Hail Mary... Full of GRACE??
(Remember, its by the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are SAVED, and by NO ONE else)
If you are a catholic, by no means am I trying to start a fight. if you can explain ANY of this, then by all means show me the light. There are certain things that are said anddone by the catholic church that in SOME cases not only stray’s from the bible, but in other cases, takes off in an almost pagan like ritual all its own. here are some of my findings.
I’m not going to lay them all out, but I will give you, what I feel is some of the most obvious “errors”:
* * *
The Catholic Church has elevated Mary to the level of mediator, advocate and co-redeemer of man in clear and direct contradiction of the Scriptures. In 1854, Pope Pius IX declared Mary ‘immaculate’, and in 1951, Pope Pius XII defined and enforced the doctrine of the Bodily Assumption of Mary, thus placing Mary in a position to act as mediator and supporting the long list of claims made by Catholic saints over time. Where in the scripture that Mary has ANY salvation or grace to give? JESUS and ONLY JESUS died on the cross and rose again as our redeemer. need proof?
Try this :
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
(John 14:6)
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. – (John 3:16)
12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” – Acts 4:12
5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. – 1 Timothy 2:5-6
there is other scripture that falls in line with this teaching. but I cant find ONE THING even remotely that says Mary is a co-redeemer.
Mary takes the place of Jesus in Catholic teaching. Instead of the faithful looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of their faith, they look to Mary. In Mary they find access to God, in her the Church is all holy, in her they learn obedience to God and the list goes on and on. Not one of these doctrines can be supported by Scripture, in fact, the Scriptures teach the exact opposite. Mary takes the place of God and she herself is treated like a goddess.
Article 829 of The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
“But while in the most Blessed Virgin the Church has already reached that perfection whereby she exists without spot or wrinkle, the faithful still strive to conquer sin and increase in holiness. And so they turn their eyes to Mary: in her, the Church is already the “all-holy.”
Mary – Eschatological Icon of the Church. Article 972, The Catechism of the Catholic Church:
“After speaking of the Church, her origin, mission and destiny, we can find no better way to conclude than by looking to Mary. In her we contemplate what the Church already is in her mystery on her own “pilgrimage of faith”, and with her she will be in the homeland at the end of her journey. There “in the glory of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity,”“in the communion of all the saints,” the Church is awaited by the one she venerates as Mother of her Lord and as her own mother. In the meantime the Mother, in the glory, which she possesses in body and soul in heaven, is the image and the beginning of the Church as it is to be perfected in the world to come. Likewise she shines forth on earth, until the day of the Lord shall come, a sign of certain hope and comfort to the pilgrim People of God. ”
The title Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix and Advocate in particular should raise serious objections as it so obviously contradicts the plainest teachings of Scripture. The Bible clearly teaches that there is but one Redeemer, Mediator and Advocate for the people of God, the man Christ Jesus.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. –
1 Timothy 2:5
<<<>>> ok, moving on….
* * * * * *
The Greeks and Romans had Gods that they prayed to for different things, such as :
Now as Christians, we find that praying to anyone or anything else is biblically WRONG.
