Who Can Forgive Sins?

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Who Can Forgive Sins?

The Lutheran Minister, The Catholic Priest, Or Jesus Christ? By Dr. Max D. Younce, Pastor HERITAGE BAPTIST BIBLE CHURCH "Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."- Mark 7:7 "And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition." -Mark 7:9 "Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye." -Mark 7:13 "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." -Colossians 2:8 WHO CAN FORGIVE SINS? A LUTHERAN MINISTER, CATHOLIC PRIEST, OR JESUS CHRIST? This question has surfaced numerous times down through the years.  Two of the most prominent adherents to this position are the Evangelical Churches of America (ELCA) and the Romans Catholic Church.  There are a few others, but these are the most influential in this practice.  One must remember--when you have placed your confidence in any priest or minister as mediator between yourself and God, you have acknowledged them as being equal with Christ.  You have then placed yourself in a position to be susceptible to any other false teaching that is presented.  For any minister or priest to declare that you must go through him to obtain forgiveness of sins is ludicrous, apostate, and diametrically opposed to the Word of God.  Let us examine the claims of both from their own writings, "Absolution and Penance."   LUTHERAN The following is taken and quoted from the writings of the Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference of North America and published by the Concordia Publishing House in Saint Louis, Missouri. The preacher says: "Do you promise that with the aid of the Holy Ghost you will henceforth amend your sinful life?  Then declare by saying: I do promise." The preachers says: "Finally, do you believe that THROUGH ME, a called servant of God, you will RECEIVE THE FORGIVENESS OF ALL YOUR SINS?  Then declare so by saying: I do believe.  As you believe, even so may it be unto you." The preacher says: "Upon this your confession, I, BY VIRTUE OF MY OFFICE, AS A CALLED AND ORDAINED SERVANT OF THE LORD, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I FORGIVE YOU ALL YOUR SINS in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, Amen." The question many have asked is, "Does the Lutheran preacher forgive his wife's sin also?  Does he forgive his children's sins, and does he forgive HIS OWN?"   ROMAN CATHOLIC Similar ideas appear in almost all catholic literature describing Penance.  The following quotes are from the Father Connell's Confraternity Edition, New Baltimore Catechism. "Penance is also a sacrament instituted by Our Divine Savior in which sins committed after Baptism are forgiven through the absolution of the Priest." "The Priest has the power to forgive sins from Jesus Christ, who said to His Apostles and to their successors in the priesthood: 'Receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; whose sins you shall retain, they are attained." (John 20:22,23).   "No man, by his own power and authority, could possibly forgive sins.  Only God can do that because sin is an offence against Him.  BUT the priest, as God's representative, can forgive sins because God has given him the power to do so." (Matthew 18:15-18).   "Our Savior could indeed have decreed that men should receive the Pardon of their sins by going directly to God with contrition.  BUT a sacrament, administered by men in the name of God, IS A MORE ASSURING AND A MORE EFFECTIVE MEANS."   "The power to forgive sins by pronouncing these words of absolution is given to the priest at his ordination.  In order to exercise this power the priest must have jurisdiction, or be authorized to ACT AS A SPIRITUAL JUDGE OVER THE PERSONS HE ABSOLVES."   THE PRIEST FORGIVES SINS WITH THE WORDS: "I absolve thee from thy sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the the Holy Ghost, Amen." One might notice under "b." that the Catholic Church acknowledges that no man has the power to forgive sins, but God only; they then transfer that power to their priests.  The following Scriptures are used to support their position: Matthew 9:5-8, "For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?  But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.  And he arose, and departed to his house.  But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, WHICH HAD GIVEN SUCH POWER UNTO MEN."   Matthew 18:15-18, "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.  But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.  And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.  Verily I say unto you, WHATSOEVER YE SHALL BIND ON EARTH SHALL BE BOUND IN HEAVEN: AND WHATSOEVER YE SHALL LOOSE ON EARTH SHALL BE LOOSED IN HEAVEN."   John 20:21-23, "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.  And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained."   Matthew 16:19, "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." PURPOSE OF MIRACLES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT Christ performed hundreds of miracles, beginning with His first miracle of turning the water into wine in John 2:1-11.  Not all miracles were recorded.  John tells us in John 20:30, "And many other signs (Greek: semeion, miracles) truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book." The purpose of the miracles that are recorded, is given in verse 31. "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus (His humanity) is the Christ (deity, i.e., God in human flesh), the Son of God (by the virgin birth); and that believing ye might have life through his name." In John 1:11 it is recorded that, "He came unto his own, and his own received him not." Christ declared to Israel that He was their Messiah (John 1:41), Saviour (Luke 2:11), Sin-bearer (Matthew 1:21), and King (Matthew 2:2); but the religious leaders wanted nothing to do with Him.  In Hebrews 2:3,4 the Word of God declares, "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them (Israel) witness, both with SIGNS AND WONDERS, and with DIVERS MIRACLES, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?" In Matthew 9:1-8 Christ had healed a man sick of palsy (a paralytic) as proof that He had the power to forgive sins also.  Anyone can say, I will forgive your sins, but the miracle of healing was "proof positive" that He was truly the Son of God!  In Matthew 10:8, this power of healing and other miracles would also be given to the Twelve Apostles, and to The Seventy in Luke 10.  As we are going to see from Scriptures, no human being was ever given the power to forgive sins.  The message of the Twelve Apostles was that Christ was to bear our sin on the cross, and by the power given to them to perform miracles their message was substantiated as authentic.  In Matthew 10 they were to go ONLY to the nation of Israel.  In verses 6 and 7... "...go, rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  And as ye go, preach, saying, THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND." The power given them is recorded in verse 8... "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils (demons): freely ye have received, freely give." Nowhere in Matthew, Chapter 10, do you find they were given power to forgive anyone's sins.  Their message and commission was to preach that..."the kingdom of heaven is at hand." The reason the Kingdom was "at hand"--the King was here.  When any Jew believed this message their sins were forgiven.  Matthew earlier stated in 1:21 that... "He (Christ) shall save his people from their sins." (Note John 1:29). The Seventy in Luke 10 were given the same power to perform miracles (verses 9,17,19,20).  Notice carefully, as you read Luke 10, NOWHERE do you find the Seventy being given the power to forgive sins.  Their message to their own nation was that Jesus Christ was their Saviour and Messiah.  "Dr. Luke" stated earlier in Luke 2:11, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a SAVIOUR, WHICH IS CHRIST THE LORD." Christ's crucifixion and resurrection was God's payment for our sins.  Paul declared this in writing to the Ephesians... "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." (Ephesians 1:7) Every minister that loves the Lord Jesus Christ will not draw attention to himself, let alone claim the power to forgive sin.  He will declare as Paul did to the Corinthians in 1st Corinthians 2:2 and 1:31... "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." (2:2) "...He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord (not in himself)." (1:31) To the Seventy who preached Christ and Him crucified, the Lord said concerning their hearers in Luke 10:16... "He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me." Keep in mind, it was the message they preached that would be accepted or rejected.  The message would save or condemn, and that God's Word is truth (John 17:17).  Ezekiel stated that God's Word would be done; i.e., whatever God says He will back it up from Heaven... "...but the word which I have spoken shall be done, saith the Lord GOD." (Ezekiel 12:28)   THE "KEYS" AND "BINDING AND LOOSING" The same guarantee of God backing up His Word from Heaven, is in Christ's Words to Peter in Matthew 16:19... "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Vine's Expository Dictionary of Greek New Testament Words has this to say in reference to the Word "bind": "The Lord's Words to the Apostle Peter in Matthew 16:19 as to binding, and to all the disciples in 18:18 signify, in the former case, that the Apostle, by his ministry of the Word of life, would keep unbelievers outside the kingdom of God; and admit those who believed." The "keys" spoken of in Matthew 16:19 were first used by Peter on the day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2.  Nowhere did Peter or the Eleven ever even HINT that they could or would forgive anyone's sins!  The whole chapter is a testimony concerning Christ, the resurrection and His forgiveness.  Here are Peter's words in verse 21... " And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Acts 2:21) They were saved because of the Word of God Peter preached.  They were then baptized as a public testimony of their faith.  Notice Peter's Words in Acts 2:41... "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about 3,000 souls." Peter used the "keys" (symbolic of God's Word) again in Acts 10.  