The Roman Catholic ChurchThe Roman Catholic Church

It is my hope to help educate believers on It is my hope to help educate believers on the Roman Catholic church in such away the Roman Catholic church in such away to build up the believers faith in the to build up the believers faith in the Gospel, build up confidence in the Gospel, build up confidence in the believer to more effectively, and more believer to more effectively, and more frequently share the Hope that is within frequently share the Hope that is within him, and to better relate and connect him, and to better relate and connect with Catholics, in Love, with the sole with Catholics, in Love, with the sole purposes of Glorifying Christ and planting purposes of Glorifying Christ and planting deep into their hearts the Gospel deep into their hearts the Gospel message so that they may repent and put message so that they may repent and put their Faith and Trust in Christ their Faith and Trust in Christ alonealone. .

WHAT DO CATHOLICS BELIEVE?

SIMILARITIES The doctrine of the Trinity. God in three persons.

The divinity of Christ. That Jesus is God in the flesh.

The inspiration of the Bible. That the Bible is infallible.

Justified by God's grace through faith in Christ.

Papacy, worship Adoration of Mary The immaculate

conception of Mary

The perpetual virginity of Mary

The assumption of Mary

Mary as co-redemptrix and mediatrix

Petitioning saints in Heaven for their prayers

Apostolic succession

WHAT DO CATHOLICS BELIEVE?

DIFFERENCES The ordinances of The ordinances of

the church the church functioning as functioning as sacramentssacraments

Infant baptismInfant baptism Confession of sin Confession of sin

to a priestto a priest Purgatory Purgatory IndulgencesIndulgences The equal The equal

authority of authority of church tradition church tradition and Scriptureand Scripture

The doctrine of The doctrine of transubstantiationtransubstantiation

Course Course OutlineOutline

JJ – Justification by works (session 1) – Justification by works (session 1)

• MM – Mass (session 3) – Mass (session 3)

• PP – Priesthood/Papacy (session 4) – Priesthood/Papacy (session 4)

• UU – Unbiblical view of Mary (session 2) – Unbiblical view of Mary (session 2)

• II – – Into the Apocrypha/Apparitions/relics Into the Apocrypha/Apparitions/relics (session 5)(session 5)

• NN – News Video (session 6) – News Video (session 6)• GG – Gabbing with a Priest / Q & A (session 7) – Gabbing with a Priest / Q & A (session 7)

Session 1 – Justification by works

What they believe (quoted)

What they are saying (in plain words)

Where they get this from (scripture)

What scripture is really saying (context)

What to say when witnessing

Roman Catholic’s Roman Catholic’s believe that we are believe that we are justified by God's justified by God's grace through faith in grace through faith in Christ. Christ.

One word is missing One word is missing from this statement, from this statement, does anyone know does anyone know what it is?what it is?

ALONEALONE

The Second Vatican Council's Decree on

Ecumenism explains: 'For it is through Christ's Catholic Church

alone, which is the universal help

toward salvation, that the fullness of

the means of salvation can be

obtained.'" Pg. 215, #816

"...all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body: Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation..." Pg. 224, #846

On May 7, 2001, Pope John Paul II told 2,000 youth gathered at the Greek-Melkite Cathedral of Damascus that "you cannot be a Christian if you reject the Church (RCC) founded on Jesus Christ."1

What they believe (quoted)What they believe (quoted) 1.The doctrine of justification was of central importance

for the Lutheran Reformation of the sixteenth century. It was held to be the "first and chief article" and at the same time the "ruler and judge over all other Christian doctrines." The doctrine of justification was particularly asserted and defended in its Reformation shape and special valuation over against the Roman Catholic Church and theology of that time, which in turn asserted and defended a doctrine of justification of a different character. From the Reformation perspective, justification was the crux of all the disputes. Doctrinal condemnations were put forward both in the Lutheran Confessions and by the Roman Catholic Church's Council of Trent. These condemnations are still valid today and thus have a church-dividing effect. “

Council of Trent Council of Trent Canon 9, “ If anyone says that the sinner

is justified by faith alone, meaning that nothing else is required to cooperate in order to obtain the grace of justification, and that it is not in any way necessary that he be prepared and disposed by the action of his own will,

let him be anathema.”

