Catholicism is not a Christian religion

I can say with a fair amount of certainty that all popes that have ever pontificated are in hell now.

I do not say this with any sense of glee or happiness. The real fact of hell and people there who had the chance to accept Jesus, but didn’t, and are now in eternal torment, saddens me to the point of tears.

But I said what I said bluntly because I want to cut through the “political correctness” to penetrate the mind of those who give sway to any kind of notion that Catholicism is a true faith. It is not.

I can say without fear and with absolute certainty that Roman Catholic Church is a false religion. Why is it false, I was asked. Here are just a few examples:
  • Catholics worship Mary as a Queen of Heaven. They believe she intercedes for us in heaven. She does not. Jesus Christ is our intercessor. (Romans 8:34)
  • Rosary, a meaningless repetition of prayers which are worthless to God. (Matthew 6:7).
  • Selling forgiveness for money (indulgences)
  • Additions to and subtractions from the bible
  • Purgatory, a completely made-up notion. in accordance with Catholic teaching is a place or condition of temporal punishment for those who, departing this life in God's grace, are, not entirely free from venial faults, or have not fully paid the satisfaction due to their transgressions.
  • Pope’s “infallibility”, earthly substitution for Jesus (‘vicar' of Christ)
  • Priests forgiving men of sins. Shortly before His ascension, Jesus said to his apostles: “whose soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them; whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained” (John 20:23). The Roman Catholic Church teaches that Christ was actually granting to the apostles the authority to forgive sins, and that the apostles passed on to their successors (supposedly the Roman priesthood) the same license to pardon sin. This position is false.
  • Different classification of sins (mortal, venial). FMI on the falsity of mortal and venial sins, read here
  • Deletion of second commandment. It says "You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I The Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love Me and keep My Commandments." (Exodus 20:4-6 RSV)' Obviously this presents a problem for the RCC, which indeed makes graven images and bows down to them. So they deleted that commandment.
  • Transubstantiation, the is the doctrine that, in the Eucharist, the substance of the bread and the wine used in the sacrament is changed into the substance of the Body and the Blood of Jesus. Not true.
  • Works & tradition related salvation, not faith alone
The Pope is the one who is in charge of protecting and promoting all these false doctrines. When Pope John Paul II died, John MacArthur said, "And the question came up, is the Pope in heaven? And you hear all these people say, "Yes, yes, yes." People have asked me, "Is the Pope in heaven?" And my answer is, "Is the Pope Catholic?" Isn't that the answer? I think he is, I think the Pope is Catholic. Does he believe Catholic theology? Yes. He is the guardian of Catholic theology. Do you get to heaven by works, by Mary, by Penance, by Baptism, by confession, by Rosary? No. This is another gospel. This is not the true gospel.”

You can read a more thorough explanation of The Pope and the Papacy and why these are false.

More here about the Catholic religion here at Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry

GotQuestions also has more about the Catholic religion

More here on why a Christian should not partner in ecumenical fashion with the RCC

When the new pope is installed in a few weeks, think on this. It is a comment from John MacArthur at the last pope's coronation:
"At the consecration of Roman Catholic bishops there is an oath of allegiance to the Pope. Whenever a bishop is consecrated, an allegiance oath is given. Here's what it says, "With all my power I will persecute and make war on all heretics, schismatics and those who rebel against our Lord the Pope, and all his successors, so help me, God, and these holy gospels of God." So you swear to make war on anybody who rebels against the Pope. Where is humility in this? Romanism is a gigantic system of Church worship, sacrament worship, Mary worship, saint worship, image worship, relic worship, priest worship and Pope worship. J.C. Ryle was right when he said, "It's a huge organized idolatry. A man wearing a gold crown, triple decked with jewels worth millions? A cardinal's garb that costs tens of thousands of dollars?" Peter said, "Silver and gold have I not." Paul said, "I coveted no man's gold, no man's silver, no man's clothing." The Pope is surrounded by a dazzling display of arrogant over-indulgence, it is theater, it is nothing more than theater to give the illusion of God, the illusion of transcendence, the illusion of spirituality. It is a pompous display of wealth. It is a lavish indulgence in ridiculous buildings, ridiculous robes, crowns, thrones to cover and mask a sinful system like the whitewashed tombs that Jesus referred to. There was never such a thing as a papal coronation before the tenth century. And now the world has gone berserk over this as it if was true religion."

I entreat you, please read more to learn why the simple Gospel is the truth. God said, "You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you." (Deuteronomy 4:2). He repeated the warning in Revelation 22:18-19.

Jesus came to seek and save sinners. A a sinner is someone who sins, which means everyone on earth who was ever born is a sinner (Romans 3:23)- EXCEPT Jesus, who is God. Jesus lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15) in obedience to His Father, who is God, and died as a sacrifice to atone for the world's sin. (Romans 3:25). He shed His blood and took upon His person the wrath of God for sins, which was poured out upon Him on the cross. When the wrath was poured out, Jesus died, saying, "It is finished." (John 19:30). He was buried, and three days later, by the power of God, He resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:4) and walked on the earth for 40 days, teaching and preaching to His believers. (1 Cor 15:6). On the 40th day He ascended to heaven on a cloud, and this same Jesus will return in like matter (Acts 1:10-11) at the end of time to judge the living and the dead. (1 Peter 4:5).

The time we live in now is called the Age of Grace, when all one must to to be saved is be born again- repent of your sins, believe on the Son. He is not only your Savior but your Lord, Lord of all the earth and heaven. He is coming soon, but this second time to deal with sin and bring wrath then justice upon sinners. If you die before you repent and believe on the Son, you will go to a place that is separate from God and is a place of eternal torment.

