Was the Apostle Peter the first Pope?

For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus . . .

2 Timothy 2:5

The Roman Catholic contention is that Saint Peter was the first Pope, the author of papal succession, and the “head of the church,” in spite of and in direct contradiction to that title already being given to no sinful, fallible man but to the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:23). Romish tradition teaches that not only did the Apostle Peter visit Rome, but that he pastored a church in Rome, died in Rome, is buried in Rome, and St. Peters Basilica is standing where Peter is supposed to have been martyred and buried. The Bible never makes mention of any of these things and the word “pope” isn’t even found in the Bible.

I have posted below sixteen evidences (not “traditions”) for your consideration. Some of these facts were adapted from this website but the majority of this following information came from John MacArthur’s great sermon entitled Unmasking the Pope and the Catholic System. As always, I welcome your comments.

01- The Bible never says that Peter was a pope, nor does it say that he was the “head of the church.” The RCC takes biblical texts out of their context to support this pretext.

02- The Bible never mentions the word “pope.” (It also never mentions the words “monk” or “rosary” either. And the only mention of the word “nun” is in reference to a place, not a position in the church.)

03- There’s no archeological or historical evidence that Peter was ever in Rome.

04- The Bible lends additional support to the lack of evidence for Peter ever being in Rome. In Romans 15:20, the Apostle Paul says that he, aspired “to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, so that I would not build on another man’s foundation . . .” Had Peter been in Rome, then Paul wold not have evangelized there since Paul said he didn’t want to build on another man’s foundation.

05- Paul greets a myriad of people in Romans chapter 16, yet makes absolutely no mention of Saint Peter. If Peter was the pope or “head of the church” in Rome, this would be a grievous oversight/omission on Paul’s part.

06- Paul greets ten people in Rome throughout his letter 2 Timothy; none of them are Peter.

07- When mentioning the pillars of the Church (not the heads as Christ is the only head of the Church), the Apostle Paul mentions Peter before John but after James (Galatians 2:9). Is this any way for a pope to be recognized?

08- Peter was never called to preach to the Gentiles (which would have been those in Rome). Peter was entrusted with the Gospel to the circumcised–the Jews. (Galatians 2:7-8).

09- There’s no mention of Peter being the head of the Roman Church. He wasn’t even the head of the Jerusalem Church; James was. (See Galatians chapter 2 and Acts chapter 15).

10- Peter never considered himself the head of the Church (i.e. the pope). In the introduction of his letter letter (1 Peter 1:1), he simply calls himself “an apostle of Jesus Christ.” Notice he did not call himself the apostle, pope, or even “head of the church.” And he most certainly did not refer to himself with the ridiculous and blasphemous name “holy father.” Ridiculous and blasphemous because no man should ever accept that title; it is reserved for One and One only.

11- Peter further clarified his view of himself when he referred to himself as a “fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ . . .”. (1 Peter 5:1). He equates himself on the same level as the others he was writing this letter to.

12- Who was calling the shots? Apparently Peter, the supposed “head of the church,” wasn’t. He was being told what to do by the elders of the Church (Acts 8:14). Shouldn’t the “head of the church” be the one giving instruction and direction? See additional examples of the leaders and elders of the church giving directions, not Peter: Acts 11:22, Acts 15:22-27, Acts 21:18, Acts 21:23-24.

13- The Apostle Paul opposed Peter to his face (Galatians 2:11) because Peter “stood condemned.” Hardly the thing for someone to do to the Roman Catholic “head of the church”–the pope!

14- Jesus called Peter “Satan,” and said he (Satan via Peter’s attempt to unwittingly thwart Jesus from His mission) was a stumbling block to Jesus (Matthew 16:21-23). Is this any way to talk to a pope?

15- Peter acted cowardly and denied the Lord Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75). Is this any way for a pope to act?

16- And finally, the history of the early Church as accounted in the book of Acts makes absolutely no mention of Peter after chapter 15. For someone who is supposed to be the “head of the church” and the first pope, you’d think there’d be more mention of him in this book of Church history. Instead, Peter kind of vanishes after this point.

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.

