BibleFacts

Roman Catholicism

On Church History

Introduction
Roman Catholicism appeals to church tradition, while protestants appeal only to the scriptures as authoritative. When the Roman Catholic church declares a "dogma" that contradicts the bible we "protest" the change.
Here is the church tradition before 200AD:

Titus 3:10-11 says after the second warning excommunicate any who cause divisions, because they are perverted and sinful. 1 Timothy says avoid foolish speculations about doctrine. Matthew, Peter 2, and Jude warn of heretics rising up in the church causing division. 1 Corinthians 1 is an example of dividing over baptisms and in 1 Corinthians 3 we are told God will destroy all who do this. Galatians 1:18 says even if an angel changes doctrine he is to be accursed.

Sacramentalism
The Roman Catholic position is the seven sacraments infuse grace. Salvation comes by grace through Sacraments. Council of Trent 1547 
Pope Clement I, Corinthians 32 - We are not justified by ourselves, nor by our own wisdom, or understanding, or godliness, or works which we have wrought in holiness of heart; but by that faith.
St. Paul, Ephesians 2 - For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works.

Transubstantiation
The Roman Catholic position is: when blessed the wine and bread physically turns into the flesh and blood of the Lord. Council of Lateran IV 1215

Purgatory
The Roman Catholic position is Purgatory is a place where you go after death to finish paying for your sins. Affirmed at the Council of Trent 1547

Indulgences
Earning an indulgence means you spend less time in Purgatory. 
Council Lateran I - Granted indulgences to crusaders.

Celibacy
The Roman Catholic position says all clergy must be celibate. Council of Lateran I 1123

Prayer
The Roman Catholic position says one may ask the saints to pray for them, and most use the sign of the cross.

Mary's Perpetual Virginity
The Roman Catholic and eastern Orthodox position is that Mary never had children and remained a Virgin all through her life.

 

 

The Worship of Mary
The Catholic position is that Mary was conceived without original sin. This is referred to as the "Immaculate conception"
In Luke 2:46-47 Mary confesses that she needs a savior and therefore is not sinless.
The "Assumption of the Virgin Mary" proclaimed dogma by Pope Pius XII in 1950
There is a movement from within Catholicism, referred to as "Co-Redemptrics" which says that Mary can forgive sin. This has not yet been made dogma.

The Roman Catholic Church must go back to a biblical standard other wise they cause the church to be divided.