WHY I LEFT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH: May 2008

Monday, May 19, 2008

The Good News Bible & the Apocrypha

The 66 books found in the standard translations of the Bible have stood the test and scrutiny of time. Their authenticity and canonicity have been reliably established.

The Catholic Good News Bible consists of additional writings (Apocrypha): Tobit, Judith, the Additions to Esther, the Additions to Daniel (the Prayer of Azariah and the Three Young Men, Susanna, and Bel and the Dragon), the Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, the Letter of Jeremiah, 1 and 2 Maccabees.

The Apocrypha were formally canonized by the Catholic Church on April 8, 1546 A.D. at the Council of Trent. This council was called as a result of the Protestant Reformation, and Martin Luther's criticism of the Catholic church for not having scriptural support for certain distinct Catholic doctrines.

The Apocrypha should NOT be included in the canon of Scriptures because...

None of the Apocrypha claim inspiration or divine authority. New Testament books claim inspiration (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Peter 3:16) None of the apocryphal books are written by a true prophet or apostle of God, or are they confirmed by divine miracles, or contain predictive prophecy.
New Testament writers do not quote the Apocrypha. There are 263 quotations and 370 allusions to the Old Testament in the New Testament and not one of them refers to the Apocrypha.
The Apocrypha is not in the Jewish Canon of Holy Scripture.
There are historical, geographical, and chronological/ numerical errors and discrepancies in the Apocrypha. Historical and archaeological studies have always proven the canonical Scriptures to be accurate over and over again.
The Apocrypha contains unbiblical doctrines. Such as...

Doctrine of the Mass (2 Maccabees 12:42-45; compare with Hebrews 7:27)
The notion that the world was created out of preexistent matter (Wisdom of Solomon; compare with Genesis 1 and Psalm 33:9)
The idea that giving alms and other works can make an atonement for sin. (Ecclesiasticus 3:3; 3:30; 5:5; 20:28; 35:1-4; 45:16; 45:23; compare with Romans 3:20)
The intercession of the saints. (2 Maccabees 15:14; Baruch 3:4; compare with Matthew 6:9)
The worship of angels. (Tobit 12:12; compare with Colossians 2:18)
Purgatory and the redemption of souls after death. (2 Maccabees 12:42, 45; compare with Hebrews 9:27)

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

BAPTISM

BAPTISM IS FULL IMMERSION IN WATER, NOT SPRINKLING

Note: The Greek word for baptism literally means immersion. There are separate words in Greek for sprinkling, pouring and immersion. In the Bible only the Greek word for immersion is used.

Jesus was baptized by full immersion int he Jordan River:

"When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him." (Matthew 3:16)

When Philip baptized the Eunuch, they both went into the water:

"So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing." (Acts 8:38-39)

Belief and repentance come before Baptism, (babies cannot be Baptized):

"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:16)

"Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, 'See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?' Then Philip said, 'If you believe with all your heart, you may.' And he answered and said, 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.'" (Acts 8:36-37)

"Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?' Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'" (Acts 2:37-38)

Monday, May 5, 2008

Church Tradition

Jesus never said it was OK for man to change what the word of God teaches.

"'And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men'...He said to them, 'All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.'" (Mark 7:7-9)

STATUES

The 2nd commandment:

(Exodus 20:4-5) "You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them..."

Catholics regularly bow down to idols, icons and images of Jesus, Mary and the apostles, kissing the feet of the statues and praying before them.

Friday, May 2, 2008

PRIESTS

Jesus made all Christians to be priests, not just church leaders:

"You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:5)

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9)

"And has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen" (Revelation 1:6)

"And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth" (Revelation 5:10)

SAINTS

Catholic Doctrine:

The Pope says only very special dead Catholic people qualify to be called "saints."

Every living Christian in the church in Corinth was called a saint:

"To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours" (1 Corinthians 1:2)

Paul wrote the book of Ephesians to living Christians in Ephesus:

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 1:1)

The Christians in the church at Philippi were called saints:

"Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons" (Philippians 1:1)

Every Christian living in Rome was called to be a saint:

"To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 1:7)

MY TESTIMONY

I was raised in a Catholic family. My parents took us to Catholic Mass on every Sunday, and religious holiday. I went to Catholic School. I both attended and taught CCD. I went on several retreats. As a teen, I was a voting member of the board at our parish. I was religious, and I was empty.

A typical teen, I wanted to run MY life, MY way. I was making some very poor decisions that ultimately lead to serious thoughts of dispare, and plans of suicide.

