Zone1 Catholics: Do you realize you have NO pope?

[zaangalewa]

While the Church does have a Pope, more importantly it has the Holy Spirit. Having political disagreements with Pope Francis doesn't make him any less a Pope. I do wish his focus was more on Catholics and less on the world. Dividing his attention between two only means he will be known as one of our weaker popes.

"to be weaker" ... is this not what Jesus always had been compared with anyone else? And will he be in the end not our all only hope?

 

[ninja007]

The False doctrine of Roman Catholic papal infallibility

 

[ninja007]

What does the Bible say about the pope / papacy?​

Answer

The Roman Catholic Church’s teaching about the pope (“pope” means “father”) is built upon and involves the following Roman Catholic teachings:

1) Christ made Peter the leader of the apostles and of the church (Matthew 16:18-19). In giving Peter the “keys of the kingdom,” Christ not only made him leader, but also made him infallible when he acted or spoke as Christ’s representative on earth (speaking from the seat of authority, or “ex cathedra”). This ability to act on behalf of the church in an infallible way when speaking “ex cathedra” was passed on to Peter’s successors, thus giving the church an infallible guide on earth. The purpose of the papacy is to lead the church unerringly.

2) Peter later became the first bishop of Rome. As bishop of Rome, he exercised authority over all other bishops and church leaders. The teaching that the bishop of Rome is above all other bishops in authority is referred to as the “primacy” of the Roman bishop.

3) Peter passed on his apostolic authority to the next bishop of Rome, along with the other apostles who passed on their apostolic authority to the bishops that they ordained. These new bishops, in turn, passed on that apostolic authority to those bishops that they later ordained, and so on. This “passing on of apostolic authority” is referred to as “apostolic succession.”

4) Based upon the claim of an unbroken chain of Roman bishops, Roman Catholics teach that the Roman Catholic Church is the true church, and that all churches that do not accept the primacy of the pope have broken away from them, the original and one true church.

Having briefly reviewed some of the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church concerning the papacy, the question is whether those teachings are in agreement with Scripture. The Roman Catholic Church sees the papacy and the infallible teaching authority of “Mother Church” as being necessary to guide the church, and uses that as logical reasoning for God’s provision of it. But in examining Scripture, we find the following:

1) While Peter was central in the early spread of the gospel (part of the meaning behind Matthew 16:18-19), the teaching of Scripture, taken in context, nowhere declares that he was in authority over the other apostles or over the church (see Acts 15:1-23; Galatians 2:1-14; 1 Peter 5:1-5). Nor is it ever taught that the bishop of Rome was to have primacy over the church. Rather, there is only one reference in Scripture of Peter writing from “Babylon,” a name sometimes applied to Rome, found in 1 Peter 5:13. Primarily from this, and the historical rise of the influence of the bishop of Rome (due to the support of Constantine and the Roman emperors who followed him), come the Roman Catholic Church’s teaching of the primacy of the bishop of Rome. However, Scripture shows that Peter’s authority was shared by the other apostles (Ephesians 2:19-20) and that the “loosing and binding” authority attributed to him was likewise shared by the local churches, not just their church leaders (see Matthew 18:15-19; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Corinthians 13:10; Titus 2:15; 3:10-11).

2) Nowhere does Scripture state that in order to keep the church from error, the authority of the apostles was passed on to those they ordained (the idea behind apostolic succession). Apostolic succession is “read into” those verses that the Roman Catholic Church uses to support this doctrine (2 Timothy 2:2; 4:2-5; Titus 1:5; 2:1; 2:15; 1 Timothy 5:19-22). What Scripture DOES teach is that false teachings would arise even from among church leaders and that Christians were to compare the teachings of these later church leaders with Scripture, which alone is cited in the Bible as infallible. The Bible does not teach that the apostles were infallible, apart from what was written by them and incorporated into Scripture. Paul, in talking to the church leaders in the large city of Ephesus, makes note of coming false teachers. Paul does NOT commend them to “the apostles and those who would carry on their authority,” but rather to “God and to the word of His grace” (Acts 20:28-32).

