Page 561 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

the sin. It is called “auricular confession,” which means 1. Salvation is received directly from God through
confession in the ear. faith in Jesus Christ. See Romans 3:22-25; 10:8-13;
“Man goes to confession a sinner, if he goes sincerely Titus 3:5-7. The early disciples received eternal life and
and trustfully; he returns a new man, brought back to salvation directly from the Lord Jesus while He was on
life, filled with strength” (The Art of Teaching Christian earth. He called them; they trusted Him; He saved
Doctrine, p. 153). them. Salvation has not changed since then. The
“If someone confesses his sins [to a Roman Catholic resurrected Saviour calls men through the Gospel (2 Th.
priest], even if they are as black as hell, with honesty 2:14). Those who respond with personal faith are
of soul, humility and repentance and if he is really received by Christ and obtain their salvation directly
ready to live as befits a friend of Christ, he can have no from Him, not through men, churches, or rituals.
doubts. The sacrament of Penance really assures him of Salvation is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as
forgiveness and reconciliation to God. ... If one has Lord and Saviour (Jn. 1:12; 17:3).
forgotten a serious sin or has not confessed it, being
confused at the time of one’s confession, that 2. The church does not distribute salvation to men.
confession is nevertheless valid, and the absolution Blessing and salvation are in Jesus Christ and are
given has set the penitent free from all his sins” (The received when a person receives the gospel (1 Jn. 5:12;
Theologians Answer Your Questions, pp. 111,112). Ep. 1:3, 7). The church’s job is simply to point men to
“After a good confession, I know for sure that my sins salvation in Christ by proclaiming the gospel. The
have been forgiven through the merits of the blood of church’s role is to invite; Jesus Christ Himself receives,
Jesus Christ—merits which the Church applies to my blesses, and saves sinners.
soul” (Any Questions? p. 149). Notice in Philippians 2:16 that the church does not
Marriage: Marriage is considered a sacrament by the hold forth life to sinners. The church rather holds forth
Roman Catholic Church. THE WORD of life. In 2 Corinthians 5:19 we see that
“Christ raised marriage to the wonderful dignity of a the church does not have the PACKAGE of
sacrament of the New Law in which the bride and reconciliation; it has the MESSAGE of reconciliation.
groom are truly consecrated for their sacred duty of Christ is the One who reconciles sinners to God. The
founding and directing a new ‘ecclesiola,’ a human church’s job is to beseech men to receive this (2 Co.
family which shall at the same time belong to the
family of God. Through this sacrament, the Kingdom of 5:19-20).
God on earth is given the greater part of its new 3. The Roman Catholic Church has no biblical
members, heaven is filled with saints, and the parents authority for adding to the ordinances Christ gave the
themselves are strengthened with ever new graces church. Nowhere in the New Testament Scriptures do
against all the difficulties of life” (The Art of Teaching we read that the church is to practice confirmation,
Christian Doctrine, p. 158). penance, marriage, or anointing with sick as sacraments
Anointing of the Sick (formerly called Extreme that have the power to bestow saving grace upon
Unction): This is the sacrament for those who “begin to individuals. This was not the practice of the churches
be in danger by reason of illness or old age.” The priest that are described in Scripture. Again we see the
anoints the person with oil, hears his confession, and frightful tendency of the Roman Catholic Church to
pronounces blessings. The sick person can also take the change, add to, and pervert the eternal Word of God.
Eucharist. [See also Baptism - Infant, Ordinance.]
“This sacrament, when it is received with sorrow for 4. The Catholic Mass is a gross perversion of the
the sins of our whole lives, acceptance of our sufferings simple meal depicted for us in the N.T. Scriptures.
and death in union with Christ’s sacrifice, and ardent Following are the reasons why we reject the Mass: (1)
desire for Christ, should complete the process of Jesus could not possibly have meant that the bread and
necessary purification. But if a man, sharing Christ’s
life, is still not perfectly purified at the moment of juice would actually become His body and blood. First,
death, God will still cleanse him in another way. For when He instituted the Supper, He was there in His
nothing defiled can enter heaven ... This is the function physical body, “so the piece of wafer which He said was
of purgatory, to complete the process of purification, of His body, and the cup of wine which He said was His
transformation into Christ” (The Art of Teaching blood, could not possibly have been His body and His
Christian Doctrine, pp. 163, 164). blood in any literal sense; certainly, He was indicating
Bible Answer: that these were symbols that He was using” (Let Rome
Through these rituals the Roman Catholic Church Speak for Herself). Second, Paul plainly taught that the
promises that men can receive saving and sanctifying Lord’s Supper is a symbolic, memorial meal (1 Co.
grace, but the following biblical truths reveal the 11:23-25). Paul said that he received this teaching by
Catholic system of sacraments to be but an empty, man- divine revelation. Third, in John 6 Jesus explained the
made religion. meaning of His teaching about eating His flesh and

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 561