Council of TrentCouncil of Trent

Canon 14, “If anyone says that man is absolved from his sins and justified because he firmly believes that he is absolved and justified, or that no one is truly justified except him who believes himself justified, and that by this faith alone absolution and justification are effected, let him be anathema.”

The Bible clearly teaches, The Bible clearly teaches,

““And if by grace, then it is no And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer otherwise work is no longer work” (Romans 11:6)work” (Romans 11:6)

““Not by works of righteousness Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but which we have done, but according to His mercy He according to His mercy He saved us……” (Titus 3:5)saved us……” (Titus 3:5)

For by grace you have been For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9)(Ephesians 2:8,9)

““for all have sinned and fallen for all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God, and short of the Glory of God, and are justified by His Grace, as are justified by His Grace, as a gift, through the a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.” to be received by faith.” Romans 3:23,24Romans 3:23,24

JUSTIFICATIONJUSTIFICATION

SINNO

YES

DEATH

HEAVENSIN

MORTAL

VENIAL

INDULGENCES

PENANCEYES

NO

DEATH

HELLSIN

NO

YES

DEATH

PURGATORY

HEAVEN

INDULGENCES

BAPTISIM

(PLENARY INDULGENCE)

DEATH

HEAVEN

(PARTIAL)

Roman Roman Catholics teach Catholics teach that that Justification is Justification is conferred on conferred on us at a point, us at a point, baptism baptism (works)(works), then it , then it becomes a becomes a process process (works). (works).

BaptismBaptism. Catholics teach that . Catholics teach that baptism baptism removes original sinremoves original sin and and all all sins committed up to this sins committed up to this pointpoint. .

The RC Catechism states, The RC Catechism states, “Justification has been “Justification has been merited for us merited for us by the Passion of Christby the Passion of Christ who offered who offered himself on the cross as a living himself on the cross as a living victimvictim, holy and pleasing to God, and , holy and pleasing to God, and whose blood has become the whose blood has become the instrument of atonement for the sins instrument of atonement for the sins of all men. of all men. Justification is conferred Justification is conferred in Baptismin Baptism , the sacrament of faith.……”

Mathew 5:48 “You therefore Mathew 5:48 “You therefore must be must be perfectperfect, as your heavenly Father is , as your heavenly Father is perfectperfect.”.”

andand

Rev. 21:27 “Rev. 21:27 “But nothing unclean will But nothing unclean will ever enter itever enter it, nor anyone who does , nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, …..”what is detestable or false, …..”

The second point is the The second point is the processprocess..

Here they quote James 2:24Here they quote James 2:24

James 2:24. “You see that a James 2:24. “You see that a person is justified by works person is justified by works and not by faith alone”.and not by faith alone”.

Romans 4:3 “ For what does the Scripture Romans 4:3 “ For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was say? Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”counted to him as righteousness.”

James 2:24. “You see that a person James 2:24. “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith is justified by works and not by faith alone”.alone”.

19951995 The Holy Spirit is the master of The Holy Spirit is the master of the interior life. By giving birth to the the interior life. By giving birth to the "inner man,"44 justification entails the "inner man,"44 justification entails the sanctificationsanctification of his whole being:of his whole being:

20192019 Justification includes the Justification includes the remission of sins, remission of sins, sanctificationsanctification, and , and the renewal of the inner man.the renewal of the inner man.

