Catholics

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 or them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God,
I am a jealous God. Exodus 20:4-5. (2^nd of the 10 commandments).

10 Commandments
Compare the 10 commands in the Bible with the 10 taught by Catholic church. You will find that the 2nd command Exodus 20: 4-5 is conveniently removed! And the 10th command 20: 17 is split as 9th and 10th to make it 10. There might be explanations, but no excuse for changing God's Word or his commandments! So why the removal? If the 2nd command is there how is it possible that you can have all those nice images and photos of Mary, saints, Jesus on the cross etc.? Do you think there is idol worship among Catholics? Of course not you say. Then why all these statues? and are they decorated, lighted and kissed upon? bowed down to? and revered? Also interesting to note is from where the images of Mary and Jesus come? If you trace it you will reach the pagan religion and the Gods they worshipped! To give you a quick run, the image of Mary with baby Jesus in here hand is the image of queen Seramusus with her son Tammuz. The statues of Mary are the statues of her and other pagan goddesses. The round circle around the head of every statue relates to the sun worshippers and their gods.

Church built on Rock
Christ never setup any organization as catholic church. What Christ setup was a spiritual body of believers whose head was He, Himself. He never set up Peter to be its head (Peter was a sort of leader among the apostles). I know what all the references you are thinking of now. About Peter being the Rock. Christ is the Rock mentioned throughout the Bible on whom the church is built. He is the cornerstone. He said his church would withstand the gates of hell. It can not be so if it is built on a man. And if Peter was the rock, why did he even disown Jesus on certain occasions? And Peter himself talks about Christ as the cornerstone and the Rock in 1 Peter 2: 4-8. So Peter who is supposed to be the Rock says, that he is not but Jesus Christ is the Rock. What about the rest of the Bible, does other apostles agree that Peter is the Rock? Can you see it elsewhere?

Pope
And Pope is not the successor of Peter (we already found that Peter is not the head of the Christ's body). Though there is belief to the effect, if you really trace history you would find that Pope's throne is traced to the rulers of Rome. Is Pope the representative of or Christ on earth? Does he have infallibility? Does Christ need someone to rule on earth for him because he is so weak in doing things on earth! Look at all the blasphemies (compare with God's word) that Pope issues as dogmas of faith from time to time. The Pope had been thinking about issuing another one declaring Mary as the co-redemptor with Christ (Co-redemptrix). Just think about its meaning and implications.

Keys, binding
About Keys. The keys given to Peter and to all disciples were not physical keys. That was authority in the name of Jesus given to the apostles. Peter first used this key on the day of Pentecost to admit members in to Christ's body. Did Christ make the keys and give it to them of heaven? I have read that there is a set of keys in Rome kept safe by Pope! such folly.

About binding Mathew 16: 18-19, this again was the authority to do things in the name of Jesus to heal, to forgive sins, to release men from bondage and so on, exactly what Christ did when he was on earth. It was not given only to Peter Matthew 18: 18. Peter and John said to the lame man at the temple 'Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you, get up and walk in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth authority, authority in the name of Jesus. This is available to all believers in Christ but of course in much greater scale to the apostles.

Virgin Mary
Mary is almost equal if not above Jesus Christ in the Catholic church. You do not admit it? Try to remove the devotion to Mary and there is no Catholic church. Consider the religious life of a Catholic. Other than the mass and the adoration, whom does Catholics pray to all the time? Mary. Take the prayers at home, to whom does all the prayers go? To Mary. Who is prayed most to, Jesus or Mary? Of course Mary. Can you see something? A creature given more importance than the Creator, the almighty God, the Messiah! Mary was only an instrument for Jesus to be born as a woman, nothing more. The Bible does not give Mary any more credit than this, neither in the Gospels nor in other places. If Mary was so important as Catholics say, why did not Jesus teach about praying to and revering his mother? Did he at any time? And Mary has no place in heaven as Catholics say at the right hand of God and Jesus. From where did all these teaching come, based on what? She is exalted as the queen of heaven, mother of God! and so on and on, you know better. Read the Litany of Mary (after the Rosary) and you will find all the adjectives used to praise Mary. How many of them fit? Need I say more? Is this not proof enough that Catholic church is not a church of Christ but more rightly that of Mary?