Belief in Jesus is ALL that one needs to be saved. He paid the entire price, He did the work, He is in control. Man has no part to play in our own salvation. You can't work at it like the RCC says, you can't pay for forgiveness through indulgences, you can't pray your way into it, you can't appeal to Mary. It is a simple Gospel: Jesus oriented and pure. Please, if you are reading this, heed the words:

"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him." (John 3:36)

Comments

  1. I agree with your article, but at least, Pope Benedictus plays classic piano and ever said that he wants "guitars to be silenced during the mass"... while in the protestant church arrogant people that call themselve "musicians" but are not, play demonic rock music... I prefer sit in a Catholic church, even if I do not agree praying to Mary.

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    1. You are staking your eternity on whether you like the music that's played in this church or that one???

      We attend church to worship God, not satisfy our fleshly preferences.

      You can read more about why attending a local church matters, here
      http://www.gty.org/blog/B130103

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    2. No, I am staking my eternity on what is written on the Bible, but I cannot endure CCM / electric / rock music.

      True, we attend church to worship God, that's why I don't go to a church where people worship the devil by playing fleshly music with electric guitars.

      I go to a Catholic church because I can still pray there. I cannot pray in a church where I am tortured by demonic rock music.

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    3. That is good you believe the bible...but I wonder...first, you can choose a Protestant church where music satisfactory to your ears is played. Plenty of them do not play that kind of music. And I am quite sure you can pray in a Protestant church too. Actually, you can pray anywhere. Jesus prayed in gardens, in room,s on mountains...

      In a RCC you will not hear the Word preached rightly. It is not good to attend a church where you won't hear doctrinally correct preaching. If you make an offering, you are paying satan to help all that false doctrine along. And I already mentioned the praying- you can do that anywhere, and it's especially joyful when praying with like-minded believers.

      However, since the Catholic Church is completely false, and is an abomination to God, do you think there are *fewer* demons in a RCC than in s Protestant church that uses electric guitar?

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    4. You are right... but it's becoming more and more difficult to find a good church. We are now living in "Laodicean" time (the last period before the second coming), if considering that each of the 7 churches described in the chapters 2 and 3 of the book of Revelation [also] correspond to a definite period of time...
      But I agree, thank you for your article.

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    5. Yosua, you are not alone in having difficulty in finding a good church. The link I gave before about the importance of church membership, was part of a series John MacArthur is doing on church membership and the responsibility of the member toattend. Partway thru the series, he stopped and added an extra blog entry he had not planned on. It is called "A Note to Our Readers" and it was a direct response to the outpouring from many who want to attend a church but literally cannot find a tolerable one within miles and miles of their homes. He addressed that problem in the blog entry. If you need encouragement or a catalyst for dealing with a common problem of lack of good church, I encourage you to read it. :)
      http://www.gty.org/Blog/B130118

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    6. I have personally spent about 18 years in the Catholic Church and I'm 19 now. I've always been an opened minded and curious person, and I've come to see that the Holy Spirit has used this to lead me out of the Catholic Church and to the light of the Gospel and too understand the fallacy of Catholicism... all little things over the course of my life. I've been born again for about a year or so, but I lingered around in the Catholic Church a little while after I was saved mainly because I have some close buddies that are Catholic. It was tough too fully leave, and I did have a few religious debates with them over the true Gospel and the huge differences of Catholicism... so they know what I believe now there's not much more I feel that I can do, other then pray. Anyways long story short I've been going to this nice local church, and my parents have been going as well and we fully enjoy the teachings of the Word there! :)

      PS.
      Ok, Personally I don't get what's demonic about an electric guitar... anyways it seems that a lot of Christians make music a pet peev. I like too think that a persons personal music preference is the least of God's concern, and when it comes to worship music a church should have enough discernment to know not to use full blown metal music or whatever as worship music. I think a lot of churches use the simple arrangements of 'rock music' as a simple way to worship God, but I don't know everything... so I digress. Cheers!

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    7. Robert, thank you for your uplifting testimony. The Holy Spirit is gracious to open our eyes, whether we come from atheism or out of a false religion. Your words are so wise for a young man.

      And I also don't see the issue with electric guitars...some dislike drums in church, others say the piano is an evil addition! I do believe that our music is distinct from the world and should remain so, hymns with good doctrine and the old music that is fully church and not compromised with the world's music. But I agree, it is a preference.

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    8. Yosua, if you are serious about worshipping the One True God through Jesus Christ and forsaking RC idolatry, then the faithful God will lead you to a good church. You might try the OPC - Orthodox Presbyterian church if you are concerned about music. They only sing the Psalms to classical type music. I believe they also sing without musical instruments, but I might be mistaken on that.

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    9. While I may not agree with everything this site has to say I will say I have seen a real connection between carnality and the "type" of music used to "worship". There is also scientific evidence that shows that the "rock beat" is the reverse of the human heart beat and actually causes destructive physical changes.

      http://endtimesforecaster.blogspot.com/2010/12/rock-music-and-antichrist-part-2.html

      http://endtimesforecaster.blogspot.com/search?q=Rock+music+part+one

      Just because you don't smell or taste carbon monoxide doesn't mean it can't hurt you.

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  2. Thank you for this post. You are right on the money. There are so many false teachers and false systems in the world, and a lot of people just categorize them as Christian. This day of tolerance is saddening. I'm ready to go home and not have to fight it anymore. But I guess we are needed here for the time being. Keep up the great posts. I enjoy reading.

