Catholicism is FALSE!!!

 

amning and a false religion. It is nothing less than a front for the kingdom of Satan. It preaches and promotes a damning delusion. Jesus said that we will recognise false teachers by their fruit. Here are some of the ‘fruits’ of Catholicism, so judge for yourself:

• The Roman Catholic Church has brutally punished those who reject it’s false religious system.
• It has a false priesthood.
• It has a false source of revelation and tradition in the Magisterium.
• It has illegitimate granted to it by this Magisterium or Papal Curia.
• It engages in idolatry through the worship of saints and the veneration of Angels.
• It exalts Mary above Christ, and even God.
• It conducts a twisted sacrament of the Mass by which Jesus is sacrificed over and over again.
• It offers false forgiveness through the confessional.
• It calls for the uselessness of infant baptism and other sacraments.
• Motivated by money, it has invented Purgatory (a place that offers a second chance after death, so that we can avoid hell). Without the concept of purgatory in the Catholic Church, the system does not work.
• It offers a works based religion. Salvation does not teach justification by faith through Christ alone. Salvation is earned through participation in a long journey towards salvation; this salvation is therefore gained by our own good merits (through good works). Justification, as taught by the Catholic Church, is achieved through the attainment of salvation by our own good works. Salvation therefore comes through the self-righteousness of man and not the saving power of Christ alone.
• It promotes the abominations of idol worship, prayers to the dead saints, the worship of idols and relics, and forced celibacy.
• It invented the concept of Indulgences (selling forgiveness for money).
• It is a system that promotes guilt and fear rather than the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.
• The Papacy has usurped the leadership of Christ over the Church.
• The Popes throughout history, have exercise tyranny over the Church of Christ.
• It presents fallible men as the Vicars of Christ (the Popes).
• The Papacy and Priests are called Holy Father – a title reserved only for God the Father.
• It denies the reality of Hell.
• It teaches universal salvation for all of humanity.
• The Popes embrace all religions.
• The Catholic Church admits that they do not draw their teaching and authority from the Bible alone.
• It teaches that only the Papacy has the power to interpret the teachings of the Bible. Furthermore, the Papacy claims to be infallible.
• The Pope claims to be the King of the Earth and submits to no one. (That is why the Vatican City is a City State).

https://youtu.be/ToMLm6fC0fY

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:

I am not Roman Catholic because Rome denies the gospel. Rome has a gospel but not the gospel and, in reality, their gospel damns not saves because it explicitly denies that justification comes by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Rome accurately understands the Protestant position and unapologetically anathematizes it. To the work of Christ it adds the work of Mary. To the intercession of the Savior it adds the intercession of the saints. To the authority of the Bible it adds the authority of tradition. To the free gift of salvation it adds the necessity of human effort. In place of the finished work of Christ on the cross it demands the ongoing sacrifice of the mass. In place of the permanent imputation of Christ’s righteousness it substitutes the temporary infusion of works righteousness. In so many different ways it explicitly and unapologetically denies truth and promotes error. The Roman Catholic gospel is a false gospel.

I am not Roman Catholic because Rome is not the church. Rome claims to trace her lineage in an unbroken line that extends all the way back to the apostle Peter to whom Christ said, “Upon this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). In this way she says that she is thechurch with the power and authority to demand the allegiance and bind the conscience of every Christian. I do not recognize such lineage and, therefore, do not recognize such authority. Her claims are unprovable and represent a distortion of the Bible’s claims about Christ’s church. To be Catholic I would first have to bend the knee to the pope as the successor to Peter and acknowledge the Church as the continuation of what Christ began through his disciples. I cannot, because the Roman Catholic Church is a false church.

