Pastor Larry Dela Cruz

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ROMAN CATHOLICISM

As Seen through History and Scriptures

The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, reporting more than a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity.

The Catholic Church is among the oldest institutions in the world and has played a prominent role in the history of Western civilization. It teaches that it is the one true Church founded by Jesus Christ, that its bishops are the successors of Christ's apostles and that the Pope is the successor to Saint Peter.

Catholic doctrine maintains that the Church is infallible when it dogmatically teaches a doctrine of faith or morals. Catholic worship is centered on the Eucharist in which the Church teaches bread and wine are supernaturally transubstantiated into the body and blood of Christ.

The Church holds the Blessed Virgin Mary in special regard. Catholic beliefs concerning Mary include her Immaculate Conception and bodily Assumption at the end of her earthly life.

The Church's hierarchy is headed by the Bishop of Rome, the pope, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church (which is composed of the Latin Rite and the Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the see of Rome). The current office-holder is Pope Benedict XVI, who was elected in a papal conclave on 19 April 2005.

The office of the pope is known as the Papacy. His ecclesiastical jurisdiction is often called the "Holy See" (Sancta Sedes in Latin), or the "Apostolic See" (meaning the see of the Apostle Saint Peter).Directly serving the Pope is the Roman Curia, the central governing body that administers the day-to-day business of the Catholic Church. The pope is also head of state of Vatican City State, a sovereign city-state entirely enclaved within the city of Rome.

Following the death or resignation of a pope, members of the College of Cardinals who are under age 80 meet in the Sistine Chapel in Rome to elect a new pope. The title Cardinal is a rank of honour bestowed by Popes on certain ecclesiastics, such as leaders within the Roman Curia, bishops serving in major cities and distinguished theologians. Although this election, known as a papal conclave, can theoretically elect any male Catholic as pope, since 1389 only fellow Cardinals have been elevated to that position.

HISTORY.

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Early Christianity is generally considered as Christianity before 325. The New Testament's Book of Acts and Epistle to the Galatians records that the first Christian community was centered in Jerusalem and its leaders included James, Peter and John.

The first Christians were all Jews or Jewish proselytes, either by birth or conversion, referred to by historians as the Jewish Christians. Paul of Tarsus, after his conversion, claimed the title of "Apostle to the Gentiles". Paul's influence on Christian thinking is said to be more significant than any other New Testament author. By the end of the 1st century, Christianity began to be recognized internally and externally as a separate religion from Rabbinic Judaism which itself was refined and developed further in the centuries after the destruction of the Second Jerusalem Temple.

(“Looking down the History of the Roman Catholic Church we can see that the Primacy of the Bishop of Rome was a process and the Title "Pope" was not used by Peter nor taught by the Apostles. It was a development during a time of domination in politics and religion.   It was not even the Bishop of Rome who first used it but the Patriarch of Alexandria, Pope Heracleus in 232-49 AD. It was only reserved to the Bishop of Rome in the 6th Century.  And with the advent of pagans into Christianity as Emperor Constantine declared Christianity as its state's religion in 313 AD, pagan gods and idols were removed but later changed with images of saints and Christ. The early Catholic churches or the Christian churches do not have these images. Apostasy entered the church in Rome and hierarchy developed.”)

Organization.

Christian groups were first organized loosely. In Paul's time, there were no precisely delineated functions for bishops, elders, and deacons. A Church hierarchy, however, seems to have developed by the early 2nd century. These structures were certainly formalized well before the end of the Early Christian period, which concluded with the legalization of Christianity by Constantine's Edict of Milan in 313 and the holding of the First Council of Nicea in 325, when the title of Metropolitan bishop first appears.

Some 1st-century Christian writings include reference to overseers ("bishops") and deacons, though these may have been informal leadership roles rather than formal positions. The Didache (dated by most scholars to the early 2nd century) speaks of "appointing for yourself bishops and deacons" and also speaks about teachers and prophets and false prophets. Bishops were defined as spiritual authorities over geographical areas.

By the end of the early Christian period, the church within the Roman Empire had hundreds of bishops, some of them (Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, "other provinces") holding some form of jurisdiction over others.

Jerusalem was the first church and an important church center up to 135. The First Council of Nicaea recognized and confirmed the tradition by which Jerusalem continued to be given "special honour", but did not assign to it even metropolitan authority within its own province, still less the extraprovincial jurisdiction exercised by Rome and the other sees mentioned above.

Constantinople came into prominence only after the early Christian period, being founded officially in 330, five years after the First Council of Nicaea, though the much smaller original city of Byzantium was an early center of Christianity largely due to its proximity to Anatolia.

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(“Before the Catholic Church became an Institution and the Bishop of Rome gained influence Christian churches from the First to the Second Centuries were shepherded by the bishops. There was no single head recognized. In fact even the early church fathers in their writings mentioned Peter and Paul as the chief rulers of the church. Rome then was not the center then but Jerusalem. And when Jesus comes again He will sit on His throne in the Temple of Jerusalem (which to be built again) and not in Rome.”)

Christianity in the Roman Empire.

Conditions in the Roman Empire facilitated the spread of new ideas. The empire's well-defined network of roads and waterways allowed for easier travel, while the Pax Romana made it safe to travel from one region to another. The government had encouraged inhabitants, especially those in urban areas, to learn Greek, and the common language allowed ideas to be more easily expressed and understood.[128] Unlike most religions in the Roman Empire, however, Christianity required its adherents to renounce all other gods, a practice adopted from Judaism (see Idolatry). Christians' refusal to join pagan celebrations meant they were unable to participate in much of public life, which caused non-Christians–including government authorities–to fear that the Christians were angering the gods and thereby threatening the peace and prosperity of the Empire. The resulting persecutions, although usually local and sporadic, were a defining feature of Christian self-understanding until Christianity was legalized in the 4th century.[129]

In 313, the struggles of the Early Church were lessened by the legalisation of Christianity by the Emperor Constantine I. In 380, Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire by the decree of the Emperor, which would persist until the fall of the Western Empire, and later, with the Eastern Roman Empire, until the Fall of Constantinople. During this time (the period of the Seven Ecumenical Councils) there were considered five primary sees according to Eusebius: Rome, Constantinople, Antioch, Jerusalem and Alexandria, known as the Pentarchy.

After the destruction of the western Roman Empire, the church in the West was a major factor in the preservation of classical civilization, establishing monasteries, and sending missionaries to convert the peoples of northern Europe, as far as Ireland in the north. In the East, the Byzantine Empire preserved Orthodoxy, well after the massive invasions of Islam in the mid-7th century. The invasions of Islam devastated three of the five Patriarchal sees, capturing Jerusalem first, then Alexandria, and then finally in the mid-8th century, Antioch. The whole period of the next five centuries was dominated by the struggle between Christianity and Islam throughout the Mediterranean Basin. The battles of Poitiers, and Toulouse preserved the Catholic west, even though Rome itself was ravaged in 850, and Constantinople was besieged.

 Emperor Constantine of Rome

According to Christian writers, Constantine was over 40 when he finally declared himself a Christian, writing to Christians to make clear that he believed he owed his successes to the protection of the Christian High God alone. Throughout his rule, Constantine supported the Church financially, built basilicas, granted privileges to clergy (e.g. exemption from certain taxes), promoted Christians to high office, and returned property confiscated during the

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Diocletianic persecution. His most famous building projects include the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and Old Saint Peter's Basilica.

Constantine did not patronize Christianity alone, however. After gaining victory in the Battle of the Milvian Bridge (312), a triumphal arch—the Arch of Constantine—was built (315) to celebrate it; the arch is decorated with images of Victoria and sacrifices to gods like Apollo, Diana, or Hercules, but contains no Christian symbolism.

In 321, Constantine instructed that Christians and non-Christians should be united in observing the venerable day of the sun, referencing the esoteric eastern sun-worship which Aurelian had helped introduce, and his coinage still carried the symbols of the sun cult until 324. Even after the pagan gods had disappeared from the coinage, Christian symbols appeared only as Constantine's personal attributes: the chi rho between his hands or on his labarum, but never on the coin itself. Even when Constantine dedicated the new capital of Constantinople, which became the seat of Byzantine Christianity for a millennium, he did so wearing the Apollonian sun-rayed Diadem.

Change of Center.

The Edict of Milan.

The Edict of Milan (Edictum Mediolanense) was a letter signed by emperors Constantine I and Licinius that proclaimed religious toleration in the Roman Empire. The letter was issued in AD 313, shortly after the conclusion of the Diocletianic Persecution.

The accession of Constantine was a turning point for Early Christianity, generally considered the beginning of Christendom. After his victory, Constantine took over the role of the patron for the Christian faith. He supported the Church financially, had an extraordinary number of basilicas built, granted privileges (e.g. exemption from certain taxes) to clergy, promoted Christians to high-ranking offices, returned property confiscated during the Great Persecution of Diocletian, and endowed the church with land and other wealth. Between 324 and 330, Constantine built, virtually from scratch, a new imperial capital at Byzantium on the Bosphorus, which would be named Constantinople for him. Unlike "old" Rome, the city employed overtly Christian architecture and contained churches within the city walls, and had no pre-existing temples from other religions to contend with.

The Council of Nicea.

The First Council of Nicaea was a council of Christian bishops convened in Nicaea in Bithynia (present-day İznik in Turkey) by the Roman Emperor Constantine I in A.D. 325. The Council was the first effort to attain consensus in the church through an assembly representing all of Christendom.

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Its main accomplishments were settlement of the Christological issue of the relationship of Jesus to God the Father; the construction of the first part of the Nicene Creed; settling the calculation of the date of Easter; and promulgation of early canon law.

One purpose of the council was to resolve disagreements arising from within the Church of Alexandria over the nature of Jesus in relationship to God the Father; in particular, whether Jesus was the literal son of God or was he a figurative son, like the other "Sons of God" in the Bible. St. Alexander of Alexandria and Athanasius claimed to take the first position; the popular presbyter Arius, from whom the term Arianism comes, is said to have taken the second. The council decided against the Arians overwhelmingly (of the estimated 250–318 attendees, all but two voted against Arius.)

Another result of the council was an agreement on when to celebrate Easter, the most important feast of the ecclesiastical calendar. The council decided in favour of celebrating Easter on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox, independent of the Hebrew Calendar (see also Quartodecimanism and Easter controversy). It authorized the Bishop of Alexandria (presumably using the Alexandrian calendar) to announce annually the exact date to his fellow bishops.

Historically significant as the first effort to attain consensus in the church through an assembly representing all of Christendom, the Council was the first occasion where the technical aspects of Christology were discussed. Through it a precedent was set for subsequent general councils to adopt creeds and canons. This council is generally considered the beginning of the period of the First seven Ecumenical Councils in the History of Christianity.

History of the Papacy 

The word Pope derives from Greek πάππας meaning "Father". This title was first assumed by the Patriarchs of Alexandria, long before it was assumed by the Bishops of Rome. In fact, the first to carry the title of Pope was the Patriarch of Alexandria, Pope Heracleus (232–49 AD), the 13th Alexandrine Patriarch. Papa has been the specific designation for the Archbishop of Alexandria, Patriarch of Egypt, and the See of Saint Mark, whose ecclessiastic title is "Papa Abba", the Abba stands for the devotion of all monastics, from Pentapolis in the West to Constantinople in the East, to his guidance. Abba is the most powerful designation, that for all monks in the East to voluntarily follow his spiritual authority. The first record in history of the term "Pope" is assigned to Pope Heraclas of Alexandria in a letter written by the bishop of Rome, Dionysius, to Philemon: 

τοῦτον ἐγὼ τὸν κανόνα καὶ τὸν τύπον παρὰ τοῦ μακαρίου πάπα ἡμῶν Ἡρακλᾶ παρέλαβον.

Which translates into:

I received this rule and ordinance from our blessed pope, Heraclas.

