly commissioned Peter to build a Gentile Roman Catholic Papacy upon a "rock" (Matthew 16:18), but as soon as he did this, Jesus turned to Peter and called him "Satan" (Matthew 16:23).

5. Peter cursed and swore (Matthew 26:74).

6. Peter denied and abandoned Jesus Christ 3 times (Mark 14:67-72).

False view of church leaders

1. The Pope is the highest office in the church, and the Catholic Church considers him God in the flesh; yet this is not found in the scriptures! (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

2. The Pope is called "Holy Father." This title was used by the Lord Jesus Christ when he was praying to God (John 17:11). It only occurs one time in the entire scripture. Hence, for the Pope to demand his followers to call him by this title is blasphemy!

3. The Catholic Church says that priests are to be called 'Father', yet Jesus forbade this (Matthew 23:9, John 17:11).

4. The Catholic Church says that 'Bishops' must not be married: whereas the scripture shows that Bishops must not only be married but must also have children (1 Timothy 3:2-4; Titus 1:5-7).

5. The Catholic Church says that all priests, bishops & Popes are forbidden to marry; The scripture calls "forbidding to marry" a "doctrine of demons" (1 Titus 4:1-4). Not only was Peter married (who they claim was the first Pope), but the apostle Paul preached that he had the prerogative to take a wife and bring her on his journey's with him as other apostles did (1 Corinthians 9:5)! This shows the fallacy of those who promote celibacy among the clergy.

6. The Catholic Church says that a Priests are a special class of followers, but scripture teaches that every Christian is a priest (1 Peter 2:5,9, Ephesians 2:19-22, Revelation 1:6; 5:10;. Isaiah 61:6).

7. The Catholic Church says that a 'Saint' is an exemplary individual who has been dead for many years and has been voted upon by leaders to become a saint, but scripture says every Christian is a saint while they live (Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:2).

8. The Catholic priests and pope wear fancy clerical dress, but Jesus condemned this (Matthew 23:5-6).

False view of salvation, heaven & hell

1. The Catholic Church says that infants inherit their parent's & Adam's sin, but scriptures say they don't (Deuteronomy 24:16, 2 Chronicles 25:4, Ezekiel 18:20; Matthew 18:1-5,10).

2. The Catholic Church sprinkles when the Greek work for baptism literally means total immersion (Acts 8:34-39, Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12).

3. The Catholic Church expects people to suffer fiery punishment in proportion to their sins in purgatory after which they will cross over to paradise. Yet our fate is eternally sealed at death and there is no crossing over (Luke 16:26-31; Hebrews 9:27). Jesus taught unconditional forgiveness of our sins, not penance.

False view of worship

1. From God's 10 commandments, the Catholic Church deleted God's 2nd Commandment!!! Why? So they could use statues & images in worship. They only print 9 of the 10 Commandments in the Catholic Catechism. But in order to make it "look" like they still have 10 commandments, they split God's 10th Commandment (on coveting) into two commandments (See the Catholic Catechism, sections 2052-2557).

2. The Catholic Church believes in communion (transubstantiation). They believe that the wine at their communion literally changes into the blood of Christ. This means that Jesus is re-sacrificed, but scripture is clear that Jesus' blood was only to be sacrificed one time (Hebrews 10:10,12,14). 1 Corinthians 11:28 is a warning to those who drink unworthily.

3. The Catholic Church demands the drinking of this "literal" blood of Jesus during communion, but scripture says that to drink the blood of any flesh is wrong (Genesis 9:4, Leviticus 17:14, Acts 15:29; 21:25)!

4. "Communion" (this word does not appear in scripture) is derived from the Lord's Supper in scripture, in which the bread and wine are symbolic of Christ's body and blood. Until very recently, in some parts of the world, only the priests would drink the cup in communion; Yet Jesus commanded all Christians to both drink the cup and eat of the bread (Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28). The lack of uniformity both over time and in different places, proves that Catholic doctrine is constantly changing and inconsistent! The question is, why, for many years were only the priests allowed to drink the cup, when the scripture says that all believers are to drink the cup?

5. The Catholic Church prays using repetitive words with a rosary; and pray in front of people, but Jesus warned us not to pray like that (Matthew 6:5-7).