I am not Roman Catholic because Catholic worship is idolatrous. Protestants commonly charge Catholicism with promoting worship of Mary or the saints. Under the tutelage of R.C. Sproul I came to understand that this charge requires nuance and is, to some degree, a matter of defining words such as “venerate.” And yet there is undeniably a seed of what I must acknowledge as idolatry. This was affirmed during a recent trip to Europe where in Germany and Austria I visited Catholic cathedrals and saw the veneration of bones, relics, and icons, and where I saw the Church advocating and promoting prayers to Mary and the saints. Here was Catholicism in its full bloom and it was as alarming as it was tragic. I saw people who have not known the joyous freedom of the gospel desperately extending worship to or through Mary and the saints. They did it all under the guidance of their Church. In many of its forms Roman Catholic worship is idolatrous.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)

According to google,

Church membership, defined as baptised Catholics, was 1.272 billion at the end of 2014, which is 17.8% of the world population. Catholicsrepresent about half of all Christians. (8/27/2018) 

Masses of people are in the grip of the Roman Catholic Church. This is a death grip.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. (Proverbs 14:12)

The deception is intense. But, if it is not broken by coming "to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4), it will lead every last one of them to unending torture in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone where "unbelieving" "idolaters" will spend eternity (Rev 21:8). Followers of false religion are "idolaters" and "unbelieving," and they are "deceiving and being deceived" (2 Timothy 3:13).

Whether or not a Catholic is familiar with Catholicism's destructive heresies, the Catholic is nonetheless following a "stranger" (John 10:5) and not Christ, the "Truth" (John 14:6).

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. (1 Timothy 4:1-3)

As false teachers do (2 Peter 2:20-22), Catholics have departed from the faith and given heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons (see below). They claim to speak the truth of God, but instead speak lies in hypocrisy as they claim to be the church of God, but are in reality a church of Satan (as in Revelation 2:9; 3:9 "synagogue of Satan"). They forbid to marry, command to abstain from foods, preach a false gospel (Galatians 1:8-9), a false Jesus, idolatry, and damning lies.

I. Suicide

The Catholic church teaches you can kill yourself and go to heaven. This is a "damnable" heresy (as in 2 Peter 2:1 KJV). People who follow this lie and kill themselves will certainly end up in hell.

In the official Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) on page 550 the Catholic church teaches, 

Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide.

We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives. (CCC, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, copyright 1994, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA, p. 550, #2282 & 2283)

What a great temptation and deception for someone in despair, to think they can kill themselves and still be forgiven before God! For a Catholic, being caught in a false religion and thus killing themselves in the midst of sin and falsehood, would certainly perish.

For a "believer" in God's Word, killing oneself goes directly against Matthew 24:13; John 15:1-6; Romans 11:22; 1 Corinthians 15:2; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 3:6, 14; 12:25; and 1 John 5:4. Committing suicide is not enduring to the end (Matthew 24:13). It is not abiding in Christ (John 15:1-6). It is not continuing in His goodness (Romans 11:22). It is not holding fast the word (1 Corinthians 15:2). It is definitely being moved away from the hope of the gospel (Colossians 1:23). It is not holding fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end (Hebrews 3:6). It is not holding the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end (Hebrews 3:14). It is refusing and turning away from Him who speaks from heaven (Hebrews 12:25). And, it is not overcoming the world (1 John 5:4), but rather being overcome by the world and the devil (1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 5:18).

Besides being a comforting lie for those still living, this Catholic teaching on suicide opens wide the door of death and Hades (Luke 16:19-31; Revelation 20:11-15) to those in despair. This is certainly a damning lie. For more on suicide, see atruechurch.info/suicide.html.

II. Muslims

In the official Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) on page 230 the Catholic church teaches, 

The Churches relationship with Muslims. "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day." (CCC, p. 223, #841)

Muslims are in a false religion (Islam). Islam teaches Jesus was "not . . . crucified" (Quran, Surat 4, Ayat 157) and was not God's Son (S. 9, A. 30). Thus, Islam rejects the true Christ who died for all mankind (S. 4:157, 171; 5:17; 9:30; John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:6). I John 2:23 says, 

Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

The Catholic church attributes salvation to the Muslims. This denies the words of Christ (John 14:6), and makes the Catholic way very broad (Matthew 7:13-14; Luke 13:24). They accept (as saved) even those who reject the Son of God.

He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. (1 John 5:10)

Muslims make God a liar. This makes Muslims "liars," for they bear false witness of God (Pro 12:17; 21:28). Thus, Revelation 21:8 stands true for all Muslims.

But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Rev 21:8)

III. Homosexuals

Catholics "turn the grace of our God into lewdness" (as in Jude 4) in their teaching on homosexuality.