Colossians 2:8-10

If we are saved by our works, these Catholics have much to boast about.

In their observance of Easter, Roman Catholic Filipinos crucified themselves (including a 15 year old boy and an 18 year old girl) for absolutely positively no reason. There is no Biblical justification for this.

I imagine they are just taking “good works” to its logical conclusion.

If we are saved by our works, then wouldn’t the participants in this torture fest have reason to boast in spite of Ephesians 2:8-9?

Read the article by clicking here.

For more on the issue of Faith vs Works, click here.

Sermon of the week: “Unmasking the Pope and the Catholic System” by John MacArthur.

   Every Wednesday (or late Tuesday night) I post the sermon of the week. After hearing this message I could barely wait till Wednesday to share this one with you.

This week’s sermon is an absolute must-hear. It is entitled Unmasking the Pope and the Catholic System by John MacArthur. It is–hands down–the best message I’ve ever heard on Roman Catholicism . . . bar none.

Even if you have a minimal interest in understanding what Roman Catholicism is about, or no interest at all, I expect this sermon will change that. I also encourage those Roman Catholics who read this blog (I know you’re out there) to seriously listen to this. If you have the truth, then you have nothing to fear.

I’ll be moving this sermon into my “Top Ten” favorites.

Click on the link to listen streaming, or right click on the link and click “Save As” (Internet Explorer) or “Save Link As” (Mozilla) to save to your computer. From there you can burn this to a CD or upload it to your MP3 player.

Trish asks a Catholic priest a few questions.

HT: Fish With Trish

Vatican: The new 7 Deadly Sins includes pollution!

Monsignor Gianfranco Girotti , close ally of the Pope and head of the Roman Curia’s main court–The Apostolic Penitentiary–has released a list of Roman Catholicism’s new 7 Deadly Sins:

- Polluting the environment.

- Taking drugs.

- Becoming obscenely wealthy.

- Causing social injustice.

- Causing poverty.

- Experimenting on humans.

- Genetic modifications.

Read more about these “new sins” here and here and here. For more on the deadly sin of pollution, check out this article.

Related posts from Reformation Nation:

Priorities Completely Out of Whack

Distractions, Distractions, Distractions

America’s Most Sinful Cities

The Saint Galvao Prayer Pills. What will the Catholic Church think of next?

Is there anything that the Catholic Church won’t put on the table that devout Catholics won’t eat up?

Introducing the St. Galvao Prayer Pill for the Catholic who still believes that praying to God through Christ alone just isn’t good enough (in spite of the Bible’s clear teaching that Jesus is the ONLY mediator between God and man).

I wonder how the Mary worshipers devotees will take this since they still cling to the heretical couplet that “Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is the gateway of God“.

Seriously, these “prayer pills” sound like something that TBN would be selling. I thought the RCC had a little more respectability than to do something like this . . . yes, I know, there was that Indulgences thing. But to quote a famous Mormon defense, “That was in the past, we don’t teach that anymore.” No siree. Now we have prayer pills!

I wait with anticipation for the next gimmick the Catholic Church will send down the pike.

Just like biblically illiterate Christians who sit at the feet of TBN, Catholics aren’t immune to money-making schemes either.

We have seen that Catholics believe just about any superstition handed down by their Church, but mix that with a money-making scheme and some of them are ripe for the picking. (And no, I’m not talking about Indulgences).

Some slick entrepreneurs have combined two of Catholicism’s best schemes–statue adoration and prayers to dead people–to dupe unsuspecting members out of their money and to further their dependence upon an organization that teaches another gospel.

Here’s the scheme: If you can’t sell your house, buy a St Joesph statue and bury it (upside down) in your yard. Then pray to the dead guy (also known as necromancy which is forbidden by the Bible) and then viola! Your house should sell like hotcakes!

You too can get your “Underground Real Estate Agent Kit” here. The website provides the following historical background on this scheme:

The solemn tradition of burying St. Joseph in the earth began hundreds of years ago in Europe. During those times, an order of nuns prayed to St. Joseph (the patron saint of the family and household needs) when they needed more lands for convents. The Sisters were encouraged to bury their St. Joseph medals in the ground.