God sent Peter to the Gentile named Cornelius, to show the Jews that the Gentiles could be saved also.  Read Chapter 10 and nowhere do you find Peter EVER claiming the power to forgive anyone's sins.  Peter directed the lost to Christ and Him alone.  Here are Peter's Words in Acts 10:43... "To him (Christ) give all the prophets witness, that through his (Christ's) name whosoever BELIEVETH IN HIM (Christ) SHALL RECEIVE REMISSION OF SINS." Unlike Peter, some clergy, through pride, love to claim this power for themselves and love to mediate between God and man.  In doing so they outright deny and resist God's Word.  1st Timothy blatantly declares in 2:5... "For there is one God, and ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MEN, the man CHRIST JESUS." When God's servants preach His Word on earth, it will divide--those who believe it are saved and, those who do not are lost.  His Word is so powerful it will divide as a sharp. two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12).  Isaiah 55:11 declares that His Word will not return unto Him void and empty.  Those in Matthew 16:10 that are bound on earth are those who have believed the Word and are saved.  They have the promises of the omniscient and omnipotent God, that in Heaven He will make good the promises that He gave on earth.  The same goes for those who reject God's Word (John 3:36).  Even though many do not believe in Christ, the Word of God or Hell, it will not alter God's faithfulness to His Word when He pronounces their end sentence in Matthew 25:41... "...Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." Then they will realize that, not in all the New Testament nor in Peter's two epistles, was there the vestige, either claimed or exercised, of Peter forgiving anyone's sin.  Who will you believe--man or God?  Romans 3:4 makes it perfectly clear concerning God's Word... "God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar..."   COMPARISON OF JOHN 20:23 TO OTHER SCRIPTURE " Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained." -John 20:23 John 20:23 is the verse relied upon as the strongest to support this position of the Lutherans and Roman Catholics.  This they claim is their right and power given to them by God to forgive your sins. To obtain the correct teaching of Verse 23, as any Bible student knows, you must compare all other Scriptures that pertain to the same subject or verse in question.  When all Scriptures pertaining to the same subject AGREE, then you have the correct teaching of that subject or verse.  If not, then you have a wrong interpretation or application of the verse or subject in question.  This would then lead to a false teaching perpetuated upon the unsuspecting congregation.  Since all Scripture is given by "inspiration of God" (2nd Timothy 3:16), there can be no error or contradiction in God's Word.  This is why Peter declared in 2nd Peter 1:20 that... "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any PRIVATE INTERPRETATION." The Word "prophesy" is the Greek "propheteia" and defined by Vine's Expository Dictionary of Greek New Testament Words: "Signifies the speaking forth of the mind and counsel of God.  Though much of the Old Testament prophecy was purely predictive, it is the declaration of that which cannot be known by natural means.  It is the FORTH-TELLING OF THE WILL OF GOD, WHETHER WITH REFERENCE TO THE PAST, THE PRESENT, OR THE FUTURE." This does not mean that one cannot understand the Scriptures for themselves.  It does warn against anyone building a doctrine on one, isolated, verse without comparing all other verses on the same subject.  This is why the Holy Spirit inspired Paul in his second epistle to Timothy, verse 2:15, to emphasize the value of studying the Word of God for yourself. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING the word of truth." Rightly dividing comes from the Greek Word "orthotom" and means "teaching Scripture accurately."  Our study thus far has shown that only God, Who is Christ in human flesh, can forgive sins.  Now let us compare John 20:23 with some other Scriptures concerning forgiveness of sins, and a preacher or priest trying to place himself as mediator and intercessor between God and man.  A mediator is one who goes between God and man.  There have been and still are myriads of men, either claiming they are the Christ, or that they possess special powers above others in order to be man's representative to God.  Maybe you are one who actually believes your minister or priest can forgive your sins; thereby instilling in you the confidence that you are now ready for eternity.  Let us examine the BIBLE and see if you have been misled or if their claims are substantiated.  Here is God's Word on the subject... 1st Timothy 2:5, "For there is one God, and ONE MEDIATOR between God and men, the man CHRIST JESUS."   Romans 8:34, "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, WHO ALSO MAKETH INTERCESSION FOR US.   John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER, BUT BY ME."   Hebrews 7:25, "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him (Christ), seeing he (Christ) ever liveth to MAKE INTERCESSION FOR THEM."   1st John 2:1, "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an ADVOCATE with the Father, JESUS CHRIST the righteous:   Isaiah 53:12, "...and he (Christ) bare the sin of many, and made INTERCESSION FOR THE TRANSGRESSORS." One would have to outright deny the Word of God and call Jesus Christ a liar by not acknowledging that Christ, and He alone, is the only One Who can forgive our sins.  Isaiah 53:5,6 describes the lost condition of man and what our Wonderful Saviour did for us.  No wonder He is a jealous God! "But he (Christ) was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him (Christ); and with his stripes we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him(Christ) THE INIQUITY OF US ALL." The only One who can forgive sins is the One Who paid for our sins and that is Jesus Christ.  The only true and absolute peace a person can posses concerning eternal life comes from Jesus Christ and His payment for sin.  Paul makes this perfectly clear in Romans 5:1... "Therefore being justified by faith, we HAVE PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Scriptures are vouchsafed in plenty for those who have a sincere desire to know the truth.  Tradition has propagated upon humanity, the most dastardly evil employed by some of the clergy to convince the unsuspecting that they have the power of Jesus Christ to forgive your sins.  The following Scriptures will unmask the veil of error and illuminate the truth of God's Word: Mark 2:10, "But that ye may know that the Son of man (Christ) hath power on earth to forgive sins..."   Luke 5:20, "And when he (Christ) saw their faith, he (Christ) said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.   Matthew 9:6, "But that ye may know that the Son of man (Christ) hath power on earth to forgive sins..."   Ephesians 4:32, "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."   Colossians 2:13, "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him (Christ), having forgiven you ALL TRESPASSES."   1st Corinthians 15:3, "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures."   1st Peter 3:18, "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he (Christ) might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit."   John 1:29, "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (I don't see anything in this verse that indicates the priest or minister is the one who takes away sin).   Romans 11:27, "For this is my covenant unto them, when I (Christ) shall take away their sins."   Acts 13:38, "Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man (Christ) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins." This is what every Lutheran minister and Catholic priest should be preaching; i.e., that through Jesus Christ, and Him alone, is the forgiveness of sin.  Our question is, and should be yours also, why are they not directing their parishioners to Christ instead of themselves?  I, personally, have asked hundreds of people belonging to these two organizations to question their minister or priest, asking them why they cannot go directly to Jesus Christ for forgiveness?  Most often their answer is, "I wouldn't dare do something like that."  My reply, "Why not, are you scared to?  You have a right to question your pastor or priest on ANYTHING they teach." Sad to say, the clergy of these organizations have almost promoted themselves to the level of a god in the eyes of their people, a practice so entrenched that it would be a "sin" to question their authority!  We find the prophet, Jeremiah, experienced the same problem, so nothing has changed in over 2,500 years! "The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; AND MY PEOPLE LOVE TO HAVE IT SO: and what will ye do in the end thereof?" (Jeremiah 5:31) Acts 13:39, " And by him (Christ) ALL THAT BELIEVE are justified (declared righteous) from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." (Please note: By believing in Jesus Christ, we are justified.)   Ephesians 1:7, " In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." Remember--nowhere in the New Testament can you find one case where any of the Apostles ever forgave anyone's sin.  They always pointed their listeners to Jesus Christ.  If not one of the Apostles ever made that claim, then those today claiming that power have placed themselves above the Apostles, and equal with Jesus Christ Himself. Luke 7:47,48,50 "Wherefore I (Christ) say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven..." (vs. 47) In verse 48, Christ assures this woman her sins have been forgiven: "And he (Christ) said unto her, THY SINS ARE FORGIVEN."   In verse 50 the Lord gives the reason the woman's sins were forgiven.  It is on the same basis that our sins are forgiven, our FAITH IN HIM, and not in a minister or priest.  No priest or minister ever died for your sins, but Christ did. "And he (Christ) said to the woman, Thy FAITH hath saved thee; go in peace." The Lord Jesus Christ forgave sins while He was on the earth, and is still the only One Who can forgive sins today.  Every preacher and priest is a sinner themselves, and needs forgiveness.  Notice God's indictment on mankind in Romans 3:23... "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." My Bible says "ALL have sinned"; and I cannot find where it says, "ALL, but preachers and priests."  "Coming short of the glory of God" literally means falling short of being as righteous as God, Himself.  Therefore, Romans 3:24,25 tell us how and why we have remission of sins... "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his(Christ's) blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God." Where do you find anything about a minister or priest being able to remit your sins?  Ask your minister or priest if they are trusting Jesus Christ as the payment fortheir sin.  The clergy go to Heaven the same way the congregation does; that is through Christ and Him alone.  If the answer is "Yes," then ask them why you cannot go directly to Christ the same as they? The only One Who can forgive sin is the One Who is sinless.  2nd Corinthians declares that Christ was without sin... "For he hath made him (Christ) to be sin (i.e. the payment for sin) for us, WHO KNEW NO SIN; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2nd Corinthians 5:21) Would any minister or priest dare to claim they are sinless?  Remember, only the One Who is without sin can forgive those who are sinners, and that is Christ Jesus.  By making the claim they can forgive sins, they are actually placing themselves on equality with Christ and being sinless themselves.  I personally, have talked to many and all deny they are sinners, but become a little offended that one should question their self-appointed authority.  Even though they deny this, their solicitation for sinners to come to them for forgiveness is an indictment against themselves by their own WORD AND PRACTICE. 1st John 1:8-10, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (vs. 8) "If we confess our sins, he (Christ) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (vs. 9) "If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his (Christ's) word is not in us." (vs. 10) The first chapter of 1st John is written to Christians who sin AFTER they are saved.  John is addressing the Christian's service--not salvation.  His fellowship with Him and not his Son-ship.  His power for Christ as a witness--not his position with Christ in Heaven.  Let us closely analyze what the preceding verses actually say.  Who are we to confess sins to?  Answer: Jesus Christ.   Who is faithful to forgive our sins?  Answer: Jesus Christ.   Who is able to cleanse us from all unrighteousness?  Answer: Jesus Christ.   Should any Lutheran minister or priest even hint that they, themselves, are without sin, God says they are SELF DECEIVED (v.8), and make God a liar (v.10).  I have been a pastor for 34 years and it is beyond my comprehension to even think I could forgive someone's sins.  What a blessing it has been and still is to direct people to our Wonderful Saviour, Who will forgive any and all sins.  John 6:37 declares, "...and him that cometh to me (Christ) I will in no wise cast out." There are multitudes of Scriptures in addition to what we have already quoted.  Isaiah 43:25; 44:22; 53:5,6; Micah 7:18,19; Exodus 34:7; Daniel 9:17-19; and Psalm 130:1-4, could have been quoted, as well as many, many others. FAITHFUL MINISTRY OF THE GOSPEL ACCOMPLISHES REMITTANCE OF SIN What follows in an examination of the verse most commonly used by Lutheran ministers and Catholic priests to justify their "power" in claiming they can forgive your sins.  By this, they place themselves as the mediator between you and God. "Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained." (John 20:23) As we compare other verses with John 20:23, we can easily see the only way a Christian, clergy, or layman, can remit sins is by presenting the WORD OF GOD.  The Word will judge those who reject it, as Christ stated in John 12:48... "He that rejecteth me (Christ), and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the WORD that I have spoken, the same (i.e., the Word)shall judge him in the last day." Psalm 138:2 relates how important the Word of God is: "I will...worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for THOU HAST MAGNIFIED THY WORD ABOVE ALL THY NAME." The reason the WORD is magnified above His name is that we today would not know the surety of God or His name, if it weren't for the WORD OF GOD. When a Christian witnesses to a lost person with the WORD of God, as recorded in John 3:16 and 36, that person then has a choice to make.  If they accept Christ, they have everlasting life.  Should they reject Christ until death, they will then experience the wrath of God in Hell, just as the Word of God has stated in John 3:36... "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." When one believes God's WORD, their sins are then remitted, not by the preacher or priest, but by the WORD OF GOD which promises them eternal life.  Should they reject God's WORD, they will retain their sin.  Only by presenting God's Word as a faithful witness for Christ, do we have a part in another person's salvation.  This is what Christ meant in John 20:23 when He told His disciples that... "Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained." The Greek Word for "remit" is "aphiemi" and literally means "to send away."  Vine's Expository Words in the Greek New Testament explains the use of this verb as such. "Scripture makes clear that the Lord's Words could not have been intended to bestow the exercise of absolution which the Scripture declares is the prerogative of God alone.  There is no instance in the New Testament of this act on the part of the Apostles.  The Words are to be understood in a "declarative" sense; the statement has regard to the effects of their ministry of the gospel, with it's two-fold effects of remission or retention." SOME CLOSING THOUGHTS FOR CONSIDERATION Search the New Testament through and you will not find where any of the Apostles ever claimed the power or authority to forgive anyone's sins.  The Apostles always directed the Lost to Christ, and Him alone, as the One Who paid for sin and offers forgiveness to all in return for their faith.   Fact: The minister or priest who asks you to trust him as God's representative to forgive your sins has placed himself as mediator between you and God.  God's Word in 1st Timothy 2:5 states, in no uncertain Words... "For there is one God, and ONE MEDIATOR between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." If you are one who is trusting the Lutheran preacher or Catholic priest to forgive sins, instead of Jesus Christ, you will spend eternity separated from God.  Christ encountered these same types of religious leaders in His day and levied a stern rebuke against them.  Consider Matthew 23:13... " But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in." An analysis of this verse will show the strength of Christ's Words against these RELIGIOUS LEADERS: The Scribes.  In New Testament times the Scribes were the students, interpreters, and teachers of the Old Testament Scriptures, and were held in high esteem by the people. They were also called lawyers in Matthew 22:35.  They were avowed opponents of Christ, and were publickly denounced by Him for making the Word of God of none effect through their tradition.   Pharisees.  The name means "separated" and they were called "separatists" because they had separated themselves from the ambitious political party in their nation.  They were the exponents and guardians of the written and oral law, and, in belief, were the "conservatives" in distinction from the Sadducees.  Their religious orthodoxy was spiritually dead and barren.  These were the religious leaders--just as you have today!   Christ called the Scribes and Pharisees "Hypocrites" because they were aware that what they were teaching the people was not true.  Christ knew this and that is why He labeled them correctly.  Your minister may appear to be very humble and sincere on the surface, but when he tells you that he can forgive your sins, his true character is then exposed.  Christ had this to say in Matthew 23:27... "...for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, BUT are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." If you believe the false teaching of today's modern "scribes and pharisees," you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  "...For ye shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men..." (Matthew 23:13)   These false teachers are not saved and will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but Hell awaits their entry.  "...For ye neither go in yourselves..."(Matthew 23:13) Who do these ministers and priests confess their sins to?  Do they forgive themselves?  Have you ever heard one of these clergymen telling their congregation who they profess their sins to?  If you support these churches with your money, you surely have a right to know how the Lutheran ministers or Catholic priests get their sins forgiven.  Why not ask them?   Have they presented themselves to you as being without sin?  I should hope not, but if that is the case with some, then, according to 1st John 1:8, God would indict them with "First Degree LYING." " If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves (not others), and the truth is not in us." In Luke 23:43, it was Jesus Christ Who forgave the thief on the cross next to Him.  He didn't call for the religious leaders or the priest, did he?  Only Christ could assure this thief that his sins were forgiven and give him the absolute assurance that "TODAY SHALT THOU BE WITH ME IN PARADISE."  Who are you going to trust for your salvation, the Lutheran minister, the Catholic priest, or JESUS CHRIST?   For the ministers and priests who assume the power to forgive your sins by claiming Matthew 9:8...why do they not claim and practice the power God gave the Apostles in Matthew 10:8? "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, RAISE THE DEAD, cast out devils (demons): freely ye have received, freely give." As Christ stated in Matthew 9:5... "For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?" If these Lutheran ministers and Catholic priests can legitimately forgive your sins, let us see proof of their claim such as: (a.) healing the sick, (b.) cleansing lepers, (c.) RAISING THE DEAD! Notice the paradox.  The Apostles had and exercised the powers given them by Christ in Matthew 10:8; but, NEVER claimed to Read more at christian-truths2.blogspot.com

