roman beliefs

(NOTE: Bracketed numbers are references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church)
i.e. (314-317) <------This is Doctrine# 314, 315, 316, and 317 found in the Catechism.
(All scripture references are from the King James Bible)

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Salvation
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Catholic church teaches....
1. Justification is a transformation of the soul in which original sin is removed and sanctifying grace infused (1987-1995).

But the Bible teaches.....
- Justification is an act of God in which He declares a sinner to be righteous in His sight, having forgiven his sins and imputed to him God’s own righteousness.

- Romans 3
3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

3:29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

3:30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

- Romans 4
4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

4:6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Catholic church teaches....
2. Initial justification is by means of water baptism (1262-1274).

But the Bible teaches......
- Justification is by faith ALONE.

- Romans 3
3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Catholic church teaches....
3. Adults must prepare for justification through faith and good works (1247-1249).

But the Bible teaches.....
- God justifies ungodly sinners who believe.

- Romans 4:5
4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

- Good works are the result of salvation, not the cause.

- Ephesians 2:8-10
2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Catholic church teaches....
4. Justification is furthered by sacraments and good works (1212, 1392, 2010).

But the Bible teaches....
- Justification is the imputation of the perfect righteousness of God.

- II Corinthians 5:21
5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

- In Christ the believer has been made complete.

- Colossians 2:10
2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Catholic church teaches....
5. Justification is lost through mortal sin (1033, 1855, 1874).

But the Bible teaches....
- Justification cannot be lost. Those whom God justifies, He also glorifies.

- Romans 8:30
8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Catholic church teaches....
6. Catholics guilty of mortal sin are justified again through the sacrament of penance (980, 1446).

But the Bible teaches....
- There is no second justification. Those whom God justifies, He also glorifies.

- Romans 5:8-9
5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Catholic church teaches....
7. Salvation from the eternal consequences of sin is a lifelong process (161-162, 1254-1255).

But the Bible teaches....
- Salvation from the eternal consequences of sin is an instantaneous and secure act of God coinciding with justification.

- Romans 5:9
5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Catholic church teaches....
8. Salvation is attained by cooperating with grace through faith, good works, and participation in the sacraments (183, 1129, 1815, 2002).

But the Bible teaches....
- Salvation is attained by grace through faith apart from works.

- Ephesians 2:8-9
2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

- Good works are the result, not the cause, of salvation.

- Ephesians 2:10
2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Catholic church teaches....
9. Sanctifying grace is a quality of the soul, a supernatural disposition that perfects the soul (1999-2000).

But the Bible teaches....
- Grace is the undeserved favor of God.

- Ephesians 1:7-8
1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

Catholic church teaches....
10. The sacraments are necessary channels for the continual infusion of grace. They bestow grace in virtue of the rite performed (1127-1129).

But the Bible teaches...
- The child of God is the constant object of the Father’s grace.

- Romans 5:1-2
5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Catholic church teaches....
11. Grace is merited by good works (2010, 2027).

But the Bible teaches...
- Grace is a free gift.

- Romans 11:6
11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Catholic church teaches....
12. Venial sins do not incur eternal punishment (1855, 1863).

But the Bible teaches...
- Every sin is punishable by eternal death.

- Romans 6:23
6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Catholic church teaches....
13. Serious sins must be confessed to a priest (1456-1457).

But the Bible teaches...
- Sin is to be confessed directly to God.

- Ezra 10:11
10:11 Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.

Catholic church teaches....
14. The priest forgives sin as a judge (1442, 1461).

But the Bible teaches...
- No one can forgive sin but God alone.

- Mark 2:7
2:7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

Catholic church teaches....
15. When the guilt of sin is forgiven, temporal punishment remains (1472-1473).

But the Bible teaches...
- When God forgives sin, He completely forgives.

- Colossians 2:13
2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

- Isaiah 43:25
43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Catholic church teaches....
16. Acts of penance make satisfaction for the temporal punishment of sin (1434, 1459-1460).

But the Bible teaches...
- Jesus made perfect satisfaction for all sins.

- 1 John 2:1-2
2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Catholic church teaches....
17. Indulgences dispensed by the Church for acts of piety release sinners from temporal punishment (1471-1473).

But the Bible teaches...
- Jesus releases believers from their sins by His blood.

- Revelation 1:5
1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

Catholic church teaches....
18. Purgatory is necessary to atone for sin and cleanse the soul (1030-1031).

But the Bible teaches...
- Purgatory does not exist. Jesus made purification for sins on the cross.

- Hebrews 1:3
1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

19. Poor souls suffering in purgatory can be helped by those alive on earth offering up prayers, good works, and the sacrifice of the Mass (1032, 1371, 1479).

But the Bible teaches...
- Those who sleep in Christ need no help. To be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord.

- II Corinthians 5:8
5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Catholic church teaches....
20. No one can know if he will attain to eternal life (1036, 2005).

But the Bible teaches...
- The believer can know that he has eternal life by the Word of God.

