Tag: Mary

Did Mary Remain a Virgin?

On By KateIn Catholicism2 Comments

The catholic church teaches that Mary continued to be a virgin, even after she gave birth to Jesus Christ. In fact, they claim that she remained a virgin throughout her life. The catechism states:

510 Mary “remained a virgin in conceiving her Son, a virgin in giving birth to him, a virgin in carrying him, a virgin in nursing him at her breast, always a virgin” (St. Augustine, Serm. 186, 1: PL 38, 999): with her whole being she is “the handmaid of the Lord” (Lk 1:38).

Notice that there are no Scripture references made to the “always a virgin” part of this teaching. Instead, they reference words from St. Augustine. If this doctrine could be found in the Bible, you can be sure it would be listed here; thus, a man-made tradition. The reference to Luke 1:38 is to expound that Mary was the handmaid of the Lord. Yes, while that is true, it does not even remotely reference that she was a perpetual virgin! No where in Scriptures does it mention that Mary remained a virgin forever.

The catholic church teaches that Mary did not have other children.

499 The deepening of faith in the virginal motherhood led the Church to confess Mary’s real and perpetual virginity even in the act of giving birth to the Son of God made man.[154] In fact, Christ’s birth “did not diminish his mother’s virginal integrity but sanctified it.”[155] And so the liturgy of the Church celebrates Mary as Aeiparthenos, the “Ever-virgin”.[156]

500 Against this doctrine the objection is sometimes raised that the Bible mentions brothers and sisters of Jesus.[157] The Church has always understood these passages as not referring to other children of the Virgin Mary. In fact James and Joseph, “brothers of Jesus”, are the sons of another Mary, a disciple of Christ, whom St. Matthew significantly calls “the other Mary”.[158] They are close relations of Jesus, according to an Old Testament expression.[159]

The catechism does not say that they believe this dogma according to the Bible, but rather the church says that “the Church was led to confess” and “The Church has always understood” this to be so. These statements prove that this belief is based on tradition, not the Word of God!

~John 2:12 After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.

Using the catechism’s paragraph 500’s definition, John 2:12 would have to read, he (Christ), and his mother (Mary), and his brethren (Christ’s disciples), and his disciples. Why would John refer to Christ’s disciples twice? It does not make sense because this is not what is depicted in John 2:12. This verse clearly shows us that Jesus’ mother, His brothers and His disciples were with Him. The catholic church is wrestling with the Scriptures so they can maintain tradition.

To accommodate their beliefs, the catholic church teaches that these brethren were cousins or other relatives of Christ’s. However, the Greek word for kinsman is:

G4773
συγγενής
suggenēs
soong-ghen-ace’
From G4862 and G1085; a relative (by blood); by extension a fellow countryman: – cousin, kin (-sfolk, -sman).

The Greek word for brethren in John 7:5 is:

G80
ἀδελφός
adelphos
ad-el-fos’
From G1 (as a connective particle) and δελφύς delphus (the womb); a brother.

If John were referring to Jesus’ cousins or kinsmen, the Greek word suggenēs would have been used.

Christ’s brothers did not believe that He was the Messiah at first. It is evident in:

~John 7:3-5 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. (3) For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. (5) For neither did his brethren believe in him.

There are more verses to support that Mary had children thus proving she could not be a perpetual virgin.

~Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Note: Verse 13 lists the names of the 11 Apostles, therefore, this could not be the “brethren” the catholic church states it is. The Greek word here, again, is adelphos.

Another verse: ~Galatians 1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.

Note: Again, the Greek word for brother here is adelphos!

The catholic church cannot justify their teaching by using the Holy Bible so through the years they have invented dogma after dogma to support their beliefs thus laying a foundation made of sand. The dogma of papal infallibility means that when a pope says something, NOTHING can contradict it – EVER. Therefore, the pope says that Mary was a perpetual virgin:

Pope St. Martin I (Lateran Synod in 649 A.D.) declared iit an article of faith – “The blessed ever-virginal and immaculate Mary conceived, without seed, by the Holy Spirit, and without loss of integrity brought Him forth, and after His birth preserved her virginity inviolate.”

For the catholic church to finally give in and say the Scriptures validate that Mary bore other children would mean that the pope would be infallible. That will never happen because that would destroy popedom and the very foundation of the catholic church as it believes that their first pope, Peter, is the rock. The catholic church’s traditions and dogmas will come to ruin just as the house built on sand will come to ruin.

~Luke 6:49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

Are you blindly following what you have been taught? Or are you noble like the Bereans who studied the Scriptures daily to see if what they were being taught matched the Scriptures.

~Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

The catholic receives the words from their priest and church fathers without studying the Word of God to make sure that what they are being taught is scriptural.

~Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

There’s no mystery here – the truth is not stashed away in library treasures or hiding in a basement of lost documents. Nor is the truth to be read and understood and interpreted by only priests, bishops and catholic leaders. It is clearly written in God’s Word that those who participated in the upper room were the Apostles (verse 13), women, Jesus’ mother Mary, and Jesus’ brethren (Greek word adelphos).

