Pope Stirs Controversy Amongst Evangelicals

Worthy Christian News » Pope Stirs Controversy Amongst Evangelicals

Pope Stirs Controversy Amongst Evangelicals

Thursday, July 3, 2014 (4:18 pm) | Worthy News / Christian, Editor's Top Stories

VATICAN CITY (Worthy News)– Pope Francis created a controversy amongst Evangelicals this week, when he stated in his weekly address, that those who believe they can maintain a "personal" and "direct" relationship with Jesus Christ outside the "mediation of the Church" was "dangerous and harmful."

In his weekly address from St. Peter's Square, the Pope said, "No one becomes Christian on his or her own! Is that clear? No one becomes Christian by him- or herself."

"Christians are not made in a laboratory. A Christian is part of a people who comes from afar. The Christian belongs to a people called the Church and this Church is what makes him or her Christian, on the day of Baptism, and then in the course of catechesis, and so on," the Pontiff continued.

"We are able to live this journey not only because of others, but together with others. In the Church there is no 'do it yourself', there are no 'free agents'," the Pope added.

"At times one hears someone say: 'I believe in God, I believe in Jesus, but I don't care about the Church…'. How many times have we heard this? And this is not good. There are those who believe they can maintain a personal, direct and immediate relationship with Jesus Christ outside the communion and the mediation of the Church. These are dangerous and harmful temptations," he continued.

"Dear friends, let us ask the Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, for the grace never to fall into the temptation of thinking we can make it without the others, that we can get along without the Church, that we can save ourselves on our own, of being Christians from the laboratory," the Pope concluded.

Evangelicals have long maintained that one must become "born again" and true faith is not a religion, but a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

While many evangelicals are members of churches of many different denominations, the common denominator amongst Evangelicals is the need for a "personal relationship" with Jesus Christ as the sole mediator to God. As Evangelicals often quote, "For there is one mediator between God and Man; the man Jesus Christ." [1 Timothy 2:5]

Pope's Entire Message on June 25, 2014

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44 Comments on this post.

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Nathaniel Dennison

3 July 2014 at 6:12 pm - Reply

Except that Rome hi-jacked the Church of Christ for their own political purposes. A person becomes a christian by joining himself to Christ, not to the Roman church. This alone results in regeneration. Water baptism doesn't save anybody, but is rather the outward profession of the inward possession of Christ. The Roman church confuses the physical water baptism for the spiritual baptism into Christ. The latter is a must-have, the former is recommended but optional and not necessary.

David Hawley

3 July 2014 at 7:06 pm - Reply

It is possible for someone to become a christian through the scriptures alone, and have a relationship with God without participating in a community of believers. But the norm is to belong to a local church to practice the "one anothers" after coming to faith through christians' proclamation of the gospel. And of course the scriptures themselves come from the church.

So what the pope says is kinda true, but wrong that it is the Roman Catholic Church that mediates grace.

Bro. Nick

4 July 2014 at 4:42 am - Reply

When it comes to "the truth", "the law", "the word of the LORD"
– it is either true – OR – it is a lie.
"The Lord Jesus Christ" stated unto "GOD the Father" – "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." (John 17:17 – KJV)
All of eternity depends on whether or not we trust in the absolute truth of "the truth" of what "the LORD GOD" says!!!

Dennis Hibbard

4 July 2014 at 3:32 am - Reply

Where was the Pope 50 yrs ago when Jesus came to get Me, From Running away from Jesus to Being Changed Over Night to wanting Christian friends, desire to Read the Bible, Guilt Erased, not afraid of a Knock on the Door, or Sirens there coming to get me… Instead of wanting to Use people, start caring and wanting the Best for them. The Church the Individual Believer, to worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth John 4:24
Wants to In Corporate Religions Corruptions of the Truth Romans 1:21 – 23 Stack the Pile of Lie Higher and Higher Incredible

Bro. Nick

4 July 2014 at 4:34 am - Reply

What Pope Francis said in his decree is only affirming official Roman Catholic doctrine that is hundreds of years old -

EXTRA ECCLESIAM NULLA SALUS (No Salvation Outside the Church)

The Latin phrase “Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus” means: “Outside the Church there is no salvation”. Catholics interprets this to mean that “all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body.”

This expression comes from the writings of Saint Cyprian of Carthage, a bishop of the 3rd century, and is found his Letter LXXII, Ad Jubajanum de haereticis baptizandis, and in Latin reads: “Salus extra ecclesiam non est”. The axiom is often used as short-hand for the doctrine, upheld by the the Roman Catholic Church, that the Church is absolutely necessary for salvation (“one true faith”). The theological basis for this doctrine is founded on the beliefs that (1) Jesus Christ personally established the one Church; and (2) the Church serves as the means by which the graces won by Christ are communicated to believers.

Some of the most pertinent Roman Catholic expressions of this doctrine are: the profession of faith of Pope Innocent III (1208), the profession of faith of the Fourth Lateran Council (1215), the bull Unam sanctam of Pope Boniface VIII (1302), and the profession of faith of the Council of Florence (1442). The axiom “No salvation outside the Church” has been frequently repeated over the centuries in different terms by the ordinary magisterium.
http://www.trusaint.com/no-salvation-outside-the-catholic-church/

For anyone that is interested, see what the official Roman Catholic positions are about some of their essential beliefs –

The Bible Proves the Teachings of the Catholic Church
http://www.trusaint.com/the-bible-proves-the-teachings-of-the-catholic-church/

•The Bible teaches that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist
•The Biblical basis for praying to Mary and for Catholic teachings on Mary
•The Bible teaches that Jesus made St. Peter the first Pope
•Justification by faith alone and eternal security refuted by the Bible
•The Bible teaches confession to a Priest
•The Bible on praying to and venerating Saints
•The Bible teaches baptismal regeneration and that baptism is necessary for salvation
•The proof for infant baptism
•Baptism doesn’t have to be immersion
•The Bible teaches Purgatory
•The Bible does not teach Sola Scriptura (scripture alone)

———————————————————
We all need to remember the absoluteness of “the truth” according with what “the word of the LORD” rightly divided (2 Tim 2:15) says:

“That I might make thee know the certainty of THE WORDS OF TRUTH; that thou mightest answer THE WORDS OF TRUTH to them that send unto thee?”
(Prov 22:21 – KJV) – – Capitalization mine – Bro. Nick

“The LORD JEHOVAH” uses the word “truth” 235 times, and “the truth” 87 times in “the word of the LORD”, “the law”, The Holy Bible (KJV).

‘Sometimes “the truth” makes Love hurt’

“The Truth” is “the Truth” – even if nobody chooses to believe it!

“The truth” is hate speech only to those who hate “the truth”.

———————————————–
Truly converted, “born again”, blood bought followers of “the Lord Jesus Christ” – CHRISTians do not hate the followers of the mortal man Pope Francis.

Let us all pray that many-many-many Catholics will come to true and Saving faith which is found only in “the Lord Jesus Christ” – which is only by Grace thru Faith! (Eph 2:8-10)

Real Christian

4 July 2014 at 11:36 pm - Reply

This whole comment is a lie

Real Christian

4 July 2014 at 11:39 pm -

The catholic church is a lie. Mystery Babylon

Joe

15 July 2014 at 9:11 pm - Reply

Bro Nick, all that you write is fine and obviously you know your bible and of the church. I think what a lot of folks object to be this Pope seemingly acts and speaks in ways that are not consistent with the scripture or the church. First we here this Pope is for gay marriage then we hear he is not for gay marriage, then we hear he opened the doors of the Catholic church to Muslim Prayer and if you know your bible you should realize Mohammed is a false prophet of the Muslim Cult (I say cult not because of the murder and killing of Christians so hated by Islamist, but because the Koran is needed to interpret there religion) and now the Pope implies its my way or the highway.. There is no room in the Christian church for false teaching, and the Catholic Church over the centuries has been notorious for imposing its man made rules and regulations over the teaching of the scriptures. Much of this came to a stop with Martin Luther and I know there are those who call him a radical but I believe the protestant reformation moved the people in the right direction, to desire the church more and these are the folks who confidently speak out against those rules and regulations of the Catholic Church. There's is an emphasis more on spiritual regeneration and truth set to living the word of God more than just following the church. I think many born again believers feel the Catholic Church held back the opportunity for people to find real freedom and new life in the gospel. Yes it is true there is only one church whom Christ is the head and Christ built his church as Peter was to be that rock, but Christ if the church he spoke about and not Peter. The problem is the church was never meant to become a final authority but the Pope seems to be adopting that position. Even though the Catholic Church has made progress in evangelism, I think that's what people object to mostly, the false teaching is still present in the Catholic Church. We can't all be scholars like you and your knowledge and caring for the church is appreciated but I think this Pope is wrong for the Catholic church, so that's my opinion.

Bro. Nick

16 July 2014 at 12:01 am -

Joe – It is not a matter of 'what I like' or 'what you like'.
– - -
"The word of the LORD" is the absolute – and that is where I have chosen to stand, only by His Wondrous Grace.
The Roman Catholic Church has twisted what "the Lord God Almighty" inspired to be written in
"the word", the Holy Bible – and plainly state that Salvation is only by their false doctrines:
-
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
(2 Tim 3:1-8 – KJV)
-
“JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS” personally said:
“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.”
(Matt 12:30 – KJV)
–
1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.
2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?
3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
(Ps 115:1-3 – KJV)
darrel

19 July 2014 at 7:57 am -

you need to get your facts straight your self

Jonathan Gardiner

19 July 2014 at 6:52 pm - Reply

Nick,

Thanks! I always wonder why Catholics does pray to the virgin Mary? Certainly the mother of our Lord Jesus was a blessed woman and full of grace, and nothing none of us can say or do to change that. So we better love and respect that, but to be praying to her in light of the teaching of Jesus her beloved Son and Savior of mankind/world in another thing.

And it came to pass that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
And he said unto them, When ye pray, pray, say, Our Father, who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven so in earth. Luke.11:1-2.(KJV)

Why is the virgin Mary mother of our Lord Jesus in the above words of Jesus?

And whatever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.
John.14:13-14 .(KJV).

Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our [infirmity]; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit [himself] maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26.(KJV).

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free John 8:32. (KJV).

And we know God word is the truth.

Love and peace!

Jonathan Gardiner

19 July 2014 at 7:02 pm -

Correction. Where is the name of the virgin Mary mother of our Lord Jesus, in the above words of Jesus?

Pete

24 July 2014 at 11:41 am - Reply

Sir, I can tell that you have NEVER read the book of Hebrews. Or have you not read in Hebrews 5:9 that.."And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all those who obey Him". And what more that: in Hebrews 9:11
11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come,[a] with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.".
All men are corrupt to not just to the bone, but to the genes. All have fallen short of God's Grace. Yet Jesus being without sin, qualified to offer up his own blood ONCE and FOR ALL time.
Please take this rebuke in love. Read the book of Hebrews and you have an ear then hear what the Spirit has to say to you. Don't continue to be stubborn and perish for lack of knowlege and being hard of hearing.

In His love

Mark

4 July 2014 at 11:59 am - Reply

Jesus did not leave us with a Bible… He left us a Church led by Peter and the Apostles and that Church compiled the Bible several hundred years later. The Bible is a gift from God through His Church and Jesus Christ has always been the head of the Church.

Anonymous

6 July 2014 at 12:24 pm - Reply

According to the book of acts 15 and 21 James not Peter was the head of the assembly

Pete

24 July 2014 at 11:52 am -

In fact: there was no one person headed to run the church. Jesus is the head of every church group. He is the mediator. He is our King. Only one person has qualified to lead this bride and He is soon to wed her.
So don't be misguided to think that one carnal man was ever appointed to lead this body of believers.
"22 Then the apostles and elders together with the whole church in Jerusalem chose delegates, and they sent them to Antioch of Syria with Paul and Barnabas to report on this decision. The men chosen were two of the church leaders[f]—Judas (also called Barsabbas) and Silas. 23 This is the letter they took with them:.." By the way, the following site is run by Catholics. I just don't get it. Why don't they read the scriptures more and quit listening others read it for them. Are we not rather to obey God rather than men?
Read more at https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+15&version=NLT#3HIZfcQYfcE6KPoW.99….

Rita

4 July 2014 at 6:36 pm - Reply

What does the Pope do with his Bible-'cause I don't think he reads it.

danilo magno

7 July 2014 at 10:29 am - Reply

You're right, Ms. Rita. The Catholic Church totally defies the Bible because the have a separate teachings of their own, but one unsubstantiated by the holy men of God. That church was the continuation of the pagan Roman Empire.

Angela

4 July 2014 at 7:24 pm - Reply

There is no "Church" in the original or even any of the early transcripts of the bible, Old or New. That term was invented much like the Sunday Sabbath, and St. Valentine's Day, and Santa Claus. Beware of Francis. He's not the real Francis.

wandakate

19 July 2014 at 11:04 am - Reply

Angela: As for the change and a Sunday Sabbath there is no Sabbath on Sunday. The original Sabbath was always on Saturday and it never changed. I would like to see where it change according to scripture. Constantine changed it when he was the Emperor. The Catholic Church is just an extension of paganism.

People in mainstream churches call Sunday the LORD's Day, but it's not. They also celebrate Good Friday and Easter Sunday and that was the original Passover. JESUS died the week of Passover. Then there is Halloween which is Satan's holiday. Can't leave out Christmas, and all of these were pagan holidays. Easter and Christmas have absolutely nothing to do with JESUS. JESUS died on Wednesday before the High Holy Day Sabbath (an annual Sabbath) which was recorded in the book of John, and rose before sunrise on Sunday morning. There were 2 Sabbath days the week Christ died and he couldn't have died on Friday because He had said the He would remain in the tomb for 3 days and 3 nights. That isn't 72 hours. He died at approximately 3 p.m. on Wednesday and from then til Saturday at 3 p.m. would have been 3 days and 3 nights, and by the time they got to the tomb early (before dawn) on Sunday morning He had already left the tomb.

As for Christmas, he wasn't born in the winter on December 25th because it was too cold there for the shepherds to be out in the fields keeping watch over their flock at night. They put the animals inside from late October until about the middle of March before they let them wander in the fields. Scripture says that Mary conceived in the 6th month. June is the 6th month and 9 months later would be March. So he was born in March and not December. Constantine also decided that Dec. 25th would be the birthday but it was from the pagan customs.

When we finally learn, study and know the truth, the truth will set us free.

Pete

24 July 2014 at 12:10 pm -

are you serious? are you for real? No why do people not read Paul's letter to Timothy. Have you ever read what the Bible qualifies as "doctrines of demons". Please. Do some homework. Read Paul's letters to Timothy. And do pray for understandiiing. please. Jeepers.

Anil Xavier

5 July 2014 at 2:22 am - Reply

I do agree with His Holiness the Pope that we are not Christians on an individual basis but because we belong to the Church and also to an extent true that we cannot be in communion with God without being so in the Church. But are the “Christians” to be blamed to go away from the Church to build a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. What is the role of the Church? The Pope himself connected the Church or the growth in Christianity when he says he remembers the face of the nun who taught him the Catechism, because she was a holy woman and give thanks to God for this sister. The Pope also says it could be the face of the parish priest, of another priest or a sister or a catechist, who transmitted the contents of the faith to us and helped us to grow as Christians and this is the Church. How many priests and nuns do you find in the Church you helps us to grow as Christians? The Pope says that we are able to live this journey not only because of others, but together with others. I think the change should begin with cleansing the Church, which has already been started by the Pope.

danilo magno

8 July 2014 at 4:00 am - Reply

Ms. Anil Xavier, by calling him " his holiness," what makes you think that man is holy? only God can judge whether those who had lived as humans are holy or not and that would come after the day of judgment. Not only is it arrogance, but sheer blasphemy, he's human, he's still living on earth, and he's a leader of a church that actually desecrated the Word of God by preserving the ancient traditions and deities of pagan Babylon, and equally pagan Roman Empire. We, Born Again Christians and other Bible-believing Christians know the origin of the Catholic Church. We know about Semiramis, Isis, Nimrod, Baal, Satunalia, the feast of purification of Isis which eventually became Christmas celebration. All of these pagan rituals and deities were incorporated into Christianity by the first pope, Roman Emperor Constantine upon the empire's conversion to Christianity. If what you said is true regarding the pope's cleansing of that church, he should begin by dumping their followers empty worship and prayers to your so-called Blessed Virgin Mary, because Jesus never said and taught such a thing. He should initiate the exclusion of idols and icons, images, sculptures, etc., because that is forbidden by God (EXODUS 20:4).
Pete

24 July 2014 at 12:01 pm - Reply

errr…have you not read in Mathew 23:9 what Jesus commanded us to do: "And don't address anyone here on earth as 'Father,' for only God in heaven is your spiritual Father". Good griiief, does anyone read the Word these days. Early book makers even put the words in red! Now people graduated from 'Father' to "his holiness". For Peeete's sake!
wandakate

24 July 2014 at 1:38 pm - Reply

Anil: I have a question…Who made the Pope holy? He is a man is he not? He has flesh and blood and is a soul like any other soul. He has no special blood that I am aware of. He can not forgive the sins of people. He is not GOD on earth. Only JESUS can ask the FATHER to forgive us of our sins.

bob

6 July 2014 at 2:15 am - Reply

The pope is full of poop. They turn the trinity into a quartet.

Pete

24 July 2014 at 12:03 pm - Reply

LOL!!
wandakate

24 July 2014 at 1:45 pm - Reply

BOB: The quartet must be the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, and the Pope! Yeah…He says he is GOD's personal representative on earth, really? I don't see anything about that in scripture.

danilo magno

7 July 2014 at 10:22 am - Reply

What Virgin Mary are you talking about, Mr. Pope. Did Jesus nor His disciples, nor God's prophets teach Mary's intercession? That shows how lost you are. And the fact that you allow yourself to be called "holy father" by your deceived followers indicates you're a partaker of the doctrines of the devil, accountable to the Lord come judgment day, for deviating and distorting the Word of God by adhering to a different teaching—-purgatory, rosary, virgin Mary concept, indulgence, celibacy, canonization, eucharist, transubstantiation, beatification, veneration, hail Mary prayer—-things that are not taught in the Bible, which placed all of you under God's curse ( GALATIANS 1:8-9 ). Prepare to meet Satan in hell come Judgment Day, Mr. Pope.

suzanne

22 July 2014 at 9:47 am - Reply

The roman catholic church is so evil and so out to corrupt all that Jesus is and all He stands for. When a woman tried to compliment Jesus by saying "Blessed is the woman who gave you birth" Jesus reply was, "Blessed rather are those who do my Father's will." In Luke 8:21 Jesus said, "My mother and my brethern are those who hear the word of God and do it." Not to mention God forbids the worshipping of idols and also of talking to the dead, which would include the dead saints and Mary as well. But their corruption of scriptures are just the beginning of the evil of this so-called church. The fellowship of believers was intended for believers to come together for teaching,for worship and fellowship. But over and over again, the Bible, God's authority states that it is essential to have a personal relationship with Jesus. In Jesus' own words: "Many will come to me on that day and say Lord, Lord,….and I will say to them' I never knew you.'"

Ann Deatherage

7 July 2014 at 4:18 pm - Reply

"3. I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since “no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord”.[1] The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step towards Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there, waiting for us with open arms. Now is the time to say to Jesus: “Lord, I have let myself be deceived; in a thousand ways I have shunned your love, yet here I am once more, to renew my covenant with you. I need you. Save me once again, Lord, take me once more into your redeeming embrace”. How good it feels to come back to him whenever we are lost! Let me say this once more: God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy. Christ, who told us to forgive one another “seventy times seven” (Mt 18:22) has given us his example: he has forgiven us seventy times seven. Time and time again he bears us on his shoulders. No one can strip us of the dignity bestowed upon us by this boundless and unfailing love. With a tenderness which never disappoints, but is always capable of restoring our joy, he makes it possible for us to lift up our heads and to start anew. Let us not flee from the resurrection of Jesus, let us never give up, come what will. May nothing inspire more than his life, which impels us onwards!"Pope last year…

Simplicio B Dang-awan Jr

8 July 2014 at 7:16 am - Reply

If you claim to be a soldier in the military without belonging to a unit, you can be discharged or considered an AWOL (Absence without leave) To me to be a christian is make Christ as your head, but you must belong to his body- the church. So I agree with the pope that no Christian is an island by himself. It is in the Church Community that we are nurtured to grow in our faith and in service. In Asia where we are community-oriented, I often emphasize the importance of making our personal connection with Christ to be used to create a community of faith, for Christ came to build a community like the "people of God"- in the old testament and the "new israel" in the New Testament..

WorldGoneCrazy

11 July 2014 at 3:11 pm - Reply

Mr. Dang-Awan: you are correct that the Church is the Body of Christ and that all true believers everywhere belong to it. So, I, as a believer are in the same Church as you. And, you are right that the local church – a place for believers and even unbelievers to gather – is VERY important. Please forgive us in America the fact that so many of our local churches – Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox – have fallen away into apostasy, and no longer follow the Bible. So, some of us have trouble finding a good local church – they are so watered down.

In Asia, it is not like that: the churches are filled with faithful believers who understand the Bible – to me, the most faithful are found in the many house churches of Asia! So, we admire you from over here, but we are too soft and un-Biblical in so many cases. In many ways, you have it so much better than we do.

God bless you, my Brother!

Bro. Nick

12 July 2014 at 9:35 am -

How thankful I am to hear of CHRISTians gathering together that understand and believe what is written in "the word of the LORD" -vs- rather than following the teachings of fallen man. I understand that there is also real CHRISTianity in Africa and South America.
Here in 'Amerika' there is much 'Christendom' – but very little CHRISTianity – thus there is very little if anything to admire about the church in 'Amerika'. My recommendation is to be very very careful about material you receive from here! (2 Peter 2: )
It is very difficult to find a congregation where the Pastor leads from the Holy Word of GOD – just like "the LORD GOD" said will happen in Amos 8:11-14.

Dear Brother in Jesus Christ – may "the Lord God Almighty" give you great discernment, wisdom and guidance in these evil end days in which we are living. (Gen 6:5 – Luke 17:26-29 | 1 Thess 5:23-25)

James Hall

9 July 2014 at 9:49 am - Reply

The Catholic Church has been in a state of apostasy since the 4th century, AD. Everything about it – from the fish hats & pagan ceremonial rites, the worship of Mary, the exchange of money for a shorter stay in (a non-existent) purgatory, the demand that parishioners confess their sins to the priest & call him "father". (And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. matthew 23:9)

Consider the teachings of Mike Gendron, of Worldview Weekkend:

Those who are deceived may never know it unless they are confronted with the truth. Many go to their grave misled about life's most important issues concerning God and eternity. Since we are eternal beings, we will either spend eternity with our God and Creator in heaven or in the unquenchable fires of hell. Tragically, many people look to unreliable sources for truth in order to prepare for eternity. The only source that will always protect us from the schemes and lies of the master deceiver is divine truth revealed in God's Word. The Scriptures must become our supreme authority in all areas of faith and practice. We must look to Jesus who is the truth (John 14:6), whose Word is truth (John 17:17), and who came to testify to the truth (John 18:37). Why would anyone look anywhere else?

Catholics put their trust in the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church to accurately teach the Bible. This can be a fatal mistake because anyone who relies solely on the subjective teachings of men leave themselves open to deception. The objective truth of God's Word must be the standard by which all the teachings of men are tested for veracity (Acts 17:11). Since the apostle Paul's teaching was tested by Scripture for its truthfulness, it stands to reason we must use the same standard for any religious leader. Unfortunately Catholics do not test the "infallible" teachings of popes through the lens of Scripture. This has resulted in mass deception and religious bondage within the Roman Catholic Church. Only the truth of God's Word will set captives free. Born again Christians, who have been entrusted with the truth, must be good stewards and proclaim it faithfully to those who are perishing.

wandakate

17 July 2014 at 3:27 pm - Reply

If the church is so "holy" then why are so many people coming out of it? The long prayers are not necessary, the confession to another man that can not forgive you of your sins b/c he is just another man in a black robe. Purgatory? Where is that located? My bible speaks of Heaven and Hell but no limbo place that I'm aware of. They were either saved or lost when they died. Mary (their precious Mary), she claimed to have sinned and admitted she needed to be saved, that she was not without fault. She died, she can't answer their prayers. Why are they praying to dead people? The infallibility of the Pope. He claims to be GOD on earth. Who decided that? The Rosary beads, what's the purpose of counting them and all the kissing of the cross? JESUS is alive in Heaven now with GOD the FATHER, he's not dead so why would they kiss the cross? He also died on Passover, not Easter. What about baptizing babies. Baptism according to a Bible is only for the remission of our sins that we have committed. A public confession of an inward relationship with JESUS. They sprinkle babies and adults and tell them they're baptized, are they really? JESUS said, :You must be born again. JESUS example of baptism was to go "down into the water and come back up". It was for the remission of sins. Do babies really need to be sprinkled? The Methodist also sprinkle and there may be others as well. It's NOT JESUS example.

Tom Horn author of several books says the last Pope will be "the evil Pope". Could Pope Francis be the last Pope? It is said that the very last one of all time will actually be the false prophet…Ohhh, that is scary.

They seem to change rules like most of us change our underwear. One day it's one rule and the next day it's another rule, oh mercy, that's confusing. And the rituals that are repeated over and over again. The priest reads then the congregation reads, then the priest again and on and on and on. No wonder they don't know much about the Bible. Speaking of the Bible, they have their own. Now why do they have their own Bible? So do the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Mormons (they are listed in the book of cults). Only one real Bible and it's the one that GOD/JESUS directed the prophets to write directed by the guiding of the Holy Spirit. Did I leave anything out? I'm sure I did, but this is enough to keep me far away.

Bro. Nick

17 July 2014 at 3:48 pm - Reply

AMEN!!!:
-
17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
19 THAT THY TRUST MAY BE IN THE LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,

21 THAT I MIGHT MAKE THEE KNOW THE CERTAINTY OF THE WORDS OF TRUTH; that thou mightest answer THE WORDS OF TRUTH to them that send unto thee?
(Prov 22:17-21 – KJV)
-
– CAPITALization & emphasis mine – Bro. Nick
Joe

21 July 2014 at 8:18 pm - Reply

Folks,

I have read many of the opinions on this article of the Pope and have concluded there are many different views and that’s OK, it provides a sort of checks and balance in keeping the right perspective and I think that’s important to everyone. The one constant theme in all these opinions unchanging has been that Jesus Christ is Lord and the true church of Christ belongs to Him. Obviously there are troubles in the Catholic church but there not alone, every Christian church today is under some sort of attack by Satin, there have always been troubles, it’s how we respond as Christians that’s important, the world is watching us. The catholic church today still remains the sole descendent of the first apostolic church of which the apostle Peter was the first leader after Christ death on the cross Matt. 16:18, the same church that was persecuted and Christians were even put to death for their believeth that Jesus Christ is savior and Lord. This same church survived the protestant reformation and no weaker for it, in fact Christianity has grown. I think God is pleased with so many denominations, otherwise why they would be… Through the centuries the church has under gone many things, from rapid growth by thousands and thousands daily, new churches sprouting up everywhere, then the dark ages, the crusades and now what apparently seems to be equivalent of a dysfunctional family. Keep in mind we are all part of the family of God regardless of faith or denomination and to remember Christ example he gave to his church to love one another. Let’s not give the devil a victory by writing hurtful things or taking a hard line, every church has some form of ritual engaged, some good some not so good, but the bottom line is that God is glorified through his church and we are the sheep of his pastures… Each church will stand or fall on its own merits, God will be the judge. Let’s hope and pray the church of today whatever faith or denomination will be united in Christ alone. God is bigger than we can imagine.

wandakate

21 July 2014 at 9:07 pm -

JOE: You're right to a point. I do believe that "all" churches have faults. The fact that GOD is happy because we have so many denominations is where I don't agree. There was to be one true church, and it was the one that would "obey". They will be according to scripture the ones in the end who kept the commandments of GOD, they persevered to the very end.
We have so many different gospels, some preach another JESUS, some just talk, some are in it only for the financial gain that they reap. Prosperity gospel, the health and wealth gospel, the name it and claim it gospel and the ever popular feel good gospel, are in today's churches, however, GOD just wants a people that will worship him in spirit and in "TRUTH". Not a watered down, polluted, gospel that's thinner than Kool Aid.

But, yes in the end GOD will know his people. The people are the church, not the building, or the denomination, but the souls. There will be a sorting of the wheat from the tare, the sheep from the goats or the same as the saved from the unsaved. JESUS said, "You must be born again". We must experience a spiritual re-birth where all the old goes away and the new comes in. We aren't born again when we still live as if we love the world and the things of the world. JESUS said, "If you love the world and the things of the world then the love of the FATHER is not in you".

There won't be any mistakes as to who is going to spend eternity with the LORD in the Kingdom of GOD, as GOD doesn't make any mistakes.

