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BRIEF HISTORY -- The first century church
was established by Christ. It remained true as a whole, but even in early
times some were departing from the faith (I Timothy 4:1-3). The form of
church government was gradually changed by some men who desired preeminence
in the churches. These men soon began to regard themselves as successors to
the apostles. In 325 A.D., Constantine recognized
the Council of Nicea as the first official church law-making assembly. He
made Christianity the national religion of the Roman Empire and stopped all persecution
against Christians. There were many changes in organization, worship, moral
standards, name, etc., brought about by the various councils. In 608,
Boniface proclaimed himself the "universal bishop" or "papa,"
setting the precedent for all subsequent popes, an office unknown prior to
that time. The Council of 1870 (Vatican Council) proclaimed the doctrine of
papal infallibility, culminating the authority claims for the traditions of
the hierarchy, termed by Jesus as "doctrines and commandments of
men" (Matthew 15:7-9).
A major division occurred in 1054. The
eastern division became known as the Greek Catholic Church ("The Holy
Orthodox Catholic Apostolic Eastern Church"). The official name of the
western church became "The Holy Catholic Apostolic and Roman Church."
Useful Books on
Catholic Tradition
Catholicism Against Itself, Vol. I &
2, O.C. Lambert
Faith of Our Fathers, James Cardinal Gibbons
(paper)
Churches of Today, Tomlinson (paper)
Confraternity New Testament (paper) or 4 version
NT: RSV, KJ, Phillips, Catholic
Slides: Catholicism In the Light of the Bible
Note: All references quoted are official
publications of the Roman Catholic Church. Every volume quoted is on
deposit at the library of Abilene Christian College through
the generosity of the late O. C. Lambert.
TRADITIONS VERSES THE WORD...The
Book is here
Catholic
Tradition.The Word of God.
I. Authority and the Bible
1.Tradition is to be held as the highest authority in the church, even
above the Bible. "Other spiritual books ... are preferred" (Plain
Facts For Fair Minds, Searle, p. 154).
Must not add to nor take from Scriptures inspired of God. Deuteronomy
4:2, Isaiah 8:20
Traditions of men make void the Word of God. Matthew 15:3, 6, 7-9.
Worshipping thereby makes worship vain.
2.
"If the sacred books are permitted everywhere . . . in the vernacular,
there will arise...more harm than good" (Council of Trent, Schroeder,
273-8).
The Scriptures are alone sufficient for the man of God. 2 Timothy
3:15-17; Revelation 22:18-19; 1 Corinthians 4:6.
3. The Bible is not to be read by all; the Pope forbids it; all must not
read it. (Catholic Dictionary, p. 82)
Scriptures are to be read and understood by everyone. Ephesians 3:4;
John 5:39; Acts 17:11 ; I Peter 2:2; 2 Peter
1:20.
II. The Church
The Roman Catholic Church is the only true apostolic church.
"If it is not identical in belief, government, etc., with the
primitive church, then it is not the Church of Christ." (Catholic Facts,
p. 27)
No union of church and state in the Bible. Matthew 22:21; Romans
13:1-7.
2. Bible names for the church do not include "Roman" or
"Catholic." Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 1:1; Hebrews 12:23; Acts
20:28.
3. Catholic church is described as the apostate church, the Mother of
Harlots. Revelation 17:1-18.
a. Rome on.7 hills. Revelation
17:9, 18.
b. Rome on many waters, etc.
Revelation 17:1, 15.
c. Has the world drunk with spiritual fornication. Revelation
17:1-2
d. Drunk with blood of martyrs. Revelation 17:6
e. Mysterious. Revelation 17:5
f. Called Babylon (confusion). Revelation
17:5
g. Mother of Harlots (originator of all churches except Christ's).
III. Peter, Founder and Head of the Church
Peter established the church; he was the first pope and his successors were
popes. (Faith of our Fathers, p. 78). "The records of the second
century are so scanty as to throw but little light on the subject."
Catholic Encyclopedia X 11, p. 267.