I pray that you are one of the few catholics who will not follow blindly but will desire to read the Bible to find out whether these things be so.

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Prayers to Mary

On By KateIn Catholicism, Scriptures5 Comments

One of my catholic readers wrote to me and told me that catholics do not pray TO the Virgin Mary and that I could not prove that they do. Although a previous blog post covered this topic, I thought I would let you readers determine for yourself whether the catholics do or don’t pray TO Mary. These are but a few.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. ~Matthew 6:6

Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? ~Matthew 26:53

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. ~Matthew 6:9

And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. ~Luke 11:2

No where did Christ tell us to pray to anyone else but the Father. But yet the catholic prayers below leave no doubt to the reader that they pray TO Mary.

No one deserves our prayers, worship and admiration than God. No where did any of the people in the Bible pray to anyone other than to God Himself. Just in Psalms alone, David made it clear that he prayed right to the Source – he did not have to go through Abraham, Moses or any of the early fathers of the faith.

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. ~Psalm 5:3

Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. ~Psalm 39:12

O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. ~Psalm 65:2

But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation. ~Psalm 69:13

Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry; ~Psalm 88:2

But unto thee have I cried, O LORD; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee. ~Psalm 88:13

Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee. ~Psalm 102:1

But yet read a few of the prayers that catholics pray TO Mary. How can the catholic reader I spoke of say that they do not pray TO Mary?

THE HAIL MARY

Hail Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed are Thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God; pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

HAIL, HOLY QUEEN

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy! our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!

My Queen, My Mother

My Queen, My Mother, I offer myself entirely to Thee. And to show my devotion to Thee, I offer Thee this day, my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my whole being without reserve. Wherefore, good Mother, as I am thine own, keep me, guard me as Thy property and possession. Amen

The Angelus

The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. And she conceived of the Holy Ghost. Hail Mary, …
Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to Thy word. Hail Mary, …
And the Word was made Flesh. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary, …
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

The Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word incarnate, despise not my petitions, but, in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.

Regina Coeli (Caeli)
Queen of Heaven

O, queen of heaven, rejoice! Alleluia. For He whom thou didst merit to bear, Alleluia, Hath arisen as He said, Alleluia. Pray for us to God, Alleluia. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary. Alleluia. For the Lord hath risen indeed. Alleluia. Oremus

Prayer to the Virgin Mary for Assistance

O, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, Fruit of the Vine, splendorous of Heaven. Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity. O, Star of the Sea, help me and show herein you are my mother. O, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power, O, show me here you are my mother. O, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee. Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands. Amen.

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. ~Acts 5:29

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Mary, Mother of God?

On By KateIn Catholicism1 Comment

One of my readers wrote to me:

The early church most certainly did call Mary the Mother of God.

This same reader could only give me sitings from the catholic encyclopedia and catholic writers. Here is my response to you, dear reader, and I pray that you will take the time to read it.

Let’s go to the Bible for our answer. In searching the Scriptures, I discovered this about Mary:

Mat 1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

Mat 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Luk 2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child

Act 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

How did Mary view herself? Most catholics have this section of Scriptures memorized. But let’s look to see what kind of attitude Mary had:

Luke 1:46-55 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy [is] his name. And his mercy [is] on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from [their] seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of [his] mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

Mary viewed herself as a handmaiden and she feared God. This reveals to me a humble woman who would never have wanted reverence of any kind. She further states how God dealt with the proud so she would not want this kind of judgment on herself, now would she? She obviously knew the Scriptures and honored them because she refers to the fact that God spoke to fathers of her faith (i.e. Abraham). If Mary were anyone to be “honored” as the catholics honor her, surely Peter, Paul, Matthew, Luke, John, Jude, and James would have mentioned something about Mary in their writings.

Catholic apologists claim that “Jesus Christ is God, and his mother is Mary, so she must be the Mother of God.” Since this title isn’t found in Scriptures, the apologists go further to state that this is part of Sacred Tradition. I find this quite convenient. If it’s not found in the Bible, attach the belief to sacred tradition and it’s good to go!

This tradition came about from a bishop named Gregory Thaumaturgus around the year 260 AD, found in Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume VI:

And not only is it meet to marvel at the beauty of the Holy Mother of God, but also at the excellence of her spirit.

It took 230 years for this tradition to come about. It is never mentioned in the Scriptures yet the catholics contend that Jesus and His Apostles taught this. If the Apostles and Jesus taught this, the historians would have written of it. Word of mouth and witnesses were (and still are today) important in those days. Surely there would have been some mention of it prior to 230 AD. Like so many of the catholic dogmas, it is a tradition born of men, not of God. I can understand a minor belief (like head coverings) being overlooked by historians. But the doctrine of Mariology is one of the most important dogmas in the catholic belief system – surely there would have been record of it somewhere prior to 230 AD amongst the historians had the Apostles and Jesus actually taught it!

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Mary, Mother of God?

On By KateIn Catholicism2 Comments

Semantics – this is what you will encounter when you have a discussion with a catholic about Mary. One can go around in circles discussing Mary being the mother of Jesus Christ. The catholics say she is the mother of God because Jesus is God.

