DANGERS OF ROMAN CATHOLICISM Message 4: OTHER PRACTICES

Topic Two: DANGERS OF ROMAN CATHOLICISM
Message 4: OTHER PRACTICES (Pope's Infallibility, Mary's Perpetual Virginity, Infant Baptism and Sprinkling, Celibacy of Catholic Priests, Sainthood/Priesthood, Rosary etc) 
  By: Samuel Kwasi Forkuo (Admin, Warning: Church, Get Prepared - WCGP)



1. Pope's Infallibility: It is called the doctrine of Papal Infallibility. In brief, it teaches that when the Pope, speaking in his official capacity as the successor to St. Peter (ex cathedra, or from his throne), he cannot be in error; his pronouncements on matters of doctrine and morals are infallible and are binding upon all Roman Catholics, and they are commanded to accept the decrees of the Pope without questioning.

The Pope, it is taught by this doctrine, is as much infallibly inspired in his teaching as the writers of the Scriptures. Previous to the adoption of the doctrine of Infallibility, the church councils added all the innumerable traditions to the Bible, but since the Pope was declared to be the infallible interpreter of the Scriptures and the final authority on doctrine and morals, the Church must now accept whatever new doctrine or "revelation" the Pope as head of the church imposes upon them.

The strange thing about this Papal infallibility is the fact that it was not accepted until in the latter half of the l9th century. During the reign of Pope Pius IX, a Vatican council convened to discuss the subject of Papal infallibility, which had been brewing for some time.

In 1869, less than 100 years ago (and 1800 years after God closed the canon of Scripture - Revelation 22:18), Pope Pius IX called this Council in which the issue was to be debated. Strong opposition was raised by certain prominent bishops, who pointed out the history of errors by past popes. Among those most strongly opposed to this new dogma was Bishop Stossmayer, who traced the history of past Popes, and pointed out how the decrees of past infallible (!) Popes had been rescinded, reversed or set aside by other Popes. The Bishop pointed out the dark and sordid history of murder, incest, adultery and avarice associated with past popes.

In spite of the violent protests of a segment of the council, however, the Vatican Council enacted into dogma the doctrine of Papal Infallibility in July, 1870. Of course, this action raises a lot of questions. How is it that this doctrine was not revealed or adopted till 1800 years after Peter, their so-called first Pope, admitted that he could not even understand some things in the Scriptures written by Paul (II Peter 3:16)?

Was Pope Pius IX the first Pope who was infallible? Were the Popes before him also infallible? How then could they disagree, and one Pope set aside what another Pope had declared as an infallible revelation? How is it that the Assumption of Mary was never revealed until the 20th century? - but then, no one is supposed to ask such questions about an "infallible" Pope. The faithful Roman Catholic is not to ask questions at all: he is obliged to accept what his Church teaches.

2. Mary's Perpetual Virginity: Roman Catholics are taught the virgin Mary never had sex after Jesus was born and that Jesus had no brothers and sisters. The Pope teaches that Mary is the mediator between God and man. Meanwhile, Bible explicitly states that Mary gave birth after Jesus. And as we know only Christ's birth was without Joseph meeting Mary. This means that Mary was not a virgin forever.  "Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? "And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" Matthew 13:55-56. Aha, Catholics are quick to say that these were half-siblings of Christ. REALLY? If they were half-siblings, the Bible would have said so. 


3. Infant Baptism and Sprinkling: The Catholic church baptizes babies by sprinkling a little water on them. Greek work for baptism literally means immersion. There are separate words in Greek for sprinkling, pouring and immersion. Only the Greek word for immersion is ever used for Baptism in the Bible. The first recorded case of sprinkling was in 257 AD to someone on a sick-bed. It was then an exception to the rule and brought about fierce opposition from the whole church. Not until 757 AD did the church accept sprinkling in such sick-bed cases of necessity. It wasn't until 1311 AD, when the Catholic council of Ravenna, declared that sprinkling was and acceptable substitute for immersion and from that time forward sprinkling replaced immersion in the Roman Catholic church. The Orthodox church refused sprinkling and still immerses to this day. Jesus was baptised by immersion..."After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him" Matthew 3:16. The apostles baptised by immersion.  "And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away." Acts 8:38-39. Babies must not be baptised until they reach age of responsibility, where they can make decisions; know right from wrong and personally can decide to accept Christ Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Babies can be dedicated to God, as was done to Christ. When they are of age, they can be baptised.


4. Celibacy of Catholic Priests: Most Catholics believe that Apostle Peter was the first Pope and was not married. As one Roman Catholic leader said, "if Peter had a wife when he first met Jesus, he got rid of her quick!" "Now Simon's mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they spoke to Jesus about her." Mark 1:30 "Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?" 1 Corinthians 9:5 

In 1079 AD celibacy was first enforced for priests and bishops by Pope Gregory VII. Before this time, they were permitted to marry. "A bishop, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?)" 1 Timothy 3:2-5. Yet the bishop of Rome (the Pope) and his cohorts are under obligation not to marry. 

"But the Holy Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth." 1 Timothy 4:1-3

The truth is, if an individual Decides not marry, that's ok, just as Paul did. But to make it mandatory that anybody who wants to be a priest/bishop must not marry is in sharp contrast with the Word of God.

5. Sainthood/Priesthood: The Pope decided to reserve the title of "priest" to worn by church leaders only. The average pew dwelling Catholic never refer to themselves as "priests". In fact if a lay Catholic started calling himself a "priest", he would be rebuked by "the parish Priest"! "you (all Christians) also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. " 1 Peter 2:5
"But you (all Christians) are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; " 1 Peter 2:9
"Jesus has made us (all Christians) to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." Revelation 1:6
"You have made them (all Christians) to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth." Revelation 5:10. And for this reason, any person truly born of God with His name written in the Lamb's Book of Life is considered a Saint by God. We don' need to be a member of the Catholic Church, die and be ushered into sainthood by a Roman priest/pope. It is only God who grants Sainthood and he calls those He has saved and will reign with them Saints.


6. Rosary: The Catholics teach that the rosary should be performed every day.  I'd like to have ANYONE show me that from the Bible.  Where did God tell us to perform a rosary?  The Rosary, or prayer beads, was introduced by Peter the Hermit, in the year 1090...copied from Hindus and Mohammedans.  The counting of prayers is a pagan practice and is expressly condemned by Christ (Matthew 6:5-13).  The rosary should NEVER be performed by anyone, it is sinful.  Jesus condemned chants and recited prayers..."But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." —Matthew 6:7. Rosary Beads graphically represent how Roman Catholics heap 10 times more praise upon Mary than God himself. Of the 59 total beads of the Rosary, 53 beads are "Hail Marys", but only 6 beads are "Our Father". The Rosary most often ends with a "Hail, Holy Queen" prayer to Mary, not God.


These and many more are the unbiblical practices/teachings/doctrines/traditions of the Roman Catholic Church. And since we've been made aware of these things, Christ's door is always opened. His arms are always opened to receive us...THE CHOICE IS OURS NOW. WE CAN CHOOSE TO RUN TO OR FROM HIM....BUT THE CONSEQUENCE IS ETERNAL. MAY HE GRANT US THE GRACE TO RUN TO HIM BY OBEYING THIS CLARION CALL. AMEN

ALL GLORY TO GOD.