Dr. R.C. Sproul: It's Sin For A Born Again Christian To Remain With Roma..or patrick j miron fallen a-way

get some ideal of the curses from the catholic church

  A SUMMARY OF THE

DECLARATIONS OF THE COUNCIL OF TRENT

Has the Roman Catholic Church changed its basic doctrinal position in this present ecumenical era?

 The answer is no, it has not. The Council of Trent was a Catholic council held from 1545-1563 in an attempt to destroy the progress of the Protestant Reformation. 

This council denied every Reformation doctrine, including Scripture alone and grace alone. 

Trent hurled 125 anathemas (eternal damnations) against Bible-believing Christians. 

These proclamations and anathemas were fleshed out in the murderous persecutions vented upon Bible-believing Christians by Rome, and the solemn fact is that the Council of Trent has never been annulled. 

The Vatican II Council of the mid-1960s referred to Trent dozens of times, quoted Trent’s proclamations as authority, and reaffirmed Trent on every hand. 

The New Catholic Catechism cites Trent no less than 99 times. There is not the slightest hint that the proclamations of the Council of Trent have been abrogated by Rome. 

At the opening of the Second Vatican Council, Pope John XXIII stated, “I do accept entirely all that has been decided and declared at the Council of Trent.” Every cardinal, bishop and priest who participated in the Vatican II Council signed a document affirming Trent.  

Click here to view the main anathemas

Fourth session: decree concerning the canonical scriptures:

“If anyone does not accept as sacred and canonical the aforesaid books in their entirety and with all their parts [the 66 books of the Bible plus 12 apocryphal books, being two of Paralipomenon, two of Esdras, Tobias, Judith, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, Sophonias, two of Macabees], as they have been accustomed to be read in the Catholic Church and as they are contained in the old Latin Vulgate Edition, and knowingly and deliberately rejects the aforesaid traditions, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA.”

Sixth session, canons concerning justification:

·          “If anyone says that justifying faith is nothing else than confidence in divine mercy, which remits sins for Christ’s sake, or that it is this confidence alone that justifies us, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA” (Canons Concerning Justification, Canon 12).

·          “If anyone says that the justice received is not preserved and also not increased before God through good works, but that those works are merely the fruits and signs of justification obtained, but not the cause of its increase, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA” (Canons Concerning Justification, Canon 24).

·          “If anyone says that the Catholic doctrine of justification as set forth by the holy council in the present decree, derogates  in some respect from the glory of God or the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, and does not rather illustrate the truth of our faith and no less the glory of God and of Christ Jesus, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA” (Canons Concerning Justification, Canon 33).

Seventh session, canons on baptism:

·          “If anyone says that in the Roman Church, which is the mother and mistress of all churches, there is not the true doctrine concerning the sacrament of baptism, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA” (Canons on Baptism, Canon 3).

·          “If anyone says that baptism is optional, that is, not necessary for salvation, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA” (Canons on Baptism, Canon 5).

·          “If anyone says that children, because they have not the act of believing, are not after having received baptism to be numbered among the faithful, and that for this reason are to be rebaptized when they have reached the years of discretion; or that it is better that the baptism of such be omitted than that, while not believing by their own act, they should be baptized in the faith of the Church alone, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA” (Canons on Baptism, Canon 13).

Seventh session, canons on confirmation:

“If anyone says that the confirmation of those baptized is an empty ceremony and not a true and proper sacrament; or that of old it was nothing more than a sort of instruction, whereby those approaching adolescence gave an account of their faith to the Church, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA” (Canons on Confirmation, Canon 1).

Thirteenth session, canons on the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist:

·          “If anyone denies that in the sacrament of the most Holy Eucharist are contained truly, really and substantially the body and blood together with the soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and consequently the whole Christ, but says that He is in it only as in a sign, or figure or force, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA” (Canons on the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, Canon 1).

·          “If anyone says that Christ received in the Eucharist is received spiritually only and not also sacramentally and really, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA” (Canons on the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, Canon 8).

Fourteenth session, canons concerning the most holy sacrament of penance:

·          “If anyone says that in the Catholic Church penance is not truly and properly a sacrament instituted by Christ the Lord for reconciling the faithful of God as often as they fall into sin after baptism, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA” (Canons Concerning the Most Holy Sacrament of Penance, Canon 1).