6. The Catholic Church believes the church is a building instead of Christians themselves (1 Corinthians 3:16,17; 6:19-20, Acts 17:24).

7. Mass is often conducted in Latin, in an unknown tongue, in North America, but the scripture forbids this (1 Corinthians 14:9,19).

8. The Catholic Church observes special "holy days" on a yearly calendar, yet scripture calls this "weak and beggarly elements" (Galatians 4:9-11).

9. The Catholic Church abstains from certain meats at certain times, but scripture calls this "doctrines of devils" (1 Timothy 4:1-3).

10. The Catholic Church trusts in and prays to saints, but God himself puts no trust in his saints (Job 15:15).

11. The Catholic Church says we can pray to Mary and angels to intercede for us, but the scripture forbids the worship of angels (Colossians 2:18, Revelation 19:10; 22:8-9).

12. The Catholic Church bows down and makes graven images of things in heaven and earth (Exodus 20:4-5). God does not give his praise to graven images (Isaiah 42:8).

False view of the Catholic Church as the only source of religious authority

1. The Catholic Church believes that Peter is the foundation of the church. Christ is the foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11).

2. The Catholic Church says that only the priests can understand the scripture and the common man cannot; But the scriptures say that when anyone reads they can understand (Ephesians 3:4, Romans 15:4, 1 Timothy 3:14-15, 1 John 1:4).

3. The Catholic Church will not personally defend their faith from the scripture but will instead refer to what the priest teaches. Yet every Christian must be able to defend the faith themselves (1 Peter 3:15, 2 Timothy 3:16,17).

4. The Catholic Church says we are to confess to priests, but the scripture says we are to confess only to God (Psalms 32:5, Romans 14:11).

5. The Catholic Church places their church traditions greater than God's Word (Matthew 15:3,6, Mark 7:7-9,13, Colossians 2:8).

What the Catholic Church says about the Sabbath

The Catholic Church fully admits that the establishment of Sunday as a "Holy Day" is completely their act! The following page appears in the Catholic Publication "The Convert's Catechism of Catholic Doctrine." (Remember, the papacy, in 364AD, changed and rewrote God's Ten Commandments - their third commandment is really the fourth!)

The Third Commandment

Q: What is the Third Commandment?

A: The Third Commandment is: Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day.

Q: Which is the Sabbath day?

A: Saturday is the Sabbath day.

Q: Why do we observe Sunday instead of Saturday?

A: We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the Catholic Church transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday.

Q: Why did the Catholic Church substitute Sunday for Saturday?

A: The Church substituted Sunday for Saturday, because Christ rose from the dead on a Sunday, and the Holy Ghost descended upon the apostles on a Sunday.

Q: By what authority did the Church substitute Sunday for Saturday?

A: The Church substituted Sunday for Saturday by the plenitude of that divine power which Jesus Christ bestowed upon her.

Q: What does the Third Commandment command?

A: The Third Commandment commands us to sanctify Sunday as the Lord's Day.

Why does the Catholic Church Oppose the scripture?

The reason the Catholic Church opposes the scripture is because it opposes them.

No religious institution on earth has as much to fear about its members reading the scripture as the Catholic Church. When Catholics study the scripture they learn that in order to please God, they must discard the many false doctrines which their church has accumulated over the centuries. Following is an excerpt from an address given by the Cardinals to Pope Pius III in 1503 A.D., and is preserved in the National Library of Paris, Folio No. 1068, Vol. 2, pp. 650 651:

"Of all the advice that we can offer your holiness we must open your eyes well and use all possible force in the matter, namely to permit the reading of the gospel as little as possible in all the countries under your jurisdiction. Let the very little part of the gospel suffice which is usually read in mass, and let no one be permitted to read more. So long as people will be content with the small amount, your interest will prosper; but as soon as the people want to read more, your interest will fail. The scripture is a book, which more than any other, has raised against us the tumults and tempests by which we have almost perished. In fact, if one compares the teaching of the scripture with what takes place in our churches, he will soon find discord, and will realize that our teachings are often different from the scripture, and oftener still, contrary to it."

The scriptures give us clear commandments concerning our handling of heresies in the church (Romans 16:17-18, Titus 3:10-11, 2 Thessalonians 3:6,14,15).

Link to this article: http://www.ecclesia.org/truth/catholic.html