Are Roman Catholics Christians or Heretics? Part 2- A Different Authority
- Bill Fuller
- Sep 1, 2023
- 22 min read
Updated: Feb 5
This is the second part in a seven-part series entitled, ARE ROMAN CATHOLICS CHRISTIANS OR HERETICS. There are seven (7) major differences between Roman Catholic Doctrine and Christianity. They are a different Church, Authority, Jesus, Gospel, Mary, View of Sin, and a different Path to Eternity.
Scripture Alone Is the Christians' Authority
How Was the Bible Written?
There are 66 books in the Bible (Holy Scriptures) with approximately 40 different human authors. It was written over about 1500 years. The authors were always men. They were kings, fishermen, priests, government officials, farmers, shepherds, and doctors. They include books of law; historical books; books of poetry; books of prophecy; biographies; and epistles (formal letters). From all this diversity comes an incredible unity, with common themes woven throughout. Jesus Christ is the great and consistent theme of the Bible. Its unity is because it has one Author—God Himself. The Bible is “God-breathed.” Therefore, you must interpret the Bible literally.
"All Scripture is inspired by God (God-breathed) and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16, 17).
The human authors wrote exactly what God wanted them to write, and the result was the perfect and Holy Word of God.
"For no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Peter 1:21).
Biblical Inerrancy
The doctrine of biblical inerrancy (perfect, correct) is critical because the truth does matter. This issue reflects on the character of God and is foundational to our understanding of everything the Bible teaches. Here are some reasons why we should absolutely believe in biblical inerrancy above man's opinions and doctrines.
1. It is essential to remember that the Bible judges us, not vice versa. The Word of God judges the heart and mind's thoughts, desires, and attitudes.
"For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
Notice the relationship between “the heart” and “the Word.” The Word examines; the heart is being examined. To discount parts of the Word for any reason is to reverse this process. We become the examiners, and the Word must submit to our “superior insight.” Yet God says,
"But who are you, O man, to talk back to God?” (Romans 9:20).
2. The Bible itself claims to be perfect. These claims of purity and perfection are absolute statements.
"And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times” (Psalm 12:6).
"The law of the Lord is perfect” (Psalm 19:7).
"Every word of God is pure” (Proverbs 30:5 KJV).
3. The Bible’s message must be taken as a whole. It is not a mixture of doctrines that we are free to select from. We simply cannot pick and choose what we like about the Bible and throw the rest away. If the Bible is wrong about hell, for example, then who is to say it is right about heaven or anything else? If the Bible cannot get the details about creation correct, then maybe the facts about salvation cannot be trusted. If the story of Jonah is a myth, then perhaps so is the story of Jesus. On the contrary, God has said what He has said, and the Bible gives us a complete picture of who God is.
"Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89).
4. The Bible is our only rule for faith and practice. If it is unreliable, then on what do we base our beliefs? Jesus asks for our trust, including what He says in His Word. Jesus had just witnessed the departure of many who had claimed to follow Him. Then He turns to the twelve apostles and asks,
"You do not want to leave too, do you?” At this, Peter speaks for the rest when he says, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:67-69).
Do you have the same trust in the Lord Jesus and in His words of life? Christians do not accept what the Bible says blindly. We are commanded to study the Word and search out what is true.
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
"Now these people were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).
A Christian's goal is to approach Scripture reverently and pray fervently that our eyes see, our ears hear, and our hearts believe what the Word and Spirit are saying. Not what we want them to say!
Scripture is the Supreme Authority Over Men and Tradition
Christians believe in Sola Scriptura which means Scripture Alone. Sola Scriptura emphasizes the Bible alone as the source of authority for Christians. By saying, “Scripture alone,” the Reformers rejected both the divine authority of the Roman Catholic Pope and confidence in sacred tradition. Only the Bible was “inspired by God” (2 Peter 1:20-21) and “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Anything taught by the Pope or in a tradition that contradicts the Bible Is To Be Rejected.
Scripture is the Supreme Authority Over Men and Tradition
Holy Scriptures Used to Test the Veracity of an Apostle's Teaching
"Now these people (Bereans) were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, or they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so" (Act 17:11).
