Roman Catholic Christian vs. The Bible

Brief History

70 AD to 312 AD is known as the Age of Catholic Christianity

Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, was the first to coin the word “Catholic Church.” This was to suggest that it was universal, in spite of pagan ridicule and Roman persecution. To face the challenges of their times Christians turned increasingly to their bishops for spiritual leadership.

By the reign of Constantine (312-337) the first Christian emperor, there were churches in every large town in the empire and in places as distant from each other as Britain, Carthage, and Persia.

The movement of Christianity took a westward turn. Rome, being the heart of the vast empire by drawing peoples from all regions, was the “resting place” or area of authority with the church. This is where the leadership assumed authority in Christian affairs.

By the late second century, bishops in the church were gaining much power and were left unchallenged with the affairs of the church.

As anti-church groups came about. The leadership of the Catholic Church was forced to make bold statements. One such statement was from Bishop Cyprian of Carthage, who declared “Outside the church there is no salvation.”

Holding the power over the people, the papal office during the thirteenth century led Christianity to its peak of political and cultural influence. The pope claimed power over the holy cause in history and also authority over the souls of men even in eternity.

During the late 1300’s an outcry began against the Catholic Church.

Two individuals began to question the idea that the Christian Church was something other than a visible organization on earth headed by the pope. These two individuals were John Wycliffe, and John Hus.

Wycliffe began teaching that “Every man, therefore, priest or layman, holds an equal place in the eyes of God.” He also contended that “The pope should be the shepherd of the flock and the preacher who brings men to Christ.”

Another major point that Wycliffe made was that every man had the right to examine the Bible for himself. He stated: “The New Testament is of full authority, and open to the understanding of simple men….Christ did not write His laws on tables, or on skins of animals, but in the hearts of men.

Although Luther faced much opposition he continued to stand on two convictions: First, salvation was by faith in Christ alone, and second, the Scriptures, not popes or councils, are the standard for Christian faith and behavior.

Luther took four essential Catholic concerns and offered invigorating new answers: 1) How is a person saved? By faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, not by works. 2) Where does religious authority lie? God’s Holy and inspired Word. 3) What is the church? The entire community of Christian believers. 4) What is the essence of Christian living? Allowing God’s Holy Spirit to empower you in order to serve and walk with God.

Comparison of Belief

The Bible Roman Catholic

Jesus the Savior:

Titus 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.

RCC teaches that “by His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ has ‘opened’ heaven to us” (1026). Each person attains his own salvation by grace and by the Holy Spirit, good works (1477).

Jesus the Redeemer:
1 Peter 1:17-19 And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.			RCC teaches that Mary is the sinless co- Redeemer. “Without a single sin to restrain her, she gave herself entirely to the person and work of her son; she did so in order to serve the mystery of redemption with Him…being obedient she became the cause of salvation for herself and for the whole human race" (494).
Jesus, Head of the Church:
Ephesians 1:22-23 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.		RCC teaches that the Pope, “by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has Full, supreme and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise un-hindered” (882). He exercises infallibility when “he proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals” (891).
Jesus the soon-coming King:
Acts 1:11 and they also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”		RCC denies this by teaching that Jesus returns daily to the altars of Catholic churches to be worshipped: “The body and blood…soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ…is truly, really and substantially contained" in the Eucharist (1374-1378)
Salvation is proclaimed in the Gospel
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, Galatians 1:9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed.				RCC preaches a different gospel by demanding additional requirements for salvation, including: the Sacraments (1129), meritorious masses (1405), church membership (846), purgatory (1030), indulgences (1498), and baptism (1256).
Salvation is through faith, not works
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. Psalms 49:7-8 No man can by any means redeem his brother, or give to God a ransom for him— For the redemption of his soul is costly, and he should cease trying forever—	RCC teaches salvation through faith plus works. People can obtain their own salvation and at the same time cooperate in saving their brothers through good works and indulgences (1477, 1479).