 

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Roman Catholic Church deny Jesus?

Does the Roman Catholic Church deny the Jesus of the Bible?

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Does the Roman Catholic Church deny the Jesus of the Bible?

The answer is absolutely yes!

"Whom Do Ye Say That I Am?" Jesus obviously felt it was important for his disciples to know his true identity. This is probably the most the most important issue in the Bible (Matthew 16:13-20). Although the Roman Catholic Church professes to believe in Jesus Christ, we will see that they actually deny most of the essentials of : A) Who he is (substance and ancestry); and B) What he has done. If anyone redefines who Jesus is or what he has done they have a different (false) Christ. For example, if I were to teach that, " Jesus was born in Japan in 1830, He killed 24 people, He even lied to many people during His lifetime, and finally died in 1902 of old age," I would be teaching a false Jesus. At the least, I would be denying his birth place, his Jewish ancestry, and his death on the cross. If I were to teach this about Jesus Christ, it would be enough to define a different (false) Jesus Christ. By definition, anyone who professes a false Christ denies the true one. Who is the Real Rock? Jesus himself said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me" (John 14:6). In Matt. 16:13-20, Jesus asked his disciples a very important question, "Who do you say that I am?" Jesus is asking the key question of the Bible: he is asking us to correctly identify him. This is the question that inspects the very foundation of the Christian faith. If we do not now who the real Jesus is, then we can not be saved. We can not get to the true Heaven with a false Jesus. The real Jesus of the Bible is the true foundation (rock) of the Christian faith. He is the rock of salvation. Even Peter claimed that Jesus is the rock, the cornerstone that the builders rejected (Acts 4:10 & 1 Peter 2:1-6). Paul says, "For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ... 'the rock was Christ.'"(1 Cor. 3:11 &10:4). The Roman Catholic Church claims that Peter is the rock that the church is built on. They say that Peter is the first Pope who stands in the place of Christ. This position is known as the Vicar of Christ. This is the lineage through which the present Pope receives his authority. Today, the Pope is still the rock that the Roman Catholic Church is built on. The Roman Catholic Church declares. "...that it is altogether necessary to salvation for every human creature to be subject to the Roman Pontiff [Pope]." (Pope Boniface VIII, 1302 AD in an ex cathedra in his Bull Unum Sanctum). Pope Pius IX said about himself, "I am the way, the truth, and the life". By the office of the Pope, the Roman Catholic Church denies Jesus his rightful place as the foundation of the true church. Jesus' Body and Blood Jesus said when he broke the bread that "this is my body which is given for you, do this in remembrance of me." After the meal, he took the cup (of wine) and said, "this cup is the new testament in my blood" (Luke 22:19 & 20). As often as we do this, we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes again. These are symbols of his body and blood just as when he said, "I am the door." His body was not really made of wood with hinges and a latch. In the same way, the Passover feast was symbolic of the first Passover feast in Egypt where the blood of the Lambs saved the first-born of the Jews in bondage in Egypt. The bread and wine are symbols of Jesus, our Passover Lamb. However, the Catholic Church says that the bread is actually the real body of Jesus. After the priest blesses the bread (wafer), he raises it up before the congregation and says, "Behold, the lamb of God". When he gives it to the members he says, "The body of Christ." Catholicism teaches that "the Eucharist is a sacrament which really, truly, and substantially contains the body and blood, soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ under the appearances of bread and wine. It is the great sacrament of God's love in which Christ is eaten, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge is given to us of future glory."(Question & Answer Catholic Catechism #1214). "The Eucharist is necessary for salvation." (Q&A Catechism, #1217). True Catholics believe that when you eat the bread and drink the wine you are actually eating Jesus' flesh and drinking his blood, even though it tastes like bread and wine. The Roman Catholic Church uses the word "transubstantiation," which refers to the communion bread and wine turning into the actual flesh and blood of Jesus when blessed by the Catholic Father (Q&A, #1224). "Christ is present in the Eucharist not only with everything that makes him a man, but with all that makes him this human being. He is therefore present with all his physical properties, hands and feet and head and human heart. He is present with his human soul, with his thoughts, desires, and human affections." (Q&A, #1223). The Roman Catholic Church proclaims that its members are literally eating their Jesus. Because of this false interpretation of the scriptures, the Catholic Church is encouraging false, idol worship of these inanimate objects. The Roman Catholic Church sets up inanimate objects (the bread and wine) as objects of worship and adoration. Because they worship and adore these objects they qualify as idols. Since Jesus said, "I am the door," and "I am the true vine," this most holy Catholic sacrament is the same as worshipping a door or a vine as if it were Jesus himself. The Jesus of the Roman Catholic Church is a dead victim (an idol) who is sacrificed on their altar and eaten by true Catholics at masses world wide. Thus, Jesus' work of salvation was not finished on the cross, but is an ongoing work of sacrifice on their altars. The Jesus of the Bible declared his work of atonement to be completed on the cross: "It is Finished!" (John 19:30). Jesus gave his life as a sacrifice for sins, offering his body once for all (Hebrews 10:10-12). The real Jesus is no longer hanging dead on the cross but was resurrected from death to life. Because he has eternal life, he can never be sacrificed or die again(Romans 6:9-10). The real Jesus can not be eaten. Because the Roman Catholic Church is eating their Jesus, they have identified and are following a phony Jesus. Catholicism defines a False Mother Because the Roman Catholic Church considers sex as something somewhat unholy, they have elevated celibacy and demoted sex in marriage. Although they teach that Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, the Church has redefined who she is.. The Catholic Church says that the virgin Mary did not inherit original sin from her human parents like all other descendants of Adam and Eve. They say that the virgin Mary's mother and father did not pass on sinfulness to their daughter. What they call the "immaculate conception" refers to the conception of Mary, not Jesus. This is a direct contradiction of scripture (Romans 3:23, 3:10). Mary herself recognized her need for a Savior (Luke 1:47). Why would Mary need to be saved if she wasn't a sinner? Catholicism also redefines Mary's life by claiming that her sinless body and soul were taken up to heaven without dying (assumption). The virgin Mary is also said to have been a virgin her entire life, even though the Bible says that Joseph never knew her until after she gave birth (Matt. 1:25). The Bible says that Jesus' Mother and brothers came to see him. The people of his own town said "Who does he think he is? Isn't he the son of Joseph, and aren't his sisters with us?"(Matt. 13 :54-56, Mark 6:1-3). The book of James starts, "James the Lord's Brother..." The Catholic Church denies Jesus' mother by redefining her as being born like Jesus without original sin. This make the Catholic Jesus born of a phony mother. Save Me, Holy Mother! The Catholic Church gives an elevated position to the Virgin Mary, calling her "Queen of Heaven" because she rules over the Church with Jesus Christ (Catechism of the Catholic Church Par. #996). They also say that she is "The All Holy One. She is the model and source of holiness" (CCC # 2677). Mary had to be willing to give her consent to be pregnant with Jesus or there would be no salvation (CCC #2030). Mary is considered to be co-redeemer with Jesus which means that she also is our savior. Catholics believe that Mary's prayers and good works redeem us (CCC #1477). Even though the Bible says that Jesus is our only mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5), the Catholic Church teaches that Mary is our mediator (mediatrix) and co-redeemer (co-redemptrix) with Christ and that no grace can be applied to man except through her (CCC #969). They also say that she has "saving office...to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation" (Documents of Vatican Council II Vol. 1 p. 418). The Catholic Church does not discourage their members from venerating Mary "higher than all other women and all other humans." Rosaries are used by Catholics as a tool to help them to pray to Mary (and God the Father). All over the world, Catholics are worshipping Mary with the Pope's full knowledge. If this were happening in Biblical Christian Churches, these people would be excommunicated for false worship. The Pope himself thanked Mary for saving his life (Time, Dec. 30, 1991 p. 69). Instead of excommunicating Mary worshipers, they have as part of the church, a "liturgical cult of the Blessed Virgin,..." (Vatican Council II No. 28 VIII #66, 67 - Flannery). Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said of Jesus, "There is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). By praying to Mary and considering her a co-savior and co-mediator, the Catholic Church puts Mary on a similar level with Jesus. Thus they deny Jesus his rightful place as our onlymediator, savior, and redeemer by placing part of his work with someone else. A False Priesthood "The primary ministry of a priest is to consecrate and offer the Holy Eucharist (bread and wine), and to forgive sins." (Q&A, # 1488). "The Sacrifice of the Cross is continued on earth through the Sacrifice of the Mass...It is the Sacrifice in which Christ is offered under the species of bread and wine in an unbloody manner." (CCC # 1367). The Roman Catholic Church teaches that eating the body and blood of Jesus Christ makes one holier. In the sacrifice of the Mass, Christ is offered over and over again as a victim of an unbloody holy sacrifice. So the question is, when the priest blesses the wine, does it turn into Christ's real blood or is it unbloody? (Hebrews 9:22) The Catholic Church has invented a priesthood which supposedly performs a miracle every time the priest blesses the bread and wine (turning them into flesh and blood). If this is true, why are Catholic priests so helpless to perform any other miracles? The Roman Catholic Church teaches that a person must confess to a priest privately and the priest himself forgives sins. He is then told then by the priest what suffering (penance) he must do (usually prayers) to make up for his sins. "Penance is the sacrament instituted by Christ in which sinners are reconciled with God through the absolution of the Priest." (Q&A #1321). "If anyone denieth...that sacramental confession...is necessary to salvation,...or saith that the manner of confessing secretly to a priest alone,...is alien from the institution and command of Christ, and is a human invention; let him be anathema." (Council of Trent, Canon VI "On the Most Holy Sacrament of Penance"). Hebrews chapters 7 to 10, discusses Jesus' true priesthood. Catholic priests supposedly have authority to forgive sins; however, only God can truly forgive sins. The Roman Catholic Priesthood denies and replaces Jesus' true Biblical priesthood. Delusion in Biblical Christianity Even though the Catholic Church agrees with the basic Biblical doctrines of the trinity, they deny it by adding to it with their own traditions We covered the two teachings about Jesus which are most foreign to the Bible (the person of Jesus- the bread and wine, and the work of Jesus-the savior and mediator). We have also covered only part of their works of salvation. Because Biblical Christians are generally not familiar with all of the strange teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, they many times claim that "there are many true Christians within the Roman Catholic Church." The problem with this argument is that most Biblical Christians have not asked their friends the right questions. Without some knowledge of the Roman Catholic teachings, Christians have little chance of asking intelligent and discerning questions and thereby getting the whole truth. Like Mormonism, Catholicism sounds like Biblical Christianity on the surface. Like Mormonism, without in-depth investigative questions, it is impossible to see the whole picture. Only when we ask scrutinizing penetrating question do we learn the real truth. Next time you encounter a Roman Catholic ask him, "Can you eat your Jesus?" or "Can your Jesus mold?". The answer you receive will be as different as these questions are. The following quotes from some famous leaders show that even our leaders can become deceived if they aren't asking the proper questions: "It's time for Protestants to go to the shepherd (the Pope) and say, 'What do we have to do to come home?'" Robert Schuller (Los Angeles Herald Examiner, September 19, 1987, Religion page); "I've found that my beliefs are essentially the same as those of orthodox Roman Catholics." Billy Graham (McCall's, January 1978). We as Biblical Christians need to expose and refute any false doctrine which creeps into the body of Christ. (Eph. 5:11, Titus 1:9, Jude 3). You might say, "How can I tell what is true Biblical Christianity? There are two questions that summarize the essentials of Biblical Christianity: The Two Biblical Laws of Christianity Law 1.. Who is God? ......... Law 2.. How are we saved? Law #1: The Identity of God Christology is the study of who Jesus is and what he has done. These two concepts are essential to establishing the true identity of the real Jesus. The first concept is his person (his nature and character). If you redefine who Jesus is then you have defined a false Jesus. The second concept is his work. If you redefine what he has done or is doing now, then you have defined a different Jesus. At what point would you acknowledge a phony Jesus? If I deny that he died on a cross, claim he didn't raise from the dead, say he wasn't born of a virgin, and didn't pick any apostles; how many things he has done do I need todeny before you tell me that I redefined Jesus and no longer have the truth? Where do you draw the line? The Bible says, Jesus "by himself, purged our sins" and "sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high." (Hebrews 1:3). In Matthew chapter 16, Jesus asked: "Whom do you say that I am?" Law #2: God's Method of Salvation We are saved by Grace, through faith alone (Eph. 2:8-10). God's salvation is free. There is no way that anyone can earn it or become worthy of it. Catholicism has Jesus as a sacred victim n their altar, and his work is not all done by himself. The Church of Rome the true Biblical Jesus and his method of true salvation. Marshall Almarode & Greg Hanson Read more at christian-truths2.blogspot.com

