The Catholic Church or The Bible

Throughout the ages, the Catholic church has continued to evolve into the religious organization that it is today. They have, over time, replaced many of the key doctrines that Christ taught with traditions that counsels and pope's have enacted. The Catholic church has, in general, fallen guilty of the same crimes as the pharisees of Jesus' day. They have crafted a religion based on the philosophies of sinful men rather than relying on the finished work of God's Word. Just as the pharisees, the Catholic Church has fallen hard from where God had once intended.

"Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men... And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition." ~ Mark 7:7-9

The Catholic Church has blatantly replaced God's commandments with their own dogma. For us to make this strong assertion, however, demands that we back it up with clear, specific examples. Although there are many points that could be made (Luther initially came up with 95), we will restrict our list to five.

1. The Catholic Church Adds Sacraments to Salvation. The Bible is very clear that there is only one way to enter into the gates of Heaven. In fact, every where that one turns in the New Testament reaffirms the simple fact that salvation is only found through faith in Jesus Christ with nothing else added or taken away.
   

   "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." ~ Eph. 2:8-9

   
   Many other verses are very clear that salvation is not found in penance or in good deeds. To quote them all would be an exhaustive study. It is always through repentance and faith that salvation is found.



2. The Catholic Church Forbid Their Leadership to Marry. This point is particularly interesting to me in light of the fact that scripture specifically mentions this doctrine as heresy.
   
   

   "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils...Forbidding to marry..." ~ I Tim. 4:3-4
   
   "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly." Tit. 1:5-6

   
   Paul goes into specific detail in addressing the family situation of elders and bishops in the Pastoral Epistles, or I and II Timothy and Titus. He very clearly describes bishops as being the husband of one wife (not zero) and having children that are not unruly...not non-existent.



3. The Catholic Church Baptizes Infants. In the book of acts, a young man came to Philip and after hearing the gospel he asked if he could be baptized. Pay attention to the response that Philip gave to this man.
   
   

   "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

   
   Philip placed one major prerequisite for this man to meet before he could be baptized. He had to have a clear understanding of his faith in Jesus Christ if he wished to stir the baptismal waters. Is it possible for an infant to meet this demand?
   
   Also, is it even necessary for an infant to be baptized. In II Samuel 12, David had fasted and prayed for God to spare the life of his newborn child. After seven days of prayer, the child died. Immediately he stood up and began to go about his business. He had no fear about where the child was even though the child had not been baptized. In fact, he seemed very confident that the child was in heaven.
   
   

   "But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." ~ II Samuel 12: 23

As I stated at the open of this article, there are many reasons that could be listed yet I have chosen only to select a few. I invite you all to post any other reasons that you may think of. I also invite any Catholics to chime in and discuss this with me as I am always trying to learn more about different faith groups regardless of whether I agree with them or not. I want to continue learning.