While they are correct in stating that Jesus is God, they are not correct in stating that Mary is the mother of God. That would put God in a position of being created, just as our children had a beginning. It would also put the Trinity as separate Gods, which we know that this is not so, according to 1 John 5:7.

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. ~1 John 5:7

God is not human – God is Spirit. He has always existed.

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy ~Isaiah 57:15a

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, ~2 Timothy 1:9

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; ~Titus 1:2

No human can claim that he is eternal. Jesus, Who is God, had to take on human form to come to earth to complete the mission of dying on the cross for our sins. He is God – He is Spirit. The human form was only a shell – a vessel, if you will – for Him to manifest Himself to us.

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. ~John 4:24

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. ~1Timothy 3:16

Since Jesus, Who is God, had no beginning because He is eternal, how could He have a mother? Only his manifested body had a mother. But His Spirit never had a mother. It is wrong to say that Mary is the mother of God because she is not. This would have to separate the Trinity and we know that the Trinity is One! Jesus being God, and God being Spirit, had to take on human form – it is that form that needed a vessel to carry Him into this world. It is, however, correct to say that she is the mother of Jesus – God in flesh form. We can argue the point and go round in circles.

Mary was a special woman in that God chose her to be the vessel to bring His Son into the world. But her “specialness” ended there. A whole doctrine (Mariology) has been invented based on this very topic. The official catholic dogma came into being in the year 431 A.D., according to the catholic encyclopedia. Prior to that, the early church did not regard her as the mother of God but as the mother of Jesus.

The fact of the matter is that God is Spirit and God had no beginning. Therefore, God cannot have a mother. It is not rocket science.

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Did Jesus have brothers and sisters or not?

On By KateIn CatholicismLeave a comment

One of the catholic church’s main doctrines in Mariology is that Mary never had children after Jesus. To support this theory, the pope had to come to the conclusion that the Mary spoken of in the verses below are “another” Mary. Let’s look at what the Word of God says on this topic. Read for yourself and see what conclusion you come to after reading them:

~Matthew 13:55-56 Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? (55) And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? (56)

~Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

The catholic catechism gives this explanation:

“The Church has always understood these passages as not referring to other children of the Virgin Mary. In fact James and Joseph, ‘brothers of Jesus,’ are the sons of another Mary, a disciple of Christ…” Pg. 126 #500).

The Greek word brother in Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3 is the same Greek word as in John 1:41:

~John 1:41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

The catholic church does not question that Andrew’s brother was Peter. But because they have to make their doctrine “fit,” they say that Jesus’ brothers were that of another Mary! This is clearly the same Mary as Jesus’ mother. In fact, Jesus even said that they were of his own house:

~Matthew 13:57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.

Furthermore, how can the catholic church say that it was another Mary? Look at what it says at the beginning of Matthew 15:55:

~Matthew 13:55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary?

Give me a break! This is as clear as water, my friend! How can you be so misled? All false doctrine can be detected by simply opening God’s Word in Deuteronomy 18 and Jeremiah 28. He has stated that if any prophet make claims that are contrary to the Word of God, he is a false prophet and what he preaches is false doctrine. So the catholic church comes up with papal infallibility and that settles the matter for the catholic church. They can supersede what God’s Word says and they don’t have to worry about it. That is so wrong!

Every man and woman on this earth has the right to know the truth. People spend countless hours in study and money to find out who assassinated President Kennedy. But they won’t lift a finger to find out if the catholic church is filling their heads with lies. How very sad indeed.

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History Lesson – Mary, Mother of God?

On By KateIn Catholicism2 Comments

In the 4th century, when Constantine the Great appointed himself Pontifex Maximus – supreme head – of the Christian Church, pagans and their pagan beliefs began infiltrating Christendom. Among the most influential of the new “converts” were those from the Mediterranean and Middle East areas where worship of the “Great Mother Goddess” and the “Divine Virgin” had existed since Babylon. According to Britannica, these groups:

“….found within the Christian Church a new possibility of expression in the worship of Mary as the virgin mother of God, in whom was achieved the mysterious union of the divine Logos with human nature.” (Britannica, Christianity: The doctrine of the Virgin Mary and holy Wisdom.)

By the end of the 4th century, Mary the mother of Jesus, known prior to the advent of Constantine as the Christ-bearer, (Greek Christotokos,) was being referred to as the God-bearer, (theotokos.) Thus was born the doctrine of Mary, mother of God, a title foreign to Scripture where she is called only the mother of Jesus. At first, this matter drew little attention, but in AD 428, Anastasius, a presbyter in the church at Constantinople, raised objections to the theotokos appellation, and thereby originated a controversy that continues to exist here in the 21st century.

Anastasius was immediately supported in his position by Nestorius, bishop of the Constantinople church, who believed that the theotokos title adversely affected the fact of our Lord’s full humanity. Cyril, powerful bishop of Alexandria, motivated as much by envy of Constantinople’s standing among the eastern churches as he was by the theological aspects of the controversy, joined battle over the issue with Nestorius, outflanked him at the AD 431 First Council of Ephesus, and succeeded in confirming Mary as the mother of God. Nestorius, falsely accused of separating Christ’s two natures – human and divine – subsequently was excommunicated, then sacked as bishop of Constantinople by the emperor, Theodosius II, who had appointed him in the first place. He died in exile, but the controversy lives on. Is Mary the mother or Jesus? Or is she, a created being, the mother of eternal God?

The Roman Catholic Church and certain mainline churches that split from Rome during or following the Reformation, declare unequivocally that Mary is, in fact, the mother of God. Those historically and currently who oppose this teaching are accused, as was Nestorius, of “dividing Christ” into an “earthly Jesus” and a “heavenly Jesus,” thereby denying the essential unity of our Lord’s two natures. But that is merely an unproved and unprovable accusation. Christ, in fact, had two distinct natures fused into a single human body, a mystery quite as hidden to man as three distinct persons comprising a single Godhead. To say that Mary was the mother of Jesus only is no more a division of Christ’s two natures than acknowledging Christ as the only begotten Son of the Father is a division of the Godhead. Both are mysteries akin to that of a virgin being with child allegedly conceived by that same unborn child because He is a member of the Godhead. Shades, in other words, of the Babylonian “Mystery” religion.

In a document entitled, The Mother of Jesus, published by the Catholic Information Service of the Knights of Columbus, justification for calling Mary the mother of God is capsulized in the following two paragraphs:

In the natural and normal process of human reproduction, when both maternal and paternal functions unite, God simultaneously creates the human soul which enlivens the fecundated ovum in the woman’s womb, and thus a human person is conceived. It is always an individual’s human nature – a person who possesses human nature. (Emphasis added mine.)

It matters not that the woman has no part in the production of the spiritual element (directly created by God) in the human nature of the person she conceives. It suffices that she has supplied the bodily substance which goes into the constitution of human nature possessed by the person, that she rightly acquires the title of mother. (Emphasis added mine.)

No one disputes the fact that Mary is the mother of the human Jesus even though she was not the “supplier” of His human soul. Nor is there any question that the man Christ Jesus was created human in body, soul and spirit. What is disputed is the extension of the title “mother” to a divine nature that eternally existed and was not created in the womb of the virgin. A mother is only the mother of what originates within her womb. The second person of the blessed trinity did not originate in Mary’s body. He is without beginning – has always existed – and has no mother.

“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.) (Psalm 90:2) “Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.” (Psalm 93:2) “But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him,” (Psalm 103:17) “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.” (Psalm 106:48 )

That Jesus had two natures – one created and one eternal – united in a single human body is beyond question. That only one of those two natures originated in Mary’s womb also is beyond question. And why she cannot then be called the mother of God finds an exact parallel in Christ’s relationship to King David.

“He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:” (Luke 1:32) “And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?” (Matt 12:23) “And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.” (Matt 15:22) “And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.” (Matt 20:30) “And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” (Matt 21:9)

In these Scriptures it is clearly established that the nation of Israel expected their Messiah to derive – as prophesied – from the tribe of Judah and the house of David, thereby attributing fatherhood of the Messiah to David in accordance with their method of reckoning descent. But David cannot be called the father of God because of his relationship to the man Christ Jesus. Our Lord Himself preempted any possibility of that erroneous belief.

“While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.” (Matt 22:42-46) Parallel accounts of this episode are found in Mark 12: 35-37, and Luke 20:41-44.

In these Scriptures, our Lord has done what Roman Catholic apologists say may not be done. He has clearly drawn a line between the human nature and the eternal nature of Christ. He has clearly established the fact that David is NOT the father of God, because he is NOT the father of the second person of the blessed trinity. He has clearly shown this distinction of natures to be a mystery – one the Jews of His day could not comprehend any better than the Roman Catholics or Christians of the 21st century. This mystery of the two fused but separate natures manifest in Christ finds another reference in the following excerpt from the Gospel of John. When confronted by the Jews and constrained to identify himself, John the Baptist’s response included this interesting disclosure: “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” (John 3:34) Certainly the Holy Spirit could not have been given to the Second Person of the trinity for He is part of that trinity. So the Holy Spirit that was given without measure was given only to the man Christ Jesus.

It stands to reason, then, that like King David – to whom fatherhood ONLY of the man Christ Jesus is attributed – Mary is the Mother ONLY of the man Christ Jesus. To prove this beyond a shadow of a doubt, let us insert Mary’s name in place of King David’s in the previously cited Scriptures:

“While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of MARY. He saith unto them, How then doth MARY call him Lord, saying, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. (Luke 1:46, 47) If MARY then call him Lord, how is he her son? And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.”

To insist that Mary is Christotokos only and not theotokos is not to separate Jesus into a “heavenly Jesus” and an “earthly Jesus” as Roman Catholicism contends. It is merely recognizing what Jesus Himself made clear, that David was not the father of God, and by parallel reasoning, Mary was His earthly mother only, and not a Goddess or Queen of Heaven worthy of the title mother of God.

Because the Second Person of the blessed trinity is an eternal being having neither a beginning nor an ending, it was the man Christ Jesus who suffered as the second Adam on Calvary and died for the sins of the world. The Second Person of the trinity did not die, cannot die or be put to death. And it’s the man Christ Jesus – not the Second Person of the trinity – who is said Scripturally to be the one mediator between God and man. (1 Tim 2:5) He who is eternal, who could not and cannot die, could not be, and was not, born of the virgin.

Conclusion: Jesus Christ the man is the son of Mary. The Second Person of the Trinity is her God, not her son, for He did not originate in her womb.


Source: Heresies of Catholicism…The Apostate Church. by John Schroeder

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Answers to my Catholic Friend

On By KateIn Catholicism1 Comment

This is another response to my catholic blogging visitor concerning Mary.

Mariology is an extremely important part of the roman catholic belief system: Mary’s perpetual virginity, Mary’s sinless birth, Mary’s assumption into heaven, Mary’s involvement in the salvation of souls, and Mary Queen of Heaven.

Consider this, my friend. If Mariology is that important, would it not have been mentioned in at least one place in the Bible? The Word records Mary’s betrothal to Joseph, the Word records Mary being chosen to be the vessel that Christ would use to come to earth in human form, the Word records that Christ was the first born of a virgin. Mary makes appearances in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. She is not mentioned in any of the Epistles dealing with church doctrine, church administration, or worship. The Word never mentions Mary in any role of authority nor does the Word acknowledge that she had any spiritual power.

You stated to me that:

Mary is our mediator and intercessor and she petitions her Son on our behalf. Being a mother, she suffered tremendously at the sight of her Son dying. Her heart was knit with His and, therefore, she suffered as He did. She is the one who draws us to believe in her Son and she is the one who leads us to salvation in Him.

This is a major doctrine, my friend. This doctrine states that “someone” is responsible to lead us to salvation and draws us to that salvation. Therefore, such a serious matter would most certainly be covered in the Word of God, don’t you think? Such a serious matter involving Mary would most certainly be recorded in the doctrines of the church in the Bible. In fact, the Word does cover this but it does not even mention Mary’s name at all.

~1 Timothy 2:3-6 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; (3) Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (4) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (5) Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. (6)

Jesus would have all men to come to the knowledge of truth. He is the mediator between God and man and He gave Himself a ranson for all. No where does it state that Mary has any involvement or role in the doctrines of the church. No where does it state that Mary even possessed any spiritual power.

Why would God’s Word leave out such an important “doctrine” as Mariology? It is not in God’s Word because it is an invention of the catholic church to distract its members from focusing on the pure and complete work of salvation through Christ. Mariology distracts the catholic from totally worshipping Christ without distraction. He commands you to return to your first love – Him!

~Rev 2:4-5 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (4) Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. (5)

God commands us to repent and “do the first works”! The first works of what? The first works of the early church found in the Word of God. Not the works of a church that has added dogma as a result of Councils or magisterium! Neither Jesus, Peter, Paul or any other writer in the Bible have ever given the devotion to Mary that the catholic church has given to her. The New Testament was given to us for the spiritual guidance of the Church and there is a lot written about doctrine and worship. Mary’s absence from the epistles causes me to question the devotion the catholic church gives to her. Something this important would most assuredly be in the Bible, yet it is not.

Doesn’t this bother you? It should!

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Popes’ Quotes on the Subject of Mary

On By KateIn Catholicism2 Comments

I found a list of quotes by various popes throughout time and wanted to compare what they said in light of the Word of God. Won’t you search the Scriptures for yourself? Who do you obey?

“Who can worthily thank thee and adequately praise thee, oh Blessed Virgin, who by thy fiat has saved a lost world.” St. Augustine

(1 Cor 1:31) That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord

(Luk 19:10) For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

“The foundation of all our confidence is found in the Blessed Virgin Mary. God has committed to her the treasury of all good things, in order that everyone may know that through her are obtained every hope, every grace, and all salvation. For this is His will: That we obtain everything through Mary.” Pope Pius IX

(1Co 3:11) For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

(Heb 4:14-16) Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (14) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (15) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (16)

“Sinners receive pardon by the intercession of Mary alone.” St. John Chrysostom

(Rom 8:34) Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

(Heb 7:22, 24-25) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. (22) But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. (24) Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (25)

“All those who seek Mary’s protection will be saved for all eternity.” Pope Benedict XV

(1Th 5:9) For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

(2Ti 2:10) Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Benedict XV, Inter Sodalicia, 1918: “To such extent did Mary suffer and almost die with her suffering and dying Son; to such extent did she surrender her maternal rights over her Son for: man’s salvation . . that we may rightly say she redeemed the human race together with Christ.”

(Act 4:12) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

(1 Pe 1:18-19) Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; (18 ) But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (19)

Pius XI, 1935, in a prayer to close a jubilee, we find the first use of the word Coredemptrix by a pope: “O Mother of love and mercy who, when thy sweetest Son was consummating the Redemption of the human race on in the altar of the cross, didst stand next to him suffering with him as a Coredemptrix.”

(Act 4:10, 12) Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. (10) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (12)

Pius XII, in a radio broadcast in 1946: “Mary, for having been associated with the King of Martyrs in the ineffable work of human Redemption as Mother and cooperatrix, she remains forever associated with him, with an almost unlimited power, in the distribution of graces which flow from the Redemption.”

