APPENDIX B
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
The following are just four of the numerous false man made teachings/doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church. It is noted that the numbers in parenthesis () are references to the Roman Catholic Catechism (RCC).
JUSTIFICATION or HAVING BEEN JUSTIFIED
This is a Biblical term that means a person has received forgiveness of their sins, has been declared, by God, to be righteous in His eyes and now has peace and right standing with Him.
The RCC teaches that initial justification occurs when a person is water baptized. From this point forward justification of that person is furthered by the Roman Catholic sacraments and good works (1212, 1392 and 2010).
However,
The Bible teaches us that a person is justified by faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1-2
[1] Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, [2] through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
The Bible also teaches us that justification occurs only by faith in Jesus Christ,
Romans 3:28
[28] Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.
In addition, good works are the result of our salvation or justification not the cause of it.
Ephesians 2:9-10
[9] For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, [9] not of works, lest anyone should boast. [10] For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
GRACE
The RCC teaches that God’s Grace is merited by good works (2010 and 2027).
However,
The Bible teaches that God’s Grace is a free gift, which means it is an unmerited favor to us.
Ephesians 2:4-8
[4] But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, [5] even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), [6] and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
Expanding upon this please read the following,
Romans 11:6
[6] And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
PURGATORY
According to the RCC, this is a state or place where those who died make atonement, which means to make amends with God, for their sins by suffering. The RCC teaches that, after a person dies it is necessary for a person to go to purgatory to atone for their sins and cleanse their soul (1030-1031).
However,
The Bible teaches us that Jesus Christ made the perfect atonement for our sins once and for all.
Hebrews 10:1-10
[1] For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. [2] For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. [3] But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. [4] For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. [5] Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:
“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,
But a body You have prepared for Me.
[6]In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin
You had no pleasure.
[7] Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—
In the volume of the book it is written of Me—
To do Your will, O God.’
[8] Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), [9] then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. [10] By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Another way to see this is by reading from,
Romans 5:6-11
[6] For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. [10] For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. [11] And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
SALVATION
Even though we covered this topic earlier it is worthy to point out that the RCC also teaches that the Roman Catholic Church is necessary for a person’s salvation from sin (846).
However,
The Bible clearly teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ is the one and only Savior of man.
Acts 4:12
[12] Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
CONCLUSION
As one reflects upon the above contrasts between the RCC doctrines/teachings and the Bible it is clear that the teachings of the RCC is a false and deceptive gospel. Specifically the RCC does not reveal or describe the true and all sufficient Jesus Christ of the Bible.