 

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Indulgences

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Indulgences

Through indulgences, the sins of Roman Catholics, both those who are alive and those in Purgatory, can supposedly be forgiven: "Through indulgences the faithful can obtain the remission of temporal punishment resulting from sin for themselves and also for the souls in Purgatory." Pg. 374, #1498 Here is the Catechism's definition of an indulgence: "An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints." Pg. 370, #1471 Here, the water gets deep. Space does not permit a full explanation of indulgences. Suffice it to say that they are a complicated system of good works. It should also be mentioned that every rule regarding indulgences is a tradition of men. Not one can be found in God's Word. Categories of sins? "To understand this doctrine (Indulgences) and practice of the Church, it is necessary to understand that sin has a double consequence." Pg. 370, #1472 But the Bible consistently reveals that all sin has the same consequence: "For the wages of sin is death..." Romans 6:23 "Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."James 1:15 The final result of sin is always death, no matter how minor we may think a particular sin is. Catholics try to pay for sins through indulgences, but Christ already paid for every sin: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;" 1 Corinthians 15:3 While it is true that God does want His children to perform good works, those works are not a requirement for salvation, they are a result of salvation. Paul teaches: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:8, 10 Once one is saved by grace, good works should follow. But good works arenever a requirement for salvation. Neither are they a requirement for forgiveness of sins after salvation. The New Testament bulges with examples of Jesus forgiving sins, but He never demanded good works as a condition of forgiveness. Can the living help the dead? Catholicism also purports that indulgences help those who have already died: "Since the faithful departed now being purified are also members of the same communion of saints, one way we can help them is to obtain indulgences for them, so that the temporal punishments due for their sins may be remitted." Pg. 371-372, #1479 Here is another load of man-made traditions. You will never find any of this taught in the Word of God. As we have mentioned previously, the time to have your sins remitted is while you are still alive. Three themes In this doctrine, three recurring themes come to the surface again: 1. Another divine attribute of Jesus is minimized. The Bible declares that only Christ's work can bring about the forgiveness of sins. Catholicism, though, claims that sins can be forgiven through the good works of any ordinary Catholic. 2. Indulgences keep people in bondage to the Catholic church. Rather than going to God for forgiveness, Catholics must toil and strive, performing good deeds through the Catholic church for forgiveness of their sins. It is noteworthy to ponder that the "good works" of Catholicism differ from the good works of the Bible. Biblical good works are deeds done for other people, while Catholicism' s good works revolve primarily around performing rituals of the church (Masses, saying rosaries, Catholic prayers, lighting candles, etc.). God intended good works to benefit others, not to bring people into bondage to a church. 3. Indulgences are a form of spiritual blackmail, forcing members to remain faithful to the church, so they can someday help their loved ones reach heaven. Conclusion Is this system of good works from God? Read what God records in His Holy Word on the subject, then decide for yourself: "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us..." Titus 3:5 Read more at christian-truths2.blogspot.com

 