The medals evolved into statues, culminaing [sic] with the complete “Underground Real Estate Agent” Kit currently available. Today, thousands of homesellers and real estate agents nationwide continue this successful tradition; they are looking for a little divine intervention.

The St. Joseph Statue “The Underground Real Estate Agent” Kit was developed to assist you in continuing this tradition. The kit contains everything thing you need to successfully bury your own St. Joseph Statue. Be it fact or be it fiction, it’s worked more than once.

“The sisters were encouraged to bury their St. Joseph medals in the ground.” By who? I hate to sound like a broken record, but please, show me chapter and verse where this stuff is supported.

The Pope’s exorcist squads to wage war on Satan.

The Pope will unleash his exorcist squads to wage against Satan! Read the short article by clicking here. Of course, the Vatican is now denying this.

One of my favorite quotes fromt he article:
He said the Pope wants to restore a prayer seen as protection against evil that was traditionally recited at the end of Catholic Masses. The prayer, to St Michael the Archangel, was dropped in the 1960s by Pope John XXIII.”The prayer is useful not only for priests but also for lay people in helping to fight demons,” he said.

They’re still so steeped in superstition thinking reciting a certain prayer protects against evil. And since when did Michael the Archangel become a Saint?

Oops . . . The Vatican should have invested in a paper shredder.

In this video CBS news uncovers a hidden Vatican document that they’d prefer never surfaced. After the CBS news clip, this video goes into a clip from the documentary Catholicism: Crisis of Faith dealing with the Mass and the Roman Catholic Ten Commandments.

HT: Independent Conservative

Mother Teresa: A lost soul?

   The Symphony of Scripture blog has a post on Mother Teresa that asks, “Was she a lost soul?” Read the whole article by clicking here (PDF).

Here’s two quotes from Mother Teresa that I found to be very telling: 

“There are so many religions and each one has its different ways of following God.”

“There is only one God and He is God to all; therefore it is important that everyone is seen as equal before God. I’ve always said we should help a Hinu become a better Hinud, a Muslim become a better Muslim, a Catholic become a better Catholic.”

Faith vs Works (Part 1): The introduction.

Faith vs Works (Part 1): The introduction.

I’m in a rather unique position with this blog. I get hit from both sides of the Faith vs Works debate. On the one side are the Catholics, Mormons, and Jehovah’s Witnesses who claim that faith itself is insufficient without man working for his salvation (funny how these three groups tend to have so much in common). On the other side are the cheap-grace, easy-believism, lukewarm crowd who love to label me judgmental and a legalist when I say that there is not only a Biblical mandate for holiness and good works, but that these will be evident in the life of a true Believer.

Scripture is crystal clear on this issue, leaving no room for doubt (unless you choose to ignore the facts) that we are indeed saved by faith apart from works and separate from deeds. This can also be defined as “alone.” To deny Scripture’s clear teaching on this takes an unwillingness to part from former presuppositions and religious indoctrination.

With that said, I thought I’d cite numerous texts that deal directly with our salvation being through faith alone (Part 2); what the Bible says about those who rely on the law and their good works for salvation (Part 3); what place the Law and “good works” play in our faith (Part 4); and my conclusion (Part 5).

I am not posting this five-part series in an attempt to win any arguments or even to create more (although some will be inclined to do so). I will let the Scriptures speak for themselves with minimal commentary on my part. If you have reservations about their context, I encourage you to research them for yourselves.

If I can win 1,000 arguments but not change one mind, heart, and soul, I have done nothing. I am hoping that with the following posts I can put to rest the issue some may be struggling with when it comes to Faith vs Works. Thank you for your faithful readership and as always, your comments are welcome.

(All scriptures are quoted from the New American Standard Bible).

PART ONE

PART TWO

PART THREE

PART FOUR

PART FIVE

Faith vs Works (Part 2): For it is written, you are saved by grace through faith, not of works.

Faith vs Works (Part 2): For it is written, you are saved by grace through faith, not of works.

While every religion and cult on the planet teaches a works-based salvation (with assurance of salvation for none), Christianity is the only belief that is faith-based, trusting God at His Word when He says that we are saved by grace through faith, not of works. Praise God for His mercy, grace, and loving kindness.

