First
off, let me say that I am not an expert on Roman Catholicism. I have only been in a Roman Catholic church and service a handful of times throughout my life and
that has been primarily for weddings and funerals. If you are here tonight and you are a
Catholic, let me tell you that I am not here to purposely attack you in any
way. You know that are beliefs are
different! I will undoubtedly say some
things that may hurt and offend you – but I still wholeheartedly ask for your
attention and that you hear me out.
Review
How this process started….
Orson
Wells’ War of the World – Article (transparencyonline.com/welles.htm)
The
ability to confuse audiences en masse may have first become obvious as a result
of one of the most infamous mistakes in history. It happened on Halloween, Oct.
30, 1938, when millions of Americans tuned in to a popular radio program that
featured plays directed by, and often starring, Orson Welles.
The performance that evening was an adaptation of the science fiction novel The War of
the Worlds,
about a Martian invasion of the earth. But in adapting the book for a radio
play, Welles made an important change: under his
direction the play was written and performed so it would sound like a news
broadcast about an invasion from Mars, a technique that, presumably, was
intended to heighten the dramatic effect.
As
it listened to this simulation of a news broadcast, created with voice acting
and sound effects, a portion of the audience concluded that it was hearing an
actual news account of an invasion from Mars. People packed the roads, hid in
cellars, loaded guns, even wrapped their heads in wet towels as protection from
Martian poison gas, in an attempt to defend themselves against aliens,
oblivious to the fact that they were acting out the role of the panic-stricken
public that actually belonged in a radio play.
More
to the point, we live in a time in which the ability to create deceptive
simulations, especially for television, has become essential to the exercise of
power. And the inability to see through these deceptions has become a form
of powerlessness. Those who let themselves be taken in by the multiple
deceptions of politics, news, advertising and public relations, religion are
doomed, like the more gullible members of the radio audience in 1938, to
play a role in other people's dramas, while mistakenly believing that they are
reacting to something genuine.
This
last paragraph sums up largely what I want to say tonight: good people –
deceived by the Catholic Church – ultimately doomed to an eternity in
Hell. What I want to do this evening is
to shine the light of Truth on the deception so that the Truth will prevail!
There
is so much to say on this issue that we could literally spend weeks on this
topic – perhaps it would make a good unit study for Pastor Jenkins to preach.
On
Sunday evening, Pastor Jenkins mentioned how he had discussed the issue of
Jehovah God and Islam’s Allah god being one and the same – which is something
that we absolutely disagree with. What
does the Moslem faith say about Jesus?
They clearly deny His Diety – that makes their
god (small g) not the same God (large G) as our Jehovah God. In a similar way, you will hear people say
the same thing when referring to Catholics – that we serve and worship the same
God – but I ask the same question – what do they say about Jesus? Can He alone save you from your sins? Is Jesus Christ sufficient – or is more
needed? The answer of Catholicism is
unequivocally NO! That my friends, makes
it a different Jesus that the one I know and worship!
As
mentioned, there are so many differences between Christianity and Catholicism
that we could spend weeks studying them in greater detail but tonight I just
want to focus on a couple of major differences that separate and divide us. And make no mistake, there is division. We are not the same. Truth divides. And Truth always exposes deception.
Open
your Bibles to Galatians 1:6-8: “I
marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of
Christ unto another gospel: 7Which is not another; but there be some
that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But
though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that
which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed”
One of the greatest soul winners in this world today is none other than Satan himself. Even as the Apostle Paul went out sowing and reaping the seed of true salvation, Satan went along side sowing the seed of another gospel – which is not The Gospel – turning men away from the simplicity that is in Christ. Paul says that there is only one Gospel and anyone else who claims to preach another way – let him be accursed. My friends, Catholicism is what Paul refers to as “another gospel” – it is nothing more than Satan deceiving men and women to an eternity of hellfire. I know that’s rough and may be difficult for some of you to accept but it is what the Bible says.
Well, Why is it another
gospel?
1. The first major difference
is the most important – SOLA FIDA – According to the Bible, we are justified by
FAITH and FAITH
ALONE! Nothing else!
