After God freed the Israelites from Egypt, He needed to teach them how to live as His holy people. God’s passed His laws and commands down to chosen leaders who disseminated it to the people. Moses delivered God’s law to the people and Aaron became the first high priest. From that time on, the tribe of Levi provided the priests who ministered and offered sacrifices for the people. In the temple, the Most Holy Place was separated by a curtain. The Most Holy Place, meant for God alone, housed the Ark of the Covenant which contained the tablets with the Ten Commandments. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the Chief Priest could enter to offer a sacrifice for the sins of the people. Under the old covenant, the people were spiritually dependent on priests to intercede for them with their God. This was the way of the old covenant, but God was planning something new.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Isaiah 43:19
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
Jesus changed everything by offering us a new covenant through his body and blood. As the sinless son of God, he became the final sacrifice for all sin. He became our High Priest, both offering himself as the sacrifice for sin and interceding on our behalf.
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
Matthew 27:50-51
When the curtain of the temple was torn we were no longer separated from God. Jesus’ death covers our sin and gives us personal access to God. The new covenant through Jesus Christ offers us a personal relationship with the Father, access that is no longer controlled or dependent on religious leaders or doctrine. So why does the Catholic Church require practices of spiritual dependence? To answer that question we have to go back to the beginning.
Myth #4- Obedience to the Church is the same as obedience to God.
The Catholic Church is the most historically enriched Christian church practicing today. Because of the long history and tradition, many assume the Catholic Church grew from that of the first apostles. St. Peter is even claimed to be the first Pope, instituted by Jesus himself. Neither are true. The Roman Catholic Church did not begin with St. Peter as the first pope. In fact, the Romans heavily persecuted early Christians and carried out the executions of both Peter and Paul in 65 CE. For over 200 years the Romans attempted to end Christianity. The Diocletianic Persecution (303-311 CE) was the worst period of oppression. During this persecution, Christians leaders continued to meet to confirm their beliefs:
“Pictures are not to be placed in churches, so that they do not become objects of worship and adoration.”
Synod of Elvira (305-306 CE); Canon 36
Despite the increasing persecution Christians refused to yield. This period of persecution culminated in a decree condemning to death all Christians who refused to offer sacrifices to the Roman gods. This continued battle over faith took its toll and weakened the the Roman Empire. In 313 CE, the new Emperor, Constantine, issued the Edict of Milan which legalized Christianity and ended the persecution.
Christianity was directly influenced under Constantine’s rule. Although he did not convert to Christianity, Constantine became very involved in uniting and solidifying Christian doctrine. He summoned and presided over the Council of Nicaea in 323 CE where the Roman Catholic Church was formalized. Under Constantine, Christianity became state sponsored. New churches were built and the Church began to accumulate wealth. Worship changed as well and neglected scriptural commands.
You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
Exodus 20:4
The Church began to incorporate the use of Christian icons and more elaborate rituals, both were features of Roman paganism.
- 323 CE Christian icons are permitted
- 336 CE The date of December 25 was chosen for Christmas coinciding with established pagan festivals honoring the gods Saturn and Mithra.
- 375 CE Images are allowed in worship
- 787 CE Relics to be placed in all churches: no church is to be consecrated without relics.
The Church also developed a formalized doctrine and church hierarchy shortly thereafter.
- 399 CE– Latin Canon is completed which contains the system of laws and Church legal principles made and enforced by the hierarchy of clergy.
The veneration of Mary and the Saints also began around this time. The virgin Mary replaced Isis worship in the east and a Juno worship in the west. Both goddesses had temples and statues re-dedicated as the Virgin Mary.
- 379 CE The practice of praying to Mary & the Saints begins with the prayers written by Ephrem Syrus who also refers to Mary as the Mediatrix.
For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.
1 Timothy 2:5
Mary’s goddess-like image to grow with Church declarations having no scriptural basis.
- 430 CE Council of Ephesus Virgin Mary is declared the “Mother of God” (Theotokos)
- 553 CE Fifth Ecumenical Council Declared perpetual virginity of Mary (remained ever-virgin)
- 1568 CE Hail Mary petition is officially approved and added to the catechism.
- 1854 CE Immaculate Conception of Mary added as dogma. Belief that Mary, as the “Mother of God”, was born without original sin.