Apollo Greek (Apollo) Apollo is the son of Jupiter and Leto, and the twin brother of Diana . He is the god of music, playing a golden lyre. The Archer, far shooting with a silver bow. The god of healing who taught man medicine. The god of light. The god of truth, who can not speak a lie. One of Apollo’s more important daily tasks is to harness his chariot with four horses an drive the Sun across the sky. He is famous for his oracle at Delphi. People traveled to it from all over the Greek world to divine the future. His tree was the laurel. The crow his bird. The dolphin his animal. Ceres Greek (Demeter) Corn Goddess. Eternal Mother. the Sorrowing Mother. Grain Mother. Goddess of agriculture, grain, crops, initiation, civilization, lawgiver and the love a mother bears for her child. Protectress of women, motherhood, marriage. Daughter of Saturn and Ops. She and her daughter Proserpine were the counterparts of the Greek goddesses Demeter and Persephone. Her worship involved fertility rites and rites for the dead, and her chief festival was the Cerealia. Diana Greek (Artemis) Fertility Goddess. Moon Goddess. Huntress Goddess. Triple Goddess- Lunar Virgin, Mother of Creatures, the Huntress or Destroyer. Goddess of nature, fertility, childbirth, wildwood, moon, forests, animals, mountains, woods, and women. Goddess of the hunt. In Roman art Diana usually appears as a huntress with bow and arrow, along with a hunting dog or a stag. Both a virgin goddess and an earth goddess, she was identified with the Greek Artemis. She is praised for her strength, athletic grace, beauty and her hunting skills. With two other deities she made up a trinity: Egeria the water nymph (her servant and assistant midwife), and Virbius (the woodland god). Juno Greek (Hera) Queen of the Gods. Jupiters wife and sister, sister to Neptune and Pluto, daughter of Saturn, mother of Juventas, Mars, and Vulcan. Protectress of the Roman state. She was the guardian of the Empire’s finances and considered the Matron Goddess of all Rome. The Matronalia, her major festival is March 1-2. Her other festival, on July 7-8, was called Nonae Caprotinae (“The Nones of the Wild Fig”). The month of June was named after her. Jupiter Greek (Zeus) Ruler of the Gods. He is the god of Sky, Lightning and Thunder. He is the son of Saturn and brother of Neptune, Pluto and Juno, who is also his wife. His attribute is the lightning bolt and his symbol the eagle, who is also his messenger. He was also considered the Patron god of Rome, and his temple was the official place of state business and sacrifices. Mars Greek (Ares) God of war, spring, growth in nature, agriculture, terror, anger, revenge, courage and fertility. Protector of cattle. The son of Jupiter and Juno, he was the god of war. Mars was regarded as the father of the Roman people because he was the father of Romulus, the legendary founder of Rome, and husband to Bellona. He was the most prominent of the military gods that were worshipped by the Roman legions. The martial Romans considered him second in importance only to Jupiter. His festivals were held in March (named for him) and October. Mercury Greek (Hermes) God of Trade, Profit, Merchants and Travellers. His main festival, the Mercuralia, was celebrated on May 15 and on this day the merchants sprinkled their heads and their merchandise with water from his well near the Porta Capena. The symbols of Mercury are the caduceus (a staff with two intertwined snakes) and a purse (a symbol of his connection with commerce). Minerva Greek (Athena)
Etruscan (Menrva)Goddess of Wisdom, Learning, the Arts, Sciences, Medicine, Dyeing, Trade, and of War. Daughter of Jupiter, protectress of commerce, industry and education. Honored at the spring equinox with her main festival, March 19 – 23, called the Quinquatria. On June 13 the minor Quinquatrus was observed. Neptune Greek (Poseidon) God of the Sea. Brother of Jupiter, Pluto and Juno. The God and patron of Horses and Horse Racing as Neptune Equester. Neptunalia was celebrated on July 23. The trident is Neptune’s attribute. Venus Greek (Aphrodite) Originally a Goddess of Gardens and Vinyards, Venus became the major deity of love and beauty after the influx of Greek deities. On August 18 the Vinalia Rustica was observed. A second festival, that of the Veneralia, was celebrated on April 1 in honor of Venus Verticordia, who later became the protector against vice. On April 23 a festival, the Vinalia Priora, celebrated the opening of one of her temples. Vesta Greek (Hestia) Goddess of the Fire (both sacred and domestic) and the Hearth. Daughter of Saturn and Ops. Her sacred animal was the ass. Patroness of bakers. Her chief festival was the Vestalia on June 7. One of the most worshipped of the Roman deities. Vulcan Greek (Hephaestus) God of Fire, Blacksmiths and Craftsmanship. His forge is located beneath Mount Etna. It is here that he, together with his helpers, forges weapons for Gods and heroes. Closely associated with Bona Dea with whom he shared the Volcanalia, observed on August 23.
