Last Rites

The final doctrine we will review is
also the last ritual many Catholics perform - viaticum, also known as the Last
Rites:

"As the sacrament
of Christ's Passover the Eucharist should always be the last sacrament of the
earthly journey, the 'viaticum' for 'passing over' to eternal life." Pg.
379, #1517

This ritual includes anointing the dying
person:

"If the sacrament
of anointing of the sick is given to all who suffer from serious illness and
infirmity, even more rightly is it given to those at the point of departing this
life... The Anointing of the Sick completes our conformity to the death and
Resurrection of Christ, just as Baptism began it." Pg. 381, #1523

The belief that this anointing
"completes our conformity to the death and Resurrection of Christ" is
another tradition of men the Scriptures say nothing about.

More bondage

Since this ritual can only be performed
by a priest or other Catholic leader, it keeps members in bondage to the
Catholic religion right up until the moment of their death:

"Only priests
(bishops and presbyters) are ministers of the Anointing of the Sick." Pg.
379, #1516

The Catechism also teaches that the Last
Rites are the "seed of eternal life":

"In addition to
the Anointing of the Sick, the Church offers those who are about to leave this
life the Eucharist as viaticum. Communion in the body and blood of Christ,
received at this moment of 'passing over' to the Father, has particular
significance and importance. It is the seed of eternal life and the power of
resurrection..." Pg. 381, #1524

But the Bible disagrees, declaring that
this ritual is neither the "seed of eternal life" nor the "power
of resurrection." These are man-made doctrines that God neither initiated
nor endorsed.

This act is nothing more than one final
earthly good work, which the Bible proclaims to be useless:

"...that
I may win Christ. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which
is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness
which is of God by faith:" Philippians 3:8-9

Here are a few more man-made rules
associated with this ritual:

"If a sick person
who received this anointing recovers his health, he can in the case of another
grave illness receive this sacrament again. If during the same illness the
person's condition becomes more serious, the sacrament may be repeated. It is
fitting to receive the Anointing just prior to a serious operation. The same
holds true for the elderly whose frailty becomes more pronounced." Pg. 379,
1515

Rules on top of more rules. Please
remember, God never ordained any of them. Men created them all.

Conclusion

As you make your own decision on this
doctrine, here are a few points to consider:

·
This ritual is never taught in the Bible.

·
Not one Bible character ever received the Last Rites, including Paul, who
said:

"For
I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have
fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:" 2
Timothy 4:6-7

·
Not one Bible character ever administered the Last Rites.

This doctrine overflows with
commandments of men. Will you place your faith and trust in these man-made rules
and regulations, or in Jesus Christ?

Remember, Jesus warned:

"But
in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of
men." Matthew 15:9

SOURCE for Fallacy in Roman Catholicism Doctrines: "Understanding Roman Catholicism © 1995 by Rick Jones"