1. Only the apostles could pass spiritual gifts to others. Acts
6:1-6; Acts 8:12-18; 19:6, 7; 2 Timothy 1:6. 2. Paul, an apostle, could
pass spiritual gifts. Romans 1:10-11. The church at Rome evidently had never had
an apostle visit them.
3. Peter denied the church was built by him or on him. I Peter
2:4-6.
4. Christ is the rock, "petra." I Corinthians
10:4. He is the builder and head of the church. Matthew 16:18; Colossians
1: 18; Ephesians 5:2
5. Peter was not superior to the other apostles. I Peter 51; 2
Corinthians 11:5; Acts 15:13-19; Matthew 20: 25-26.
6. To be an apostle, one must have been a companion of Christ. Acts 1:
21-22. Must have several qualifications which cannot be passed on by
others.
7. Only one case of apostolic succession in Bible: Acts 1:15-26. When James was beheaded, no one was
selected to succeed him like in the case of Judas. Acts 1:15-26;
15:1-29.
8. The only personal representative of Christ on earth is the Holy
Spirit. John, 14:15-17, 26; 16:7, 13.
9. Peter was a married man. Matthew 8:14; 1 Corinthians 9:5. Popes are
not allowed to marry.
10. Peter would not allow men to fall down to worship him. Acts 10:25, 26. See also Acts 14:14-15; Matthew 4:10. Not
even an angel is to be worshipped by men. Revelation 19:10; 22:8-9
IV. The Priesthood
1. The priest is 'another Christ,' the means of access between the sinner
and God ..."who holds the place of God." (True Spouse of Christ,
St. Ligouri, p. 93). "More certainty of doing the will of God by
obedience to superiors than by obedience to Jesus Christ." (ibid., p.
92-93)
Only one mediator-Christ 1 Timothy 2:5.
Christ has the only unchangeable high priesthood. Hebrews
7:11,12,22-24.
All Christians are priests who have access to God through Christ. 1
Peter 2:5-9; Revelation 1:5-6.
2. Catholics and non-Catholics are expected to call Priest
"Father."
Call no man "Father" in religious sense. Matthew 23:9, 10.
3. Priest has power to forgive sins (Council of Trent, and Lateran Council
of 1215). He receives gifts to say prayers. (Catholic Dictionary, Vatican
Edition, p. 821.)
Forgiveness of sins belongs to the Godhead Mark 2:6-10; 1 John 1:9; 2:1.
2. The gift of God cannot be purchased with money. I Peter 1:18.
V. Purgatory
There is an intermediate state or place called Purgatory where the dead go
to suffer punishment until they can be purified. (Council of Florence,
1439) Made an official doctrine, though man began to teach the idea early
as the sixth century.
These people have not fully made amends for their failings, so must atone
for them by suffering before being admitted into heaven. These sufferings
are lessened by prayers and masses, according to Council of Trent. (Fulton
J. Sheen, World Book, "P", 803)
Prayers of saints or others cannot change our destiny after death.
Hebrews 9:27.
The righteous acts of others cannot be transferred to my credit (before
or) after my decease. I must answer for my own acts of my own body. 2
Corinthians 5:10; Romans 1:29.
I cannot be saved by the prayers or righteous acts of others or even of
my own self. Ephesians 2:8-9.
After death there is no changing from place of punishment to place of
bliss. Luke 16:19-31..
The Bible knows nothing of indulgences either plenary or partial.
Hebrews 2:3.
VI. Concerning Morals
A. Killing
"The temporal sword is in the hand of Peter ... spiritual and
temporal...are in the power of the church... temporal authority is to be
subjected to the spiritual." (Bull Unam Sanctum, November 18, 1302).
"The power of capital punishment is acknowledged for a perfect society
... now the Catholic church is a perfect society." (Tablet, November
5, 1938). "Holy" Wars justified by Church, called a "Pious work,"
such as Crusades, "Full remission of sins," granted soldiers.
(Disciplinary Decrees of the General Councils, Schroeder, 295).
Thou shalt not kill." Exodus 20:13.
Murders forbidden. Romans 1:29.
Resistance and retaliation forbidden. Romans 12:19- 21; Matthew 5:3845.