It is difficult to ascertain the identity of the first Bishop of Rome to carry the title Pope of Rome. Some sources suggest that it was Pope Marcellinus (d. 304 AD), while other sources suggest that this did not happen until the 6th century, with Pope John I (523–6 AD) the first to assume this title. 

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Bestowing the title on Rome's Pontiff did not strip it from Alexandria's, and the Roman Catholic Church recognizes this ecclesiastical fact. From the 6th century, the imperial chancery of Constantinople normally reserved this designation for the Bishop of Rome.

From the early 6th century, it began to be confined in the West to the Bishop of Rome, a practice that was firmly in place by the 11th century, when Pope Gregory VII declared it reserved for the Bishop of Rome.

 

Pope

The best-known title of the Popes, that of "Pope", does not appear in the official list, but is commonly used in the titles of documents, and appears, in abbreviated form, in their signatures. Thus Pope Paul VI signed as "Paulus PP. VI", the "PP." standing for "Papa" ("Pope").

The title "Pope" was from the early 3rd century an honorific designation used for any bishop in the West. In the East it was used only for the Bishop of Alexandria. Pope Marcellinus is the first Bishop of Rome shown in sources to have had the title "Pope" used of him. From the 6th century, the imperial chancery of Constantinople normally reserved this designation for the Bishop of Rome. From the early 6th century, it began to be confined in the West to the Bishop of Rome, a practice that was firmly in place by the 11th century, when Pope Gregory VII declared it reserved for the Bishop of Rome.

In Eastern Christianity, where the title "pope" is used also of the Bishop of Alexandria, the Bishop of Rome is often referred to as the "Pope of Rome", regardless of whether the speaker or writer is in communion with Rome or not.

 

Early Christianity (c. 30–325)

It seems that at first the terms 'episcopos' and 'presbyter' were used interchangeably. The consensus among scholars has been that, at the turn of the 1st and 2nd centuries, local congregations were led by bishops and presbyters whose offices were overlapping or indistinguishable. There was probably no single 'monarchical' bishop in Rome before the middle of the 2nd century ... and likely later." Other scholars and historians disagree, citing the historical records of St. Ignatius of Antioch and St. Irenaeus who recorded the linear succession of Bishops of Rome (the Popes) up until their own times. They also cite the importance accorded to the Popes in the ecumenical councils, including the early ones.

In the early Christian era, Rome and a few other cities had claims on the leadership of worldwide Catholic Church. James the Just, known as "the brother of the Lord", served as head of the Jerusalem church, which is still honored as the "Mother Church" in Orthodox tradition. Alexandria had been a center of Jewish learning and became a center of Christian learning. Rome had a large congregation early in the apostolic period whom Paul the Apostle addressed in his Epistle to the Romans, and according to tradition Paul was martyred there.

During the 1st century of the Church (ca. 30–130), the Roman capital became recognized as a Christian center of exceptional importance. Clement I at the end of the 1st century wrote an epistle to the Church in Corinth intervening in a major dispute, and apologizing for not

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having taken action earlier. However, there are only a few other references of that time to recognition of the authoritative primacy of the Roman See outside of Rome. In the Ravenna Document of 13 October 2007, theologians chosen by the Roman Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox Churches stated: "41. Both sides agree… that Rome, as the Church that 'presides in love' according to the phrase of St Ignatius of Antioch (To the Romans, Prologue), occupied the first place in the taxis, and that the bishop of Rome was therefore the protos among the patriarchs. They disagree, however, on the interpretation of the historical evidence from this era regarding the prerogatives of the Bishop of Rome as protos, a matter that was already understood in different ways in the first millennium." In addition, in the last years of the 1st century AD the Church in Rome intervened in the affairs of the Christian Church in Corinth to help solve their internal disputes.

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WHAT HAPPENED IN HISTORY?

The Church was founded by our Lord Jesus Christ of which He is the Stone, the Head and the Foundation more than 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem. He had chosen, authorized and gave the Word to His Apostles. His commandment was to preach the gospel into the whole world, make disciples of nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. At the Day of Pentecost Peter proclaimed the Gospel truth that in Jesus Christ alone we have forgiveness, redemption and salvation. Thousands were saved and the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Out of due time Christ called Saul who was a great persecutor of the Church to the ministry. He was then called Paul. Three years after conversion he met Cephas (Peter) and the Lord’s brother James. The ministry of Paul had many conversions from the Gentiles. They were entering the Body of Christ through the gospel. Fourteen years later he went back to Jerusalem and submitted the gospel the Lord gave Him and which he preached. James, Cephas and John who were known as pillars of the church extended them the right hand of fellowship. Peter to the Jews and Paul and his companions to the Gentiles. It was Paul and his companions who established many churches among the Gentiles and Jesus asked him to witness in Rome. He stayed in Rome for two years preaching the gospel and teaching the Kingdom of God.

Since then many were called by the Lord into the Harvest. The preaching of the Gospel is God’s way of calling and saving people. Thousands have been saved and delivered from the power of Satan to God. The disciples continued to gather together, continued in the Apostles’ fellowship, breaking of bread and had everything in common. The Apostles and others preached the gospel and taught the Kingdom of God. Those who repented and believed were baptized. The churches flourished in spite of many persecutions. The Word of God spread. The Apostles wrote letters which contain their teachings for the churches. They encouraged them to read and spread their writings and to hold on to the Traditions directly coming from them only whether by oral or written.

In the First and the Second Centuries the churches used the OT Scriptures and the writings of the Apostles as their rule of faith and practice. Jesus was preached from the Scriptures.

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The preaching of the Word and the breaking of the bread in house churches and Temples were observed.

In the year 3rd Century AD, Rome being the dominant power and its Emperor Constantine whose mother Helena was Christian, wanted not that his kingdom be divided because the Christians refused to Emperor Cult worship. And there arose some false teachings from false teachers. He declared the Edict of Milan declaring Christianity as the State religion thus giving favor to the churches. The Council of Laodicea was called by Constantine gathered around 200-300 bishops from various places. The council tried to settle the disputes among the heretical beliefs of Arius that Jesus was not really a God but was only a man and figuratively called the Son of God. There arose also the Gnostics that teach Jesus is just a spirit. The Council also delineated the forms in their church services and the hierarchy of the bishops. The Council decided and made the Canon which of the writings were to be considered the Bible. Rome supported the churches in influence and power and wealth. Here started the rise of the Papacy of Rome. Later new teachings crept in the Church that were not taught by the Apostles.

Roman Catholicism institutionalized Christianity. It became a religion with forms and sacraments replacing the plain preaching of the gospel of salvation in Christ by which we are saved. The personal Christ was not received through the Gospel. Salvation was not by Christ alone but through obedience and observance of the sacraments. Idolatry entered the church. Dead saints were venerated and prayed into to ask for assistance The doctrine of purgatory was taught. The dead to enter heaven were prayed for and indulgences were given. Salvation and eternal life which can be received immediately after repentance and faith in Christ was forgotten and not taught which were very clear in the writings of the Apostles. The Bible which they compiled and made the canon or rule became not the final authority of faith and practice. The Church and its traditions and the teachings of the Pope were given more authority. The Pope became infallible above the written Word of God.

The Roman Catholic Church has unbroken history of succession of bishops but it was evident they have broken history of succession of the Gospel truth and authority of the written Words of Christ. It is not the list of popes that matters but it’s the succession of the Gospel Truth and the Words of Christ and the Teachings of the Apostles above all doctrines and traditions of man or of any church that did not come from the Apostles regarding salvation, faith and practice.

Jesus said, "Repent and believe the gospel." Mk 1:15Paul said, "If an angel or we preach another gospel let him be accursed." Gal 1:6-9 By this gospel God calls. 2 Thess 2:14By this gospel we are saved. 1Cor 15:1-2By this gospel we enter the Body of Christ. Eph 3:6 What is the GOSPEL according to the Roman Catholic Church? Salvation and eternal life is not received NOW by grace through faith in Christ. Jesus Christ is replaced by sacraments to be observed and good works to be saved. But rather one should first be saved by Christ through repentance and faith in the gospel (His death and resurrection for the atonement of our sins) then we are changed by the Spirit of God and good works follow. 

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This is important because it's not the list of succession of bishops that matters but the succession of the gospel according to the Apostles and the Head of the Church our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Church of Christ.

The Church is the Body of Christ who experienced new birth through the Gospel. They are the House and Temple of God were the Holy Spirit dwells. They were washed, sanctified, justified and made righteous by grace by the blood and name of the Lamb and by the power of the Spirit of God. The Believers today were joined and made members of the Church Jesus built more than 2,000 years through the gospel. The Bible is their Rule of Faith and Practice. They await the Second Coming of Christ.

Today, millions and hundreds of millions have been entering the Church Jesus built through the preaching of gospel. Through repentance and faith in Christ they were saved and received eternal life. The Word of God and the Holy Spirit have been the guiding light of the Church.

A BIBLICAL REPLY IN CONTEXT TO: A Biblical Defense of Catholicism

The Holy Bible (in 1st Timothy 3:15) says that the Church is the pillar and foundation of truth.  Jesus promise (in Matthew 16:18) that the power of Hades cannot prevail against the Church.  The Spirit of Truth will guide the Church into all the truth (John 16:13).  The Church is commissioned to make disciples of all nations, and teach to the ends of the earth and to the end of age (Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8).  Initially, God's covenant was with individuals, then to a family, then to a tribe, then to many tribes, then to a nation, then to all nations OR κατα ολοι ["to all" in Koine Greek is "kata holoi" from which the name Catholic was derived.] (Acts 1:8 & Matthew 28:19)  Hence, καθολικος (CATHOLIC).

Indeed, the Church is the pillar and foundation of truth. She declares and proclaims the truth. The Church was built by Jesus Christ more than 2,000 years

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ago. Mt 16:18. Peter said, “Jesus is the Stone”. 1 Pet 2:6-7. Paul said, “Jesus is the Foundation.” 1Cor 3:11. We the Gentiles enter that Church and become members through the Gospel. Eph 3:6. The Believers are His House and Temple were His Spirit dwells. Heb 3:6, 1Cor 3:16-17, 6:19-20.

The Church is the Pillar and the Foundation of Truth. 1Tim 3:15. What is the TRUTH? Where can we find the truth? Jesus said, “I am the Way the Truth and the Life no man comes to the Father but through Me”. Jn 14:6. In another He said, “Sanctify them with your Truth. Thy Word is Truth.” Jn 17:17. Thirdly, Paul said, “If we or an angel from heaven preached another GOSPEL which we not preached is to be cursed.” Gal 1:6-9. Therefore the True Church of Christ maintains these THREE important Truths. Outside these Truth results into Apostasy. 2 Pet 2:1-2.

Question:

1. Is Jesus the Only Way of Salvation proclaimed in that Church or there is no salvation outside the Roman Catholic Church? Acts 4:11 Is Eternal Life received NOW by whoever repents and believes the GOSPEL Truth? Jn 3:36, 1 Jn 5:9-13

2. Is the CANON- The BIBLE the Word of God, the Words of Christ and the teachings of the Apostles the final authority for faith and practice? Jn 17:14-20, 2 Tim 3:16-17, 4:1-5, 2 Jn 1:9

3. Is Christ crucified, died and resurrected for our sins the GOSPEL? He made the atonement, paid and took away the sin of the world and that whoever repents and believes shall be saved. 1Cor 15:1-4,11 Mk 1:15, Act 20:20-21

How then can a Church be the Ground and Pillar of Truth if these Truths were denied directly and indirectly? John said whoever does not follow the Teachings of Christ has not the Son and the Father. 2 Jn 1:9.

When the Church encounters disputes, (in Acts 15:6) the apostles and the elders met together to consider such matter and Peter stood up and said: I should be the one through whom the Gentiles would hear the message.  Only Peter was given the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:19).  Peter's primacy is biblical.  Hence the primacy of Pope in Apostolic Succession.  The finalization of the New Testament canon was determined by the Catholic Church in the Synod of Rome (382AD) and the Council of Hippo (393AD) and the Council of Carthage (397AD).  The Church already exists prior to the completion of the New Testament.  Protestants get their New Testament from the Catholic Church.