The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. They do not choose their homosexual condition; for most of them it is a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition. (CCC, p. 566, #2358)

There is no such thing as a Christian homosexual ("if they are Christians"). 1 Corinthians 6:11 says, "and such were some of you", not "such are some of you."

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such weresome of you. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11a)

IV. Forbidding to Marry

A. Forbidding Priests to Marry

In Revelation 1:6 John calls all believers "priests." But, the Catholics teach "as doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9) and have their own special class of priests. In the official Catechism of the Catholic Church on page 395 under #1580, speaking in the context of "priests" it states:

In the East as in the West a man who has already received the sacrament of Holy Orders can no longer marry.

It is well known that both priests and nuns are forbidden to marry. Yet, Scripture condemns such a practice in 1 Timothy 4. Despite this clear declaration of the Word of God, Catholic Answers (a Catholic apologetic ministry, P. O. Box 199000, San Diego, CA 92159; 619-387-7200; www.catholic.com) has produced a tract entitled "Celibacy and the Priesthood" in which they attempt to justify the unholy ways of the Catholic Church. In this tract, they write, ". . . the Catholic Church does not forbid anyone to marry." But then, "speaking lies in hypocrisy" (1 Timothy 4:2) in the next paragraph they state,

It is true that Catholic priests in the West may not be married, but no one is obliged to become a priest.

Marriage is not forbidden to them as human beings, but as priests.

It is still forbidden! 1 Timothy 4:3 simply says, "forbidding to marry", not "forbidding to marry as human beings." Earlier (in the first paragraph of the tract) they admit (speaking in the context of the "Eastern Rites"),

Once ordained, though, an unmarried priest may not marry, and a married priest, if widowed, may not remarry.

B. Forbidding Polygamy

In the official Catechism of the Catholic Church on page 574 it states,

The predicament of a man who, desiring to convert to the Gospel, is obliged to repudiate one or more wives with whom he has shared years of conjugal life, is understandable. However polygamy is not in accord with the moral law." [Conjugal] communion is radically contradicted by polygamy; this, in fact, directly negates the plan of God which was revealed from the beginning, because it is contrary to the equal personal dignity of men and women who in matrimony give themselves with a love that is total and therefore unique and exclusive." The Christian who has previously lived in polygamy has a grave duty in justice to honor the obligations contracted in regard to his former wives and his children. (CCC, p. 574, #2387, underling added)

Adultery, divorce, polygamy, and free union are grave offenses against the dignity of marriage. (CCC, p. 576, #2400, underlining added)¹

Although the Bible nowhere teaches "matrimony" is "exclusive" or that "polygamy" is a "grave" offense, the Catholic church does. They add to God's Word (Pro 30:5-6). Moreover, Scripture actually teaches, via David's example, that polygamy is "right in the eyes of the Lord" (1 Kings 15:5).

David had at least 10 wives and 10 concubines and was not disobedient against the Lord in doing so. 1 Kings 15:5 says,

David did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, and had not turned aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

One of the many things "He commanded him" was not to "multiply wives for himself" (Deut 17:17). God's command to king David, as King of Israel, was,

he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the LORD has said to you, "You shall not return that way again." Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself. (Deuteronomy 17:16-17)

David did none of these things. He "had not turned aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite" (1 Kings 15:5). David, as a polygamist, "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord." And as a polygamist, so did Abraham, Jacob, Caleb, Gideon, etc., do what was right in the eyes of the Lord.

He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD. (Pro 18:22)

Moreover, in this prohibition against polygyny the Catholic church disobeys Christ's direct command found in Matthew 19:6.

"For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh"? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate. (Matthew 19:5-6)

By teaching a polygamist man "is obliged to repudiate one or more wives with whom he has shared years of conjugal life," they advocate divorce. In God's eyes, divorce is treachery and "violence" (Malachi 2:13-16). Thus, via their teaching on polygamy, the Catholic church advocates treachery and violence and speaks lies in hypocrisy. They call divorce a "grave" offense, but then command it. For more on polygamy, see atruechurch.info/polygamy.html.