(Jud 1:21, 24-25) Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (21) Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, (24) To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. (25)

Paul VI, Christi Matri. “The Church … been accustomed to have recourse to that most ready intercessor, her Mother Mary … For as St. Irenaeus says, she ‘has become the cause of salvation for the whole human race”

(1Ti 2:5) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

(Heb 7:25) Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Pius IX, Ubi Primum, 1849: “For God has committed to Mary the treasury of all good things, in order that everyone may know that THROUGH HER are obtained every hope, every grace, and ALL SALVATION. For this is his will, that we obtain everything through Mary.”

(Heb 2:9-10) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (9) For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. (10)

Benedict XV, In a decree on Joan of Arc: “In every miracle we must recognize the mediation of Mary, through whom, according to God’s will, every grace and blessing comes to us.”

(Jas 1:17) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Pius XII, Superiore Anno, 1940: “As St. Bernard declares, ‘it is the will of God that we obtain favors through Mary, let everyone hasten to have recourse to Mary.”

(Eph 2:7) That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

John Paul II, Dives in Misericordia, 1980, quoting Lumen Gentium, “In fact, by being assumed into heaven she has not laid aside the office of salvation but by the manifold intercession she continues to obtain for us the grace of eternal salvation.”

(Heb 5:9) And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

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What Did Karol Wojtyla Believe?

On By KateIn Various50 Comments

Who is Karol Wojtyla? He was known as Pope John Paul II. This pope devoted his entire reign as pope to the Virgin Mary. He even gave her the credit for saving his life in 1981 during an assasination attempt.

His famous phrase “Totus Tuus” (Latin for All Yours) described his devotion to Mary. He wrote in his last will and testament

“…this moment too I place into the hands of the Mother of My Master: Totus Tuus. In the same maternal hands I place All those with whom my life and vocation are bound. Into these Hands I leave above all the Church, and also my Nation and all humanity.” Then, a little later in the document he writes, “I feel myself totally in the Hands of God – and I remain continually at the disposition of my Lord, entrusting myself to Him and to His Immaculate Mother (Totus Tuus).”

Pope John Paul II, believed that Mary was the co-redeemer with Christ! On his casket is a large “M” engraved under the arm of the Cross of Christ. He taught that “Baptism is necessary for salvation in fact or at least in intention, by which men and women are freed from their sins and are reborn as children of God, and configured to Christ…” (Canon 849, Code of Canon Law by the authority of Pope John Paul II).

This is taken from the Vatican’s own website promoting the praying to Mary via the rosary:

The Rosary mystically transports us to Mary’s side as she is busy watching over the human growth of Christ in the home of Nazareth. This enables her to train us and to mold us with the same care, until Christ is “fully formed” in us (cf. Gal 4:19). This role of Mary, totally grounded in that of Christ and radically subordinated to it, “in no way obscures or diminishes the unique mediation of Christ, but rather shows its power”.(20) This is the luminous principle expressed by the Second Vatican Council which I have so powerfully experienced in my own life and have made the basis of my episcopal motto: Totus Tuus.(21) The motto is of course inspired by the teaching of Saint Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, who explained in the following words Mary’s role in the process of our configuration to Christ: “Our entire perfection consists in being conformed, united and consecrated to Jesus Christ. Hence the most perfect of all devotions is undoubtedly that which conforms, unites and consecrates us most perfectly to Jesus Christ. Now, since Mary is of all creatures the one most conformed to Jesus Christ, it follows that among all devotions that which most consecrates and conforms a soul to our Lord is devotion to Mary, his Holy Mother, and that the more a soul is consecrated to her the more will it be consecrated to Jesus Christ”.(22) Never as in the Rosary do the life of Jesus and that of Mary appear so deeply joined. Mary lives only in Christ and for Christ!Praying to Christ with Mary

16. Jesus invited us to turn to God with insistence and the confidence that we will be heard: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Mt 7:7). The basis for this power of prayer is the goodness of the Father, but also the mediation of Christ himself (cf. 1Jn 2:1) and the working of the Holy Spirit who “intercedes for us” according to the will of God (cf. Rom 8:26-27). For “we do not know how to pray as we ought” (Rom 8:26), and at times we are not heard “because we ask wrongly” (cf. Jas 4:2-3).

In support of the prayer which Christ and the Spirit cause to rise in our hearts, Mary intervenes with her maternal intercession. “The prayer of the Church is sustained by the prayer of Mary”.(23) If Jesus, the one Mediator, is the Way of our prayer, then Mary, his purest and most transparent reflection, shows us the Way. “Beginning with Mary’s unique cooperation with the working of the Holy Spirit, the Churches developed their prayer to the Holy Mother of God, centering it on the person of Christ manifested in his mysteries”.(24) At the wedding of Cana the Gospel clearly shows the power of Mary’s intercession as she makes known to Jesus the needs of others: “They have no wine” (Jn 2:3).

