Can Catholics be saved? Listen to this man and his wife who found the TRUTH!!!

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), November 19, 2003

Answers

We Were Catholics

by Eusebio M Lacuata

My wife and I were born and reared as Catholics. My wife used to lead in the nine-night prayers for the dead, a teaching observed by ardent Catholics.

When I was 40 years old I attended, out of curiosity, the lectures of preachers of the Church of Christ which were given during a four-day lectureship. At the end of the lectures each day, an open forum followed to afford the audience an opportunity to ask questions on religion. I thought that provided me a chance to test the scripturalness of Catholic doctrines.

My Catholic friend, with your Bible bearing the IMPRIMATUR of a Catholic authority, investigate with me some of the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. I will be quoting from the Good News Bible, Catholic Study Edition, Imprimatur: John Francis Whealon, Archbishop of Hartford, dated March 18, 1979, published by Thomas Nelson, Publishers, Nashville, Camden and New York. The Catholic doctrines I would like to investigate with you are the following: (all emphases in quotations are supplied.)

1. That Mary Is Intercessor Or Mediatrix. The Good News Bible states in First Timothy, chapter 2, verse 5 (1 Timothy 2.5): "For there is one God, and there is one who brings God and mankind together, the man Christ Jesus." According to this verse, our Lord Jesus Christ only can intercede or mediate for us to our Father in heaven. This verse is supported by John 16.23 where Jesus said: ". .I am telling you the truth: the Father will give you whatever you ask of him in my name." Our prayers should, therefore, be addressed to the Father "in my name." (by authority of, or through Jesus). This may be an example of a personal prayer: "My Father in heaven, I thank you for all the blessings I received from you. May I ask again, Father, to protect me from evil men and all harm as I drive to my work this day. In the name of my Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen." If prayer is made in a group, "our," "we," or "us" should be substituted for "I," "me," or "my."

2. Praying, or lnterceding, For the Dead. 2 Corinthians 5. l0 says: "For all of us must appear before Christ, to be judged by him. Each one will receive what he deserves, according to everything, he has done, good or bad, in his bodily life." This teaching is repeated in Revelation 20.12 which states: "And 1 saw the dead, great and small alike standing before the throne. Books were opened, and then another book was opened, the book of the living. The dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books." These passages teach clearly that on Judgment Day, all men will be judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. No amount of prayer of the living on behalf of one who died as a sinner can change the status of the one who died a sinner because he did not obey God's commands when he was yet alive and capable to obey.

3. Idols in Catholic Chapels and Homes. The Ten Commandments command in Exodus 20.3-5: "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." This command is emphasized in Revelation 21.8 which warns us: "But cowards, traitors, perverts, murderers, the immoral, those utho practice magic, those who worship idols, and all liars-the place for them is the lake burning with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."

4. Pouring Water on Babies' Heads and Calling It The Act of Baptism. According to Ephesians 4.5, there is one baptism: "There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism." This one baptism is an immersion or a burial in water. Let us look at some examples of this one baptism. Matthew 3.16 mentions this: "As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water..." Another example is found in Acts 8.38-39 which says: "The official ordered the carriage to stop, and both Philip and the official went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord took Philip away.." Romans 6.4 describes baptism thus: "By our baptism, then, we were buried with him and shared his death, in order that just as Christ was raised from death by the glorious power of the Father, so also we might live a new life." So, the one baptism is going "down into the water" and a coming up "out of the water" or a burial in water -- not a pouring or sprinkling with water.

5. Infants Are "Baptized." There are preconditions to baptism. Before anyone is baptized, he/she must:

a. Believe. Mark 16.16 says. "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, whoever does not believe will be condemned." Infants can't believe;

b. Repent. Acts 17.30 tells us: "God has overlooked the times when people did not know him, but now he commands all of them everywhere to turn away (repent,EML) from their evil ways." Infants cannot repent; and infants have no "evil ways" (Ezek. 18.20, Matt. 19.13-14.)

c. Confess that Jesus is Lord: "If you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised him from death, you will be saved." (Romans 10.9.) Infants can't do this. Because infants can't: Believe; Repent; and Confess, they should not be baptized. Acts 8.12 strengthens this teaching: "But when they believed Philip's message about the good news of the Kingdom of God and about Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women" -- no infants.

