The Truth About
Roman Catholicism
by Marion H.
Reynolds, Jr.
©Fundamental Evangelistic Association
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH is by far the largest
and wealthiest of all the so-called Christian denominations. It has always falsely claimed
to be the only true Church-the Church which was founded by Jesus Christ during His earthly
ministry. In recent generations, the Roman Catholic Church has embellished its image and
attracted and held members by claiming to be the one Church that has never changed.
However, all such claims are false. In fact, the Roman Catholic Church has done an
about-face, actually boasting of the many changes it has instituted to meet the changing
needs of Catholics and non-Catholics alike in this modern age.
Is the Roman Catholic Church the one true Church? Are its past and present teachings
and practices Scriptural? Of course not! How has the Roman Catholic Church changed through
the centuries? How much has it changed in our lifetime? Have these changes been
foundational or superficial? Where is the Roman Catholic Church headed today and in the
future.
The purpose of this article is to turn the spotlight of truth upon Roman Catholicism,
examining both its past history and present teachings. Our sincere desire is to be of help
to Catholics, many of whom are well aware that, in recent years, their church has
instituted many changes that have left them confused, uncertain, and deeply troubled. For
the first time in their lives, many Catholics are raising serious questions about their
Church, its leaders, its teachings and its practices. They now realize that their church
is not united but divided over issues such as birth control, abortion, divorce, celibacy
for priests, women clergy, gay clergy, Papal infallibility, prayer, worship, music,
purgatory, confession, Marioltry and even the meaning of the Mass. The moral degeneracy
and financial scandals that have rocked the Charismatic movement have also been exposed in
the Roman Catholic Church, from the Vatican to the local parish. Confusion reigns supreme
and Catholics who take their religion seriously don't know which way to turn.
A source of further confusion for many is the fact that for centuries Roman Catholics
were taught that all those outside their membership were heretics to be shunned,
persecuted or even killed. It was not until the middle of this century that the Roman
Catholic Church modified and softened its stand by calling non-Catholics, "separated
brethren." More recently, even that negative connotation has been eliminated. Today,
Catholics are taught to consider "all Christians" to be "brothers and
sisters in Christ."
However, these changing outward attitudes on the part of Roman Catholics toward
non-Catholics and their increasing usage of evangelical terminology has unfortunately
resulted in many evangelicals mistakenly believing that the basic false doctrines and
heresies of Romanism have changed, something that simply is not true. Thus, both Catholics
and non-Catholics alike should take a fresh look - a Biblical, historical and current look
- at this world's largest, supposedly Christian denomination. If it is the one true
Church, as it claims to be, then every believer in Christ should become a part of it. But
if it is a false church, as it actually is, then all who truly believe the Bible and trust
Jesus Christ as Saviour should separate from it, warn about it, and urge others to do
likewise.
Through our extensive radio and literature ministries, it has been a great blessing to
hear from many former Roman Catholics who have been delivered from the bondage of the
false doctrines of Romanism. They experienced the new birth by faith in Jesus Christ alone
and are now attempting to reach their Catholic loved ones and friends with the Word of God
and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At the same time, it has been a real heartache to realize
that so many non-Catholics who profess to know Christ as Saviour have been deceived by the
new attitudes and evangelical vocabulary of Catholicism. The Roman Catholic Church is now
being accepted by many evangelicals as a sister church with only minor differences rather
than a false church which preaches "another gospel"-a false gospel.
The Truth About the Roman Catholic Church is that it always has been and
continues to be a false church. Those Biblical doctrines it professes to believe and teach
are vitiated by Roman Catholic dogma based upon tradition that contradicts the Bible,
God's infallible Word. Error is never more deceptive than when it is presented with a
veneer of truth. The leaders of the Catholic Church have always fit the description of the
false teachers who God warned in advance would come on the scene in the last days,
deceiving many by their "feigned" (pretended or hypocritical) words -
their "great swelling words of vanity, " as described in 2 Peter 2:1-3,
18, 19.
Before examining and refuting some of the well known false teachings of the Roman
Catholic Church, it is essential to understand that two basic false teachings of Roman
Catholicism (even apart from its many other errors), clearly classify it as a false cult
rather than a true church. These two basic errors are:
First, Roman Catholicism, although teaching that the Bible is the Word of God, adds the
spurious apocryphal books to the Scriptures, and also elevates church tradition and the
edicts of popes and councils (the words of men), to the same or an even greater level of
authority than the Word of God. This amounts to adding to the Word of God, thereby placing
Roman Catholicism under God's curse. Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18, 19.