Let us now turn to the Scriptures, for it is written:

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ . . . (Romans 5:1)

. . . a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. (Galatians 2:16)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But The Righteous Man Shall Live By Faith.” (Romans 1:16-17)

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being made justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:5-7)

Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. (Galatians 3:23-24)

But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through Faith. (Romans 3:21-25)

For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. (Romans 3:28)

. . . for “Whoever Will Call Upon The Name Of The Lord Will Be Saved.” (Romans 10:13).

But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. (Romans 4:5)

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. (Romans 10:4)

So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law or by hearing with faith? Even so, Abraham Believed God And It Was Reckoned To Him As Righteousness. (Galatians 3:5-6)

The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham . . . (Galatians 3:8)

. . . not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith . . . (Philippians 3:9)

Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if the law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. (Galatians 3:21)

But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound . . . (Romans 7:6)

Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for “The Righteous Man Shall Live By Faith.” (Galatians 3:11)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. – Jesus Christ (John 3:16)

PART ONE

PART TWO

PART THREE

PART FOUR

PART FIVE

 

Faith vs Works (Part 3): Warnings for those who rely on the Law and their deeds for salvation.

Faith vs Works (Part 3): Warnings for those who rely on the Law and their deeds for salvation.

As we saw in part two of this four-part series, the Scriptures teach that we are saved by grace through faith . . . apart from deeds or works of the Law! There is nothing we can add to that miracle of salvation that God alone hasn’t already provided for all those who trust in Him. Our sin was already paid for and nailed to the cross. (Colossians 2:13-14) Christ did not say from the cross that it had just begun, He declared from that cross that “It is finished!” (John 19:30)

But what about those who ignore the clear doctrine of justification by faith and think a gift is actually something you earn? What about those who choose to hold to their view that they have something of value and worth to offer God that His Son did not or could not pay for? What about those who put their eternal destiny in their own hands, believing that they can accomplish by deeds and the Law what the Scriptures say they cannot?

I fear for those who think they could possibly add to the greatest sacrifice ever offered because the Bible has warnings for those who still put their faith in the Law and strive to be justified by it. Take heed, for it is written:

You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. (Galatians 5:4)

I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly. (Galatians 2:21)

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us . . . (Galatians 3:13)

But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. (Galatians 3:23-24)

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. (James 2:10)

For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under the law but under grace. (Romans 6:14)

For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment. (Isaiah 64:6)

Those who believe that it’s works that saves them or even faith and works that saves them are relying on the very thing that God said cannot and will not save you. Furthermore, you are rejecting the sacrifice of Jesus by virtue of your belief that the shedding of God’s own blood (Acts 20:2 was an insufficient payment for sin, necessitating that you need to add something to it by good deeds or observance of the Law.

Where people get tripped up is in the book of James. James only leaves us two options: either he contradicts the rest of Scripture (and if so, then the entire Bible cannot be trusted), or James is making the point that works will always follow a true and living faith whereas the absence of works will always follow a false and dead faith. In context—reading the entire letter of James—one can see that his purpose was to differentiate between true and false professors of the Faith.

The “fruit” we produce isn’t good until after we become regenerated (born again) believers in Christ, not before. And those “fruits” don’t contribute to our salvation, they are a product of our salvation.

Therefore my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. Romans 7:4

Let me ask a question of those who still rely on themselves for their own salvation. What exactly are the good works in your life that you think (by themselves or along with faith) are good enough for God? There is no one who does good, not even one! (Psalm 53:3) and what you consider to be good works are nothing but filthy garments (Isaiah 64:6). It’s not a matter of what we think is a fine and acceptable sacrifice, it’s what the one receiving this offering considers acceptable. Remember, Cain believed that what he brought before God was good in His sight. Sadly many today ignore what Scripture says is required and replaces it with what they think He requires.

Those who choose to focus on a few verses of James at the exclusion of the complete text of that letter and the entirety of the Bible, fail to realize that each sentence of the Scriptures needs to be translated in light of each paragraph. And each paragraph in light of each chapter. And each chapter in light of each book. And each book in light of the collection of the 66 books of the Bible. To ignore all the teachings that the Law and good works saves NO ONE is irresponsible at best, deceptive at worst. You have been warned that those who rely on the Law for justification have fallen from grace and are severed from Christ! (Galatians 5:4). The Law produces a curse, and Christ paid for that, having become a curse for us. (Galatians 3:13). If you choose to trust in that Law for salvation, whether solely or partly, you have put the curse of the Law upon yourself and you better have never stumbled in just one area or you’re guilty of all the Law (James 2:10). Those are frightening words.

PART ONE

PART TWO

PART THREE

PART FOUR

PART FIVE

 

Faith vs Works (Part 4): The purpose of good works in the life of the believer.

Faith vs Works (Part 4): The purpose of good works in the life of the believer.

As we saw in part three of this five-part series, the Law cannot save anyone. If you rely on keeping the whole Law but stumble in one area, you are guilty of it all. And the “good works” that we offer God thinking that it appeases Him (like pagans who offer fruits to an idol) are called “filthy garments.” So now we come to the question “what role does the Law and good works play in the life of the Believer?” Does this mean that we have completely done away with the Law, that our faith in Christ gives us license to sin? Certainly not!

. . . because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20)

Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. (Galatians 3:24)

This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. (Titus 3:8)

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. - Jesus Christ (John 14:15)

Why do you call Me. “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say? - Jesus Christ (Luke 6:46)

If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth . . . (1 John 1:6)

Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. ( 1 John 3:18)

But prove yourself doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. (James 1:22)

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (James 1:27)

Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. (James 2:17)

But someone may well say, You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the alter? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham Believed God, And It Was Reckoned To Him As Righteousness,” and he was a friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. (James 2:18-24)

For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. (James 2:26)

For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under the law but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! (Romans 6:14-15)

. . . If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. – Jesus Christ (John 8:31-32)

He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me . . . – Jesus Christ (John 14:21)

By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 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 . . . (1 John 2:3-4)

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. – Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:19)

James made sure that those who claim to have a faith in Christ will also have fruits of that faith evidenced by their lifestyles and deeds (the letter of 1 John also makes this point rather soundly and I strongly encourage you to read it). The Christianity so many people practice today in Churches all across America can be summed up in this couplet of circular reasoning: I go to church because I’m a Christian. I’m a Christian because I go to church.

Works will be the clear evidence of our faith. Where there is no works that faith is a dead faith. Many today consider church attendance their proof of faith. Their lives remain unchanged, their hearts remain dark, and their sin remains unrepented of, but they hold onto a hope that sometime long ago they said a prayer. Jesus will tell those who claim to be His, but lived their own way, “I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” As Paul Washer says, Jesus is essentially saying here, depart from Me all of you who claim to be My disciples but lived as though I never gave you a law to obey.

God’s grace is not to be trampled under your feet. The price He paid to redeem us was priceless. It was God’s own blood (Acts 20:28).

For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. (Hebrews 10:26-27)

True Believers follow the Law and produce good works because of their obedience to the Savior whom they love. To proclaim in your erroneous understanding that “salvation is by grace through faith” which means that we can “live as thou wilt,” is not only wrong, but it will lead you to Hell.

PART ONE

PART TWO

PART THREE

PART FOUR

PART FIVE

 

Faith vs Works (Part 5): Conclusion.

Faith vs Works (Part 5): Conclusion.

Those who still believe salvation comes by works and observance of the Law, I have a final question. Based on your belief that it’s the good works you add to your faith that makes you justified, what good works did the thief on the cross perform? What about the man who genuinely puts trust in Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior (faith) for the first time in his life, only to be struck and killed by a bus before he has the opportunity to be baptized, take communion, go to church, partake of the sacraments, perform any good deeds (or whatever else you require of a man for salvation)? Where does that man stand before the very God that he just put his trust in?

If you say that there are exceptions to the rule, then that would mean that God is not just and He’d be a respecter of man—giving one man exceptions to rules, laws, and ordinances that He’d hold another man to.