6. Calling The Pope and Priests "Father." We call our earthly father our "father." But God's Word prohibits the use of "father" if it is used as a religious title: "And you must not call anyone here on earth "'Father'" because you have only one Father in heaven." (Matthew 23.9.) The word "Pope" means "Father."

7. Bowing Down To The Pope. There are two examples in the New Testament that a man bowed down and knelt before another man. Acts 10.25-26 states: "As Peter was about to go in, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet. And bowed down before him. But Peter made him rise. 'Stand up,' he said. 'I myself am only a man.'" Revelation 19.10 adds: "I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, 'Don't do it! I am a fellow servant of yours... Worship God.'" People fall down at the feet of the Pope in Rome; he extends his hand and people kiss it in adoration and worship -- a thing the apostle Peter didn't allow to be done to him. (Acts 10.25-26.) Was the apostle Peter who preached the first sermon recorded in the Bible (Acts 2.14-40) inferior to the Pope? The Holy Spirit guided Peter.

8."Reverend" and Priests. Psalm 111.9 (KJV) says: "He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name." Like denominational preachers, Catholic priests are addressed "Reverend" ["awesome" (NIV, NAS, NKJV); "terrible" (RSV)]. "Reverend" is found just once in the Bible and was used to describe God's name. Should "Reverend" be used in reference to man?

9. Pope, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops and Other Officers of the Roman Catholic Church. These statements appear in the Good New Bible: "From Miletus Paul sent a message to Ephesus, asking the elders of the church to meet him." (Acts 20. 17.) "So keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock which the Holy spirit has placed in your care. Be shepherds of the church of God." (Acts 20,28) "I left you in Crete, so that you could put in order the things that still needed doing and appoint church elders in every town. Remember my instructions: an elder must be without fault; he must have only one wife, and his children must be believers.." (Titus 4.5-6.) "I, who am an elder myself, appeal to the church elders among you... I appeal to you to be shepherds of the flock that God gave you..." (1 Peter 5.1-2.) These quotations teach:

a. that elders are also called shepherds or overseers (Acts 20.28, KJV, RSV, NAS), bishop (1 Tim. 3.1-2, KJV) Church leader (1 Tim. 3.1-2, GNB);

b. that elders must be married and have believing children;

c. that each congregation is shepherded by "elders" (not just one);

d. that each congregation is overseen by elders who are members of the congregation they oversee; and

e. that "Pope," Cardinal, Archbishops, etc. are not mentioned in the New Testament as the shepherds of the flock.

10. The Roman Catholic Church Is The Outcome of Apostasy. The apostasy was foretold long before it took place: "The spirit says clearly that some people will abandon the faith in later times; they will obey lying spirits and follow the teachings of demons. Such teachings are spread by deceitful liars, whose consciences are dead, as if burned with a hot iron. Such people teach that it is wrong to marry and to eat certain foods." (1 Tim. 4.1-3.) ["to abstain from meats" (KJV]. It is common knowledge that priests up to the Pope don't marry because of regulations made by men; and Catholics don't eat certain foods (meats) at certain seasons of the year. Those who departed from "the Faith in later times" became the nucleus of the Roman Catholic Church.

My friend, I showed you from the Bible approved for use by Catholics some doctrinal errors of Catholicism. It is my earnest prayer that you will investigate further God's Word as contained in the Bible and get out of false teachings. We are warned: "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel that is different from the one we preached to you, may he be condemned to hell! We have said it before and now I say it again; if anyone preaches to you a gospel that is different from the one you accepted, may he be condemned to hell!" (Galatians 1.8-9, GNB); and "Anyone who does not stay with the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God. Whoever does stay with the teaching has both the Father and the Son." (2 John 9, GNB).

