0068 Catholism

God REVEALED part II

Catholism and Protestantism

“…and be always ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;” 1 Peter 3:15

Protestants accuse the Catholics of being unscriptural and the Catholics state that the Protestants do not have the true faith carried through the centuries by the Catholic Church

Beliefs of Catholic Church:

1. "The apostles left bishops as their successors. They gave them ‘their own position of teaching authority.'" (Paragraph 77)       2. "This living transmission, accomplished through the Holy Spirit, is called tradition..." (Par. 78)       3. "Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence." (Par. 82).

Bible:

Catholics: Scripture and Tradition are the truth and authority that they base their faith on. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 “…stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught…” Jesus: Scripture alone is the truth, not tradition, or elders. Matthew 15:3 “…why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?”

Tradition is good as long as it doesn’t contradicts the Bible.

(Popes are not Apostles, so they have no right to add or subtract anything that is of the Scriptures)

Salvation:

Catholics: Justification through faith and works (baptism, sincerity, honesty…), James 2:26 “…faith without works is dead…” Jesus: Justification through faith in the grace of God (grace is undeserved favor) Ephesians 2:8-9 “…by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works…”

You can boast before man with works, but not before God. God doesn’t need to see your works in order to know that you have faith, man need to see your works to see your faith.

Baptism:

Acts 2:38 “…repent, and let every one of you be baptized…” Baptism follows repentance; Babies cannot believe or repent, they have nothing to repent over.

Matthew 3:16-17 “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately…” Baptized – “baptizo” – to immerse; dip Jesus “came up” – so, John didn’t pour water on Jesus, Jesus was immersed.

Can Pope forgive sins? (No!)

Luke 20:22-23 “…receive (hold) the Holy Spirit” – it was a pledge of what was about to come after 10 days. “If you forgive (lay aside; forsake; put away) the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain (hold) the sins of any, they are retained.”

Forgive or forgiven means if you (not apostles) accept Jesus as your Savior by repenting you will be forgiven of your sins.

Apostles didn’t forgive sins (Acts 2:38) Jesus forgave the sins because He paid for them (John 1:29)

You can’t take something away unless you pay for it, disciples didn’t pray for the sins of the world. Jesus is the only Mediator between man and God (Hebrews 8:20-28)

God’s Way to Win Souls ~ is not through debating, arguing, theology, but through the Power of His Spirit.

Romans 15:18-20 “For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient – in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about the Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. And so I have make it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should on build on another man’s foundation,”

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men put in the power of God.”

Luke 4:14-15 “Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.”

Matthew 10:1,7,8 “And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.” “And as you go, preach, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out the demons. Freely you have received, freely give.””

Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive the power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be witnesses to Me…”

Message + Power = Great Results