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Romans
Romans
Romans 4:3-6 “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God,
and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5But
to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for
righteousness. 6Even as David also describeth
the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth
righteousness without works,”
Romans 4:24-5:2 “But for us also, to
whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord
from the dead; 25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised
again for our justification. Therefore
being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand,
and rejoice in hope of the glory of God”
Romans 11:6 “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”
The Bible clearly shows that we are justified – made
righteous in the sight of God by our faith in Jesus Christ – and Him
alone. Not by our works or any
combination of faith and works!
The
Roman Catholic concept of salvation centers on the Catholic Church and its
sacraments. While Catholicism teaches
that Christ died on the cross to purchase man’s salvation, it is not satisfied
to have men to simply receive this salvation by faith in Christ alone. Catholicism teaches that Christ, having
purchased redemption by His blood and death, delivered it to the church (the
Catholic Church of course) to be distributed to men.
The
sacraments that the Catholics tie to salvation include: Baptism, Confirmation,
the Eucharist (Mass), Penance (confession of sins & doing good deeds to
make restitution), marriage, holy orders, extreme unction (last anointing or
last rights)
In
order to receive salvation in the Catholic church, one
has to place their faith in Christ AND be baptized AND continue in the
sacraments AND do good works.
The
Council of
(The Council of
“If
anyone shall say that the ungodly man is justified by faith only so as to
understand that nothing else is required that may co-operate to obtain the
grace of justification, …let him be anathema” (Canon 9)
“If
any one say that justifying faith is nothing else but confidence in the divine
mercy which remits sin for Christ’s sake; or, that this confidence alone is
that whereby we are justified; let him be anathema” (Session 6, canon 12)
“If
any one say that…good works are merely the fruits and signs of justification
obtained, but not a cause of the increase thereof; let him be anathema (canon
24) [James
2:21-24 tells us that works are evidence of our salvation!]
Clearly, the Bible and Catholic doctrine are 180 degrees opposite
in regard to the question of justification.
It is clearly another gospel –that is not another gospel, according to
the words of the Apostle Paul in Galatians 1.
2. The second major difference is also critically
important – SOLA SCRIPTURA – Scripture ALONE - the Bible is our sole authority for
faith.
The Word of God is pure, perfect, inerrant, infallible, living, truth, light, holy, eternal, and forever settled in heaven. It illuminates, cleanses, heals, quickens, judges, and sanctifies. It also brings conviction, gives knowledge, gives wisdom, produces faith, refutes error, searches the heart, equips for every good work, and is used as a weapon. The Word of God is exalted even above the very name of God – Psalm 138:2 “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name”
For Christians, the Scriptures provide the only objective basis for authority while the indwelling Holy Spirit provides illumination, conviction, and discernment. This dual authority, the Holy Spirit of God working with the Word of God, is sufficient in all matters of faith and Christian living.
Catholics on the other hand, submit to a dual authority of tradition and Scripture, under the subjective interpretation of the church. The Pope has been erroneously elevated, along with tradition, to the same authority as Scripture. Popes and their teachings change, traditions change; whereas Jesus and His Word are constant and never change.
The Bible teaches us to “search
the scriptures daily.” (Acts
What
does the Bible say about itself?
1. It says that it is complete and eternal!
a.
Psalm 12:6-7 “The
words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth,
purified seven times. Thou
shalt keep them, O LORD,
thou shalt preserve them from this generation for
ever.”
b.
Is 59:21 “As for me, this is my covenant with
them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee,
and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth,
nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever”
c.
Revelation
22:18-19 “For I testify unto every man that heareth
the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things,
God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19And
if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God
shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and
from the things which are written in this book.”
The Bible is complete, eternal, and nothing can be added
or taken away from it.
