How do we know that it is the
Catholic Church
that Jesus Christ founded?
1.
We know because
of the Promises of Perpetuality
made by Truth Himself (John 14:6), Jesus Christ.
We know that He founded One Church only, as He stated in Matthew 16:18.
We know because He promised His Church would be defended from
within
and from without.
"And the gates of hell
will NOT prevail
against it." Matthew
16:18
We know because He promised to be with His Church until the end of the
world, in Matthew 28:20.
We know because He promised He would not leave us orphans, in John
14:18.
We know because He promised the Spirit of Truth would dwell with it
forever, in John 14:16.
We know because Saint Paul promised the Church will be with us
forever." Ephesians 3:21
2.
We know because
of Holy
Scripture. The Catholic Church* is the only Church on
earth
which fits the pattern of the Church which Jesus Christ founded, and as
Blueprinted for us in the
Bible. There is not
another Christian Church in the world that matches this plan as does
the Catholic Church.
Compare your Church with what Holy Scripture has said it should be.
* The Catholic Church herein, includes all of
the rites which
have seven Sacraments and a valid Priesthood.
3.
We know because
the Kingdom
of GOD promised
in Holy Scripture is the Catholic Church*.
Note: Saint Matthew most often used the term Kingdom of
Heaven instead, as he
directed his Gospel to the Jews, and
they were forbidden to even say the name of GOD.
*Lumen Gentium
I,3-5
Why did Jesus Christ
become Incarnate in the
first place? Was it to leave us with a book, or to establish a Church?
Well, He just happened to tell us why:
"But He said to them, "To
the other towns
also I must PROCLAIM THE KINGDOM OF GOD, FOR THIS IS WHY I HAVE BEEN
SENT"."
Luke 4:43
"But I tell
you truly, there are some
standing here who will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of
GOD."
Luke 9:27
Jesus Christ founded His Church shortly after making this statement,
and some to whom He spoke will live to see it.
"For the Son
of Man came to seek and to
save what was lost."
Luke 19:10
And how are we, who are the lost ones, to be saved?
It is through the Church which Jesus Christ founded here
on
earth.
"The Kingdom of GOD may be found where the Body of Christ
shall be."
St. Alphonsus Liguori
"Where the Bishop appears, there let the people be, just as
where Jesus
Christ is, there is the Catholic Church."
St. Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Smyrneans
8, 107 A.D..
Where Jesus Christ can be found in the Holy Eucharist, there
is the
Kingdom of GOD.
4.
We know because
it is the Catholic Church
which is the "Pillar and the
Foundation of the
Truth", not the Bible, as shown in 1Timothy 3:15. Not one
non-Catholic church can make that claim, as not one of them even
existed until almost 1500 years after 1Timothy was written.
5.
We know because
the Catholic Church is
firmly Implanted in Solid
Rock.
"Everyone therefore who
hears these My Words and
acts upon them, SHALL BE LIKENED TO A WISE MAN WHO BUILT HIS HOUSE ON
ROCK. AND THE RAINS CAME, AND THE WINDS BLEW AND BEAT AGAINST THAT
HOUSE, BUT IT DID NOT FALL, BECAUSE IT WAS FOUNDED ON ROCK."
Matthew 7:24-25
For almost 2000 years the rains and the winds of enemy and heresy have
certainly beat against the Church which Jesus Christ founded. However,
His Church is firmly anchored in Rock and has endured the worst of
these Storms.
"And I say to you, you
are Peter, and UPON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH."
Matthew 16:18
Non-Catholics charge that Peter is not the "rock" because the
Greek word
used for "rock" in this verse means a little pebble. Right away, it is
obvious from the very beginning, that there is a translation problem
here. Scholars have determined that Matthew was not written in Greek,
but in Aramaic, and was soon translated into Greek, so we have to go to
the original written language to find the true meaning of this verse.
Peter was called "Cephas" or "Kepha(s)" in Aramaic, by Christ in
Matthew 16:18, and it means a large massive stone or rock. Christ said
this at Caesarea Philippi, the site of a large rock mass. See Matthew
16:13. The Aramaic word for a small stone or pebble is "evna". "Kepha",
when translated to the Greek language means "Petra" (a large rock) or
"Petros" (a small stone). However, unlike Aramaic words which have no
gender, some Greek words do have gender, and "Petra" is feminine.
Translators from the Aramaic to the Greek, changed the word to the
masculine gender or "Petros" because they were unwilling to assign a
name with feminine gender to a man.
In Matthew 16:18, it is correct to say that Jesus would have said, "You are 'Kepha', and upon this 'Kepha', I
will build
My Church." In Greek,
it would translate
to, "You are 'Petros',
and upon this
'Petra', I will build My Church."
It was
the translation of the Aramaic word, "Kepha" (Cephas), into the Greek
language that caused the confusion among some who look upon Peter as
not being called "rock", but only a "pebble", and in so doing attempt
to deny his Primacy.
Matthew 16:13, 18, John 1:42, 1Corinthians 1:12, 3:22, 9:5,
15:5,
Galatians 2:8-9.
Some charge that Matthew 16:18 is based on the "confession"
of Peter
and not Peter, the person. First of all, the Context
clearly shows that the verse is based upon the person
of Peter, and not his confession of faith. In the previous verse 17,
Jesus blessed the person. In verse 19, He blessed Peter, the person, a
second time by giving him and him only the keys. Clearly, all three
verses signify a great and special blessing was bestowed upon the
person of Peter.
Secondly, the Catholic Church is built upon confessors, and not
confessions.
"Where Peter is, there is the Church. And where the Church,
no death is
there, but life eternal."
Saint Ambrose, On Twelve Psalms, 40,30, 397 A.D.
"You are built upon the foundation of the
Apostles and Prophets
with Christ Jesus Himself as the Chief Cornerstone. In Him the whole
structure is fitted together and grows into a temple holy in the Lord."
Ephesians 2:20-21
"And everyone who hears
these My Words and does
not act upon them, shall be likened to A FOOLISH MAN WHO BUILT HIS
HOUSE ON SAND. AND THE RAIN FELL, AND THE FLOODS CAME, AND THE WINDS
BLEW AND BEAT AGAINST THAT HOUSE, AND IT FELL, AND WAS UTTERLY RUINED."
Matthew 7:26-27
Other Christian churches have been buffeted and splintered into over
36,400* pieces because they were not founded by Jesus Christ and thus
were not built upon Rock.
"Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in
vain who build
it."
Psalms 127:1
*World Christian
Encyclopedia, 2001 edition, a Protestant publication.
6.
We know because
only the Catholic Church
has the Fullness of Truth.
"I am the
way, and THE TRUTH and the life.
No one comes to the Father but through Me."
John 14:6
Since Jesus Christ is the truth, then the Church which He founded and
guides has all truth.
There can be only one truth. If all Christian Churches taught
all
truth, then there would be only one Christian Church. However, this is
not the case, as there are literally thousands of Christian Churches
today, with each teaching something different from the others. How can
this be possible that each one of these plenitude of Churches has all
truth? By reasoning, it is obvious that only one of these churches can
have the fullness of truth. The trick is to find which one it is.
How do we find truth? We test for it.
"For whoever keeps the whole law, but offends in one point,
has become
guilty in all".
James 2:10
So we find the churches who do not keep the whole law, and by process
of elimination, we can determine which Church has the fullness of
truth.
I will pose just one test question which will eliminate 99% of the
thousands of Christian Churches:
"So then, brethren, stand firm, and HOLD THE TRADITIONS THAT YOU HAVE
LEARNED, WHETHER BY WORD
OR BY LETTER OF OURS."
2Thessalonians 2:15
Obviously, BY WORD OF OURS, means to hold the Apostolic
traditions.
Every non-Catholic church which denies holding of these traditions, is
thereby denying parts of Holy Scripture.
7.
We know because
it is the only Church
which has the Authority, Given to it by Jesus Christ
Himself.
Christ did not leave the world devoid of His voice.
"He who hears you, hears
Me; and he who rejects
you, rejects Me; and he who rejects Me, rejects him who sent Me."
Luke 10:16
If you reject the Church which Jesus Christ founded, you reject Him,
and in turn, the Father.
"But if your
brother sin against you, go
and show him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to
you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take
with you one or two more so that on the word of two or three witnesses
every word may be confirmed. AND IF HE REFUSES TO HEAR THEM, APPEAL TO
THE CHURCH, BUT IF HE REFUSES TO HEAR EVEN THE CHURCH, LET HIM BE TO
YOU AS THE HEATHEN AND THE PUBLICAN."
Matthew 18:15-17
So, to whom did Jesus Christ give the final authority? Did He give it
to a book? No, He gave it to the Church which He founded.
"But for the authority
of the Church, I would
not believe the Gospel."
Saint Augustine, Against the Letter of Mani 5:6
8.
We know because the
Catholic Church is a Living
Body.
As we read the Acts of the Apostles we realize that from the moment the
Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles (Acts 2:1-4), He has remained
in the Catholic Church (John 14:15-18), which is the Body of Christ, to
make it a "Living Body".
"For He is not a GOD of
the dead, but of
the living: for all live unto Him."
Luke 20:38
If we have a
"Living
Head" in Jesus Christ, we also have a "Living Body" in the Church, a
unity which the Holy Spirit makes possible by dwelling in it and by
distributing His gifts so it can bear fruit.
Every member of the
Catholic Church receives the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, with the
Sacraments. At Mass the Catholic Church lives the death and
Resurrection of Christ, and it is in the Holy Eucharist that we find
the "Fountain of Life and Holiness". Read 1Corinthians 11:23-30.
"It is done!
I am the Alpha and the Omega,
the beginning and the end. To him who thirsts I will give of the
Fountain of the Water of Life freely."
Revelation 21:6
The Catholic
Church
works to bring Jesus to humanity. Scripture scholar Fr. Francis Martin
wrote: "The Church is a Bride, and she shows to the world that her
Spouse is alive by living by His power and receiving life from Him. If
we yield to what the Lord has poured out upon us, His Spirit, the world
will know that the Church is truly the spouse of a living GOD."
How does the
Catholic
Church make sure that it is a Living Body?
First through
the
Sacraments. We receive with each Sacrament, in our different
capacities, the Paraclete, the Giver of Life, the Holy Spirit. Without
the Holy Spirit there is no life.
9.
We know because The Catholic Church is the Mystical Body of
Christ.
As such it is the
visible hands and feet
of the invisible GOD.
"If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the
whole body were hearing, where would be the smelling? But as it is, GOD
has set the members, each of them in the body as He willed. Now if they
were all one member, where would the body be? But as it is, there are
indeed many members, yet one body. AND THE EYE CANNOT SAY TO THE HAND,
"I DO NOT NEED YOUR HELP"; NOR AGAIN THE HEAD TO THE FEET, "I HAVE NO
NEED OF YOU"."
1Corinthians 12:17-21
"Because Christ the Head holds such an eminent position, one
must not
think that he does not require the help of the Body. What Paul said of
the human organism is to be applied likewise to the mystical Body: "The
head cannot say to the feet: I have no need of you". It is manifestly
clear that the faithful need the help of the Divine Redeemer, for He
has said: "Without me you can do nothing," and according to the
teaching of the Apostle every advance of this Mystical Body towards its
perfection derives from Christ the Head (Eph 4:16). Yet this, also,
must be held, marvelous though it may seem: Christ has need of His
members. First, because the person of Jesus Christ is represented by
the Supreme Pontiff, who in turn must call on others to share much of
his solicitude lest he be overwhelmed by the burden of his pastoral
office, and must be helped daily by the prayers of the Church. Moreover
as our Savior does not rule the Church directly in a visible manner, He
wills to be helped by the members of His Body in carrying out the work
of redemption. This is not because He is indigent and weak, but rather
because He has so willed it for the greater glory of His spotless
Spouse. Dying on the Cross He left to His Church the immense treasury
of the Redemption, towards which she contributed nothing. But when
those graces come to be distributed, not only does He share this work
of sanctification with His Church, but He wills that in some way it be
due to her action. This is a deep mystery, and an inexhaustible subject
of meditation, that the salvation of many depends on the prayers and
voluntary penances which the members of the Mystical Body of Jesus
Christ offer for this intention and on the cooperation of pastors of
souls and of the faithful, especially of fathers and mothers of
families, a cooperation which they must offer to our Divine Savior as
though they were His associates."
Mystici Corporis Christi (On the Mystical Body of Christ, paragraph 44)
Pope Pius XII, Encyclical Promulgated on 29 June, 1943
10.
We know by its Visibility. One cannot
govern an invisible Church, only a visible one.
"No man, when
he has lit a candle, puts it
in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that
they which come in may see the light."
Luke 11:33
Jesus Christ said, "A
city set on a
mountain cannot be hidden."
Matthew 5:14
"And in the last days, the mountain of the house of the Lord
shall be
prepared on top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the
hills, and all nations shall flow unto it. And many shall go, and say:
Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of
the GOD of Jacob, and He will teach us His ways, and we will walk in
His paths, for the law shall come forth from Zion, and the Word of the
Lord from Jerusalem."
Isaiah 2:2-3
There are many verses in Holy Scripture which refer to "The
Mountain of
the Lord", and of going up the mountain to the House of GOD, Exodus
3:1, Numbers 14:40, Psalms 48:1-4, Isaiah 2:2-3,
Isaiah 11:9, 25:6-12, 30:29, 65:11,25, 66:20, Jeremiah 31:23, Ezekiel
11:23, 20:40, Daniel 9:16, 20,
Joel 2:1, 3:17, Micah 4:1-2, Haggai 1:8, Zechariah 8:3, Matthew 5:14
Jesus also had this to
say, "And if he refuse
to hear them, appeal to the Church,
but if he refuses to hear even the Church, let him be to you as the
heathen and the publican. Amen I say to you, whatever you bind on earth
shall be bound also in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be
loosed also in heaven."
Matthew 18:17-18
How then does such an appeal apply to an invisible Church,
and
likewise, how is binding and loosing on earth applied to an invisible
Church?
"As the
Father has sent Me, I also send you."
John 20:21
"He who hears you,
hears Me." Luke 10:16
Clearly, GOD has established a visible Church in the service of the
invisible GOD.
"From what We have thus far written and explained, Venerable
Brethren,
it is clear, we think, how grievously they err who arbitrarily claim
that the Church is something hidden and invisible, as they also do who
look upon her as a mere human institution possessing a certain
disciplinary code and external ritual, but lacking power to communicate
supernatural life. On the contrary, as Christ, Head and Exemplar of the
Church is not complete, if only His visible human nature is
considered…, or if only His divine, invisible nature…, but He is one
through the union of both and one in both … so is it with His Mystical
Body since the Word of God took unto Himself a human nature liable to
sufferings, so that He might consecrate in His blood the visible
Society founded by Him and lead man back to things invisible under a
visible rule."
Mistici Corporus Christi (On the Mystical Body of Christ), paragraph 64.
Pope Pius XII
Encyclical promulgated June 29, 1943
11.
We know because the
Catholic Church is the only Christian Church which has always had a Visible Head on earth, a "Father
Figure", just as GOD had patterned for
His people from the very beginning, since the time of Adam and Eve. GOD
always dealt with His people through one man.
"And Pharaoh (the King) said unto Joseph (a Father Figure),
'For as
much as GOD has shown you all of this, there is none so discreet and
wise as you are: You shall be over my house, and according to your word
shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than
you'. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'See, I have set you over all the
land of Egypt'. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it
upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put
a gold chain around his neck..."
Genesis 41:39-42
12.
We know because the
Catholic Church is an Hierarchy* in
its system of government, just
as Jesus Christ had instituted. He is the Head, Ephesians 1:22, 5:23;
we are the body, Colossians 1:24. The Head tells the body what to do.
The body does not tell the head. Many other Christian churches are
controlled by a vote of the body, as in a Democracy, which in turn
informs the head of its decisions.
*Lumen Gentium III
13.
We know because as
a living body, The
Catholic Church Cannot
be Confused or
Separated* from
its
Head Which is Jesus Christ.
*Dominus Iesus, Vatican letter released
by Cardinal Ratzinger on September 5, 2000
14.
We know because the
Catholic Church is
Jesus Christ Based. The
Bible is Catholic
Church Based.
The Bible is a Catholic book. The New Testament was
written by Catholics. The Canons of both testaments
were decided by Catholics, and the written Word of GOD was Faithfully Preserved
down
through the ages by Catholics.
All other Christian churches are Bible
Based, with a Bible Taken
from the Catholic Church.
Jesus Christ founded a Church (Matthew 16:18). He did not command
anyone to write a Gospel.
The Word of GOD is a person, and not a book (John 1:1,14).
The Catholic Church is based on the Word of GOD alone and not on
Scripture alone.
15.
We know because it
was the Catholic Church which, in the fourth century, exercised its
authority by Deciding Which Books of
the Bible ARE
the Bible.
"The Church recognized its image in the inspired books of the
Bible.
That is how it determined the Canon of Scripture."
Fr. Ken Baker
This also shows that the Bible came from the Church, and that
the
Church did not come from the Bible. The Catholic Church is the Mother
of the Bible, not the Daughter.
THE BIBLE IS A CATHOLIC BOOK.
For those who deny that the Bible is a Catholic
Book, the founder
of Protestantism,
Martin Luther, concurred that the Bible is indeed a Catholic
Book.
He had this to say:
"We are compelled to concede to the Papists that they have the Word of
GOD, that we received it from them, and that without them, we should
have no knowledge of it at all."
Martin Luther, commentary on St. John.
Isn't it strange that other Christian Churches have to admit
(since
they use the same canon) that the Catholic Church made an infallible decision when it decided
which books of
the New Testament are inspired and which ones aren't, yet these same
Churches reject the Canon of the Old Testament decided by the same
Bishops in the same Councils?
16.
We know because it
was the Catholic Church alone, which faithfully Preserved Holy Scripture down
through the centuries, due to the efforts of dedicated Monks in
Monasteries, who gave years of their lives to transcribe hand written
copies of it.
17.
We know because the
Catholic Church has always taught that The
Word was Heard and Not Read by
the masses
for centuries before the invention of the printing press in 1450. There
were so few written Bibles that they were kept in Churches and read to
the people. Besides that, the great bulk of the masses were illiterate
and could not even read the written word. Those who could read or
afford a hand copied Bible were few. The cost was prohibitive, for each
subsequent copy took up to twenty years of a monks life to duplicate.
The Word that is Heard, is called "Tradition".
"So then, brethren, stand firm, and HOLD THE TRADITIONS THAT YOU HAVE
LEARNED, WHETHER BY WORD OR BY LETTER OF OURS."
2Thessalonians 2:15
Contrast this with what Sola
Scriptura advocates will
tell you. They have said that there
were thousands of manuscripts (for millions of people), and that the
great majority of the masses were literate, and could afford to pay for
the wages of 20 years work of one person. The secular history books of
these time periods do not agree with this premise at all. There is no
written record of the false doctrine of Sola Scriptura to be found
before the reformation.
18.
We know by its Antiquity. The Catholic
Church is the only Christian Church which can trace its origins back
for almost 2000 years. All other Christian denominations can only go
back a few hundred years at most for their origins. Here are the
founders and dates of some of the mainline Churches.
They are in time line order:
* 30 A.D., The Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ.
Matthew 16:18, John 19:34, Acts 2:1-4, 1Timothy 3:15
* 1521, Martin Luther started Protestantism by forming the Lutherans,
when he broke away from the One True Church that had already
existed for almost 15 centuries.
* 1521, Thomas Munser, a Catholic priest, started Anabaptists in the
same year that Luther broke away. Protestantism
started
splitting within itself immediately. By 1600 there were 100 splits. By
1900 there were 1000, and today there are over
36,400.
Where is the One Fold (John 10:16)?
* 1525, Mennonites started by Grebel, Mantz, and Blaurock in
Switzerland.
* 1534, Henry VIII started the Church of England (Anglican).
* 1536, John Calvin, teaching predestination, formed the Calvinists.
* 1560, John Knox, who studied under Luther, started Presbyterians.
* 1582, Congregationalists started by Rob Brown, as a branch from
Puritanism.
* 1609, John Smyth formed the Baptists in Holland.
* 1639, Roger Williams started the Baptists in America. They have since
splintered severely.
* 1647, George Fox started the Quakers in England.
* 1739, John and Charles Wesley started the Methodists.
* 1770, Universalists were started by John Murray in New Jersey.
* 1774, Theophilus Lindley started Unitarians.
* 1789, Samuel Seabury started Episcopalians.
* 1793 to 1809, the Churches of Christ had four separate founders.
* 1803, Evangelicals were founded by Jacob Albright in Pennsylvania.
* 1830, Joseph Smith founded the Mormons in Palmyra New York.
* 1860, William Miller, a farmer, started the Adventists.
* 1863, Ellen Gould White started the Seventh-Day Adventists.
* 1865, William Booth started The Salvation Army.
* 1879, Mary Baker Eddy started Christian Scientists.
* 1879, Charles Russell started the Jehovah's Witnesses.
* 1875, New Age was started by Helena Blavatsky. *COL 2:8
* 1895, French Abbe, Alfred Loisy and English Jesuit, George Tyrrell
started Modernism.
Modernism was condemned by Pope Saint Pius X in 1907.
* 1901, Pentecostalism was started in the United States.
* 1914, Felix Manalo started Iglesia ni Cristo.
* 1914, Assembly of GOD was started by a General Assembly in Arkansas.
* 1919, Church of the Nazarene was started by a Union at a General
Assembly.
* 1930, Independent Churches of America (IFCA), a consortium of
churches .
* 1934, Evangelical Reformed was started by Union at a General
Assembly.
* 1952, L. Ron Hubbard started the Church of Scientology.
* 1965, Chuck Smith began Calvary Chapel.
* 1968, Disciples of Christ, separated from the Churches of Christ.
* 1974, Ken Gullickson started the Vineyard Christian Fellowship.
* Pentecostal Gospel, and other splinter Pentecostal groups, are some
of the hundreds of new sects founded by mere men in the 20th century.
"Has Christ been divided up?" 1Corinthians 1:13
"Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it."
Psalms 127:1
19.
We know by the
indelible Four Marks
which only the
Catholic Church has.
CCC (Catechism of the Catholic Church) 813-822
20.
We know by its Durability. It is the
oldest, and longest lasting established organization on earth by far.
Many secular encyclopedias will tell you this.
"No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and
every tongue
that resists you in judgment, you shall condemn. This is the
inheritance of the servants of the Lord, and their justice with Me,
said the Lord."
Isaiah 54:17
"So now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone. For
if this plan or work is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of
GOD, you will not be able to overthrow it.