·          “If anyone denies that sacramental confession was instituted by divine law or is necessary to salvation; or says that the manner of confessing secretly to a priest alone, which the Catholic Church has always observed from the beginning and still observes, is at variance with the institution and command of Christ and is a human contrivance, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA” (Canons Concerning the Most Holy Sacrament of Penance, Canon 7).

·          “If anyone says that the confession of all sins as it is observed in the Church is impossible and is a human tradition to be abolished by pious people; or that each and all of the faithful of Christ or either sex are not bound thereto once a year in accordance with the constitution of the great Lateran Council, and that for this reason the faithful of Christ are to be persuaded not to confess during Lent, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA” (Canons Concerning the Most Holy Sacrament of Penance, Canon 8).

·          “If anyone says that God always pardons the whole penalty together with the guilt and that the satisfaction of penitents is nothing else than the faith by which they perceive that Christ has satisfied for them, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA” (Canons Concerning the Most Holy Sacrament of Penance, Canon 8).

Twenty-second session, canons on the sacrifice of the mass:

·          “If anyone says that in the mass a true and real sacrifice is not offered to God; or that to be offered is nothing else than that Christ is given to us to eat, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA” (Canons on the Sacrifice of the Mass, Canon 1).

·          “If anyone says that by those words, Do this for a commemoration of me, Christ did not institute the Apostles priests; or did not ordain that they and other priests should offer His own body and blood, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA” (Canons on the Sacrifice of the Mass, Canon 2).

·          “If anyone says that the sacrifice of the mass is one only of praise and thanksgiving; or that it is a mere commemoration of the sacrifice consummated on the cross but not a propitiatory one; or that it profits him only who receives, and ought not to be offered for the living and the dead, for sins, punishments, satisfactions, and other necessities, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA” (Canons on the Sacrifice of the Mass, Canon 3).

·          “If anyone says that it is a deception to celebrate masses in honor of the saints and in order to obtain their intercession with God, as the Church intends, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA” (Canons on the Sacrifice of the Mass, Canon 5).

Twenty-third session, canons on the sacrament of order:

“If anyone says that there is not in the New Testament a visible and external priesthood, or that there is no power of consecrating and offering the true body and blood of the Lord and of forgiving and retaining sins, but only the office and bare ministry of preaching the Gospel; or that those who do not preach are not priests at all, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA” (Canons on the Sacrifice of the Mass, Canon 1).

Twenty-third session, canons on the sacrament of order:

“If anyone says that the bishops who are chosen by the authority of the Roman pontiff are not true and legitimate bishops, but merely human deception, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA” (Canons on the Sacrifice of the Mass, Canon 8).

Twenty-fifth session, decree on purgatory:

“Since the Catholic Church, instructed by the Holy Ghost, has, following the sacred writings and the ancient tradition of the Fathers, taught in sacred councils and very recently in this ecumenical council that there is a purgatory, and that the souls there detained are aided by the suffrages of the faithful and chiefly by the acceptable sacrifice of the altar, the holy council commands the bishops that they strive diligently to the end that the sound doctrine of purgatory, transmitted by the Fathers and sacred councils, be believed and maintained by the faithful of Christ, and be everywhere taught and preached.”

Twenty-fifth session, on the invocation, veneration, and relics of saints, and sacred images:

“The holy council commands all bishops and others who hold the office of teaching and have charge of the cura animarum, that in accordance with the usage of the Catholic and Apostolic Church, received from the primitive times of the Christian religion, and with the unanimous teaching of the holy Fathers and the decrees of sacred councils, they above all instruct the faithful diligently in matters relating to intercession and invocation of the saints, the veneration of relics, and the legitimate use of images, teaching them that the saints who reign together with Christ offer up their prayers to God for men, that it is good and beneficial suppliantly to invoke them and to have recourse to their prayers, assistance and support in order to obtain favors from God through His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who alone is our redeemer and savior; and that they think impiously who deny that the saints who enjoy eternal happiness in heaven are to be invoked, or who assert that they do not pray for men, or that our invocation of them to pray for each of us individually is idolatry, or that it is opposed to the word of God and inconsistent with the honor of the one mediator of God and men, Jesus Christ, or that it is foolish to pray vocally or mentally to those who reign in heaven.”

By David Cloud

Jerry, just remember. It's not a lie... if you believe it...patrick j miron almost a lie-

hey is it a mortal sin for patrick j miron 2 lie?