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    1. Hi Tim,

      I hear you. I'm tired too. But I guess that is why the bible says we have to persevere and why it's a race- and in my opinion it is a marathon not a sprint! I am sad over too much tolerance as well :( I don't think it will be long now, really. Stop by anytime until we are called home.

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  3. Your on fire today Elizabeth! :-)

    I just saw this one:
    http://freebeacon.com/israel-on-alert/
    Israel is getting ready for war with Lebanon. The poor Solomon Islands are shaking themselves to pieces...it's getting difficult to keep up with everything going on!

    Brian

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    1. Hi Brian,
      Thank you for the information. Israel said they will stop a a suspected chemical arms transfer, no matter what. This could signal a beginning to the Psalm 83 war that is prophesied. Lebanon is mentioned in the prophecy (two cities mentioned are in Lebanon and are still active cities today). Combined with the issue of the battle for Damascus a la Isaiah 17, the ignition to the last days wars seems to be impending. And the added potentiality and curiosity of this next successor pope being the last one, according to Malachy, just makes it all the more interesting

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  4. I consider myself a catholic, and I do not worship Mary,I don't pray to statues, and I don't think the pope is infallible. My relationship with Christ is personal and intimate, I assure you that it isn't false or invalid just because I'm catholic. I am no less or more a Christian than you are. I don't understand why certain Protestant churches are so hell bent on convincing people that we aren't christians. The catholic church isn't perfect and I could write a book about what I think it should change. Probably wasting my time posting this anyways, regardless of what I say you think I'm going to hell, but alI know is that God loves me and I love him, and that's all that matters.

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    1. Anonymous, loving God is not all that matters. Loving the right God and understanding our position as sinners is what matters. Mormons love God. Jehovahs Witesses love God. God does not love them. God hates the sinner! Psalm 5:5, Psalm 11:5, Lev. 20:23, Prov. 6:16-19, Hosea 9:15. God hides his face from sinful people! (Isa. 59:2; 64:7)

      The Catholic Church is a false church which preaches false doctrines. You can refute all you want, but that does not alter the facts. I offered many links here in this essay for you to read so you can get the idea of how and why Catholicism is false. I pray an hope and plead with you to read them and pray to the Holy Spirit for your eyes to be opened. This is your eternal destiny we're talking about...

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    2. Anonymous,
      I will not deny that there are true Christians in the Catholic church, but they are only true believer IN SPITE OF the demonic false teachings of Romanism. The Romanist church itself is NOT a Christian denomination, as Elizabeth has very well pointed out. If you are a true believer, then why remain in such a heretical denomination?

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    3. Because it's where i belong, and i believe it can be changed.

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    4. Anonymous,
      They tried to change the RCC during the Reformation. It will never change for the better, but it will indeed change for the worse.

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  5. Hi Elizabeth,

    I have two friends that are Catholic and I'm very worried for them. How does one approach a friend regarding this post (in a loving way)? Done the wrong way they'll get defensive and won't hear the truth. Any suggestions?

    Thank you for this great post!

    Jennifer

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    1. Hi Jennifer,

      I'm so touched by your heartfelt question. Here is a link to an essay outlining the key differences between Catholic doctrines and Christian doctrines. In reading those, it may spark something in your memory of conversations you've had with your friends.
      http://www.gotquestions.org/Catholic-Christian.html

      One of the biggest burdens in all works-related salvation schemes, Catholicism included, is a secret, nagging fear and burden in the person that they may not be 'doing enough.' Mormons are particularly burdened with these secret thoughts, which they rarely verbalize, but *are* there. Catholics have these interior fears as well, because they are taught that they must maintain their salvation. As any sinner knows, even those who are thoroughly saved and rest on Jesus's grace alone, we stagger with our conscience in knowing how desperately wicked we are. So any person depending on works in any way for their salvation will fear they are missing the mark.

      As John MacArthur replied once when asked about 'once saved always saved', "if you could lose your salvation, you would." That simple truth cuts right to the heart of works based religions. Imagine the fear and burden of a Catholic wondering if they have recovered from their last Sin enough. If they said enough hail marys. If they
      will go to purgatory or heaven.

      I think that focusing on the simplicity and perfection of grace alone will go a long way toward penetrating your Catholic friends' mind and heart, because that is where the anxiety is, in my opinion. They are always wondering, "Have I done enough?" In the faith that Jesus delivered to the saints once for all, HE is the one who did enough!

      Bless you!

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    2. Hello...I just happened upon this blog while googling what the pope's resignation means. Your above statement really hits home with me. I was raised a Catholic, but quit practicing when I was 17. I would still go to church off and on in the years after that though.

      In 2003, I became saved, though it took a lot of kicking and screaming on my part to get me there (meaning the nice Christian couple who were trying to convert me, had to do a lot of work to get past those ingrained Catholic beliefs I had).

      However, since that time, I have not grown much in the Lord. I have read the New Testament several times, and part of the OT, so I am quite familiar with what God's Word says about salvation. Yet, I still struggle so much! I have renounced the Catholic Church, but I don't "feel" saved. I don't feel good enough to be saved, and definitely not worthy. Which I know that no man is worthy, but having accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and having been baptized of my own free will in a non-denominational church, I still don't feel confident in my salvation.

      Roman Catholicism is like a curse that never seems to leave you once they get into your mind over many years. I know they are wrong in everything, yet I still feel this need to prove myself to God, and I can't shake it.