- 1950 CE Assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven is officially defined by Pope Pius XII
The same was true for patron saints, who took over the image and persona of lesser Roman gods.
- 608 CE Pope Boniface IV turns the Pantheon in Rome into a temple of Mary and the martyrs. Olympus is converted Heaven and statues of Mary and the martyrs replace those of the gods.
By repackaging pagan traditions, it was easier for Rome’s pagan subjects to accept Christianity as the new official religion. The result was a religious unification that strengthened the struggling Roman Empire. In order to have the freedom to make these changes access to scripture needed to be restricted. Greek was a common language used even by the by the apostles. Latin, however, was the language of the Roman Empire and was much more difficult, which is why it was considered a dead language between 600-700 CE. By changing Mass and Scripture to Latin, the knowledge of the scriptural content was limited to all but the Church clergy.
- 380 CE– Latin replaces Greek as the language spoken at Mass.
- 430 CE– St. Jerome translates the Bible from Greek into Latin creating the Vulgate. Only priests are permitted to read scripture.
- 1229 CE– Possessing books of the Old or New Testament is prohibited for laity (non-clergy) and possession of any translation of these books is heretical. (Decree of Toulouse)
- 1414 CE– Laity is no longer offered the Lord’s cup at communion.
- 1536 CE– William Tyndale is burned at the stake for translating the Bible into English.
- 1545-1563 CE The Council of Trent- Mass is to be exclusively spoken in Latin.
Being a follower of Christ is a matter of the heart which is expressed in how we live our lives. Religion, however, is a man made system of worship and as such is fallible. Jesus repeatedly condemned the Pharisees for their strict adherence to religious law while neglecting care for their fellow men. A desire for recognition and power corrupts the human spirit. This type of corruption is seen through the incorporation of unbiblical decrees by the Church.
But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ.
Matthew 23:8-10
- Apostolic succession is first proposed, at the Council of Chalcedon (451 CE), by the Bishop of Rome who claimed that papal power had been granted to St. Peter by Christ and extended to his successors.
The Holy See (seat of Peter) was then established with the Bishop of Rome, Leo the Great, being the first to be elevated to the title of pope. With this new supreme power the corruption continued to grow.
- Pope Gregory I introduces and popularizes Purgatory in his writings. (590-604 CE)
- People convicted of heresy can be put to death (1022 CE)
- Practice of oral confession of sins to priests is instituted with the creation of an Inquisition to investigate heresy and turn guilty parties over to courts for prosecution. Council at Lateran IV led by Pope Innocent III (1215 CE )
- “To believe that our Lord God the Pope has not the power to decree as he is decreed, is to be deemed heretical.” added to Canon Law by “Extravagantes” of Pope John XXII Cum inter, Tit. XIV, Cap. IV (1316 CE)
- Pope Clement VI justifies the papal power to issue indulgences or a decrease in the amount time of punishment in purgatory venial sins occurring after absolution. (1343 CE)
- Jan Hus is excommunicated for teaching that the bible was a higher authority than the Pope. He was later burned at the stake in 1415 for defying the church’s principles. (1412 CE)
- Pope Eugene IV reaffirms “papal primacy” at the Council of Florence, declaring that Ecumenical (Church) councils are not superior to the pope. (1438-1443 CE)
- Pope Pius II prohibits appealing a papal judgment to future general councils. (1460 CE)
- Pope Alexander VI issues a papal bull or decree, “Inter Caetera,” in which he authorizes Spain and Portugal to colonize the Americas and asserts the rights of Spain and Portugal to colonize, convert, and enslave the Native people. It also justifies the enslavement of Africans. (1493 CE)
- Pope Leo X encourages Christians to pay money for indulgences to finance St. Peter’s Basillica and raise money for another crusade. (1515 CE)
- “The Pope and God are the same, so he has all power in Heaven and earth.” – Pope Pius V (1566 -1572 AD)
- Papal infallibility becomes dogma (unquestionably true). The Pope is declared to have “full and supreme power of jurisdiction over the whole Church” and the Pope is declared infallible when speaking “ex cathedra” or using the full authority of his office. (1869-1870 CE; Council at Vatican I)
They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
Titus 1:16
There were several attempts to reform unbiblical practices between the 1300-1500s. They focused on equal access to scripture and objected to doctrine like grace through merit and use of indulgences. These were attempts to correct the Church, not to diverge from it. However, the Church made it clear they were not interested in dissent. Reformers were declared heretics leading to the executions of Jan Hus and William Tyndale and excommunication of Martin Luther and John Calvin. As an answer to the criticism of reformers, the Church held the Council of Trent (1545-1563 CE) where they reaffirmed the Church doctrine that had been questioned.