 

 The role of the priest is to 

 

 

1. Hear your Confession, determine if you are sincerely repentant and then grant Absolution.

 

 

 [Which I shall explain shortly.]

1. Son: 1 Jn. 1: "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." 


All of us are sinners to varying degrees depending on the amount of grace offered, accepted and properly applied by each of us.

2 1 Jn.5:16 "If any one sees his brother committing what is not a mortal sin, he will ask, and God * will give him life for those whose sin is not mortal. 

 

 

 

There is sin which is mortal; 

 

 

 

I do not say that one is to pray for that.

 

 

 

 17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not mortal."

 

 

 

  [Thus there is sin that is Mortal!] commentary patrick j miron

Here we are introduced to the very logical concept of "two levels of sin."

 

 

 

 Less serious that we term "Venial" sins, and VERY serious sins that we call "Mortal" sins. 

 

 

 

Whilw all sins hurt our relationship with God, hurt ourselves and the community, "Mortal " sin as the name implies are so serious as to completely sever ones relationship with Christ.

 

 

 

 One remains seperated from God until one Confesses, Repents, receives Absolution and completes the Pennance given. [I'll explain this also shortly.]

3 Jn.20:21-13 "Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." 22* And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23* If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained"

Add to the Mt. 16:19 [Jesus speaking to Peter,who represents the Church, popes, bishops and priest] " 

 

 

 

19 I will give you [singular for His Church] the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." [Singular for His Popes, Bishops and priest.]

So clearly there is clear and binding authority for the Sacrament of Confession.

The steps for Confession are:
 

 

 

1 A full and complete personal examination of Conscience, trying to recall all of the sins committed. NOTE: 

 

 

ONLY all of f the Mortal sins need to be confessed, giving the description of each and number of times committed. NOTE: 

 

 

 

Under the penalty of both spiritual and physical death Confessors are sworn to a vow of complete Secrecy.

 

 

 

Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES, can a confessor share, discuss, reveal anything heard in the Confessional. PERIOD! Whaqt you confess remains between you and God.

2 The role of the Priest[Confessor] is to hear your Confession, determine if you are really and truly repentant, give some advice on how you might "avoid the near temptation of sin in the furture," Grant Absolution, [with the words of Absolution: "I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit [to which you reply "Amen"] which means "I believe." "Go now YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!"

 

 No guessing, 100% certainty that Christ has forgiven you! WOW! 

NOTE, that is the Holy Spirit, not the priest who Forgives you your sins! The Confessor is acting in, through and on behalf of Jesus. Thus the words "I ABSOLVE" not "I forgive" are used.

The Confessor will assign some sort of "Penance" [evidence and offering back to God as a sign of your sorrow and gratitude.] This Penance MUST BE completed before the effects of absolution take effect.

The format is either "always" * "person to Confessor" either behind a veil or at your option "face to face." One should be mindful that it is common to be uncomfortable, and that is part of God's intent. 

 

 

The fact that we MUST!!!!!! Confess our sins, hopefully will be a deterrent to furture sins. 

 

 

Having said this it is important that one Confess all Mortal sins and the number of times committed. The Confessor may ask a few questions in order to determine the degree of "cupability." which effects the seriousness of the sins.

In order for a sin to be "Mortal" in must be 

 

1. Serious matter 

 

2.
One must know that it is a Mortal sin BEFORE committing it, and 3. Still desire to commit the sin anyway.

Some examples of Mortal sins are sex outside marriage, use of Contraceptive sex, abortion, ruining the reputation of another, excessive greed and many other things. [Really a seperate topic].

The format is enter the Confessinal, 

 

 

 "make the sign of the cross" "Bless me Father for I have sinned, it has been [time period...my first Confession, two weeks ect.] since my last Confession. I have sinnes in the following ways. [full and complete disclosure]. Fatehr may ask clarifying questions? Reply honestly. The Absolution is granted, "pennace" is given, Father will bless you and tell you to "Go in PEACE!"

A final NOTE: 

 

 

 

Mortal sins are so serious that unconfessed they will send one to Hell for eternity.

One may not receive Catholic Holy Communion unless they are "in the state of grace" [w/o
Mortal sin on ones soul.

 

 

 

 1 Cor. 11:27-29.

Fourteenth session, canons concerning the most holy sacrament of penance:

·        

  “If anyone says that in the Catholic Church penance is not truly and properly a sacrament instituted by Christ the Lord for reconciling the faithful of God as often as they fall into sin after baptism, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA” (Canons Concerning the Most Holy Sacrament of Penance, Canon 1).

·      

    “If anyone denies that sacramental confession was instituted by divine law or is necessary to salvation; or says that the manner of confessing secretly to a priest alone, which the Catholic Church has always observed from the beginning and still observes, is at variance with the institution and command of Christ and is a human contrivance, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA” (Canons Concerning the Most Holy Sacrament of Penance, Canon 7).

·     

     “If anyone says that the confession of all sins as it is observed in the Church is impossible and is a human tradition to be abolished by pious people; or that each and all of the faithful of Christ or either sex are not bound thereto once a year in accordance with the constitution of the great Lateran Council, and that for this reason the faithful of Christ are to be persuaded not to confess during Lent, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA” (Canons Concerning the Most Holy Sacrament of Penance, Canon 8).

·       

 

 

   “If anyone says that God always pardons the whole penalty together with the guilt and that the satisfaction of penitents is nothing else than the faith by which they perceive that Christ has satisfied for them, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA” (Canons Concerning the Most Holy Sacrament of Penance, Canon 8).

I AM Catholic, by Pat Miron-- Make --up- facts-- with patrick j miron

The Eucharist; explained by Catholics

I AM Catholic, by Pat Miron

Mark.12: 24 “Jesus said to them, "Is not this why you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God?”

POINT #1. The Body of evidence that supports WHY and HOW we Catholics have and continue to Hold this DIVINE-Truth is solidly biblically grounded, solidly Theologically grounded, and can be proven to have been correctly understood, lived and practiced from the time of Christ death to the present times, and beyond. 

That friends is some TWO-THOUSAND YEARS! 

(made up facts) find the 23 made up facts by patrick j miron

POINT #2. People do not willingly give their life in barbaric, gruesome manners without evident cause. Each of the Apostles [except John who they tried to boil alive in oil; but was saved by God’s direct intervention], and a GREAT many others, including many early Popes, did just that. And many continue to the present time doing exactly that! 

There were MORE Catholic Martyrs in the Twentieth Century than EVRY preceding Century combined.” WHY? Because there is wider and greater disbelief then ever before.

POINT #3. In addition to the Bibles information CORRECTLY understood, with it’s Testimony  of FIVE different New Testament Authors; ALL INSPIRED BY GOD HIMSELF, there is the actual Testimony and Personal Witness of Jesus Christ who is a Perfect God.

 2^nd. Tim. 3:16-17 “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 

use this verse any way you want-- but it was intended for the OT interpretation Patrick j miron made up facts

John 5:[RSV] 3-36-38 “But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father has granted me to accomplish, these very works which I am doing, bear me witness that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness to me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen; and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe him whom he has sent.”

POINT #4. It is necessary to point out that denial of this Truth on which the entirety of Christianity rest, is factually a “Denial of God Himself.” The One unforgivable sin. [Luke 12:10] The reality of Christ Real presence can ONLY be grasped, and accepted through the red-tinted glasses of God’s Love for His created Humanity. Nothing Good is impossible for God. Manna, [signifying bread] ,the quail, [signifying meat-flesh], water [signifying life]. from the Rock and the First Miracle in Cana; transforming one substance [water] into another substance [wine]; ALL point to the “Real Presence” and God’s ability to do it.

Instead of this, you nourished your people with food of angels and furnished them bread from heaven, ready to hand, untoiled-for, endowed with all delights and conforming to every taste. For this substance of yours revealed your sweetness toward your children, and serving the desire of him who received it, was blended to whatever flavor [needs] each one wished. (Wisdom 16:20-21)

For the elements changed places with one another, as on a harp the notes vary the nature of the rhythm, while each note remains the same. This may be clearly inferred from the sight of what took place. For land animals were transformed into water creatures, and creatures that swim moved over to the land. Fire even in water retained its normal power, and water forgot its fire-quenching nature. Flames, on the contrary, failed to consume the flesh of perishable creatures that walked among them, nor did they melt the crystalline, easily melted kind of heavenly food. (Wisdom 19:18-21)

POINT #5. God is ever-constant. Cannot change who and what he is. But the Old Testament points to the Messiah in the New Testament: The term ‘”Messiah” means “”Savior”  Christ promised His Apostles specifically and precisely  to “remain with THEM FOREVER“, and this follows in direct sequence order, AFTER the Resurrection of Christ. in

 Matt. 28:16-20 “Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted. [Thomas doubted Christ resurrection] And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. … Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you;

 and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age."

Here we have God affirming to His Apostles and through them His catholic Church to “remain with them forever! NOTE, He has JUST RISEN FROM THE DEAD and was speaking BODILY to them”

He explains HOW he God can do this: “ALL POWER IN HEAVEN AND EARTH HAS BEEN GRANTRD TO ME.”

He Affirm that He WILL Do this: “and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age."

And He explains WHY He will do this: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” This can ONLY be accomplished with God’s direct intervention.

POINT #6. Isa.43 Verses 7and 21: “every one who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." AND the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.”

It is in these passages; these indicators of precisely WHY humanity exist; and precisely WHY Jesus Instituted the Most Holy Eucharist..

Made up fact-- patrick j miron

 Humanity is the ONLY part of God’s Created Universe that stems from God’s own want. God is Love and desires to be equally loved in return

 This can only be possible with Direct intervention and DIRECT AID form God Himself. There is and there can be no greater source of GRACE on earth that Catholic Holy Communion,

 because it IS GOD HIMSELF, and when we CHOOSE to receive Him worthily, MANY are the graces bestowed upon us. 

I… t is far more evident that it is God seeking a Personal Relationship with His Created, and will suffer any Humility to accomplish it; then it is clear that humanity seeks a personal relationship with Our God.

 This God sought Personal relationship is no more evident than in Catholic Holy Communion. Where [Catholic] humanity not only MEETS our God; but in a real sense becomes One WITH our God and thus consummates the MOST INTIMATE of all possible personal relationships.

POINT #7 Matthew 26: 26-28

And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke: and gave to his disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat. This is my body. And taking the chalice, he gave thanks, and gave to them, saying: Drink ye all of this. For this is my blood of the new testament,

 which shall be shed for many unto remission of sins.

POINT #8 MARK 14: 22-24

And whilst they were eating, Jesus took bread; and blessing, broke, and gave to them, and said: Take ye. This is my body. And having taken the chalice, giving thanks, he gave it to them. And they all drank of it.  And he said to them: This is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many.

Point #9 Luke 22: 19-21

And taking bread, he gave thanks, and brake; and gave to them, saying: This is my body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of me. In like manner the chalice also, after he had supped, saying: This is the chalice, the new testament in my blood, which shall be shed for you.

Point # 10 Paul 1 Cor.11: 23-29

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.  And giving thanks, broke, and said: Take ye, and eat: this is my body, which shall be delivered for you: this do for the commemoration of me. In like manner also the chalice, after he had supped, saying: This chalice is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the commemoration of me.  For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall show the death of the Lord, until he come. POINT # 11 Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself: [to be worthy of the privilege]  and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice. For he that eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks judgment to himself”

It is an impossibility that Paul could have uttered these words of Grave Spiritual warning, IF he were NOT knowingly speaking of the Transubstantiation of ordinary bread and wine into the very Real, now Glorified Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. One is not “condemned for consuming ONLY ordinary bread and wine!”

POINT # 12 The term applied to the practice of the Eucharist begin as “The Breaking of the Bread”

Acts.2: 42, 46 “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts, so it is evident that the Teaching of Christ was both CORRECTLY understood, and accepted and put into practice immediately after His Death. The first “churches” were peoples homes.

2Pet.2: 1 to 3 “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

Are you Anathema? catholic church training with Patrick j Miron

Anathemas Proclaimed by the Catholic Church

 Are you Anathema?

Here at Guided By Truth, we are committed to shedding light on false doctrines. Because of that we share some of the false teachings of the Catholic Church and show scripturally how their teachings are in direct contradiction with the Word of God. Because we stand firm in our beliefs as we see them taught within the Bible, we are often accused of causing division and being "unloving" to those who are in the Catholic Church. What people fail to mention is that the Magesterium of the Catholic Church has already proclaimed an eternal condemnation upon anyone who disagrees with their doctrine. Though we are sharing with you the truth of their doctrines, we are allowing you to examine the scriptures to see for yourself if what they are teaching is true. The Catholic Church, however, does not allow the individual such a courtesy. If we believe any doctrine they have declared heretical, then we are eternally condemned from fellowship with the Catholic Church and therefore, according to their doctrine, can not be saved. The Catholic Church teaches that there is no salvation apart from their church for those who disagree with it's teachings.