In that Council it was not Peter who made the Judgment but it was the Lord’s brother Apostle James. Act 15:13-20. The Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven are the gospel truth and the Word of God that shall open the Door for the Jews and the Gentiles to enter the Kingdom of God. Peter indeed first preached the Gospel at the Day of Pentecost and thousands were saved. Many were forgiven. But these were not exclusive to Peter alone but all the Apostles and Paul and his companions preached the Gospel. James, Cephas and John shared to Paul and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship in the Ministry- Peter to the Jews and Paul to the Gentiles. Gal 2:7-9. Binding and loosing, confirming others are forgiven was

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not exclusive to Peter either. Mt 18:1,18. If these Authority were shared the same by other Apostles it showed that Peter was not the supreme Apostle. In fact Paul rebuked Peter because he saw he was not acting according to the GOSPEL truth. Gal 2:11-16. The Catholic Church not Roman then, compiled the Books that were in circulation among the churches. These were the OT already existed even before the Apostles came and the NT writings of the Apostles including the gospel writings. For the past 300 years the Christian churches were familiar already with the said books. Since, the Catholic Church made this CANON, RULE the Bible therefore it should be the final say in all matters of faith and practice. Outside them should be condemned. We Christians get our sources from the Early Centuries writings. There are more than 25,000 manuscripts of the OT and NT. 5,000 of them are from the NT. These manuscripts are preserved in the Museums. Technological and Archeological advances and findings made these possible.

 

(In Ephesians 4:4-5) There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God.  (In John 10:16) Jesus brings them also so there will be one flock, one shepherd.  [Today, there are many faiths, many baptisms, many flocks, many different churches.]

Eph 4:4-5 refers to the Body of Christ – The church. We must establish first what and who is the church? Is it an institution or a hierarchy or an organization or the Believers themselves? And what is their faith? Who is their Lord? When and who is baptized? And the God whom they served?

We have noted above if a church left the Three Basic Truths:

a) Salvation in Christ Alone,

b) The Word as the Final Authority and

c) Preaching the Only Gospel then it has apostatized.

The Church therefore remains in the Gospel Truth and in the Words of Christ. The Believers are His HOUSE. Heb 3:6. We enter the Church Christ built 2,000 years ago through the Gospel. Eph 3:6. Paul said, “Though we are many we are one body.” Our churches name themselves in the Name of its Head and Foundation Jesus Christ. 2 Tim 2:19.

 

Is the Bible Alone enough?  Is the Bible self explanatory?  (In Acts 8:30-31) Philip asked a man, "do you understand what you are reading?"  the man replied, "how can I, UNLESS SOMEONE GUIDES ME?" and the man invited Philip.  (In 2nd Peter 1:20) Scripture's prophecy is NOT a matter of one's own interpretation.  [These verses imply a teaching authority in the Church.]  The Bible does NOT tell us what books should be included in the Bible and what books should not be included in the Bible.  It should be noted that the inventor of the printing press - Johannes Gutenberg is a Catholic, and that the First Book he printed is a Catholic Bible (1455AD) containing the 73 books.  Chronologically, later in the history, AFTER 1455AD, the Protestants deleted 7 books from the Old Testament.

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 Yes, the Word of God is enough and sufficient for those who know the Lord. It is those who have known the Lord who were given the understanding to share the Gospel truth that salvation is in Christ alone. In Acts 8:30-31 we have two individuals, Philip who knows the Lord and the truth and the Ethiopian Eunuch who have not met yet the Lord that is why he understand not the Scripture. If you continue the story it said that Philip beginning from the Scripture PREACHED Jesus to him. The man got saved and was baptized. God saves people from all generations. The word of God and the Gospel is preached into all creation under heaven and there is no Name under heaven given whereby we can be saved.

Is the Bible [absolutely] against the making of ALL KINDS of images?  NO.  (In Exodus 25:18-19)  God command to make two cherubim of gold...[clearly these gold cherubim are images!]  Moreover, (in 1st Kings 9:3) God would not have blessed Solomon and "consecrated" his temple FILLED WITH STATUES and IMAGES if God did not approve of them (1st Kings 6:23-35).  The Bible condemns idols ("graven images") in Exodus 20:4-5 but not all kinds of images.  In fact, Bible translations (written) are images of the (actual &/ spoken) word of God.

God is not against images but if they are used for representing God and are served and worshiped they become a cursed and God abhors them. Ex 20:5. Regarding images of Cherubims it was God who commanded them to make. The question is did God command the Catholic Priests and the Pope to make images of Christ, the Black Nazarene, the Sto. Nino and the dead saints? Were these images not served, bowed down, prayed into, put into procession, made offerings and worship by other innocent Catholics? Apostle wrote to the Church to guard themselves from idols. 1Jn 5:21. In the OT when the Israelites burned incense to the bronze serpent Moses had made King Hezekiah destroyed it together with all the altars and idols. 2 Ki 18:4.

Is salvation by faith alone?  NOT everyone who says "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of the Father in heaven (Matthew 7:21).  Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves (James 1:22).  Furthermore (in James 2:24) a person is justified by works [with faith] and NOT BY FAITH ALONE.  Salvation is NOT by faith alone NOR work alone.  Salvation is by grace through faith working through love (Ephesians 2:8-9 and Galatians 5:6).  Apostle Paul taught (in Philippians 2:12-13) that "WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING; for it is GOD WHO IS AT WORK in you, ENABLING you both to will and to work for his good pleasure."  It is God's grace that gives us faith working through love.  John taught (in 2nd John 1:8) that "Be on your guard, so that you do not lose what WE HAVE WORKED FOR, but may receive a full reward."  IT IS VERY CLEAR that salvation is NOT BY FAITH ALONE!

 The Church has NEVER taught that we can earn salvation by good works.  In fact the Church had CONDEMNED Pelagianism "righteousness by works" at the Council of Carthage in 418AD.  Only by God's grace completely, unmerited by works, is one person saved.  The Church teaches that salvation is God's grace from beginning to end which justifies, sanctifies and saves us.  As Apostle Paul explains in Philippians 2:13, "God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work."  Notice that Apostle Paul's words presuppose that the faithful believer of Jesus is NOT JUST desiring to be righteous but is actively WORKING TOWARD IT.  This is the second half of the justification equation, and Protestants either miss or ignore it.  Salvation is NEITHER BY FAITH ALONE nor WORK

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ALONE.  Salvation is BY God's grace through faith working through love (Ephesians 2:8-9 & Galatians 5:6).

If you ask a Catholic how they can be saved some will answer by faith and good works. Others say through obedience and the Sacraments. We agree that Salvation is by grace THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST, and not of ours works it is a gift of God. No more no less. If it is by works then it is not by grace. Eph 2:8-9. We must complete the statement: It is by grace through faith in Christ. Not just faith only. Faith should be addressed to the Son of God the Savior who died and paid for our sins for it to become effective and acceptable to God. Why does God declare righteous and justifies him that has repented and put his faith in the Son of God? The Son of God completed and finished the Work of Salvation in the Cross and resurrected from the dead the person who believes is justified from all things and is set free from his sins and its penalty. Justification is also a gift by His grace through the redemption in which is in Christ Jesus., Rom 3:24-28. On his behalf Christ already suffered for his sins and Christ took it away. Jn 1:29, Heb 10:10-12

What about good works? Eph 2:8-9 said we are saved by grace through faith and in verse 10 we are His workmanship created for good works. Good works are the results and fruits of being a new creation in Christ. A person should first be saved and be in Christ to be able to obey God and keep His commandments. Jesus said without me you can not do anything. Jn 15:5. If the Son sets you free you shall be free indeed. Jn 8:36. Also, the believer receives the Holy Spirit by faith in the gospel. Gal 1:1-3. The Spirit of God bears fruit in the believer. Without the Holy Spirit residing in you can not be changed and have love, goodness, faithfulness, joy, peace, patience and life. Gal 5:23-24.

Is it wrong to pray for the dead?  (In Acts 9:40) Peter prays for the dead.  Peter communicates to the dead (Tabitha) and tells her to get up.  In 1st Kings 17:21-22, Elijah prays for the dead child.  In 2nd Maccabees 12:42-44 praying for the dead that those who had fallen would rise again.

In Acts 9:40 Peter prayed for the dead child to be resurrected in Jesus name. And she did. It is different you pray for those who just died to be resurrected for God can restore them to life in Jesus name. Same with Elijah God restored the child to life. But to pray for our dead relatives and friends and make offerings and give money to the church that they might go to heaven are not in the Scriptures.

Is it wrong to repeat prayers?  NO. (In Matthew 26:44) Jesus prayed for the THIRD time, saying THE SAME WORDS.  In Psalm 136, the words "for his steadfast love endures forever" are repeated many times.  The Bible does NOT condemn repetitions (in prayer) but the Bible condemns VAIN repetitions (Matthew 6:7).

What prayer that is condemned in the bible? It is the prayer like what the Gentiles do. That in much speaking they think the can be heard. It is the memorized prayers that you say all over and over again. It is the meaningless repetitions. That is the way the pagans pray. Prayers coming from the heart are acceptable to God. Mt 6:6-7. We can praise God all over and over again.

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No mortal sins and No confessions?  (In 1st John 5:16) there is sin that is mortal.  In James 5:16 "Confess your sins to one another"; Matthew 18:15-17 "tell it to the church"; In John 20:22-23 Jesus breathed on them the Holy Spirit and said to them: if you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them.  In 2nd Corinthians 5:18, God has given us the ministry of reconciliation!

What are mortal and venial sins? First these words are not found in the bible for all unrighteousness is sin. When is a sin mortal or venial? Is lying a venial sin? Is murdering a mortal sin? What if the person is a habitual liar? Is it still a venial sin? In the Word of God in the book of revelation it says, “All liars, cowards, unbelieving, immorals, murderers and adulterers their end shall be in the Life of Fire.” Rev 21:8. What the bible really teaches is there is a sin unto death and there is a sin not unto death. Blasphemy or speaking against the Holy Spirit can not be forgiven anymore. Mt 12:31-32. The believer who after receiving the knowledge of truth and was sanctified and washed by the blood and then fall away and continue to sin and not repent there remain no more sacrifice for sin for him but judgment. No more pardon., 10:23-39. This is the sin unto death the falling away. Rom 8:12-13, Heb 6:4-6, 1Jn 5:16. The believer who walks in the Light the blood of Jesus cleanses him from all sins and if he sins he confesses them and God forgives him. 1Jn 1:5-10.

 

Do Catholics break Christ's command to "call no man father"?  NO!  The truth is that Christ did not LITERALLY mean call no one "father".  IF Christ really mean it LITERALLY, we would expect to see the Apostles follow this (literal) interpretation throughout the New Testament BUT in fact we see exactly the opposite: the New Testament writers frequently called men "father" (1st John 2:14; Acts 7:2; Acts 22:1; 1st Thessalonians 2:11; Philemon 10).  Calling Catholic priests "father" is not contrary to Christ's teaching.  The Apostle Paul is teaching his community that he became "their FATHER through the gospel" (1st Corinthians 4:15) and the Apostle Paul is appealing to his community to imitate him in doing so (1st Corinthians 4:16).  In Romans 4:16-17 God made Abraham the "father" of many nations.

 The commandment was not to CALL or address any man “Father”. The Apostles made an allusion that they were fathers because through the gospel many became the children of God and they were a product of their ministry but no teachings from the apostles that they be called “Father.” What Jesus meant was we have only one Father in heaven. There is only one Spiritual Father and that is God. Mt 23:9. Call not anyone on earth your father, for One is your Father, in heave. Therefore Holy Father belongs only to God. The Apostles never taught that they be called Fathers.