ELSE PERHAPS
YOU MAY FIND YOURSELVES
FIGHTING EVEN AGAINST GOD."
Acts 5:38-39
I must ask you. In the almost 2000 year history of the Catholic Church,
how many have tried and failed to overthrow
it? What message, if any, did you get from Acts 5:38-39?
21.
We know from the Writings
of the Old
Testament Prophets.
In 2Samuel, GOD prefigured the Church which the "Seed of
David", Jesus
Christ will found.
"And when your days shall be fulfilled and you shall sleep with your
fathers, I will raise up your seed after you, which shall proceed out
of your bowels, and I will establish His kingdom. HE SHALL BUILD A
HOUSE TO MY NAME, AND I WILL ESTABLISH THE THRONE OF HIS KINGDOM
FOREVER."
2Samuel 7:12-13
This is a clear guarantee of the Holiness and perpetuality of the
Church which Jesus Christ founded, the Catholic Church. All other
Christian Churches came some 1500 years after His crucifixion.
Isaiah,
who so accurately
predicted many things about Jesus Christ, including the details of His
passion in Isaiah 53, also foretold, equally as accurate, details of
the Church which Jesus Christ would set up.
"This is My covenant with them, said the Lord: My Spirit that is in
you, and the words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out
of your mouth, nor out of the mouth of your seed, nor out of the mouth
of your seed's seed, said the Lord, FROM HENCEFORTH AND FOREVER."
Isaiah 59:21
This is a clearly stated guarantee of the perpetuality and orthodoxy of the
Catholic Church.
"Unless the Lord build the house, they
labor in vain
who build it. Unless the Lord guard the city,
the guard watches in vain."
Psalms 127:1
What does this verse mean to you if you cannot trace the origin of your
Church all the way back to Jesus Christ?
Jeremiah had this to say, one short
example out of
many.
"And I will gather together the remnant of My flock, out of all the
lands into which I have cast them out; and I will make them return to
their own fields, and they shall increase and be multiplied. AND I WILL
SET UP PASTORS OVER THEM, AND THEY SHALL FEED THEM: THEY SHALL FEAR NO
MORE, AND THEY SHALL NOT BE DISMAYED, AND NONE SHALL BE WANTING OF
THEIR NUMBER, SAID THE LORD."
Jeremiah 3:15, 23:3-4
The Catholic Church feeds its flock the truth of GOD.
Daniel had some things to say also.
"But in the days of those kingdoms the GOD of heaven will set up a
kingdom THAT SHALL NEVER BE DESTROYED, and His kingdom SHALL NOT BE
DELIVERED UP TO ANOTHER PEOPLE; AND IT SHALL BREAK IN PIECES, AND SHALL
CONSUME ALL THESE KINGDOMS, AND ITSELF SHALL STAND FOREVER."
Daniel 2:44
"And He gave him power, and glory, AND A KINGDOM, and all
peoples,
tribes and tongues shall serve Him. His power is an everlasting power
that shall not be taken away, AND HIS KINGDOM SHALL NOT BE DESTROYED."
Daniel 7:14
These verses are a clearly stated guarantee of the impregnability and perpetuality
of the Catholic Church. They are a clear warning against those who
would attack her.
Micah added to the prophecies.
"And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the
house of the Lord shall be prepared in the top of the mountains, and
high above the hills, and people shall flow to it. And many nations
shall come in haste, and say: Come, let us go up to the mountain of the
Lord, and to the house of the GOD of Jacob, AND HE WILL TEACH US HIS
WAYS, AND WE WILL WALK IN HIS PATHS, FOR THE LAW SHALL GO FORTH OUT OF
ZION, AND THE WORD OF THE LORD OUT OF JERUSALEM."
Micah 4:1-2
This is clearly stated by Micah, that the Church which GOD will
establish, the Catholic Church, would be a world wide teaching Church,
and it would be set upon a Mountain
for All to See,
and that it would have the Authority
to teach
the Word of GOD.
It was upon a mountain, Mount Sinai, in which Moses received GOD's
teaching, written on stone tablets (Exodus 31:18). This is a clear Type of the Catholic Church and
its teaching
authority.
Jerusalem as seen here is the New Jerusalem, the Bride of Christ (Jer
7:34, Rev 19:7-8, 21:2), the Church.
Haggai wrote this:
"And I will move all nations, and THE DESIRED OF ALL NATIONS SHALL
COME; AND I WILL FILL HIS HOUSE WITH GLORY, SAID THE LORD OF HOSTS. The
silver is mine, and the gold is mine, said the Lord of Hosts. GREAT
SHALL BE THE GLORY OF THIS LAST HOUSE MORE THAN OF THE FIRST, SAID THE
LORD OF HOSTS; AND IN THIS PLACE I WILL GIVE PEACE, SAID THE LORD OF
HOSTS"
Haggai 2:8-10
The "Desired of all Nations" could only mean Jesus Christ, and the
Church He will build is the "Last House", the indefectible Catholic
Church, greater in glory than what it replaced, the Church which will
last until the end of the world (Matt 28:20).
Zechariah wrote this:
"Thus said the Lord of Hosts: I am returned to Zion, and I will dwell
in the midst of Jerusalem; and JERUSALEM SHALL BE CALLED THE CITY OF
TRUTH, AND THE MOUNTAIN OF THE LORD OF HOSTS, THE SANCTIFIED MOUNTAIN."
Zechariah 8:3
Jerusalem here is of course the New Jerusalem as described earlier. It
is the Catholic Church which is the "City of Truth", and the "Mountain of the Lord of Hosts".
Malachi wrote this:
Malachi 1:11
He wrote a clear description of the Sacrifice performed in every
Catholic Mass.
22.
We know because the
Thread of the
Catholic Church is Woven throughout Holy Scripture from the first book of Genesis to the last
book of
Revelation. However, the thread does not end with Revelation, for it
continues unbroken where GOD's Public Revelation ended, and on down
through the ages for almost 2000 years of richly recorded history until
this very day.
23.
We know from Holy
Scripture, as it is one continuous story from beginning to end. It is
the story of GOD's Salvation History through a series of Covenants which He made with
mankind. Each
successive covenant encompassed a larger group of people until the last
covenant, which included the whole world, the Universal Church, the
Catholic Church.
"But you shall receive
power when the Holy
Spirit comes upon you,
and you shall be witnesses for Me in Jerusalem (local) and in Samaria (spreading out) and even
to the very ends of the earth (worldwide)."
Acts 1:8
24.
We know because it
is only the Catholic
Church Which has All
of the Pieces to the
Puzzle.
You might ask, "What Puzzle"?
All of Scripture and the story of GOD's Salvation History is likened to
a giant jigsaw puzzle, an overall picture of GOD's plan for us.
Non-Catholic churches have very large gaps in their puzzle with many
pieces missing. Because of this they will never see the full picture.
Here are some examples of what I mean:
They are missing all of Church history, almost 1500 years,
from the end
of the Book of Revelation until the start of the reformation. The
recorded history is certainly there, but they simply refuse to read it.
They are missing seven books and parts of at least two more,
from Holy
Scripture, simply because one man decided they should be removed.
They are missing many pieces of rich Apostolic Tradition,
simply
because when they separated themselves from the One True Church, they
could not lay claim to it.
They are missing five of the seven Sacraments which were
instituted in
the New Testament and which were in use by the Catholic Church for
almost 1500 years before the reformation.
They are missing all of the Saints and their wonderful works.
The Catholic Church has all of the pieces listed.
25.
We know by its Indefectibility, as shown
in Ephesians 5:25-27.
(25)"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the Church,
and delivered Himself up for her, (26) that He might sanctify her,
cleansing her in the bath of water by means of The Word; (27) IN ORDER
THAT HE MIGHT PRESENT TO HIMSELF THE CHURCH IN ALL HER GLORY, NOT
HAVING SPOT OR WRINKLE OR ANY SUCH THING, BUT THAT SHE MIGHT BE HOLY
AND WITHOUT BLEMISH."
26.
We know because the
Catholic Church is The
Bride of Christ.
Did you notice in the previous category, that the Church
(singular), is mentioned twice in these three verses, and that Saint
Paul referred to the Church as her four times, and
as she
once?
It is therefore befitting that the Church carries the title of, "The
Bride of Christ".
"He who loves his own wife, loves himself. For no one ever
hated his
own flesh; on the contrary he nourishes and cherishes it, AS CHRIST
ALSO DOES THE CHURCH because we are members of His body, made from His
flesh and from His bones. For this cause a man shall leave his father
and mother, and cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh.
THIS IS A GREAT MYSTERY - I MEAN IN REFERENCE TO CHRIST AND TO THE
CHURCH."
Ephesians 5:29-32
"And the Lord Himself says in the Gospel: "So they are no
longer two,
but one flesh". They are, in fact, two different persons, yet they are
one in conjugal union,... as Head, He calls Himself the Bridegroom, as
Body, He calls Himself 'bride'."
St Augustine of Hippo, C.C.C. 796.
"Even as He chose us before the foundation of the world, THAT
WE SHOULD
BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLEMISH IN HIS SIGHT IN LOVE."
Ephesians 1:4. Compare this verse with Ephesians 5:27 as listed in the
previous category.
"And the Bridegroom shall rejoice over the bride, and your
GOD shall
rejoice over you."
Isaiah 62:5
"Can the
wedding guests mourn as long as
the Bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the Bridegroom
shall be taken away from them, and then they will fast."
Matthew 9:15. See also Mark 2:19-20
"He who has the bride is the Bridegroom; but the friend of
the
Bridegroom, who stands and hears Him, rejoices exceedingly at the voice
of the Bridegroom. This my joy, therefore is made full. He must
increase, but I must decrease."
John 3:29-30
"For I betrothed you to one spouse, that I might present you
a chaste
virgin to Christ."
2Cor 11:2
Read the parable of the ten virgins and the Bridegroom in
Matthew
25:1-13
Since the Catholic Church is the bride of Christ, can he be
the spouse
of other churches?
No, for just like us, He can have only one bride, for more than one
would be the sin of polygamy.
27.
We know because the
Catholic Church holds periodic Church
Councils to
settle disputes and problems which arise from time to time.
"Where there is no governor, the people shall fall; but there
is safety
where there is much council."
Proverbs 11:14
The first Church Council was the Council of Jerusalem in 49
A.D., as
described in Acts 15:1-29.
A doctrinal dispute had to be decided and there was a debate, and the
Primacy of the first Pope, Peter, was voiced (Vs 7). After that the
whole meeting quieted down (Vs 12). The Apostles had composed a letter
(Vs 23) in which they had written their agreed upon decisions in
conjunction with the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Vs 28).
"The Apostles had spoken. The issue was settled."
Over the centuries, there have been many Church Councils from
time to
time. They are normally called in order to settle disputes, and the
issues of the day, just as was the first one.
Now it is "Rome has spoken, the matter is settled."
28.
We know by its Church Council Teachings
to the whole world in which all Christians adhere to in many respects.
It was Catholic Church Councils
which have
defined many doctrines used today by both Catholics and Protestants
alike.
"Where there is no governor, the people shall fall; but there
is safety
where there is much Council."
Proverbs 11:14
"Designs are strengthened by Councils, and wars are to be managed by
governments."
Proverbs 20:18
The very first Church Council held, was the Council of
Jerusalem 48-50
A.D. (Acts 15:1-35), in which Peter
said,
"Brethren, you know that in early days GOD
MADE CHOICE THAT
THROUGH MY MOUTH THE
GENTILES SHOULD HEAR THE WORD OF THE
GOSPEL AND BELIEVE."
Acts 15:7
Church Councils are presided over by the
Bishop of Rome, the Pope, in
conjunction with the other Bishops and...
"For THE HOLY
SPIRIT AND WE HAVE DECIDED TO LAY NO
FURTHER BURDENS ON YOU..." Acts 15:28
Here are just a few examples of doctrines
which have
emerged from Church Councils:
You will not find the word "Trinity" in
Holy
Scripture. The doctrine of the "Holy Trinity" was defined in the
Catholic Council of Nicea in 325.
The "Nicene
Creed", which is
said in many Protestant churches as well as Catholic,
came from the Council of Nicea in 325, and was revised as to the
wording it is today, in the Council of Constantinople I in 381.
The Canons
of both the Old
and New Testaments were decided by the Catholic Councils of Rome in
382, Hippo in 393, and Carthage III in 397.
The Catholic Councils of Ephesus in 431,
and of
Chalcedon in 451, defined the doctrine that Jesus Christ is one person
with two natures, the Hypostatic Union.
The Catholic Council of Lyons I in 1245
defined the
doctrine that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the
Son.
29.
We know because of Apostolic
Succession.
"May his days be few. and may another take up his duties."
Psalms 109:8
"...And his ministry let another take."
Acts 1:20
"I laid the foundation and
another builds
thereon."
1Corinthians 3:10
"...you are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets with
Jesus Christ as the chief corner stone. In Him the whole structure is
closely fitted together and grows into a temple holy in the Lord..."
Ephesians 2:20-21
The succession of the Bishops of Rome, the Popes,
can be traced all the way back in an Unbroken
Line
to St. Peter.
30.
We know because of
the Truth in Teaching
Succession all the way
from Jesus Christ to the Bishops and
Priests of the Catholic Church to this day.
Here is just one path I will show as an example.
From Jesus Christ to the Apostles.
"As the Father has sent
Me, I also send you."
John 20:21
"He who receives anyone
I send, receives
Me; and he who receives Me, receives Him who sent Me."
John 13:20
"He who hears you,
hears Me; and he who
rejects you, rejects Me; and he who rejects Me, rejects Him who sent Me."
Luke 10:16
"But when He, the
Spirit of Truth, has
come, He will teach you all the truth."
John 16:13
"For the Holy Spirit and we have decided to lay no further burden upon
you but this indispensable one..."
Acts 15:28
From the Apostles to St. Paul.
"Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas,
taking also Titus along with me. And I went up in consequence of a
revelation, and I conferred with them on the Gospel which I preach
among the Gentiles, but separately with the men of authority; lest
perhaps I should be running, or had run in vain."
Galatians 2:1-2
Here, Paul went to the Apostles to have them confirm that his teaching
was in tune with theirs.
From St. Paul to Timothy and then to the Bishops.
"...and the things that you have learned from me through many
witnesses, commend to trustworthy men who shall be competent in turn to
teach others."
2Timothy 2:2
St. Paul, in effect said: I have taught you. Now you teach others who
will in turn teach yet others the truth which I received from the
Apostles, who in turn received it from Truth Himself, The Word, Jesus
Christ. This succession of truth is shown by the unchanging truth in the
teachings of the Catholic Church.
31.
We know from the
hundreds of years of Writings by Church
Fathers and
Ecclesiastical Writers, where they professed the Same
Beliefs then, as the Catholic Church practices today. Here is
a
small sampling of the thousands of writings which are available to
anyone.
*Saint Irenaeus (140-202), wrote a monumental work called
"Against
Heresies", which is used by scholars even today.
*Eusebius of Caesarea (263-339) wrote 10 volumes of the
History of the
Catholic Church.
He covered Church History from before the birth of Christ until about
330 A.D..
*Saint Augustine (354-430) was a very prolific writer. He
wrote
hundreds of letters, essays, and books. I recently read his
"Confessions", and it was almost like he had written it this year as
far as the Church goes. In his vast collection, he had mentioned the
Catholic Church by name over 300 times.
All of the writings listed here are available in the
Internet, free for
the downloading by anyone.
"To be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant"
John Cardinal Newman
He who does not know history is condemned to repeat it.
32.
We know from the Writings
of the Church Fathers and
early Church writers, in which
they said the Catholic Church is the True
Church
which Jesus Christ founded.
"You must all follow the lead of the bishop, as Jesus Christ
followed
that of the Father; follow the presbytery as you would the Apostles;
reverence the deacons as you would God's commandment. Let no one do
anything touching the Church, apart from the bishop. Let that
celebration of the Eucharist be considered valid which is held under
the bishop or anyone to whom he has committed it. Where the bishop
appears, there let the people be, JUST AS WHERE JESUS CHRIST IS, THERE
IS THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. It is
not permitted without
authorization from the bishop either to baptize or to hold an agape;
but whatever he approves is also pleasing to God. Thus everything you
do will be proof against danger and valid."
St Ignatius of Antioch, Letter
to the Smyrneans, 107 A.D.
"We say, therefore, that in substance, in concept, in origin
and in
eminence, the ancient and Catholic Church is alone,..."
St. Clement of Alexander, Miscellanies, 7:17:107:3, 202 A.D.
"He cannot have GOD for his Father who does not have the
Church for his
Mother."
St. Cyprian of Carthage, The Unity of the Catholic Church, 6, 251 A.D.
"It is, therefore, the Catholic Church alone which retains
true
worship. This is the fountain of truth; this is the domicile of faith;
this is the temple of GOD."
Lactantius, The Divine Institutions, 4:30:1, 304 A.D.
"But what is also to the point, let us note that the very
tradition,
teaching, and faith of the Catholic Church from the beginning, which
the Lord gave, was preached by the Apostles, and was preserved by the
Fathers. On this was the Church founded; and if anyone departs from
this, he neither is nor any longer ought to be called a Christian."
St. Athanasius, Four Letters to Serapion of Thmuis, 1:28, 359 A.D.
"Christian is my name, and Catholic my surname. The one
designates me,
while the other makes me specific. Thus am I attested and set apart.
When we are called Catholics it is by this appellation that our people
are kept apart from any heretical name."
St. Pacian of Barcelona, Letter to Sympronian, 1:4, 375 A.D.
"We must hold to the Christian religion and to communication
in her
Church which is Catholic, and which is called Catholic not only by her
members but even by all her enemies."
St. Augustine of Hippo, The True Religion, 7:12, 390 A.D.
"Yet it is a fact that the Church is called Catholic because
it truly
embraces the whole of that truth, some particles of which may be found
even in various heresies."
St. Augustine of Hippo, Letter of Augustine to Vincent the Rogatist,
93:7:23, 408 A.D.
There are hundreds more by scores of writers.
33.
We know from the
hundreds of years of authentic early Church
Writings in which the Catholic
Church is mentioned by Name, Hundreds
of times.
I find it necessary to repeat what I have already said:
"He who does not know history is condemned to repeat it."
34.
We know because
Jesus Christ did not command anyone to write a Gospel.
However, He did command that His Church would be a Teaching
Church.
"And GOD indeed has placed some in the Church, first
Apostles, secondly
prophets, thirdly TEACHERS..." 1Cor 12:28
"And He said to them, "Go
into the whole
world and preach the Gospel to every creature.""
Mark 16:15
"And the things that thou hast heard from me through many
witnesses,
commend to trustworthy men who shall be competent in turn to teach
others." 2Tim 2:2
Next to the public school system in size, is the Catholic
Parochial
school system. These Catholic schools can be found in most communities.
These schools are unmatched by anyone in providing quality education at
a much lower cost per student than public schools, and many Protestants
and Jews prefer to send their children to them.
There are more than 30 Catholic Colleges and more than 40
Catholic
Universities in the United States alone. There are many more scattered
throughout the world. These figures do not include Catholic Seminaries
which are numerous.
There is not another Christian church which even comes close
to
matching the teaching ability of the Catholic Church.
Many other Christian churches put their emphasis upon a book.
35.
We know because of
the Consistency of
Teaching of the
Catholic Church for almost 2000 years.
The teaching of the Catholic Church has not changed, simply because
truth does not change. The Church has frequently been accused of
changing its teaching on several subjects. However, these accusations
are unfounded when the facts come to light.
One of the main false charges that detractors like to reiterate is that
the Catholic Church changed its teaching regarding, "Outside the Catholic Church there is no
Salvation." (Lumen Gentium
II,16)
Contrast this Catholic consistency to the inconsistency of what other
Christian churches have taught.
Here is but one example out of a great many:
In the early 1930's, the Lambeth Conference of Anglicans condoned Contraception on a limited
basis. Soon after, most non-Catholic sects followed suit, with each
going farther and farther from the teaching of Holy Scripture. Many now
wholeheartedly endorse contraception.
36.
We know because it
is the Catholic Church which Develops
Existing Doctrine . This
is in stark contrast to the charges of
detractors that it is constantly proclaiming "new" doctrine. The Church
has always taught that Divine Public Revelation was sealed when the
last Apostle died. This is a truth. However, understanding of that
revealed public revelation is a continuing process until the end of
time, as the finite mind of man struggles to discern the infinite mind
of GOD. It is simply a matter of a fuller and better unfolding of what
GOD has revealed to mankind.
The Church calls it the Deposit of
Faith.
"The faith once delivered to the Saints".
Jude 3.
However, the total
understanding of the
infinite GOD by finite beings is not possible.
"But when He,
the Spirit of Truth has
come, HE WILL TEACH YOU ALL THE TRUTH..."
John 16:13
"GOD, who at sundry times and in diverse manners spoke in
times past to
the fathers by the prophets, last of all in these days has spoken to us
by his Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made
the world..."
Hebrews 1:1-2.
There will be no more Public Revelation. Christ was the
fulfillment of
the law of the Old Testament.
Matthew 5:17.
There is only one teacher, Jesus the Christ.
Matthew 23:10.
The Apostles saw in Christ, "The coming of the fullness of
time".
Galatians 4:4.
"What you have learned from me, commend to trustworthy men
who shall be
competent in turn to teach others".
2Timothy 2:2.
"You are to continue in the things you have learned and that
have been
entrusted to you,...".
2Timothy 3:14.
"In giving us His Son, His only Word (for He possesses no
other), He
spoke everything to us at once in this sole Word, and He has no more to
say... because what He spoke before to the prophets in parts, He has
now spoken all at once by giving us the 'All Who is His Son'. Any
person questioning GOD or desiring some vision or revelation would be
guilty not only of foolish behavior but also of offending Him, by not
fixing his eyes entirely upon Christ and by living with the desire for
some other novelty."
St. John of the Cross, The Ascent of Mount Carmel, 2,22,3-5.
See the Catechism of the Catholic Church, CCC 65-67
It takes many centuries to unpack the treasures and mysteries
of Divine
Revelation.
37.
We know from the Rock
solid, Unwavering, Fidelity in the Teaching
of the Catholic Church.
Earlier in the 20th century, just about all Christian Churches agreed
on several points. They were united in being against Divorce, Contraception,
Abortion, the Homosexual
Act, Holy Unions,
and more. One by one,
many Protestant Churches are accepting some of these sinful practices
despite the fact that these practices are all strictly against the will
of GOD.
The Catholic Church has not, and will not, accept these things, as it,
like GOD, is unchanging in its doctrine and will adhere to the will of
GOD regardless what the secular world thinks.