V. Commanding to Abstain From Foods

Jovian P. Lang, OFM, in his book entitled Dictionary of the Liturgy (copyright 1989, Catholic book publishing Co. N.Y.) on page 11 writes under "Abstinence,"

Refraining from eating meat or food prepared with meat on certain days as commanded by the church, to remind us of Jesus' redeeming Death (on a Friday), to prepare for the celebration of certain feasts, to win heavenly graces, and to practice the virtue of penance (to atone for sin and for help in the firm purpose of amendment). "Days of abstinence" in the United States include Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and Fridays of Lent." On other Fridays of the year, all are exhorted to perform acts of devotion, self-denial, and charity in the spirit of piety and penance, and particularly for peace; abstinence from meat is especially recommended but under no obligation by law. Canon Law for the world prescribes abstinence on all Fridays (Canon 1251).

Mr. Lang acknowledges here that the Catholic Church does command to "abstain from foods" (1 Timothy 4:3). Catholic "Canon Law" (the official law of the Catholic Church) makes such a prohibition.

Canon 1251 - Abstinence from eating meat or another food according to the prescriptions of the conference of bishops is to be observed on Fridays throughout the year unless they are solemnities; abstinence and fast are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and on the Friday of the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ. (The Code Of Canon Law: A Text And Commentary, p. 854, copyright 1985 by the Canon Law Society of America, published by Paulist Press, Mahwah, N. J.)

Catholics are "bound" by this law of abstinence.

Canon 1252 - All persons who have completed their fourteenth year are bound by the law of abstinence; (ibid., p. 855). 

In other words, they are commanded to not eat meat ("or another food") on certain days. Worldwide, these days include Ash Wednesday, Fridays of Lent, Good Friday, and every other Friday of the year. For those in the United States, every Friday of the year is no longer obligatory.

The National Conference of Catholic Bishops in their pastoral statement of November 18, 1966 determined the following:

Catholics in the United States are obliged to abstain from the eating of meat on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays during the season of Lent. They are also obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and on Good Friday. Self-imposed observance of fasting on all weekdays of Lent is strongly recommended. Abstinence from flesh meat on all Fridays of the year is especially recommended to individuals and to the Catholic community as a whole. (ibid., p. 855)

VI. False Gospel

Besides rejecting the gospel of God (Romans 9:6-22) in regards to predestination ("God predestines no one to hell;" CCC, p. 270, #1037), the Catholic Church has created their own gospel of "sacraments." In this also they speak lies in hypocrisy (1 Timothy 4:2). They deem Muslims as having salvation, but Muslims do not practice these sacraments. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) on page 292 under #1129 the following is written:

The Church affirms that for all believers the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation. (italics in original)

What are these "sacraments" that are necessary for salvation?

There are seven sacraments in the Church: Baptism, Confirmation or Chrismation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. (CCC, p. 289, #1113; see also p. 311, #1210)

This is the tradition of men (Matthew 15: 8-9; Colossians 2:8-10), not the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9). Scripture nowhere teaches any such sacraments necessary for salvation. What is necessary for salvation is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (the Word, John 1:1; Revelation 19:13). As John 3:36 says,

He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. (John 3:36)

In the case of baptism, indeed Biblical "baptism now saves us" (1 Peter 3:21), but it is "not the removal of filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God" (1 Peter 3:21). Catholic baptism profits no one (1 Timothy 4:1-3).

VII. A False Christ

One of the above "sacraments" "necessary for salvation" is the Eucharist, a false Jesus.

In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist "the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained." (italics in original, CCC, p. 346, #1374)

In other words, the bread literally becomes Jesus' body and the wine literally becomes his blood.

It is by the conversion of the bread and wine into Christ's body and blood that Christ becomes present in this sacrament. (CCC, p. 346, #1375)

At the heart of the Eucharist celebration are the bread and wine that, by the words of Christ and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, become Christ's Body and Blood. (CCC, p. 336, #1333)

The signs of bread and wine become, in a way surpassing understanding, the Body and Blood of Christ; (CCC, p. 336, #1333)

Only validly ordained priests can preside at the Eucharist and consecrate the bread and the wine so that they become the Body and Blood of the Lord. (CCC, p. 355, #1411)

The Catholics call this "transubstantiation" (CCC, p. 347, #1376), and claim it is the "true Body" and "true Blood" of Christ.