      I feel sorry for anyone who was a "cradle-Catholic" like me, and has since left the RCC. It can make one feel lost and alone in a sea of doctrines, where there are many false teachers. It doesn't matter how many times my Christian friends tell me that God loves me and that I'm forgiven, it doesn't "feel" that way to me. It's hard to get the correct bible knowledge that's in my "head" to go down into my "heart" and stay there!

      Although all is not lost. I do have to say, praise God, that He has moved in my life many times since accepting Jesus as my personal Savior. I just worry though, because I'm now 47, and I feel like my time will run out, and I'm nowhere near where I'm supposed to be spiritually.

      Thanks for posting this. The comments here are the most interesting to read.

      Blessings...Ann Marie

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    3. Hi Ann Marie,

      I can't imagine how it is to have Catholicism stuck in your head like that. You know when someone sings a song and it gets stuck in your head and you can't get it out, they call that an earworm? Sorry to be graphic, but I want you to think of that earworm in your brain. Thinking about Catholic dogma will feed it. Artificial guilt will feed it. But here is something that will make it shrink: scripture.

      I think, if I may be so bold, what may help you is to listen to great exposition on the verses in the bible that are about GRACE. John MacArthur is a good bible teacher who preaches and teaches verse by verse. Here is a good sermon to get you started
      http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/80-328/gods-grace-displayed-for-his-glory

      Search on his website for sermons on any and all verses that deal with grace. *Drench* yourself in verses and sermons preached on those verses that deal with grace. It will be like a warm bath for your tired soul, but the earworm will think it is acid and shrink from it!

      Here is a good sermon by Phil Johnson with the title "What Grace Teaches Us"
      http://www.thegracelifepulpit.com/Sermons.aspx?code=2013-02-03-PJ

      This one talks about Grace through faith, for good works, and how works related salvation is different from works for the glory of Jesus
      http://www.thegracelifepulpit.com/Sermons.aspx?code=2011-03-20-PJ

      grace, grace, grace, my advice is to surround yourself with those verses, sermons, and articles about grace, and to pray. The combination of bible and prayer is unbeatable. Pray for the Lord to lift the dark clouds of guilt and stagnation from you. HE WILL!!!

      The fact is, He loves you as you are. He does want to purify you and grow you, but you are saved by His grace and there is no "supposed to". He leads you as you go and you follow Him as He leads. Don't create artificial benchmarks, because, really what are they? Where are they? His heart for you is already full of love, and He wants to grow you. There no shame nor any condemnation in Him about you. You are His bride!!

      Here is the beginning of Romans 8: "Now then there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, which walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

      Read the rest, it is so good. :) You are part of a body of believers, if you believe Jesus is God, and atoned for your sins on the cross, died on the cross for them -taking the wrath of God- and rose again on the third day. That means there is a body of believers who care about you and will pray for you, including me.

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  6. Whatever you say, Peter is the rock of the Church. The first Pope was Peter...I shall pray through the Virgin Mary for the conversion of your heart. You shall get a sign one of these days.

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    1. You are referring to Matthew 16:18. "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

      Jesus did not come to serve, suffer, and die so He could build His church on Peter. If that was so, Christianity is a #fail. Why? If the church was built on Peter and Jesus said the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, that was a lie, because the gates of hell prevailed against Peter and crucified him. Peter died an ignoble death and it seemed that through Peter's death that hell won. But not so!

      Jesus is the rock upon which the church is built. He is building His church on Peter's confession of who Jesus is. In that verse, Peter is replying to the question Jesus posed in v. 13, "Who do you say the Son of Man is?" Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ, son of God and it is upon that FACT that Jesus built His church. Our church is not built on a mere man, but upon the grace and perfection of the Sinless God-Man who came to take our wrath for our sins. Peter passed away but Jesus will never pass away.

      Here is a scriptural handling of the unbliblical concept of Apostolic Succession
      http://www.gotquestions.org/apostolic-succession.html

      My heart is converted thru the one and only intercessor, Jesus Christ, (Hebrews 7:25) but thank you.

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    2. Peter did not become the pope by Gods decree. It was another lie perpetrated by satan to direct worship away from God and to himself. So the pope is God? Why is he suffering poor health? May it please God to show you exactly who you are summoning when you pray to Mary/Astoreth.

      http://orbisvitae.com/mc/Know-Your-Enemy/23,Roman-Catholicism.html#a

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  7. Hi Elizabeth you know if we are in the truth of Gods word fully he will uphold us and sustain us no matter what the circumstances , i went to a methodist for 2 years and over the course of that time i knew things were not right in the church and eventually the Holy spirit lead me out of there, a lot of churches because they have strayed away from preaching on Gods judgment, sin ,repentance , hell etc i beleive are becoming spiritualy dead they preach what makes them feel comfortable and what the people want to hear so to speak ,i did find a little Gospel hall to attend but because of money issues i could not travel as i need two buses to get there so now i dont have a church to attend BUT even in diffcult circumstances God always always provides so i can come to and im sure you know of sermon audio.com were all the live services are showen and tune into lurgan baptist church back home on sunday night in belfast were i am org from and watch the service still being fed the word of God from a pastor called dennis lyle who is very very good , as for your readers i have a link that they hopfully will find helpful now im not to sure how to put it in a comment but do my best this website deals with lot of idol worship from the R.C.C and more i hope it will open there eyes lot more and lead them out of the darkness into the light of Gods truth. God Bless

    ps here is the link http://ivarfjeld.wordpress.com/

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  8. I have another website richard Bennett who was a Former Catholic Priest you will find lots of information on the truth of the R.C.C and i hope it will be helpful to all viewers.

    http://www.bereanbeacon.org/

    God bless

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    1. Former Catholic and mystic Richard Bennett is a must for people to listen to especially for those who are currently Catholic.