Love enemies and pray for them. 2. Murders forbidden. Romans 1:29.
Resistance and retaliation forbidden. Romans 12:19-21; Matthew 5:38-45.
Love enemise and pray for them.
B. Adultery
Monks and nuns lived in same monastery since fourth century (Disciplinary
Decrees of the General Council, p. 154-155).
Permanent concubinage is not immoral (Catholic Encyclopedia, IV, p.
207).
Priest can forgive and absolve "an accomplice (partner in guilt) who
is in danger of death" (New Code of Canon Law, p. 208).
Priest does not break vow of chastity by-adultery (Explanation of Catholic
Morals, p. 149). "All celibates are not chaste . . . one who takes the
vow of celibacy does not break it by sinning against the sixth commandment;
he is true to it till he weds."
“Thou shalt not commit adultry.” Exodus 20:14. Principle is
ageless.
Lustful gaze as well as overt act sinful. Matthew 5:27-32; Galatians
5:19-21.
C. Stealing
1. "Extreme necessity, when a person takes only what is necessary ..
2. Secret compensation ... when debtor cannot recover his property by any
other means." (Manual of Christian Doctrine, p. 157, 297).
"Eye for eye" doctrine cancelled by Jesus as a ministration of
death. 2 Corinthians 3:7-9; Matthew 5:38-39.
D. Lying
1. Doctrine of "mental reservation" permits Catholics to lie if
by so doing they can further their religion. (Manual of Christian Doctrine,
p. 444).
"A Catholic who on being asked denies that he is one, does not
necessarily deny the faith. Such answer might be a fitting reply to an
impertinent question" (Manual of Moral Theology, 1, p. 171-172).
"Do not live by fixed principles; live by opportunity and
circumstances." (Handbook Oracle, Tarazona, Spain).
2. Relics are fakes:"Many of the more ancient relics duly exhibited
for veneration ... are either certainly spurious or open to grave
suspicion." (Catholic Encyclopedia, XII, p. 737). Saint Christopher
recently declared never to have existed!
"Shalt not bear false witness." Exodus 20.
"Lie not one to another." Colossians 3:9.
"Speaking the truth in love." Ephesians 4:15.
Some will turn from truth. 2 Timothy 4:4.
Some receive not love for truth. 2 Thessalonians2: 10.
. "Through hypocrisy that speak lies, branded in their conscience
as with a hot iron." 1 Timothy 4:2
VII. Baptism.
1. Affusion, or sprinkling is sufficient for Baptism, as well as immersion:
(Catholic Dictionary, Addis and Arnold, p. 60; Question Box, 366).
2. An infant should receive baptism. "Baptism, nowadays, is given
almost exclusively to children." (OurPriesthood, Bruneau, p.
154).
3. He should be christened with the name of a "saint" and should
have a "godfather and a godmother."
4. Original sin, inherited from Adam, is forgiven when the infant is
baptized .
Baptism is a burial. Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12.
Baptism is a planting.
Romans 6:5.
Baptism is a resurrection. Colossians 2:12.
Baptism is a washing. Acts 22:16.
Baptism is a birth of water. J oh n 3:5.
Baptism is a Greek word which is translated to "dip, plunge, submerge."
There is only one baptism. Ephesians 4:5.
Believers who have repented of their sins and confessed faith in Christ
are Biblically qualified to be baptized. Romans 10:10; Acts 2:38; Mark
16:15-16.
All Christians are called saints. 1 Corinthians 1:2. Christening not in
Bible, nor godfather or godmother.
Original sin not taught in Bible. No act or deed or guilt for such can
be transmitted from one person to another. Ezekiel 18:20; 2 Samuel 12:23;
Matthew 18: 10; 19:14; Psalms 127:3-5. Children are innocent until they
themselves sin by their own lust. James 1:13-15. The child does not bear
the guilt of his father or anyone else, though he may suffer the
consequences of others' sins.
VIII.
Confirmation
In Confirmation, the Holy Spirit is received by the hands of the bishop
when the child reaches the age of accountability (about 12).(Catholic
Dictionary, Addis and Arnold, p. 208).
"Confirmation" ceremony is not taught in God's Word.