- 1 John 5:13
5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Catholic church teaches....
21. Eternal life is a merited reward (1821, 2010).

But the Bible teaches...
- Eternal life is the free gift of God.

- Romans 6:23
6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Catholic church teaches....
22. The Roman Catholic Church is necessary for salvation (846).

But the Bible teaches...
- There is salvation in no one but the Lord Jesus Christ. “for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved”.

- Acts 4:12
4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Catholic church teaches....
23. The Last Supper was a real sacrifice in which Christ’s blood was poured out for our sins in the cup (610-611, 621, 1339).

But the Bible teaches...
- The Last Supper was a Passover meal. Christ’s blood was poured out for our sins at the cross.

- I Peter 2:24
2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Catholic church teaches....
24. The bread and wine become the real body and blood of Christ (1373-1377).

But the Bible teaches...
- The bread and wine are symbols of the body and blood of Christ.

- I Corinthians 11:23-25
11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

Catholic church teaches...
25. Christ’s body and blood exist wholly and entirely in every fragment of consecrated bread and wine in every Roman Catholic church around the world (1374, 1377).

But the Bible teaches...
- Christ is bodily present in heaven.

- Hebrews 10:12-13
10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God

10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

Catholic church teaches...
26. The consecrated bread and wine are heavenly food which help one to attain to eternal life (1392, 1405, 1419).

But the Bible teaches...
- The bread and wine are symbols which help one to remember Christ.

- Luke 22:19
22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Catholic church teaches...
27. God desires that consecrated bread and wine be worshiped as divine (1378-1381).

But the Bible teaches...
- God forbids the worship of any object, even those intended to represent Him.

- Exodus 20:4-5
20:4 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:

20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

- Isaiah 42:8
42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

Catholic church teaches...
28. The Sacrifice of the Mass is the sacrifice of the cross (1085, 1365-1367).
Only the manner in which it is offered is different (1367).

But the Bible teaches...
- The sacrifice of the cross is a historical event. It occurred once, approximately 2000 years ago, outside Jerusalem.

- Mark 15:21-41
15:21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
15:22 And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.
15:23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.
15:24 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.
15:25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.
15:26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
15:27 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.
15:28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.
15:29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,
15:30 Save thyself, and come down from the cross.
15:31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.
15:32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.
15:33 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
15:35 And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias.
15:36 And one ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.
15:37 And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.
15:38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom
15:39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
15:41 (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.

Catholic church teaches...
29. The sacrifice of the cross is perpetuated in the Sacrifice of the Mass (1323, 1382).

But the Bible teaches...
- The sacrifice of the cross is finished.

- John 19:30
19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Catholic church teaches...
30. At each Mass, the priest re-presents to the Father the sacrifice of Christ (1354, 1357).

But the Bible teaches...
- Christ presented the sacrifice of Himself to the Father “once at the consummation of the ages”.

- Hebrews 9:24-28
9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

9:25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;

9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Catholic church teaches...
31. The Mass is an unbloody sacrifice which atones for the sins of the living and the dead (1367, 1371, 1414).

But the Bible teaches...
- Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

- Leviticus 17:11
17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

- Hebrews 9:22
9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Catholic church teaches...
32. Each Sacrifice of the Mass appeases God’s wrath against sin (1371, 1414).

But the Bible teaches...
- The once-for-all sacrifice of the cross fully appeased God’s wrath against sin.

- Hebrews 10:12-18
10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

10:15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

10:18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Catholic church teaches...
33. The faithful receive the benefits of the cross in fullest measure through the Sacrifice of the Mass (1366, 1407).

But the Bible teaches...
- Believers receive the benefits of the cross from Christ, through faith.

- Ephesians 1:3-14
1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Catholic church teaches...
34. The sacrificial work of redemption is continually carried out through the Sacrifice of the Mass (1364, 1405, 1846).

But the Bible teaches...
- The sacrificial work of redemption was finished when Christ gave His life for us on the cross.

- Ephesians 1:7
1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

- Hebrews 1:3
1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Catholic church teaches...
35. The Church is to continue the sacrifice of Christ for the salvation of the world (1323, 1382, 1405, 1407).

But the Bible teaches...
- The church is to proclaim the Lord’s death for the salvation of the world.

- I Corinthians 11:26
11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.

Catholic church teaches...
36. Mary was preserved from all stain of original sin from the first instant of her conception (the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception) (490-492).

But the Bible teaches...
- Mary, a descendant of Adam, was born in sin.

- Psalm 51:5
51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.

- Romans 5:12
5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Catholic church teaches...
37. Mary, “the All-Holy,” lived a perfectly sinless life (411, 493).

But the Bible teaches...
- Mary was a sinner; God alone is holy.

- Luke 18:19
18:19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

- Romans 3:23
3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

- Revelation 15:4
15:4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

Catholic church teaches...
38. Mary was a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Christ (486-511).

But the Bible teaches...
- Mary was a virgin until the birth of Christ.

- Matthew 1:25
1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Later she had other children.

- Matthew 13:55-56
13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

13:56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

- Psalm 69:8
69:8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children.

Catholic church teaches...
39. Mary is the Mother of God (963, 971, 2677).

But the Bible teaches...
- Mary was the earthly mother of Jesus.

- John 2:1
2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

Catholic church teaches...
40. Mary is the Mother of the Church (963, 975).

But the Bible teaches...
- Mary is a member of the church.

- Acts 1:14
1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

- I Corinthians 12:13, 27
12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Catholic church teaches...
41. Mary is the co-redeemer, for she participated with Christ in the painful act of redemption (618, 964, 968, 970).

But the Bible teaches...
- Christ alone is the Redeemer, for He alone suffered and died for sin.

- I Peter 1:18-19
1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Catholic church teaches...
42. At the end of her life, Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven (the doctrine of the Assumption) (966, 974).

But the Bible teaches...
- Upon her death, Mary’s body returned to dust.

- Genesis 3:19
3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Catholic church teaches...
43. Mary is the co-mediator to whom we can entrust all our cares and petitions (968-970, 2677).

But the Bible teaches...
- Christ Jesus is the one mediator to whom we can entrust all our cares and petitions.

- I Timothy 2:5
2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

- John 14:13-14
14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

- I Peter 5:7
5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Catholic church teaches...
44. We should entrust ourselves to Mary, surrendering “’the hour of our death’ wholly to her care” (2677).

But the Bible teaches...
- We should entrust ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ.

- Romans 10:13
10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

- Acts 4:12
4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Catholic church teaches...
45. God has exalted Mary in heavenly glory as Queen of Heaven and Earth (966).

She is to be praised with special devotion (971, 2675).

But the Bible teaches...
- The name of the Lord is to be praised, for He alone is exalted above heaven and earth.

- Psalm 148:13
148:13 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.

- God commands, “You shall have no other gods before Me”.

- Exodus 20:3
20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Catholic church teaches...
46. Peter was the head of the apostles (552, 765, 880).

But the Bible teaches...
- Christ was the head of the apostles.

- John 13:13
13:13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

Catholic church teaches...
47. The bishops are the successors of the apostles (861-862, 938).

But the Bible teaches...
- The apostles had no successors, for to succeed them one needed to be a witness of Christ’s resurrection.
- None of the the Aspostles, or Jesus set up a system to where a dynasty of Aspostles would come after the 12.

- Acts 1:21-22
1:21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

Catholic church teaches...
48. The Pope, as the Bishop of Rome, is the successor of Peter (882, 936).

- There is in nothing the bible that teaches that Peter had a successor.
- Peter had no successor, nor did he need one.

Catholic church teaches...
49. The bishops, with the Pope as their head, rule the universal Church (883, 894-896).

But the Bible teaches...
- Christ, the head of the body, rules the universal church.

- Colossians 1:18
1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Catholic church teaches...
50. God has entrusted revelation to the Roman Catholic bishops (81, 86).

But the Bible teaches...
- God has entrusted revelation to the saints.

- Jude 3
1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Catholic church teaches...
51. The Magisterium is the authoritative teacher of the Church (85-87).

But the Bible teaches...
- The Holy Spirit is the authoritative teacher of the church.

- John 14:26
14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

- John 16:13
16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.

- I John 2:27
2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

Catholic church teaches...
52. The Magisterium is the infallible interpreter of Scripture (890-891, 2034-2035).

But the Bible teaches...
- Scripture is the only infallible interpreter of Scripture.

- Acts 17:11
17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Catholic church teaches...
53. The Pope is infallible in his authoritative teaching (891).

But the Bible teaches...
- God alone is infallible.

- Numbers 23:19
23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Catholic church teaches...
54. The Magisterium alone has the ability and the right to interpret Scripture (85, 100, 939).

But the Bible teaches...
- Every Christian, aided by the Holy Spirit, has the ability and the right to interpret Scripture.

- Acts 17:11
17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

- I Corinthians 2:12-16
2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Catholic church teaches...
55. Scripture is to be interpreted in the sense in which it has been defined by the Magisterium (113, 119).

But the Bible teaches...
- Scripture must be interpreted in the original sense intended by the Holy Spirit.

- II Peter 3:14-16
3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Catholic church teaches...
56. The Magisterium has the right to define truth found only obscurely or implicitly in revelation (66, 88, 2035, 2051).

But the Bible teaches...
- No one has the right to go beyond what is written in Scripture.

- I Corinthians 4:6
4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

- Proverbs 30:6
30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

Catholic church teaches...
57. Scripture and Tradition together are the Word of God (81, 85, 97, 182).

But the Bible teaches...
- Scripture ALONE is the Word of God.

- John 10:35
10:35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

- II Timothy 3:16-17
3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

- II Peter 1:20-21
1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

- Tradition is the words of men.

- Mark 7:1-13
7:1 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

7:2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

7:3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

7:4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables.

7:5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

7:6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.<