Christians and Catholics Have a Different Authority
Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a presentation of Church doctrine that has previously been taught with varying degrees of authority. To determine the degree of authority with which any given doctrine has been taught, one must investigate the history of that particular teaching, such as Church councils, documents, canon law, Scripture, etc., all of varying degrees of authority.
However, the teachings and doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church are compiled in this book. We will denote the teachings by the designation ccc and the number that references its meaning. (0000)
In Pope John Paul II's words, the Catechism of the Catholic Church is "a statement of the Church’s faith and of Catholic doctrine, attested to or illumined by Sacred Scripture, the apostolic Tradition, and the Church’s magisterium a sure norm for teaching the faith" and an "authentic reference text."
What Catechism Says About Church Authority
By "authority" one means the quality by virtue of which persons or institutions make laws and give orders to men and expect obedience from them.
"Human society can be neither well-ordered nor prosperous unless it has some people invested with legitimate authority to preserve its institutions and to devote themselves as far as is necessary to work and care for the good of all." (1897)
"Every human community needs an authority to govern it. The foundation of such authority lies in human nature. It is necessary for the unity of the state. Its role is to ensure as far as possible the common good of the society. (1898)
"The authority required by the moral order derives from God: "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore, he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment." (1899)
"The duty of obedience requires all to give due honor to authority and to treat those who are charged to exercise it with respect, and, insofar as it is deserved, with gratitude and goodwill. (1900)
Pope St. Clement of Rome provides the Church's most ancient prayer for political authorities.
"Grant to them, Lord, health, peace, concord, and stability, so that they may exercise without offense the sovereignty that you have given them. Master, heavenly King of the ages, you give glory, honor, and power over the things of earth to the sons of men. Direct, Lord, their counsel, following what is pleasing and acceptable in your sight, so that by exercising with devotion and in peace and gentleness the power that you have given to them, they may find favor with you."
Magisterium (Infallible Bishops-Men), Tradition, and the Pope All Are Above Scripture
Magisterium as an Authority
The magisterium of Roman Catholicism is the special teaching authority of the Church itself. According to Catholic doctrines, this teaching authority resides only within the Pope and Catholic bishops. This implies that only those doctrinal statements that proceed from the Roman Catholic Church can be true. It also means that, at times, this teaching authority is uniquely free from error, a property called “infallibility.”
The Catholic magisterium operates at different levels. The general opinions of the Pope and bishops are considered authoritative but not infallible. Catholics are obligated to agree with and obey these kinds of statements, but it does not guarantee them free from error. When bishops and the Pope are in agreement on a doctrinal issue, when there is an official council, or when the Pope speaks ex cathedra, such pronouncements are considered both authoritative and infallible. These declarations are mandatory beliefs for all Catholics and are claimed to be completely free from any mistake, error, or misunderstanding.
Catholicism claims this magisterium is necessary because, without it, humanity cannot correctly understand God’s revelation. Without an error-free magisterium, we would be dependent on fallible, limited human interpretation.
Biblical Response to Magisterium
The necessity of the magisterium should be questioned. Claiming the need for a magisterium suggests that God chose to reveal Himself incompletely and, in a manner, humanity could not understand without further, human-dependent revelation. Further, the Catholic concept of the magisterium contradicts the Bible, which claims God has revealed enough of Himself that we ought to seek Him; and that those who do not are without excuse.
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse" (Romans 1:18–20).
Their rejection cannot be blamed on “misinterpretation,” but on a refusal to accept what God has revealed.
"But a natural person (unspiritual, unregenerated, unbelieving) does not accept the things (teachings and revelations) of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness (absurd and illogical) to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned (unqualified to judge spiritual matters" (1 Corinthians 2:14).
The idea of relying on the authority of men, rather than on reason and the evidence of nature and Scripture, also contradicts biblical principles. Repeatedly, mankind is told to follow the evidence and the written Word (John 10:35). We’re admonished to test spirits,
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1),
and confront false teachings.
"If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a sick craving for controversial questions and disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions" (1 Timothy 6:3–4).
At no time are we told to accept teaching simply because “the church” made up of men said so. We’re explicitly warned that even the most pious-seeming messengers can carry lies and even look like angels.
"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light" (2 Cor 11:13–14).
"But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!" (Galatians 1:8).
This means you are personally responsible for your beliefs!
"One person values one day over another, another values every day the same. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind" (Romans 14:5
Warnings about Trusting in Man's Way
"I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves, men will arise, speaking perverse things to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore, be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. And now I entrust you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified (set apart)" (Acts 20:29-32).
Tradition as an Authority
The Roman Catholic Church believes that tradition is of equal weight with Scripture.
"Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture then, are bound close together and communicate one with the other. For both of them, flowing from the same divine well-spring, come together in some fashion to form one thing and move towards the same goal. Each of them makes present and fruitful in the Church the mystery of Christ, who promised to remain with his own 'always to the close of the age.'" (0080 pg. 31)
Biblical Response to Tradition
The Holy Scriptures expose the error and bondage of Religious Traditions of men.
Scripture nowhere argues for “authoritative tradition equal with Scripture.” The New Testament speaks against the tradition of men.
"Thereby invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down, and you do many things such as that.” (Mark 7:13).
"See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the elementary principles of the world, rather than in accordance with Christ" (Colossians 2:9).
"And by this (your actions and beliefs) you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition." (Matthew 15:6b).
The next verse is pointed at the Scribes and Pharisees (Jewish leaders) but also any Religion that teaches doctrines of men.
According to the prophet Isaiah, "This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me, but in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men" (Matthew 15:8-9).
Pope as an Authority
The Roman Catholic Church’s teaching about the pope (“pope” means “father”) is built upon and involves the Apostle Peter. They say, Christ made Peter the leader of the apostles and of the church (Matthew 16:18-19). In giving Peter, the “keys of the kingdom,” Christ not only made him leader, but also made him infallible when he acted or spoke as Christ’s representative on earth (speaking from the seat of authority, or “ex-cathedra”).
This ability to act on behalf of the church infallibly when speaking was passed on to Peter’s successors, thus giving the church an infallible guide on earth. The purpose of the papacy is to lead the church unerringly.
Scripture Reveals Apostle Peter (supposedly the first pope) was not Infallible.
"But He (Jesus) turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s purposes, but men’s” (Matthew 16:23).
"But when Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of some men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and separate himself, fearing those from the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas (Peter) in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? (Galatians 2:11-14).
Biblical Response to the Catholic Pope
First of all, Jesus is God who came down from heaven to save mankind from sin and death. The Pope and Priests are all men who sin, die, and need a savior. That savior is Jesus Christ, not any Pope. Jesus lived a perfect life without sin. All Catholic popes have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. Jesus was God in the flesh Emmanual. Jesus rose from the dead, ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God. When a Pope or Priest dies, they will be judged by Jesus according to their belief in Him. Those who believe go to Heaven, those who don't believe in Him go to Hell. For a better understanding of whether or not it is biblical to consider that a mere man is the representative of Christ, we turn to Scripture. The Pope would be considered the High Priest (Holy Father) of the Catholic Church.
The Vicar of Christ
Calling the Pope, the "Vicar of Christ" implies that he has the same power and authority that Christ had over the church. In claiming that the pope is the “Vicar of Christ,” the Catholic Church rejects the sufficiency and supremacy of Christ’s priesthood and grants to the pope roles that Christ Himself declared would belong to the Holy Spirit. It is therefore blasphemy to ascribe to the pope the title of “Vicar of Christ” and that he is infallible.
“Now there have been many of those (high) priests since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, He (Jesus) is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:23-25).
This means that Jesus is our high priest forever.
"For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens" (Hebrews 7:26),
Jesus is unlike other priests.
"Who has no daily need, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people because He did this once for all time when He offered up Himself" (Hebrews 7:27).
Men are appointed by the Law, and men are weak. But the Son was appointed by the New Covenant, and He has been made perfect forever.
"For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, who has been made perfect forever" (Hebrews 7:28).
The ministry of Jesus is superior to the old, and it is founded on better promises.
"But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, to the extent that He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises" (Hebrews 8:6).
The Bible says of Jesus that there is no other name by which men can be saved.
"And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved" Acts 4:12).
There is only one mediator between God and men, and that is Jesus Christ.
"For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5).
We can now see that there is no biblical foundation for claiming to be a representative of Christ on earth. No man could do what Christ has done, or what Christ is now doing on behalf of humankind.
Building the Church of God?
"Now when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets.” He *said to them, “But who do you yourselves say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:13-16).
The Christian Church will be made up of people (like Peter) whom God has revealed that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, those who believe by faith.
"And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon [Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 16:17).
Jesus Christ is the one who says He will build His church; He never delegates this power. By claiming the title of Vicar of Christ, the reigning pope is promising to do what Christ promised.
"And I also say to you that you are Peter (Petros-a small stone), and upon this rock (Petra-Jesus the massive rock formation; the bedrock), I will build My church; and the gates of Hades (death will not overpower it" (Matthew 16:18).
Jesus used a play on words with Petra, which means a foundation boulder.
"Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts on them, will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house, and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock" (Matthew 7:24-25).
Since the New Testament makes it abundantly clear that Jesus Christ is both the foundation,
"He (Jesus) is the stone, which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:11-12).
"For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:11).
and the head. of the church.
"Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body" (Ephesians 5:23b).
It is a mistake to think that here Jesus is giving either of those roles to Peter. So, His words here can best be interpreted as a simple play on words, that a boulder-like truth came from the mouth of one who is called a small stone.
The Apostle Peter himself explains the imagery in his first Epistle, he clarifies who the stones are. Believers by faith in Jesus are the living stones that build up God's spiritual house (church) and Jesus is the foundation and cornerstone of the church. Like Peter, every believer is called to tell others about their changed and vibrant lives. Jesus is the foundation from which everything is built to the honor and glory of God.
"Welcome to the living Stone, the source of life. The workmen took one look and threw it out (rejected Jesus); God set it in the place of honor (choice and precious). Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you’ll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God.
The Scriptures provide precedent: Look! I’m setting a (choice) stone in Zion, a cornerstone (Jesus) in the place of honor. Whoever trusts (believes by faith in Jesus as Peter did) in this stone as a foundation will never have cause to regret it (be put to shame). To you who trust him, he’s a Stone to be proud of, but to those who refuse to trust him, the stone the workmen threw out is now the chief foundation stone. For the untrusting, it’s a stone to trip over (stumbling stone-Jews), a boulder blocking the way (rock of offense-Gentiles). They trip and fall because they refuse to obey, just as predicted.
But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted" (1 Peter 2:4-10).
"Vicar of Christ" Also Carries Jurisdictional Power, Authority, and Dominion
But the title of vicar also carries with it another implication: the bearer has the same jurisdictional power as the official he represents. The Holy Spirit is the "Vicar of Christ" on this earth. Jesus does indeed predict a “vicar” in the sense of a “replacement” for His physical presence here on earth. However, this “vicar of Christ” is not a priest, high priest, bishop, or pope. The only biblical “Vicar of Christ” is the Holy Spirit.
“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26).
"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever; the Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you" (John 14:16-18).
God the Holy Spirit is Christ’s “replacement” on the earth. The Holy Spirit is our Counselor, Teacher, and guide into all truth.
"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come"(John 16:13).
In claiming that the pope is the “Vicar of Christ,” the Catholic Church rejects the sufficiency and supremacy of Christ’s priesthood and grants to the pope roles that Christ Himself declared would belong to the Holy Spirit. It is therefore blasphemy to ascribe to the pope the title of “Vicar of Christ.”