In the Scriptures a question is posed to Paul and Silas in relation to what a man must do to gain eternal life. The jailer asks, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

What do you think Paul and Silas said? Observe the law? Do good? Get baptized? Partake of the sacraments? No! They answered him with the simplicity that is found in salvation, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:30-31)

God offers you salvation as a free gift (Ephesians2:8-9). How do you earn a gift? If you could earn a gift, then it would make that gift a wage, and thus, it would no longer be a gift; negating the very essence and definition of what a gift is. Those who continue to hold to the belief that we are saved by works, and continue in vain to add to a sacrifice that they can never add to, you must understand that you are putting faith in your own works which can never save you. You have severed yourself from Christ and have fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4). Please let these words echo in your ears now–leading to repentance–rather than ringing in your ears in Hell when it’s too late.

PART ONE

PART TWO

PART THREE

PART FOUR

PART FIVE

 

The written Word of God and Roman Catholicism.

I trust that this will get some discussions going.

A brief comparison between the written Word of God and some of the practices of the Roman Catholic Church.

1). “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.” (Matthew 6:7)

2). “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” (Luke 20:46)

3). “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.” (Matthew 23:9)

4). You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God . . .” (Exodus 20:4-5)

The Catholic Church and their new pedophilia coloring book.

The Catholic Church has produced a new coloring book in which it warns children to beware of predator priests. Watch the video below, and read the article here.

“Being Friends. Being Safe. Being Catholic.”

Roman Catholicism and the Death Cookie.

Click on the picture to see the story. 

A Christian debates a Catholic on the street corner.

When your views are opposed to Scripture, claim it’s being misinterpreted (all the while misinterpreting it yourself).

When your authority is found outside the revealed Word of God, you fall into all kinds of error.

A comparison between John MacArthur, a Catholic Priest, Joel Osteen and Billy Graham.

In this post you will see videos from three prominent men of the Christian faith and one Catholic. Each one is interviewed by Larry King and each one is given an incredible opportunity to share the true Gospel of Jesus Christ with millions of viewers; an opportunity of the like that the Apostle Paul never had.

I present the following short video clips for your examination. Please view each and every one of them before coming to a conclusion. When you’re done, I’d like to hear from you.

Of these four men, (preferences and preconceived notions aside), which one best defends the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and which one’s teachings would you want to sit under as the shepherd of your church?

JOHN MACARTHUR

Part One

Part Two

CATHOLIC PRIEST, MICHAEL MANNING

Part One

Part Two

JOEL OSTEEN

Part One

Part Two

BILLY GRAHAM

Part One

Part Two

Catholic Mass, Halloween, and Barney the Dinosaur.

Apparently the Catholic Church is also suffering from the same problems evangelicals are: Not being able to keep the influence of worldly culture (and its insatiable desire for entertainment), out of the church.  But hey, all that matters is filling seats, right?

Gay men dressed as nuns receive Catholic communion.

Found this article over at Old Truth.

Here’s the video:

The unhealthy infatuation with Elvis is not exclusive to lukewarm Professing Christians only.

It seems that the Christian Church is not the only one battling the mixing of things that are holy with the filth of the worldly culture. Apparently the Catholic Church is also suffering from the same problems.

When it comes to the adoration worship of Elvis Presley, the apostate evangelical church now has competition. Christians had their Elvis worship leader, but the Catholics have their Elvis impersonating Priest.

Conversation with a Nun in the unlikeliest of places.

My family and I attended the state fair last night and stumbled upon a Roman Catholic booth manned by four nuns. This was an unlikely place to find such a display, but their booth was set up with numerous other vendors selling everything from cookware to sunglasses for dogs. This Catholic booth fit in perfectly with the other booths that were hawking anything and everything for a buck. The Nuns were overseeing a smorgasbord of idolatry. Here you could buy your statues of every Saint under the sun. Rosaries of every color and kind, and trinkets galore. Most predominantly though, was the plethora of Mary paraphernalia. She was everywhere. In contrast I saw our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ prominently displayed in only two capacities: As a helpless infant and as a dead man hanging on a cross.