““Those who through sin Those who through sin have forfeited the received have forfeited the received grace of justification, can grace of justification, can again be justified when, again be justified when, move by God.” (Sixth move by God.” (Sixth Session, Chapter XIV)Session, Chapter XIV)

““They, through the observance They, through the observance of the commandments of God of the commandments of God and of the Church, faith and of the Church, faith cooperating with good works, cooperating with good works, increase in that justice received increase in that justice received through the grace of Christ and through the grace of Christ and are further justifiedare further justified” (Sixth ” (Sixth Session, Chapter X)Session, Chapter X)

“And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work” (Romans 11:6)

SacramentsSacraments

1131 The sacraments are efficacious 1131 The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, and entrusted to the Church, by by which divine life is dispensed to uswhich divine life is dispensed to us. . the visible rites by which the the visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify sacraments are celebrated signify and and make presentmake present the graces proper the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the those who receive them with the required dispositions. required dispositions.

Constitution On the Sacred Liturgy,Constitution On the Sacred Liturgy, 59 59 The purpose of the sacraments is to The purpose of the sacraments is to

sanctify, to build up the Body of Christ sanctify, to build up the Body of Christ and, finally, to worship God. Because they and, finally, to worship God. Because they are signs, they also instruct. They not only are signs, they also instruct. They not only presuppose faith, but by words and presuppose faith, but by words and objects they also nourish, strengthen, and objects they also nourish, strengthen, and express it. express it.

Constitution On the Sacred LiturgyConstitution On the Sacred Liturgy, 7, 7 He (Jesus) is present in the sacraments by He (Jesus) is present in the sacraments by

his power, in such a way that when his power, in such a way that when someone baptizes, Jesus himself baptizes. someone baptizes, Jesus himself baptizes.

SacramentsSacraments1.1. BaptismBaptism

2.2. ConfirmationConfirmation

3.3. EucharistEucharist

4.4. Penance and Penance and ReconciliationReconciliation

5.5. Anointing the Anointing the sicksick

6.6. Holy OrdersHoly Orders

7.7. MatrimonyMatrimony

So where do they get that you So where do they get that you have to be Baptized to be have to be Baptized to be

saved?saved?

Acts 2:38 Acts 2:38 “Repent and “Repent and be baptizedbe baptized every one of you in the name of every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”gift of the Holy Spirit.”

The Catechism states, “Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word."

PurgatoryPurgatory IndulgencesIndulgences PenancePenance

PurgatoryPurgatoryPurgatory is often

pictured as a place rather than a process of purification. It has been taught that it is so close to Hell that the flames in purgatory are from there. Though this idea is not part of the Catholic Church’s official Doctrine.

"Whereas the Catholic Church, instructed by the Holy Ghost, has from the Sacred Scriptures and the ancient tradition of the Fathers taught in Councils and very recently in this Ecumenical synod (Sess. VI, cap. XXX; Sess. XXII cap.ii, iii) that there is a purgatory, and that the souls therein are helped by the suffrages of the faithful, but principally by the acceptable Sacrifice of the Altar;”

“1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin." From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God. 608 The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead.

This is a huge problem "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead,

What does Psalm 49:7 say????What does Psalm 49:7 say????

“Truly no man can ransom another,   or give to God the price of his life”

St. Thomas Aquinas quotes Gregory the Great as quoting St. Augustine who wrote: "Even as in the same fire gold glistens and straw smokes, so in the same fire the sinner burns and the elect is cleansed."

July 28th 1999, Pope John Paul II described Hell to be "More than a physical place, hell is the state of those who freely

and definitively separate themselves from God, the

source of all life and joy." By extension, Purgatory may be more of a state of being than

an actual place.

• 1030 All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.

1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:

(I Corinthians 3:15)

“But if someone's work is burned up, that one will suffer loss; the person will be saved, but only as through fire."

Scripture

(Mathew 25: 45,46) “Then he will answer them, saying , ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

INDULGENCES

BAPTISIM

With a Purgatory in place how does someone take advantage

of this system???

IndulgencesIndulgences

So what are So what are Indulgences????Indulgences????

Indulgences are things that a catholic does (work) to shorten his time in purgatory. It shortens his/her’s time in a purging process by fire (purgatory) for a sin that you have already been forgiven for, because a venial sin does not lead to death (according the RCC) and you do not lose your right standing with God, (still justified).