Second, Roman Catholicism, although teaching that faith in Jesus Christ is necessary
for salvation, actually denies the truth of the Gospel by adding sacraments, good works,
and purgatory as additional requirements for forgiveness of sin and for eternal life. This
amounts to the preaching of a false Gospel which places the Roman Catholic Church under
God's curse. Gal. 1:6-10.
Thus, by Scriptural standards, the Roman Catholic Church is a false church that can
only expect God's judgment, not a true church that can claim God's blessing. No amount of
outward change should be permitted to obscure this fact.
As for the claims of the Roman Catholic Church that its history can be traced back to
Jesus Christ, Peter, or any of the other apostles, such claims lack both historical and
Scriptural support. The true Church of Jesus Christ was not founded upon Peter, but upon
Peter's confession of Christ's deity as recorded in Matthew 16:16: "...Thou art
the Christ, the Son of the living God." Peter was not the first pope, nor is
there any Scriptural justification whatever for such an office. Peter's own inspired
testimony as to his position and ministry is given in 1 Peter 5:1-4. He then identifies
himself in 2 Peter 1:1 as "a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ.... " History
confirms the fact that there were no popes in the early church nor even in the Roman
Catholic Church during the first centuries of its existence.
Furthermore, the long-held claim that the Roman Catholic Church was the only
unchangeable church is not supported by church history - not even Roman Catholic history.
How sad to realize that this false claim influenced so many to join or to stay in this
false church, which actually is the product of centuries of changes. Most of these changes
resulted from the Roman Catholic Church's yielding to heathen customs and practices that
were subsequently incorporated into Roman Catholic teachings and worship. The following is
a partial list of heathen, unscriptural practices that became a part of Roman Catholic
dogma over a period of seventeen centuries. Some of the dates given are approximate. In
many cases, these heresies were even debated for years before being given the status of
required beliefs:
1. Prayers for the dead .....300 AD
2. Making the sign of the cross .....300 AD
3. Veneration of angels & dead saints .....375 A.D
4. Use of images in worship .....375 A D.
5. The Mass as a daily celebration .....394 AD
6. Beginning of the exaltation of Mary; the term, "Mother of God" applied at
Council of Ephesus .....431 AD.
7. Extreme Unction (Last Rites) .....526 AD
8. Doctrine of Purgatory-Gregory I .....593 AD
9. Prayers to Mary & dead saints .....600 AD
10. Worship of cross, images & relics .....786 AD
11. Canonization of dead saints .....995 AD
12. Celibacy of priesthood .....1079 AD
13. The Rosary .....1090 AD
14. Indulgences .....1190 AD
15. Transubstantiation-Innocent III .....1215 AD
16. Auricular Confession of sins to a priest .....1215 AD
17. Adoration of the wafer (Host) .....1220 AD
18. Cup forbidden to the people at communion .....1414 AD
19. Purgatory proclaimed as a dogma .....1439 AD
20. The doctrine of the Seven Sacraments confirmed .....1439 AD
21. Tradition declared of equal authority with Bible by Council of Trent .....1545 AD
22. Apocryphal books added to Bible .....1546 AD
23. Immaculate Conception of Mary .....1854 AD
24. Infallibility of the pope in matters of faith and morals, proclaimed by the Vatican
Council .....1870 AD
25. Assumption of the Virgin Mary (bodily ascension into heaven shortly after her death)
.....1950 AD
26. Mary proclaimed Mother of the Roman Catholic Church .....1965 AD
Although some of the preceding Roman Catholic heresies are now being questioned by many
individuals inside and outside the church, none have been officially repudiated and all
continue to be practiced by millions of Catholics around the world. The urgent need today
is for Roman Catholics, as well as all who claim to be Christians, to examine their own
beliefs and the teachings of their churches by the only sure standard -the Bible. Whatever
contradicts, adds to or subtracts from the sixty-six books of the Old and the New
Testaments, is error no matter how many may cling to it.
Roman Catholics who read the Bible will soon discover that many Catholic teachings and
practices are specifically forbidden by Jesus Christ Himself. Note carefully the following
warnings given by the Lord Jesus Christ to the religious leaders of His day concerning
vain worship, vain tradition and vain repetitions. All of these are particularly
applicable to Roman Catholicism today.