Unfortunately, that is what Roman Catholicism does over and over
again. And the bad thing about it is
that not only does it add to it, it directly contradicts it as well!
|
Jesus and His Word
teach… |
The Pope and his church
teach… |
|
You are saved by faith
and not by works Eph 2:8-9 “For
by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the
gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.” |
You are saved by faith
plus works |
|
All who rely on
observing the law (commandments) are under a curse Gal |
Obedience to the commandments
is a condition for salvation. |
|
Salvation occurs at the
moment you believe the Gospel Eph
1:13 “In whom ye also
trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation:
in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of
promise,” |
Salvation is a process
from baptism through purgatory. |
|
Jesus purifies sin Heb 1:3
“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express
image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when
he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty
on high” |
Purgatory purifies sin. |
|
You can know for sure
you are saved 1 John 5:13 “These
things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God;
that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the
name of the Son of God” |
You are condemned if you
claim to be saved. (Council of |
|
The sacrifice of Jesus
is finished. John The Completed Work on the Cross of |
The sacrifice of Jesus
continues in the daily |
Scripture,
Truth reveals deception. An
unfortunately much of the Catholic doctrine is directly contrary to what the
Bible teach us – and because the Bible is our sole authority – anything that
contradicts it has to be summarily rejected!
As you begin to look at Catholic doctrine in light of Scripture, it
crumbles – because it contradicts what God’s Word says!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Well,
let’s move to the most important part of this message….
So
how do I witness to a Catholic relative, friend, neighbor, co-worker, etc.?
Remember
where we came from! We each had to come
to a realization that we were lost sinners and in need of a Saviour!
Often
times, you need to help the Catholic realize that they are lost and in need of
a Saviour. How
many times have your heard “the right pat answer” when asked if they are going
to Heaven when they die but you can just tell that a personal relationship
doesn’t exist. Most believe that heaven
is a divine reward for the faithful who earn it by their good life. The official Roman
Catholic Catechism states that “faith, baptism, receiving the other sacraments,
obeying the commandments, praying, doing good works, and preserving God’s
friendship until death” are necessary for salvation (Catechism for
Adults by Rev. Cogan)
Here
are some questions you can ask them that may prove helpful in determining
whether or not they’re saved…
ü
When were you
converted?
ü
How were you
converted?
ü
To what, or to
whom where you converted?
ü
What do you
believe now that you didn’t believe before your conversion?
ü
What does it
mean to be saved?
ü
On what
scriptural promises do you base your salvation?
ü
What does it
mean to be born again?
ü
Are you sure
today that if you were to die tomorrow or at any time in the future, that you
will be in heaven immediately after death?
ü
What do you
believe about Purgatory?
ü
What do you believe
about the Mass?
ü
Do you believe
that you will still go to heaven if you leave the Roman Catholic Church,
receive believer’s baptism and join a fundamental Bible Believing church?
Based on the responses to
these questions, you can determine if a person is trusting in his work, merits,
baptism, confirmation, sacraments, or something besides or in addition to Jesus
Christ. He can then be shown the
difference between his unbiblical form of salvation and the saving faith of the
Bible.
A few additional things to remember…
§
Directly
attacking the dogma (doctrines proclaimed as true) of the Catholics will draw
them into a very defensive mode and cause them to stonewall you. By this I mean, attacking the Pope,
Sacraments, Priests, etc. If they are
worth their salt, they will defend it!
And to some degree you have to respect them for that! Now we know that these are wrong
scripturally, and in time need to be dealt with, but it is probably not where
we want to start.
§
The good news is
that there is some common ground that we can focus on. Catholics do believe the Bible is true. That alone gives us a tremendous foundation
to begin with.
o
Establish that
belief up front. You can always
reinforce it as you present the gospel to them, “you said that you believed
the Bible is true, right? Well the Bible
says….” Youth Trek successes
o
Many
Catholics are unaware of the dramatic contradictions between the official
teachings of their church and the Holy Bible.
o
Getting them
into God’s Word will bring conviction.
Truth reveals deception.
§
Witnessing to a
Catholic involves a strategy – they must be persuaded to:
o
Trust God and
His Word over the priest and the Catholic Church
o
Repent from
trusting good works for their salvation
o
Believe the Gospel, that Jesus Christ did what no one and nothing else
could do – save sinners from eternal condemnation.