The Rosary is both meditation and supplication. Insistent prayer to the Mother of God is based on confidence that her maternal intercession can obtain all things from the heart of her Son. She is “all-powerful by grace”, to use the bold expression, which needs to be properly understood, of Blessed Bartolo Longo in his Supplication to Our Lady.(25) This is a conviction which, beginning with the Gospel, has grown ever more firm in the experience of the Christian people. The supreme poet Dante expresses it marvellously in the lines sung by Saint Bernard: “Lady, thou art so great and so powerful, that whoever desires grace yet does not turn to thee, would have his desire fly without wings”.(26) When in the Rosary we plead with Mary, the sanctuary of the Holy Spirit (cf. Lk 1:35), she intercedes for us before the Father who filled her with grace and before the Son born of her womb, praying with us and for us.

Do you see where the Scriptures are twisted by the catholic church? At the bottom of this particular page (in the footnotes), it states:

(11) It is well-known and bears repeating that private revelations are not the same as public revelation, which is binding on the whole Church. It is the task of the Magisterium to discern and recognize the authenticity and value of private revelations for the piety of the faithful.

Furthermore, it is believed that

8. It would be impossible to name all the many Saints who discovered in the Rosary a genuine path to growth in holiness. We need but mention Saint Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, the author of an excellent work on the Rosary,(12) and, closer to ourselves, Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, whom I recently had the joy of canonizing. As a true apostle of the Rosary, Blessed Bartolo Longo had a special charism. His path to holiness rested on an inspiration heard in the depths of his heart: “Whoever spreads the Rosary is saved!”.(13) As a result, he felt called to build a Church dedicated to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Pompei, against the background of the ruins of the ancient city, which scarcely heard the proclamation of Christ before being buried in 79 A.D. during an eruption of Mount Vesuvius, only to emerge centuries later from its ashes as a witness to the lights and shadows of classical civilization. By his whole life’s work and especially by the practice of the “Fifteen Saturdays”, Bartolo Longo promoted the Christocentric and contemplative heart of the Rosary, and received great encouragement and support from Leo XIII, the “Pope of the Rosary”.

Furthermore, this pope, along with others, have stated numerous times that Mary is co-redeemer with Christ. This is outright heresy!

Pope Paul II has referred to Mary by the title “Co-redemptrix” in his teachings. For example, in 1985, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, the pope said: “Having suffered for the Church, Mary deserved to become the Mother of all the disciples of her Son, the Mother of their unity. … In fact Mary’s role as Coredemptrix did not cease with the glorification of her Son” (Inside the Vatican, July 1997, p. 23).

In April 9, 1997, the pope said: “Mary … co-operated during the event itself [the crucifixion] and in the role of mother; thus her co-operation embraces the whole of Christ’s saving work. She alone was associated in this way with the redemptive sacrifice that merited the salvation of all minkind. In union with Christ and in submission to Him, she collaborated in obtaining the grace of salvation for all humanity. … In God’s plan, Mary is the ‘woman’, the New Eve, united to the New Adam in restoring humanity to its original dignity. Her cooperation with her Son continues for all time in the universal motherhood which she enjoys in the order of grace. Trusting in this maternal cooperation, let us trun to Mary, imploring her help in all our needs” (Vatican Information Service).

On July 30, 1997, the pope said: “As the Mother of all the Lord’s disciples, May offers her intercession and aid to all who journey towards the fullness of the Lord’s Kingdom. As the Bride and Temple of the Holy Spirit, she encourages us to imitate her openness to the workings of the Spirit and to live in constant, loving communion with the Blessed Trinity.”

In his encyclical Redemptoris Mater (Mother of the Redeemer), published March 25, 1987, pope John Paul referred to Mary as “Mediatrix” three times, and as “Advocate” twice. The third section is dedicated to the theme of “Maternal Mediation.”

He is not the only pope who has pushed this heresy. Pius XI gave the title Co-redemptrix to Mary. The Vatican Councils have also given the title of Co-Redeemer to Mary. Vatican Council II, which was held in the mid-1960s, also referred to Mary as Mediator and Advocate. Note the following citation:

“Rightly, therefore, the Fathers see Mary not merely as passively engaged by God, but as freely cooperating in the work of man’s salvation through faith and obedience. For as St. Irenaeus says, she being obedient, became the cause of salvation for herself and for the whole human race. Hence not a few of the early Fathers gladly assert with him in their preaching …’ death through Eve, life through Mary.’ This union of the Mother with the Son in the work of salvation is made manifest from the time of Christ’s virginal conception up to his death” (Vatican II, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, chap. 8, II, 56, pp. 380-381).

“Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation. By her maternal charity, she cares for the brethren of her Son, who still journey on earth surrounded by dangers and difficulties, until they are led into their blessed home. Therefore the Blessed Virgin is involved in the Church under the titles Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix” (Vatican II, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, chap. 8, II, 62, pp. 382-383).

Since the catholics believe that the Bible, church traditions and magisteriums work together for their doctrine, then what do they do with the Bible when the church’s traditions and the popes and councils have directly contradicted the Word of God? The catholic church is taking its members straight to the pits of hell with its heretical teachings!!! :-( This is very sad! My heart aches for the lost catholic who is depending on their church to get them into heaven and the Word says otherwise!