The apostle Paul wrote:

1. "There is one body" Ephesians 4,4.); 2. "The church is Christ's body" (Ephesians 1.23); and 3. "Christ is Himself the Savior of the Church, His Body." (Ephesians 5.23.)

The obvious conclusions from these statements are:

1. That the Lord Jesus Christ built (Matthew 16.18-19, Acts 2.1-47) only one church and

2. That He is the savior of only one church or body. You have nothing to lose but everything to gain by being a faithful and zealous member of the Lord's church ? the Church of Christ.

Salvation is the most precious gift from God and should not be rejected through our adherence to unscriptural teachings of men. May you therefore, heed the exhortation: "Put all things to test: keep what is good." (1 Thessalonians 5.21.) If you follow this advice, you will be on the right path to salvation. To be washed of your sins, you must:

1. Hear the gospel preached (Acts 4.4); 2. Believe in Jesus [John 8.24, Mark 16.16]; 3. Repent for sins (Acts 2.38, Acts 17.30); 4. Confess Christ (Matthew 10.32, Romans 10.9-10); and 5. Be Baptized (immersed in water) (Matthew 28.19-20, Mark 16.16, Acts 2.38. Acts 22.16, 1 Peter 3.21.

After you have taken these five steps, all your sins have been forgiven and the Lord adds you to His one church: "Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." (Acts 2.47 KJV.) You, whose sins were forgiven, must remain faithful to the end (Matthew 10,22, Revelation 2.10) by staying in the Church of Christ to which you have been added by the Lord.

We earnestly invite you to the Church of Christ (1) which was founded by the Lord; and (2) of which Christ is the Head and Savior. We assure you that you will find peace of mind and joy in the hope of eternal salvation which will be your most valuable gift from God!

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), November 19, 2003.

But, there is too much historical evidence to show that the information provided in the above post may prove to be in error. One example is the "infant baptism". Plus, Jesus wanted the children to come to Him at the temple. There is still too much theological/doctrinal evidence to disprove the above assertions. The Scriptures can be interpreted either direction.

rod..

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), November 19, 2003.

Poor Mr. and Mrs. Eusebio Lacuata! ~ deceived into what David condemned as Satanic.

-- james (elgreco1541@hotmail.com), November 19, 2003.

Kevin is right about some of the theses.

As to baptism for babies, Rod, the Bible talks about consecrating them to God.

-- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonval@yahoo.com), November 20, 2003.

Let me make myself clear on this:

I do believe in infant baptism.

En el nombre del Padre, el Hijo, y el Espirito Santo.

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), November 20, 2003.

rod,

You wrote, "But, there is too much historical evidence to show that the information provided in the above post may prove to be in error."

Historical evidence does NOT stack up to the PLAIN TRUTH of God's word that FAITH comes by "hearing" and "hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). Now are you going to believe in uninspired men (the voice of history) or are you going to believe what God has PLAINLY revealed in His word???

You wrote, "One example is the "infant baptism". Plus, Jesus wanted the children to come to Him at the temple. There is still too much theological/doctrinal evidence to disprove the above assertions. The Scriptures can be interpreted either direction."

No, that is NOT true that "The Scriptures can be interpreted either direction." There is ONLY one way to interpret scripture, NOT TWO. Yes, Jesus permitted the little children to come to Him in the temple because He said in Matthew 19:14, "of such is the kingdom of heaven." Jesus made that statement because the "little children" had NO sin!!!! That is EXACTLY what He meant when He said that "of such is the kingdom of heaven." for a Christian when he is forgiven of his sin is "IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN"!!! The kingdom of heaven is here ON THIS EARTH, right NOW for those who OBEY THE GOSPEL are "added to the church" (Acts 2:47) which IS the KINGDOM OF GOD. That is why the Catholic doctrine of "original sin" is FALSE because infants have NO SIN.