§
Perseverance and
patience are needed – it will often take time as you work to build up a
relationship with an individual.
Sometimes you will need to win them to you before you win them to
Christ.
§
Remember that only
the Holy Spirit can bring conviction and lift the veil from the heart of
the one who turns to the Lord (2 Cor. 3:16)
§
Share your
personal testimony of your life without Christ vs. your new life with Christ.
o
Sharing what
Christ has done for you makes them envious. The concept of a personal, living
relationship with Jesus Christ is foreign to them because they don’t have it!
§
Keep the subject
on Christ, His Love, Eternal Life, Eternal Security, The Blessed Hope and
Confidence you have in Jesus Christ.
§
Based on the
common ground of the truth of the Bible, establish with them
o
that they are
indeed sinners;
o
that there is a
price on that sin;
o
that Jesus
Christ alone paid that price,
o
that salvation
is by grace through faith alone and not by works,
o
that they need to put their individual faith and trust in
Jesus Christ and Him alone to save them from their sins.
§
Focus on “Sola Fiday” – Faith Alone. Use Bible verses to support this claim. (Ephesians 2:8,9; Romans 3:20; Romans 3:28; Romans 4:3-6;
Romans 4:24-5:2; Romans 11:6, among many others)
§
Focus on “Sola Scriptura” – Scripture
Alone. Use Bible verses to support this.
Use the Bible to refute “man’s teachings” or tradition as augmentations
to truth. (Psalm 12:6,7; Isaiah 59:21, Jeremiah
17:5-8;
§
Provide tracts
for them to read and commit to pray for them.
Attempt to set up a time where you can discuss the content of what they
read or continue to discussion that you began with them.
§
Love them with
the love of Jesus Christ. You were there
once!
Invitation
One of the 50 questions that
I responded to in that great list of questions was Question 50: Why do Baptists
go forward to the alter to pray at the end of your
services?
Answer: There are two basic
situations that apply to this question.
First of all, every service at our church will include a “public
invitation to accept Jesus Christ.” When
the Holy Spirit of God is at work, bringing conviction to the life of a lost
individual, he should always be given an opportunity to respond to that
conviction. Coming forward to the alter
in a public worship really meets two Biblical requirements – (1) humbling
oneself and (2) publicly professing that you are accepting Jesus Christ’s free
gift of salvation. Jesus Christ gave us
the ultimate example of humbling Himself in Philippians 2:5-8 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ
Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be
equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon
him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And
being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient
unto death, even the death of the cross.” Salvation clearly involves humbling yourself –
admitting that you are indeed a sinner that deserves death and Hell – and that
there is nothing that you can do yourself to earn God’s favor. A person who is not willing to humble himself
and tell the world that he is a rotten sinner is not one who is ready to
receive Christ’s gift of eternal life.
Secondly, the Bible tells us in Matthew 10:32,33
“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men,
him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny
before my Father which is in heaven.” Jesus Himself in this passage tells us that we have to
publicly profess Him as our Saviour before men. If we are really indeed saved, there will be
a new desire in us to tell others about Him unashamedly. At the same time, we will want to tell the
world that Jesus Christ is our Saviour and that He
desires to be theirs as well!
Has the Lord spoken to you
tonight? I wonder if there is anybody
here who would tell me by the uplifted hand that “tonight I realized that I am
lost. I realized that I am trusting in
something other than Jesus Christ and Him alone to get me to heaven. I realize that if I were to die tonight that
I would spend all eternity in hell.” Is
that you tonight? I wonder if you would
give me the opportunity to pray for you.
Would you lift your hand and give me that privilege. I’m lost and I need Jesus Christ to save me….
Christian, do you have a burden
for your Catholic friends? Are you
praying for their salvation? Are you
actively telling them about Jesus? Are
you building the bridges to share your faith?
Are you sharing it? Has the Lord
laid a name or names on your heart tonight that you need to talk with? Why don’t you do business with Him tonight
and commit to follow His leading?!!