"That in this sacrament are the true Body of Christ and his true Blood is something that 'cannot be apprehended by the senses,' says St. Thomas, 'but only by faith, . . . (CCC, p. 348, #1381)

What is meant by the "true Body" and "true Blood" of Christ? The same literal body and blood that was hung on the cross some 2000 years ago!

In the Eucharist Christ gives us the very body which he gave up for us on the cross, the very blood which he "poured out for man for the forgiveness of sins." (CCC, p. 344, #1365)

The Eucharist is most important in the life of the Church because it is Jesus Christ. It is the incarnation continued in space and time. (Question and Answer Catholic Catechism, question 1212, p. 244, by John A. Hardon, copyright 1981)

Catholic Answers goes so far as to say,

After the consecration of the bread and wine, no bread or wine remains on the altar. Only Jesus himself, under the appearance of bread and wine, remains. (Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth, p. 17)

As should be seen from the above, the wafer and the wine is the Catholic Jesus. And this Catholic Jesus (a piece of bread and some wine) is worshipped.

Is Jesus Christ present in the Eucharist as long as the species remain? Yes, Jesus Christ is present in the Eucharist as long as the species remain. Therefore, we worship the Blessed Sacrament as we would worship the person of Jesus Himself. (Question and Answer Catholic Catechism, question 1227, p. 246-247, John A. Hardon)

Worship of the Eucharist. In the liturgy of the Mass we express our faith in the real presence of Christ under the species of bread and wine by, among other ways, genuflecting or bowing deeply as a sign of adoration of the Lord. (CCC, p. 347, #1378)

The Church and the world have a great need for Eucharistic worship. Jesus awaits us in this sacrament of love. Let us not refuse the time to go to meet him in adoration, . . . (CCC, p. 348, #1380)

This false god and false Christ is the result of some serious twisting (2 Peter 3:16) and adding (Proverbs 30:5-6) to the words of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Paul wrote,

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.

This bread and "drink" is for "remembrance." But, according to the Catholic church it is "substantial presence."

. . . it is a substantial presence by which Christ, God and man, makes himself wholly and entirely present. (CCC, p. 346, #1374)

Nowhere does the Word of God say anything about the bread (or wine) becoming anything. In fact, in John 6:53 where Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you," even here, Jesus lets us know He is not speaking of eating His literal body and blood.

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63)

Nonetheless, this Eucharistic worship (worship of a piece of bread) is the centerpiece of the Catholic way.

The Eucharist is the heart and summit of the Church's life, . . . (CCC, p. 355, #1407)

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." (CCC, p. 334, #1327)

Furthermore, in the celebration of this Eucharist (the Mass), the Catholic false Christ is continually offered up as a sacrifice.

The Eucharist is thus a sacrifice because it re-presents (makes present) the sacrifice of the cross, . . . (CCC, p. 344, #1366)

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 alter of the cross is contained and is offered in an unbloody manner." (CCC, p. 344, #1367)

This is completely contrary to Hebrews 7:26-27; 9:25-28; and 10:11-14.

Moreover, according to Catholics, forgiveness of sins (for both the living and the dead) comes through this false Christ (the Eucharist) and this false sacrifice (the Mass).

Holy Communion separates us from sin. The body of Christ we receive in Holy Communion is "given up for us," and the blood we drink "shed for the many for the forgiveness of sins." For this reason the Eucharist cannot unite us to Christ without at the same time cleansing us from past sins and preserving us from future sins: (CCC, p. 351, #1393)

The Eucharist sacrifice is also offered for the faithful departed who "have died in Christ but are not yet wholly purified," (CCC, p. 345, #1371)

This is in opposition to Romans 8:1, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus," Hebrews 9:12, ". . . with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption", and Hebrews 10:14, "For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified."

VIII. Idolatry

Besides the idolatry of a false god/Christ (the Catholic god being reduced to a piece of bread), Catholicism is further entrenched in idolatry in the veneration of the saints. Their idolatry is found both in giving homage to images (idols), and praying to angels or "saints" (many of whom are Catholic people who have died in their sins, thus they are praying to dead people who are presently burning in hell, e.g. Luke 16:19-31).