Vain Worship - In Matthew 15:8-9, Jesus said, "This people draweth nigh unto me
with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in
vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." All
worship is indeed vain when it is based upon the commandments of men rather than the Word
of God.
Vain Tradition -In Matthew 15:6b, Jesus said, "Thus have ye made the
commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. " Valid tradition is based
upon Scripture and confirms it. Vain tradition is based upon man's teachings and violates
it. In Roman Catholicism, tradition is consistently elevated above the Scripture. This
results in vain worship (no matter how sincere) and makes the commandment of God of no
effect -a very serious matter.
Vain Repetitions - In Matthew 6:7, Jesus said, "But when ye pray, use not vain
repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much
speaking." A basic part of Roman Catholic worship is the frequent repetition of
The Rosary. Its origin is clearly tied to heathen religions such as Hinduism, Islam, and
Buddhism. Roman Catholics should listen to the words of Christ rather than use the vain
repetitions of the Catholic Church.
During the past fifty years, at least three important trends in the Roman Catholic
Church are clearly observable. These are: (1) A greater emphasis upon the place of Mary,
(2) A major emphasis upon ecumenical activities with a view to seeking the full visible
unity of all religions, (3) The acceptance of the so-called Charismatic renewal within the
Church with new emphasis upon the claimed "ministry of the Holy Spirit." There
is every reason to believe that all of these major trends will continue and will even
increase. They are all very deceptive, very dangerous, and unscriptural.
The place bestowed to Mary in the Roman Catholic Church is not Scriptural nor is it
new. It cannot be denied that during the last one hundred years, veneration of Mary has
dramatically increased. Note in the historical chart given earlier in this article that
the exaltation of Mary and the term "Mother of God," became official Catholic
dogma in 431 AD with prayers to her proclaimed in 600 AD Note also that the
"Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary" was not proclaimed until 1854 AD; her
"Assumption" not until 1950 AD; and her title "Mother of the Church"
not until 1965 AD
Some Roman Catholic observers believe it may not be much longer until Mary is
officially proclaimed "Co-redemptrix with Christ." In fact, the premier issue of
the Roman Catholic publication Catholic Heritage displayed a front page with the
title: "Mary, Mother of the Church." In a Question and Answer column the
question is asked, "At the foot of the cross, Mary shared in the mystery of the
passion. True or False. Answer: True. Mary united her sorrows to those of her Son. The
sorrowful and immaculate heart of Mary bled with her Son for all of mankind. For this
reason, we invoke her under the title of Co-redemptrix."
During the past forty years, each pope has done his part to increase Mary's influence
in the Roman Catholic Church based completely on tradition rather than upon the Bible. In
the August 28, 1975, issue of the official Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, Pope
Paul VI, speaking of the ceremony celebrated the day before in honor of the Madonna at the
Feast of the Assumption of Mary, said, "Her venerate image, known as 'Salus Populi
Romani,' was carried in procession from St. Mary Major's as part of the Holy Year
ceremonies, so that the overflow crowd of pilgrims, coming from all parts of the world,
could see it and thus increase their devotion to her. In this way we should all be
reminded of the meaning and practice of the cult of Mary, inseparable from the unique and
central cult of Christ ... Let us pray to her with humble, trusting and childlike
faith."
The present pope, John Paul II, has dedicated himself completely to Mary. During his
visit to Vancouver, B.C. in 1985, the special souvenir edition of B.C. Catholic carried
a full page color photo of the pope under the caption of, Totus Tuas which, in
Latin, means "all yours." The following explanation was then given, "When
Karol Wojtyla [John Paul II] was consecrated bishop of Cracow by Pius XII in 1958 he took,
'Totus Tuus' (all yours) as his motto, thus presenting himself to Mary. In his first Urbi
et Orbi message immediately after being elected pope he said, 'At this difficult hour,
full of fear, we must turn our thoughts with filial devotion to the Virgin Mary who always
lives in the midst of Christ and exists as his mother. We must repeat the words, Totus
Tuus which 20 years ago were inscribed into our heart and soul.'"