The Catholic doctrine teaches there is a storehouse of merit , known as the Treasury of Merit, filled with Christ’ merit, Mary’s merit and other saints who obtained more merit then they needed and therefore fills this storehouse.

SINNO

YES

DEATH

INDULGENCES

BAPTISIM

How did Indulgences help the venial sinner?

Mortal sinsMortal sins. . These are sins done These are sins done deliberately, deliberately, including missing including missing Mass. A Mortal sin Mass. A Mortal sin is much more is much more serious because serious because you have now been you have now been separated from the separated from the God and have now God and have now lost your lost your justificationjustification and and your headed to hell. your headed to hell.

Penance arosePenance arose

ContritionContrition is being humbled and repented toward is being humbled and repented toward

your sin. We would agree with this.your sin. We would agree with this. ConfessionConfession is the act of confessing this sin to a priest. is the act of confessing this sin to a priest.

We would say confess directly to God.We would say confess directly to God. SatisfactionSatisfaction is the act of the priest issuing is the act of the priest issuing worksworks of of

piety, such as almsgiving, praying the piety, such as almsgiving, praying the rosary, for the sins to be absolved. rosary, for the sins to be absolved.

SINNO

YES

DEATH

HEAVENMORTAL

INDULGENCES

BAPTISIM

PenancePenance

JUSTIFICATIONJUSTIFICATION

SINNO

YES

DEATH

HEAVEN

SINMORTAL

VENIAL

INDULGENCES

PENANCEYES

NO

DEATH

HELLSIN

NO

YES

DEATH

PURGATORY

HEAVEN

INDULGENCES

BAPTISIM

The RCC, believe and hold The RCC, believe and hold TraditionTradition equal in authority as equal in authority as ScriptureScripture. Because . Because of this, these doctrines that have risen of this, these doctrines that have risen over time can never be removed, over time can never be removed, because they in themselves are because they in themselves are infallibleinfallible. So the RCC has built upon . So the RCC has built upon teaching after teaching straying farther teaching after teaching straying farther from the truth because of this.from the truth because of this.

Why is Tradition held as infallible????Why is Tradition held as infallible????

APOSTOLIC SUCCESSIONAPOSTOLIC SUCCESSION

- she was and remains built on "the - she was and remains built on "the foundation of the Apostles,"the foundation of the Apostles,"the witnesses chosen and sent on witnesses chosen and sent on mission by Christ himself; mission by Christ himself;

857 857 The Church is apostolic because she The Church is apostolic because she is founded on the apostles, in three ways:is founded on the apostles, in three ways:

- with the help of the Spirit - with the help of the Spirit dwelling in her, the Church dwelling in her, the Church keeps and hands on the keeps and hands on the teaching, the "good teaching, the "good deposit," the salutary deposit," the salutary words she has heard from words she has heard from the apostles;the apostles;

- she continues to be - she continues to be taught, sanctified, and taught, sanctified, and guided by the apostles until guided by the apostles until Christ's return, through Christ's return, through their successors in pastoral their successors in pastoral office: the college of office: the college of bishops....bishops....

862862 “……. “…….Hence the Church Hence the Church teaches that "the bishops have by teaches that "the bishops have by divine institution taken the place divine institution taken the place of the apostles as pastors of the of the apostles as pastors of the Church, in such wise that Church, in such wise that whoever whoever listens to them is listening to listens to them is listening to Christ and whoever despises them Christ and whoever despises them despises Christ and him who sent despises Christ and him who sent ChristChrist." ."

Apostolic Succession is the teaching Apostolic Succession is the teaching that the authority and power of the that the authority and power of the apostles given to them from Christ apostles given to them from Christ are transferred to their successors are transferred to their successors and continue to be transferred and continue to be transferred through the ages in an unbroken line through the ages in an unbroken line up to this day.up to this day.

They use the scripture verse of They use the scripture verse of Mathew 16:19 where it says “I Mathew 16:19 where it says “I will give you the keys of the will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven and kingdom of heaven and whatever you bind on earth shall whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”shall be loosed in heaven.”