The Catholic Church obeys the directives from the Head, whereas some
other Christian churches bend to the will of the body.
"But JUST AS THE CHURCH IS SUBJECT TO CHRIST, so also let
wives be to
their husbands in all things."
Ephesians 5:24
As previously stated, GOD has guaranteed Perpetual Orthodoxy for His Church.
38.
We know from the Infallibility of the
Catholic Church when it comes to discernment, and in defining of the
meaning of Holy Scripture. The Catholic Church has One single,
authoritative source for the interpretation of Holy Scripture. That
source is the Pope, in conjunction with All the Bishops of the world
(over 3500), with All of them having impeccable credentials, and All
speaking with One single unified voice, and with All under the guidance
of the Spirit of Truth.
"Rome Has Spoken, the Issue is Settled".
Saint Augustine
Have you heard that there is a Spirit of Truth and a Spirit
of Error?
"WE ARE OF GOD. HE WHO KNOWS GOD LISTENS TO US. BY THIS WE KNOW THE
SPIRIT OF TRUTH AND THE SPIRIT OF ERROR."
1John 4:6
Contrast that with the other Christian churches (over 36,400
denominations), all interpreting Scripture as they see fit. There are
thousands of sects, all teaching a different interpretation of the same
Bible. Millions of Protestants see themselves as their own "little
pope". This is precisely the reason why there is no unity in
Protestantism, and why they have split the Body of Christ into so many
pieces. A Protestant church in my area recently split in two because of
a dispute over Scriptural interpretation. The Baptists have split yet
again recently (they have scores of splinters as it is) over a dispute
about the ordination of women. Methodists have split again over another
doctrinal dispute regarding what they call "Holy (unholy) Unions".
The strange thing here is that all of these "little popes" say the same
thing, "The Holy Spirit told me". Which Pope has the Spirit of Truth,
and which "popes" have the spirit of error?
Who in Protestantism has the authority to adjudicate a
Scriptural
dispute between two factions?
Who in Protestantism can speak with authority in order to settle the
matter?
Who in Protestantism truly has the Spirit of Truth?
Why is individual interpretation of Scripture even allowed in
Protestantism?
For those who are not Catholic, and who profess to follow the
teaching
of Scripture, why do you ignore these following verses?
"This, then, YOU MUST UNDERSTAND FIRST OF ALL, THAT NO
PROPHECY OF SCRIPTURE
IS MADE BY PRIVATE
INTERPRETATION."
2Peter 1:20
It is as clear as it could be, there is to be ,
of Holy Scripture.
Saint Peter's Epistle unambiguously warns, do NOT do it, and yet,
non-Catholics do it regardless.
Here is another:
"In these Epistles there are certain things difficult to understand, WHICH THE UNLEARNED AND THE UNSTABLE
DISTORT, JUST AS
THEY DO THE REST OF SCRIPTURES ALSO, TO THEIR OWN DESTRUCTION."
2Peter 3:16
Wow! The last part is scary. Of whom did Peter speak here? It could not
be the Pope in conjunction with the 3500 Bishops because, surely, they
are not unlearned. They are also not unstable since they are implanted
upon the Rock of Peter. They also cannot distort Scripture since they
are, as a single voice of authority, under the guidance of the Holy
Spirit. Saint Peter had to have been speaking about all of those
"little pope's" interpreting Scripture for themselves as mentioned
above.
Here is yet another:
"And Philip, running up, heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and he
said,
"Do you then understand what you are reading"?
But he said, "Why, HOW
CAN I, UNLESS
SOMEONE SHOWS ME?""
Acts 8:30-31
Isn't this exactly what the Catholic Church does? An Apostle
interpreted the meaning of Scripture for the man. Today, the Successors to the Apostles, the
Pope, and the
Bishops interpret it for us.
Yet in Protestantism, there is no one to show them. It is every
individual person's private opinion.
Who faithfully follows the teaching of Holy Scripture in
these verses,
and who does not?
"The Bible is a supernatural book and can be understood only
by
supernatural aid."
A.W.Tozer 1897-1963
39.
We know because the
Catholic Church Interprets
Holy Scripture
by always discerning it
in Context, and
by taking into account the Senses
in which it was written, and by noting the Customs
of the people of the
time, and their Language
of the day. The
Church is also keenly aware of Translation
Difficulties,
which lead many "unlearned" astray and into Scriptural error.
The eleventh commandment, "Thou shalt not take Scripture Out of Context."
Never take a verse or two and the apparent meaning by itself without
taking into context the verses around it.
Examples:
Protestants try to "prove" the legitimacy of Sola
Scriptura from just 2 verses, 2Timothy 3:16-17. If they would
only
take it in context by backing up a few verses, they would find it does
not mean what they believe it to mean at all. Read the link for the
proof.
Matthew 23:9, call no man your Father
is taken out of context.
1Timothy 2:5, there is only one Mediator
is
taken out of context.
"A text without a context is a pretext."
We should always take into account the Language
of the day, the meaning
of the words as
they were written then, and not as their apparent meaning of today.
The language of that time period or era was very clear. However,
enduring or undergoing several translations, has made the meaning less
accurate and interpreting it today (modern era) may lose the basic
meaning.
An excellent example is the Protestant present day mis-usage of the
word "Brethren".
Another example is All have
sinned, Romans 3:23.
Here is a prime example of using the wrong Senses
of Scripture.
Protestants take practically the whole Bible in the literal sense. Yet,
why is it when they come to
John Chapter 6, they say it
is figurative, when
in no verse is a figurative sense indicated?
40.
We know because the
Catholic Church is true to the teaching of Holy Scripture.
It Does NOT Distort Scripture
to conform to
its teaching. Whereas, many non-Catholic denominations form their own
teaching in order to be "different" from the others, and then they
deliberately "twist" Holy Scripture in order for it to seemingly
"conform" to their false teachings.
"In these epistles there are certain things difficult to
understand,
which the UNLEARNED AND UNSTABLE DISTORT, JUST AS THEY DO THE REST OF
THE SCRIPTURES ALSO, TO THEIR OWN DESTRUCTION."
2Peter 3:15
41.
We know from the
sturdy, rock solid, Three Legged
Stool upon
which the Catholic Church is based.
Each leg has its place on what is called The
Deposit of Faith.
First, there is Holy
Scripture. Next
there is Holy
Tradition (2Thess
2:15). Lastly, there is the Magisterium
of the Church which is the authoritative teacher, interpreter, and
protector of both Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition.
No two legs can stand alone without the support of the third.
During the Protestant reformation, the reformers broke with the
Catholic Church, and thereby lost one leg, the teaching authority of
the Church, the Magisterium. As a result of that action, they could no
longer lay claim to the wealth of Holy Tradition. So they were forced
to cut off a second leg of the stool for themselves, of which
Christianity had been using for almost 1500 years.
They were forced to turn to the only leg left for them, Holy Scripture,
which was taken from the Catholic Church, remember?
Since all that was left for them was Holy Scripture and no authority
whatsoever, they invented the false man-made tradition of Sola Scriptura and declared
Holy Scripture to
be the Sole Authority.
How can you have an infallible book without having an infallible
interpreter for it?
What is the purpose of the United States Supreme Court?
Where is the authority in Protestantism to settle interpretive
disputes?
Who in Protestantism has the authority to do so?
Protestantism's one legged stool sways hither and yon, blowing with the
wind of private opinion.
Upon which stool will you entrust your eternal salvation?
42.
We know because it
is the Catholic Church which follows the teaching of Holy Scripture in
that it is the Guardian
of Sacred
Tradition."
Does faith depend upon the reading of Holy Scripture? What
does the
Bible say?
"Faith then depends on ON THE WORD OF CHRIST."
Romans 10:17
"So then, brethren, stand
firm, and HOLD
THE TRADITIONS THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED, WHETHER BY
OR BY LETTER OF OURS."
2Thessalonians 2:15
"Hold to the form of SOUND
TEACHING WHICH
YOU HAVE FROM ME, in
the faith and love, which are in Christ Jesus."
2Timothy 1:13
"And the THINGS
THAT YOU HAVE
FROM ME THROUGH MANY WITNESSES, COMMEND TO TRUSTWORTHY MEN WHO SHALL BE
COMPETENT IN TURN TO TEACH OTHERS."
2Timothy 2:2
All of these verses, and a host of others, command us to heed
to the
Oral Word as well, as we guard and protect the written Word of GOD. The
Oral Word of GOD is called Apostolic
Tradition,
or the Unwritten Word of GOD, as it is handed down from generation to
generation. The Catholic Church has faithfully preserved the Unwritten
Word for almost 2000 years. In the 16th century when Protestantism
began, the reformers lost the teaching arm of the Church, the
Magisterium and they could no longer lay claim to the preserved
Apostolic Traditions, so they rejected them. They put them into the
same category as false man-made traditions, and then rejected the whole
category.
However, they invented false man-made traditions of their own, such as Sola Scriptura and Individual
Interpretation of Holy Scripture. They simply declared the
Bible to
be the sole authority and if it cannot be found in the Bible, then it
simply did not happen and therefore does not exist. Isn't it strange
that neither their beliefs in Sola Scriptura, and Individual
Interpretation cannot be found in the Bible either?
Here are some
traditions which came right out of
the Catholic Church and to which Protestants hold, as well as
Catholics, and none of them are from the Bible:
*The Nicene Creed.
Many Protestants say, "We
believe in one, holy 'Catholic' and Apostolic Church", which is right
out of the Nicene Creed. Some try to avoid using the word "Catholic", by substituting the
word "Universal" instead, but
it means the same thing.
*The word "Christmas", which is "Christ's-Mass". How could anyone be more Catholic every
time
they say the word?
*The Writer of the
Gospel of Matthew. A
predominance of Christians acknowledge it was
Matthew.
*The Writer of the
Gospel of Mark. Almost
all Christians say it was Mark.
*The Writer of the
Gospel of Luke. Almost
all Christians accept Luke.
*The Writer of the
Gospel of John. Almost
all Christians call him John.
*The End of Public
Revelation when the
Last Apostle died.
*The Gregorian Calendar, which we all use.
*The Date for Christmas, December 25, which all Christians
acknowledge.
*The Date for Easter, which Catholics as well as Protestants
recognize.
*The Date for Ash
Wednesday, used by many
Protestant denominations as well.
*The Ritual of
receiving ashes on Ash
Wednesday, now done by
some Protestants.
*The Date for All
Hallows Eve, which is
used by practically everyone as,
"Halloween".
*The Season of Advent.
*The Season of Lent.
*The Canon of the New
Testament, which all
Christian churches use.
*The Catholic
Liturgical Calendar,
which many Protestant denominations follow.
*The Praying of the
Rosary, now done
faithfully by a lot of Protestants.
*The Veneration of
Saints, by some, all of
whom were declared saints by the
Catholic Church. You will not find Saint Peter, or Saint Paul, or Saint
Matthew, or Saint Mark, or Saint Luke, or Saint
John, worded as "Saints" in Holy Scripture.
However, all Christians call these persons "Saint".
How then, can Protestants ever say that Catholics should not
hold the
traditions when they hold so many Catholic traditions themselves?
*Then there are the first five books of
the Old
Testament, all written by Moses, who appeared for the first time in
Exodus 2:2. How then could he write Genesis, except from Oral
Traditions handed down from generation to generation? What about Saint
Luke? He was one of the earliest converts. His name is first mentioned
in Colossians 4:14. How then, did he manage to write his Gospel and the
book of Acts, except by Oral Tradition? Read Luke 1:1-4. His prologue
says, "..the Word HANDED DOWN TO US...". What is that
if not
by oral tradition?
Where in the Bible does it say the Word is limited to what is
written?
43.
We know because the
Catholic Church teaches that Everything
is NOT in the Bible.
Many other Christian
denominations teach that everything IS in the Bible even though the
Bible itself does not say this.
"If it is not in the Bible, it simply does not exist or it is not
true", is what some have said.
However, the Bible itself does not, in any way, say that it is
complete.
In fact it says there are many things which are NOT in it,
and will be
taught in some future time.
"Many things yet I have to say to you, but you
cannot bear them
now. But when He, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, has come, He will teach you all
the truth. For He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He
will hear He will speak, and THE THINGS THAT ARE TO COME HE WILL
DECLARE TO YOU."
John 16:12-13
Here are some more verses which say
everything is
NOT in the Bible:
Mark 4:33-34, 6:34, John 20:30-31, 21:25, 2Thessalonians 2:15.
Here are some of the things which Non-Catholics accept, yet
are not to
be found in the Bible.
*The word 'Trinity'.
*The word 'Incarnation'.
*The word 'Bible'.
*The word 'Protestant'.
*The Canon of the New Testament.
*The words 'Sola Scriptura'.
*The false, man made doctrine of Sola
Scriptura.
*The word 'Rapture'.
*The word 'Papist'.
*The word 'Popish'.
*The word 'Romish'.
*The age of accountability.
*Altar calls.
Here are some of the things which are not in the Bible and
that
non-Catholics reject. They reject them simply because they are all
Catholic oriented.
*The entire History of the Christian Church from the last book of the
Bible until the reformation.
*The Writings of the Church Fathers.
*The Canon of the Old
Testament.
*The word 'Purgatory'.
*The word 'Pope'.
44.
We know because the
Catholic Church has an
"And" Philosophy,
whereas non-Catholic Protestant churches have an "Either / Or" Philosophy.
P. Bible only, no tradition (except theirs). C. Bible And Apostolic
tradition.
P. If it is not in the Bible, it is not true. C. All is not in the
Bible And there are many other sources.
P. One Mediator only, no other intercessors. C. One Mediator only, And
many intercessors.
P. Saved by Faith only, no works. C. Saved by Faith and Works.
P. Jesus only, no veneration for Mary. C. Jesus only Savior, And
veneration for Blessed Mary.
45.
We know because the
Catholic Church Does
NOT Teach an "Ear
Tickling Gospel".
Some other Christian churches teach only what they think their members
want to hear.
"For there will come a time when they will not endure the
sound
doctrine; but having itching ears, will heap up to themselves teachers
according to their own lusts."
2Timothy 4:3
The Catholic Church teaches all of the Gospel, and does not
omit what
is painful to some.
46.
We know because the
Catholic Church teaches that Our
Salvation is NOT guaranteed simply by accepting Jesus
Christ as
Our Lord and Savior as
some non-Catholic
sects teach. We have been redeemed by the sacrifice
of Jesus
Christ on the cross. Salvation, however, is an on going process which
involves our Co-operation
with GOD. This is
the teaching of Holy Scripture. Just think about it for a minute or so.
If we are "saved", then we can do anything we wish with no fear of
losing our salvation. This is a sin of presumption. What purpose then,
do the Ten Commandments serve? What purpose would any church on earth
serve? Did Jesus Christ die on the cross just so we could sin?
"He has commanded no man to do wickedly, and He has given no man
license to sin."
Sirach 15:21
The question, "Are You
Saved?", is an invention
of Protestant Evangelical sects.
Those who ridicule the Catholic Church for canonizing people as Saints,
are in reality canonizing themselves when they claim they are "saved".
The on going process of salvation...
We were saved in the past:
Romans 5:1-2, 8:24, Ephesians 2:5-10, 2Timothy 1:9, Titus 3:5.
We are being saved now:
1Corinthians 1:18, 15:2, Philippians 2:12, Hebrews 10:14, 1Peter 1:8-9,
2:1-2.
We will be saved in the future:
Matthew 10:22, 24:13, Mark 8:35, Acts 15:11, Romans 5:9-11, 6:16,
13:11,
1Corinthians 3:15, 5:5, Galatians 2:17, 5:4-5, Hebrews 9:28, Revelation
21:6-7.
We can lose our salvation:
Matthew 7:21, 24:44-51, 25:31-46, Romans 11:22, 1Corinthians 9:27,
10:11-12, Galatians 5:4, Philippians 2:12, 2Timothy 2:11-13, Hebrews
6:4-6, 10:26-27, Revelation 21:8, 27.
"THEREFORE LET HIM WHO THINKS HE STANDS TAKE HEED LEST HE
FALL."
1Corinthians 10:12
"...WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING."
Philippians 2:12
GOD created us without our co-operation, but He will not save
us
without our co-operation.
47.
We know because it
is the Catholic Church alone which teaches the Doctrine
of Purgatory .
Contrary to what detractors say, the doctrine of Purgatory is very
Biblical. The problem is that they simply do not know enough about it
to discern it in Holy Scripture. Also, they have tied their own hands
by removing seven Canonical Books
from the
Bible. One key verse which detractors do not have is 2Maccabees 12:46
which says, "It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for
the dead". Neither those in hell, nor in heaven need our prayers, for
in the former they are condemned and in the latter they have achieved
eternal salvation.
Those souls who are in neither place are the ones in need of prayer,
for GOD has said, that nothing defiled may enter heaven, Revelation
21:27.
Catholics pray for the dead individually and in every Mass
. There is even a special Mass for the dead called a Requiem Mass.
I feel sorry for all those non-Catholics who have died, as there is no
one to pray for them.
48.
We know by its very
Name, Catholic, which means
Universal, all
encompassing, all peoples, all teachings, all places, and for all time.
This is shown in Matthew 28:19-20, by the three "Alls".
"Go, therefore and make
disciples of ALL
nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe ALL that I have commanded
you; and behold, I am with you ALL days, even unto the consummation of
the world."
49.
We know from the Unity of
the Catholic
Church in the Family of
GOD.
The CHURCH MILITANT which are those of us on Earth, the CHURCH
SUFFERING which are those in Purgatory
, and
the CHURCH TRIUMPHANT which are those in Heaven, are all united in one
family called "The Communion of Saints". When we receive communion, the
Priest says, "The Body of Christ", and we respond with "Amen", meaning
"So Be It". It is an affirmation of what the Priest has just said, and
that we are all truly united in One Body of Christ, One belief, One
Family, Uno, Union, Communion.
"I am the GOD of Abraham, and the GOD of Isaac, and the GOD
of Jacob.
I am NOT the GOD of the dead but of the living."
Mt 22:32, Mk 12:26-27
Does this sound like the dead are really dead, or are they alive? GOD
has told us we do not die.
"And behold, two men were talking with Him. And these were
Moses and
Elias, who, appearing in glory, spoke of His death, which He was about
to fulfill in Jerusalem."
Lk 9:30-31.
Not only were these two Saints alive, but they spoke, and they even
spoke to Him about future happenings.
50.
We know from the Typology
of Scripture where the Old Testament
prefigured the New Testament, and the people, and the happenings
therein. The Catholic Church is well represented, but other Christian
Churches are not.
The "types" of the Old Testament point to the realities of the New
Testament.
51.
We know because the
Catholic Church has Deacons,
Priests, and Bishops, just as the Apostles had installed at the
very
beginning of the Christian Church.
"So the Twelve called together the multitude of the disciples
and said,
'It is not desirable that we should forsake the Word of GOD and serve
at tables.
Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good
reputation, full of Spirit and of wisdom, that we may put them in
charge of this work. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the
ministry of the Word'."
Acts 6:1-6
The word "Deacon" is derived from the Greek "Diakonos", which means
"Servant".
Stephen was chosen as the first Deacon (Acts 6:5) and he also became
the first Christian Martyr.
Acts 7:54-60.
"And when they had appointed Presbyters (Priests) for
them in each Church, with prayer and fasting, they commended
them to the
Lord in whom they had believed."
Acts 14:22
"For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set right
anything that is defective and SHOULD APPOINT PRESBYTERS IN EVERY CITY,
AS I MYSELF DIRECTED YOU TO DO."
Titus 1:5
Each Church had its own priest then, just as it does today.
"And He Himself gave some men as Apostles, and some as
prophets, others
again as evangelists, and others as PASTORS and teachers."
Ephesians 4:11
"Let the Presbyters who rule well be held worthy of double
honor,
especially those who labor in the word and in teaching."
1Timothy 5:17
"Is anyone among you sick? Let him bring in the Presbyters of
the
Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Name
of the Lord."
James 5:14
"Take heed to yourselves and to the whole
flock in
which the Holy Spirit has placed you as Bishops,
to rule the Church of
GOD, which He has
purchased with His own
blood."
Acts 20:28
Did you understand, from this verse, exactly who is to rule the Church
of GOD?
Luke wrote that Paul was speaking to the Presbyters (Acts 20:17). This
is a clear passage regarding Apostolic
Succession
and that existing and upcoming Bishops would govern the Church of GOD.
Also, it is a clear message that the Church of GOD on earth has to be a
Visible Church in order to
have visible people
ruling it. How could visible Bishops possibly rule an invisible Church?
"Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the
saints in
Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the Bishops and Deacons."
Philippians 1:1
Does your Church have Deacons, Priests,
and Bishops?
The Church which Jesus Christ founded, did then, and still does to this
very day.
52.
We know because
only the Catholic Church has a Valid
Priesthood, which was
created by GOD to
offer sacrifice in perpetuality.
"You shall be to Me a Kingdom of Priests, a holy nation."
Exodus 19:6
These listed verses soon follow the
rebellion of Korah
(Core) against the Aaronic Priesthood in
Numbers 16. In reading the following, not only will you see the
Priesthood in perpetuality, but the "Sacred Offerings" which prefigure
the Sacred Holy Eucharist.
"...but the responsibility of the priesthood shall rest on
you and your
sons alone."
Numbers 18:1
"But only you and your sons are to have charge of performing
the
priestly functions in whatever concerns the altar and the room within
the veil. I GIVE YOU THE PRIESTHOOD AS A GIFT..."
Numbers 18:7
"The Lord said to Aaron, "I myself have given you charge of
the
contributions made to me in the VARIOUS SACRED OFFERINGS (a 'type' of the Holy Eucharist) of
the Israelites, BY
PERPETUAL ORDINANCE I HAVE ASSIGNED THEM TO YOU AND TO YOUR SONS AS
YOUR PRIESTLY SHARE."
Numbers 18:8
"You shall have the right to share in the OBLATIONS (see Malachi 1:11 ) THAT ARE MOST
SACRED, in whatever
they offer me as cereal offerings, or sin offerings, or guilt
offerings; for these shall accrue to you and to your sons. In EATING
THEM YOU SHALL TREAT THEM AS MOST SACRED; every male among you may
partake of them. AS SACRED, THEY BELONG TO YOU."
Numbers 18:9-10
"By PERPETUAL ORDINANCE I have assigned to you and
to your sons
and daughters all the contributions from the sacred gifts which the
Israelites make to the Lord; THIS IS AN INVIOLABLE COVENANT, TO LAST
FOREVER BEFORE THE LORD, FOR YOU AND FOR YOUR DESCENDANTS."
Numbers 18:19
"...this is a PERPETUAL ORDINANCE FOR ALL YOUR GENERATIONS."
Numbers 18:23
"...DO NOT PROFANE THE SACRED GIFTS OF THE ISRAELITES AND SO
BRING
DEATH ON YOURSELVES."
Numbers 18:35
See how this ties with:
"Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the cup of the Lord
unworthily, will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But
let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of
the cup; for he who eats and drinks unworthily, without distinguishing
the body, EATS AND DRINKS JUDGMENT TO HIMSELF."
1Corinthians 11:27-29
The Old Testament foundation for the
Perpetual
Priesthood was followed in the New Testament by, not the order of the
Aaronic priesthood of the Jews (Hebrews 7:11), but of the Priestly order of Melchizedech,
who was both King
and High Priest, a figure of Jesus Christ.
See Hebrews 7:1-25.
53.
We know because
only a Catholic Priest
is Able to Act "In
Persona Christi" , that is, in
the Person of Christ (2Corinthians
2:10), as he calls down The Word with his word during the consecration
of the Holy Eucharist, and in the Sacrament
of Reconciliation .
54.
We know from the Mass,
the highest form of prayer, which was
instituted by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper, Matthew 26:26-28, and
which you will not find in other Churches.
"For
from the rising of the sun
even to the going down, My name is great among the Gentiles, and IN
EVERY PLACE THERE IS SACRIFICE, AND THERE IS OFFERED TO MY NAME A CLEAN
OBLATION, FOR MY NAME IS GREAT AMONG THE GENTILES, SAID THE LORD OF
HOSTS." Malachi 1:11
The Catholic Church does offer sacrifice,
a clean
oblation, in every place. There is a Mass being celebrated somewhere in
the world every minute of every day.
55.
We know because it
is The Catholic Church
Which Venerates
the Crucified Christ on the Cross.
Most non-Catholic
ecclesial communities
have removed the Body of Christ from the cross and have only a simple
cross of two pieces of wood. This is an absurdity and a contradiction.
In doing so, where is the "sacrifice from the rising of the sun even to
the going down and in every place", as written in Malachi 1:11?
Fr. Benedict Groeschel once said, "People can relate to a Crucified
Christ, as all of us have crosses to carry. But no one can relate to a
Risen Christ, since none of us has ever risen from the dead."
56.
We know from the
fact that Holy
Scripture tells us to
Celebrate by Breaking Bread OFTEN,
as the
Catholic Church has always done in the sacrifice of the Mass.
"This is My
body, which is being given for
you; do this in remembrance of Me."
Luke 22:19
"In like manner also the cup, after He had supped, saying "This cup is the new covenant in My blood;
DO THIS AS
OFTEN AS YOU DRINK IT, IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME. FOR AS OFTEN AS YOU SHALL
EAT THIS BREAD AND DRINK THIS CUP, YOU PROCLAIM THE DEATH OF THE LORD,
UNTIL HE COMES"."
1Corinthians 11:25-26
"As OFTEN as you shall eat this bread", does this ring a bell
with you?
It would seem to me that the word "often" means "frequently", does it
not? Go to the end of the previous frame in which I said there is a
Mass being celebrated every minute of every day, and re-read Malachi
1:11.
If you read what the Apostles said in several verses, that
when they
met, they broke bread.
Acts 2:42, STEADFASTLY in the breaking of the bread.
Acts 2:46, DAILY breaking bread.
Acts 20:7, WEEKLY in the breaking of the bread.
Breaking of bread is the Eucharistic sacrifice of the Mass.
In most
Catholic Churches there is sacrifice of the Mass at least once a day.
Why is it then, when Scripture uses the word "often", and "daily", and
"weekly", that some other Christian churches "break bread" only once a
month, four times a year, or just once a year?
57.
We know because the
Catholic Holy Mass is
so Biblical.
*It was started by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper, "Do this in memory of Me."
Luke 22:19
*It was to be on Sunday, the Lord's Day, "And on the first day of the
week, when we had met for the breaking of the bread", Acts 20:7
*It was to be often, even everyday, Acts 2:46.
*We confess our sins to one another, and pray for one another, James
5:16
*We give thanks to GOD, 1Thessalonians 1:13.
*It has the Liturgy of the Word, Acts 2:42, Hebrews 2:12.
*The Word can only be opened by the High Priest, Revelation 5:8.
*The Priest, acting in Personna
Christi (in
the person of Christ),
is the only one who can open the Word, and read the Gospel.
2Corinthians 2:10.
*The entire Bible, except for some of the begats, is read and preached
in the Mass over a three year period and then the cycle is repeated
over and over again. Revelation 14:6
*Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, Luke 13:35, 19:38
*We say Holy, Holy, Holy, Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 4:8.
*There is singing, Revelation 14:3.
*United are the Church Triumphant, Church Militant, and Church
Suffering, Revelation 5:13.
*We have an altar to offer sacrifice, Hebrews 13:10.
*We lift up our hearts, Revelation 11:12.
*Hosanna in the Highest, Matthew 21:9.
*It is a clean oblation, Malachi 1:11
*"This is My body." Matthew 26:26
*Behold, The "Lamb of GOD". John 1:29
*Those who are not in communion with the Catholic Church,
shall not partake of the Holy Eucharist, 1Corinthians 11:27-29, Hebrews
13:9-10.
*A collection is to be taken, 1Corinthians 16:1-2.
*Candlesticks are used, Revelation 1:13.
*Incense is used, Luke 1:9-10, Revelation 5:8, 8:3-4.
*Prayers are offered with the prayers of the saints, Revelation 5:8,
8:3-4.
58.
We know because
during the Mass we lift up our hearts and participate in Heaven on Earth.
For a brief moment, time stands still, and we are immersed in the Mass
as one body in the most sublime beauty in which a mortal man can find
himself. That brief moment is eternity!
59.
We know because the
Catholic Church faithfully follows its founder by complying with His
command to Feed My
Sheep (John 21:15-17).
Jesus Christ is the Shepherd and we
are the sheep.
To whom did He make this remark? He made it to Simon Peter to whom he
had given the keys of the Kingdom of
Heaven in
Matthew 16:19.
Catholics are frequently accused of being Bible deprived, but the facts
are, that the priests and lectors of the Catholic Church read from the
pulpit almost the entire Bible over a three year cycle, and have been
doing so for centuries. The only parts omitted are some of the
genealogies, the "begats". Consequently, every three years, all
Catholics have heard almost all that is written in Holy Scripture.
*The Catholic Church feeds the person with nearly all of Holy
Scripture
every three years.
*The Catholic Church feeds the soul with the True
Presence of Jesus Christ every day.
Name another Christian Church which feeds its sheep both in
body and in
spirit, as does the Catholic Church?
60.
We know because the
Catholic Church
still has, and will
always have, Seven
Sacraments, just as it
had almost 2000 years ago. This is yet
another example of the Fidelity
to which the
Catholic Church adheres in the teachings of Jesus Christ and of Holy
Scripture.
For almost 1500 years there were seven Sacraments in Christianity. Now
most of the other Christian Churches only have two Sacraments. By whose
authority were the other five removed? They were removed by a Catholic
Monk, Martin Luther, the founder of Protestantism, who had no authority
whatsoever to do so. Luther was rebuked by King Henry VIII for doing
this, and his Chancellor, Saint Thomas More, tried in vain to get
Luther to change his mind and reinstate them.
Baptism: Matt
28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16, John 3:1-5, Acts 8:26-39, Rom 6:3-4, Eph 4:4-7.
Reconciliation: Matt 16:19, Luke 5:17-26, 7:36-50, 13:1-5,
John
8:3-11, 20:23.
Confirmation: Acts
1:8, 2:1-4, 8:14-20, 19:1-7, 2Cor 1:21-22, Eph 1:13.
Holy Eucharist: Malachi 1:11, Matt 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-27,
Luke
22:19-20, John 6:All,
1Cor 10:16-17, 11:17-29, Heb 7,8,9.
Matrimony: Gen
2:18-24, 1Cor 7:2-8, Eph 5:21-33.
Holy Orders: Luke
5:1-11, John 1:35-39, 15:15-16, 20:19-23, Acts 6:3-6, 13:3, 1Cor
11:19-27,
2Tim 1:6, Heb 5:1-5, 1Pet 2:5-11.
Anointing of the Sick: Mark 6:13, 16:18, James 5:14-15.
61.
We know because the
Catholic Church Baptizes
All Persons regardless of
age. This is unlike many non-Catholic
denominations which do not Baptize infants. There is nothing in the New
Testament which says that Jesus Christ excluded infants from Baptism.
On the contrary, He commanded:
"Let the little
children be, and do not
hinder them from coming to Me, for such is the Kingdom of Heaven."
Matthew 19:14
"Now they were bringing the babes to Him
that He might
touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them (as some
do today). But Jesus called them together and said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do
not hinder
them, for of such is the Kingdom of GOD.""
Luke 18:15-16
The words of Jesus Christ in this verse express exactly, the practice
of the Catholic Church.
"Amen,
amen I say to you,
UNLESS A MAN BE BORN AGAIN OF WATER AND THE SPIRIT, HE CANNOT ENTER THE
KINGDOM OF GOD."
John 3:5
We are born with the sin of Adam, and the Sacrament of
Baptism removes
that sin and makes the soul pleasing to GOD. Scripture is very clear
that all must be baptized in order to achieve salvation.
62.
We know because the
Catholic Church Does
Not Condone Divorce, in
keeping with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Marriage, as a Sacrament, has been rejected by most non-Catholic
denominations, and in so doing, they have accepted divorce as a way of
life.
However, Holy Scripture, to the contrary, has this to say:
And there came to Him some Pharisees, testing Him and saying, "Is it
lawful for a man to put away his wife for any cause?" But He answered
and said to them, "Have
you not read that
the Creator, from the beginning, made them male and female, and said,
For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and cleave to
his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? Therefore, now they are
no longer two, but one flesh. WHAT THEREFORE GOD HAS JOINED TOGETHER,
LET NO MAN PUT ASUNDER."
Matthew 19:3-6
Clearer words than those cannot be spoken than that last sentence, yet
non-Catholic churches disobey and allow the splitting of the one flesh.
When what is "One Flesh" is split, does it become, two halves?
What was the first covenant GOD made with man? It was the
marriage
covenant in the first book of the Bible, Genesis 2:21-25. Take a look
at the last paragraph of the last book of the Bible in Revelation
22:17, and who do you see mentioned? None other than a Bride. I would
say that GOD is trying to tell us something here, like marriage is very
important to Him.
63.
We know because the
Catholic Church has an Annulment Procedure
which
is far removed from that of divorce.
In the previous frame, the key words spoken by Jesus Christ in Matthew
19:6 are, "What
therefore GOD has joined
together, let no man put asunder."
What exactly does that mean? It means that marriage is a contract
between three persons, not just two. Those three persons are, the
husband, the wife, and GOD. If GOD joined the two into one flesh, the
contract cannot be broken, except by the death of husband or wife.
However, there are impediments to marriage where GOD would not
recognize that it is a valid marriage, if it does not fit with his plan
for creation. This is where annulments may be utilized.
The main criteria for marriage is a love for one another and for the
begetting of children. It is in GOD's plan to perpetuate the human
race. We become co-creators with GOD.
"Then GOD blessed them and said to them, "Be
fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it."" Genesis 1:28
There are several valid reasons for obtaining an annulment. One of the
basic reasons is when one party or the other thwarts GOD's plan by
declaring that they do not want to have children. An annulment may be
obtained by their not participating in pro-creation, which is God's
plan and therefore, a man and woman have not become one. Other
indicators are also considered and reviewed for the best solutions to
be determined.
64.
We know from the
many Wonders of GOD which
we find in the
Catholic Church, and which we do not find anywhere else.
65.
We know because the
Catholic Church is No
Smorgasbord. There is
no picking and choosing as you will find in
other Christian churches. The Catholic Church is Christ Centered, not secular
centered. How many times have you heard people say something similar
to, "I moved from this church to that one, to another, looking for a
church which fits me and my lifestyle"?
The Catholic Church is a no-nonsense Church which faithfully follows
the teaching of Jesus Christ, and offers the sacrifice of the Mass. It
is the Church of Truth that will not bend to the whims of its members.
If 99% of all Catholics wanted to change a Church doctrine, it would
not be changed if it conflicted with the teaching of Jesus Christ.
66.
We know because the
Catholic Church, and only the Catholic Church, has the True Presence of Jesus Christ in
the Holy
Eucharist, Matthew 26:26-28.
It is the First Wonder of the World, the source, center, and summit of
the Catholic Church.
It is GOD's greatest gift to us.
It is Really Jesus Christ
giving His complete
self, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, to us every time we receive Him
in Holy Communion.
Scoffers and unbelievers from other Christian Churches insist that it
is only a "symbolic gesture", and is not the True Presence. Let me
clarify this by remarking, that they are correct in saying this if they
are referring to their very own celebration. It IS only a "symbolic
gesture" for them. They do not have the Sacrament of Holy
Orders, the Laying on of Hands, the Apostolic
Succession, of the Bishops which was passed on from the
Apostles.
This enabled the remarkable ability of the Priests to call down The
Word with their word, thus by the power of the Holy Spirit, changing
the substance of ordinary bread and wine into the substance of the Body
and Blood of Jesus Christ.
It is to be noted, however, that none of these non-believers
have the
authority to say it is only a symbol for Catholics as well.
I have asked non-believers, for years, to show me the
"symbolism" in
Matthew 26:26-28, and not one person has been able to do so. Jesus
Christ did say, "This
IS My Body", did He
not?
It must be true because He said it.
"And you have
not His word abiding in you,
since you do not believe Him who he Has sent."
John 5:38
"The Protestant celebration can be likened to their reading
the menu,
while we enjoy the meal. "
A quote from Dr. Scott Hahn.
Where the True Presence of Holy Eucharist is, there is Jesus
Christ.
Where Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. The Holy Eucharist
is the source, center, and summit of Christian life.
67.
We know because The Apostles Knew Quite Well That There Was
No One
Else to Turn To. The Truth was with Jesus Christ and His One Church.
"Then Simon Peter
answered Him, Lord, to
whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."
John 6:68
Jesus Christ had just finished His teaching on His true presence in the
Holy Eucharist in
John 6:31-66.
In verse 53 He said, "Amen,
amen, I say to
you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood,
you shall not have life in you."
The non-believers of His true presence in the Eucharist
walked away
from Him in John 6:66 (666?) and returned not. He did not recant His
teaching, for in verse 67, He asked the rest if they wanted to leave
also. Most non-Catholic ecclesial communities do not believe His words
of John 6 either, and they too walked away. The Catholic Church
believes the words of its founder, Jesus Christ.
68.
We know because
only the Catholic Church has Eucharistic
Adoration, an
unimaginable heavenly gift
from GOD.
"And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from
top to
bottom..."
Matthew 27:51. See Exodus 26:31-34, 30:10, and Hebrews 10:19
"It is a sign that the Old Covenant GOD had made with the
Jews had
ended, and a New Covenant was beginning. The veil of the temple hung in
front of the Holy of Holies and the Ark of the Covenant. It was
forbidden for anyone to pass through it except for the high priest, and
only he could pass once a year. It is a symbol or 'Type'
of GOD's separation from His people. The 'Archetype' is the torn body
of Christ. When the veil was torn, the barrier between GOD and man was
lifted."
Bishop Fulton J. Sheen.
"Since then, brethren, WE ARE FREE TO ENTER THE HOLIES IN
VIRTUE OF THE
BLOOD OF CHRIST, A NEW AND LIVING WAY WHICH HE INAUGURATED FOR US
THROUGH THE VEIL (THAT IS HIS FLESH), AND SINCE WE HAVE A HIGH PRIEST
OVER THE HOUSE OF GOD, LET US DRAW NEAR WITH A TRUE HEART IN THE
FULLNESS OF FAITH...."
Hebrews 10:19-22
The unapproachable GOD of the Old Testament, has become the
approachable in the New.
How many non-Catholic churches can say,
"Come, and draw near and adore the real Jesus Christ"?
69.
We know from the
many thousands of Saints
which the Catholic
Church has produced. Whenever there is a need to combat heresy, GOD
raises up yet another Saint to aid His Church. It has happened time and
time again.
70.
We know from the
perpetual Veneration
given to the Blessed
Virgin Mary, the Mother of GOD,
by the
Catholic Church, since the very beginning of the Church. This is shown
in hundreds of writings by Church
Fathers and
Ecclesiastical writers in every century from the first until now. The
doctrines regarding her were also defined in Church
Councils, and Papal letters.
Have you ever given thought that as a mother, she gave motherly
guidance to her Son as He passed through His childhood?
In other words, she told the creator of the universe what to do and He
obeyed her.
"And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, AND WAS SUBJECT TO
THEM."
Luke 2:51.
Jesus spent 30 years educating His mother, but only 3 years
educating
His Apostles.
I am always amazed at the detractors inability to distinguish between
the words "venerate" and "worship". Look them up in your dictionary. I
challenge anyone to show me an official Catholic document which says
that Catholics "worship" the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Here is what the founder of Protestantism had to say:
"The veneration of Mary is inscribed in the very depths of the human
heart."
Martin Luther, (Sermon, September 1, 1522).
71.
We know because of
the many dramatic Old Testament prefigurements of the Mother of the Catholic Church,
the Blessed
Virgin Mary, depicting her as the Queen
Mother
of the King, and of many other important roles.
If the King of Kings came through her to us, then why can't we go
through her to Him?
Why didn't He come directly to us instead of going through her first?
If we wish to trace our heritage back to Adam, we all have to go
through a woman to do so.
72.
We know because Catholics Love and Honor the Blessed
Virgin Mary whereas
many non-Catholics
constantly malign her.
Here is yet another instance of those who call themselves
"Christians",
and who claim to follow the Bible, but, in fact, do not:
"...for, behold, HENCEFORTH ALL GENERATIONS WILL CALL ME BLESSED."
Luke 1:48
Let us examine this statement, made by the Mother of GOD:
The word "Henceforth", means from the time she said it and
for all
eternity.
"All generations", means every person in every century until the end of
time.
"Will", denotes a command and not a suggestion.
"Call me Blessed", means just that.
When Catholics invoke her name we say "Blessed Virgin Mary". However,
when we hear criticism of her from Non-Catholics, the word "Blessed"
before her name is never invoked. It is always Mary this or Mary that.
This attitude is in direct violation of a command from Scripture, and
is indicative of someone who refuses to call her "blessed".
The founder of the Reformation, Martin Luther, had a great Love for
the Mother of GOD, as
did other reformers. Why is it that most Protestant churches have since
rejected any veneration due her now, in defiance of the beliefs of
their founders?
When you criticize the Masterpiece, you criticize the Master.
When facing her Son after death, I would rather hear Him say,
"Yes, My mother has spoken of you often."
Those who spite her are in danger of hearing Him say, "Why did you
calumnize My mother?"
What would YOU say to someone who deliberately calumnized your mother?
"Let no one presume to hope for the mercy of GOD, who dares
to slight
or offend GOD's mother."
Saint Louis de Montfort
73.
We know because of
the beautiful prayer,
"Hail Mary", and of
the Rosary which came from the Catholic Church.
Here is what the founder of Protestantism said about that
beautiful
prayer to the Mother of GOD:
"Our prayer should include the Mother of God . . . What the Hail Mary
says is that all glory should be given to God, using these words: 'Hail
Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among
women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus Christ. Amen!' You
see that these words are not concerned with prayer but purely with
giving praise and honor . . . We can use the Hail Mary as a meditation
in which we recite what grace God has given her. Second, we should add
a wish that everyone may know and respect her . . .
He who has no faith is advised to refrain from saying the Hail Mary."
Martin Luther, (Personal Prayer Book, 1522).
Why do Protestants of today ignore the teaching of their
founder, who
was the first Protestant?
You cannot say "Hail Mary" without having "Hail Jesus" echo
throughout
the universe. Fr. Corapi
74.
We know because of
the Veneration of the Saints,
who are all
Catholic, and whom we admire as role models of holiness, sanctity,
tenacity, perseverance, and of all the other virtues they may possess.
The difference between a Saint and the rest of us, is that when they
fell, they just got up again and kept on going. They never gave up.
We have been blessed with beautiful male and female role models. In a
world of chaos and immorality, we are able to look to our older
brothers and sisters, the Saints, for direction.
If you need a spiritual uplift, then read the Lives of the Saints. If
you have problems in life, as we all do, then read how they handled the
same problems. Why re-invent the wheel when you can gain from their
experience, in resolving problems successfully? There is not a present day problem where a
Saint had not
experienced it before you.
Non-Catholics have missed a lot by ignoring the deeds of the Saints.
75.
We know from the Relics
of Many Incorrupted
Saints, whose intact bodies defy
scientific explanation.
Scores of them can be seen today. One young girl who died in 1333,
Blessed Imelda Lambertini, looks even today, like a Sleeping Beauty
after over 667 years in death. She can be seen now in Bologna, Italy,
just as I have described her.
How many non-Catholics have even heard of Incorrupted Saints?
76.
We know from the
thousands of Catholic Martyr's
who gave their lives so
that the Church may live.
"The blood of the martyrs became the seed of the Church."
Tertullian
From the very beginning, faithful Catholics were murdered for
their
belief in Jesus Christ. It is hard to imagine the courage that these
people must have had to sacrifice their lives willingly for the faith.
+Saint Peter, the first Bishop of Rome, was crucified upside down in
Rome in 67 A.D.. His tomb and his remains are under the main
altar of St Peter's Basilica in Rome.
+Saint Paul was beheaded in Rome in 67 A.D.. His tomb and his remains
are in St. Paul's Church in Rome.
+Saint Clement of Rome, Pope, was thrown into the Black Sea in 100
A.D.. His remains were taken to Rome and buried there.
+Saint Ignatius, the Bishop of Antioch, was torn apart by lions in the
Roman circus in 107 A.D.. He was the first one to mention the Catholic Church by name in his
writings.
All of the Popes in the first 300 years of the Church were Martyred.
With a record like that, why would anyone want to accept that position
during those early centuries of extreme persecution?
77.
We know from the
many authentic Relics that the Catholic Church has in its
possession.
Among them are:
The Manger in which Baby Jesus was laid after His birth. Luke
2:7
The Relic of the True Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. John
19:17-18
The "INRI" inscription from the True Cross, called "Titulus Crucis".
John 19-19
The Nails which held Jesus to the cross. John 20:25
The Lance Point of Saint Longinus which pierced the side of Jesus. John
19:34
The Crown of Thorns and the individual thorns from it. John 19:2
The Table used at the Last Supper is in St. John Lateran Basilica in
Rome. Matthew 26:20
The Scala Santa, the steps which Jesus Christ ascended on His way to
meet Pontius Pilate.
The Chains of Saint Peter, in the Church of St. Peter in Chains in
Rome. Acts 12:6-7
There are many more which are not listed here. All of these
may be seen
by visiting the various Churches in which they are displayed. Many of
these listed are on display in "Santa Groce in Gerusalemme", the Church
dedicated to the Holy Cross, in Rome.
78.
We know from the
scores of Eucharistic Miracles
which have
been manifested to us for well over a thousand years. These have been
investigated and verified by both Catholic and secular sources and have
been found to have no scientific explanation for these events. You will
not find a Eucharistic Miracle in other Christian Churches founded
after 1500, as none of them have a valid priesthood to call down "The
Word" with their word. Consequently, they have only a 'symbolic'
presence, whereas the Catholic Church has the "True
Presence" of Jesus Christ.
See 1Corinthians 10:15-16, and 1Corinthians 11:23-30.
79.
We know from the
plenitude of Biblical
Scriptural History,
which answers objections brought up against the
Catholic Church by non-Catholics.
Here is a sampling of some of the subjects. There are many more
objections to Catholic teaching answered on this website, which are not
listed here...
The Biblical foundation for the Authority
of
the Catholic Church.
The Biblical foundation for the Family
of GOD
.
The Biblical foundation for our Salvation
.
The Blessed Virgin Mary as The
Queen of Heaven
.
The Blessed Virgin Mary as The New Eve
.
The Blessed Virgin Mary as The New Ark
of the
Covenant .
The Blessed Virgin Mary as The
Mother of GOD
.
The Blessed Virgin Mary as The
Mother of the
Church .
The Blessed Virgin Mary as The
Immaculate
Conception .
The Blessed Virgin Mary's "Other
Children"???
The Biblical foundation for the Papacy
.
The Biblical foundation for the Magisterium
and the
Pope .
The Biblical foundation for the Confession
of
Sins to a Priest .
The Biblical foundation for the True
Presence of
Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist .
The Biblical foundation for Purgatory
.
The Biblical Foundation against Abortion
.
+ Abortion turns a womb into a tomb. + One dead, one wounded.
+
The false charge that the Catholic Church teaches "New
Doctrine".
The false charge that the Catholic Church is Old
Fashioned and is too Rigid
.
The false charge that Catholics "Worship
Idols".
80.
We know because the
Apostles were
the Foundation of the
Catholic Church, as
mentioned earlier.
"And GOD indeed has placed some in the Church (singular), FIRST
APOSTLES, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers;..."
1Corinthians 12:28
By now, we should be convinced that the Catholic Church is
truly the
only Church which Jesus Christ founded, and that all other Christian
churches did not even appear on the scene until well over 1400 years
later. All of the Apostles were long dead by that time.
The Catholic Church can lay claim to the
Apostles as being Catholic,
for many reasons:
A.
*The Catholic Church faithfully follows their teaching where other
churches do not, as seen in many verses:
The Church is the Pillar and foundation of the truth,
1Timothy
3:15. It is not the Bible.
The Church is the final authority, not the Bible, Matthew
18:15-18.
There is to be no private interpretation of Holy Scripture,
2Peter 1:20.
Stand firm and hold the traditions whether by WORD or by
letter,
2Thess 2:15.
By WORKS a man is justified and NOT by faith only, James 2:24
We must believe what He said, else we make Him to be a liar,
1John 5:10. How many deny His words in Matthew 26:26? Show me
the
symbolism in that verse, and in what the Apostles taught in
1Corinthians 10:15-16 and 11:23-30?
Everything is NOT in the Bible, John 16:13, 20:30-31, 21:25
B.
*The Didache is the
teaching of the Apostles
and it has in it the same things which the Catholic Church teaches, but
yet many other Christian Churches do not teach them at all.
1. You shall confess your transgressions in the Church, Did
4:14,
the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
2. Baptism by pouring water is acceptable, Did 7:3. Many other
churches insist on submersion only.
3. Elect for yourselves Bishops
and
Deacons, Did 15:1. Does your church have Bishops and Deacons?
4. But on the Lords Day (Sunday),...break bread and give
thanks,
Did 14:1. This is Sunday worship, and not Saturday as some other
churches insist on.
5. "Let none eat or drink of your Eucharist but such as have
been
baptized into the name of the Lord, for of a TRUTH
the Lord
has said concerning this, give not what is HOLY unto dogs."
Did 9:5. This is the True Presence
of Jesus
Christ in the Holy Eucharist. If it were not, how then could it be
Holy? How many other churches do not follow the teaching of the
Apostles on this subject and just call it a symbol?
C.
*The remains of all of the Apostles are in Catholic Churches, and so
are all of the Gospel writers.
Note! Some relics are divided between Catholic Churches.
St. Peter is in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
St. Paul is in St. Paul's Church in Rome.
St. Matthew is in the Cathedral of St. Matthew in Messina,
Sicily.
St. James the Greater is in St. James Church in Compostela
Spain.
St. James the Less (the Just) is in the Basilica of the Holy
Apostles in Rome.
St. Bartholomew is in St. Bartholomew-in-the-island Church in
Rome.
St. Andrew is in the Cathedral of Amalfi in Italy.
St. Philip is in the Church of the Dodici Apostoli in Rome,
Basilica of the Holy Apostles.
St. Simon is in the Vatican, under the Altar of the
Crucifixion.
St. Jude is in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
St. Thomas is in the Cathedral of Saint Thomas in Mylapore,
India.
St. Matthias is in St. Matthews Abbey in Trier Germany, and
in
St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome.
St. John is in the ruins of the Basilica of St. John in
Ephesus
Turkey.
"You are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and
Prophets with
Jesus Christ Himself as the Chief Corner Stone."
Ephesians 2:20
D.
*Even though he was not an Apostle, he did write the Gospel of Mark.
St. Mark is in St. Mark's Church in Venice, Italy.
*Even though he was not an Apostle, he did write the Gospel
of Luke.
St. Luke is in the Basilica of Santa Giustina in Padua, Italy.
*The Three Wise Men, or Magi. Matthew 2:1-12.
Their relics are in the Cathedral of Cologne, Germany.
*The first Christian Martyr. Acts 7:60
St. Stephen is in Rome in the Basilica of St. Lawrence
Outside
the Walls.
*The first person to arrive at the tomb of the Risen Christ.
John 20:1
St. Mary Magdalene is in the Basilica of St. Maximin in
Villalata, France.
*He produced the first Bible containing both the Old and New
Testaments, the Latin Vulgate.
St. Jerome is in St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome.
*One of the greatest Catholic theologians of all time,
St. Thomas Aquinas is in the Church of St. Sernin in Toulouse France.
E.
*Lastly, there is this very obvious reason. It is simply that the
Catholic Church was the ONLY Christian Church at the time of the
Apostles, so therefore they all had to have been Catholic.
There is not, and never has been, an
Apostle in any other church but
the Catholic Church.
81.
We know because it
is the Catholic Church which is the New
Jerusalem as described
in the Bible. The
old Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D. by the Roman general Titus, and
the destruction was prophesied by Jesus Christ in Matthew 24. Saint
John wrote the Book of Revelation about 20-30 years later, and in it he
describes a New Jerusalem...
"He who overcomes, I will make him a Pillar in the Temple of My GOD,
and never more shall he go outside. And I will write upon him the name
of my GOD, and the name of the City of my GOD, the New Jerusalem, which
comes down out of heaven from my GOD, and my new name."
Revelation 3:12.
This verse is absolutely loaded with interesting details.
Who is "him" who will be made a Pillar? The precedent was set in
Galatians 2:9 where three of the Apostles (meaning, one who is sent)
were called "Pillars". I have already shown that all of the Apostles
were
Catholic.
The "Pillar in
the Temple" is the
Catholic Church in 1Timothy 3:15 as already
discussed.
The Temple of my GOD, is the "City that is set on a Mountain
that
cannot be hidden", the Visible
Catholic
Church, as already
discussed.
Revelation 3:12 calls it "The New Jerusalem".
"And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem,
coming down
out of heaven from GOD, made ready as a Bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold the dwelling
of GOD with men, and He will dwell with them. And they will be His
people, and GOD Himself will be with them as their GOD'."
Revelation 21:2-3
The New Jerusalem, the "Bride Adorned for Her Husband", is the Bride of Christ, the Catholic
Church, as already discussed.
Doesn't GOD come down from Heaven
to Earth
during every Mass, when
the priest calls down The Word with his word during the consecration of
the Holy Eucharist?
Lastly, GOD is certainly present with us in the Catholic Church in the
Holy Eucharist, during Eucharistic
Adoration, and in the Holy
Tabernacle.
82.
We know because the
Catholic Church is Our
Mother.* This
is Why
we Call Her "Mother Church".
*Lumen Gentium I,6
Since I have previously
shown that the Catholic
Church is the New Jerusalem, we can see from Scripture that the Church
is Our Mother:
"But that Jerusalem which is above is free, which is our
mother. For it
is written, Rejoice thou barren, that dost not bear; break forth and
cry, thou that dost not prevail; for many are the children of the
desolate, more than that of her that has a husband. Now we, brethren,
are the children of promise, as Isaac was."
Galatians 4:26-28
What does a good mother do for her children? She nurtures
them. She
feeds them. She tends to their needs. She watches over them and
protects them as a shepherd watches over the sheep.
"And the dragon was angered at the woman, and went away to wage war with the rest
of her offspring, who keep the commandments of GOD, and hold fast
the testimony of
Jesus."
Revelation 12:17
83.
We know because Jesus Christ Loves the One Church Which He
Founded.
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the Church, and
delivered himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, cleansing her
in the bath of water by means of The Word; in order that He might
present to himself the Church in all her glory, not having spot or
wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish."
Ephesians 5:25-27
Since there are over 36,400 non Catholic churches, each teaching a
different "truth", name the one which can claim "not having spot or
wrinkle, and be without blemish"? Truth is ONE, remember?
84.
We know from the
many Prophecies
made by Catholic
Prophets of the past.
"And GOD indeed has placed some in the Church, first Apostles, SECONDLY
PROPHETS, thirdly teachers;..."
1Corinthians 12:28
It is to be noted that Jesus Christ, The Word, and the Son of
GOD, was
the last prophet of public revelation (Heb 1:1-2).
The later prophets have revealed no new public revelation, but of
future events and happenings.
Hebrews 1:1-2 precludes any such claim of new public revelation as some
attempt to do in a few non-Catholic sects, thereby showing that they
are false prophets.
Beginning in the first century there have been prophets who
have, with
uncanny accuracy, described the times in which we presently live.
Just to show you that accurate Catholic Prophecy continues to this day,
here is a comparatively recent example of one made by Pope Paul VI in 1968, which
clearly has been
fulfilled.
Do you know of any prophets from other
Christian churches who have made
accurate prophecies such as those on the above referenced pages?
85.
We know from the
many authentic and verified Miracles in the history of the Catholic Church.
The Miracle of Fatima
in Portugal was
witnessed by over 70,000 people on October 13, 1917, and was well
documented by the secular press. Over a period of several months, the
Blessed Virgin Mary revealed to three children, the rise of communism a
month before the communist revolution started in Russia. She foretold
the end of World War I, and the beginning of a new and worse war during
the Pontificate of Pope Pius XI. That Pope was elected in 1922, 5 years
after the message was revealed, and he died in 1939. World War II did
in fact start in 1938, 21 years after the Mother of GOD revealed it
would come, and it did in fact start during the Pontificate of Pope
Pius XI. The Blessed Virgin Mary had also foretold that the fall of
communism was to come in Russia, but only years after Russia had spread
her errors all over the world. These prophecies were all fulfilled, and
beginning in 1989, the great and most feared communist USSR collapsed
without a shot being fired, while the whole world held its breath. How
could this have happened so painlessly and so bloodlessly except by a
miracle from GOD? It was a clear fulfillment of the prophecy of Fatima.
Jacinta, one of the children is incorrupt.
The Miracle of Lourdes occurred in 1858.
Pope Pius IX had defined the
dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854. When the visionary, Saint Bernadette, asked the
Blessed Virgin
Mary, who had appeared to her, what her name was, she replied, "I am
the Immaculate Conception", and in so doing confirmed from heaven what
the Pope had declared on earth four years earlier. A miraculous spring
of healing water came from the ground and there have been scores of
well documented miraculous healings from there as a result. To this
day, millions of pilgrims go to Lourdes France every year to bathe in
its waters, and the healings continue. Bernadette is incorrupt.
There was the miraculous appearance of
the Blessed Virgin Mary to Juan
Diego in 1531, in what is now Mexico City, in which she left an Image of herself on his tilma, a
cloak like
garment. This image exists to this day and has defied all scientific
explanation as to just how it was formed. Cactus cloth like that on
which it is imprinted, disintegrates in about 20 years, and yet this
image, and the cactus cloth, are in perfect condition after over 450
years. This image can be viewed in the Basilica of Our Lady of
Guadalupe in Mexico City, where it is on display.
Read about the Miracle
of Lepanto in 1571, a
pivotal battle between a large Moslem force and a much smaller
Christian force which prevented the inroads by Islam to all of Europe.
This event is recorded in secular history books as well as in Vatican
Archives.
A more recent Miraculous event occurred
in Akita
Japan in the 1970's and 1980's.
It is Our Lady of Akita.
These are only a few examples of secular
and Church verified miracles,
and there are many others. For those who scoff at these miraculous
events within the Catholic Church, I must point out to the scoffers, of
their unbelief in Holy Scripture, where Saint Paul clearly stated that
they will happen within the Church which Jesus Christ founded. If these
detractors refuse to believe in these miracles, then I am forced to
comment to them, that they are simply in the wrong church...
"Now you are the Body of Christ, member for member. And GOD
indeed has
placed some in the Church (singular), first Apostles,
secondly Prophets, thirdly Teachers;
after that MIRACLES, then GIFTS OF HEALING (Lourdes),
Services of Help, Power of
Administration, and the Speaking of various Tongues."
1Corinthians 12:27-28
I have not heard of Miracles such as these in any other
Christian
Church.
I have not heard of so many dramatic, medically proven, Miraculous
Healings in other Christian Churches, as there are from Lourdes.
86.
We know from the Many Mysteries within
the Catholic Church which defy scientific explanation.
A Mystery is something that is not fully understood. It is something
that baffles or is incomprehensible to reason. Science has not been
able to explain the process in which these images were formed. However,
science HAS been able to show how they were NOT formed, by artistry,
painting, or photographic process, or any other process devised by
mankind.
*The Shroud of Turin.
*The Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
*The Veil of Veronica.
*The Sudarium Christi.
87.
We know from the Many and Varied Devotions within
the Catholic Church.
*Eucharistic Adoration.
*Benediction.
*The Holy Face of Jesus.
*The Sacred Heart of Jesus.
*The Stations of the Cross.
*The Five Wounds of Jesus.
*The Holy Cross.
*The Divine Mercy Chaplet.
*The Divine Office.
*The Divine Praises.
*The Immaculate Heart of Mary.
*The Rosary.
*Novenas.
*Missions.
*Retreats.
*Votive Candles.
These varied devotions are suitable for different types of
people,
filling their different spiritual needs, from the simplest to the
deepest devotions available; the comfort of the Rosary; the faith of a
Novena; the Spiritual stimulation of a Mission; simple words of love to
God; and the most intense love given to God, daily Mass. And like
little children, we say over and over to our God, our Creator, "I love
you, I love you, I love you". This is no vain repetition, but a
manifesto of unrequited love.
Most non-Catholic Christian churches do not offer any of
these
devotions. Some offer a few.
88.
We know from the Splendor of the Many Priceless
Art Treasures within
the Catholic Church, which has been for centuries, the patroness of the
arts.
*The Sistine Chapel with the beautiful wall and ceiling
paintings by
Michelangelo.
*The Pieta by Michelangelo.
*The Moses of Michelangelo.
*The Transfiguration by Raphael.
*The Borghese Gallery which holds many art masterpieces.
*The Vatican has hundreds of priceless treasures, paintings, statues,
mosaics, etc.
Many of the greatest artisans that the world has ever seen,
dedicated
their talents and years of their lives to doing GOD's work for the
Church which Jesus Christ founded.
We see that the great art, in all forms and shapes, not only comes to
decorate our Churches and the Vatican, but it is a recognition of the
artistic talents that God has given to a selected few. The art
represents what the soul wants to manifest. Writers write.
Photographers take pictures. Painters, sculptors, and architects do
their own to manifest their faith. This art within the Catholic Faith
has been an inspiration for many to seek the Lord. The Church has a
responsibility to recognize the hands of the Lord in these great
talents, and to preserve their testimonies of faith. They represent the
real "splendor", the one that comes from the souls of the faithful.
Every artist offers to God the best they have. When the Lord asked
Moses to build the Tabernacle, He asked for the best, and He got it.
There is not another Christian Church in the world which can
even come
close to the splendor of the art treasures within the Catholic Church.
Where should such artistic beauty be found other than in the glory of
the House of GOD?
89.
We know from the
well documented Exorcisms
which the Catholic
Church has performed for almost 2
millennia.
The definition of an Exorcism is, "To drive out evil spirits by a
Priest who is delegated for the purpose by a Bishop".
"Then having summoned His twelve Apostles, He
gave them power over unclean spirits, TO CAST THEM OUT, and to cure every kind of disease and
infirmity."
Matthew 10:1
"The Kingdom
of Heaven (the Church) is at hand! Cure
the sick, raise
the dead, cleanse the lepers, CAST OUT DEVILS."
Matthew 10:8
"And there came also multitudes from the towns near
Jerusalem, bring
the sick and those troubled
with unclean
spirits, AND THEY WERE ALL CURED."
Acts 5:16. See also, Acts 19:13-16.
Some Protestant denominations say that the Catholic Church
was founded
by Satan. I have this verse to offer to them in return.
"And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is
brought to
desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not
stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how
then shall his kingdom stand?""
Matthew 12:25-26
So if the Catholic
Church was founded by
Satan, then explain the Exorcisms of Satan and his demons by the
Catholic Church? How is it that the Catholic Church has stood for
almost 2000 years? I can explain this easily. The demons who are being
Exorcised did not come from the Catholic Church in the first place, but
from those sects which made this ridiculous charge.
Who, other than a Catholic Priest, has the ability to cast
out demons?
Who, other than a Catholic Priest, have you ever heard of who could do
such a thing? What other Christian Church can claim successful
Exorcisms?
90.
We know from its
sheer Size and Rapid
Growth, with over
1,057,000,000* (one billion, fifty-seven
million) members, or one in six of the entire population of the earth,
as of February 2000. That is an increase of over 40,000,000 (forty
million), since December 1997, more than half of the total membership
of the largest single non-Catholic denomination. In 2001, the Catholic
Church grew to over 1,070,540,000* members, plus another 216,000,000*
Orthodox. Bar none, the Catholic Church is the fastest growing
Christian Church in the world. All of the over 36,400 various
Non-Catholic denominations, collectively added, total less* than the
Catholic membership.
For those detractors of the Catholic Church who say that numbers are
irrelevant, they are in effect, saying that Satan is winning souls and
that GOD is losing souls. They are saying that more people are
convinced by the lie from the father of lies, John 8:44, than they are
convinced of the truth of GOD, John 14:6. They have forgotten, or maybe
they never knew, that Satan can only do what GOD allows him to do. I
would prefer to believe that GOD is the greater attraction, wouldn't
you agree?
What other Christian Church can lay greater claim to,
"Go, therefore and make
disciples of all
nations...", as can the
Catholic Church?
*World Christian Encyclopedia, April 2001.
91.
We know because the
Catholic Church is adamantly Pro-Life.
It
is the most outspoken organization on earth against the "Culture of
Death" in which we live today. Pro-Life stimulates the desire to
protect and promote the gift of human life. That also includes
refraining from contraception, tubal ligation, vasectomy, and at the
other end of the spectrum, euthanasia, assisted suicide, even the death
sentence of criminals. These methods when used, preclude that life is
unimportant and can be discarded at the discretion of others. Life
begins when GOD creates a soul for one egg, and one sperm, as they meet
in the womb. The soul is the life of the body. Why is it so hard to
understand that life begins at conception? What causes the egg to
immediately start multiplying its cells? Is it not life? If not life,
then would you please tell me what it is? Does a "Lump of Flesh" have a
heartbeat? Does a lump of flesh kick in the womb?
"...Thou shalt not kill a child by abortion, neither shalt
thou slay it
when born,..."
The Didache 2:2, the
teaching of the
Apostles.
"And when you stretch forth your hands, I will turn away My
eyes from
you: and when you multiply prayer, I will not hear, for your hands are
full of blood. Wash yourselves, be clean, take away the evil of your
devices from My eyes."
Isaiah 1:15-16
The Catholic Church is persecuted from all directions for its
unwavering stand against Abortion. The Church will never change its
teaching against this most barbaric of all evils against its most
helpless victims, the child in the womb.
Several other churches, which call themselves "Christian", have
softened their stance against this evil. Some even accept it.
Supporters of Abortion call it by its satanic name of "Pro-Choice",
while trying to mask its true name which is simply, "Legalized Murder".
The people who are "Pro-Choice", are pitted against GOD and His
Catholic Church, which is "Pro-Life". Which side are you on?
Which side do you think will win?
"A nation that kills its own children, is
a nation
without hope."
Pope John Paul II
92.
We know because of
the People who
have gone before us in the Catholic Church. We all stand on the
shoulders of Giants, each of whom has made meritorious contributions.
*Doctors of the Church, the
tallest of the
Giants, and all are Saints.
*Saint Thomas Aquinas, called the Aristotle of Christianity. His many
writings are studied today all over the world. His Summa Theologica is
a benchmark for Catholic Christian truth in theology.
*Johann Gutenberg, a Catholic, is credited with one of, if not the
greatest invention of all time, the movable type printing press. The
first book he ever printed was a Catholic Bible.
*John Cardinal Newman, a convert from the Anglican Church is credited
with many outstanding writings of his journey to the Catholic Church.
He was not afraid to read the history of the Christian Church and when
he did, he wrote, "To be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant."
93.
We know because of
the Influx of
Intellectuals into the
Catholic Church. Studies have shown that well
informed Protestants, who were previously vocally anti-Catholic, but
who did not have a closed mind to the truth, are entering the Catholic
Church in increasing numbers. All you have to do to see this, is to
tune into E.W.T.N. and see how
many ex-protestant
ministers have their own programs or are guest speakers. These people
are Bible Christians, who spent years in the study of Holy Scripture.
Many found questions that simply could not be answered in Protestant
circles. One big question was, "Where are the documents of the
Primitive Church?" In their search, they found that the only authentic
documents to be found were in Catholic sources, the Fathers of the
Church. Once they started reading of the history of the Church which
Jesus Christ founded, they discovered that it was the Catholic Church
alone. They did prove to themselves that, "To be deep in history was to
cease to be Protestant" (Cardinal Newman). It is precisely for this
reason that Protestant clergy and teachers tell their own people not to
read the Church Fathers and early church writers.
"For the wrath of GOD is revealed from heaven against all
ungodliness
and wickedness of those men who in wickedness hold back the truth of
GOD."
Romans 1:18
That verse by itself should deter any GOD loving person from
withholding the truth from anyone.
"...but wrath and indignation to those who are contentious,
and who do
not submit to the truth but assent to iniquity."
Romans 2:8
A thinking person who does not ignore Church history will
invariably be
led to the Catholic Church.
In contrast to the influx is the outflow
of Catholics
to other Christian churches. These people are the uninformed, who knew
nothing of what they were leaving, or who had misconceptions of what
the Catholic Church really taught. The numbers,
however, show that the influx is much greater than the outflow.
"There are not more than 100 people in the world who truly hate the
Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they perceive to
be the Catholic Church."
Bishop Fulton J. Sheen.
94.
We know from the
profound Proliferation
of the Catholic Church
around the world.
Jesus Christ said,
"Go, therefore and make
disciples of ALL
NATIONS...." Matthew
28:19
"Go into the WHOLE
WORLD and preach the
Gospel to every creature
." Mark 16:15
"...and that repentance
and remission of
sins should be preached in His Name TO ALL THE NATIONS, BEGINNING FROM
JERUSALEM." Luke 24:47
He commanded Peter, the first Bishop of Rome, the first Pope, to feed His sheep, in John
21:15-17.
He told His Apostles to be witnesses for Him, "...TO THE VERY ENDS OF THE EARTH" in
Acts 1:8.
The Catholic Church can be found in almost every country in
the world
today, far more countries in number than any other Christian Church.
95.
We know by its vast
array of Services of
Help.
"And GOD indeed has placed some in the Church, first Apostles, secondly
Prophets, thirdly Teachers, after that Miracles, then Gifts of Healing,
SERVICES OF HELP..."
1Corinthians 12:28
The Catholic Church offers more of these Services than any
other
Christian Church and they are scattered all over the world. Here are
just a few examples:
Catholic Hospitals.
Catholic Relief Services
Catholic Food Services for the poor, such as Loaves and
Fishes.
The Saint Vincent de Paul Society.
Orphanages
The Knights of Columbus.
The Legion of Mary.
Many diverse Missionaries, such as Maryknoll, in many
countries.
I am sure you have heard of Boystown in Nebraska which was
started by
Fr. Flanagan in the 1930's. There are now Boystowns in many other
countries of the world, and their mission is to provide homes for
thousands of boys and girls who have no home at all.
The Congregation of the Missionaries of Charity, Mother
Teresa's group,
who in themselves are in many places of the world. Who in the world
does not know of Mother Teresa? Name one group from another Christian
Church which has done more for the worst of the destitute than this one?
How does your church compare in their Services of Help?
96.
We know from the Obvious Visible Manifestations of GOD's Work in the Catholic Church.
GOD's Recipe:
Take one uneducated, and almost crippled Franciscan Nun who knew
absolutely nothing of what she would be called to do, and who
claimed she worked hard for her "F's" in school.
Add a starting fund of much less than $500.00.
Endow her with perseverance and tenacity.
Teach her that success comes in "Cans", and not "Can'ts".
Give her the ability to attract people who know what they are doing.
Stir well.
Add GOD's growth "yeast".
The final result is the Eternal
Word Television
Network.... E.W.T.N..
"The heavens tell the glory of GOD, and the firmament
proclaims the
work of His hands. Day
to day pours forth
His Word, night to night sends out this knowledge. There is no speech
and no utterance whose sound may not be heard: INTO ALL THE EARTH THEIR
SOUND GOES FORTH, AND UNTO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD THEIR TIDINGS."
Psalms 19:2-5
"All you
inhabitants of the world, who
dwell on the earth, when the sign shall be lifted up on the Mountains
YOU SHALL SEE, AND YOU
SHALL HEAR THE SOUND OF THE
TRUMPET."
Isaiah 18:3
"Come near, you Gentiles, and hear, and harken you people. LET THE EARTH HEAR, AND ALL THAT IS THEREIN,
THE
WORLD, AND EVERYTHING THAT COMES FORTH OUT OF IT."
Isaiah 34:1
"And this
Gospel of the kingdom SHALL BE
PREACHED TO THE WHOLE WORLD, FOR A WITNESS TO ALL NATIONS, and then
will come the end."
Matthew 24:14
"Have they not heard? Yes indeed, THEIR
VOICE HAS GONE FORTH INTO ALL THE EARTH, AND THEIR WORDS UNTO THE ENDS
OF THE WORLD."
Romans 10:18
"...Of that hope you have heard in THE
WORD OF THE GOSPEL TRUTH WHICH HAS REACHED YOU, EVEN AS IT IS IN THE
WHOLE WORLD, BOTH BEARING FRUIT AND GROWING.,
just as it does among you since the day that you heard and recognized
the grace of GOD in truth."
Colossians 1:5-6
"Only you must remain firmly founded in the faith and
steadfast and not
withdrawing from the hope of the GOSPEL
WHICH YOU HAVE HEARD. IT HAS BEEN PREACHED TO EVERY CREATURE UNDER
HEAVEN..."
Colossians 1:24
E.W.T.N. has seven satellites which girdle the globe. It
reaches Asia,
Europe, Africa, North and South America, Australia, and Oceania.
E.W.T.N. is not just a television network. It is a world wide media
network.
There is W.E.W.N., EWTN's system of short wave radio which reaches
people all over the world who do not have television.
There is E.W.T.N. AM and FM radio.
There is EWTN.COM,
the world wide
Internet connection which carries the same programming.
All of the Biblical prophecies listed above have been
fulfilled by this
feisty,
"Nothing but the best for GOD", Franciscan Nun, whose name is Mother Angelica.
With all of this, practically every person in the world can be reached.
Mother Angelica has said,
"We are going to come through one way or another".
Name another Christian church that can compare with what
Mother
Angelica has done?
Many recent visionaries have said that when (and if) certain
predictions happen, the whole world will be able to witness them at the
same time. E.W.T.N. could very well be the vehicle to do this.
97.
We know from the
scores of Religious Orders
within the Catholic
Church, each with its own specific mission, whether it be feeding the
poor, tending to the sick, aiding unwed mothers, caring for the
elderly, aiding the homeless, disaster relief, teaching the faith, and
many other worthwhile causes.
98.
We know because the
Catholic Church "Never
Ceases to Send
Heralds of the Gospel Until Each Time as the Infant Churches are Fully
Established, and Can Themselves Continue the Work of Evangelization."
Lumen Gentium II,17
There are Catholic Missionaries which are sent all over the
world and
it seems that a day does not go by without a report of one or more
being martyred.
"Go, therefore, and
make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded
you; and behold, I am with you all days, even unto the consummation of
the world."
Matthew 28:19-20
Did you notice the order of business in these two verses?
First, make disciples.
Second, Baptize them.
Third, teach them ALL that Christ has commanded.
99.
We know from the
many very large and beautiful Cathedrals, Basilicas, Shrines,
and Churches
throughout the world. Saint Peter's in Rome is the
largest Church on earth, and it is only one of four major Basilicas in
Rome. The other three are, Saint Paul's Outside the Walls, Saint John
Lateran, and Saint Mary Major. There are several minor Basilicas as
well, such as Saint Lawrence Outside the Walls. The Shrine of the
Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C. is the largest Church in the
United States.
There is no other non-Catholic Christian denomination that even comes
close to the sheer size, number, and beauty of Catholic Churches. This
is in spite of the documented facts that King Henry VIII, Luther,
Calvin and other reformers, confiscated Catholic Churches, and
Protestantism still holds many of them today.
100.
We know by its Incredible Diversity. There is no
other organization on earth which can match the Catholic Church in this
respect, with so many Classes from kings to peasants, so many
Nationalities, so many Cultures, so many Races, so many Customs, and so
many Languages and Dialects. All of these variances are blended
together everywhere, seamlessly, in the Catholic Mass. It is the same
the world over. How can this be explained other than it is the work of
GOD?
The Catholic Church certainly has fulfilled the commands given to her,
the Bride, by her Originator, Founder, and Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus
Christ in:
Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:46-49, John 21:15-17, and
Acts1:8.
101.
We know from the Incredible Numbers of the Faithful who Flock
to see
the Holy Father, the Pope, no
matter
where in the world he visits. The numbers range from the hundreds of
thousands into the millions every time. There is such an outpouring of
love for him, the world over. When he visited the Philippines, they
numbered 5 million in Manila, in Paris 3 million, and in Rome in August
2000, the largest gathering ever in Italy, estimated to be 2.5 to 3
million.
102.
We know because the
Tiny Seed, the Acorn of
the Primitive
Catholic Church,
planted by Jesus Christ
and nurtured by the Apostles and their Successors,
did Grow into
the magnificent and majestic oak tree, which is
the Catholic Church of today.
"The Kingdom of Heaven (the Church which Jesus Christ founded) is like a grain of mustard seed which a man
took and
sowed in his field. This indeed is the smallest of all of the seeds;
but when it grows up it is larger than any herb and becomes a tree, so
that the birds of the air come and dwell in its branches."
Matthew 13:31-32
We do not begin life in an adult stage, but slowly evolve
from an
infant, while gaining in knowledge and strength, over time.
Likewise, for the Church, as previously noted:
It takes many centuries to unpack the treasures and mysteries of Divine
Revelation.
"I have planted, Apollos watered, but GOD has given the
growth."
1Corinthians 3:6
The oak tree
has all of the
qualities of the acorn,
but the acorn does not have all the qualities of the oak tree.
103.
We know by the Incredible Openness
of the Catholic
Church.
"Therefore do not be
afraid of them. For
there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing
hidden that will not be made known."
Matthew 10:26
Archives and historical records regarding the Catholic Church are
readily available for all to see. They can be researched by anyone
through the Catholic
Encyclopedia,
University Libraries, even The Catholic Church invites anyone and
everyone to peruse and research this vast wealth of information. There
are literally thousands and thousands of documents made available for
public use ranging from the first century until now.
If you wish to learn what the Catholic Church teaches, to whom do you
go?
If you wish to buy a new Ford, do you go to a Chevrolet dealer? What is
the Chevrolet dealer going to tell you about Fords? You will not learn
the truth about them, that's for sure.
Why then do Protestants fail to go to the source, the Catholic Church
itself, to learn the truth of what it teaches? Why do they, instead,
listen to detractors bad mouthing it, and then believe what they have
heard or read, without ever going to the source to research for
themselves as to which side is telling the truth? The writings of the Church Fathers are a veritable gold
mine of
information of the history of Christianity. I find their writings to be
most fascinating reading. Errors of the past are revealed. The truth of
the teachings of Christ are made manifest. Why would anyone want to
repeat the mistakes of the past? However, some Protestants will never
read what the Fathers had to say, simply because they are told not to
do so by others in their church.
What a pity. What a waste!
104.
We know because, in
addition to the Holy Bible, the Church has given to us the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC). This comprehensive work contains the
teaching
of the Church for all to see. It has fast become one of the most sought
after references ever written. It is for Catholics and non-Catholics
alike. When someone wishes to know what the Catholic Church teaches,
then they should go only to the source of that teaching and purchase a
Catholic Catechism. It makes no sense at all to go to a non-Catholic
source to find out what the Catholic Church teaches. Would you go to a
Ford dealer to learn about Chevrolets? What would they tell you if you
did? What would non-Catholics tell you about the Catholic Church?
105.
We know because the
Catholic Church Has the
Answers and Can
Back Them With Documents.
I have provided hundreds of Bible verses and references of official
documents to back up what I have said in this file, and through the
links which I have provided. The Vatican Archives contain the largest
collection of authentic Christian documentation in the world.
When detractors make false charges against the Catholic Church, I
always ask for their documents to "prove" their charges. Not
surprisingly, they never seem to have any. However, Catholics can
provide them with many historical and contemporary documents to back up
what they have said. Truth can always be backed up by authentic
documentation, false charges cannot.
106.
We know because of
the Religious Freedom of the Catholic Church.
Have you noticed in the Gospels, that Jesus Christ never did argue with
anyone who disagreed with His teaching? One of the best examples of
this is in the Gospel of John.
The Jews
(representing us) did not agree with His teaching of His "True Presence" in the Holy
Eucharist. They
revolted, as in
John 6:66 (666?) and simply walked away from Him. Did He call them
back? No, as he would have let them all go as He said in John 6:67, "Will you also go away?".
The Catholic Church also follows in the footsteps of its founder by
saying the same,
"Here is the Truth. If you
cannot accept it,
then so be it."
We are all admonished to seek the truth, and if we refuse to
do so,
then we will have all eternity to pay for it.
"...but wrath and indignation to those who are contentious,
and who do
NOT submit to the truth but assent to iniquity."
Romans 2:8
"Wherefore, put away lying and speak truth each one with his
neighbor,
because we are members of one another."
Ephesians 4:25
"...And there shall not enter into it (heaven) anything
defiled, nor he
who practices abomination and falsehood, but those only who are written
in the book of life of the Lamb."
Revelation 21:27
There you have it. Each of us is obligated to seek the truth
for
ourselves. That is the meaning of Religious Freedom, and is the
teaching of the Catholic Church.
When I wanted to know what Protestant and Cultic denominations taught,
I obtained their materials, Baptist, Seventh Day Adventist, Mormon,
Jehovah Witness, etc, and I read from the source what they taught. I
had the freedom in my Church to do that.
However, many denominations tell their flocks that their doctrines are
the only truth, and they are cautioned not to read material from other
churches, by using the excuse that,
"You will become corrupted, you must believe what we say and not seek
elsewhere."
This is nothing but mind control, and it certainly is not Religious
Freedom.
We are all looking for the True Church and when we have found
it:
"You shall know the
truth and the truth
shall make you free."
John 8:32
If you deny the truth, then you will perish. See 2Thess 2:9-12
Do you have the freedom in your church to search for the
truth, or are
you trapped in a mind control situation where you must believe
everything they tell you, and read only their own materials?
Do you have Religious Freedom as we have in the Catholic Church?
107.
We know because of
the Ecumenical Efforts
of the Catholic
Church to Unite All Christianity into
One, in obeyance of the words of Jesus Christ.
"And other
sheep I have that are not of
this fold. Them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice, AND
THERE SHALL BE ONE FOLD AND ONE SHEPHERD."
John 10:16
It cannot be denied that the Church has been reaching out to
all of our
separated brethren in an effort to bring all of Christianity together.
One only has to look at the scores of trips Pope John Paul II has made
all over the world in the name of unity. He has reached out to
Orthodox, Protestants, Jews, Islam, and others.
Have you noticed any non-Catholic Church attempting to do the
same?
108.
We know because The Holy Spirit Dwells Within the Catholic
Church.
I have already shown that the Bible
is a
Catholic Book .
I have already shown that all of the Apostles
and New Testament writers are Catholic.
Here is a verse for which the Apostles confirm the indwelling of the
Holy Spirit:
"For THE HOLY SPIRIT AND WE HAVE DECIDED to lay no further burden upon
you but this indispensable one...".
Acts 15:28
"And we are witnesses of these things, AND SO IS THE HOLY
SPIRIT, WHOM
GOD HAS GIVEN TO ALL WHO OBEY HIM."
Acts 5:32
"Now throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria the Church
was in
peace and was being built up, walking in fear of the Lord, AND IT WAS
FILLED WITH THE CONSOLATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT."
Acts 9:31
109.
We know because the
Pillar and Foundation of
Truth Has Said So. (Lumen
Gentium I,8)
The Catholic Church cannot silence the truth, for if it did, it would
be a sin of commission, nor can it stand by in silence when it sees
error being dispensed, for that would be a sin of omission. World wide
error was in fact dispensed, when the United Nations announced that all
of the worlds religions are equal. The Church almost immediately
responded with the document, Dominus
Iesus
,
"On The Unicity And Salvific Universality Of Jesus Christ And
The
Church".
Despite the fact that there was non-Catholic criticism of this
document, there is nothing new in it but a re-iteration of what the
Church has always taught.
It is a simple thing to ask, "What would Jesus Christ do in this
situation?"
He would most certainly speak out, as many New Testament verses attest
that He did just that when He saw error. By its very actions, the
Catholic Church follows in the footsteps of its Holy founder, by its
imitation of Christ.
110.
We know because, "Just as there is One Christ, so There
Exists a
Single Body of Christ: a Single Catholic and Apostolic Church."*
*Dominus Iesus
Using our intellect and common sense, it stands to reason
that there is
only one GOD, and in Him there is only One Church, which teaches only
One truth, and has only One Baptism.
"One body and one Spirit, even as you were called in one hope
of your
calling; one Lord, one faith, one Baptism; one GOD and Father of all,
who is above all, and throughout all, and in us all."
Ephesians 4:4-6
111.
We know because
it is a simple matter of
using Common Sense and Our Human
Reasoning
Ability.
Some people try very hard to complicate the Word of GOD, but it is in
reality very simple. Jesus Christ founded one Church in Matthew 16:18,
as pointed out many times in this file. Today, there are over 36,400
churches which call themselves "Christian", and all teach something
different from one another. Our common sense and human reasoning should
tell us, "How can this be, since Jesus Christ taught one truth?"
Consequently, common sense should be telling us that there can be only
one Christian Church which teaches all truth. By the simple process of
elimination, we can determine which is the true church. Ask yourself:
A. Can my church be traced all the way back to the time of Christ? If
not, how
can it be the true Church?
B. Does my church fit the pattern of the primitive
Church of the Apostles? It had better, or it is
definitely not the true Church.
C. Can I trace an unbroken line of the succession
of teaching authority, the Bishops, all the way back
to the beginning of the Church which Jesus Christ founded?
D. Can my Church be found in authentic written documents
in every century from the time of Christ until now?
E. Did my church decide which books of the Bible are the Bible?
Common
sense questions such as these should be asked and answered by all of
us.
How many of us are able to answer all of the above questions with a
resounding, "Yes"?
How many of us are compelled to answer "No" to all of them?
Using common sense and reasoning to the questions eliminates
all
Christian churches, save one.
Unfortunately, it appears that common sense is not so common
anymore.
112.
We know because it
is the Catholic Church
Which is the Most
Outspoken Defender of Morality in
this
worldwide immoral society in which we live today.
"Woe to you that call evil good, and good evil; that put
darkness for
light and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for
bitter."
Isaiah 5:20
"But know this, that in the last days dangerous times will
come. Men
will be lovers of self, covetous, haughty, proud, blasphemers
disobedient to parents, ungrateful, criminal, heartless, faithless,
slanderers, incontinent, merciless, unkind, treacherous, stubborn,
puffed up with pride, loving pleasure more than GOD, having a semblance
indeed of piety, but disowning its power.
Avoid these. For of such are they who make their way into houses and
captivate silly women who are sin-laden and led away by various lusts:
ever learning yet never gaining knowledge of the truth." 2Timothy
3:1-7, Confraternity.
Does this sound familiar? I would say the 'last days of
dangerous
times' are upon us now, wouldn't you? Holy Scripture is telling us
something. It is giving us a wake-up call. Are we listening?
The Church which Jesus Christ founded is listening.
Who is the "Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness" of today? (Isaiah
40:3, Matthew 3:3)
Listen, and you will hear that it is the Catholic Church.
113.
We know from the
hundreds of beautifully written Papal
Documents which have
been presented to
the whole world over the centuries. They cover many aspects of faith
and morals and are the guidelines for everyone. Here is an outstanding
and very prophetic one.
Humanae Vitae,
read paragraph 17 and see how something warned of in 1968 is a reality
today.
Go here for over 280 more Papal
Documents.
114.
We know from the Profound Humility demonstrated
by the Catholic Church for the past actions of some of its members, by
issuing an Apology to GOD. Once again, the Catholic Church
demonstrated
that it follows the teaching of Jesus Christ, by not only saying, but
by practicing: "For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and
he who humbles himself shall be exalted". Luke 14:11
Has anyone ever heard of a non-Catholic church making such an apology
for sins of its members?
115.
We know because the
Catholic Church is
Based on Faith, and Not
on Feelings.
How many times have you heard someone say, I go to this church because
it is cool, or it has such lively music, or for the fellowship, or for
the children's activities, or for the minister as he does not talk
about hell or the devil? Jesus Christ founded a Church which would
serve GOD, and GOD alone, and not ourselves, and certainly not our
feelings, or to tickle our senses.
You cannot connect spirituality to emotions.
116.
We know because
history has shown that When
an Anti-Christian
Society Threatens Christianity, People Turn to the
Catholic
Church as their Refuge.
This is but one
reason why the Church has perdured for so many centuries longer than
any other Christian organization on earth. In the anti-GOD society in
which we live today, it is no wonder that the Catholic Church is
experiencing an increasingly rapid influx of New
Catholics.
During the battle of Lepanto in 1571, Christians fled to the Catholic
Church, and
prayed the rosary in conjunction with the Pope. This resulted in a
great victory over the Muslims for the vastly outnumbered Christians.
During World War II, approximately 800,000 Jews fled to the
safety of
the Vatican and were sheltered there at great risk to the Catholic
Church. Due to the efforts of the Church, they were subsequently saved
from Nazi
extermination.
The fall of Communism, predicted by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima
in 1917, was brought
about as a result of a Polish union leader soliciting the aid of the
Polish Pope of the Catholic Church.
117.
We know because in
His infinite wisdom and goodness, GOD
Can
Bring Something Good Out of Something Evil.
This is easily seen when the greatest evil ever conceived, the
Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, was turned into the greatest good, the
salvation of all mankind.
The greatest man-made evil of that time was centered in Rome, and was
the tyrannical Roman Empire. The great evil Roman Empire collapsed and
fell in 476 A.D., after an existence that spanned just over 500 years.
Now the center of all Christianity, the Catholic Church, is seated in
Vatican City, which is surrounded by Rome. Is it just a Coincidence that the
ruins of the seat of the old Roman Empire are within walking distance
of Saint Peter's Basilica, the largest Church in Christendom, and that
the great dome of St. Peter's can be seen from these same ruins?