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Confessing Sins to a Priest

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Confessing Sins to a Priest

Regarding the forgiveness of sins, two critical doctrines must be examined. First, all sins must be confessed to a priest: "One who desires to obtain reconciliation with God and with the Church, must confess to a priest all the unconfessed grave sins he remembers after having carefully examined his conscience." Pg. 374, #1493 "Confession to a priest is an essential part of the sacrament of Penance:" Pg. 365, #1456 "It is called the sacrament of confession, since the disclosure or confession of sins to a priest is an essential element of this sacrament. Pg. 357, #1424 (See also Pg. 374, #1493). Catholicism orders members to confess their sins to a man, but the Bible reveals that those who have been born into God's family can go straight to God's throne to receive forgiveness for their sins: "I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressionsunto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. " Psalm 32:5 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 David confessed his sins to God when he prayed: "Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me." Psalm 51:2-3 Here is why true Christians have access to God' s throne: "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus..." Hebrews 10:19 Because of the sinless blood that Jesus Christ shed on the cross, we have the authority to go straight to the throne of God for forgiveness. The "first pope's" example In the book of Acts, a man named Simon came to the alleged first pope, Peter, wanting to buy the power of the Holy Spirit. How did Peter respond to this sin? Did he suggest that Simon make a confession to him right there? No, Peter told him to repent and confess his sin to God and ask God to forgive him. (See Acts 8:18-22). Can priests forgive sins? The second part of this doctrine suggests that Catholic priests have the power to forgive sins: "Only priests who have received the faculty of absolving from the authority of the Church can forgive sins in the name of Christ." Pg. 374, #1495 (See also Pg. 364 #1448) Here, too, Catholic doctrine opposes God's Word: "Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?" Mark 2:7 Catholicism teaches that the priest is a mediator between God and man. (See Pg. 365, #1456). But the Bible recognizes only one mediator: "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" 1 Timothy 2:5 Once again, the Catechism admits that these are not instructions from God, but traditions of men: "The Fathers of the Church present this sacrament as the second plank [of salvation]..." Pg. 363 #1446 More bondage "According to the Church's command, 'after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful isbound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.'" Pg. 365, #1457 (Emphasis author's) There is that word "bound" again. The Church Fathers created another tradition which keeps people in bondage to the Catholic church. What a powerful weapon to use against Catholics around the world. In essence, this doctrine says that if you leave the Catholic church, you will not be able to obtain forgiveness for your sins, which means you won't go to heaven. Please remember, none of this came from God! These are all man-made threats. May God open your spiritual eyes and give you understanding, so that you may see the depth of the bondage this religion holds you in. May God show you that you don't have to be held captive to this religion any longer. Jesus Christ wants to set you free. Conclusion Millions of faithful Catholics blindly file into confessional booths, believing that the priest has the power to forgive their sins. What about you? Where will you go to have your sins forgiven? To a sinful priest, as the man-made traditions of the Catholic church demand? Or will you go straight to God Almighty, as the Bible teaches? "Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared."  Read more at christian-truths2.blogspot.com

 

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50 Questions for Roman Catholics

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50 Questions for Roman Catholics.

Hard Questions For Roman Catholics.