Pope John Paul II has visited many of the major Shrines to Mary. He attributed his
escape from death at the hands of a would-be assassin and the overthrow of communism in
Eastern Europe to the intervention of Mary. Millions of Catholics are making pilgrimages
to the various Marian shrines, seeking and often claiming miracles of healing and answers
to their prayers to Mary. New apparitions of Mary and special messages from her are being
claimed in various parts of the world. Yet, there is absolutely no Scriptural foundation
for any of these beliefs or practices. Mary was indeed a virgin in fulfillment of the Old
Testament prophecy that Christ would be born of a virgin (Isa. 7: 14). She was a godly
woman, but not sinless. As with all true believers in Christ, when Mary died, her soul and
spirit went to heaven, but her body awaits the resurrection. She did not bodily ascend to
heaven as did Jesus Christ. Nothing in Scripture indicates that prayers were ever offered
to Mary nor that she was worshipped by anyone. Most of Roman Catholic teaching concerning
Mary is based entirely on human tradition and contradicts God's Word.
The present ecumenical emphasis and activities of the Roman Catholic Church are also of
recent origin. When Vatican Council I was held in 1869 - 1870, the Orthodox Churches
refused to participate even though they were invited by the pope. His public appeal to
"Protestants and all non-Catholics" to "return to the only true fold"
also received resentful refusals. However, in the intervening years, it became
increasingly obvious to the Roman Catholic hierarchy that their church needed some serious
updating, particularly with regard to relationships with other churches. In 1960, Pope
John XXIII established the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity; and in 1962 he
convoked Vatican Council II which he called "An ecumenical council for the universal
church."
Less than a year later, Pope John XXIII died. His successor, Pope Paul VI, attended
four sessions of Vatican II before becoming pope and did everything possible to continue
and expand the ecumenical emphasis. His said the Roman Catholic Church could best
demonstrate the validity of its teaching, not by condemnation or severity, but with the
"medicine of mercy." He emphasized "working for the full visible unity in
truth among all Christians" and that this unity should extend also to non-Christians.
This new approach of Vatican II was successful in gaining the cooperation of the major
Orthodox Church bodies as well as 38 delegated observers from almost all the major
Protestant denominations. Of course, Pope John Paul II has apparently expanded the
ecumenical emphasis in the Roman Catholic Church to unprecedented heights. While this has
received high praise from religious leaders and denominations, the kind of unity sought by
the Roman Catholic Church is contrary to the Bible. All unity purchased at the expense of
doctrinal purity is satanic and deceptive. 2 Cor. 6:14-18, Eph. 5:11, 2 Tim. 3:1-17;
4:1-8. All who join hands in ecumenical fellowship with those who preach a false Gospel
are under God's curse. Gal. 1:6-10.
The Roman Catholic Church was infiltrated by the false teachings and unscriptural
practices of the Charismatic Movement in the early 1960's. Its influence within Roman
Catholicism is growing rapidly. As always, the devil has a very clever way of compounding
error while giving the results a more respectable appearance. Space limitations prevent a
more comprehensive consideration of its past and present approaches but we have prepared
other articles providing important details to all who might be interested in knowing why
the Charismatic Movement and its teachings are so deceptive and dangerous. Once this
movement became entrenched in the Roman Catholic Church, the Catholic leaders were quick
to see that it would be to their advantage to encourage these teachings rather than to
oppose them. They discovered that they could use the Charismatic doctrines and practices
to help build the Roman Catholic Church by considering such practices a logical and needed
"renewal movement within the church." This "renewal" would come
because those who had supposedly experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit felt a greater
love and respect than ever for the Roman Catholic Church, including the Mass, the other
sacraments, the veneration of Mary and all the other false teachings of Roman Catholicism.
Many people are attracted to the displays of healings, miracles, and other supposed
demonstrations of Holy Spirit presence and power, not realizing that if this were a true
ministry of the Holy Spirit it would lead them to a recognition and repudiation of the
false teachings of Roman Catholicism. The Charismatic Movement, both within and outside of
the Roman Catholic Church is not a movement of the Holy Spirit, but of a false spirit.
John 16: 7-14; 2 Cor. 11:13-15.
Adding to the religious confusion of our day is the inconsistent, compromising position
taken by the world's two outstanding evangelical leaders, Dr. Billy Graham and Dr. Bill
Bright. Both of these men now praise and work with ecumenical apostates, charismatic
deceivers and Roman Catholics. This represents a complete reversal of their original,
biblical positions. Both are widely respected and have charming personalities, but their
present willingness to work with anybody who "calls Jesus, Lord" completely
ignores the warning Christ gave in Matthew 7:21-23. "Not every one that saith unto
me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my
Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many
wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye
that work iniquity. The pope and most Roman Catholics call Jesus, "Lord," but
since they reject the one true gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ
alone, their profession is false. Today they are deceiving many evangelicals, but not God.