Someone shared with me their experience with God's wonderful Grace. It was the summer of 1986, that I cryed out to the Lord. While lying alone in bed I prayed that Jesus would forgive me for all the sins I committed. I told him that I was making a mess out of "My life." I pleaded the blood of Christ to wash me. I asked Jesus to take over my life, that I'd do whatever he wanted.

I wasn't prepared for what followed. It felt like someone had taken a pitcher of water and poured it into the top of my head, and ran down through my toes. It was an incredible feeling, and I knew right then that I was different. Something had changed.

It was so amazing, I prayed that same prayer every night for days. I started noticing things, like color, and the beauty of creation like I had never seen before. The sky, flowers, trees, would take my breath away, I would just gaze in awe. It was like I had been walking around with fish scales on my eyes, and now I saw everything more clearly. But that was not all that was different.

I wanted to know God. Everything. I had this desire, a hunger, thirst, that words just can't describe. I had a new purpose. To know and love this God who loved me enough to die for me.

GOOD NEWS: GOD'S GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE

1. GOD'S PLAN:
The Bible teaches us that "in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1) Think about all of the billions of stars, or even the amazing complexity of the human body - God created it all! Revelations 4:11 says, "for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Man was created specifically by God to honor, serve, and enjoy Him forever. This relationship with God is the only thing that brings real satisfaction in life.

2. MAN'S PROBLEM:
But there's a serious problem that has broken this relationship...you and I are sinners. The Bible says, "There is not a just [perfect] man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23). All of us have sinned against God by doing, saying, or thinking things that break His Law. God, who is absolutely just, must judge our sin. Romans 6:23 tells us that "the wages of sin is death." In other words, the payment that you and I have earned for our sin is separation from God forever in a very real place called hell. The same Bible that teaches us about the glories of heaven also warns us about the horrors of hell. Jesus described hell as "an everlasting fire" (Matthew 18:8) a place of agonizing physical pain (Luke 16:24), and a place of "everlasting punishment" (Matthew 25:46).

Many have argued, "But I am not that bad...I'm a pretty good person. Surely, good people go to heaven!" God's Word, however, demands absolute perfection, a standard that no one can reach. Consider what the Scriptures say. Galations 3:10-11: "Cursed is every on that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them." Have you obeyed every one of God's commands? Of course not! James 2:10 adds, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." Even if you lived your entire life and only broke one of God's laws, you are still equally as guilty and deserving of God's eternal punishment as the person who has broken all of them. "But what about all of our good works" you may ask, "Don't they somehow 'outweigh' all of our sin?" Isaiah 64:6 states that even our "righteousness [goodness] is as filthy rags." Clearly, no one stands innocent and pure in the sight of a holy God in their sin, regarless of how religious or good they may appear.

3. GOD'S PROVISION:
Is there any hope? I have good news for you! Romans 5:8 says, "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." He did for you what religion or good works could never do. Christ fully paid the penalty of our sin debt through His death and resurrection. Our sin, has to be punished by death. Christ shed His blood and died in our place, paying the price of our punishment in full on the cross so that we can be pardoned from our sin and brought back into a right relationship with god. He rose again three days later to prove that He is the one true God who has power over sin, death and hell. Because of His finshed work on our behalf, you and I do not have to face the penalty that we deserve for our sin. We can be forgiven, and receive His free gift of eternal life!

4. MANS PARDON:
The Bible says, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (Acts 16:31, John 3:16) What does "believing in Jesus" mean? Many people "believe in Jesus," but are still trusting in something other than Christ alone to somehow earn eternal life. True belief, or faith, is not Jesus plus baptism, church membership, good works, etc. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "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." A saving faith in the Lord Jesus does not rely upon works to try to earn eternal life. Have you been relying upon your works, or something other than (or in addition to) Christ's work for you on the cross, to try to earn God's favor? If so, then your faith will not save you from your sin. You must stop depending upon your works and transfer your dependence to Christ alone in order to receive His gift of everlasting life.

Do you desire to turn from your sin and self-dependence to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? If so, then you must agree with God that you are a sinner deserving eternal punishment, that Jesus died and rose again for your sin, and that Christ alone is the only way to eternal life. 2 Corinthians 6:2 warns us, "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." He will save you from sin, if you will sinply turn from your self-dependence to place your faith in Christ's work for eternal life. Romans 10:9,13: "For 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 whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." If you desire to be saved from sin, you can, right now, call upon Him in prayer. Acknowledge to Him your sinfulness, your faith in Christ's death and resurrection on your behalf, and your dependence now upon His work alone for forgiveness and everlasting life. Won't you call upon the name of the Lord, before it is eternally too late?

WHY I LEFT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH