Pope: Vicar of Christ

Is the pope the vicar (substitute) of Christ on the earth, wielding universal power
over the whole church? If you believe the catechism, he is:

"For the Roman Pontiff, 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 unhindered." Pg. 234, #882

"The Roman Pontiff... as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful..." Pg.
235, #891

While the Catholic church elevates the pope to the position of "supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful," God's Word reveals that someone else already fills that position:

"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 14:26

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth..."
John 16:13

Jesus promised that this infallible teacher would abide with us forever:

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may
abide with you for ever;" John 14:16

The pope has clearly assumed a position reserved for the Holy Spirit of God. It is a
position no man can fill:

"For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?
even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." 1
Corinthians 2:11

The Apostle Paul reiterates that the Holy Spirit of God, not a man, is the infallible teacher of all true Christians:

"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. Which things
also we speak, not in the words which man' s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy
Ghost teacheth..." 1 Corinthians 2:12-13

Similarities?

If the pope is Christ' s substitute on earth, there should be many similarities in
their lives. Let' s see:

• While on earth, Jesus never controlled great wealth. The pope controls one of the wealthiest
  corporations in the world.
  
  


• Jesus dressed like a common man. The pope, on the other hand, is never seen in anything but regal apparel.
  
  


• Jesus lived in simple surroundings, but the pope views opulence at every turn.
  
  


• Jesus tirelessly served the multitudes, while the pope travels the world on his private jet, meeting with world leaders from every nation.
  
  


• Most people eventually rejected and hated Jesus because He told the truth. The pope is worshipped and adored by millions worldwide.
  
  


• The pope gladly welcomes the praise of men, but Jesus directed all worship to the Father, and said of Himself:
  
  

"Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God." Mark 10:18

Should popes accept the worship of multitudes? Look how "Pope" Peter reacted when Cornelius tried to worship him:

"And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and
worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a
man." Acts 10:25-26

Pope: head of the church?

The Catechism claims that:

"The Pope enjoys, by divine institution, supreme, full, immediate, and universal
power in the care of souls" Pg. 246, #937

According to God's Word, the pope is not the head of the true church of Jesus Christ.

That position is reserved exclusively for the Lord Jesus:

"For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the
church..." Ephesians 5:23

Concerning the pope' s title of "Holy Father," Jesus Himself instructed us to:

"...call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in
heaven." Matthew 23:9

Yet, the pope not only accepts the title "Father," but "Holy Father" as well, a title reserved for God alone:

"Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy..." Revelation 15:4

It is not wise to assume a name reserved for God, for He will not share His glory with anyone:

"I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another..."
Isaiah 42:8

More Nagging Questions

Once again, Catholic doctrine and Scriptures could not disagree more. As a result, you must choose sides on each of the following questions:

• Why didn' t God tell us in the Bible that He was sending the pope as the Vicar of Christ?
  
  


• Why does the Bible insist that Jesus is still the head of the church, if He isn't?
  
  


• Why does the Catholic church want the pope to be the final authority instead of Jesus?
  
  


• Why does the Catholic church want the pope to be your teacher instead of the Holy Spirit of God?
  
  

Conclusion

Only you can answer these questions for yourself. And only you can decide which side you will believe - Catholic traditions of men... or God's Word?

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

"And he (Christ) is the head of the body, the church..." Colossians 1:18

The Pope: Infallible

According to Catholic doctrine, the Pope is infallible in matters of doctrine, faith and morals.

"In order to preserve the Church in the purity of the faith handed on by the apostles,
Christ who is Truth willed to confer on her a share in his own infallibility. By
a supernatural sense of faith the People of God, under the guidance of the
Church's living magisterium, unfailingly adheres to this faith." Pg. 235,
#889

The Catechism restates the same belief this way:

"The Roman Pontiff... enjoys this infallibility in virtue of his office, when, as supreme
pastor and teacher of all the faithful - who confirms his brethren in the faith
- he proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals...
This infallibility extends as far as the deposit of divine Revelation
itself." Pg. 235, #891

Sadly, this doctrine is but another tradition of men that contradicts Scripture. The Bible declares that all people are sinners. No one is perfect or infallible in anything:

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

"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" Romans 3:10

Notice, you didn't read, " no one, except the pope." Jesus is the only infallible person who ever lived:

"For he (God) hath made him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin..." 2
Corinthians 5:21

Are other Catholics infallible too?

The Catechism further alleges that other Catholic leaders have also somehow achieved this state of infallibility:

"The pastoral duty of the Magisterium is aimed at seeing to it that the People of God
abides in the truth that liberates. To fulfill this service, Christ endowed the
Church' s shepherds with the charism of infallibility in matters of faith and
morals." Pg. 235, #890

"The infallibility of the Magisterium of the Pastors extends to all the elements of
doctrine, including moral doctrine, without which the saving truths of the faith
cannot be preserved, expounded, or observed." Pg. 495, #2051

It is important to understand that God did not declare these people to be infallible,
other sinful men did.

Scriptures overflow with stories of sinful people. Even those whom God used the most were sinners. God referred to King David as "a man after mine own heart" (Acts 13:22), yet David was a murderer and an adulterer, among other things.

The Apostle Paul and all the other apostles were sinners. Paul said of himself:

"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should
preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;" Ephesians 3:8

Nobody in Scripture, except Jesus, was infallible.

More questions

Aside from being unscriptural, this far reaching doctrine raises other important questions which you must answer for yourself:

• When the pope and other Catholic leaders, who claim to be infallible, disagree
  with God' s Holy Word, then God must be wrong. Are you willing to accept
  this?
• Why does the Catholic church want you to believe that the pope and other
  Catholic leaders are infallible in matters of doctrine? Is it to bring
  members into further bondage and obedience to the Catholic church?
• Where do fallible men obtain the authority to declare other men infallible?
• Why does the Catholic church refuse to honor Jesus Christ by acknowledging

Him as the only infallible One, as the Holy Scriptures teach?

Conclusion

Here is another tradition of men that raises more questions than it answers.

Please don't blindly accept this Catholic doctrine as truth. Look to God's Word for answers to these questions, then settle this issue in your own heart:

"And being made perfect, he (Jesus) became the author of eternal salvation unto all
them that obey him;" Hebrews 5:9

Baptism Saves

The Catholic church contends that baptism is necessary for salvation:

"The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation." Pg. 320, #1257

All Catholics should be aware that the Lord does not agree with this statement. The Bible teaches that salvation is a free gift that works can never buy. This doctrine was devised by Catholicism:

"The Church does not know of any other means other than Baptism that assures entry
into eternal beatitude..." Pg. 320, #1257

"The faithful are born anew by Baptism..." Pg. 311, #1212

"Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, and are incorporated into the Church..." Pg. 312, #1213

The Bible could not disagree more:

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even
to them that believe on his name:" John 1:12

Despite Bible verses like these, the Catechism teaches that:

"Baptism not only purifies from all sins, but also makes the neophyte 'a new creature,'
an adopted son of God, who has become a 'partaker of the divine nature,' member
of Christ and co-heir with him, and a temple of the Holy Spirit." Pg. 322,
#1265 "By Baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal
sins, as well as all punishment for sin." Pg. 321, #1263 (See pg. 257,
#985)

All these doctrines violate a host of Scriptures. The Bible teaches that only Christ can forgive our sins, performing a "good work" like baptism will never do it:

"In whom we have redemption through his (Christ's) blood, the forgiveness of
sins..." Ephesians 1:7

If Baptism is necessary for salvation, would the Apostle Paul have proclaimed:

"For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel..." 1 Corinthians
1:17

Or would this same great man of God have stated:

"I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;" 1
Corinthians 1:14

John the Baptist's message was:

"Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 3:2

After people repented, then they were...

"... baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins." Matthew 3:6

Listen to what the Ethiopian eunuch asked Philip as they discussed the subject of
baptism:

"And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said,
See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou
believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe
that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Acts 8:36-37

The Bible teaches that baptism should occur after salvation, not as a requirement
for salvation. When the Philippian jailer asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Paul answered:

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house... And he took
them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he
and all his, straightway." Acts 16:30, 31, 33

First, they believed, then they were baptized. Baptism always follows salvation! Here's
another example:

"And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his
house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized."
Acts 18:8

In Acts chapter two, Peter, the supposed first pope, preached. When he finished:

"... they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were
added unto them about three thousand souls." Acts 2:41

Again, they were baptized, not to become sons of God, but because they already were sons of God.

When Philip preached to the people of Samaria, first came salvation, then baptism:

"But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God,
and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." Acts
8:12

Soon after in that same passage, Simon, a deceiving sorcerer, followed the same path:

"Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with
Philip..." Acts 8:13

The Catechism states:

"All the sacraments are sacred links uniting the faithful with one another and binding
them to Jesus Christ, and above all Baptism, the gate by which we enter into the
Church." Pg. 248, #950

Just before his death, the thief on the cross next to Jesus put his faith in Jesus
Christ. Obviously, he was never baptized, but he still went to paradise. Why?
Because salvation is through faith in Christ, not through baptism.

The Catechism also contends that when a person is baptized, it is really Jesus Himself who is doing the baptizing:

"By his (Christ's) power he is present in the sacraments so that when anybody
baptizes, it is really Christ himself who baptizes." Pg. 283, #1088

Simply stated, this is another Catholic tradition not found in God's Word.

Another Contradiction

Here is another Catholic doctrine:

"Baptism indeed is the seal of eternal life." Pg. 324, #1274

But the Bible disagrees again, stating that the eternal destiny of God's children has
been sealed with the Holy Spirit:

"... in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of
promise," Ephesians 1:13

"And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of
redemption." Ephesians 4:30

Conclusion

Is baptism necessary for salvation? Catholic tradition and God's Word are at odds.
The Catechism says "yes." God's Word says "no."

Who will you believe?

The One True Church

Does Catholicism still teach that it is the one true Church founded by Christ? Many think not, but there is no denying the church's official position:

"This is the sole Church of Christ, which in the Creed we profess to be one, holy, catholic and apostolic." Pg. 214, #811

Referring to the Catholic church, the Catechism pronounces:

"In fact, in this one and only Church of God..." Pg. 216, #817

"First, the Church is catholic because Christ is present in her. Where there is Christ
Jesus, there is the Catholic Church." Pg. 220, #830

This "one true church" doctrine can be traced to one verse of Scripture, which, when compared with other Scriptures, is found not to teach this doctrine at all. When Jesus asked
his disciples who He was, Peter responded:

"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Matthew 16:16"

Then Jesus answered Peter:

"... thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell
shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:18

Catholicism contends that the Lord was referring to Peter as the rock, and has since built the entire Catholic religion upon that premise. But all other pertinent Scriptures declare that Jesus was referring to Himself as the rock, not Peter:

"... for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was
Christ." 1 Corinthians 10:4

Jesus is not only the rock, He is the chief cornerstone of the church:

"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself
being the chief corner stone;" Ephesians 2:20

Back in the Old Testament, it was prophesied that Jesus, whom men rejected, would become the cornerstone of the church:

"The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner."
Psalm 118:22

Even Peter, allegedly the first pope, confesses that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the church:

"...by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth... This is the stone which was set at
nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner." Acts
4:10-11

"... the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the
corner," 1 Peter 2:7

According to Scriptures, Peter is NOT the rock:

"For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?" Psalm 18:31

"... I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is
the Rock..." Deuteronomy 32:3-4

"Truly my soul waiteth upon God... He only is my rock..." Psalm 62:1-2 "But
the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge." Psalm 94:22

Who is the head of the church

Despite all these Scriptures, Catholicism still claims that Peter was the rock and his successors are the head of the church:

"The sole Church of Christ (is that) which our Savior, after his Resurrection, entrusted
to Peter's pastoral care, commissioning him and the other apostles to extend and
rule it... This Church, constituted and organized as a society in the present
world, subsists in (subsistit in) the Catholic Church, which is governed by the
successors of Peter and by the bishops in communion with him." Pg. 215,
#816

But the Bible declares that Jesus Christ, not Peter or his successors, is the head of the church:

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

"And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him (Christ) to be the head over
all things to the church," Ephesians 1:22

"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the
head, even Christ:" Ephesians 4:15

The biblical "church" When the Bible uses the words "the church," it always refers to all those who
trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, not just to members of the Catholic church:

"Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ
Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of
Jesus Christ our Lord..." 1 Corinthians 1:2

The Apostle Paul wrote:

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for
it;" Ephesians 5:25

Paul was not a Catholic, yet he knew that Christ loved him and died for him. Certainly,
no one would dare say that Paul was not a Christian because he was not a Catholic.

Would anyone suggest that God only loves Catholics?... or that He only died for Catholics? Such would be the case if the Catholic church was the only church.

Paul also proclaimed:

"And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for
us..." Ephesians 5:2

Can non-Catholics be Christians?

As the "one true church," Catholicism claims the right to determine who is or
is not a Christian:

"All who have been justified by faith in Baptism are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as
brothers in the Lord by the children of the Catholic Church." Pg 216, #818

In other words, if you have not been baptized into the Catholic church, you are not a
Christian. These are not my words, but the words of the official Catholic Catechism.

But according to Scripture, it doesn't matter if the Catholic church has accepted you or not. If your faith is in Jesus Christ alone, then He has already accepted you:

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

Conclusion

At this point, you must make a few decisions:

• Is Peter really the rock? The Catechism says he is, but God's Word says he is
  not.


• Is the Catholic church the one true church? The Catechism says yes, but the
  Bible says no.


• Do you really believe that all non-Catholics will burn in hell?

Once again, the answers to each of these questions will be determined by which you
choose to believe... the traditions of men, or God' s Word. Jesus asked the Pharisees a question which all Roman Catholics should ponder:

"Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?" Matthew
15:3

The Church Forgives Sins

Catholicism teaches that it has the power and authority to forgive people's sins. Here are a few quotes from the Catechism. (Please note that whenever the Catechism mentions the "Church," it is referring to the "Roman Catholic church"):

"There is no offense, however serious,
that the Church cannot forgive." Pg. 256, #982

"By Christ's will, the Church possesses the power to
forgive the sins of the baptized..." Pg. 257, #986

"The Church, who through the bishop and his priests
forgives sins in the name of Jesus Christ..." Pg. 363-364, #1448

Does the Catholic church have power to forgive sins? Let's see what the
Scriptures say:

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

"And be ye kind one to another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath
forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32

According to Scripture, God wants His children to come straight to Him for forgiveness of sins, not to a church:

"Let us therefore come
boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find
grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

This verse loudly proclaims that forgiveness of sins comes from God's throne, not from a church. Still, Catholicism teaches a contrary doctrine:

"Indeed bishops and priests, by virtue of the sacrament
of Holy Orders, have the power to forgive all sins 'in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.' " Pg. 367, #1461

"The Church must be able to forgive all penitents their
offenses, even if they should sin until the last moment of their lives."
Pg. 255, #979

However, this man-made doctrine contradicts God' s written Word. Many Bible characters freely approached God's throne for forgiveness of sins. The psalmist went straight to God:

"I acknowledged my sin unto
thee... I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD;
and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin..." Psalm 32:5

King David went directly to God to ask forgiveness for his sins:

"Look upon mine affliction and
my pain; and forgive all my sins." Psalm 25:18

In Psalm 51, David asks God for forgiveness again:

"Wash me thoroughly from mine
iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned,
and done this evil in thy sight..." Psalm 51:2,4

King Solomon was also aware that he and all the children of Israel could go straight to God to receive forgiveness for their sins:

"Hearken therefore unto the
supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall make
toward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when
thou hearest, forgive." 2 Chronicles 6:21

God tells people to come to Him for forgiveness:

"If my people, which are called
by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face,
and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will
forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

God never requires anyone to go through a church to receive forgiveness for their sins.

"For thou, Lord, art good, and
ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon
thee." Psalm 86:5

"... if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." Colossians 3:13

Why then would the Catholic church insist that forgiveness of sins is only available through her? The following Catechism quote provides the answer:

"Were there no forgiveness of sins in the Church, there would be no hope of life
to come or eternal liberation. Let us thank God who has given his Church such a gift." Pg. 256, #983

Rather than looking to Jesus for forgiveness of sins and eternal life, Roman Catholics are taught that their sins can only be forgiven through the Catholic church. Whether intentional or not, this doctrine keeps people in bondage to the Catholic church.

Conclusion

Once again, God' s Word stands on one side, while the traditions of men stand on the other. God says He alone forgives sins, while Catholic tradition contends that the Catholic church has the power to forgive sins. Which side will you choose?

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all
his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities..." Psalm
103:2-3

Salvation Through The Church

Roman Catholicism teaches that salvation is available only through the
Catholic church:

"The Second Vatican Council's Decree on Ecumenism
explains: 'For it is through Christ's Catholic Church alone, which is the
universal help toward salvation, that the fullness of the means of salvation can
be obtained.'" Pg. 215, #816

Here, the 1994 catechism reaffirms the existing teaching of Vatican II, that
salvation can be obtained only through the Roman Catholic church.
The catechism leaves no doubt that the Catholic church is necessary for
salvation:

"...all salvation comes from Christ the Head through
the Church which is his Body: Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the
Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for
salvation..." Pg. 224, #846

Past popes have taught this doctrine, as have previous catechisms and church
fathers. Here is but one example…

On May 7, 2001, Pope John Paul II told 2,000 youth gathered at the Greek-Melkite
Cathedral of Damascus that "you cannot be a Christian if you reject the
Church founded on Jesus Christ."¹

Catholic friend, you personally may not believe this, but your pope does. And
it is an official doctrine of your religion.

If you check God's Word on this subject, you will not find a single verse
requiring one to go through a church to be saved. In fact, the opposite is
taught:

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

When Jesus died on the cross, He paid the full price for the sins of all
mankind. According to God's Word, anyone can go directly to Him for salvation.
Jesus Himself announced that:

"He that believeth on
the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall
not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:36

Jesus preached:

"He that heareth my word, and believeth
on him that sent me, hath everlasting life…" John 5:24

"He
that believeth on me hath everlasting life." John 6:47

Jesus repeats this message in John 3:16, 3:18, and 6:40. If the Catholic
church really is necessary for salvation, then Jesus Christ is a liar.

The Apostle Paul gives step by step instructions on how to be saved:

"That if thou shalt confess
with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart
that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart
man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is
made unto salvation." Romans 10:9-10

Notice, no church is required. So if Catholicism is right, then the Apostle
Paul is also a liar. And since he wrote under the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit, the Holy Spirit is a liar as well.

"But as many as received
(trusted in) him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them
that believe on his name." John 1:12

John says you become God's child by believing in Jesus Christ. If this
Catholic doctrine is true, then John's name must be added to the list of liars.

But John is not a liar. Jesus never requires a church for salvation:

"To him (Jesus) give all the
prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall
receive remission of sins." Acts 10:43

The key is belief in Christ, not a church:

"For I am not ashamed of the
gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one
that believeth…" Romans 1:16

According to Paul, Timothy needed faith in Christ to be saved, not a church:

"And that from a child thou
hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through
faith which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3:15

When the Philippian prison guard asked Paul, "What must I do to be
saved?," did Paul answer, "You must become a member of the Roman
Catholic church?" No, he responded:

"Believe on the
Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…" Acts 16:31

Remember when Jesus was hanging on the cross? The thief on the cross next to
Him cried out:

"…Lord, remember me when
thou comest into thy kingdom." Luke 23:42

When that dying sinner uttered those words of faith, Jesus responded by
saying:

"To day shalt thou be with me
in paradise." Luke 23:43

Salvation is in Christ… not in a church.

The catechism claims salvation comes "…through Christ's Catholic
Church alone…" But God's Word says it is obtained through Jesus Christ:

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

"…
God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through
him." 1 John 4:9

Only Christ can offer us salvation because He alone shed His blood for us:

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

No church can offer salvation. Only Jesus can:

"Neither is there salvation in
any other (except Jesus): for there is none other
name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:10, 12

Conclusion

Since the Bible and Catholicism clearly disagree, here are some questions you
must answer:

• If the Catholic church is necessary to escape hell and reach
heaven, would not God have clearly stated it in His Word… at least once?

• Why would Jesus repeatedly lie by saying that salvation is
available through faith in Him?

•Are you willing to call Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Apostle
Paul and the Apostle John all liars? For your religion to be right, you must.

• For centuries, Bible believing Christians have contended that this
unbiblical doctrine was created to keep members in bondage. Was it?

• Lastly, you must again answer the question, "Which will I
obey and serve, the traditions of men, or the Word of God?" You cannot say
"both" because each says the other is wrong.

Someday you will stand face to face with Jesus Christ. You will look Him
right in the eyes. You might want to start thinking about how you are going to
tell the Lord that you rejected His teachings and obeyed the traditions of
sinful men because you assumed He was lying.

"For laying aside the
commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men…" Mark 7:8

¹From article "Pope Meets with Youth of Various Christian Confessions," Vatican City, 5/7/01 (VIS) reported by the Catholic Information Network, 5/9/01, N. 86

Salvation Through Good Works

To be saved, Catholic doctrine requires the continual performance of good
works.

"Even though incorporated into the Church, one who
does not however persevere in charity is not saved." Pg. 222, #837

These works include baptism (pg. 320, #1257), various sacraments (pg. 292,
#1129) plus many additional works.

Once again the teachings of Catholicism oppose God's Word, which states that
salvation cannot be earned, but is a free and undeserved gift of
God:

"For by grace are ye saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of
works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

"Not
by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy
he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy
Ghost;" Titus 3:5

The Bible repeatedly states that salvation comes through faith-never by good
works:

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

"And
the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through
faith…" Galatians 3:8

How do we become God's children?:

"For ye are all the children
of God by faith in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:26

The Pharisees
and good works

The religious Pharisees were convinced that performing good works would earn
them salvation, but Jesus set them straight. In Mark's gospel, the Pharisees and
scribes asked Jesus:

"Why walk not thy disciples
according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen
hands?" Mark 7:5

In response, Jesus chastised them:

"Full well ye reject the
commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition." Mark 7:9

What a tragedy! By elevating tradition above God's Word, the Pharisees had
actually rejected the commandment of God. Jesus also accused the Pharisees of:

"Making the word of God of
none effect through your tradition…" Mark 7:13

This is exactly what the Catholic church does by elevating church tradition
above the Word of God.

The Pharisees were convinced that salvation was obtained by performing good
works, but good works can never save anybody:

"Knowing that a man is not
justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we
have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of
Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no
flesh be justified." Galatians 2:16

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

Good works will
not get you in

Many who stand before God will think they should enter heaven because of
their good works. Jesus tells us in His Word:

"Not every one that saith unto
me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven… Many
will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and
in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful
works?" Matthew 7:21-22

How shocked they will be when they hear Jesus respond:

"I never knew you: depart from
me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 7:23

How tragic! Millions of Catholics never learn that good works cannot save
them until after they die. But after death is too late. At that point they are
already doomed to an eternity in the lake of fire.

The Apostle Paul makes another important statement concerning good works:

"I do not frustrate the grace
of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."
Galatians 2:21

In other words, if you could earn heaven through your good works, then Jesus
suffered that horrible death on the cross for nothing.

But He did not die in vain. Scripture declares that Jesus gave His life
because there is no other way for our sins to be forgiven:

"He that believeth on
him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already,
because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
John 3:18

Jesus repeats this same truth:

"And this is the will of him
that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him,
may have everlasting life…" John 6:40

Conclusion

Roman Catholic friend, you must make another decision. Either you will
believe God's Word and accept the free gift of salvation through
faith alone in Jesus Christ, or you will believe the traditions of the Catholic
church, that salvation must be earned through continual good works.

You cannot choose Catholic doctrine and God's Word because both disagree with
each other.

My prayer is that you will make the right choice. If you choose to receive
the God's free gift of salvation, before the end of the book, we will explain
how you can do it:

"Jesus answered and said unto
them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath
sent." John 6:29