Roman Catholicism

Christianity Prayers, Bible and Rosary
Mary - Roman Catholicism
Catholic beliefs include the following:
  • Belief that Jesus Christ is Divine, a doctrine officially clarified in the First Council of Nicea and expressed in the Nicene Creed.
  • Belief that the elements in the Eucharist become really, truly, the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ at consecration, resulting in the Real Presence of Christ. Many additionally believe that, because Christ himself is present in the sacrament, he is to be honoured in it with the worship of adoration.
  • Possession of the “threefold ordained ministry” of Bishops, Priests and Deacons.
  • All ministers are ordained by, and subject to, Bishops, who pass down sacramental authority by the “laying-on of hands”, having themselves been ordained in a direct line of succession from the Apostles (see Apostolic Succession).
  • Belief that the Church is the vessel and deposit of the fullness of the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles from which the Scriptures were formed. This teaching is preserved in both written scripture and in unwritten tradition, neither being independent of the other.
  • A belief in the necessity and efficacy of sacraments.
  • The use of sacred images, candles, vestments and music, and often incense and water, in worship.
  • Veneration of Mary, the mother of Jesus as the Blessed Virgin Mary or Theotokos (i.e., “God-bearer” or “Mother of God”), and veneration of the saints.
  • A distinction between adoration (latria) for God, and veneration (dulia) for saints. The term hyperdulia is used for a special veneration accorded to the Virgin Mary among the saints.
  • The use of prayer for the dead.
  • The acceptance of canonizations.
  • Requests to the departed saints for intercessory prayers.

The Catholic Church claims direct and continuous organizational descent from the original church founded by Jesus Matthew 16:18, who, according to tradition, designated the Apostle Peter as its first leader.

Areas of Concern

The Catholic religion is composed of traditions which are not based upon the Word of God.  Matthew 23:9 warns us not to reverence any man as “Father.”  Yet, this is exactly what the Catholic religion practices.  1st Timothy 4:1-3 warns us…

“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.” 1Timothy 4:1-3

Catholicism teaches it’s members not to eat meat (during Lent) and forbids its priests from getting married. The Catholic Bible contains the same instructions but the Vatican encourages people to listen to the Holy Father in Rome, the local priest, and their catechisms instead of studying the Word of God for themselves. The teachings of the Roman Catholic Church clearly stand against the teachings that are in the Holy Word of God.

The Catholic Church teaches that Mary was without sin, but the Bible clearly teaches that even Mary needed a savior. See Luke chapter 1 verses 46 and 47.
“And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…”

Further online Resources

Good News for Catholics: www.gnfc.org