Read the following references where all that glory Catholics attribute to Mary is based on. Read objectively and let see if there is any true base.

Angel appearing to Mary - Luke 1: 26-38. Mary was definitely worthy of the honour, she must have been an excellent woman, nobody denies that. The angel appears and greets Mary with respect (should it not be that way, he is a messenger from God) announcing the birth of Jesus. He greets her 'O highly favoured one'. Beware of translations here. And what does Mary say? Behold the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as his will. Did angel seek Mary's permission? He just announced. Mary? She just accepted it. What else can you find here?

Marriage feast at Cana - John 2:1-11. All that Mary did was to go and inform Jesus that there was a shortage of wine and ask him to do something about it. She knew who her son was. Jesus plainly told her that his time had not yet come. And Mary told the servants to do whatever He says... Jesus being considerate towards the situation and respecting his mother (his ministry had not yet begun) he performs the miracle. What do you see in this situation more than the above?

Mary at the foot of the cross - John: 19: 25-27. This needs some explanation. All that Jesus did was to tell the disciple he loved most and his mother whom he loved and respected when he lived as a man especially before his ministry began, to take care of each other and comfort each other. Catholics say that Jesus gave her as our mother! If so why do we not find in the early church anybody fussing about Mary or carrying her around respectfully?

Read Mathew 11:11 Christ said that John the Baptist was greater than all born of women.

Priesthood
Priesthood was in the OT, a separate tribe (Levites) had been set aside for this. Their job was to intercede and offer sacrifices for the people. Only the priests were allowed to go in to the Tabernacle, God's presence. They had special dresses and they were sustained by the contribution from people. Priests were anointed. All these you find now in the Catholic church!

Bible says clearly and we know that Jesus Christ was the final, royal High priest in the order of Melchizedek and he was the one and only holy priest ever lived on earth.

Sacrifice
Jesus' sacrifice was offered on the cross of Calvary. He was without blemish (the lamb of sacrifice), he was holy and pure, and was sacrificed as the lamb to take away the sins of mankind. His sacrifice was complete as he himself said on the cross. It was never to be repeated, for its purpose was served and was complete. Through his sacrifice he also opened the path to God which was closed to man. The veil in the temple was torn in two as a symbol of open relationship with God, when Christ died! There is no more requirement of anybody interceding for man in front of God. Every man can go to God directly and seek his face.

Now let us look at what Catholic church teaches? It says that the sacrifice of Jesus is not yet complete, so it is being done daily on the altars when the priest celebrates the mass, as a memory and continuation of the sacrifice of Christ. You be the judge, is this right, acceptable? In the eyes of God. Besides who offers the sacrifice? the priests. Who ordains them? The Bishop, On whose authority? Not of God, but man for; in the New Testament, there is no priest! Christ was the final royal high priest.

Eucharist
There is no change in the bread and wine as the body and blood of Christ. There should only be breaking of the bread and wine as per Jesus' command to commemorate his death and resurrection. When Christ said this is my body and blood he was referring to himself being crucified for man. Not the fact that the bread he broke was becoming his body.

Catholics believe that the bread and wine become Christ's body and blood! And about the Eucharist do you think that Jesus is so vulnerable as to come and sit inside (live) in the Eucharist? I remember the reading an incident where when a church caught fire, the nuns were crying, "where is Jesus, where is Jesus, please save him". They were referring to the Eucharist in the tabernacle!

Pagan practices of rituals and bloodless sacrifices were introduced in to the church. Bible teaches clearly that there is no atonement without the shedding of the blood. And no sacrifice is complete without a sacrificial animal and its blood.

Salvation by Grace and Works
Catholic church teaches that salvation comes by grace and WORKS. No, the Bible clearly teaches that salvation is by GRACE ALONE. However man try he can not attain salvation for it is too beyond his reach. It is provided only in God's mercy and grace through faith. Once you obtain salvation you live the life worthy of a saved soul, not vice versa. E.g.: The mango tree bears mangoes because it is a mango tree not because it wants to be a mango tree.