Please, if you are a catholic reading this, go to the tab above on Salvation. Read the tab For the Catholic and see the heresies you are being taught. God’s Word is final, my friend! Please free yourself from the bondage of the catholic church. You will be free! (Joh 8:36) If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I do not write to hurt or to upset you but to warn you that you think you are on the right path but it is wrong! (Pro 14:12) There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Pro 16:25) There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. I know catholicism seems right to you because it is the largest religion in the world. However, when compared to the Bible, many of its doctrines are anti-Bible.

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No Respecter of Persons

On By KateIn Various2 Comments

(Luk 11:27) And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. (Luk 11:28 ) But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. (emphasis mine)

If Mary were to be revered in any manner, this would have been a good time for Christ to point that out, don’t you think? Here someone was lifting Mary up and honoring her. What was Christ’s response? Yes rather – not Yes also – and He goes on to say that the one who is blessed is not His mother but the who who hears the Word of God and keeps it! Not only was this a perfect time for Jesus to honor His mother but instead He chose to say that hearing and keeping the Word was more blessed! This is just yet another instance in Scripture where the Word states one thing yet church tradition and magisterium contradict or try to supersede what God has said. The born-again Christian considers Mary honored to have been chosen to be the vessel which God used to bring His Son into this world. However, that honor stops there. She is no different than any other. She was a sinner in need of a Saviour. (Luk 1:46) And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, (Luk 1:47) And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Do you know that the only time the phrase “my Saviour” is used in the New Testament was voiced by Mary? She was in need of a Saviour just as much as you and I were. She brought sacrifices to the temple just like Joseph and the rest of the Jews of the day. If she were sinless, would there be a need for her to call God her Saviour or for her to bring sacrifices to the temple?

I have also found how the Lord is no respecter of persons. Of all the people to say this, the Apostle Peter said it. (Act 10:34) Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: It’s ironic that God does not respect any man but the catholic church sets certain people apart as “better” than others. For instance, the catholic church states that the pope is infallible. They also designate people to “sainthood.” Also, the magisterium and church traditions are considered superior to the Bible – in that if the Bible says, “Thou shalt not” and church leaders and pope say the opposite, then it’s OK. If God is not a respecter of persons, why would He allow their words to be obeyed over His?

It’s not rocket science. God says He is not a respecter of persons. No one is above the other. The priest is not above the lay person. There is no hierarchy as held by the catholic church which must be followed. Christ is the Head of the church and that is it – final – period. We are all considered “priests,” if you will. (Rev 1:6) And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. We do not need a priest as we have the High Priest, Jesus Christ. (Heb 7:24) But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. (Heb 7:25) Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Heb 7:26) For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Our High Priest saves us to the uttermost. No church or earthly power or “god (i.e. Allah, Buddha) can save us.

The catholic church’s hierarchy is established on the ways of the Nicolaitans. The word “Nicholaitan” is derived from the Greek nikao – meaning to conquer – and laos (people), or to rule over the laity. Is there any better description of the catholic church than its leaders ruling over the lay people of the church? The offices held in the catholic church are priests, bishops, archbishops, metropolitans, patriarchs, cardinals, and popes. The only offices in the true born-again Christian church are: (1) the office of pastor/elder/bishop – all perform the same task and (2) deacons (servants). Plain and simple. But like everything else that the catholic church teaches, their structure is complicated and their teachings are complicated. Try reading their catechism and tell me that you can understand its writings the first time around. One must pick the sentences apart and read them over and over before understanding the teaching. No wonder that church says that only the leaders can interpret God’s Word. I’m thankful that the Word of God is simple and can be read by the simplest of minds – yes even a child can understand it. No wonder Christ didn’t want the disciples to prevent the little children from coming to Him. He even said that the Kingdom of God could only be entered “as a child” – meaning child-like faith. We do not need someone to interpret God’s Word for us. God would be a cruel God if He were to command us to obey His Word and yet not provide us with the means to read it and obey it. But the catholic church insists that its respected people are the only ones who can intepret God’s Word.

(Rev 2:6) But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (Rev 2:15) So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Not only were the Nicolaitans absorbed with hierarchy and ruling over the lay people but this particular sect were known for their liscentious practices. If God states twice that He hated the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, then why would you associate yourself with a church that practices some of their doctrine? Would not not stay away from anything that God hates?

Just on a side note, there are several verses that discuss the things that God hates:

(Deu 12:31) Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. and (Deu 16:22) Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the LORD thy God hateth. – Idolatry

(Psa 11:5) The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. – Violence

(Mal 2:16) For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously. – Divorce

(All emphases are mine)

So, my friend, since God does not respect persons – no one is above another in His eyes – why would He place Mary on a pedestal or give the pope (and the hierarchy of the catholic church) any authority over His church?

Three times the Word says that Christ is the head of the church! I love that it appears three times because the number three symbolizes the godhead – the Trinity – completeness!

(1 Co 11:3) But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.(Eph 4:15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:(Eph 5:23) For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. (emphasis mine)

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