Acts 1:20 “let another take his Acts 1:20 “let another take his place”..place”..

Let’s look at this.Let’s look at this. Mathew 16:19 where it says “I will Mathew 16:19 where it says “I will

give you the keys of the kingdom give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven of heaven and whatever you bind and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heavenshall be loosed in heaven.”.”

Mathew 23:13 the contrast where the Mathew 23:13 the contrast where the scribes and Pharisee’s shut the door scribes and Pharisee’s shut the door to the kingdom of heaven. “to the kingdom of heaven. “But woe But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in peoples faces. kingdom of heaven in peoples faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go allow those who would enter to go in.”in.”

Mathew 18:15 -20 ….. If he Mathew 18:15 -20 ….. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. collector. Truly, I say to you, Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heavenshall be loosed in heaven..” ..”

Because of Apostolic succession; Because of Apostolic succession;

1.1. Preists speak on behalf of the apostles Preists speak on behalf of the apostles themselvesthemselves, ,

2.2. people can build up there stature with the people can build up there stature with the good works ( in the name of the RCC)good works ( in the name of the RCC). .

3.3. BaptismBaptism creates a need of a purgatory.creates a need of a purgatory.

4.4. penance and indulgences control people penance and indulgences control people giving a false hope of heaven (eventually).giving a false hope of heaven (eventually).

5.5. Deludes people with thinking that they are Deludes people with thinking that they are good enoughgood enough not to go to Hell but to not to go to Hell but to Heaven.Heaven.

Things to think about when Things to think about when witnessing.witnessing.

Reminding Catholics that there Reminding Catholics that there own belief system states that own belief system states that the Bible is infallible and then the Bible is infallible and then refer to it. Also challenge them refer to it. Also challenge them to examine it themselves. to examine it themselves.

The Bible uses the word Grace The Bible uses the word Grace and that Grace is unmerited and that Grace is unmerited favor. We cannot earn it or favor. We cannot earn it or work for it. If we could it is no work for it. If we could it is no longer Grace.longer Grace.

Most Catholics know nothing Most Catholics know nothing about what the RCC teaches. about what the RCC teaches. Explain to them that they are Explain to them that they are

destined to Hell even in their own destined to Hell even in their own belief system and that it traps belief system and that it traps

them. How? them. How? 1.1. If they have broken the 10 If they have broken the 10 commandments and have not commandments and have not

confessed. confessed. 2.2. This is something they will This is something they will

always have to do for the rest of always have to do for the rest of there lives, tying them to the there lives, tying them to the

RCC.RCC.

Third, justification cannot be a process Third, justification cannot be a process that we grow at. If God’s unmerited that we grow at. If God’s unmerited favor is upon us then there is nothing favor is upon us then there is nothing we can do to earn it or not do to lose we can do to earn it or not do to lose it, because it is not based on our it, because it is not based on our actions it is based on God’s Grace. actions it is based on God’s Grace.

Fourth, If Catholics believe that Christ Fourth, If Catholics believe that Christ

is God, the question needs to be raised is God, the question needs to be raised as to if we are forgiven for our sins as to if we are forgiven for our sins why is there a need to be purged still. why is there a need to be purged still. Is Christ not enough, that we finite Is Christ not enough, that we finite humans can accomplish what an humans can accomplish what an infinite God could not?infinite God could not?

Questions to ask a Roman Questions to ask a Roman CatholicCatholic

Do you read your Bible?Do you read your Bible? If the Bible and the Roman Catholic Church If the Bible and the Roman Catholic Church

spoke two things that were at odds with spoke two things that were at odds with one another which would you believe in?one another which would you believe in?

Which do you believe, Scripture or Which do you believe, Scripture or Tradition, has the authority to define Tradition, has the authority to define Heresy?Heresy?

What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ?What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ? How does someone get saved in the How does someone get saved in the

Roman Catholic Church?Roman Catholic Church? Are you 100% sure that you will go to Are you 100% sure that you will go to

Heaven when you die?Heaven when you die?