You wrote, "I do believe in infant baptism"

TO AN OBSERVANT STUDENT and one who BELIEVES THE SCRIPTURES, infant baptism DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

The New Testament teaches that faith and repentance MUST precede and accompany baptism (Mark 16:16; Acts 8:35-37; Acts 2:38).

It teaches that baptism (immersion in water, Acts 8:38,39; Romans 6:4) is FOR the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16).

An infant is eliminated as a "candidate" for baptism because infants are NOT capable of believing.

Infants are eliminated as "candidates" for baptism inasmuch as they do NOT have the capacity to repent, NOT having the awareness NOR guilt of sin to repent of (repentance is a change of heart, a change of mind).

Consequently, in the light of these considerations, they are ELIMINATED as proper subjects for baptism.

Baptism is FOR the remission of sins.

Infants are SINLESS, they are INNOCENT, and there is NO DISCERNMENT OF SIN and consequently NO GUILT (and thus they are NOT ACCOUNTABLE).

So, how could an infant be baptized for the "remission of sins."??? There are none to be remitted. They belong to God UNTIL they come to that age of accountability. Do you remember what Jesus said? "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 19:14). He also said, "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be CONVERTED, and BECOME AS LITTLE CHILDREN, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:4).

Infant baptism was introduced in a less enlightened age removed from the days of the early church by superstitious men who believed that through birth we inherit the guilt of the sin of Adam. Although an infant doesn't have the capability (nor capacity) to believe and repent, nor the need to be baptized, these errant teachers thought baptism would somehow rectify the supposed, but nonexistent, problem.

However, infants and little children are NOT accountable to God. They already belong to God, "for of such is the kingdom of heaven." The Scriptures say that Jesus would "save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21), NOT Adam's sin. Men were told to "repent...and be converted that YOUR SINS may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19), NOT Adam's sin. Ezekiel 18:20 reads, "The SOUL that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall NOT bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him."

To say that we inherited Adam's sin would make our Lord a SINNER since on the human side his genealogy goes all the way back to Adam (Luke 3:23-38).

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), November 20, 2003.

"To say that we inherited Adam's sin would make our Lord a SINNER since on the human side his genealogy goes all the way back to Adam (Luke 3:23-38)."

That is lie Kevin! Sin is inherited by the Father. Jesus Christ had no human father!

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), November 20, 2003.

Correction. The human father; not God the Father.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), November 20, 2003.

Original Sin

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), November 20, 2003.

Actually, there are thousands of ways to interpret the Scriptures. It is done everyday by millions of people. There is only one true, though.

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), November 20, 2003.

I wrote "To say that we inherited Adam's sin would make our Lord a SINNER since on the human side his genealogy goes all the way back to Adam (Luke 3:23-38)."

To which [David] replied, "That is lie Kevin! Sin is inherited by the Father. Jesus Christ had no human father!"

If this is a lie as you "assert", then please tell everyone here WHY Jesus geanology was ALSO traced THROUGH Joseph EXACTLY as Luke 3:23-38 states? Now please understand that I did NOT say that Jesus was a sinner, I stated that IF we inherited Adam's sin it would make our Lord a SINNER.

Now how about answering the rest of my post rod???

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), November 20, 2003.

Kevin I wrote that. I fixed it but you address the rest of your post to rod.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), November 20, 2003.

Well, Kevin???

" To which rod replied, "That is lie Kevin! Sin is inherited by the Father. Jesus Christ had no human father!"

Uh, this time your gun is loaded, but your aim is bad. I didn't say the above comment. Your anti-Catholic vision is once again aiming at me.

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), November 20, 2003.

"Your anti-Catholic vision is once again aiming at me"

Not really rod. It could be that Kevin gets email alerts that just say "bboard@greenspun.com" and not give you the person who submitted it.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), November 20, 2003.

oops,

sorry about that rod...

too much cutting and pasting...

the post above was meant for David.

I still await your answer to my post rod.

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), November 20, 2003.

thanks David...

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), November 20, 2003.