Sasha

25 July 2014 at 2:02 pm - Reply

well looks like the pope is drinking the same kool aid as the rest of our so called leaders. Jesus has been with me since birth, even before I believed and is with me all the time. Church is important for fellowship to be strengthened by other believers but Jesus is with me always.

wandakate

27 July 2014 at 11:21 am - Reply

Pope says that we can't get personal with JESUS. They, however, exalt Mary. Mary is dead and in the grave, she can't answer their prayers or do them any good. She was just a human, special yes to be chosen to be the mother of our SAVIOR, but she is not a saint, and she is dead.

My Bible (and not the Catholic one) says that JESUS is the way, the truth and the life, and no man will come to the FATHER except by JESUS. We must go through JESUS in order to get to GOD the FATHER. JESUS is our mediator, not Mary.

We are to pray first to JESUS and he will intercede for us to GOD the FATHER who is on the throne. Plain and simple, not difficult, not complicated. A child could understand. It's like a playground that is surrounded by a fence and the fence has a gate. The child know they must "get through" the gate or go through it before they can reach the play equipment. Such it is with GOD the FATHER, we must first go through JESUS in order to reach the FATHER. So simple…

They want to reach GOD (so they claim) but they won't to skip JESUS. Sorry, but it does not work that way.

WorldGoneCrazy

27 July 2014 at 8:08 pm - Reply

WandaKate, as a Protestant, I do agree with what you say here, of course, but there is one fine technical point that I wish to address: the Catholic Bible actually DOES have John 14:6 in it. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+14%3A6&version=NABRE

The reason that I bring this up is that there ARE many Catholics (not all, probably not most, but many) who place their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and NOT in the Pope, Mary, or the Catholic Church and its traditions. While I certainly agree with you that there are many false doctrines within the Catholic Church, I must also say that it is generally conceded, by Biblical scholars and theologians, that the 3 authentic branches of Orthodox (right faith) Christianity are Protestant, Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox.

I must also add that when it comes to orthopraxy (right practice), the Catholic Church's stated doctrine (not necessarily the practice of those who worship there) regarding abortion, divorce, and same-sex marriage is not nearly as wavering as many Protestant denominations. (One reason that I am non-denominational.) When you consider all of the Protestant churches that have fallen away into apostasy on these 3 issues, not to mention all of the false "gospels" of grace without truth, word of faith, prosperity gospel, feel-goodism, etc, we must surely thank God for our faithful brethren in all 3 branches of Christianity that are holding the line in the world's increasing attack on Christianity.

"In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity." — Rupertus Meldenius, 17th century German Lutheran theologian. (BTW, I see some people arguing against this saying, because they believe that EVERY piece of doctrine is ESSENTIAL. While I agree that every piece of doctrine is IMPORTANT, I must say that Heaven is surely empty, but for God, if we must have anything close to perfect doctrine to get there. In fact, I would argue that those who believe we need perfect doctrine for salvation purposes are nothing more than modern-day Pharisees, and we know where they ended up!)

God bless you, WandaKate!

wandakate

28 July 2014 at 10:21 am -

World Gone Crazy: Thanks for the blessing. In my opinion there are certainly NO perfect churches. The people make up the church and there are no perfect people. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of GOD.
Only the LORD knows our hearts. I do believe we are saved by grace but we are judged by our works.
I also believe that we are not to "argue" about this topic which is not productive in any way. We should according to scripture "reason together". If however we are not able to reason with one another then we should agree to disagree and drop it as it usually causes conflict, and you certainly know that there is already enough conflict in the world and we don't need any more.

People will always disagree especially about Religion and Politics. Differences of opinions and a freedom of choice make us all different in our own way.

wandakate

27 July 2014 at 11:28 am - Reply

My Bible (The Holy Bible) tells me that the way to GOD is through JESUS, it doesn't say a word about it being through the Holy Roman Catholic Church. You would think if it was that way that my Bible would have said so.

We need to think for ourselves, we need to study to show ourselves approved. Is it possible that many are brainwashed, or deceived or even programmed to believe certain things…Oh yes, I would guess that it is highly possible. BEWARE!!!

Worthy Christian News » Pope Stirs Controversy Amongst Evangelicals

Worthy Christian News » Pope Stirs Controversy Amongst Evangelicals

Pope Stirs Controversy Amongst Evangelicals

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