I made myself available for approach by whichever Nun the Spirit led. (I’m confident that meeting was ordained before the earth was even formed). Of the four Nuns, the youngest, (possibly in her mid to late twenties), began the conversation with me over the “beauty” of a piece of artwork of none other than… you guessed it, the Virgin Mary. This is how the conversation began and for over the next hour I got to witness to her and share the gospel with her. I truly grieved for how they put so many “things” between us and Jesus, including Mary herself. We discussed many things but here’s a synopsis of just some of the points this Nun expressed about her Church:

* Her denomination (or sect) of Roman Catholicism doesn’t agree with the modern Catholic Church that began making compromises to their faith in the 1960’s. I could relate to that, although the compromises in evangelical churches began long before the 1960’s.

* There is no assurance of salvation and one can only hope to be in Heaven one day if they’ve done good enough. This in spite of the fact that the Bible says whoever calls on the name of the Lord WILL be saved (Romans 10:13), if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, you WILL be saved (Romans 10:9) that whoever has the Son has life, and that the Apostle John wrote this to the brethren so that they may KNOW that they have eternal life (1 John 5:12-13).

* Mary remained a virgin her whole life. In spite of Matthew 1:25, Luke 2:7, Luke 8:19-21, among other verses, that contradict this teaching.

* Mary never sinned! That’s right. According to this Nun, Mary was sinless. This in spite of the fact that all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and that Mary even brought the required sacrifice to the temple as an offering for sin (Luke 2:21-24 as per the Law in Leviticus 12:6-8).

* Mary is above the rest of mankind, but Jesus is above her. In spite of the fact that even Jesus said there’s none greater born among women than John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11). You’d think their emphasis would be on John the Baptist, not Mary.

* Mary is our mediator between man and Jesus Christ. And Jesus Christ is our mediator between Mary and God the Father. This in spite of the clear teaching in 1 Timothy 2:5 that says there is only ONE mediator between GOD and MAN and that is the man Christ Jesus.

* Jesus Christ comes down from Heaven during every Mass in every Catholic Church to be sacrificed again, and again, and again. This in spite of Hebrews 10:12 that says He offered ONE sacrifice for sins for ALL TIME and then sat down at the right hand of the Father.

I was grieved to see how Mary was elevated as she was. And regardless of how much the Nun said Mary was not above Jesus in her life, and that she didn’t worship Mary, her actions spoke louder than her words. I even pointed out how whenever she spoke of the Savior she would refer to Him as “Jesus,” or “Jesus Christ,” however, when she spoke of Mary she uttered the mantra “the Blessed Virgin.” The very words that flowed from her tongue betrayed her, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. She had more reverence for Mary than Jesus Christ… evidenced by her own words.

Of all the topics we touched on during our conversation, there was one that definitely stopped her in her tracks. One topic that penetrated the veil of deception that so heavily cloaked here eyes. Ephesians 2:8-9. The very idea that salvation is a free GIFT from God through our FAITH alone by His GRACE alone seemed to visibly minister to her heart.

Finally, at the end of our conversation, she asked me if there would ever be a circumstance in which I’d pray to the “Blessed Virgin Mother.” I assured her that there would be no circumstance that I would. She then asked me to pray to God, seeking His answer on whether or not I should pray to Mary (a petition familiar to those who’ve studied Mormonism because this is the same thing they tell you to do about the Book of Mormon). I kindly told the Nun I don’t need to pray to God about whether or not it’s permissible to pray to Mary any more than I need to pray to God to see if it’s permissible or not to commit adultery. She responded with the fact that I don’t have to pray about adultery because adultery is already declared to be wrong in the Bible. Exactly! And thus I would never need to ask God if it was okay to pray to the dead because he’s already declared it detestable. Praying to the dead is called necromancy and is forbidden by God in Leviticus 18:10-14.

She gave me a card with the Rosary prayer on it which afforded me the opportunity to give her the Chick Tract entitled The Execution. We shook hands and said we’d pray for one another. I hope to run into her again one day and get the opportunity to water those seeds. Or perhaps someone reading this will run into her in the future and have the opportunity to water those seeds. Please join with me in praying for her salvation.