Is Mary the Mother of Jesus sinless?  (In Genesis 3:15) God will put enmity between evil and the woman and the evil's offspring and the woman's offspring.  [IF the woman is sinful, then there is no enmity between evil and the woman.]  The Bible (in Luke 1:48) says that all generations will call her "blessed".  [Do you call her Blessed Mary?  Catholics do call her Blessed Mary.]

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Gen 3:15 and Luke 1:48 never said that Mary was sinless. Mary is a faithful and righteous believer and follower of God. It need not be a sinless person to bear the Son of God. Jesus took the human form. He had the body of humans who are capable of sinning but He did not sin because He only partook of it. His mother is human but His father is not human. The parents of Mary are humans all came from Adam and Eve. Paul said for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Rom 3:23. To be righteous before God does not mean to be sinless. In the OT one is declared righteous if he keeps the Law and if he sins he makes the right offering. Mary is really blessed more than all women for he bore in her the Son of God. That what makes Mary blessed and it’s not because she is sinless. By the grace of God Mary was chosen.

After death, only heaven and hell?  No more other stage?  (In 1st Peter 3:19) Jesus made a proclamation to the spirits IN PRISON!  (In 1st Corinthians 3:15) ...will be saved but only AS THROUGH FIRE.  Nothing unclean will enter Heaven (Revelation 21:27)  [What is this "ONLY AS THROUGH FIRE"?]

It is correct when a person dies its either heaven or hell. The wicked and those who are not in Christ go to Hell. Those who are in Christ are no longer condemned and go to heaven when they die. 2Cor 5:5-8. In 1Pet 3:19 the spirits in prison were those who were not saved when God send Flood in the Days of Noah. Only eight souls were saved in verse 20. These spirits are in prison waiting for the Judgment of God on the last Day. This prison is Hell because in the olden times the First Judgment of the world came and those who did not enter the Ark were not saved. In Rev 20:7 at the end of the millennium Satan shall be release from his prison to tempt mankind. In Jde 1:6 the angels who have sinned were kept in eternal bonds awaiting judgment. At the Judgment Day death, the dead in Hell and Hell were thrown into the Lake of Fire. Rev 20:11-15. This Great White Throne Judgment is after the Second Resurrection of the Evil Dead. Only the wicked and the unbelievers are in this judgment. This is the Lake of Fire- the Second Death.

At the Second Coming the Saints shall be resurrected and have glorified bodies. The rewards will occur at the Judgment of Seat of Christ were only believers are present. 2Cor 5:10. In 1Cor 3:15 were the service and works of the saints shall be exposed and those not acceptable shall be burned. They shall receive rewards. The Second Coming of Christ is 1,000 years before the Great White Throne Judgment for the Wicked.

Rev 21:27 is right nothing unclean or abominable will enter heaven BUT only those who are written in the Lambs book of life. Jesus said to His disciples to rejoice for their names were written in Heaven. Lk 10:20. Why rejoice? Because we have redemption through His blood the forgiveness of sins. Eph 1:7. Christ has become our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. 1Cor 1:30. They were washed, justified and sanctified by In the Name of Jesus Christ, by the blood of the Lamb and by the Spirit. 1 Cor 6:11 Rev 1:5. No more cleansing after death because we are cleansed by His precious blood. And for after death is judgment. He will appear the Second time for salvation without reference to sin to those who await Him. Heb 9:27-28. Salvation for believers and wrath for the wicked. 2Thess 1:7-10.

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Therefore if the saints or the Christians were washed by the blood of the Lamb and salvation is theirs where for is the cleansing in ‘Purgatory’? And the wicked goes to hell awaiting Judgment where for is the cleansing in ‘Purgatory’? The doctrine of Purgatory is never taught by Jesus and by the Apostles. This teaching is anti-gospel. And is anti-cross.

In Acts 8:15-17, AFTER receiving baptism, the apostles lay their hands.  This is the biblical basis of Sacrament of Confirmation.  Baptism and Confirmation were considered two distinct Sacraments from the beginning.

 Again, let is always get into the CONTEXT to get the real meaning of the verses. What surrounds that verses Act 8:15-17. What does it really teach? We begin with verse 12 Philip preached the good news of the Kingdom and the Name of Jesus. So many men and women believed and were baptized in water. After sometime Peter and John went to them to pray for them that they might received the Holy Spirit. This is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Believers after receiving the Lord Jesus should be prayed for to receive the Holy Spirit. Act 1:5-8. Men and women after believing were baptized and received the Holy Spirit and not infants.

John Henry Newman wrote: "To be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant."  After eighty (80) years from Christ's death, Ignatius of Antioch wrote about the reality of Christ's Flesh and Blood in the Eucharist (cf John 6:55).  Justin Martyr also wrote about the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.  The early Church believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, liturgical worship (1st Corinthians 11:23-29)

The Lord’s Table the breaking of Bread and the drinking of the Cup is remembering the death and atonement Christ did on the Cross for our forgiveness. It is the proclamation of the Lord’s death until He comes. 1 Cor 11:26. Jesus said that the believers to do it in His remembrance. Lk 22:19, 1Cor 11:24-25. Christ is present in the Believers. He resides in the Believers His Temple. 1Cor 3:16.

baptismal regeneration (1st Peter 3:21),

This does not teach baptismal regeneration. It is not baptism that regenerates man. It is rather through faith in the Gospel, through the resurrection of Christ and the washing and renewing of the Spirit of God. Js 1:18, 1Pet 1:23-25, 3, Tit 3:5. We only baptize those who has repented and has faith in Christ. In baptism we are immersed in water. We are buried with Christ through baptism into death so as Christ was raised from the dead we are to walk in the newness of life. Rom 6:3-4. And 1Pet 3:21 teaches us just like water that saved Noah and his family baptism saves us by giving us the assurance that we were forgiven and was raised through the resurrection of Christ. Baptism alone without its prerequisites being present that is repentance and faith in Christ is not effective. It is the resurrection of Christ and the Spirit of God that regenerates us through the gospel. 1Pet 1:3, Tit 3:5. We only baptize adults who have received Christ.

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Infants are saved and don’t have the capability yet to repent and believe. Mk 1:15, Act 8:12

and apostolic succession (Titus 1:5; Acts 1:26; Acts 6:6).

Indeed, in the church we appoint elders and overseers. It is God who calls, sends and give gifts. In the church God gave apostles, pastors, teachers, evangelists and prophets. These ministers work together to equip the body of Christ for the work of the ministry, unity in the faith and knowledge of they Son of God. Eph 4:1-13. Also, its not the having a list of names of succession among the apostles but the succession of the true teachings of the Apostles that matters to God. Jn 8:31, 2Jn 1:9. There were apostles after the Twelve and it did not end for God calls and sends many apostles for His work. There is no such teaching as Head Apostle “Pope” among the apostles and successors are appointed therein after the death of that Head Apostle. The Head and the Apostle and Highpriest is Christ alone. Heb 3:1.

The doctrines of Faith Alone and Scripture Alone are teachings of Protestants and NOT of the early Church.  The doctrine of Scripture Alone originated with Martin Luther, the 16th-century German monk who broke away from the Church and started the Protestant "Reformation".  And these two fundamental tenets (Faith Alone and Scripture Alone) of Protestantism are CONTRARY to the teachings of the Bible! James 2:24; 2nd Thessalonians 2:15 & 1st Corinthians 11:2.

It is by grace through Faith in Christ that we are saved. It is the Faith in the finished Work of Christ on the Cross. It is Faith in the Blood of Christ that was shed for the forgiveness of our sins. If it is by grace then it is by faith. Eph 2:8-9, Rom 3:24-28.

The Scripture is its final authority for faith and practice. It is the rule by which we rebuke, correct and instruct. 2 Tim 3:17 – 4:1-5, 1Cor 3:6 Is 8:20. The bible is the Word of God and the Words of Christ. The church follows and abides the teachings of Christ. 2 Jn 1:9

May you realize that the Church is the pillar and foundation of truth (1st Timothy 3:15) and that Bible Alone is insufficient.  And that salvation is NOT BY FAITH ALONE (James 2:24).  And our faith must be rooted in the Traditions and in the Word of God (see 2nd Thessalonians 2:15 & 1st Corinthians 11:2).

The Church holds on the Teachings of Christ written by the Apostles only and the gospels written by those who worked with them. 2Thess 2:15. The Church composed of the believers who have repented from their sins and had faith in the Son of God for salvation and forgiveness is the House of God. Heb 3:6. The Church

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guards her members from Error through the Word. The Word of God is the truth and the church is sanctified by it. Jn 17:14-17.

True Faith we have discussed produces good works. After faith in Christ you shall be saved and become a new creation created for good works. Eph 2:8-9,10.

In 2 Thess 2:15 and 1Cor 11:2 Paul reminds us that we only accept and practice the Traditions that came from them directly either by word or letter. Outside what the Apostles have taught are to be rejected. Even the GOSPEL truth which Salvation through Christ alone shall not be perverted or corrupted by adding new doctrines. Anyone who preaches another gospel shall be cursed.

APOLOGETICS

Catholic Objections and Answers Biblically Replied:

OBJECTION 1: the Church is subject ONLY to the authority of the Bible.

ANSWER 1: Matthew 28:19-20 is known as the Great Commission.  Here, Jesus tells the apostles to baptize and teach what He taught them.  Jesus did NOT instruct the Church to go and write a book.  Jesus Himself NEVER wrote a book.  Jesus would have been the most logical one to do so IF this is what He intended; to build a church based on a book.  The Church is built by teaching others through preaching the teachings of Jesus.  Faith comes from what is preached (Romans 10:17).  The Church existed BEFORE the Canonization of the Bible.  The Church has authority (Luke 10:16 and 3rd John 1:9).  For the Church, BOTH the Bible and the Tradition are authoritative (2nd Thessalonians 2:15 & 1st Corinthians 11:2).  Nowhere is it written in the Bible that the Bible must be our ONLY AUTHORITY!  In fact, the Bible teaches us that the Church is the pillar and foundation of truth (1st Timothy 3:15).

BIBLICAL REPLY:

1.1. The Word of God spoken and written by the Apostles are the same. The medium might be oral or written it is still the Word of God. These are the Letter of the Apostles and the Gospels. It is not true that God never commanded His Prophets in the OT and the Apostles in the NT to write the Word.

EX 34:27 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.”

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REV 19:9 Then he *said to me, “ Write, ‘ Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ ” And he *said to me, “ These are true words of God.” REV 21:5 And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”

1.2. The Word of God existed even before the Church was founded. Jesus gave the Word of the Father to His Apostles. We believe through their Word. And all be one through the Word.

JN 17:14 “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. JN 17:15 “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. JN 17:16 “ They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. JN 17:17 “ Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. JN 17:18 “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. JN 17:19 “For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. JN 17:20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; JN 17:21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

1.3. Authority of the Church comes from the Oral and Written Traditions coming only from the Apostles. Gospel and Traditions coming from religious leaders and churches are to be rejected if not in conformity with the Apostles’ gospel and written teachings.2TH 2:14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2TH 2:15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.

1CO 11:1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. 1CO 11:2 Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you. 1CO 11:3 But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.

1.4. The Church is the body of Christ. And the Head of the Church is Christ. The Word and the Teachings of Jesus Christ should be followed by the saints. The ministers should be guided by the Word of God and by the teachings of the Apostles. The Word of God the Bible is the Final Authority for faith and practice.

ISA 8:20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.

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2TI 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 2TI 3:17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2TI 4:1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2TI 4:2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 2TI 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 2TI 4:4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

OBJECTION 2: Mary was NOT born sinless for the Bible says "all have sinned".

ANSWER 2: Genesis 3:15 "I (God) will put enmity between you (evil) and the woman, and between your offspring and hers (Jesus)...[IF the woman is with sin, then there is NO enmity between evil and the woman.  Jesus is still the savior of Mary because Jesus preserved Blessed Mary from original sin at her conception.]