Or is it part of GOD's plan?
"Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Romans 12:21.
Is it just another coincidence that this verse is from the Epistle to
the Romans?
118.
We know because the
very center of all Christianity, the Catholic
Church, is Situated in its Very Own City-State, the Vatican, in the
Heart of what once was Pagan Rome, but is now Christian Rome.
The Catholic Church also is represented in the United Nations as an
observer and sovereign state.
Jesus Christ said, "...but
you shall
receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be
witnesses for Me in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and even to
the very ends of the earth."
Acts 1:8
The Catholic Church is certainly the witness for Jesus
Christ, "to the
very ends of the earth", as it witnesses for Him before all of the
nations on the earth in the United Nations.
Name a non-Catholic Christian church which has such representation?
119.
We know because the
Catholic Church Commands Leadership
of
Christianity for the Whole World.
When the Holy See releases important documents there is intense
interest from every sector. Non-Catholics as well as Catholics analyze
every word and discussions abound, both pro and con. This is evidenced
with the release of Dominus
Iesus, on September 5,
2000. The rhetoric continued for
weeks in all circles and the document was reported and dissected by the
secular press around the world. The interest and attention given to
this document, as was to many others, was monumental despite the fact
that this document is just a re-iteration of what the Church has always
taught for almost 2000 years.
When Rome speaks, the whole world listens.
120.
We know because It is only the Catholic Church which
Proclaims and
Celebrates Jubilee Years.
"Seven weeks of years shall you count, seven times seven years, so that
the seven cycles amount to forty-nine years. Then on the tenth day of
the seventh month let the trumpet resound; on this, the Day of
Atonement, the trumpet blast shall re-echo throughout your land. This
fiftieth year you shall make sacred by proclaiming liberty in the land
for all its inhabitants. It shall be a JUBILEE
for you..."
Leviticus 25:8-10.
Read Leviticus 25:11-54 and 27:17-24 also, for what takes place during
a Jubilee year.
The timing of a Jubilee year is shown in Leviticus 25:8-10
and is
echoed in Ezechiel 40:1.
Ezechiel chapters 40-47 describe the rebuilding of Jerusalem, and the
temple, which are symbolic of the Church. Ezechiel chapter 47 describes
an issuing of waters from the temple (2-5) which covers the land. This
is symbolic of the graces which flow from GOD in a Jubilee year. The
water flows to a cultural desert east of Jerusalem and into the Dead
Sea (8) bringing life to something that was dead. (Note! This paragraph
is a partial summary of a talk given by Fr. Mitch Pacwa, Nov 2000)
"The Spirit
of the Lord is upon me because
He has anointed me; to bring good news to the poor He has sent me, to
proclaim the captives release, and sight to the blind; to set at
liberty the oppressed, to proclaim the Acceptable Year of the Lord, and
the Day of Recompense (Jubilee)."
Luke 4:18-19
In these two verses, Jesus quoted Isaiah 61:1-2 which is about what is
supposed to happen in a Jubilee year.
Non-Catholic Christian churches do not proclaim Jubilee
Years.
However, the Catholic Church alone, continues to do so.
121.
We know because of
the Mountain of
Circumstantial Evidence
Which Points Directly To the Catholic Church.
Jesus Christ founded only one Church as was pointed out
before in
Matthew 16:18.
In Matthew 28:20, Jesus Christ promised He would be with His Church
every day in every century, and this means with no gaps in time
whatsoever. There is only one Christian Church which can show it even
existed in the first century and which still exists to this very day.
The Catholic Church has a multitude of genuine written records going
all the way back to the time of the Apostles, and in which the Church
is mentioned by name hundreds of times. It has a library much more
extensive than has any other church, so much so, that scholars from all
over the world and from many religions search its archives.
The Catholic Church has records of the succession of the Popes from the
first one, St. Peter, to its present Pope.
Here are just a couple of examples of the weight of archaeological
evidence alone that is sufficient to point to the Catholic Church. They
are, St. Peter's tomb found under the main altar in St Peter's Basilica
in Rome, and the finding of parts of all seven Deuterocanonical books
in the Qumran library of the Dead Sea Scrolls. These seven books were
removed from the Bible by Martin Luther in the 16th century.
There is not another church on earth which can match this abundance of
evidence and from so many different sources, from Holy Scripture, to
Historical Archives, to Archeology, and more.
122.
We know because,
"The Catholic Church
Always Has What The
World Is Lacking".
G.K.Chesterton...
Christian Leadership of the Whole World...
Discernment...
Morality...
Truth...
Stability...
Spiritual Direction...
The True Presence of Jesus Christ...
123.
We know because we
can sum up the Catholic Church into one word. It is simply AWESOME.
Unlike most non-Catholic churches, when you enter a Catholic Church,
you immediately become aware that it truly is The House of GOD, and
not just a plain looking hall or barn-like building. It is Awesome in
its beauty. It is Awesome in its Liturgy. It is most sublime. There is
a feeling of Divine Presence, a feeling of Holiness that is not found
anywhere else.
From the humblest church building to the majestic Cathedrals, and even
when Mass is celebrated under the trees or stars, the Divine Presence
is felt. This incredible awesomeness staggers the mind, as we accept
the Creator in His creation, and in His Church, and we are in humble
subjection to His Kingdom on earth, for we are that Kingdom.
124.
We know because When
Jesus Christ speaks, the Catholic
Church listens.
How many others do not listen?
When He says, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear" (Matthew 11:15),
His Church hears.
*He founded one Church only by using the singular "Church",
and not
churches in Matthew 16:18.
How many say He founded all of the thousands of different non-Catholic
churches?
*He commanded all of us to hear
His One Church (singular), (Matthew 18:17).
Do all Christians obey this command?
*He commanded through the Apostles that whoever does not
receive them,
or listen to their words, (the word of His Church), go forth outside
that house or town and shake the dust off their feet.
(Matthew 10:14) Again, how many do not listen to His Church?
*He told His Apostles that he who hears them, hears Him, and
he who
rejects them rejects Him, and he who rejects Him, rejects He who sent
Him (Luke 10:16). Jesus did not leave this world devoid of His voice,
and His voice is the Catholic Church. Do you listen to His Catholic
Church, or do you reject Him? You have only these two choices.
*He commanded through St. Paul that the Church is the Pillar
and
Foundation of the Truth, (1Timothy 3:15). How many deny this command
and say it is the Bible and not the Church?
*He commanded through St. Paul that we must obey our
superiors and to
be subject to them (Hebrews 13:17). Did the founder of Protestantism,
Martin Luther, and the others who broke away during the reformation
obey this command?
*He promised that He would be with His Church every day in
every
century until the end of time, (Matthew 28:20). How many deny His
promise and say He left His Church shortly after the last book of the
Bible was written, or that His Church left Him?
*He promised that the Gates of Hell would not prevail against
His
Church (Matthew 16:18).
How many say the gates of hell did prevail?
*He said, "I
tell you and you do not
believe", (John 10:25).
How many do not believe Him when He said, "This
IS My Body" in Matthew
26:26 or, "Unless you
eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink
His blood, you have no life in you",
in
John 6:53?
The Catholic Church heard His words and believed and practices them.
How many do not believe His words, but say He was only speaking
symbolically? Again, I say, show me the symbolism?
*He said that he who is not with him is against Him, and he
who does
not gather with Him scatters (Matthew 12:30). What did He mean by this?
He meant, as He prayed for in John 10:16, "...and
there shall be One fold and One Shepherd."
The Catholic Church hears her Founder and heeds His Word by trying to
unite all Christians into One fold, while non-Catholics keep dividing
the Body of Christ into ever smaller pieces.
"He who is of
GOD hears the words of GOD.
The reason why you do not hear is that you are not of GOD." John 8:47
Since I have shown that the Catholic Church hears the words of her
founder, Jesus Christ, then she is of GOD.
He said, "Everyone
who is of the truth
hears My voice". John
18:37
There again, the Catholic Church hears His voice, so it is of the
truth, as Holy Scripture confirms in 1Timothy 3:15.
Does your church comply with what I have listed here?
"HE WHO DOES NOT BELIEVE THE SON, MAKES HIM A LIAR..."
1 JOHN 5:10
125.
How do we know? In a nutshell!
Here is a summary of what we have learned so far about the Church which
Jesus Christ founded.
It was prefigured by Old Testament prophets.
It has a Holy Founder in Jesus Christ.
It was built upon the Rock of Peter and the foundation of the Apostles.
God guaranteed that the Gates of Hell would not prevail against it.
Jesus Christ said it would last forever, as He would be with it always.
Therefore it can be found in every day, in every century, from the time
He said it.
Jesus Christ left His legacy, the Kingdom of GOD, His Church, to the
care of the Apostles.
It is guided by the Holy Spirit. Acts 15:28
It is a living Church.
It is the Mystical Body of Christ.
It can neither be confused nor separated from its head.
The thread of the Church is woven throughout Holy Scripture.
It is a Christ based Church, whereas the Bible is Catholic Church based.
It has all of the pieces to the puzzle.
It is indefectible. Ephesians 5:27
It is The Bride of Christ.
It is infallible in matters of faith and morals since it is guided by
the Holy Spirit.
It is infallible in its teaching of Holy Scripture since it is guided
by the Holy Spirit.
It fits the blueprint laid out for it in Holy Scripture.
It is a visible Church that could not be hidden.
Jesus Christ would be the invisible head and we, the body of His Church.
His Church would cover the earth. Matthew 28:19, Acts 1:8.
GOD appointed a visible Father Figure to shepherd His flock on earth,
as He had always done.
It is the Pillar and the Foundation of Truth. 1Timothy 3:15
It alone has the fullness of truth.
GOD's Church would have an hierarchal form of government.
GOD's Church would have Bishops, Priests, and Deacons within it.
It has a system of Apostolic Succession in order to perpetuate the
visible Church on earth.
It is traceable through an unbroken line of Apostolic Succession all
the way back to St. Peter.
This unbroken line is shown in secular encyclopedias as well as
Catholic archives.
It has a succession of truth in teaching all the way from Jesus Christ
down to present day Bishops.
It is almost 1500 years older than the oldest Protestant church.
It has the authority to abolish or enforce rules of conduct, through
binding and loosing.
It has the authority to forgive or to retain sins, through binding and
loosing. John 20:21-23
It teaches that we are not automatically saved, but our salvation
depends upon us as well.
It has the authority to form Councils when needed, in order to settle
the issues that arise. Acts 15
It was given the authority to decide the Canons of both the Old and New
Testaments of Scripture.
It decided the Canon of both testaments by infallible decision of
several Councils.
It more finely develops revealed public revelation.
It does not twist Scripture to conform to its teachings. It conforms
its teaching to Scripture.
It has faithfully copied and preserved Holy Scripture down through the
ages.
It has known that The Word was Heard and not Read by the masses before
the printing press.
It has the final authority. Matthew 18:15-18
It holds many traditions which are followed by Catholics and
Protestants alike.
It is an "And" Church, not "Or".
It is a teaching Church as commanded by Holy Scripture.
It is consistent in its teaching and does not 'flip-flop' as do other
churches for the whims of people.
It faithfully feeds the sheep as commanded by Jesus Christ.
It is rock solid and unchanging in its teaching.
It stands upon a solid three legged stool, of Scripture, of Apostolic
Tradition, and the Magisterium.
It is the guardian of both Sacred Scripture and of Sacred Tradition.
It has the True Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Matthew
26:26
The Apostles knew that the truth was in Jesus Christ and in His one
true Church.
It has Eucharistic Adoration.
It offers a clean oblation around the world and around the clock, in
the Holy Mass. Malachi 1:11
In every minute of every day, a Mass is being celebrated somewhere.
It venerates Christ on the Cross as a sacrifice and not just a plain
cross devoid of Christ.
It preaches the Gospel to the whole world. Matthew 24:14
It has produced many thousands of Holy Saints.
The Church venerates the Mother of GOD. Luke 1:26-56
The Church venerates the Saints who have done so much for it.
The Mother of GOD is also the Mother of the Church. John 19:26-27
It has all seven Sacraments.
It treats marriage as a Sacrament.
It has an annulment procedure.
It has many varied Devotions.
It can be found by its name, the Catholic Church, in thousands of early
writings.
It can be shown from these same writings that it is the same Church
which Jesus Christ founded.
It houses the remains of all of the Apostles and Gospel writers.
It is the New Jerusalem.
It is our Mother Church.
It has withstood the ravages of thousands of detractors and heretics
from its very foundation.
It has performed many successful exorcisms.
It is unbending and unmovable in its pro-life stance.
It has scores of separate services of help. 1Corinthians 12:28
It preaches the Word of GOD to the entire world through E.W.T.N. and
other resources.
It tries to unite all of Christianity into one fold.
It has incredible openness.
It has provided us with a comprehensive catechism.
It has a vast influx of intellectuals.
It has had a spectacular growth, with over one billion Catholics in the
world now.
It has the Holy Spirit dwelling within it.
It has humbled itself by apologizing to GOD for the past sins of some
of its members.
It is the most outspoken advocate of morality on earth.
It has issued so many beautiful Papal documents which are guidelines
for the whole world.
It has the largest collection of authentic Christian documents in the
world in the Vatican archives.
It is the last refuge for those who are persecuted.
It is because the "Pillar and the foundation of truth" has said so.
It is because common sense tells us so.
It is the undisputed leader of Christianity in the world.
It is its own City-State, and is represented in the United Nations.
Acts 1:8
When Rome speaks, the whole world listens.
It is the only Christian Church which proclaims Jubilee years.
Circumstantial evidence points to the Catholic Church and only the
Catholic Church.
The Catholic Church hears and listens carefully to Jesus Christ, her
founder.
It always has what the world is lacking.
It is simply Awesome.
For the Catholic Church, the answer is "Yes" to all of these.
How does
your church compare?
How many other Christian
Churches can match even one category of what I have put forth so far?
126.
We know because of
the nonsensical Lack
of Doctrinal Unity
in Other Christian Churches.
It stands to
reason that only one church can have the fullness of truth.
"...and there
shall be ONE FOLD AND ONE
SHEPHERD."
John 10:16
"Sanctify
them in the truth. Your word is
truth. Even as you have sent Me into the world, so I have sent them
into the world. And for them I sanctify myself, that they also may be
sanctified in truth. Yet not for these only do I pray, but for those
also who through their word are to believe in Me, that ALL MAY BE ONE,
EVEN AS YOU, FATHER, IN ME AND I IN YOU; THAT THEY ALSO MAY BE ONE IN
US, THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE SENT ME. AND THE GLORY
THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN ME, I HAVE GIVEN TO THEM, THAT THEY MAY BE ONE,
EVEN AS WE ARE ONE: I IN THEM AND YOU IN ME; THAT THEY MAY BE PERFECT
IN UNITY, AND THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW THAT YOU HAVE SENT ME, AND THAT
YOU HAVE LOVED THEM EVEN AS YOU HAVE LOVED ME."
John 17:17-23
"ONE BODY AND ONE SPIRIT, even as you were called in
ONE HOPE of
your calling; ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM; ONE GOD AND FATHER OF
ALL, WHO IS ABOVE ALL, AND THROUGHOUT ALL, AND IN US ALL."
Ephesians 4:4-6
"For whoever keeps the whole law, BUT OFFENDS IN ONE POINT,
HAS BECOME
GUILTY IN ALL."
James 2:10
May then the GOD of patience and of comfort grant you to be
of
ONE MIND towards one another according to Jesus Christ; that,
ONE
IN SPIRIT, you may with ONE MOUTH glorify the GOD and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ."
Romans 15:5-6
"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ,
that you all say the same thing; and that there be no dissensions among
you, but that you be perfectly united in ONE MIND and in ONE JUDGMENT."
1Corinthians 1:10
"Because the BREAD IS ONE, WE THOUGH MANY, ARE ONE BODY, ALL
OF US WHO
PARTAKE OF THE ONE BREAD."
1Corinthians 10:17
"Only let your lives be worthy of the Gospel of Christ; so
that,
whether I come and see you, or remain absent, I may hear about you,
that you are steadfast in ONE SPIRIT, with ONE MIND striving together
for the faith of the Gospel."
Philippians 1:27
There you have it, Jesus Christ, St. John, St. Paul, and St.
James, all
calling for ONENESS AND UNITY. Since the advent of the
Reformation, those pleas have fallen upon deaf ears and have been
grossly ignored.
According to the World Almanac for 1953, there were in the
United
States, 20 different organizations of Methodists, 22 kinds of Baptists,
10 branches of Presbyterians, 13 organizations of Mennonites, 18 of
Lutherans, and many splits in other denominations.
To this day Protestant churches have multiplied to over
36,400
denominations and are still increasing. Every time a new one is added,
the Body of Christ is split more and more. Which one has the fullness
of truth? Which one is true to Holy Scripture and does not "Offend in
ONE point"?
Where is the ONE mind, ONE mouth, ONE judgment, and ONE in
spirit in
Protestantism?
Apparently, none of the thousands of denominations read the above
verses.
"And if a
house is divided against itself,
that house cannot stand".
Mark 3:25
United in ONE, is GOD's plan.
Divide and conquer, is Satan's plan.
127.
We know because of
the Shotgun Analogy,
as Pointed out by
Marcus Grodi. (Mr Grodi
is a former
Protestant minister who is now Catholic)
If you fired a non-Catholic shotgun and a Catholic shotgun
at a
wall, the two resulting shot patterns would represent the opinions of
those within their respective Churches, whether they be liberal,
conservative, etc.. Upon close examination of the Catholic pattern, we
always would know who is in the center, as it is the Pope and the
Magisterium. However, by careful examination of the non-Catholic
pattern, how can we possibly determine who is in the center?
128.
We know because The
Catholic Church is the Most Hated Christian Church in the World.
Just as the Catholic Church is the Body of Christ, so she naturally
must follow the trials and tribulations of her founder and Head. His
physical body endured an unmerciful persecution and scourging, and so
must His Mystical Body, the Catholic Church, endure the same.
A comparison between Jesus Christ and His Mystical Body. They
are one
and cannot be separated.
What happened to the One also happens to the other.
Jesus Christ
persecuted..................................His Mystical Body, the Catholic
Church persecuted...
They rebelled against
His
Authority......................They rebel against its Authority. 2Peter
2:10
They said Crucify Him.........................................They have
tried to destroy it for 2000 years.
He is called Beelzebub..........................................It is
run by Satan. Matthew 10:25.
He is a false messiah............................................It is
a false church. Luke 22:70-71
He called Himself the Son of GOD.......................It claims it was
founded by GOD, Matthew 16:18.
He called Himself Truth.......................................It claims
to be infallible, 1Timothy 3:15.
He called Himself King........................................It says
it is the only true Church, Matthew 16:18.
He could not sin...................................................It
has no spot or wrinkle, Ephesians 5:27.
He was not be believed by many...........................It is not
believed by many. Luke 22:67
He was denied by many........................................It is
denied by many. Luke 22:57-60
Not understanding Him, they walked away...........Not understanding it,
they walk away. John 6:66
He had false accusers...........................................It has
false accusers. Mark 14:56-59
He was mocked....................................................It is
mocked. Luke 23:35-37
He was scandalized..............................................It is
scandalized. Luke 17:1-2
He was hated without a cause...............................It is hated
without a cause. John 15:18-25
His accuser, Judas, died.......................................Its
accusers die,
but still, the Church lives on.
His enemies would stumble and fall......................Its enemies
stumble and fall.
John 18:6
We have no king but Caesar.................................We have no
need of it, as we have the Bible.
Can anything good come out of Nazareth?............Can anything good
come from Rome? John 1:46
They cried out, "Not this one but Barabbas".........It is also rejected
by the world. John 15:18-25
He bore His Cross................................................It
bears a cross also, the cross of persecution.
He died on the Cross............................................It has
thousands of martyrs, many on crosses.
1970 years later, He lives, stronger than ever........1970
years later,
it lives, stronger than ever.
However, no matter how hard the persecutors try...
His Kingdom will last forever, Daniel 7:14, Hebrews 1:8.
His Church will last until the end of the world as promised by Him in
Matthew 28:20.
"BEHOLD, I HAVE GIVEN
YOU POWER TO TREAD
UPON SERPENTS AND SCORPIONS, AND OVER ALL THE MIGHT OF THE ENEMY; AND
NOTHING SHALL HURT YOU."
Luke 10:19
"Do not be a stumbling block to Jews and Greeks AND TO THE
CHURCH OF
GOD"
1Corinthians 10:32
Anyone who persecutes the Catholic Church has made himself/herself a
stumbling block to the Church of GOD. It is a clear violation of Holy
Scripture.
"For I am the least of the Apostles, and I AM NOT WORTHY TO
BE CALLED
AN APOSTLE, BECAUSE I PERSECUTED THE CHURCH OF GOD." 1Corinthians 15:9
"Do not be surprised, brethren, IF THE WORLD HATES YOU."
1John 3:13
"IF THE WORLD
HATES YOU, KNOW THAT IT
HATED ME BEFORE YOU.
IF YOU WERE OF THE WORLD, THE WORLD WOULD LOVE ITS OWN. BUT BECAUSE YOU
ARE NOT OF THE WORLD, BUT I HAVE CHOSEN YOU OUT OF THE WORLD, THEREFORE
THE WORLD HATES YOU.
REMEMBER THE WORD THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU: NO SERVANT IS GREATER THAN
HIS MASTER. IF THEY HAVE PERSECUTED ME, THEY WILL PERSECUTE YOU ALSO;
IF THEY HAVE KEPT MY WORD, THEY WILL KEEP YOURS ALSO.
BUT ALL OF THESE THINGS THEY WILL DO TO YOU FOR MY NAME'S SAKE, BECAUSE
THEY DO NOT KNOW HIM WHO SENT ME.
IF I HAD NOT COME AND SPOKEN TO THEM, THEY WOULD HAVE NO SIN. BUT NOW
THEY HAVE NO EXCUSE FOR THEIR SIN. HE WHO HATES ME HATES MY FATHER
ALSO. IF I HAD NOT DONE AMONG THEM WORKS SUCH AS NO ONE ELSE HAS DONE,
THEY WOULD HAVE NO SIN. BUT NOW THEY HAVE SEEN, AND HAVE HATED BOTH ME
AND MY FATHER;
BUT THAT THE WORD WRITTEN IN THEIR LAW MAY BE FULFILLED, 'THEY HAVE
HATED ME WITHOUT CAUSE', (Psalms 35:19)".
John 15:18-25
I would say that Jesus Christ said it all in these verses written with
the inspired pen of Saint John wouldn't you?