 

Protestant Theology & Catholic Doctrines

Exposed to cover & discover the “Naked Truth“... Catholic responses to the Booklet: “Answers to my Catholic Friends” by Thomas F. Heinze …  Part 9

A Catholic reply to Protestant “[mis]- Understandings” Part 9

Chapter 8: “On Whom is the Church Founded”

If I am understanding what I’m reading here? Thomas is questioning whether the Catholic Church is founded on Christ or Peter?  The answer of COURSE is that the Catholic Church is Founded BY Jesus Christ, and by HIS OWN CHOICE, on the guided; guarded and protected, Peter and the Apostles. 

There would be no Christian Faith today were it not for today’s Catholic Church from which all other Christian faiths originate.  

Catholics are thee Original Bible Church and thee Only True Sacramental Church; 

Clearly  [Biblically] founded on and BY Jesus Christ. 

Catholics have ALWAYS proclaimed salvation By and THROUGH Him ALONE;

 and it remains Christ OWN Teachings

 that He  taught, lived and entrusted DIRECTLYY to Peter, 

the Apostles and those He chooses to follow them,  

 NOT modified  to suit  the agendas of mortal men; twelve to fifteen hundred years later.

John.10: 16 “And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd”

Eph. 2:19-20 “So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, [SINGULAR] built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,  in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; [SINGULAR] in whom you also [MUST BE] are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”

REPLY Point #1. THERE IS NOTHING IN THIS PASSAGE TO INFER THAT THIS STATUS WAS PASSED ON TO THE POPES [Even if much biblical evidence did not exist… [It does; Mt.28: 17-19 and John 20:19-22 for example]; simple logic supported by the historical fact that The CC has survived some 2,000 years dating fro the Visitation of Christ and the times of the Apostles; one would have to hold the position that Christ intended EVERYTHING he did, suffered for and taught to die with the Apostles. PURE SILLINESS.

Look at the final verse. “whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." This promise and commitment from God to Peter [and through Peter to Christ CC as we shall prove] deals with unlimited POWERS of Governance, as will be proven in my summary article on this topic. It is absurd; complete nonsense to think that God would come to earth to ESTABLISH A NEW COVENANT IN HIS BLOOD, TEACH A NEW AND MORE PERFECT SET OF FAITH BELIEFS, THEN  SEAL THIS COVENANT BY GIVING VERY HIS LIFE, AND EXPECT THAT IT WILL ONLY LAST UNTIL PETER DIES. THAT IS completely unfounded and unsupportable conjecture on the part of Thomas.  Note: THE FINAL COMMENT OF Jesus / God: and the gates of hell shall NEVER prevail against it!” The evidence Thomas seeks IS THERE. Thomas just does not see it! Then look at Matt 18:18 where it is passed on to the other Apostles too!

REPLY Point #2  With this background it seems that “the rock” Jesus refers to is not Peter Himself, but his confession [who Jesus is]

To accept the view of Thomas, one has to assume that Jesus/ God had no idea what He was saying and doing. This is GOD speaking; a Perfect God unable to lie. He knew exactly what he had done and so did the other Apostles as too will be shown.

In Matthew 18:18 all the disciples are given the power of binding and loosing, but the context of that verse suggests that a special power or authority is given to Peter. That the keys are those to the kingdom of heaven and that Peter's exercise of authority in the church on earth will be confirmed in heaven show an intimate connection between, but not an identification of the church and the kingdom of heaven. The Church is the battleground between the powers of Hades and the powers of heaven. How many times over the past years have we felt that the gates of Hades have swung open on the Church, releasing upon it the fire and fury of hell?

In the midst of the storms, however, let us take heart and realize that Peter is given the keys that unlock the gates of heaven. Those gates, too will swing open, and the kingly power of God breaks forth from heaven to enter the arena against the demons. Our faith assures us that Hades will not prevail against the church because God will be powerfully at work in it, revealing his purposes for it and imparting the heavenly power to fulfill these purposes.