BIBLICAL REPLY:

There is no biblical teaching that Mary was sinless. The bible said all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Only Jesus is the human being that has not sinned because He only partook the human flesh and His Father is not a human. Mary’s parents came from Adam and Eve whom we all came from. Mary is righteous but not sinless. She was blessed and chosen by God to bear the Son of God. The grace of God kept her but she was not born sinless. The enmity is because she will bear the Savior who took the human form to redeem mankind. Jesus alone is without sin.

LK 1:30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. LK 1:31 “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. LK 1:32 “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; LK 1:33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”

GAL 3:22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

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2CO 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 1PE 2:22 WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; 1JN 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1JN 3:5 You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin.

OBJECTION 3: the Bible says that Jesus had brothers, Mary was married to Joseph and had children.

ANSWER 3: Genesis 14:14 "brother" can also mean "cousin" or "nephew".  No Hebrew words for "cousin" or "nephew" therefore the term "brother" was commonly used.  Some bible translations had already appropriately use the term "kinsman" to indicate a family relationship.  In Genesis 14:14, Lot is Abram's "brother" meaning nephew.

BIBLICAL REPLY:

Jesus could not have cousins or nephews in the flesh because His Father is God. He could only have brothers in the flesh through Mary and Joseph. Before Mary bore Jesus she was engaged to marry Joseph. Later the angel said that Joseph can take Mary as wife. Jesus had brothers and sisters.

MT 1:16 Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah. MT 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. MT 1:20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

MT 1:24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife,

MT 13:55 “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? MT 27:56 Among them was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

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LK 1:26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,

LK 1:27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

MT 12:47 Someone said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You.” MT 12:48 But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” MT 12:49 And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers! MT 12:50 “For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”

MT 13:53 When Jesus had finished these parables, He departed from there. MT 13:54 He came to His hometown and began teaching them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? MT 13:55 “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? MT 13:56 “And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” MT 13:57 And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, “ A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.”

JN 7:2 Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was near. JN 7:3 Therefore His brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go into Judea, so that Your disciples also may see Your works which You are doing. JN 7:4 “For no one does anything in secret when he himself seeks to be known publicly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.”

JN 7:5 For not even His brothers were believing in Him.

MK 15:40 There were also some women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome. MK 16:1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him.

1CO 9:5 Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?

GAL 1:19 But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.

 

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OBJECTION 4: Catholics pray to Mary and the saints for mediation to God. We pray directly to God in Jesus’ Name.

ANSWER 4: We are taught to pray for one another and to persevere in supplication for all the saints and do intercessions (James 5:16, Ephesians 6:18 and 1st Timothy 2:1). The saints who have gone before us are more alive than we are. And they will continue this act of love (praying, supplications and intercessions) in heaven; coming from 1st Corinthians 13:8 love never ends; act of love continues in heaven. In Matthew 22:31-32, God is the God of the LIVING not the dead and it makes clear in naming Abraham, Isaac & Jacob as being ALIVE. Deuteronomy 18:10-11 forbids the conjuring of the spirits from the dark underworld in order to talk to them (that is seance). This is not what the Church teaches or practices. We are asking fellow member members of the Church who have achieved the heavenly goal to pray for us (coming from Revelation 5:8 "prayers of the saints in heaven"; see also Revelation 8:4)

 BIBLICAL REPLY:

The saints in the bible are the believers - the Church. It is not spoken of the dead saints. They are to pray for one another. You do not pray to a dead saint. This is never taught in the Word of God. And the saints who are to pray together are the living saints. We pray for the saints on earth and not to the dead saints. We pray to God through and in Jesus Name. And the prayers of the saints on earth went up to God.

The believers are the saints.PS 16:3 As for the saints who are in the earth, They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.1CO 1:2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:COL 1:2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

We pray to God in Christ Name.JN 14:13 “ Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. JN 14:14 “If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.Phil 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Phil 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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1PE 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 1PE 5:7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.EPH 6:18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

The prayers of the saints reach up heaven.REV 5:7 And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. REV 5:8 When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. REV 5:9 And they *sang a new song, saying,“Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. REV 5:10 “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”

REV 8:3 Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. REV 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went upbefore God out of the angel’s hand.

OBJECTION 5: Why do Catholics refer to Mary as their mother?

ANSWER 5: Mary is the mother of Jesus (Acts 1:14). Mary was involved in the life of Jesus throughout His ministry. Mary cared for Him as an infant (Matthew 1:18-2:23). She looked for Him in the Temple when she thought He was lost (Luke 2:41-49). She cared for Him through adolescence (Luke 2:51-52). She interceded with Him at the wedding at Cana (John 2:2-5). She worried about Him as He began His ministry (Matthew 12:46). She was at His cross when He was crucified (John 19:25-27) and she prayed with the other followers of Jesus after His ascension (Acts 1:14).

Mary as the mother of our Lord (Luke 1:43) was given to us (represented by the disciple whom Jesus loved) at the foot of the cross to be our mother, when Our Lord said to the disciple whom He loved: "Behold your mother." (John 19:25-27). When Mary gave her fiat to our Lord through an angel "Let it be done to me according to your Word", she is teaching us to do the Will of God, and this shows us that she can be a good mother to the Church.

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BIBLICAL REPLY:

Yes, there is no doubt Mary is the Mother of Jesus. We love Mary and praise God for her. She is highly favored by God for she bore the Son of God. She is blessed than all women. Jesus left her to His disciple John as a respect for her. She was given no other title as the Mother of the church. If we truly love Mary we should obey her commandment.

JN 2:1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; JN 2:2 and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. JN 2:3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus *said to Him, “They have no wine.” JN 2:4 And Jesus *said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.”

JN 2:5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

OBJECTION 6: Relics and images are forms of idolatry which God condemned.

ANSWER 6: 2nd Kings 13:21 is just one scriptural example of how God brought about miracles using the BONES of a saintly person. Acts 5:15 - the image of Peter's shadow heals the sick. In Matthew 9:20-22, here we see that a simple tassel on the cloak of Jesus is an instrument of healing. In Acts 19:11-12, through handkerchiefs or aprons.

BIBLICAL REPLY:

Are we implying that God uses the relics, the images, the statues or the catholic idols for healing, signs and wonders? That is not the context of the above scriptures. God forbids. God in the beginning was against idolatry. The use of idols for worshiping God is prohibited. We are not to pray to or through them, not bow to them, not revere them, not serve them, not make an altar for them, not make offerings to them and worst not worship God through them. Sacrifices made to idols are made to demons. The church has to guard herself from idols. Early Christianity at the times of the Apostles idols are not used. The Catholic Church has committed spiritual adultery by the use of idols. God hates idols.

EX 20:1 Then God spoke all these words, saying, EX 20:2 “ I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. EX 20:3 “ You shall have no other gods before Me. EX 20:4 “ You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.

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EX 20:5 “ You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,

1CO 10:19 What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 1CO 10:20 No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons.

1CO 10:21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

1JN 5:21 Little children, guard yourselves from idols.

OBJECTION 7: Purgatory is not in the Bible.

ANSWER 7: the word "purgatory" is not in the Bible but a third place is described in several places (1st Corinthians 3:14-15). This verse is a reference to the suffering one must undergo for purification. Since the Bible does not name this third place, the Church gave it a name for the purpose of discussion. Purgatory is the purification for the one who is already saved but not purified to enter heaven. (see also 1st Peter 3:19 "proclamation to the spirits in PRISON." See also 2nd Maccabees 12:46. See also 1st Peter 4:6 "preached even to the dead.") For nothing unclean will enter heaven (Revelation 21:27).

BIBLICAL REPLY:

7.1. That is correct the word purgatory is not in the bible. It is neither a third place where the saved shall pass through before going to heaven. A person after death he goes either heaven or hell. The wicked and those who are not in Christ go to Hell. Those who are in Christ are no longer condemned and go to heaven when they die.

Before and after their physical death, believers have eternal life. Jn 5:24"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. Jn 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" 1Jn 5:11-13 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. 

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 Believers receive an eternal inheritance in heaven. 1Pet 1:3-5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. Believers enter the Lord's presence at death. 2Cor 5:8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. Phil 1:21-23 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;  

7.2. At the Second Coming the Saints shall be resurrected and have glorified bodies. The rewards will occur at the Judgment of Seat of Christ were only believers are present. 2Cor 5:10. In 1Cor 3:15 were the service and works of the saints shall be exposed and those works not acceptable shall be burned. They shall receive rewards.

2CO 5:6 Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— 2CO 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight— 2CO 5:8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. 2CO 5:9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. 2CO 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

1CO 3:14 If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 1CO 3:15 If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

In 1Pet 3:19 the spirits in prison were those who were not saved when God send Flood in the Days of Noah. Only eight souls were saved in verse 20. These spirits are in prison waiting for the Judgment of God on the last Day. This prison is Hell because in the olden times the First Judgment of the world came and those who did not enter the Ark were not saved. In Rev 20:7 at the end of the millennium Satan shall be release from his prison to tempt mankind. In Jde 1:6 the angels who have sinned were kept in eternal bonds awaiting judgment. At the Judgment Day death, the dead in Hell and Hell were thrown into the Lake of Fire. Rev 20:11-15. This Great White Throne Judgment is after the Second Resurrection of the Evil

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Dead. Only the wicked and the unbelievers are in this judgment. This is the Lake of Fire- the Second Death.

7.3. Rev 21:27 is right nothing unclean or abominable will enter heaven BUT only those who are written in the Lambs book of life. Jesus said to His disciples to rejoice for their names were written in Heaven. Lk 10:20. Why rejoice? Because we have redemption through His blood the forgiveness of sins. Eph 1:7. Christ has become our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. 1Cor 1:30. They were washed, justified and sanctified by In the Name of Jesus Christ, by the blood of the Lamb and by the Spirit. 1 Cor 6:11 Rev 1:5. No more cleansing after death because we are cleansed by His precious blood. And for after death is judgment.

EPH 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

1CO 1:30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,

1CO 6:11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. REV 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—

7.4. He will appear the Second time for salvation without reference to sin to those who await Him. Heb 9:27-28. Salvation for believers and wrath for the wicked. 2Thess 1:7-10. Therefore if the saints or the Christians were washed by the blood of the Lamb and salvation is theirs where for is the cleansing in ‘Purgatory’? And the wicked goes to hell awaiting Judgment where for is the cleansing in ‘Purgatory’? The doctrine of Purgatory is never taught by Jesus and by the Apostles. This teaching is anti-gospel. And is anti-cross.

HEB 9:27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, HEB 9:28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. 2TH 1:7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 2TH 1:8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 2TH 1:9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 2TH 1:10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our testimony to you was believed.

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OBJECTION 8: Apostolic with Papal Succession is not taught by Scripture.

ANSWER 8: Titus 1:5 "appointment of elders in every town"; see also Acts 1:26 "he was added to the eleven apostles." Christ did not come to establish a church only to have it fall apart with the death of the last apostle. The Church was intended to be a visible living Church. Jesus commissioned the apostles to baptize and preach the gospel UNTIL he returns. (Matthew 28:19-20). Successive replacements are necessary (Acts 1:26).

BIBLICAL REPLY:

What is Apostolic Succession? Is it the replacement by another into the position vacated by a dead apostle? Is it the Succession of Head Popes? Are there other apostles other than the Twelve? Does God send apostles today? Are there ministers beside the Apostles?

In Act 1:26 they chose a replacement to Judas who fell by transgression. The Word Apostle means “Sent”. An Apostle is someone called and sent by God to preach the gospel and teach His Word to the World. After the 12 Apostles God called in the book of Acts men like Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Apollos and many others. The Office of the Apostleship did not end with the Twelve. Mt 28:19-20 Jesus commanded them to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all that He has commanded. Paul and his companions were apostles to the Gentiles. Our teachings should come from the Apostles only whom Jesus appeared personally. And they wrote their teachings. Part of the oral teachings were the gospel received and written by those who worked with them like Mark and Luke who also wrote the Book of Acts. The Oral Traditions should come only from them and not from religious leaders or churches after them. God called many as apostles but never made one apostle as head of the apostles. Jesus Christ is the only head of the Apostles and the church. Col 1:18. He is the Foundation and the Stone. 1Cor 3:11, 1Pet 2:6-7.