- God’s grace is available through the good works which humans can perform, including participation in the Church’s sacraments of baptism and penance
- Deuterocanonical/apocryphal books (works of unknown authenticity or unknown authorship) were on a par with the authenticated books of the Bible
- Church tradition must be accepted on equal faith as that given to Scriptures.
- The Vulgate translation was the authoritative for the text of Scripture. Mass was to be conducted universally in Latin.
- Justification or the transition from sin to salvation required the ‘born again’ experience offered by the Church through the sacraments.
- All all seven sacraments reaffirmed as “instituted by Jesus Christ”
- Transubstantiation is formalized- states that Christ is “really, truly, substantially present” with consecrated bread and wine being physically transformed into Christ’s physical body and blood.
- The practice of withholding the cup from the laity was confirmed because Christ conferred upon the priests a sacerdotal power (the power to act as mediators between God and humankind).
- Doctrines of purgatory, the invocation of saints and the veneration of relics were reaffirmed, as was also the efficacy of indulgences as dispensed by the Church according to the power given her
- Each canon concludes with the statement, “Let him be anathema,” meaning “cursed,” excommunicated from the Church, and doomed to hell.
- Decision to create a forbidden book list (Index Librorum Prohibitorum). Possession of which was deemed a grave sin.
- Benedictus Deus (Pope Pius IV, 1564 CE) urges strict obedience upon all Catholics and forbids, under pain of ex-communication, all unauthorized interpretation of scripture, reserving this to the Pope alone and threatens the disobedient with “the indignation of Almighty God and of his blessed apostles, Peter and Paul.”
Obedience to God requires us to hold tightly to the teaching of Jesus, particularly when it conflicts with Church doctrine. We can only accomplish this by having a personal knowledge of scripture and allowing the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to guide our understanding.
Truth
I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.
1 John 2:26-27
We don’t need anyone to lead us or interpret scripture for us. Jesus is our High Priest, who intercedes on our behalf and teaches us the way to life. The Holy Spirit that lives within us provides the wisdom and insight to understand scripture if we seek the truth and ask for wisdom. We can choose to accept guidance from our church leaders or other Christians, but no one has supreme knowledge of scripture. We may decide to confess our sins to a church leader or other Christian because it encourages accountability and promotes healing. But confession is between us and God with Jesus to intercede on our behalf, no one else is needed. Sacraments are spiritual nourishment that reconnect us to God, but they are not a means to earn grace.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Ephesians 2:8
Scripture does not command us to do anything to earn grace, it is an unmerited gift. We are justified through our faith, not through our actions. Instead, our actions should be a reflection of our faith. Jesus taught the disciples baptism, communion, and the Lord’s prayer to bless them. It was never meant to be criteria for salvation.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
Matthew 28:19
No where in scripture does Jesus say that anyone who is unbaptized will be condemned. Rather, baptism is something we should seek as a means of spiritual cleansing and transformation of our hearts.
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Acts 2:38-39
Similarly, Jesus didn’t order the disciples to make communion a requirement of his grace. We enter into the new covenant when we accept the truth of his sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins. The act of communion is a spiritual blessing that allows us to commune with our Savior as we take part in his death for our sin.
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
Matthew 26:26-29
When Jesus instructed on how to pray he was not commanding rote memorization of certain prayers. Instead, he was blessing us with the knowledge that we can approach God as our Heavenly Father. This prayer also reminds us that God will provide for all we truly need.
This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
Matthew 6:9-13
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
Every person who gives their life to Christ becomes a member of his church. This is not the Church built on rules and tradition, it is a church built on Jesus and founded in love. We owe our obedience to our Savior alone.
Seek and You Will Find 