      Great share Mark Francey!

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  9. I wholeheartedly agree with you Elizabeth. I met a guy who is Catholic. He is a very friendly, kind person and we talked a bit. He said he prays to Mary. Thing is he changed that when I began to point out to him that we are not to pray to the dead. Deut. 18:10-
    He said oh she prays for us. I'm like no she doesn't there's only "One mediator between God and Men the man Christ Jesus". It was basically his traditions of men nullifying the word of God. I just could not get over how blinded he was and was very grieved. I pray for him often and am grieved at how many people will end up in hell simply because they refuse to denounce the traditions of men and believe what God's word actually teaches and says.

    One thing that really saddened me was how when I mentioned to him how great it is that we are forgiven of all our sins at the cross. He quickly retorted "Oh, but we can't be presumptuous" and said other things that let me know that he did NOT believe the moment we repent we are righteous in God's sight by God's grace.

    It's really such a deception. And isn't that the catholic system--works works, works. They refuse to look at the finished person and work of Jesus Christ and trust in him by faith. It's always the "intellect" or head knowledge that they understand but they really pay lip service to it. They don't understand what it truly means to have faith in Christ ALONE. They don't understand that it is by GRACE ALONE, through FAITH ALONE, to GOD BE ALL THE GLORY ALONE. They have to ADD TO everything. They don't understand that it is a FREE GIFT not by works so that no man can boast"-Eph. 2:8-10. If they did they would not go to the Church thinking they have to receive graces and say prayers and they would not live in fear trying to earn what they cannot. It's free but we have to repent not play religion!

    There's only ONE righteousness God accepts and that's the righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed to our account. Any and every righteousness we do are like filthy rags to God. This righteousness is ONLY given to us by faith in Jesus. Can't earn it, never will deserve it.

    I just hope and pray that when one finally gets tired of working to try and please God, he will stop and trust in Jesus and REST IN HIS righteousness and loving arms

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  10. Elizabeth your one Brave Lady, everything you have said is true, The Catholic Church is A False Church serving Satan and continuing it's roots from Babylon. It does not offer The True Gospel of Jesus Christ...Salvation through Grace not Works and Only God is to be addressed as Father.
    May God continue to Bless and Keep you safe Elizabeth.
    Rebecca Bonnell xxx

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  11. I'm glad I found this sight. It good to see the loving way you answer post here. I have a lot of friends and acquaitences that are Catholic and even though I know who my saviour is, it is sometimes hard to explain to them the differences since they grew up with hardcore Catholic families. I will utilize what you posted and the links to help increase my knowledge to better testify to them of his works. I pray that the Lord continues using you and that the Holy Spirit guide others to this site to the glory of God the Father. In Jesus name!!

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  12. Wonderful site. God Bless you all.

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  13. there are 30,000 protestant churches out there and counting.

    a whole lot of hating going on.

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    1. “Hating”? Your comment is a bit cryptic. When we warn about false doctrines, it is love speech, not hate. As Pastor John MacArthur said, and I switch his comment about the Democratic Party for Catholics, “You say, “Well, our society cultivates tolerance and you’re giving hate speech.” What I’m saying is not hate speech. What the [Catholic Church] is saying is hate speech because they must hate the [us] if they will allow them to go the direction they’re going, affirm that knowing that it will take them to hell. That’s hate speech. This is love speech. You either warn them or you affirm them. … It’s better to warn them than to affirm them. You might be the nice guy to affirm them, but that’s not love speech, that’s hate speech.”

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  14. this all sounds like church envy

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    1. Church envy? I am not aware of any such kind of covetousness, but I suppose that sin being what it is, that church envy may be one kind of coveting sin. As for me, no, I don’t envy any church were idols are bowed and prayed to, cold tradition and rote replaces the warmth of a true relationship with Jesus, and where there is no assurance of salvation. I have attended Catholic masses and I always found them cold and tiring, not joyous and warm with the love of Christ. Why would I envy that? I feel lamentation for the people who go there…but not envy.

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  15. Elizabeth,

    Congratulations on your wise, honest and faith-filled blog. Thank-you for taking the time to do the necessary research.

    Allow me to briefly tell you of two episodes in my life that may be pertinent to this particular blog entry. I was baptized an Anglican in the Church of England tradition. I was once church secretary to an Anglican church that was, at that time, debating whether or not to build a shelter for abused women on its property. When it came time for me to offer my opinion to the parish council during a meeting, I told them that I strongly believed that the Anglican church should not become a social service agency. I still clearly remember the looks of pity, anger and disgust that I received.

    Secondly, there was a time in my life when I was infatuated with the beliefs, tradition and ceremonial/romantic mode of worship of the RCC. On three separate occasions, I enrolled in the courses necessary for an adult of another faith to convert to Catholicism. I bear witness to and thank the grace of God working through His Holy Spirit because half-way through each course, I was compelled to quit.I could not believe in the infallibility of the Pope (what astonishing hubris it is to proclaim that it is impossible for a human to err), transubstantiation (to me this is a form of magical thinking: I think it therefore it is), and finally purgatory (this is infusing heaven and hell with a form of relativism: we cannot bargain with God. We cannot say to Him "please allow me time in Purgatory because I'm sure if I work hard enough in this place that is not quite Heaven and not quite Hell, I can expiate my sins".

    May you gain strength, Elizabeth, knowing that there are many of us supporting you in your writing of this blog.

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    1. Dear Anonymous,

      Thank you so much. May I compliment you on your wise and succinct and faith-filled comment. Wow, I am blessed that you stopped by.

      Delete
    2. On the contrary Elizabeth, I am blessed that somehow I was led to your blog. I use this wording on purpose because I didn't start out looking for you specifically but, rather, I was looking for information on the End Times in general. I don't want to put too fine a point on it, but once again the Holy Spirit graced me by introducing me to your writing. It hasn't been a month yet but already I am a regular, daily reader.

      Blessings to you from up here in the Great White North. :)

      Delete
  16. Hi Elizabeth, so can I ask what religion are you? And do you believe that your religion is the only right one? No offense, just wondering. Thanks

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    1. Samo, I am a Christian. It is a good question, one that I asked myself before I became saved by Jesus at age 43. I tried Buddhism, paganism, atheism, and dabbled in Catholicism. I thought all religions were the same and one was as good as another. So I tried several. None satisfied nor fulfilled the longing I'd had. And frankly, none seemed to make much sense.

      How, then, does one decide on what is the *right* religion? Fortunately, the Lord knows our heart, and He sent me a spirit of repentance and He saved me. AFTER one is saved by faith, then the scales fall from your eyes and you see with utter clarity what the truth is. Unswervingly, the only way to heaven, I say, is Jesus.

      Why?

      Got Questions has a good essay on the topic,
      "With all of the different religions, how can I know which one is correct?"
      http://www.gotquestions.org/correct-religion.html

      and

      "What makes Christianity unique?"
      http://www.gotquestions.org/Christianity-unique.html

      And also Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry addresses the issue-
      Is Christianity the one true religion?
      http://carm.org/christianity/christian-doctrine/christianity-one-true-religion

      All other religions are from satan. As CARM.org says in their essay I'd linked to above, "Yes, Christianity is the one true religion. That may sound awfully dogmatic and narrow-minded, but the simple truth is that Christianity is the only true religion. Jesus said that He alone was the way to the Father (John 14:6), that He alone revealed the Father (Matt. 11:27; Luke 10:22). Christians do not go around saying Christianity is the only way because they are arrogant, narrow-minded, stupid, and judgmental. They do so because they believe what Jesus said. They believe in Jesus, who claimed to be God (John 8:58; Exodus 3:14), who forgave sins (Mark 2:5; Luke 5:20; 7:48), and who rose from the dead (Luke 24:24-29; John 2:19f). Jesus said that He was the only way. Jesus is unique. He was either telling the truth, He was crazy, or He was a liar. But since everyone agrees that Jesus was a good man, how then could He be both good and crazy, or good and a liar? He had to be telling the truth. He is the only way."

      Thanks for asking. :)

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  17. Please correct me if I am wrong, but from what I have heard, concerning the claim that the Roman Catholic Church removed the second commandment, they do mention about not worshiping false images, but instead of it being the second commandment, it is all lumped in the first commandment. From what I have read, there are four "schools of thought" on how the commandments are numbered. According to http://bible-researcher.com/decalogue.html :


    "The oldest method, found in the writings of Philo and Josephus (first century), takes verse 3 as the first commandment, verses 4 through 6 as the second, and so forth. This is called the Philonic division, and it was adopted by the Greek Church and by Protestants (except Lutherans). Later the Jewish Talmud (third century) treated the preface in verses 1 and 2 as the first of ten "sayings" and combined verses 3-6 as the second saying. This is called the Talmudic division, and was adopted by all Jews. In the fifth century Saint Augustine listed the ten commandments by beginning with the Talmudic second saying as the first commandment; and, following the word order of Deuteronomy 5:21, making the ninth commandment a prohibition of the coveting of a neighbor's wife, and the tenth a prohibition of coveting his house and other property. This is known as the Augustinian division. (1) The Roman Catholic church accepted Augustine's method, and Luther also continued in this tradition with one modification: he preferred to follow the word order of Exodus 20, and so his ninth commandment became a prohibition against coveting the house and his tenth prohibited coveting the wife, slaves, and animals. Lutherans continue to follow this method."

    If what is said is true and correct, then the "Deletion of the second commandment" should be taken off the list.

    Source(s): http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/comm1.html#GRAVEN (Online Catechism of the Catholic Church), http://www.bible-researcher.com/decalogue.html

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    1. Anonymous,

      1. How many proofs do you want? How long does "the list" need to be before you honor God and turn away from false worship?

      2. The RCC has gone back and forth over the commandment not to worship idols. On this website, they include the commandment in the list, but say that it is OK to worship idols!

      "2132 The Christian veneration of images is not contrary to the first commandment which proscribes idols. Indeed, "the honor rendered to an image passes to its prototype," and "whoever venerates an image venerates the person portrayed in it."70 The honor paid to sacred images is a "respectful veneration," not the adoration due to God alone: " Vatican Catechism,
      http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c1a1.htm

      Parsing words and twisting the clear intent of the commandment is an affront to God.

      The Roman Catholic Church is a false church and the pope is the most well-known and influential false prophet on earth. Period.

      Delete
  18. Hi Elizabeth,

    You are absolutely right that parsing words and twisting the clear commandment is an affront to God.

    I just did not want that if someone goes to a Catholic and says "they removed the commandment which forbids idol worship", that a Catholic will show that they did not and thus not only makes us look bad, but it would also bring down our credibility.