In Tit 1:5 Paul said to Titus to appoint Elders (Bishops or Overseers or Pastors) in every City. The Church as it expands and the Word as it grows many believers enter in through the gospel. Able men of good refute, filled of the Spirit and knowledge of the Word and tested in faith are appointed to lead and shepherd the believers. This is common in every church.

OBJECTION 9: For the Protestants, the Bible ALONE is Sole Rule of Faith and Practice.

ANSWER 9: for the Catholic, the pillar and foundation of truth is the Church (see 1st Timothy 3:15). We are NOT to interpret the Bible in isolation but with the Church (2nd Peter 3:16; 2nd Peter 1:20 & Acts 8:31 "someone guides me".)

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BIBLICAL REPLY:

9.1. Yes, the Church is the pillar and support of the truth. Why? Because the Church has the Word of God which Jesus has given to the Apostles. Jn 17:14-20. And they taught through Oral and Written Traditions and Instructions. 2 Thess 2:15. The Church holds the foundations of truth which is the word of God. The church is the support of the truth and the truth is the word of God. Without the Word of God the church alone would not stand her ground. And her foundation, head and stone is the Word of God who is Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul even wrote to the church and gave instructions how the Church would live and conduct herself. The Writings of Paul and the other Apostles are the Lord commandments. Jesus said, “Teach them all that I have commanded you.” Jesus sent Paul as an Apostle, preacher and teacher to the Gentiles. 1TI 3:14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; 1TI 3:15

but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

9.2. The Gentiles or unbelievers need the men whom God called and sent to preach the gospel and teach the word. In Mat 28:19-20 Jesus commanded the Apostles to preach and teach all nations. Jesus said in John 17:14-20 that He gave the Word to His Apostles and that the world might believe through their Word. The Apostles preached the gospel into all the world and Jesus said that He will be with them till the end of age. The Word of God spread into all the world from the times of the Apostles unto out times. Through their Word many got saved - oral and written. God called men after the Apostles to preached the same gospel through out and every generations. This gospel has reached us unto this day. The Holy Spirit gives insights and understanding to every believer so he can powerfully share the gospel and the Word to the unbelievers. The Church is the body of Christ composed of all believers who made Jesus as their Lord and Savior. God placed apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers and evangelists in the church to equip them with the Word. The Holy Spirit gives gifts to His ministers.

The untaught and unstable distort. No private interpretation. Only Men who have and moved by the Holy Spirit can teach.

2PE 3:15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 2PE 3:16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.2PE 1:20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 2PE 1:21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

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The Holy Spirit moved Philip and He taught Jesus from the Scriptures. The Ethiopian understood.AC 8:29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.” AC 8:30 Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” AC 8:31 And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. AC 8:32 Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: “HE WAS LED AS A SHEEP TO SLAUGHTER; AND AS A LAMB BEFORE ITS SHEARER IS SILENT, SO HE DOES NOT OPEN HIS MOUTH. AC 8:33 “IN HUMILIATION HIS JUDGMENT WAS TAKEN AWAY; WHO WILL RELATE HIS GENERATION? FOR HIS LIFE IS REMOVED FROM THE EARTH.” AC 8:34 The eunuch answered Philip and said, “Please tell me, of whom doesthe prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?” AC 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. AC 8:36 As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch *said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” AC 8:37 [ And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”]

9.3. Who can have the Holy Spirit? It is received through faith in the preaching of the GOSPEL of salvation which is Christ died for our sins for our redemption. They become sons of God through faith in Christ. And the Spirit of Christ enters every believer. The Spirit sends preachers and teachers of the Word.GAL 3:1 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? GAL 3:2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? GAL 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

GAL 3:22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.GAL 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.GAL 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. GAL 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.GAL 4:6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “ Abba! Father!”

JN 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

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 EPH 4:11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, EPH 4:12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; EPH 4:13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. EPH 4:14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; EPH 4:15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, EPH 4:16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

9.4. It is the Lord who saves and sends laborers into His harvest. He calls men from every place. If they speak according to the Apostles and is not against Christ then they belong to Christ. The Keys are the Gospel truth and the Teachings of the Apostles.LK 10:1 Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come. LK 10:2 And He was saying to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.LK 10:16 “ The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”

LK 9:49 John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us.” LK 9:50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you.”

OBJECTION 10: The Bible is the only book we need.

ANSWER 10: One cannot find the method or ceremony of marriage in the Bible. The marriage ceremony is a tradition which has been passed down through generations’ relatively unchanged beginning with the Church. Other Protestant churches simulate it. (2nd Thessalonians 2:15 our faith must be based on "traditions and letters".)

 Marriage ceremonies and patterns is not a problem. We can conduct them in various fashion as long there is sanctity in the union of two believers. 2Thess 2:15 Only oral and written Traditions that came from the us—the Apostles.

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BIBLICAL REPLY:

2TH 2:14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2TH 2:15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.

The bible is the source of rebuke, correction and instruction for all matters of faith and practice. The word of God is sufficient.

2TI 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 2TI 3:17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2TI 4:1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2TI 4:2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 2TI 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 2TI 4:4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.PS 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. PS 119:106 I have sworn and I will confirm it, That I will keep Your righteous ordinances. PS 119:107 I am exceedingly afflicted; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word.

ISA 8:20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.

JN 8:31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “ If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;

JN 12:47 “If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.

JN 12:48 “ He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.

2JN 1:9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. 

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OBJECTION 11: The Bible is THE ONLY authority we need.

ANSWER 11: IF the Bible is the only authority we need, why does Matthew tell us to go to the Church to settle disputes (Matthew 18:17-18) rather than to the Bible? IF the Bible is all we need, why are there over 20,000 Bible based churches claiming to be the true church, yet teaching very different doctrines? The Church that Christ established is ONE in unity, not many in division (Ephesians 4:4). For Catholics, BOTH the Bible and Traditions (2nd Thessalonians 2:15) are authoritative in the matters of faith and morals. For Catholics, the Church has authority (Luke 10:16 and 3rd John 1:9) and the Church is the pillar and foundation of truth (1st Timothy 3:15).

 BIBLICAL REPLY:

11.1. The Church uses the Word of God for rebuke, correction and instruction.

 2TI 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 2TI 3:17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2TI 4:1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2TI 4:2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 2TI 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 2TI 4:4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

11.2. Christian churches all over the world though they have not know each other have one way of Salvation Jesus Christ who died and paid for our sins.

AC 4:11 “ He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone. AC 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

11.3. All the believers in many places in the world were called by one same gospel truth Jesus alone saves, they were filled by the Spirit, have Jesus as Lord, and have faith in Christ alone for sanctification and justification and baptized in His Name.EPH 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; EPH 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, EPH 4:6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

The Ministers were given by the Lord to equip, until we attain of the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God.EPH 4:11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,

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EPH 4:12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; EPH 4:13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. EPH 4:14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;

11:4. The Bible has the Words and the Teachings of Christ written therein. Therefore we abide and obey the Words and Teachings of Christ written by the Apostles and their companions who wrote the gospel.

JN 12:47 “If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.

JN 12:48 “ He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.

2JN 1:9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.

OBJECTION 12: The Roman Catholic Traditions are man-made traditions and are condemned in the Bible.

ANSWER 12: Contrary to what many non-Catholics believe, ALL traditions are NOT condemned in the Bible. Apostle Paul even says to shun those who do not follow the Traditions which have been passed on to them. (2nd Thessalonians 3:6) See also 2nd Thessalonians 2:15. John 21:25 "there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written."

BIBLICAL REPLY:

Only Traditions coming directly from the Apostles should we stand firm and hold. Outside them is to be according to what is written. Anything that contradicts are not accepted. John 21:25 spoke only of others of what Jesus did. In verse 24 John said that His testimony is true therefore the truth that man should know regarding the Son of God is complete not lacking. John confirmed this in 1 John 1.2TH 2:14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2TH 2:15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us. 

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JN 21:24 This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. JN 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they *were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself *would not contain the books that *would be written. 1JN 1:1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— 1JN 1:2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us— 1JN 1:3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. 1JN 1:4 These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.

OBJECTION 13: 1st John 5:13 say we can know we have eternal life.

ANSWER 13: We must read what is written prior to 1st John 5:13. John gives a criterion as to how you can know you have eternal life. John writes, "IF you keep the commandments (1st John 2:3), do not love the things of the world (1st John 2:15), IF our hearts do not condemn us (1st John 3:21), those who keep the commandments abide in Him (1st John 3:24), IF we love one another (1st John 4:12) must love your brother (1st John 4:20). So IF you obey the things John writes prior to 1st John 5:13, you may know you have eternal life. 1st Corinthians 4:4-5 shows that God will judge us at a future time. See also Matthew 25:31-46.

BIBLICAL REPLY:

13.1. This shows that the Catholic Church does not really teach eternal life and salvation is received upon the sinner repents and believes the gospel of salvation and put his faith in the Son of God. The immediate context of 1 Jn 5:13 is we begin with 1 Jn 5:9 and ff. It said that if we believe the testimony of man the testimony of God is greater. That testimony is about His Son. And he has this testimony in himself if he says he believes in the Son of God otherwise he makes God a liar. And that is he that has the Son has eternal life and John continued in verse 13 that this is written so that you may know you that believe in His Name has eternal life.

1JN 5:9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son. 1JN 5:10 The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 1JN 5:11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

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1JN 5:12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.

This Is Written That You May Know

1JN 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

JN 20:30 Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; JN 20:31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

JN 6:47 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.

13.2. In 1Jn 2:3 in context is that keeping His commandments is the evidence that the believer knows Him and is in truth. He that does not keep His commandments does not know Him is not in truth. You do not keep the commandments to be saved. You keep them because you know Him, you are in the truth and you are in Him.

1JN 2:2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. 1JN 2:3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 1JN 2:4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 1JN 2:5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:John says the evidence that the love of the Father is in the believer is that he does not love the world. He does not live in sin and in the lust of the world. 1JN 2:15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1JN 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

1Jn 3:24 talked about abiding. We are believers and to abide in Him is by keeping His commandments. Jesus said, “If you love Me. Keep my commandments.” Jn 14:151JN 3:21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 1JN 3:22 and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. 1JN 3:23 This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. 1JN 3:24 The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

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13.3. 1Jn 4:20 is the same with what John said in 1Jn 2:3. We know Him if we keep His commandments. If we love Him we shall love our brothers. If you say you love God but hates your brother you are a liar and the truth is not in you. 1JN 4:20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 1JN 4:21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.  

OBJECTION 14: Once we are "saved", we are always saved. (We cannot lose that salvation.)

ANSWER 14: Perseverance to the end is required for our salvation. We must continue to love God and our neighbors throughout our earthly life. Our love must be an active love which requires that we "do" something to show our love. Matthew 24:13 "but the one who ENDURES to the end will be saved." Matthew 7:21 "not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who DOES the will of my Father." Romans 11:22 "you continue in his kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off." 1st John 5:16-17 "there is sin that is mortal." Galatians 5:4 "fallen away from grace." See also 1st Corinthians 10:12. Salvation is a free gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation is by grace alone through faith with good works (Ephesians 2: 8-9 & Galatians 5:6). The Catholic Church are instructed to persevere in faith with good works (Matthew 24:13; Luke 9:23 & 2nd John 1:8) so that they will not lose the salvation or life of grace given to them. The life of grace or salvation can be lost when mortal sin (1st John 5:16-17 and Galatians 5:4) is committed.