A. Prayer To Saints

Prayer is a form of worship. Biblically, it is either wrongfully used in the worship of false gods (idols, e.g. Isaiah 44:17; 45:20) or the worship of the one true God (directly to Him, e.g. Psalm 17). Therefore, despite the Catholic denial that they are worshiping those they are praying to (angels and saints), they are nonetheless worshiping them.

In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, speaking in the context of the saints it says,

"We can and should ask them to intercede for us and for the whole world." (p. 645, #2683).

Catholic Answers writes,

Our prayer to the saints in heaven, asking for their prayers for us, and their intercession with the Father do not undermine Christ's role as sole Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5). (Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth, p. 21)

Here again, they speak lies in hypocrisy (1 Timothy 4:2). Yes it does "undermine Christ's role as sole Mediator." It completely denies that "there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5). Prayers to the saints to make "intercession" creates many mediators (intercessors) in the heavens between God and men, which the Bible nowhere teaches. In truth, for those who follow the true Christ, we have the Son of God Himself. We need (nor want) no other (Ephesians 1:3; Colossians 2:8-10; 2 Peter 1:3).

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34)

B. Images

The official Catholic teaching on images reads as follows:

2131 Basing itself on the mystery of the incarnate Word, the seventh ecumenical council at Nicaea (787) justified against the iconoclasts the veneration of icons - of Christ, but also of the Mother of God, the angels, and all the saints. By becoming incarnate, the Son of God introduced a new "economy" of images.

2132 The Christian veneration of images is not contrary to the first commandment which proscribes idols. Indeed, "the honor rendered to an image passes to its prototype," and "whoever venerates an image venerates the person portrayed in it." The honor paid to sacred images is a "respectful veneration," not the adoration due to God alone:

Religious worship is not directed to images in themselves, considered as mere things, but under their distinctive aspect as images leading us on to God incarnate. The movement toward the image does not terminate in it as image, but tends toward that whose image it is. (CCC, 516-517; see also p. 299-300 under "Holy Images")

Indeed, they are "speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron" (1 Timothy 4:2). What is described above is classic idolatry. God strictly forbade the Israelites from doing this exact thing (i.e. making an image that would represent Himself or something else and paying homage to it).

Take careful heed to yourselves, for you saw no form when the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, lest you act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure: the likeness of male or female. (Deuteronomy 4:15-16).

You shall not make for yourself a carved image-any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me. (Deuteronomy 5:8-9).

When Aaron made a golden calf for the Israelites, the golden calf representedYahweh (translated, "the LORD" in the NKJV), the true God. The Israelites identified this golden calf as the God who brought them out of the land of Egypt (Exodus 32:4), which was Yahweh (Exodus 3:14-17). 

And Aaron made a proclamation and said, "Tomorrow is a feast to the LORD." (Exodus 32:5). 

God's response to the Israelites idolatry was severe anger (Exodus 32:7-35).

C. Mary Worship

"The Churches devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship." (CCC, p. 253, #971)

Although Catholics may deny they worship Mary, they nonetheless do worship her (1 Timothy 4:2). And, being that she is not God, this is therefore idolatry (worship of someone or something other than God, Deuteronomy 5:7; Psalm 96:5) and demonic (Leviticus 17:7; Deuteronomy 32:17; 2 Chronicles 11:15; Psalm 106:37; 1 Corinthians 10:20-21; Revelation 9:20). Pope John Paul II epitomized this Mary worship. In the book, Crossing The Threshold Of Hope, by "His Holiness John Paul II," the chapter entitled, "The Mother of God" begins and ends with these two paragraphs.

The renewal of Marian Theology and devotion - in continuity with Catholic tradition - is another distinctive characteristic of the teaching and pastoral activity of John Paul II. Totus Tuus ("I am completely yours, O Mary") is the motto you chose for your papacy. (p. 212)

I think what I have said sufficiently explains the Marian devotion of the present Pope and, above all, his attitude of total abandonment to Mary - his Totus Tuus. (p. 215)

Mary is given the title of "Advocate" (CCC, p. 252, #969), a title only Christ is given in Scripture (1 John 2:1), and she is stated to be one who not only intercedes, but also brings "gifts of eternal salvation" (ibid.). Acts 4:12 says,

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

What is this name? It is Jesus Christ of Nazareth (Acts 4:10; Philippians 2:9-11), not Mary (Mark 3:31-35; Luke 11:27-28).

