Have You Ever Asked Why…? (Part1)

Have You Ever Asked Why…? (Part1)

…Catholics worshiped images?

The Roman Catholic Church commands her member to pay honor and veneration to the images of the Lord, of Mary the mother of Jesus, and of the saints:

“15. Ought we worship holy images?

“We should have, particularly in our churches, images of Our Lord, as also of the Blessed Virgin and the saints, and we should pay them due honor and veneration.” (Catechism of Christian Doctrine, p.87)

But the Bible teaches otherwise. God Himself commanded:

“Worship no god but me. Do not make for yourselves images of anything in heaven or on earth or in the water under the earth. Do not bow down to any idol or worship it, because I am the Lord your God and I tolerate no rivals. I bring punishment on those who hate me and on their descendants down to the third and fourth generation.” (Exo. 20:3-5, TEV)

…Catholic priests are forbidden to marry?

The Catholic Church imposes celibacy on her priests:

“The discipline of the Catholic Church has been exerted from the beginning in prohibiting priests to marry after their ordination.” (The Faith of our Fathers, p.328)

But, according to Apostle Paul, the prohibition to marry is a doctrine of the evil:

“Now the spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and the doctrines of the devils; forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.”  (I Tim. 4:1,3, KJV)

…Catholics are forbidden to eat meat during the season of Lent?

The Roman Catholic Church commands its members to abstain from meat during Lent:

“The second percept is, ‘To fast and abstain on the day appointed’. By fast-days are meant days on which are allowed but one full meal; days of abstinence are those of which we are forbidden to eat meat but are allowed the usual number of meals. The Catholic Church commands us to fast and abstain in order that we may mortify our passion and satisfy for our sins.” (Rev. John A. O’Brien, Ph. D., Tha Faith of Millions, p.417)

But the Bible assures that such doctrine is devilish:

“Now the spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and the doctrines of the devils; forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.” (I Tim. 4:1,3, KJV)

…Catholics pray to Mary and the saints for intercession?

The Catholic Church believes that Mary, the apostles, the saints, and even its priests can intercede with the Father in one’s behalf:

“Mary is the queen of heaven and a mediatrix before God for all men.” (Jack F. Bernard and John J. Delaney, A Guide to Catholic Reading, p.243)

“We should make us of the intercession of the saints as well as Mary, with this difference: Mary’s intercession is always at work, her realm is universe, while the domain of any other saint is limited, and in a way, occasional.” (William G. Most, Mary in Our Life, p.72)

But the Bible teaches that there is but one Mediator, our Lord Jesus Christ:

“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” (I Tim. 2:5, NKJV)

…Catholics receive Communion by eating bread alone?

The Catholic Church asserts that it is enough to eat the bread alone during the so-called Holy Communion:

“11.Must we receive Communion under both forms?

“No, it is sufficient to receive Communion under the form of bread, for Christ is present whole and entire under each form.” (Francis B. Cassily, Religion: Doctrine and Practice, p.225)

But the Holy Supper instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ during the Last Supper, He commanded His disciples to partake of both the bread and the fruit of the vine in remembrance of Him:

“While they were eating, Jesus took a piece of bread, gave a prayer of thanks, broke it, and gave it to His disciples. ‘Take and eat it’, he said; ‘this is my body’.

“Then He took a cup, gave thanks to God, and gave it to them. ‘Drink it, all of you’, He said, ‘this is my blood, which seals God’s covenant, my blood poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Mt. 26”26-28, TEV)

*Emphasis mine.