Much of the things being done in the Catholic church is based on the OT. When Christ came the OT was done away with. In the OT the Law was the scale for man to live, not in the NT. In NT it is the grace of God by which man has to live. If anyone tries to live by the law he will be judged by the law and is cursed. Lot of other things are also based on the OT. The building of a place of worship called church, the tabernacle, the priest, the offering, the sacrifice etc.

Church
In the new testament a church is an independent assembly (gathering) in any locality. It could be anywhere even in someone's house. You can compare this with the churches of Catholics where it is a place to do worship. God has only allowed one such place of worship. Know where it is? The Jerusalem temple.

In NT the body of Christ, called as Church, gathering of saints etc. is not a religion. It is not an organization. It is not something which is spread out with a single name, set of rules or regulations etc. Body of Christ is spread out all over the world, it is an abstract entity. Who guides and rules? It is Christ himself who is the head (Vine and branches). But locally there could be different gatherings of believers, this is called a church. Each church is independent of the other. There can be elders or deacons to guide and lead the church. But all believers are same. There is no such things as some who are privileged or vice versa. Worship is done in truth and in spirit, which means, no external forms or rituals. We will discuss this later in detail.

Miscellaneous issues
Sacraments: Pagan practices of rituals and traditions, where people where introduced to different mysteries based on initiation.

Confession: It is a pagan practice where people used to go to the priests who knew mysteries and had special privileges to forgive. In true church, forgiveness of sins is obtained by asking direct forgiveness from God through Jesus Christ who is our mediator before God.

Baptism: In Bible it is not possible to find child baptism anywhere for it is a pagan practice. Look at the
example of John the Baptist who baptised in the river of Jordan, Jesus who walked many miles to Jordan to receive baptism from John the Baptist rather than pouring some water over his head. Baptism symbolises repentance from sin and acceptance of God and his grace. Is a child capable of doing this?

Anointing the sick: Bible teaches that if any one is sick the elders of the church should be called, they should anoint him with oil and pray for that person so that HE WILL BE WELL. In Catholic church this is done when someone is about die!

Holy Spirit and oil
In the OT we have the prophets who anointed God's special elect - kings, prophets etc. But this is has no reference to the Catholic church who carry the Holy spirit in a bottle of oil which is ritually blessed!

For the Dead
Praying for the dead and praying to them is useless. No way can they be helped based on someone prayers from earth, the only thing you get is a satisfaction. Needless to say this is another pagan practice based on the belief that all the souls go to heaven via purgatory or straight to hell. And where are the dead? They are sleeping where they lie. All will be woken up on the final judgment day...

Compromise
If you will look closely you will find one thing. That is everything is compromised. There is no compromise allowed on God's word or commandments. Catholic church is an embodiment of compromise to the extent that there is nothing left that is not compromised. It has accepted pagan traditions, festivals, images, saints, beliefs, customs and so on.

Now you might judge for yourself whether it is the church of Christ or something else. Look at the catholic church today, if Jesus came today do you think he will say this is my church in my spirit? Do you think it is a living body led by Jesus or is it an organization led by Rome and Pope? If you say yes, well it can not be the church of Christ.

Not at all finished...
The above points are nothing. It should at least get you to start thinking. And how do you know what is truth? Grab the Bible and read what Christ said. Read what Paul, Peter, John and James taught. I know it might be something new to you. You are right now a Christian without knowing about Christ and his teachings. Can you say yes I know what Christ taught, other than what you heard from the sermons in your church?

If you find the above as true
I can see you now upset. You are shocked and sad. In that case, you have known what you should know. Now it is up to you to gather courage and seek God's true ways. First you must learn more about Jesus Christ and Christianity, and the free gift of salvation. Then you must abandon sin and the wrong doing and come to the light and Jesus' way. You can not compromise. The call of God is always to come separate, why you might ask. What has light got to do with darkness? What has righteousness got to do with unrighteousness? What has pagan beliefs and practices got to do with true Christianity? Do I need to say more? If you say you are a true disciple of Jesus how do what is detestable to God?

Please pray fervently to Jesus Christ to give you the grace to believe and accept him. To accept you as his own and make you His brother a son of His heavenly Father. Suggested Bible reading. Gospel of Luke, Acts of the Apostles, Letter to the Hebrews to begin with and proceed to Letter to the Romans, and then Galatians.