Again, the Bible teaches that it is Scripture that is to be used as measuring stick to determine truth from error. In Galatians 1:8-9, Paul states that it is not WHO teaches but WHAT is being taught that is to be used to determine truth from error. While the Roman Catholic Church continues to pronounce a curse to hell, or “anathema,” upon those who would reject the authority of the pope, Scripture reserves that curse for those who would teach a different gospel (Galatians 1:8-9).

3) While the Roman Catholic Church sees apostolic succession as logically necessary in order for God to unerringly guide the church, Scripture states that God has provided for His church through the following:

(a) Infallible Scripture, (Acts 20:32; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Matthew 5:18; John 10:35; Acts 17:10-12; Isaiah 8:20; 40:8; etc.) Note: Peter speaks of Paul’s writings in the same category as other Scripture (2 Peter 3:16),

(b) Christ’s unending high-priesthood in heaven (Hebrews 7:22-28),

(c) The provision of the Holy Spirit who guided the apostles into truth after Christ’s death (John 16:12-14), who gifts believers for the work of the ministry, including teaching (Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4:11-16), and who uses the written Word as His chief tool (Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians 6:17).

https://www.gotquestions.org/pope-papacy.html

 

[ninja007]

Two Sacraments​

• By Hanko, Ronald
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Why two sacraments and only two? That question needs answering over against the errors of Romanism with its seven sacraments and also over against the tendency of some Protestant groups to exalt such things as foot-washing and other rites to a place in the church where they are in effect sacraments of the church.
First, how do we know that something is a sacrament? The answer is that it must be a symbolic ritual commanded by Christ Himself and confirmed by the command or practice of the Apostles. This rules out foot-washing which, though done by Christ, is neither commanded by Him (He only says: “do as I have done to you”), nor confirmed either by the command or example of the Apostles (cf. Volume IV, Number 17). This we refer to as the “institution” of the sacraments.
Now it is clear that the other five sacraments of Rome do not meet these criteria. Confirmation, penance and orders are not symbolic of anything, and such practices as last rites (extreme unction) and orders are not commanded either by Christ or the Apostles. Nor is marriage, though symbolic, required by Christ or the Apostles.
All that, however, does not answer the question, why two sacraments, and more particularly, why these two - Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. That question must be answer that we may the more profitably make use of the sacraments.
The reason why there are two and only two sacraments in found in the sacraments themselves. Together they symbolise the whole of our Christian life. Baptism symbolises our entering into God’s covenant and salvation and the way that we enter. The Lord’s Supper symbolises our life within that covenant as we enjoy and live out the salvation He has freely given us. There is no need or place, therefore, for other sacraments, for there is nothing else to symbolise.
The wonderful thing about the sacraments, though, is that in picturing these different aspects of our Christian life, they give a united testimony to Christ. Together they say that it is all of Him, through, Him, by Him and in Him - that without Him we are nothing and have nothing.
Together they say what Peter says in Acts 4:12: “Neither is their salvation in any other; for there is none other name given under heaven among men, whereby we must be saved.” Their testimony is that of Paul in Ephesians 1:3, that we have “every spiritual blessing” in Christ.
Not only that, but they speak of the fact that His death and His blood are central. Baptism says that it is by His blood that we enter in. The Lord’s Supper adds that His blood that it is by His blood and sacrifice that we live and move and have our being, our strength and nourishment when once we have entered. His sacrifice is everything to us.
What wonderful gifts God has given us in the sacraments. Let us not then use them carelessly or faithlessly.

Two Sacraments

Why two sacraments and only two? That question needs answering over against the errors of Romanism with its seven sacraments and also over against the tendency of some Protestant groups to exalt such things as foot-washing and other rites to a place in the church where they are in effect...

www.prca.org

 

[ninja007]

