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Religion See other Religion Articles Title: Examing the Roman Catholic church Please note that NONE of this information is from the Jehovah's Witnesses. NONE! THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH - ESTABLISHED BY THE APOSTLES? The Church claims its beginnings to be with the apostles and Peter in particular. But an examination of its teachings and practice shows that this has no biblical basis. The apostles were ordinary men, usually married, who devoted their lives to teaching the Word of God and nurturing the infant congregations, refusing to be involved with the politics or the acquisition of wealth. Each member had an input into the decisions of the congregation, which, though linked by common doctrinal belief, was autonomous in function. No apostolic succession was instituted either in the Bible, or by the early church fathers. Instead, leaders were appointed by individual congregations for their competence in the Word of God and personal example (Acts 6:3, 1 Timothy 3) on a voluntary basis. Jesus Christ and his apostles commanded only two ceremonies: baptism and the breaking of bread. Catholic sacraments have resulted from the traditions instituted by men, often running directly counter to the Word of God. When christianity was "launched" at Pentecost, there were no trappings of priesthood of liturgy. Believers were baptized and "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42), usually gathering together in homes. CANONIZATION OF SAINTS The church believes it has the power to decree special honours to a deceased Roman Catholic. In the view of the church this makes such an one "a saint" with powers to intercede for others before God. But it is a blasphemous claim. Nowhere in the biblical record is there any evidence or even a suggestion of such teaching. It is another example of the infiltration of Greek mythology into church doctrine (see The Decline of Christendom). The word "saints" is a Bible term which means "those separated," and is applied to all believers who have been separated to God by belief and baptism. In fact, the letters of the apostle Paul address whole congregations of believers in this manner (see Ephesians 1:1, Romans 1:7). WORSHIP OF RELICS, SHRINES, MIRACLES The church is renowned for its record of so-called "miracles". From Mary's "house that flew", to statues that seep blood, to Lourdes and pseudo-miracles, down to bits of bones and wood that are revered - all are idolatrous objects originating in paganism, and take away from the honour alone due to the living Creator of heaven and earth. All such veneration is part of the "lying wonders" prophesied by the apostle Paul (2 Thessalonians 2:9) and the "deceptions" condemned by the Lord Jesus Christ in Revelation 13:14 - all perpetrated upon a superstitious and ignorant people. DEFECTION FROM THE FAITH PREDICTED How could so many people be so wrong? It is customary to think that numbers cannot go wrong. But this is not always so. At the crucifixion of Christ, there were only a few supporters - John and a small group of women. The rest had fled. Despite the initial dramatic spread of the gospel, the apostles Peter and Paul later predicted a falling away, as men of ambition jostled for position, affecting the early community of believers. The apostle Paul warned the believers at Ephesus: "after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them" (Acts 20:29-30). Peter adds, "there shall be false teachers among you who shall secretly introduce destructive heresies" (2 Peter 2:1, NIV). Please note that the above speaks of something that will happen SOON. Not something happening today, nearly 2000 years later. As we pause for just a moment to listen to an organ of the Roman church, think about what I just wrote; The New Catholic Encyclopedia states: “The formulation ‘one God in three Persons’ was not solidly established, certainly not fully assimilated into Christian life and its profession of faith, prior to the end of the 4th century. But it is precisely this formulation that has first claim to the title the Trinitarian dogma. Among the Apostolic Fathers, there had been nothing even remotely approaching such a mentality or perspective.”—(1967), Vol. XIV, p. 299. ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS Before the establishment of the Roman Catholic Church, Europe had been dominated by the pagan Roman Empire whose firm control, government administration and widespread influence had become legendary and provided a kind of union. Rome had more or less successively gathered together the tribes of Europe and instituted a system of communication from one part of the empire to another. It was this structure and organization which the Roman Church emulated: "In many ways, the church was comparable to the Roman Empire of old, whose territorial and administrative organization it had taken over and whose official language, Latin, is still maintained in its services, records and literature. Both were international in character. Everyone recognized the Pope, as everyone had worshipped the Emperor. The Church had its legal system and courts...Its missionaries and crusaders on the frontiers of Christendom were like the ancient legionaries on the Roman borders. Its monasteries were scattered over the face of the land as thickly as had been the administrative bureaucracy of the empire, and at the head and centre of it all, watching over the whole world, interfering in everything, exercising temporal as well as spiritual power, receiving reports and questions and appeals from all quarters, and reserving to himself the settlement of all questions in the last resort, sat Innocent III, with an authority quite comparable with that of a Trajan or a Diocletian." (Thorndyke, Medieval Europe, p. 414). CHURCH AUTHORITY DEVELOPS History depicts the long struggle of the Popes for supremacy over other leaders, and the manipulation for power once Constantine removed his presence to Constantinople in the east. A document called "The Donation of Constantine" was produced about the mid-eighth century claiming to be the "will" of Constantine, bequeathed the Roman Empire to the Popes. Not until the fifteenth century was it found to be fraudulent, by which time the fraud had accomplished its objective and imparted a legal authority to the church's supremacy. Today, there is no open challenge to her fraudulent claims, though her beginnings rest upon lies and deception, as was prophesied in the Bible (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). By the 7th century, the Pope was feeling the pressure from migrating tribes in Europe. The invasion of the Moslem Arabs into Spain, and the advance of various tribes from the east, pressed the barbarian Lombards southwards into Italy, threatening the Pope. The emperor in Constantinople was preoccupied with the Arabian threat, so the Pope had to look for a protector in the west. Charles Martel had successfully repelled the Moslem advance into France, and his son Pepin became the rallying leaders of the Franks. It was to Pepin that the Pope made his advances. Some persuasion was needed, so he managed to produce a golden plate supposedly inscribed by 'Saint Peter' himself, promising Pepin a place in heaven if he defended 'His Holiness'. Pepin rallied to the cause, defeated the Lombards, and presented the Pope with his first landed dominions. However, the pressure continued, and it was not until Pepin's con Charlemagne came upon the scene, that the Pope's position was assured. Charlemagne was crowned in Rome by the Pope on 'Christmas Day' 800 AD, becoming the first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire as a "continuation of the classical Roman Empire" (Encyclopedia Britannica). It was a shrewd move, because it promoted the Pope to 'kingmaker', borrowing the authority of imperial Rome" (ibid). Later Tertullian (a catholic historian) wrote 'The Lord our God no longer reigns. He has resigned all power to the Pope. With the blessing of the Pope, Charlemagne went forth to conquer throughout Europe. Every conquered people became vassals also of the church. To the ignorant uneducated masses, the learned priests seemed wise and knowing and readily replaced the local pagan religious cults, by incorporating some pagan customs into Catholic ritual. The above is the real Roman church; that organization that brought the trinity, the immortal soul, hell and hellfire and damnation into Christianity. CATHOLIC VERSUS PROTESTANT However, throughout the 'dark ages' a few folk who did have access to books and could read, found that the church was far removed from the Bible they claimed to uphold. Little groups were formed in an endeavor to worship God according to Bible practice, and true biblical teachings, but they were relentlessly and regularly hounded to the death. When the printing press was invented, the publication of the books and particularly of the Bible, began a flood that no public burnings could quench. The first reformers were Catholic priests. Initially they became sickened with the excesses of the church which had adopted a "moneymaking role" to build "St. Peter's " Cathedral in Rome. Then Erasmus, a Catholic priest, produced a new translation of the Bible (1516 AD), the first for 1000 years. As a result, he came to see how far the church had shifted from Bible teaching. His writings became the basis for the reformers. The public challenge against Rome began with the hammer wielded by Martin Luther, himself a priest, who nailed his objections to the door of his local church. When he was called upon to defend his charges, he appealed "To the Bible alone." His firm resolve to accept the Scriptures above all else, challenged papal and church authority, and set in motion religious (and political) freedom. He declared against the Pope: "Since your serene majesty and your lordships seek a simple answer, I will give it in this manner, neither horned nor toothed. Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason, I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not retract anything. May God help me, Amen." The Catholic position since Luther's day, has not changed. Peter Hebblethwaite, a Jesuit turned writer, recorded in 1978: "Whereas Protestant fundamentalism tends to focus on the literal and eternal truth of the Bible, Catholic fundamentalism attaches itself to the letter of the Councils and will not be budged" Thus the Catholic teaching in claiming supremacy over the Scriptures, finds itself in opposition to the Word of God. The struggle between Catholics and Protesters was often to the death. It is estimated conservatively, that some 56 million perished in their attempt to maintain a personal faith. Even the revered Augustine was a confessed persecutor. Described by his admiring biographer, Dr. van der Meer, as "Father of the Inquisition", Augustine himself said: "I persecute openly because I am a son of the church." In contrast to this, the teaching of Christ is that "his kingdom is NOT of this world" (The Greek word translated "world" is kosmos and relates to the system, or present order of society) and hence he adds that his "servants do not fight" (John 18:36). In fact, when threatened with violence, his friend Peter endeavoured to defend him, but Christ commanded his disciple to "put away thy sword" (John 18:11). The apostles never took up any public issue (eg. slavery). Instead, they all believers to suffer and endure whatever their circumstances, looking for the coming of Christ to bring political change (1 Peter 4:14-19). THE SUPREMACY OF THE SCRIPTURE The Scripture clearly teaches that it expresses the will and purpose of God, and that the traditions of men must be subject to His commandments. Catholics may be very devout, but unless they worship as God has commanded, they are worshipping an image of their own making. So the Scripture declares: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). Jesus taught "In vain do you worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men, for you lay aside the commandment of God" (Mark 7:7-8). "Ye are my friends, IF you do whatsoever I command you" (John 15:14). Now comes the difficult part for most; FALSE DOCTRINES WHICH UNITE THE CHURCHES WITH ROME The following doctrines generally accepted alike by Papists and Protestants as vital, are found to be unscriptural by an unbiased appeal to the Bible. 1. THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY. Belief in a triune God - a God that is both one and three - is opposed to reason and the clear declaration of Scripture (Mark 12:29; 1 Corinthians 8:6). It was included in church teaching about 300 years after the death of Christ, and from Rome has found its way into the beliefs of nearly all communities of Christendom. 2. THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL. This is a fundamental doctrine of both Roman and Protestant religion, and is accepted as established in truth. It is, nevertheless, a fiction of paganism, superimposed upon Bible teaching, and the root of the chief errors prevailing in Christendom. It has altered the whole plan of salvation, introduced false concepts in regard to the condition of man in death, has destroyed the power of the doctrine of the resurrection. The Bible teaches the mortality of the soul (Ezekiel 18:4) and lays emphasis upon the hope of a bodily resurrection, without which a man shall perish (1 Corinthians 15:13-18). 3. HEAVEN AS THE REWARD OF THE RIGHTEOUS. One will search the Bible in vain for this teaching, yet it is taught by the churches. It is contrary to the express declaration of the Lord that "the meek shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). 4. ETERNAL TORMENTS IN HELL. A teaching subversive to every principle of justice and reason, and derogatory to the righteous character of the God of heaven. This sadistic nightmare, invented by paganism and Christendom alike, today seems to be losing its impact upon the minds of men, though still proclaimed by many churches. Merciful oblivion is the destiny in store for the wicked, and that takes place at death (Ecclesiastes 9:5-6). The grave is the hell of the Bible: a place of silence and utter destruction (cp. Acts 2:31 with 1 Corinthians 15:55, which has the same word in the original). 5. THE SPRINKLING OF INFANTS. In many churches this takes the place of adult baptism commanded by Christ for believers (Mark 16:16). It is an invention of the Rominish Church, and contrary to the Word of God (see Acts 8:36-37), which knows nothing of any such practice. THESE (AND OTHER) ERRONEOUS TEACHINGS CONSTITUTE THE FOUNDATION OF ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY, BUT ARE ACTUALLY IDEAS ORIGINALLY BORROWED FROM PAGAN MYTHOLOGY, AND SUPERIMPOSED UPON THE BIBLE.
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