ONE STEP AT A TIME
Some of you may have been following our study of Catholicism vs. Christianity for the past many weeks, while others of you may be joining us for the first time today. In a world where the lines have become blurred, my goal is to provide you with a clear visual of the differences between the two. This lesson will be a two parter so, if you find today’s reading helpful, be sure to check in next week, for the second half of the list. If you are just joining us, please know my list is compiled after deep study as a former devout Catholic myself.
CATHOLICISM (RCC)
CHRISTIANITY (BIBLE)
Essential Doctrinal Differences
Christ’s work of redemption is not finished. and His atonement is not sufficient.
*Heb 9:12 “He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”
The Trinity
Catholicism believes that Mary is co-Redeemer and co-Mediator with Jesus. Hence, there are four people in the Trinity.
*Christianity believes in The Trinity: One God Who exists as three distinctPersons: Father, Son and Spirit.
The Final Authority
Tradition and Papal laws have higher authority than the Bible.
*Christianity believes that the Bible is The Word of God (2 Ti 3:16-17).
Communion (Transubstantiation)
In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist “the body and blood, together with the soul and Divinity, of Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly and substantially contained.” [200] (emphasis in the original).
*At the Last Supper, Jesus instructed His disciples in 22:19 “Do this in remembrance of Me.” With the symbols of His body and blood before them- the bread and the wine- they were to proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Cor 11:26)
Grace and Salvation
If anyone says that the faith which justifies is nothing else but trust in the divine mercy which pardons sins because of Christ; or that it is that trust alone by which we are justified: let him be anathema. (Council of Trent, session 6 Decree on Justification)
*Eph 2:8-9 (NKJV) “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, nof of works, lest anyone should boast.”
*Rom 6:23 (NKJV) “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus Our Lord.”
UNCERTAINTY OR ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY
The RCC believes that even though a sin has been forgiven, punishment must still be paid [1473].
The RCC affirmed the existence of purgatory at each of the last three ecumenical councils including Vatican II. The Catechism of the RCC describes purgatory as a place of “cleansing fire” [1031]. The Bible states that sins are cleansed by blood not fire.
*1 Jn 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and wil forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
*1 Pe 1:17-18 “For you know it was not with perishable things… that you are redeemed… but with the precious blood of Christ.”
*John 14:13-14 “And whatever you ask in My Name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My Name, I will do it.”
MARY, MOTHER OF JESUS
Rosary: Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
“Being obedient, she became the cause of salvation for herself and the whole human race (494) and [O]ne can justly say that with Christ, she redeemed mankind (Encyclical Intersodalici, 1918) (The Berean Call 4/2019)
*1 Ti 2:5 “For there is One Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.”
*1 Pe 1:17-18 “For you know it was not with perishable things… that you are redeemed… but with the precious blood of Christ.”
*John 14:13-14 “And whatever you ask in My Name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My Name, I will do it.
PAPACY
The leader of the RCC is defined as… “the Vicar of Christ”… The Pope is considered the man on earth who represents the Son of God, Who “takes the place of” (the meaning of Vicar) the Second Person of the Omnipotent God of the Trinity… Catholics believe this and therefore call him “Holy Father” (pp. 3-4 in Crossing the Threshold of Hope, Autobiography of Pope John Paul II, edited by Vittorio Messori).
Basis of Papacy: Mt 16:18 “you are Peter and upon this rock I will build My church.”
*Mt. 23:8 “Do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He Who is in Heaven.”
*A careful study proves that the context of the entire passage centers around the identity of Jesus and not the exaltation of Peter. The exact reading of the verse is: “You are Petros (Peter, a small stone) and upon this petra– a bedrock foundation referring to Himself, Jesus would build His church.
(To be continued)
Holding His Word Higher 