| 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:
-
90AD Clement of Rome, the fourth Pope, Corinthians 44 - The
replacements of the Apostles, must be elected
by representatives from the whole church. (This was not possible after 1054)
-
170AD Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.2 - Heretics allege truth was
delivered not by written documents, but by oral tradition. Without this oral
tradition you can't properly interpret the Scriptures.
-
170AD Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.3 - The Apostles did not pass down
any hidden wisdom, just the scriptures. If an older
written document contradicts the newer written document we believe the older.
-
170AD Irenaeus, Against Heresies 4.26 - Obey the presbyters who are in the
Church,--those who possess the succession from the
apostles; together with the succession of the episcopate, who have
received the certain gift of truth. But it is also incumbent to hold in suspicion others who depart
from the primitive succession. Avoid all who do not hold to the doctrine of
the Apostles, including Presbyters.
-
170AD Irenaeus, Against Heresies 4.33 - The doctrine of the
apostles, has been guarded and preserved without any forging of
Scriptures, as a very complete system of doctrine. Neither receive
addition to or suffer curtailment from its truths. Read the word of God without falsification,
lawfully and
diligently explaining them in harmony with the rest of the Scriptures.
-
177AD Clement of Alexandria, Stromata book 2.4 - There never was any secret
doctrine handed down by the apostles, just the scriptures. Only the heretics
say there is secret doctrine from the apostles which you must know to
correctly understand the scripture.
-
177AD Clement of Alexandria, Stromata 2.17 - To be true, a
thing must be proven scientifically, by comparison and testing.
- 177AD Clement of Alexandria, Stromata 7.15 - True Christians do not divide the body of Christ,
but heretics try to.
-
177AD Clement of Alexandria, Stromata 7.16 - Do not accept any teaching that is not
clearly taught in the scriptures. It must be proven logically and completely
from the scriptures or it is just an opinion. Any one who divides the body
of Christ with opinions is sinning against the body of Christ.
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.
-
The Lord's Supper
The Roman Catholic position is that grace is infused by participation in
the Eucharist, making one more justified and righteous. Council of Trent 1547
- Justin Martyr 110-165 Dialogue 70 - The Eucharist is bread which Christ
gave us to eat, in remembrance of His being made flesh for the sake of His
believers, for whom also He suffered; and to the cup which He gave us to
drink, in remembrance of His own blood, with giving of thanks.
- 177AD Clement of Alexandria, Instructor book 2.2 - They use water mixed with wine for communion, and
the wine is just a symbol of the blood of Jesus, but it does sanctify both
body and soul to those who take it in faith.
-
Infant Baptism
The Roman Catholic position is that grace to overcome original sin is
mediated at baptism. Council of Trent 1547
- Justin Martyr, First Apology 61 - Baptism is "the manner in which we dedicated
ourselves to God after we had been made new through Christ." Baptism is
"for the remission of their sins that are past" and is done in the
name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The apostles taught this rite is
to show one has chosen to be born again and repented of his sins, and is
illuminated in understanding. So it is called "the regeneration"
or "illumination." We are instructed to pray for the remission of
sins, then they are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated
in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated.
- Justin Martyr, Dialogue 29 - Water baptism is of no need to one who has been baptized of
the Holy Spirit.
- St. Paul, 1
Corinthians 1.17 - Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the
gospel.
-
Penance
The Roman Catholic position is that grace is infused by participation in
Penance, making one more justified and righteous. Council of Trent 1547
- Clement of Alexandria, Stromata 4.24 - The Gnostic heretic Basilides
started teaching that after baptism, God forgives involuntary sins but you
must pay for all voluntary sins in order to be purged from them. Christians
believe all sin is forgiven immediately upon repentance.
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
- Irenaeus Against Heresies 1.13 - A Gnostic named Marcus - started
teaching when be blesses the cup of wine the charis,
or Holy Spirit, puts a drop of her own blood into the wine. Upon drinking
this wine they a filled with the charis.
Irenaeus stated all who follow such a demonic teaching are crack-brained.
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
- Irenaeus Against Heresies 2.29 - Another Gnostic heresy is at death the some souls enter an
intermediate state to be purged of the animal nature before going into the
Pleroma (Heaven).
- Clement of Alexandria, Stromata 7.13 - The Christian knows when he dies,
being already cleansed from all the sins of the soul, will go to a much
better place.
- II Maccabees 12 - The Roman Catholic position is giving money to the
Jewish priests gets loved ones out of Purgatory. Martin Luther taught that
it referred to buying a sacrifice for the temple in accordance with the Law
of Deuteronomy 21.
- Justin Martyr, Dialogue 5 - At death Christians go to heaven, and non-Christians
go to hell. No mention is made of any other place.
- Origen, Cel 6:24-25 - Celsus says that the Christians teach a purgatory
for purification among other Gnostic things. Origen refutes them all but seems
to have never heard of a place for purification. After researching the
scriptures he speculates there may be such a place. And connects it with
Gehenna in the valley of Hinnom.
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
- 177AD Clement of Alexandria, Stromata book 3.6 - Forced celibacy is wrong.
- 177AD Clement of Alexandria, Stromata book 3.7 - Peter, Paul, Philip, and other were married.
- 177AD Clement of Alexandria, Stromata book 3.13 - Clergy must be married once but can never
remarry.
- 177AD Clement of Alexandria, Stromata book 3.16 - Bishops should be married.
- Celibacy - In 1 Timothy 3 Paul says most Bishops and deacons should be
married. Eusebius 2:xvii started with the Therapeutae in Egypt
patterned after the priests and priestesses of the Greeks, they drink no wine,
eat no
meat, and are celibate.
Prayer
The Roman Catholic position says one may ask the saints to pray for them,
and most use the sign of the cross.
- 177AD Clement of Alexandria, Stromata book 7.7 - Mature Christians pray only to
God, without thought for bodily position or set time. (eg. sunrise prayers
or on their knees) and their prayers
are not selfish.
- 304AD Lactantius 7.67 - Those who make prayers to the Dead will suffer for
their impiety and rebellion against God since this is an unforgivable rite
and a violation of sacred law.
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.
- 230 AD Origen, Commentary on Matthew 10.17 - Those who wish to preserve
the honor of Mary in virginity to the end, say, basing it on a tradition in
the Gospel according to Peter, as it is entitled, or "The Book of James," (Protevangelium
Jacobi, c. 9) that the brethren of Jesus were sons of Joseph by a former wife,
whom he married before Mary.
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.
- 177AD Clement of Alexandria, Stromata book 2.19 - Whoever shall attempt to do aught with presumption,
provokes God.