Alot of people (Romans and Greeks alike, no longer pray to or worship these “gods”
I only bring this up for THIS reason, (once again, the belief in this is purely UNbiblical)
whats the difference in praying to these gods than say to “Patron Saints”
(Heres a small list):
this is Just a VERY VERY VERY small portion of the Saints (A through C)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaA list of patron saints of ailments, illness and dangers:[EDIT] A
- Abd-al-Masih - sterile women (in Syria)
- Saint Abel- patron of the blind and the lame
- Abhai- poisonous reptiles
- Agapitus of Palestrina -invoked against colic[1]
- Agatha - breast cancer[2]
- Agathius - headache
- Agricola of Avignon - bubonic plague, misfortunes
- Agrippina of Mineo- invoked against evil spirits, leprosy, thunderstorms, bacterial diseases, and bacterial infections
- Albinus of Angers - against pirateattack
- Aloysius Gonzaga- the blind
- Amabilis of Riom - invoked against fire, snakes, and snake bites;[3] also invoked against demonic possession, mental illness, poison, wild beasts[4]
- Andrew Avellino- sudden death
- Andrew Corsini - riot, civil disorder
- Anthony - skin disease, Saint Anthony’s fire[5]
- Anthony of Padua - Missing peopleand lost things
- Apollinaris - epilepsy, gout
- Apollonia - toothache
- Arthelais - kidnapping, illness
- Aspren - invoked against migraine[6]
- Audoin (Ouen) -deafness[7]
- Augustine of Hippo- sore eyes
- Adrian of Nicomedia - plague, epilepsy
[EDIT] B
- Balbina - scrofula[8]
- Berlinda of Meerbeke- invoked against cattle diseases[9]
- Bernardino of Siena- chest problems, lung problems, gambling addictions
- Bessus - protector of soldiers against the dangers of war; also invoked for fertility.[10]
- Blaise - ailments of the throat
[EDIT] C
As you can see, Catholics see them selves as the one TRUE christian faith and everyone else is WRONG.
- Castulus -invoked against erysipelas, lightning, horse theft, wildfires, and drowning.[11]
- Catherine of Vadstena-against abortion, miscarriage
- Chad of Merccia- against the losers, defeats, disappointed and unsuccessful.
- Christina the Astonishing-against insanity, mental disorders
- Coloman - plague, sick horses, against hanging
- Conrad of Piacenza -against hernias
- Cornelius - invoked against epilepsy, cramps, afflictions associated with the nerves and ears.[12]
- Crescentinus- headache
- Cyriacus - eye disease.
If this is true, then why do we, (the wrong) pray to the one and ony God of Israel, and you(of the true faith) pray to God AND MaryAND Saints.
I don’t understand how replace God with man (living OR dead)
Again, moving on>>>>>>>>>>>>
The final authority: God, or the pope?
According to Catholic doctrine, church tradition and the magisterium are just as much the Word of God as are the written Scriptures:
The obvious question is, what happens when these three “final authorities” disagree with each other? The Catechism gives this answer:
“Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit. And (Holy) Tradition transmits in its entirety the Word of God which has been entrusted to the apostles by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit. ” (Pg. 26, #81)
It is important to note that when the Catechism explains that the task of interpreting the Word of God was entrusted to the “Church,” it is referring exclusively to the Roman Catholic church. Such is the case throughout the Catechism. “The Church” always refers to the Roman Catholic church.
“The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living, teaching office of the Church alone. This means that the task of interpretation has been entruste d to the bishops in communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome.” (Pg. 27, #85)
The Catechism repeats the same doctrine using different words:
Therefore, the Catechism concludes that the one final authority is not the Bible, but the current teaching of the Catholic church, since she is the only one qualified to provide an “authentic in-terpretation” of God’s Word.
“For, of course, all that has been said about the manner of interpreting Scripture is ultimately subject to the judgment of the Church which exercises the divinely conferred commission and m inistry of watching over and interpreting the Word of God.” (Pg. 34, #119)
Does the Bible agree?If the Bible, tradition and the teachings of the Catholic church are all, in fact, the Word of God, then the Bible will concur with this teaching. Unfortunately for Catholicism, it does not . In fact, quite the contrary is true. God declares in the Bible that His written Word always has been, and always will be – perfect:
The Bible boldly declares that it is the only final authority:
“Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.”Psalm 119: 160″The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” Psalm 12:6-7
In the book of Revelation, God delivers this blistering warning about tampering with His written Word:
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 17:17
The Apostle Paul advises Bible readers how they should react to those who teach doctrines contrary to God’s written Word:
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Revelation 22:18-19
Paul admonishes true believers to avoid anyone who teaches doctrines contrary to the written Scriptures. He also reveals the consequences of believing such false teachings:
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offencescontrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:17-18
Then Paul immediately repeats himself:
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”Galatians 1:8
Thus, when Catholic doctrine contradicts God’s written Word, those who side against the Holy Scriptures will be “accursed.”
“As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:9
_________________________________________________________________
It seems the Catholic church would rather have a ritualistic relationship with God rather than a personal relationship. (sad really)
1ST ISSUE: BASIS OF TRUTH
BIBLE: The Bible is the sufficient source for truth
Titus 1:2 – “God cannot lie.”