IX. More Lies

In addition to the lies already spelled out, other heresies (Galatians 5:20) can be found throughout Catholic doctrine on a variety of subjects. A few examples are given below.

A. "Father"

Jesus said, 

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

The Catholic Church completely refuses to obey Christ's command. Besides calling the Pope "the Holy Father" (e.g. Crossing The Threshold Of Hope, p. v), it is well known among Catholics and non-Catholics that Catholic priests are called by the name of "Father." Instead of promoting the fear of God (Isaiah 66:2), this blatant disregard for the words of Christ leads the masses to repudiate His Words. If they disregard the Word of God, they cannot be saved (James 1:21).

B. Infant Baptism

The Catholic Church teaches that infants become children of God once they are baptized. This is a hellish and damning lie. This encourages a trust in a ritual rather than a trust (an on going faith, 1 Corinthians 15:2; Hebrews 3:14) in the living Savior for re-birth (Romans 3:21-22; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 3:21).

The Church and the parents would deny a child the priceless grace of becoming a child of God were they not to confer Baptism shortly after birth. (CCC, p. 319, #1250)

Infant baptismal regeneration (the above quote) is nowhere taught in the Word of God. Becoming a child of God takes an act of God (John 1:12-13; 3:3). As the Jews of old, Catholics teach "as doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9).

C. Purgatory

Contrary to Luke 16:19-31; Colossians 2:13-14; and 1 John 1:7 & 9, the Catholic Church teaches that there is a temporary place of suffering (due to a lack of a complete cleansing of sin) for those who die "in Christ."

All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. (CCC, p. 268, #1030)

The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. (CCC, p. 268, #1031)

Purgatory is a state or condition on which the souls of the just, who die with the stains of sins, are cleansed before they are admitted to heaven. (Question and Answer Catholic Catechism, p. 82, Question 316)

Stains of sin means the temporal punishment still due to venial or forgiven mortal sins. If the punishment has not been satisfied before death, a person must suffer in purgatory to pay this debt which is owed to the divine Majesty. (ibid., Question 317)

The sufferings of purgatory are more intense than any suffering on earth. (ibid., Question 320)

Catholics attempt to justify this teaching, which is nowhere taught in the Word of God, with 1 Corinthians 3:15. But, here one's "work" is being burned, not the person. Plus, sin is not in view, but rather attempts in building the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 3:12-17).

The Catholic's fable of purgatory rejects true faith (and trust) in God's forgiveness (Psalm 103:11-18). Hebrews 4:11 says, "Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest." Catholics do not enter His rest (Hebrews 4:9-10; 1 Peter 1:13), because they render not the blood of Christ sufficient to completely cleanse them from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). A supposed purgatory awaits them for a final cleansing. For those whose faith is in the finished work of Christ (John 19:30), the Lord Jesus "has perfected forever those who are being sanctified." (Hebrews 10:14)

X. Ignorance

Many Catholics claim ignorance (and are often ignorant) of what their Catholic Church teaches. This is not to their advantage as they may think. Ignorance is not an asset, but a deficit, as Ephesians 4:17-18 illustrates.

This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.

What alienates the ungodly Gentiles from the life of God? It is "the ignorancethat is in them, because of the blindness of their heart." Catholics are blind. Some to their own religion, and all to the light of the glory of the gospel of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4). Their only hope is to repent from not loving the truth, and to turn to the Truth, Christ, the Word of God, i.e. the Scripture (Hebrews 4:12-13).

Endnote:

1. According to the Catholic Catechism,

In a so-called free union, a man and a woman refuse to give juridical and public form to a liaison involving sexual intimacy.

The expression "free union" is fallacious: what can "union" mean when the partners make no commitment to one another, each exhibiting a lack of trust in the other, in himself, or in the future?