Members' Dependency on Catholic Priests Gives Them Authority
Catholic Priests | Authority of the Priest | Authority of the Scriptures |
 | Priest Baptizes for Regeneration: Regeneration is inextricably tied to baptism; it comes about by the infusion of grace through the sacrament of Baptism. This grace cleanses infants of their original sin (or, in the case of adults, their original sin and actual sins), causes them to be born again, and joins them to Christ and his Church. God dwells in them as they are in the state of sanctifying grace. Now they belong to the Catholic Church and must keep the sacraments so as not to commit a mortal sin. | Scripture teaches regeneration is rebirth or being “born again.” Our rebirth is distinguished from our first birth when we were conceived physically and inherited our sin nature. The new birth is a spiritual, holy, and heavenly birth that results in believers being made alive spiritually. Man in his natural state is dead in sins until he is “made alive” (regenerated) by Jesus. This happens when he places his faith in Christ, "even when we were dead in our sins, (God) made us alive together with Christ" (Ephesians 2:5b). |
 | Priest Hear Confession and Absolve Sins: The Roman Catholic Church bases its practice of confession to a priest primarily on Catholic tradition, not the Scriptures. This gives the Priest the power to forgive sins. The Bible teaches only God can forgive sins. It is one of the Catholic sacraments. | Christians are to confess our sins to God 1 John 1:9. As New Covenant believers, we do not need mediators between us and God. We can go to God directly because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us. 1 Timothy 2:5 says, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” |
 | Priest Offers Body and Blood of Jesus in the Eucharist: The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist are one single sacrifice: "The victim is the same: the same now offers through the ministry of priests, who then offered himself on the cross; only the manner of offering is different. And since the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and is offered in an unbloody manner by a Priest. . . this sacrifice is truly propitiatory." (1366-67) Also, "that by the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and the whole substance of the wine into the substance of his blood called transubstantiation." (1376) The Catholic Priest calls Jesus down from heaven by using magic Latin words. When offering the bread:" Hoc est enim corpus meum" and wine "Hic est erim calix sanguinis mei." | Jesus Christ does not need to be re-sacrificed, re-offered, or re-presented. "Jesus has no daily need, like those high priests (men), to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because He did this ONCE for all time when He offered up Himself" (Hebrews 7:27). "For Christ died for sins ONCE for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God..." (1 Peter 3:18). Christ’s once-for-all death on the cross was sufficient to atone for all of our sins. "He Himself is the propitiation (satisfies God's justice and takes it completely away) for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2). "By this will, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time. (Hebrews 10:10). There is no forgiveness of sins without the sacrifice of blood. |
 | Priest Imparts Holy Spirit in Confirmation: The Priest dips his right thumb into a small bowl of chrism, then raises his oiled thumb, places it on the forehead of the candidate, and with a stroke down and a stroke across, anoints the forehead in the shape of a cross with the words, “Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.” The anointing with holy oil imparts the seal of the sacrament. | Scripture teaches that we receive the Holy Spirit the moment we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior. “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink” (1 Cor 12:13). “Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory” (Eph 1:13-14). |
 | Priest Gives Last Rites: The last rites, also known as the Commendation of the Dying, are the last prayers and ministration given to an individual of Catholic faith, when possible, shortly before death. They may be administered to those awaiting execution, mortally injured, or terminally ill. Last rites cannot be performed on someone who has already died. Last rites are one of the Catholic Sacraments that must be performed by the Priest so that you may enter into purgatory with the churches dispensed grace. | For the believer in Jesus Christ, the Bible tells us that after death believers’ souls/spirits are taken to heaven, because their sins were forgiven when they received Christ as Savior. The one who believes in the Son has eternal life; but the one who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” (John 3:36). For believers, death means being “away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:6–8). Catholic salvation is by infused faith plus: sacraments (1129), which include the Mass (1405), purgatory (1030), penance (980), and indulgences (1498). infant baptism (1256), law-keeping (2068), and good works (2016). |
 | Priest Offers Mass for Souls Suffering in Purgatory: The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines purgatory as a “purification, to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven,” which is experienced by those “who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified” (CCC 1030). It notes that “this final purification of the elect . . . is entirely different from the punishment of the damned” (CCC 1031). They pray to shorten the suffering. in Purgatory. | Jesus died to pay the penalty for all of our sins, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). To say that we must also suffer for our sins is to say that Jesus’ suffering was insufficient. To say that we must atone for our sins by cleansing in Purgatory is to deny the sufficiency of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, "He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2). |
WHEN MEN BECOME AUTHORITIES ABOVE
JESUS AND GOD'S WORD IT IS HERESY
To get a more accurate and comprehensive view of the Roman Catholic church please read all my blogs outlining the seven (7) major differences between Roman Catholic Doctrine and Christianity. They are a different Church, Authority, Jesus, Gospel, Mary, View of Sin, and a different Path to Eternity. www.fullerofgraceandtruth.com/blog
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