BIBLICAL REPLY:

14.1. The question to be answered first is that if the person repents and believes in the gospel of salvation on that moment will he be saved and have eternal life? The Word of God says yes. Jesus sets free the believer by his blood. He is transferred from the power of Satan to God. He does not continue to sin. The Holy Spirit changes him and bears fruit in him.

The believer is saved and delivered from sin.JN 3:36 “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” MK 1:14 Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, MK 1:15 and saying, “ The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

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JN 8:35 “ The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. JN 8:36 “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

REV 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—

COL 1:13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,

COL 1:14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

AC 26:17 rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you,

AC 26:18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’

1JN 3:5 You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. 1JN 3:6 No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him. 1JN 3:7 Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; 1JN 3:8 the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 1JN 3:9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

1JN 3:10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.

He bears the fruit of the Spirit.GAL 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, GAL 5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. GAL 5:24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. GAL 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

14.2. This what the bible teaches. There are those who believed and never fell away, never forsook God and never committed sin unto death. God knew all men in the beginning. He knew those who will follow Him and have faith in Him and be saved and have eternal life. He knew those who will believe but later will fall away, forsake Him and live in sin and in the flesh. He knew the wicked, the unforgivable, the reprobates and those who live in sin and not repent. Given the

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foreknowledge of God the Word of God says whom He foreknew He predestined, He called and He justified. These are the Elect. In God’s eyes the Elect He has chosen on the day of their salvation unto the end of their life are for God. They live for God, they persevere, they endure, they keep His commandments and they love. (We may call them once they were saved they were always saved.) Now, those who fell away and continue to sin after believing were not part of the Elect. They were condemned with unbelievers.

Only the Elect do not fall away. God knew them. JN 3:31 “ He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. JN 3:32 “What He has seen and heard, of that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. JN 3:33 “He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true. JN 3:34 “For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. JN 3:35 “ The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. JN 3:36 “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

JN 6:37 “ All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. JN 6:38 “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. JN 6:39 “This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. JN 6:40 “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”

JN 6:44 “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. JN 6:45 “It is written in the prophets, ‘AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me. JN 6:46 “ Not that anyone has seen the Father, except the One who is from God; He has seen the Father. JN 6:47 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.

And those who believe but fall away are condemned with the unbelievers.HEB 6:4 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, HEB 6:5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, HEB 6:6 and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

Christ or Judgment

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HEB 10:26 For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, HEB 10:27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. HEB 10:28 Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. HEB 10:29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? HEB 10:30 For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.” HEB 10:31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. HEB 10:32 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, HEB 10:33 partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. HEB 10:34 For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. HEB 10:35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. HEB 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. HEB 10:37 FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY. HEB 10:38 BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM. HEB 10:39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of thosewho have faith to the preserving of the soul.

REV 2:11 ‘ He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second REV 3:5 ‘ He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

LK 12:45 “But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; LK 12:46 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

OBJECTION 15: For the Born Again, salvation is guaranteed.

ANSWER 15: Perseverance is required to enter heaven. IF salvation is given once when we are "saved" with guaranteed assurance, then why do we need to persevere (2nd Timothy 2:12 and Matthew 24:13) to enter heaven as the Bible tell us? Jesus says in Luke 9:23 that in

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order to follow Him, a person must deny himself and take up his cross DAILY. This does not agree with the idea of "once saved, always saved" gospel being proclaimed by many today. See also Acts 14:22 - continue in the faith.

BIBLICAL REPLY:

15.1. What is being Born Again? It is a spiritual birth. It is being born anew to the Kingdom or Family of God. He receives the right to become a child of God. The sinner repents and puts his faith in the gospel of God. The Holy Spirit regenerates him through the Word after faith. By new birth we enter the Kingdom of God. It is a spiritual washing and regeneration. It is a transformation from being a child of the devil into a child of God. Jesus said except a man be born again he can not see the Kingdom of God. We are dead spiritually because of sin but we are made alive and raised with Christ through the gospel by the power of His resurrection. Once you got born again you are in the Kingdom of the Son of God. You are forgiven, washed and saved. Good works, faithfulness and perseverance are fruit of the Spirit of God in you. It is God which works in you to do things that pleases Him.

JN 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

JN 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, JN 1:13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

JAS 1:18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.

1PE 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1PE 1:23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. 1PE 1:24 For, “ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, 1PE 1:25 BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.” And this is the word which was preached to you.

15.2. We have discussed in the previous objections that it is only the Elect God has chosen in the beginning that shall persevere, not fall away, will carry their cross and saved from beginning unto the end. There are those who believed yet

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has fallen away, continued to sin and not repented. They were condemned with the unbelievers. They were not elected. Many are called but few are chosen.

The Elect whom God knew are those who believed and were saved and never turned their backs from the Lord and not forsook Christ and not apostatized. They have repented from their sins and have walked in the light.

1PE 1:9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.RO 8:29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; RO 8:30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

EPH 1:4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love EPH 1:5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,

REV 12:11 “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.

REV 14:12 Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. REV 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘ Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.”

15.3 Those who believed but fell away were condemned with the unbelievers.LK 12:46 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

 

OBJECTION 16: Infants cannot be baptized because they are incapable of believing.

ANSWER 16: Infants were brought (Luke 18:15-16) to Jesus so He could touch them. But why was this done? The parents knew if Jesus touched the infants, they would receive a gift. These infants most likely did not know this but the "faith" of the parents was sufficient. Similarly, it is through this faith that parents bring their infants to the sacrament of baptism. Many times in the Bible, it was the faith of others (Matthew 9:2-6) that healed their loved ones by God's grace. Here in Matthew 9:2-8, Jesus not ONLY healed the man but forgave his sins because of the faith of his friends. This supports the Church teaching that the faith of

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the parents is sufficient for the baptism of their infant children. In Matthew 8:13, Jesus cured the centurion's servant because of the centurion's faith. So it is with the parents of an infant; the faith of the parents is sufficient for baptism.

BIBLICAL REPLY:

16.1. Let us define Baptism according to the Scriptures. In Rom 6:3-4 the sinners who have repented and believed Christ are baptized to identify with Christ’s death and resurrection. They were buried with Christ unto His death by baptism and as Christ was raised from the dead they too shall walk in the newness of life. Jesus said in Mk 1:15, “Repent and believe the Gospel” in Mk 16:16, “He that believed and is baptized shall be saved.” In this context baptism is our identification with Christ death and resurrection and a public confession that we have believed Christ and gave ourselves to Him and shall live for Him. We died with Him and we shall also resurrect when He comes again.

RO 6:3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? RO 6:4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

RO 6:5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,

16.2. In Lk 18:15-16 did not teach of baptizing children. They were brought to Jesus to He can touch them and lay hands on them. Jesus said, “To such belong the Kingdom of God”. Infants are saved and when they reach the age of reason they can hear the good news of salvation and repent and believe Christ for salvation.

In Mt 9:2-8 Jesus saw they had faith. “They” included the man who could not walk. Jesus said, “Take courage, son. Your sins are forgiven.” There were instances people were healed by the faith of others and only healing can be done by faith in behalf of others but with regard to salvation it is a personal and individual decision. For whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. To be saved is to be forgiven from all of our sins and not incur God’s judgment.

Mt 9:1 Jesus stepped into a boat. He went over to the other side of the lake and came to his own town. Mt 9:2 Some men brought to him a man who could not walk. He was lying on a mat. Jesus saw that they had faith. So he said to the man, “Don’t lose hope, son. Your sins are forgiven.” Mt 9:3 Then some teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is saying a very evil thing!”

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Mt 9:4 Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said, “Why do you have evil thoughts in your hearts? Mt 9:5 Is it easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’? Or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? Mt 9:6 I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then he spoke to the man who could not walk. “Get up,” he said. “Take your mat and go home.” Mt 9:7 The man got up and went home.

OBJECTION 17: Catholic priests can only forgive sins.

ANSWER 17: In 2nd Corinthians 2:10, Apostle Paul says that he has forgiven in the presence of Christ. See John 20:21-23, "if you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." The apostles and their successors were given the ministry of reconciliation (2nd Corinthians 5:18). In James 5:15-16, James is talking about the presbyters (priests) of the Church who can heal your body and soul. It is the presbyters (priests) who are to be summoned. God does forgive our sins through "this ministry of reconciliation."

BIBLICAL REPLY:

17.1. It is God alone who forgives sins. The Son of Man has given the Authority to forgive sins. His ministers do forgive sins by confirmation and giving assurance through the gospel truth should the sinner repent and believe. The forgiveness of sins and the reconciliation is done through the preaching of the good news that man is forgiven through the death and resurrection of Christ.

In 2Cor 2:10 in context there was a believer who has sinned and would not have repented before. The teaching of Jesus was if there was a brother who has sinned and not listened tell it to the church and if not repented he shall be removed from fellowship. Paul encouraged the Corinthian believers to accept the sinner and if they have forgiven him Paul has forgiven him also. God forgives only those who has repented and this is seen in their lives. The ministers and the church confirm if a person is forgiven or not. If the person do repent and return to Christ we can say he is forgiven.

2CO 2:6 Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, 2CO 2:7 so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 2CO 2:8 Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him. 2CO 2:9 For to this end also I wrote, so that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things.

2CO 2:10 But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ,

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17.2. Servants and ministers (not only priests) of the Lord can confirm through the gospel one is forgiven because God has reconciled us to Himself through His Son and anyone who wanted to be reconciled to God through faith in His Son is forgiven.2CO 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2CO 5:18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 2CO 5:19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 2CO 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2CO 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Believers can also pray for the sick and ask for their forgiveness.

Men are chosen and sent to proclaim His forgiveness.

RO 10:12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; RO 10:13 for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” RO 10:14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? RO 10:15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!” RO 10:16 However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?” RO 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

AC 6:2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. AC 6:3 “Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. AC 6:4 “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” AC 6:5 The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. AC 6:6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. AC 6:7 The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

17.3. In Js 5:14-16 the Elders, Pastors or Overseers of the church prays for those who are sick. They are healed and forgiven. It is done in Jesus name.

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JAS 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; JAS 5:15 and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.1JN 5:14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 1JN 5:15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 1JN 5:16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this.

17.4. The Reconciliation of sinners to Christ is through the preaching of the good news of salvation and forgiveness completed and perfected by Christ on the cross. Christ had finished our salvation and took away our sins and that whoever believes this is forgiven and is saved. Salvation is the forgiveness of sins. Paul said they were Ambassadors of reconciliation. 2 Cor 5:20-21. Paul and the Apostles have received forgiveness through faith in Christ and believers receive the same through the gospel. Eph 1:7, Rom 1:16, 1Cor 1:23. Therefore to reconcile people to God the Ministers should have experienced salvation and forgiveness in Christ in order to communicate clearly to the recipients God’s forgiveness. The Word of God said, “You have freely received freely give.” Mt 10:8. You can not confirm forgiveness and salvation to a person unless you are not saved and forgiven.

LK 1:76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE HIS WAYS; LK 1:77 To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins,EPH 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

AC 10:34 Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, AC 10:35 but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. AC 10:36 “The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peacethrough Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)—AC 10:43 “Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”

AC 8:22 “Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.

1JN 2:12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake.

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OBJECTION 18: Abstinence from certain foods and forbidding marriage is condemned in 1st Timothy 4:1-3

ANSWER 18: When the Church urges her members to abstain from certain foods on special days or even from sexual relations as do clergy and Religious for the sake of the Kingdom (Matthew 19:10-12), the Church is doing so not to suggest that such things are bad but to affirm their basic goodness and to remind the Church members that there is a yet higher good, which should be sought. Traditionally, mortifications are intended as penance for sin, which Our Lord Jesus indicated His disciples would do after His departure from their midst (Matthew 9:15). Celibacy of priests are intended for the service of God.