    I am very sorry that I did not make my intentions clear.

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    1. Regarding the graven image commandment, this researcher wrote essentially what I did but wrote it more clearly and succinctly. I said deleted but should say 'reinterpreted'.
      http://proclaimingthegospel.org/equip/blog/130-10-commandments

      the problem comes because as it says in Catechism 2066 "The division and numbering of the Commandments have varied in the course of history. The present catechism follows the division of the Commandments established by St. Augustine, which has become traditional in the Catholic Church. It is also that of the Lutheran confessions. The Greek Fathers worked out a slightly different division, which is found in the Orthodox Churches and Reformed communities."

      The Second Commandment, the Catholic Church now, at least for the present time, considers to be part of the First Commandment. If you look in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2084-2141), you will see that the "graven image" clause is addressed under this Commandment (CCC 2129-2132) but it is explained that veneration (honoring) is different than adoration (worshiping).

      Oy. I can't wait until Jesus destroys all the false churches.

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  19. By what authority do you pronounce or denounce what is or is not scripture or Christian? What about the Queen James version of the bible? The version endorsed by Protestant denominations that interpret scripture as not prohibiting homosexuality. It would appear that these, your very own Protestant brothers and sisters, applying and utilizing the exact same basis, justification, and authority for their declarations–that you rely upon yourself–declare it acceptable to God. As such, it appears that they have equal standing and equal footing as yourself to declare it valid. You say scripture prohibits it, they say not, a difference of opinion about the scripture with no final teaching authority to say which interpretation is correct, yet the Holy Spirit cannot be on both sides of the very same issue. However, if incorrect or mistaken, as long as they have faith alone and at least at some point in their life, they acknowledged a subjective belief that Jesus is God, they are saved, since no works are necessary for their salvation.

    What about Islam or Mormonism? Mohammed and Joseph Smith amended and changed scripture based upon their beliefs just as Martin Luther did. How can you demonstrate that your denomination is guided by the Holy Spirit and possesses the correct interpretation of scripture versus the other 30,000 plus Protestant denominations?

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    1. Anonymous,

      You asked a series of questions. I'll answer them in turn.

      1. "By what authority do you pronounce or denounce what is or is not scripture or Christian?"

      By the authority of scripture. Here is how to tell what is scripture and what is not.
      How and when was the canon of the Bible put together?"
      Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/canon-Bible.html#ixzz2M3OH1lUa

      2. "What about the Queen James version of the bible?"
      it is heresy. The QJV deleted so-called homophobic verses from the established canon and changed others. The Holy Spirit said not to add to or delete from this book or he will be cursed (Rev 22:18-19.)

      3.What about Islam or Mormonism?
      They are satanic religions, not from God and believers and followers of them will not inherit heaven.

      4. "How can you demonstrate that your denomination is guided by the Holy Spirit"
      I do not have to prove that to you. It is off the subject, besides.

      4. "possesses the correct interpretation of scripture versus the other 30,000 plus Protestant denominations?"
      This is a good question, The plethora of religions and factions, cults, and denominations within a religion is bewildering to the unbeliever. To the believer, it is not. It is like the counterfeit specialist at a bank. They teach the specialists to handle TRUE currency by touch, look, smell and close inspection so that when a counterfeit comes along, they detect it right away. The Holy Spirit in us helps us detect truth. The fact is, most religion in this world is false. Jesus said few find truth (Mt 7:14). satan has infiltrated most churches, even true ones, and confused the doctrines and led people astray.

      This essay I am offering you a link to talks about the reason there are so many denominations
      http://www.gotquestions.org/denominations-Christian.html

      and this one talks about what is the true church
      http://www.gotquestions.org/true-church.html

      I've answered your questions. Now is the point: the RCC is a false church. Here is why:
      Exposing the Heresies of the Catholic Church: Grace vs. Works
      http://www.gty.org/Blog/B130225

      The Pope and the Spirit of Antichrist
      http://www.gty.org/Blog/B1302262

      Exposing the Heresies of the Catholic Church: The Pope
      http://www.gty.org/Blog/B130226

      These three essays are not long. They will explain to you the scriptural foundation behind why I say, and all true believers can say with confidence and certainty, that the Catholic Church is a false church. Please take a moment to read them. Thank you

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  20. my faith has been built-up over the strong rock. So what your talking here is just few drops of water which will not even take away one of my components.

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    1. If you are talking about Christianity, then we both can praise the Holy Spirit for endowing you with a strong faith. If you mean Catholicism...then I am very sorry to hear that.

      Delete
  21. whatever happened to the saying "thou shall not judge"...u have already judged all popes to be in hell and Catholicism to be a false religion. and for the record i am an orthodox christian. with regard to mother Mary interceding on the behalf of the faithful, i would assume it draws from the incident at Cana when Jesus answered her request and turned wine to water...so just guessing the mother would be a conduit to her son. in my humble opinion the way to heaven is through jesus only and anyone, be it a catholic or a protestant who accepts this fact and lives in christ will be saved. so i pray that you will stop judging people or their beliefs just because they do not conform to your worldview...something the catholic church did in the dark ages..

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    1. "whatever happened to the saying "thou shall not judge"?? Well, whatever happened to people rightly understanding that verse? This webpage will help you. It seems clear that Jesus is not against judgment, but against a certain kind of judgment.
      http://dbts.edu/blog/specks-and-beams/

      As for Mary, you're right that the RCC gets its false impression of Mary from the verse of their conversational exchange at Cana, but the RCC has twisted it. It was actually the END of their earthly relationship as mother and sin and the beginning of their eternal relationship as Father and daughter. Remember this is where the last recorded verses in the bible from Mary have her saying "whatever He tells you to do, do it."