The Roman Catholic Church (RCC) is a false religion​

Summary Statement
RCC has a

• false scripture
• false view of deity
• false gospel

It is therefore right to call it a false religion and call for all those who adhere to these teachings to repent and put their faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and hope of salvation. Additionally, it has other false teaching including purgatory, indulgences, and transubstantiation.
False Scripture
RCC endorses three bodies of work as authoritative: Biblical scripture, apocrypha and tradition. Of scripture they say, “Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence” Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) (paragraph 82). Specifically, regarding the apocrypha, it was in 1546 at Trent when the De Canonicis Scripturis declared the apocrypha to be canon and issued an anathema on all dissenters of this decision (meaning you protestants).
There are two primary problems with this view. First, the apocrypha is not inspired scripture. God alone gets to decide what scripture is inspired, not Rome. Interestingly, the apocrypha does even claim to be inspired unlike so much other scripture (21 Bible Verses about 'Thus' - ESV). It was not considered inspired by Jesus or the Jews of the time and the works have a host of other issues (see 1st comment).
Second, the tradition of the RCC contradicts biblical scripture constantly so it cannot be accepted as authoritative (see below). Only that which God has spoken is inspired – non-inspired writings of man cannot make the claim to be inspired simply because the church says so, especially when they contradict established scripture on so many important doctrinal issues.
False view of deity/Mary
The Bible teaches there is one God, three persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). RCC teaches that Mary was “all-holy” (CCC 721), “Queen Over All Things” (CCC 966), the “Advocate, Helper, Benefactress” (CCC 969), who is “full of grace” (CCC 722), the “new Eve” (CCC 726) and the “seat of wisdom” (CCC 721). Worse yet she was conceived without sin (CCC 722) and remained sinless thru her life (CCC 508).
However, the Bible teaches that all humans have sinned (Rom 3:23) and God alone is sinless (Habakkuk 1:13, Psalm 11:7, Titus 1:2, 1 Peter 3:18). Jesus Christ is our advocate (1 Jn 2:1) and the Holy Spirit is our advocate and helper (Jn 14:16, 26, 15:26, 16:7). So many of the claims made about Mary are unsubstantiated biblically and seek to take the place of God. For this reason, she is clearly a false idol.
False Gospel
RCC teaches salvation is a process which requires faith, baptism, and good works (CCC 2000, 1257, 2010, 2068, 2080). Eucharist, penance and indulgences are required to address the continued existence of sins in the parishioner’s life. Sadly, even all these works are not enough to guarantee immediate entrance into heaven – one may still make a pit stop in purgatory for purification (CCC 1030).
The Bible teaches salvation is by grace thru faith apart from works (Eph 2:8-9). Humans do not do good works (Romans 3:10-12, Psalm 14:1-3, Psalm 53:1-3). Furthermore the payment for all sin was already paid (1 Peter 3:18, Heb 10:10, 1 John 2:2). Salvation is a free gift (Rom 6:23) for all who believe (John 3:16). Purgatory is not taught in the Bible, but heaven and hell are taught (Matt 25:26). Only those who believe in Jesus go to heaven (Jn 14:6).
Summary, Comparison and Final Notes
Like Mormonism and Islam, RCC is a false religion. It has false scripture, false view of diety and a false gospel. It should be rejected continually and strongly on doctrinal grounds.
Now I know you may be someone who says “I believe in Jesus though and I’m a catholic!” What Jesus do you believe in? The Jesus that shares his place with Mary as God or the one true God Jesus who alone is clothed in immortality? Do you believe you will be saved because you are a good person? No one is good. If you think you are going to heaven for being good, then you are not believing the truth.
There is much more that can be said and I realize this is a limited post. I’m happy to dialogue about any other doctrinal issues in the comments. If you are someone who rejects the RCC teachings I listed but still attends a RCC church, I would implore you to leave and go to a Bible believing and teaching church.
See my chart below comparing RCC with other false religions.
Final note: much of this material comes from CARM.org and I have paraphrased and rearranged it for use in this post but please see their site for further details and full articles
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:8

 

[there4eyeM]

The most generous thing that could be said of the Papacy is that it is superfluous.

 

[notmyfault2020]

Who is to say what exactly the Bible says, assuming you even have a good, reliable copy of such (and referring to all therein that is not clear 2, say, a 7 year old)?

well, when confused about what the Bible is actually saying,

you can go by what the Original, founded-by-Christ Church says

or you can choose to.. listen to just anyone else.. Most people listen to themselves (when interpreting Scripture)

No wonder this world is insane