Unless Roman Catholics trust Christ alone as Saviour before they die, they will one day be
identified by Christ as those who were workers of iniquity even though they called Him
"Lord."
When Billy Graham began his ministry 40 years ago, he recognized Roman Catholicism as a
false religion and warned against it. Then, as Graham's crowds and popularity grew,
warnings about Roman Catholicism ceased and those who made professions of faith in his
crusades were sent back into the Roman Catholic Church. Later, Graham accepted Roman
Catholics as counselors if they took his prescribed training course. Still later, Roman
Catholic priests, bishops and cardinals were included in the Graham Crusade committees,
and finally, Graham called Pope John Paul II one of the world's great evangelists- a false
identification of a biblically defined evangelist if there ever was one!
True believers need to realize that the Mass is at the very heart of Roman Catholic
theology and worship, but its observance is based upon Roman Catholic tradition, not upon
the pure Word of God. We urge you to take the time to study the Roman Catholic teachings
concerning the meaning and importance of the Mass, then, compare those teachings with the
Scriptures and see the contradictions involved. After such a study, those who are truly
born again and filled with the Holy Spirit-as Charismatic Catholics claim to be-will
reject the Mass as a contradiction of Bible salvation and separate from the Roman Catholic
Church in obedience to the Word of God, the Bible.
What does the Roman Catholic Church teach concerning the importance and meaning of the
Mass? Notice the following official statements.
The following quotations are taken from THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1994
edition, which contains the written approval of Pope John Paul II and makes an appeal to
Mary concerning the future in these words: "At the conclusion of this document
presenting the CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, I beseech the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother
of the Incarnate Word and Mother of the Church, to support with her powerful intercession
the catechetical work of the entire Church on every level, at this time when she is called
to a new effort of evangelization."
From page 334, Article 3: "The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian
life. The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the
apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed
Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our
Pasch ... In brief, the Eucharist is the sum and summary of our faith: 'Our way of
thinking is attuned to the Eucharist, and the Eucharist in turn confirms our way of
thinking.'"
From page 342, Article 4: "In the communion, preceded by the Lord's prayer and the
breaking of the bread, the faithful receive 'the bread of heaven' and the 'cup of
salvation,' the body and blood of Christ who offered himself 'for the life of the world.'
"Because this bread and wine have been made Eucharist ('eucharisted,' according to
an ancient expression), we call this food Eucharist, and no one may take part in it unless
he believes that what we teach is true, has received baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and new birth, and lives in keeping with what Christ taught."
From page 344, Article 5: "The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the
Eucharist are one single sacrifice. 'The victim is one and the same: the same now offers
through the ministry of priests, who then offered himself on the cross; only the manner of
offering is different.' 'In this divine sacrifice which is celebrated in the Mass, the
same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is
contained and is offered in an unbloody manner."'
From page 345, Article 5: "The Eucharistic sacrifice is also offered for the
faithful departed who 'have died in Christ but are not yet wholly purified,' so that they
may be able to enter into the light and peace of Christ."
But what does the Bible say concerning the sacrifice of Jesus Christ upon the Cross?
Hebrews 10:10-14, "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the
body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and
offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man
[Jesus Christ], after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the
right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For
by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. "
What a difference there is between what the Bible teaches and what Roman Catholicism
believes and teaches regarding the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross! The supposed
continual offering up of Christ by the priests negates His finished work on the Cross. The
Bible says, "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust
that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the
Spirit. " 1 Peter 3:18.
What about the future of the Catholic Church? It is a false church, not a true one. It
is a divided church, not a united one. Its present head, Pope John Paul II, is not one of
the world's great evangelists, he is one of the world's greatest deceivers. He has done
more to promote the false teachings of Roman Catholicism than any other pope in history.
His mild, humble, reverent demeanor makes him especially valuable to Satan since he
appears as "an angel of light" (2 Cor. 11:13-15). His travels have taken him
into almost every region of the world. His ability to speak fluently in several languages
makes him an effective communicator. He is a master at the art of "double-talk,"
for he knows just the kind of language to use with certain groups-evangelical, ecumenical,
charismatic, traditional Romanists or liberal, avante-garde Catholics. He has the unique
ability to speak to large audiences that represent widely varying points of view
religiously and politically. He knows how to give each of these groups some tidbits of
encouragement even though they may disagree strenuously with his overall presentation. His
recent statement concerning the continuing controversy between "science" and
"religion" on the question of evolution vs. creation is but a further example of
his ability to leave ample room for both views to exist within the Roman Catholic Church.