BIBLICAL REPLY:18.1. Let us look into the Scriptures 1 Tim 4 and Mt 19. 1Tim teaches us that some will fall away from the faith and the sign and evidence would be they will introduce doctrines of the devil and things not taught by the Apostles, marriage shall be forbidden and abstain from foods. The context was they will fall away from the faith meaning they name themselves the name of Christ but they will deny His teachings. There are few so called religious organizations today that practice what Paul wrote to Timothy what will happen in the last days. Roman Catholicism is the only religion today who forbids all their priests to get married. (Iglesia ni Kristo forbids eating blood and deny the Deity of Christ and salvation is through the entry of their Church which bears Christ’s name.) The Catholic Church teaches it is not right to eat meat on Holy Week. And they have introduced doctrines not from God like the use of icons which is idolatry to God and is devil inspired. Sacrifices, offerings and services made to these idols or images are not made to God but to demons. Lastly, they have denied the gospel truth that salvation and eternal life is received once the person repents and receives Christ through faith in the gospel.

1TI 4:1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 1TI 4:2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,

1TI 4:3 men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.

18.2. In Mt 19:10-12 Forbidding marriage is not enforced to the servants but it is a voluntary decision of those who serve God. Paul did not marry. The other apostles have the right to marry and had families. Not all servants can stay single. There are those who need wives. Look at history what happened to priests

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who can not contained themselves and have committed sexual immoralities. Not all are eunuchs.

1CO 9:5 Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?

MT 19:10 The disciples said to Him, “If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry.” MT 19:11 But He said to them, “ Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given. MT 19:12 “For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it.”

18.3. Fasting is different from an order from abstaining from eating foods. Again it’s an individual choice of the believer to fast and should he eat meat on Holy Week he commits no sin. To make an order by the church to its members to repent and stop sinning is the more acceptable fast.

Fasting and Mortifications are not acts intended for penance (self-punishment, atonement, apology) for sin. Only the blood of Jesus can wash our sins.MT 9:15 And Jesus said to them, “The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.

1JN 1:7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1JN 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1JN 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

OBJECTION 19: The Sacraments as taught has replaced the personal Christ as the means of Salvation.

ANSWER 19: The Sacraments in the Bible are the means of grace. Baptism (Matthew 28:19; 1st Peter 3:21; Ephesians 5:25-26; Titus 3:5; Acts 2:38-39; Acts 22:16). Confirmation (Act 8:14-17 "laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit"; Acts 19:6). Penance/Confession (John 20:23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained; 2nd Corinthians 5:18; 2nd Corinthians 2:10). Eucharist (John 6:53-58; 1st Corinthians 11:23-29). Matrimony (Ephesians 5:31-33; Matthew 19:5-6). Holy Orders (2nd Timothy 1:6; Ephesians 4:11-13; Acts 1:26; Acts 6:6). Anointing of the Sick (James 5:13-16 & 1st Corinthians 12:9 "gifts of healing").

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BIBLICAL REPLY:

What is a Sacrament according to the Catholic Faith? The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines the sacraments as "efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The Catholic calls them sacraments the Christian Church calls them ordinances. It’s an Ordinance because God ordered His disciples to perform such. Are these Sacraments the means of salvation? Or the believers perform these sacraments or ordinances because they are saved and have eternal live? If they believed that by observing these sacraments they can attain salvation then these Sacraments have replaced the person Christ by receiving Him by faith through the GOSPEL and accepting what He did on the Cross. Christianity has become a religion of rites and rituals no difference with other religions. It has become a religious ritual and what other religions do to be saved. Relationship with the Lord and Savior should be established first through the gospel truth. Repentance and faith in Christ is the beginning. His finished work of salvation, crucifixion, death and resurrection are the foundation and the anchor which these Ordinances physically confirm. We follow the ordinances because we have been washed, forgiven and saved in Christ.

Jesus said, “Make disciples, baptize and teach them to observe all that I have commanded you.” We are to observe them because we are disciples.MT 28:18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. MT 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, MT 28:20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

These are observed also by Christian Churches not as means of salvation but because we have been saved by His grace through faith in Christ. Eph 2:8-9, Rom 3:21-26.

Baptism (Matthew 28:19; 1st Peter 3:21; Ephesians 5:25-26; Titus 3:5; Acts 2:38-39; Acts 22:16). --- Those only who have repented and believed Christ are immersed (baptized) in water after faith in Christ.

Confirmation (Act 8:14-17 "laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit"; Acts 19:6). --- The Holy Spirit is given only to those who have received the gospel and were baptized in His Name. Act 19:2-6.

Penance/Confession (John 20:23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained; 2nd Corinthians 5:18; 2nd Corinthians 2:10). --- Forgiveness is made through the preaching of the good news of salvation. Act 10:36. Salvation is the forgiveness of sins. Lk 1:77. The gospel teaches us that Christ paid for our sins and took it away. Jn 1:29. The believer is therefore freed from sin and its penalty. Rom 6:23, Rev 1:5.The

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believers can confess their sins to God in Christ name and are forgiven. 1Jn 1:9. Believers and the ministers can pray for those who have sinned and God forgives. Js 5:14-15, 1Jn 5:14-15

Eucharist (John 6:53-58; 1st Corinthians 11:23-29). --- This is the Lord’s Table. 1Cor 10:21. We do it to proclaim His death until He comes and do it remembrance of Him. Lk 22:1920, 1Cor 11:23-26. The saints partake the cup and eat the bread proclaiming that theirs sins have been forgiven, taken away and atoned for through the blood of Christ and death of His body. 1Pet 1:18-19, Heb 9:15, 22-28.

Matrimony (Ephesians 5:31-33; Matthew 19:5-6). --- Marriage in the church is for both believers. Believers are not given to marriage to unbelievers. 2Cor 6:14-15, 1Cor 9:5.

Holy Orders (2nd Timothy 1:6; Ephesians 4:11-13; Acts 1:26; Acts 6:6).--- God has given the church apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers and evangelists to equip the body of Christ, unite in faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God. Eph 4:11-13. There are Councils that administer this ordination. Qualifications are set for the Overseers, Elders, Pastors or Bishops and Ministers or Servants. 1Tim 3:1-10, Titus 1:5-9, Act 6:1-7.

Anointing of the Sick (James 5:13-16 & 1st Corinthians 12:9 "gifts of healing").--- The Elders of the Church and believers pray for the sick for healing through His Name. Mt 16:16-18, Rom 12:4-8, 1Cor 12:28-29, 1Jn 5:14-16.

OBJECTION 20: Why confess to a priest?

ANSWER 20: In the Judeo-Christian Tradition, forgiveness has always been mediated. On Yom Kippur, the Jewish high priest spoke of words of sorrow to the Lord on behalf of the people and then symbolically placed the year's sins on the head of a goat, driving it out of the community into the desert. Jesus consistently presented Himself as an agent of divine forgiveness, so much so that some charged Him with blasphemy (Luke 5:21). This MEDIATORY role, however, did not end with Christ; He clearly intended His apostles to stand in His stead vis-a-vis the Church and the world (see John 20:23; Luke 9:1; Matthew 16:19; 2nd Corinthians 5:18 "ministry of reconciliation"; James 5:13-16)

BIBLICAL REPLY:

Let us begin how a person is saved and forgiven. Jesus said, “Repent and believe the gospel.” Mk 1:15. Repentance and faith in Christ is a prerequisite for salvation. Act:20:20-21. He that believed and is baptized shall be saved. Mk 16:15-16. Paul said, “… By this gospel you are saved.” 1Cor 15:1-2. The GOSPEL is the forgiveness of our sins through Christ through His death and resurrection. 1Cor 15:4-5,11. The person calls upon God in prayer and in faith for salvation. Rom 10:8-13. The God saves and forgives him. Rom 1:16, Act 15:7-9. And he is baptized. Act 8:12, Rom 6:3-4.

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The believer is now forgiven, washed and sanctified. 1Cor 1:30, 6:11, Eph 1:7, 4:30. He walks in the light. 1Jn 1:5-6.

If he sins:

1.) He can ask forgiveness from God in Christ name. 1Jn 1:9.

1JN 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2.) He can confess to the Elder of the church and ask for prayer for forgiveness.

JAS 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; JAS 5:15 and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.

3.) They can confess their sins with one another and pray for each other.JAS 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

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IN THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION WE CAN READ THIS:

The Doom of Babylon

REV 17:1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, REV 17:2 with whom the kings of the earth committed acts of immorality, and those who dwell on the earth were made drunk with the wine of her immorality.” REV 17:3 And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns. REV 17:4 The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a gold cup full of abominations and of the unclean things of her immorality, REV 17:5 and on her forehead a name was written, a mystery, “BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” REV 17:6 And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. When I saw her, I wondered greatly. REV 17:7 And the angel said to me, “Why do you wonder? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. REV 17:8 “The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction. And those who dwell on the earth, whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will wonder when they see the beast, that he was and is not and will come. REV 17:9 “Here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits, REV 17:10 and they are seven kings; five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a little while. REV 17:11 “The beast which was and is not, is himself also an eighth and is one of the seven, and he goes to destruction. REV 17:12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. REV 17:13 “These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast.

Victory for the Lamb

REV 17:14 “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”

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REV 17:15 And he *said to me, “The waters which you saw where the harlot sits, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues. REV 17:16 “And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the harlot and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire. REV 17:17 “For God has put it in their hearts to execute His purpose by having a common purpose, and by giving their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God will be fulfilled. REV 17:18 “The woman whom you saw is the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth.”

Babylon Is Fallen

REV 18:1 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illumined with his glory. REV 18:2 And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird. REV 18:3 “For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality.” REV 18:4 I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues; REV 18:5 for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. REV 18:6 “Pay her back even as she has paid, and give back to her double according to her deeds; in the cup which she has mixed, mix twice as much for her. REV 18:7 “To the degree that she glorified herself and lived sensuously, to the same degree give her torment and mourning; for she says in her heart, ‘I SIT as A QUEEN AND I AM NOT A WIDOW, and will never see mourning.’ REV 18:8 “For this reason in one day her plagues will come, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for the Lord God who judges her is strong.

Lament for Babylon

REV 18:9 “And the kings of the earth, who committed acts of immorality and lived sensuously with her, will weep and lament over her when they see the smoke of her burning, REV 18:10 standing at a distance because of the fear of her torment, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’ REV 18:11 “And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their cargoes any more— REV 18:12 cargoes of gold and silver and precious stones and pearls and fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet, and every kind of citron wood and every article of ivory and every article made from very costly wood and bronze and iron and marble,

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REV 18:13 and cinnamon and spice and incense and perfume and frankincense and wine and olive oil and fine flour and wheat and cattle and sheep, and cargoes of horses and chariots and slaves and human lives. REV 18:14 “The fruit you long for has gone from you, and all things that were luxurious and splendid have passed away from you and men will no longer find them. REV 18:15 “The merchants of these things, who became rich from her, will stand at a distance because of the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning, REV 18:16 saying, ‘ Woe, woe, the great city, she who was clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls; REV 18:17 for in one hour such great wealth has been laid waste!’ And every shipmaster and every passenger and sailor, and as many as make their living by the sea, stood at a distance,

REV 18:18 and were crying out as they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘ What city is like the great city?’

REV 18:19 “And they threw dust on their heads and were crying out, weeping and mourning, saying, ‘ Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had ships at sea became rich by her wealth, for in one hour she has been laid waste!’ REV 18:20 “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her.” REV 18:21 Then a strong angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down with violence, and will not be found any longer. REV 18:22 “And the sound of harpists and musicians and flute-players and trumpeters will not be heard in you any longer; and no craftsman of any craft will be found in you any longer; and the sound of a mill will not be heard in you any longer; REV 18:23 and the light of a lamp will not shine in you any longer; and the voice of the bridegroom and bride will not be heard in you any longer; for your merchants were the great men of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery. REV 18:24 “And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all who have been slain on the earth.”

The Fourfold Hallelujah

REV 19:1 After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “ Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God;

REV 19:2 BECAUSE HIS JUDGMENTS ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and HE HAS AVENGED THE BLOOD OF HIS BOND-SERVANTS ON HER.”

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