Matthew 4:4 – Jesus answered “It is written: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
Deuteronomy 4:2 – “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto every good work.”
ROME says: The basis of truth is not just the Bible but also tradition plus what is proposed as divinely revealed by the Roman Church.
CCC* 82 – “The Church… does not derive her certainty about all revealed truths from the holy Scriptures alone. Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence.” (*Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), Veritas, 1994.)
Canon 750** “All that is contained in the written word of God or in tradition, that is, in the one deposit of faith,… must be believed with divine and catholic faith.” (**The official Post-Vatican Council II Roman Catholic source quoted is The Code Of Canon Law: A Text And Commentary promulgated by the Authority of Pope John Paul II, 1983, published by the Paulist Press, 1985.)
QUESTION: If God said His word was all we need, why would we seek religious traditions which end up according to Jesus in St. Mark 7:13, “making the word of God of none effect” (of no use)? Scripture is to be our only source for God’s truth.
2ND ISSUE: INERRANCY
Can we trust the Bible, or the Church to speak faithfully for God, and without any error?
BIBLE: God’s Word alone is without any error.
Psalm 12:6 “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.”
Psalm 119:160 “Thy word is true from the beginning.”
John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.”
Proverbs 30:5-6 “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”
Romans 3:4 “Let God be true, but every man a liar.”
ROME: The Pope’s word is infallible when he proclaims on matters of faith or morals.
Canon 749 – “The Supreme Pontiff, in virtue of his office, possessesinfallible teaching authority when, as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful … he proclaims with a definitive act that adoctrine of faith or morals is to be held as such.” (Sect. 1)
Canon 333 (Sect. 3) – “There is neither appeal nor recourse against a decision or decree of the Roman Pontiff.”
QUESTION: Which authority are you willing to stake your future on – God’s word, or man’s teaching?
3RD ISSUE: HOW ONE IS SAVED?
BIBLE: It is by grace that a person is saved through faith in the substitutionary death of Christ Jesus. This is a giftfrom God.
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Isaiah 53:5 – “But he (Jesus) was wounded for our transgressions(sins), he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed.”
Romans 5:1 – “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Hebrews 10:26 – “There remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.”
ROME: We become children of God by baptism, and through a whole lot of effort from then on.
CCC 1821 – “In every circumstance, each one of us should hope, with the grace of God, to persevere ‘to the end’ and to obtain the joy of heaven, as God’s eternal reward for the good worksaccomplished with the grace of Christ.”
Canon 849 – “Baptism, the gate to the sacraments, necessary for salvation in fact or at least in intention, by which men and women are freed from their sins, are reborn as children of God…”
QUESTION: With all your best efforts, are you 100% certain you are worthy of heaven when you die, and that you will not end up instead in hell for all your sins? If not sure, then don’t overlook the full forgiveness and pardon offered by Jesus Christ on the cross!
4TH ISSUE: CONFESSION TO GOD OR MAN?
BIBLE: Sins are forgiven by you confessing them directly to God.
Mark 2:7 – “Who can forgive sins but God only?”
1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Psalms 32:5: “I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.”
1 Timothy 2:5 – “There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
ROME: The only ordinary way to have serious sins forgiven is to confess to a priest.
CCC 1456 – “Confession to a priest is an essential part of the sacrament of Penance.”
Canon 960 – “Individual and integral confession and absolution constitute the only ordinary way by which the faithful person who is aware of serious sin is reconciled with God and with the Church;. . .”
Canon 978 (Sect. 1) – “In hearing confessions the priest is to remember that he acts as a judge as well as a healer…”
The only way into heaven is to have all your sins paid forbefore death. The Church says it is by your works of contrition and penance, while God says it is by faith in the perfect work of Jesus Christ! Shouldn’t you be trusting Jesus, who alone gave Himself in your place on the Cross knowing every one of your sins ahead of time?
5TH ISSUE: GRAVEN IMAGES
BIBLE: We are to have no graven images for worship. God utterly despises them!
Exodus 20:4-5 – “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God.”
Leviticus 26:1 – “Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it. ”
Romans 1:22-24 – “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image…. Wherefore God also gave them up.”
ROME says: Display of sacred images is to remain, to encourage the worship of the saints.
Canon 1188 – “The practice of displaying sacred images in the churches for the veneration of the faithful is to remain in force;
QUESTION: Does God want anyone to turn to idols or to religious statues as aids in worship when we have a living Saviour and Lord named Jesus?
YOU DECIDE!