The Holy Spirit is given when a believer is immersed. Acts 2:38; 5:32.
Only Christ prayed for Holy Spirit to be sent. John 14:15-17.
IX. Holy Eucharist
1. "Transubstantiation" is the change from bread and wine to the
actual body and blood of Christ, performed at the consecration of the mass
(adopted at the Lateran Council in 1215 A.D.)..
2. The communion (or "Eucharist") is an "unbloody"
sacrifice of the mass.
3. "Communion under one kind" allows "clergy" to
receive the wine, and "laity" supposedly receive both body and
blood in the one element, the bread.
Christ was materially present when He gave the bread and fruit of the
vine to the disciples and said, "This is my body," and "This
is my blood." It is obviously a figure of speech (metaphor), the same
as when He spoke of Himself as a "door" and as a
"vine." John 10-7; 15.
He was not literally a vine or a door.
There was only one offering of Christ; He was once sacrificed for our
sins. Hebrews 6:6; 9:25-26; 10:11-12.
Both bread and fruit of the vine are to be given to all Christians.
Matthew 26: 27; Mark 14:23; 1 Corinthians 11:28. There is no clergy-laity
distinction among Christians in the Bible.
X. Extreme Unction
Health and strength to the soul and body at the point of death.
Must not go what is written! 1 Corinthians 4:6, No such practice in the
Bible.
XI. Holy Orders& Dress
Holy Orders are said to be one of the seven sacraments by which the
bishops, priests and officers of the church are ordained to office.
Peculiar attire (habits) distinguish each order.
Sacraments not in Bible.
Divisions, "Orders of Catholicism, are condemned in 1 Corinthians
1:10.
By fruits (not collars or robes) Jesus said we shall be known. Matthew
7:20.
XII. Matrimony
1. A "Sacrament whereby grace is imparted."
2. Marriage is void unless performed by a priest. All non-Catholics living
in 'concubinage' instead of Christian matrimony (Question Box, p. 349,350)
(Leo XIII, Life of Leo XI 11, p. 332)
3. There is no cause for which the marriage bond may be broken.
4. No artificial birth control method may be employed in marriage, even if
the life of the mother is in jeopardy. (American Ecclesiastical Review,
July 1948-quoted in Birth Control, by Alvin Jennings, Star Bible
Publications, 1961, 24 pages.)
Bible silent. 2 John 9, 10,11.
Where was the priest at the wedding Jesus attended? John 2.1-11.
Marriage is not a "church ordinance" nor a "sacrament"
according to the Bible.
Jesus allowed fornication as the sole cause for divorce. Matthew 5:32;
19:9.
1 Corinthians 3:17; Ephesians 5:29; 1 Peter 3:7--The Christian is to
care for his body which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Anything done
deliberately which endangers health is sin.
XIII. Celibacy
"The law of celibacy of the clergy is not a divine institution but is
a rule of the Church which developed gradually, and was finally made a part
of the legal code for the greater part of the world" (Externals of the
Catholic Church, Sullivan, p. 6).
Hebrews 13:4.
Bishop must be married. Titus 1:5-6; 1 Timothy 3:2.
Forbidding to marry a doctrine of devils. I Timothy 4:1-3.
XIV. Doctrine of Mary
(Glories of Mary-page numbers below) 1. Mary shunned the sight of men. 627,
641, 642. 2. She alone can obtain pardon. 51, 71, 83. 3. Cannot be saved
without praying to Mary. 254, 255, 189. 4. Perpetual virgin; not defiled by
man. 331. 5. Not subject to Christ. 200. 6. Mother of God. 202, 211. 7.
"Assumption of Mary," doctrine defined in 1950. 8.
"Immaculate Conception of Mary" doctrine originated in England;
she was born without the stain of original sin. (Life of Blessed Virgin, De
Gentilucci, 104-105).
Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5.
Only one mediator, Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5.
Colossians 3:17. All in the name of Christ.
Matthew 1:25. Joseph 'knew' her after Jesus' birth.
Christ Lord of all. Acts 10:36; Matthew 28:18-20. 6. Genesis 1:1.
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