Name
another Church which is attacked so much on a daily basis as is the
Catholic Church?
Jesus Christ warned us, "You
will be HATED
BY ALL NATIONS for My Name's sake."
Matthew 24:9
"Blessed are
you when men reproach you,
and persecute you, and speaking falsely, say all manner of evil against
you, for My sake. REJOICE AND EXULT, BECAUSE YOUR REWARD IS GREAT IN
HEAVEN; for so did they persecute the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12
Every time you see someone persecuting the Catholic Church,
or speaking
falsely against her, be happy, because those people are merely helping
Catholics to gain their eternal reward in Heaven.
It is a promise from Jesus Christ Himself.
A message from Bishop Fulton J. Sheen...
"If I were not a Catholic, and were looking for the true Church in the
world today, I would look for the one Church which did not get along
well with the world; in other words, I would look for the Church which
the world hates. My reason for doing this would be, that if Christ is
in any one of the churches in the world today, He must still be hated
as He was when He was on earth in the flesh. If you would find Christ
today, then find the Church that does not get along with the world.
Look for the Church which is hated by the world, as Christ was hated by
the world. Look for the Church which is accused of being behind the
times, as Our Lord was accused of being ignorant and of never having
learned. Look for the Church which men sneer at as socially inferior,
as they sneered at Our Lord because He came from Nazareth. Look for the
Church which is accused of having a devil, as Our Lord was accused of
being possessed by Beelzebub, the Prince of Devils. Look for the Church
which, in seasons of bigotry, men say must be destroyed in the name of
GOD as men crucified Christ and thought they had done a service to GOD.
Look for the Church which the world rejects because it claims it is
infallible, as Pilate rejected Christ because He called Himself The
Truth. Look for the Church which is rejected by the world as Our Lord
was rejected by men. Look for the Church which amid the confusion of
conflicting opinions, its members love as they love Christ, and respect
its Voice as the very voice of its Founder, and the suspicion will
grow, that if the Church is unpopular with the spirit of the world,
then it is unworldly, and if it is unworldly, it is other-worldly.
Since it is other-worldly it is infinitely loved and infinitely hated
as was Christ Himself. But only that which is Divine can be infinitely
hated and infinitely loved. Therefore the Church is Divine."
Msgr (at the time of writing) Fulton J. Sheen D.D..
Preface to Radio Replies Volume #1, Fr. Leslie Rumble and Fr. Charles
Carty, a Tan
Book.
129.
We know because It is the Catholic Church Alone Which Does
Not Conform
to This World. It Conforms Instead to the Will of GOD.
It is criticized from
all sectors for not
bending to secular changes and worldly ideas. As pointed out
previously, other ecclesial communities have "changed with the times"
over and over again as secular pressures arise to allow contraception,
abortion, divorce, etc.. They bend to the "will of the people" instead
of holding fast to the will of GOD.
GOD never changes so why do they change their teaching with the times?
"My Kingdom is not of
this world..." said
Jesus Christ in John 18:36, and His Kingdom
, as previously
pointed out, is His Catholic Church.
"If you were of the
world, the world would
love what is its own. But BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT OF THE WORLD, BUT I HAVE
CHOSEN YOU OUT OF THE WORLD, THEREFORE THE WORLD HATES YOU." John 15:19
"I have given them your
word; and the
world has hated them, BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT OF THE WORLD, EVEN AS I AM
NOT OF THE WORLD. I do not pray that you take them out of the world,
but that you keep them from evil. THEY ARE NOT OF THE WORLD, EVEN AS I
AM NOT OF THE WORLD."
John 17:14-16
Did you notice that in verses 14 and 16, Jesus Christ repeated Himself?
Why does anyone repeat himself? It is to drive home an
important
message.
The Catholic Church is not loved by many, simply because she listens to
and heeds the words of her founder, Jesus Christ, instead of being
swayed by secular opinions and pressures. The Catholic Church did
indeed get the message.
As pointed out in the previous segment, since the Catholic Church is
not worldly, therefore it is other-worldly. The Body of Christ is of
the same world as is the Head of Christ.
130.
We know because It is the Catholic Church Alone Which is the
Unbending
and Unmovable Fortress Against the Three Greatest Temptations of
Mankind: The World, The Flesh, and The Devil.
1. Against the world,
as pointed out in
the previous segment, that it does not conform to worldly pressures to
change to worldly ideas, but instead, it holds to the commands of Jesus
Christ.
2. Against the flesh, because it holds to the highest moral standards
of any institution on earth.
3. Against the Devil, because, who else performs exorcisms of Satan and
of his demons if it is not the Catholic Church?
131.
We know from the
fact that Detractors Have
Not, and Will
Never be Able to Show That the Catholic Church is NOT the Church
which Jesus
Christ Founded. There
is simply too much
documented historical evidence against them, for which I have already
listed numerous examples. Every Christian church can be traced back to
a named human person founder, that is, all except for one, and that ONE
is the true Church which the Divine person of Jesus Christ founded.
132.
We know because Those who Make False Charges Against the
Catholic
Church Never Have Official Documented Proof of What They Charge. Always ask the detractor for official
documents of
what they charge and you will find that they have none, or at best a
quote or a footnote from another detractor, who in turn had no proof of
what he said.
Non Catholic detractors make all sorts of false charges against the
Catholic Church trying to prove or disprove this or that. I am forced
to point out to these people what Holy Scripture has to say about being
Truthful at all times, and
the dire
consequences they will face if they persist in spreading lies and in
calumnizing the Church. Read what happens to liars in Revelation 21:27.
A. They
charge that the Catholic Church apostatized soon after it was formed
and therefore the Church of today is not the same Church as the
original Church.
Immediately, they have called Jesus Christ a liar (1John 5:10), for He
promised to be with His Church forever, as in Matthew 28:20. They
called Him a liar again by inferring that the gates of hell did prevail
against His Church in Matthew 16:18.
If the detractors think what they say is true, then have them explain
why the historians of Christianity, the Church Fathers, in all of their
thousands of writings, had not once mentioned even a hint of such a
"monumental event"? It would seem that the Church which Jesus Christ
founded, by going into apostasy, would be the biggest, most news worthy
event since the resurrection. Ask them to provide you with the
documents which "prove" what they charge, or to retract the charge.
B. They
charge that "since I cannot find it
in the Bible,
it simply did not happen and is therefore not to be believed, or does
not exist". Ask them to show you in the Bible where it says,
"everything is in it"? They cannot do it, as nowhere in Holy Scripture
does it say that. It does, however, say that "everything is NOT in it". See John 20:30-31 and
John 21:25.
How can these people believe in the Trinity, or the Incarnation, or
even the Bible itself, since none of these words can be found between
its covers? How can they equally believe in the things I have previously shown, since none of
them can be found
in Holy Scripture either? Anyone who fails to look for documents
outside of the Bible, will never have the full truth, and Half Truths are no truth
at all.
C. They try
in vain to "prove" that Peter was never given Primacy
over the other Apostles, and thus could not have been the first Pope.
The evidence they supply is simply so flimsy that it is non existent.
They point out that it was James who presided over the Council of
Jerusalem
(Acts 15:13-21). James was the Bishop of Jerusalem, but the detractors
of Peter ignore Acts 15:7, where Peter said, "GOD made choice among us
that through MY MOUTH the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel
and believe". Who made the choice? GOD did. The evidence that Peter did
in fact receive primacy is overwhelming. Read the link above for a
plenitude of evidence that Peter, was indeed given Primacy, by the
Father, by the Son, and by Holy Scripture.
D. They
attack Peter again by saying that never was he in Rome,
and thus could not have been the first Pope. Ask them to show you the
documentation to "prove" what they charge. They will simply reply that
"they cannot find it in the Bible". See "B"
above. Once again, there are scores of Church Father
writings attesting to the fact that Peter was indeed in Rome, and in
fact he was crucified there in 67 A.D.. That fact is also in recorded
secular history writings of the time. However, as I have said before,
the detractors simply refuse to read the documented history of
Christianity before the reformation.
I ask this question of those who deny
that the
Catholic Church is the Church which Jesus Christ founded:
"Since He founded only One Church, as Scripture clearly shows in
Matthew 16:18, and since He guaranteed the Perpetuality
of that Church in the same verse and in so many other verses, then
please tell me the name of the Church which He did found? After all, it
must still be here and it must have a name, isn't that true?"
I have never received a serious answer to that question.
133.
We know because
Catholics can easily show that Many
Non-Catholic Sects do NOT Follow the Teaching of GOD in Holy Scripture. Their preachings and teachings of hatred
for the
Catholic Church echo what Satan, the enemy of GOD and His Church, would
say, not what GOD has said. This includes some large mainline
denominations as well.
We are all GOD's children, and Jesus Christ left us with just two
commandments. We must love GOD and we must love our neighbor. Our
neighbor is EVERYONE.
"Thou shall
love the Lord thy GOD with thy
whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind. This is
the greatest and the first commandment. And the second is like it, THOU
SHALL LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF."
Matthew 22:37-39
"For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: YOU SHALL LOVE
YOUR
NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
Galatians 5:14
"If you love
Me, keep My commandments."
John 14:15
Anyone who says he loves GOD but hates his neighbor is a
hypocrite, a
liar, and a heretic.
The Catholic Church is the people within it, not the buildings. When
you attack the Church, you attack the Body of Christ which are the
members of it (Romans 12:5). A malicious attack on the Church is an
attack on the Body, and whatever happens to the Body is registered in
the Head.
Why then, do some non-Catholic sects attack the Catholic Church with
these malicious lies?
* The Catholic Church was founded by Satan.
Where are your documents to prove this? Didn't you read about
Exorcisms
above?
* The Catholic Church is not
the Church which Jesus
Christ founded.
Prove this with documents?
Also please name the Church that He did found...with documents
please?
* The Catholic Church apostatized at the time of Constantine.
Prove this baseless charge with genuine historical documents. Those who
charge this are calling Jesus Christ a liar (1John 5:10), as He
promised the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church
(Matthew 16:18), and He promised He would be with His Church forever
(Matthew 28:20).
* The Catholic Church is the whore of Babylon.
Detractors mistranslate this from Revelation 17:9, "...seven mountains
upon which the woman sits...". They say it is Rome, the seat of the
Vatican. However, if any of them had ever been to Rome, they would have
easily seen that Rome has seven low hills, not mountains, and all seven
are across the Tiber River from the Vatican.
When you hear this from a non-Catholic just smile and say, "Thank you
very much for confirming that the Catholic Church is the true Church
which Jesus Christ founded, for you are doing exactly what Jesus Christ
said you would do."
"It is enough for the
disciple to be like
his teacher, and for the servant to be like his master. If they have
called the master of the house Beelzebub, HOW MUCH MORE THOSE OF HIS
HOUSEHOLD!"
Matthew 10:25
* The Pope is the beast of 666.
Show me your documented proof? Of course, there never is any.
*The Pope has engraved on his miter, "Vicar of the Son of
GOD".
This title adds up to 666 in Roman numerals, but unfortunately
for
those who say this, it was never one of his titles. This is a 'twist'
on "Vicar of Christ", which is one of his titles, but, alas,
it
does not add up to 666. Satan has his fingerprints all over this one.
* All Catholics are going to hell.
Tell me, "How do you know who is going to hell, and who isn't"? Does
GOD tell you?
What about those who do not keep GOD's commandment to love thy
neighbor? Where do they go?
Whatever happened to, "Judge not lest you be judged" (Luke 6:37)?
These are but a few of the false charges made against the
Catholic
Church by people who call themselves "Christians".
Why do some in other denominations say these things?
They try to justify their existence by calumnizing the Church which
Jesus Christ founded. It was part of the plan of the reformers. If you
break from the Church of truth, what justification can you possibly
show for doing so? There can be only one truth, so the only other
recourse is to try to show error. If the proofs of error are not to be
found, then invent some. Thus the invention becomes a lie.
Interestingly, all of these false charges melt away when the
detractors
are asked for authentic historical documentation of the charges they
make against the Catholic Church. The only "documentation" they have,
is simply a writing from another calumnizer of the Church.
I do not have to name these other churches as I am sure
everyone knows
which ones they are. Be it known that those who say these things are
not obedient to GOD and do not follow Holy Scripture.
"A good tree
cannot bear bad fruit, nor
can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good
fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits
you will know them."
Matthew 7:18-20
People who propagate these lies, bear bad fruit, and so stand
convicted
out of their own mouths.
There can be only one conclusion drawn as to why some continually
attack the Catholic Church in spite of GOD's command to "Love Thy
Neighbor".
It is obvious that their hatred of the Catholic Church is greater than
their love for GOD.
I invite all detractors to drop the attacks against the
Catholic
Church, that is, if they are true followers of Jesus Christ, and to put
their efforts towards obeying the Word of the Lord instead.
134.
We know because No one can find a verse in Holy Scripture
which gives
authority to any person to found another church other than the ONE
which Jesus Christ founded.
Since non-Catholic ecclesial communities are all Bible based
and
believe in the man made doctrine of Sola Scriptura, how then can they
continue to split the Body of Christ into smaller and smaller pieces if
Scripture does not give them any authority to do so?
135.
We know because Not One Non-Catholic Church can show, by any
means,
that it was Founded by Jesus Christ.
I have sent this file to militant non-Catholics and I have asked them
to refute it and to show me just ONE PROOF that their church
was
founded by Jesus Christ, and they simply cannot do it.
Not one can:
*Trace their origin back to the time of the Apostles.
*Claim the Apostles
as belonging to their church.
*Show that they have a valid Priesthood.
*Claim the True Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
*Show that they have the Authority.
*Claim the fullness of Truth.
*Show that they have Doctrinal Unity.
*Adjudicate disputes in Bible teaching and beliefs among themselves.
*Show that they hold the same Doctrine as the Early Church.
*Prove the existence of the false doctrine of Sola Scriptura before the
Reformation, and the invention of the printing press in 1450.
All can only:
*Trace their origins back to only a Human
Founder.
*Trace their origins back only to less than 500 years.
*Deny the Authority of the Church established by Jesus Christ. However,
they never do have documented proof of this denial.
*Claim their Authority is Bible only, even though the Bible does not
say that.
*Claim that each member is his/her own "pope" regarding Bible
interpretation.
*Show their disunity with other Protestant Churches, because for every
doctrine (except for the existence of GOD), taught
by one non-Catholic church, it is denied by
another.
136.
We know because of
the Lack of
Historicity of Non-Catholic
Churches.
They disregard genuine historical documents from the time of the
writing of the Book of Revelation, around 90-95 A.D., until the
reformation beginning in 1517. This is an historical gap of over 1400
years, from which they draw almost a total blank. There are literally
thousands of historical writings available which cover this 1400 year
period. There are hundreds of authentic historical writers during this
same period which are ignored. How can over 1400 years of genuine
historical documents be ignored by anyone who, in good conscience, is
searching for the truth?
137.
We know because Non-Catholic Ecclesial Communities are
Either
Imploding, or Dividing at Ever Increasing Rates, whereas at the same
time, the Catholic Church is Experiencing Outstanding Phenomenal Growth.
In the summer of 2000,
the Southern
Baptists split yet again, this time over the ordination of women, and
that women should be submissive to their husbands.
The Methodists split because of an "Unholy Union" (they called it a
'holy union') administered between two females, which was approved by a
Methodist Bishop and about 65 ministers.
Recently, in my area, an independent community split in half because of
a doctrinal dispute.
The Anglican church is in deep trouble ever since they approved the
ordination of women in the early 1990's. Since then, they have lost
more than 1200 priests and Bishops, and many lay people, in conversions
to the Catholic Church. This is just one reason, out of many, for the
recent rapid growth of the Catholic Church.
The Lutheran Church underwent turmoil in February 2001, because an
admitted homosexual was ordained to the priesthood. Is there yet
another division brewing here?
Whats next? Does GOD approve of all of these abominations which are
strictly against Holy Scripture?
138.
We know because
detractors who say the Catholic Church was not founded by Jesus Christ,
are unable to name the person Who
Founded
the Catholic Church if it were Not Jesus Christ. The reason why detractors cannot name a
human person
founder of the Catholic Church is simply that there was none. There is
no one to name. However, Catholics can easily name those who founded the non-Catholic Christian
churches. They
were mere men and woman, and they are undeniably recorded in the
history books. Many were former Catholic priests. Many were false prophets
.
"Beware of
the false prophets, who come to
you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. By their
fruits you will know them...."
Matthew 7:15-16
The cults were founded by the false prophet.
Just to name a few, and the fruits they produced:
*Seventh-Day
Adventists, founded by Ellen Gould White. She made many false
prophecies.
Deuteronomy 13:1-6, 18:10-22
*Jehovah's
Witnesses, founded by Charles Taze Russell. Jehovah's Witnesses rewrote
the Bible to suit their own teachings.
Deuteronomy 4:2, 13:1, Revelation 22:18-19
*Mormons,
founded by Joseph Smith. He wrote a whole new book, the Book of Mormon,
of which he elevated even above the Bible.
Galatians 1:8-9
*I will
provide the URL for the proofs of what I have said here upon request.
139.
We know the
Catholic Church is the True Church because Satanists, the enemies of God in total hatred, mock the Catholic Church only, not the Reformed churches. They mock the
Consecrated
Holy Eucharist, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and anything Catholics
proclaim Holy. Isn't it strange that they always try to steal Holy
Eucharists in order to desecrate them in their demonic black masses?
They know without question, that it is the true presence of their arch
enemy, the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ.
I know that in my own parish, some have seen them trying to conceal the
Holy Eucharist on their person without consuming it, and then they
attempt to leave the Mass. We follow them and retrieve Jesus. Children
have been paid to perform these abominations, so they can deliver the
Eucharistic Host to the Satanists for their diabolical deeds against
it. The Satanists believe their acts against the Holy Eucharist are
true because they know it really is Jesus Christ. They want to hurt Our
Lord and they believe this is the way to do it. We all have to be on
constant watch to insure that this does not happen.
During Eucharistic Adoration, there is always a loyal Catholic present
during the time of exposition, to guard against it being stolen and
removed from the Church. If a person or demon did not know what it was,
then why would they try to steal it?
A better proof there could not be.
The devil knows very well the truth of the True Presence, even though
non-Catholics deny it.
"Now in the synagogue there was a man possessed by an unclean
devil,
and he cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'LET US ALONE! WHAT HAVE WE
TO DO WITH YOU, JESUS OF NAZARETH? HAVE YOU COME TO DESTROY US? I KNOW
YOU, WHO YOU ARE, THE HOLY ONE OF GOD'."
Luke 4:33-34
Another man with an unclean spirit:
"...and crying out with a loud voice he said, 'What have I to do with
you, JESUS, SON OF THE MOST HIGH GOD? I adjure you by GOD, do not
torment me!' For He was saying to him,
'Go out of the man, you unclean spirit'."
Mark 5:7-8
"You believe that there is one GOD. You do well. THE DEVILS ALSO
BELIEVE AND TREMBLE."
James 2:19
Have you ever heard of Satanists breaking into a non-Catholic
Church in
order to steal something which was considered holy by non-Catholics?
140.
We know from the
merciless Persecution Against the
Catholic Church,
from within and from without, since its inception. These Persecutions
were foretold by Jesus Christ Himself, in
Matthew 5:11-12, Luke 6:26, and in many other verses. These attacks
were from the very beginning, and started with the Jews. Look what
happened to them instead! Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed and
every Jewish priest was slain by the Romans in 70 A.D.. Judaism was
almost completely destroyed. Then came the Romans who burned Christians
at the stake and fed them to the lions. They, in turn, and their empire
with them were destroyed in 476 A.D.. Then came the Nestorians, Arians,
Vandals, Moslems, Waldenses, Albigensians, Catharists, Protestantism,
the French Revolution, Modernism, Nazism, Communism, Dissidents, and
now Secular Humanism, Fundamentalism, Relativism, Indifferentism, and
Hedonism. There are many more heretical groups and beliefs which are
not listed here.
"There is not enough time in the day for me to recite even
the names
of all the various sects of heretics."
Saint Ambrose of Milan, The Mystery of the Lord's Incarnation, 5,35,
382 A.D.
Those who take pleasure in kicking "The Rock", have never
learned that
all they will ever accomplish is to hurt their own foot.
They never learned
either, that those who
are ignorant of history are prone to repeat its mistakes.
Where are all of these attackers today? Most are gone, some of the
others are splintered so badly that they are practically impotent, and
some are still with us temporarily. There will always be new ones
popping up, like weeds amongst the wheat. After all, you cannot have a
rose without a thorn.
"...And at
harvest time I will say to the
reapers: gather up the weeds first and bind them in bundles to burn;
but gather the wheat into My barn."
Matthew 13:30
"It is an unhappy ending for those who attack the Catholic
Church."
Saint Robert Bellarmine 1542-1621
"This Church is Holy, the One Church, the True Church, the
Catholic
Church, fighting as she does against all heresies. She can fight, but
she cannot be beaten. All heresies are expelled from her, like the
useless loppings pruned from a vine. She remains fixed in her root, in
her vine, in her love. The gates of hell shall not conquer her."
Saint Augustine of Hippo, Sermon to Catechumens, on the Creed, 6,14,
395 A.D.
After all of this, where is the Catholic Church today?
The Catholic Church is still here, still very much viable, still
preaching and teaching the truth of Jesus Christ, as it has been doing
for almost 2000 years, and... it is still growing.
GOD has won. Satan has lost.
With all of
this against
it, how on earth did the Catholic Church ever survive
for almost two millennia? The answer to that one is easy, as Holy
Scripture gives us the answers...
"Fear not,
for I am with thee: turn not
aside, for I am your GOD. I have strengthened thee,
and have helped thee, and the right hand of My Just One hath upheld
thee.
Behold all that fight against thee shall be confounded (split into 36,400 pieces maybe?) and ashamed, they shall be as nothing, and
the men
shall perish that strive against thee."
Isaias 41:10-11
"And they
shall fight against thee, and
shall not prevail,
for I am with thee, said the Lord, to deliver thee."
Jeremiah 1:19
Did you not know that Jesus Christ is the savior of His Body
the Church?
"... just as Christ is head of the Church, being himself savior of the
body."
Ephesians 5:23
So...
"If GOD
is for us, who is against us?"
Romans 8:31
What force on earth would give you trepidation, if the Lord
of Lords,
and the King of Kings is with you?
©
Written by Bob
Stanley, June 24, 2000
Updated December 6, 2006
Updated April 4, 2007
Note! When
I speak of the Catholic Church in this
file, I include all of the rites which have a valid priesthood and all
seven sacraments.
"Have I made you my enemy
because I told you the truth?"
Galations 4:16
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