The Bible clearly teaches creation, not evolution. Thus, those who teach evolution should
be avoided according to 1 Timothy 6:20, 21.
As Pope John Paul II has visited countries where raw heathenism prevails or where
professed Roman Catholics are devotees of Voodoo or other forms of devil worship, he has
somehow managed to speak words of mild rebuke while leading his hearers to believe that
they need not give up their "cultural heritages" in order to retain their
"Catholic privileges." He has successfully managed to forge relationships, not
only with professed Christian bodies and individuals but also with leaders of heathen
religions. Tremendous power and prestige reside in the pope as the virtual dictator of
millions of Roman Catholics worldwide. This power, coupled with the untold wealth of
Vatican holdings and resources which he controls, causes international leaders and heads
of state to bow at his feet as they seek religious, political or commercial favors and, of
course, the pope's "blessing." Fidel Castro of Cuba, a communist dictator,
tyrant and oppressor of several million of his own people, is the latest to come to Rome
to work a deal that will profit him economically and enable the pope to visit Cuba,
something John Paul II earnestly desires.
What does John Paul II plan for the immediate future? His plans are clearly and
concisely set forth in his latest book, "Celebrate 2000!: Reflections on Jesus, The
Holy Spirit and the Father" by Pope John Paul II. On pages 8-10 of the introduction
by Paul Thigpen, we read, "Pope John Paul II has announced that the Church will
observe the year 2000 as a 'Great Jubilee': a particular year of God's favor, a sign of
His unfailing love, a season to remember and rejoice that two millennia ago, Christ came
to set us free from the bonds of sin. Like all Jubilee years, it will be, he says, 'a year
of the remission of sins and of the punishments due them, a year of reconciliation between
disputing parties, a year of manifold conversions and of sacramental and extra-sacramental
penance' . . . It's time to give our souls a bath, to dress in our spiritual best, and to
take in our hands the gift of our will, wrapped in a fervent desire to see Christ's
Kingdom come.
"To help us get ready for this grand party, Pope John Paul II has outlined his
strategy in his apostolic letter of November 10, 1994, 'As the Third Millennium Draws
Near.' He calls for preparations to take two phases. The first phase, extending through of
1996, is to make Christians aware of the value and meaning of the Jubilee Year. The second
phase- consisting of the years 1997, 1998, and 1999-is intended to turn the Church's
attention to God Himself, to help us grow deeper in our knowledge of Him, our love for
Him, our joy in Him. Each of these years is to be devoted to reflection on a particular
Person within the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."
Remember that all the teachings of Pope Paul II and the Roman Catholic Church (like all
religious leaders, churches and organizations) must be carefully examined in light of
God's Word, the Bible. Of course, some of the statements of the pope and a few portions of
the Roman Catholic Catechism contain scriptural truths. This is why so many people are
being deceived today. They do not realize that counterfeit religions, like counterfeit
money, must resemble the genuine in order to deceive those who lack spiritual discernment
or those who have not had the opportunity or taken the time to carefully compare all the
major tenets of Roman Catholicism with the truth of God' s Word. Only when one compares
men' s words with Scripture will it become obvious that Roman Catholicism is a carefully
crafted counterfeit, not the pure, genuine, biblical faith.
Roman Catholicism makes salvation a long, complicated process with no assurance of
eternal life and forgiveness of all sin. Baptism, the Mass, Confession, prayers to Mary
and the Saints, good works, and purgatory are all added to faith in Christ. By contrast,
the Bible teaches salvation by faith in Jesus Christ alone. Eph. 2:8, 9; Titus 2:13. Bible
salvation is God's free gift to any sinner who believes with the heart that Christ died
for his sins and rose again for his justification. 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 10:9-13. Bible
salvation gives immediate assurance of eternal life. 1 John 5:10-13. Carefully read and
believe John 1:12; 3:16-18; 3:36; 5:24; 14:1-6; 20:30, 31. No church ever saved anyone,
but Christ can and will save everyone who will come and trust Him as their Saviour. Acts
4:12; John 6:37; 10:27-30. Membership or faith in a church does not secure salvation for
anyone, but trust Christ and Him alone and you will be saved for all eternity!