1. If Peter has the Power to forgive sins as the RCC declares, why did Peter not use this power to forgive Simon the Sorcerer, but told him to Repent and pray to God for forgiveness Acts 8: 18-24. 2. If Peter was Bishop of Rome from 42 AD to 67 AD according to RCC, why did Paul write the letter to the Romans read Romans 1:7. 3. If Peter was Bishop of Rome for 25 years, how could he meet Paul in Jerusalem in 42 AD, and then back in Jerusalem again in 43 AD, and in 56 AD have a dispute with Paul in Antioch about 800 miles from Rome, it appears Peter was not in Rome when RCC declare he was, Can you say that RCC is in error over the time Peter supposedly was in Rome, or has the Bible got it all mixed up. 4. If Peter was in Rome during those years, why when Paul was greeting 27 eminent people in Rome and greet them by name, did he not once mention Peter ~ Romans 16. 5. Where does it even hint in Scripture that the Virgin Mary was Sinless when you read Luke 1:49 does it not tell you that Mary needed the same Calvary Redemptive blood that everyone else who was a sinner needed too. 6. Why did Mary offer up what is called the Sin Offering in Luke 2: 22-24 compare Leviticus 12:2 -- 6, if she was really sinless, when the bible says she was UNCLEAN 7 days, according to the Law of Moses. 7. Can you give me any bible verse that declares that Mary was assumed into heaven, body and soul after her death. 8. Since RCC believed that Mary died and was taken to heaven body and soul after her death, does this not prove Mary was a sinner, because the wages of sin is death Romans 6 : 23. 9. Where did Jesus ever refer to Mary as his mother in scripture, when the closest you get is when he called her Woman, which is simply a term of Respect ~ John 2:4 , John 19:26. 10. If Peter was infallible in Faith and Morals as the RCC claim he was, why did Paul in Galatians 2:11 withstand him to his face because he was in error, was this not a matter of faith & morals that Peter was in error about. 11. Since the RCC believe that Peter was declared the Rock in Matthew 16:18, why did Jesus then call Peter Satan 5 verses later in Matthew 16: 23, which was he. 12. If Peter alone had the power to Bind and loose according to RCC how come we see Jesus giving this same power to the other Apostles in Matthew 18:18, it appears this power is not peculiar just to Peter, if the others had it too, why is this. 13. RCC contend that Jesus changed Simons name to Peter in Matthew 16:18, why then in John 1:42 Jesus meets Simon and says" And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone." ~ Jesus said that he would be called a stone, not a Rock, as the RCC contend, which was he ~ a stone ~ or a Rock, when you compare 1st Corinthians 10:4. & Psalm 18:31. 14. If Peter was the visible head of the whole church as RCC declare, then why did Paul write more letters than Peter did. 15. If Peter was head of the church why at the very first council in Jerusalem, after Peter had his say, why did James give the sentence (Verdict) on the Matter and not Peter ~ Acts 15:13- 20 16. If everything the RCC teach about Mary is true, then why did the apostles never even hint at such things in their epistles and writings, if these things were so important as dogma. 17. If water baptism is necessary for Salvation, why did Paul thank God that he baptized none of them 1st Cor 1: 14 except two people Crispus and Gaius. 18. If water baptism is part of the Gospel Message, why did Paul differentiate between the Gospel that Saves, when heard, believed, and accepted, and water baptism 1st Cor 1:17. 19. If the qualifications for water baptism has to be Repent, or Turn, or Believe, FIRST, how can infants who are water baptized meet these qualifications, of what use is this baptism to them. 20. If water baptism is so necessary before a person receives the Holy Spirit, why in acts 10 did the gentiles receive the Holy Spirit first, before they were water baptized Acts 10:44- 48, 21. When the disciples disputed among themselves who should be the greatest, did they not know that Peter was the Rock and he had pre eminence over them Mark 9: 33-37, why did Jesus not tell them that Peter was now the greatest among them, instead of a child. 22. If John 6 is literal language why did Jesus say, that to the people he always spoke in Parables and not literal speech, Matthew 13:34, Mark 4:34, and if Jesus words were literal why did he have to explain what he actually ment to his disciples afterwards, Matthew 13:10- 17. 23. If the Pope is a successor and Apostle like Peter, can he meet the biblical qualifications that is outlined for one to be a true Apostle of Christ, Acts 1:20- 23, Acts 2:32, 1st Cor 9:1, etc etc 24. If Peter was the Rock as RCC declares, then if the Popes are successors like Peter would they also be classed as Rocks, equal in authority as Peter supposedly was. 25. At the Last Supper as Jesus partook of the bread and fruit of the vine himself, did he in fact eat his own body, and drink his own blood, since it supposedly changed into these things. 26. If the boast of RCC is true, that Jesus gave the Apostles the power to forgive sins, then can an RC priest forgive the sins of a non catholic, if asked to do so? If not why not? 27. If the Mass is the same Sacrifice as that of Calvary ~ and the origin of the Mass is supposed to be the Last Supper, how can it be the same Sacrifice as that of Calvary ~ since the Last Supper took place before Calvary? 28. If a Pope made a declaration that he was not really Infallible, would that be an infallible statement from his lips? 29. Catholics say there are such things as Venial sins, these they say will not send a person to Hell, can you give me an example of a Venial sin, which does not fall under the 10 Commandments. 30. Catholicism uses a few verses in Acts 1:20-26 to prove apostolic succession, showing the apostles casting lots between Matthias & Barsabas to replace Judas, how can this be apostolic succession? Since it was Judas place they were contending for and not Peter, and since the lot fell upon Matthias to succeed Judas, why was he never heard of Again? 31. In the Roman Catholic Church you have sacrificial priests, to offer up continual UN -bloody sacrifices, why was there no such sacrificial priesthood in the earl N/T church? 32. The Word Saved means to be Eternally Secure, and the N/T talks about those that are Saved that are still living, can you as an RC actually say with certainty that you are Saved, and Justified {declared not guilty) as scripture declares Romans 5:1. ~ if not why not? 33. If the Mass is the SAME Sacrifice as that of Calvary and it is UNBLOODY unlike Calvary, then what does the wine turn into at the Consecrecration ~ if there is supposed to be no blood on the Altar? ~ is this not a blatant contradiction within RCC teaching.# How is the mass unbloody? 34. Since Jesus as the God/Man could only be physically in one place at a time in the flesh, and as explained by Acts 1:10-11 he ascended into heaven ~ Physically ~ Bodily ~ Visibly, but will return once again to earth in the same manner as the witnesses seen him go into heaven, and all await his physical return ~ Revelations 1:7, ~ how then? Is He physically present in the Eucharist ~ Body ~ Soul ~ Spirit & Divinity ~ if he is physically in heaven at this present time? 35. If according to Catholicism the Pope is the Vicar of Christ on Earth, Vicar meaning{one in place of} Why did Jesus delegate the Holy Spirit to be the guide into all truth for believers, when he left the earth and never mentioned Peter once? Read John 14:16-17, John 14:26, John 15:26, John 16:7-15, and since all believers are indwelt with the Holy Ghost why does anyone need a Pope to teach them ? Ephesians 1:13-14, & Romans 8:9. ? 36. What is the Gospel Message that when heard, believed, and appropriated Saves that person, according to Romans 1:16, does Rome teach the same Gospel or another gospel ~ Galatians 1:6-9? 37. Do you as an RC take Romans 5:1 literally, if so ~ what do you understand this verse to be teaching concerning salvation. 38. Why is it that up to 1965 it was forbidden to eat meat on Friday under pain of mortal sin, and any Catholic who died after eating meat on Friday went to Hell, whereas after 1965 it was ok to eat meat on Friday and it wasn't a mortal sin, is it fair that those who died after eating mean on Friday before 1965 went to Hell while this is no longer a sin today, can you explain this utter contradiction in Papal decrees here. 39. In 1st Timothy 4:1-5 Scripture reveals that at some future time that men will depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils (demons), and in verse 2 declares these people to be liars, and in verse 3 it says they will forbid to marry, and command people to abstain from meats. Since the Catholic church forbids its clergy to marry, and up to 1965 it forbid its members to abstain from eating meat on a Friday under pain of mortal sin, is this not a clear prophecy against the RCC, if it isn't why isn't it.? 40. Scripture teaches that when a sinner hears, believes, and appropriates the Message of the Gospel, at that moment that person gets Saved {Eternally Secured, Justified, cleansed} do you as a Roman Catholic, believe the Gospel Message that Paul preached, and can you give me a quick outline of what the Gospel Message actually is. 41. Why at the so called Consecration of the Mass does the priest have to say some incantation over the bread and wine in order to change it into the so called body & blood of the Lord, Jesus or the apostles never did this, why do RC priests have to do it. 42. A Pope is supposed to be Infallible, that entails that he cannot err when he makes a statement regarding faith & morals Clement 14th (1769-1774) by an infallible decree ABOLISHED forever the society of the Jesuits, but Pius 7th (1800-1820) RETORED the society of the Jesuits, one infallible Pope restoring once again what another infallible Pope abolished forever, the question must be asked which infallible Pope was infallible here > since they cannot both be right? 43. If according to John 6:54 >> if after you have eaten his flesh and drank his blood >> Do you have eternal life as a present day possession >> quote : Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. If you don't have eternal life after PARTAKING of the Eucharist then what Use is the Eucharist to anyone? >> do you or don't you >> as an RC have eternal life, as a present day possession. 44. If according to RCC one needs to eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood in order to receive eternal life > why is it that the congregation only receive the wafer > and not the wine? Is this not denying what RCC believes about John 6, that you must partake of both flesh & blood, whereas the congregation only receive the wafer (flesh). What use is the Wafer or flesh to an RC, when he is denied the Wine or blood. ? 45. Since the Roman Catholic Church admits that it has only infallibly defined and interpreted approx 7 verses in the whole bible, how is the ordinary RC going to understand the rest of scripture, and be confident that they are interpreting it correctly, since RCC have not got around to interpreting it yet. 46. In the New Testament all believers are called saints, and Paul & Peter addressed the believers in many places and referred to them as saints ~ eg~ Acts 9:32, Romans 1:7, Romans 15:26, Romans 16:15, 1st Cor 14:33 ~ & these people were alive & walking around ~ why is it that in Romanism a person has to be dead first before Rome can make a saint out of them, when in the N/T this was never the case ~ because all believers are called saints. 47. At the consecration of the Mass the priest utters an incantation over the bread & wine and it supposedly becomes the Body, blood, soul, spirit, & divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ, how come Jesus didn't need to use an incantation, like Hocus Pocus, and why doesn't the same elements change in protestant services when they offer them, is this change only peculiar to Roman Catholicism, if so why is this. 48.Just prior to the consecration of the mass, if someone added arsenic to the elements of bread and wine, would the poison within those elements be changed and made harmless after the consecration was finished, and would the priest and the people now partake of these changed substances, if not why not? 49. Since the Pope is only declared infallible concerning questions of faith & morals, and therefore is said cannot err, when he rules on either of these matters, consider how two different Popes ruled on Heresy which is a matter of faith, and ask yourself which one was correct & infallible on their ruling. Heretics are our brothers in Christ ~~ LOR, 09/16/1980 ~~ JP2 ~ L'Osservatore Romano, Vatican City, Italy, English edition Heretics are sons of the Devil ~~Clement I, EIC:42,46 ~~ Epistle to the Corinthians of Pope St. Clement I Which Pope here was actually Infallible? 50. Since the supposed reason for Purgatory is the purging of the temporal punishment due to sin, {Venial Sin}, which implies that Christ's sacrifice on Calvary was insufficient to cleanse the sinner from any stain or blithe of sin, why is there never a mention within Catholicism of the purging of the temporal punishment due to mortal sin? ~ at what point in an RCs life is the temporal punishment for mortal sin purged?, and how is this effected? Read more at christian-truths2.blogspot.com

 

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