      You can understand why Mary worship is false here in this essay- Exposing the Heresies of the Catholic Church: Mary Worship
      http://www.gty.org/blog/B130227

      You can read this page to better understand the miracle at Cana, here from this sermon
      http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/43-8/the-beginning-of-miracles

      Your prayers are not only pointless because I will never stop judging false doctrines. They kill the unwary. But they are not consistent with the will of God. Praying in the name of Jesus means having a worldview through Him, standing for His faith and contending for others against satan's schemes. It seems you have missed this vital point

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  22. What I am seeing here is a bunch of people bashing others for what they believe in. That is one thing you don't hear the Catholic Church doing. On another web out there it says Islam is not a religion. Are you the same people writing that blog too? I have been to several churches throughout my life and during sermons in all but the Catholic ones they bash all other religions. People in today's society wonder where hate comes from! Look at you bashing others for their beliefs. If everyone would just get along and except people for what they believe in it would be a much better and more peaceful world.

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    1. The Catholic Church pronounces a curse on anyone who believes in salvation by grace alone and not works or tradition. "Let him be anathema" is their motto. Further, they believe and preach that if you do not belong to the RCC you are going to hell, and are cursed.

      What you have to understand is that anyone who puts himself in place of Jesus or denies Jesus, is himself cursed. Our discussion of true vs. false doctrine is love talk, love of Jesus, who DIED on the cross to bring it to us. There is no 'live and let live' when souls are at stake. Share the truth in love, but share it, Anonymous. It's hateful to stay quiet when you know the truth of the love of Jesus and His way of salvation. It's hateful to remain quiet when people are drawn away to the darkness. Love Jesus. Share His truth.

      People have been trying to get along for thousands of years and it is getting worse, not better. That is because this ole world has a sin problem, which Jesus DIED to resolve. Sinner and God are now reconciled, we ARE at peace, and we have a peaceful world- the next one, to come. There is no peace on this world because it has unredeemed sinners on it, who are at war with God. There is no peace, and turning a blind eye to the solution will only ever bring more war and hate.

      Delete
  23. Anonymous,
    It is not "bashing" people to demonstrate that an organization claiming to be Christian does not follow Scripture. It is not bashing people to compare beliefs with what the Bible says and then declare those beliefs to be false and spiritually dangerous. The Bible tells us to expose false teachings.

    The Catholic Church has from its beginning attacked all those who disagreed with it, and even had people executed for nothing more than possessing a Bible, because Rome didn't want people to check for themselves what the Bible says.

    Catholic teachings still say all people who are not a part of the Catholic church are lost, and that those who disagree with Rome at anathematized. i.e., Rome curses them. They don't have to preach sermons against non-Catholics when all their dogma, catechism, councils, etc curse them.

    It is not HATE to expose and condemn false teachings. It is love which leads us to tell people that what they are listening to is spiritually dangerous as well as unbiblical.

    I have never seen anyone say Islam is not a religion. But it is more than a religion - it is also a political system. Islam is a dangerous and violent belief system, and its followers will end up in hell if they don't repent of it and follow the Lord Jesus.

    We accept people for what they believe, but we don't accept the belief. THat is what tolerance is all about.

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  24. I have borrowed from Spirit Daily this commentary that speaks volumes. I am Catholic and I apologize for nothing related to my faith and I do not disparage other religions as we all love the same Creator and His Son - Jesus. Here is Michael Brown's thought..... which I wholly agree with and you people are repeating...
    It is the anti-thesis of Christianity and is of special concern when harshness is used in the cause of religion.

    If you see a Christian with a hardened heart, you are not really seeing a Christian.

    Astonishing it is that a person can carry forth beautiful devotions, show great allegiance to a certain manner of worship, demonstrate unerring diligence in church attendance, and then cast aspersion and harsh assessments on everyone else (especially anyone who doesn't practice the faith exactly as he or she does).

    Tragically, this negates everything else, as Scripture tells us. Take today's (3/8/13) Mass reading: "One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked Him, 'Which is the first of all the commandments?' Jesus replied, 'The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these'” (Mark 12:28-34).

    A shame it is, those who are diligent and traditional but speak with that harshness.

    So full of pride are we all that we believe anyone who disagrees with us is worthy of insult.

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    1. When checking a religious system of doctrines against the holy bible, and the doctrines vary or are extra biblical, you then realize that it is a false system. There are many false religions in the world. Catholicism is one. For example:

      The pope is not infallible
      The pope is not the leader of the church, Jesus is
      Mary is not co-redemptrix
      priests are not Alter Christus
      Priests, Bishops, Cardinals and popes cannot absolve sin
      Jesus is not still on the cross

      In other words, Catholics have a LOT to apologize for. People who believe these doctrines and the other RCC doctrines (purgatory, indulgences, baptismal regeneration etc) are lost and not part of any religion Jesus recognizes.

      I will always be harsh about false religion and wolves attacking the lost. Always. Paul said these ones are like gangrene. He said he sent two false teachers out of the church so satan may deal with them. You think what I have said is harsh? Paul said much worse. And the harshest of all will be Jesus on His Day when He looks at you, RCC bishops, Cardinals, priests, popes and laymen and says "Depart from Me. I never knew you, you workers of iniquity." There is nothing harsher than that. I am trying to alert you before the time so that you never have to hear it aimed at you.

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