Apostolic Supremacy

by Clinton D. Hamilton via The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 7, May 1952. The real issue with reference to religious division is which church is the true one. In an almost unanimous voice, religious people affirm that for a church to be the true one it must teach the identical doctrines revealed by the apostles. The…

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Must I confess my sins to a priest to be forgiven?

Question: I was born into a Catholic faith but a non-church going family. I have now and “always” had a problem with the Catholic faith saying that we cannot get absolution unless we have confessed our sins to a priest. I have not been to confession in over 40 years. I do pray almost daily,…

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Who are you to judge Catholics?

Question: I read your page about Catholics; who are you to judge? I think if your heart is into preaching this much maybe you should reach for the lost or non-believers or even possibly people that attend church regularly but believe they are saved for that mere fact. Answer: A classic response: In telling me not…

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You should delete your information on Roman Catholicism

Question: Hi, I just wanted to inform you that the segment on your website when the question “What is the difference between Catholicism and Christianity?” has a very misleading answer. Much of the information is incorrect. I have studied a lot about Catholicism, and it was offensive in the ways you portrayed them. If you…

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Why are you bashing the Roman Catholic Church?

Question: I just had a question for you. I was browsing your web site (which is very nicely made, I might add) and I saw a question and it was answered about what is wrong with the Catholic Church. It seemed to me that what was answered was mostly bashing the Catholic Church, more than just…

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The Catholic Church and The Bible

by Dennis Tucker Recent articles in the local newspaper have dealt with the Catholic Church and whether or not it is of Christ. Some view such discussions as being non-Christ like. They think everybody has a right to their own faith and all faiths are alike. Therefore, one can be a Catholic, Protestant, Jew, or…

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Do I need to keep foolish promises I made in the past?

Question: I have been worrying about things in the past. Before I became a Christian I was scared and considered being a nun. In prayer, I think I spoke concerning being a nun because I was scared of going to hell. I am not 100% sure I stated as a fact I would become one…

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Were the Apocrypha books accepted as canon before the Council of Trent?

Question: Again I question your dates. You say that the Catholic Church added the “Apocryphal” books to the Bible in 1546 AD. I’m assuming you are talking about the Council of Trent, the Church’s response to the Reformation. You are correct in saying that the Church affirmed that the “Apocryphal” books are Scripture. However, you…

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Does your timeline for Roman Catholic beliefs have some errors?

Question: Hi, I read your web page on why some Catholic teachings are wrong. I would like to point out some of what I think are fallacies of your argument and I’d appreciate a response. Starting with your timeline: Priests Early 2nd Century – Separation of clergy and laity, this also goes with your argument that…

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Is it wrong to get married in a different church?

Question: I have a question. I took your advice and want to get married. My mum, my wife-to-be, and I are cool with getting married in a Lutheran church. Our bone of contention comes from our best man and woman who are born again, like ourselves. They will not do a wedding at a Lutheran…

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What are some proper activities for a divorced woman?

Question: I am a divorced Catholic. After 40 years of what I thought was a good marriage, my husband abandoned me for another woman. I stay within all the guidelines of the Catholic church and feel ‘safe’ with activities within the church. I still act in every way as married since I don’t have an annulment, and I…

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Is the Papacy Biblical?

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 16:13-20   I.         The world was fascinated with the process the Roman Catholic Church used to pick a new pope.             A.        We were given detailed accounts of all the traditions surrounding a pope’s selection             B.        We were shown the events step by step.             C.        But in all the hoopla, how many wondered where…

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The Bible Alone Is the Standard

by David J. Riggs from Catholic Teaching Examined The apostle Paul said, “…How that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of…

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Does the mother church interpret the Bible for Catholics?

Question: I am Catholic and was asked why Catholics need the Mother Church as the guardian and interpreter of the Bible. So the church interprets the Bible for you, right? How would one best respond to this? Answer: That is what Roman Catholicism teaches. See: “Roman Catholic Quotes Regarding the Bible.” Since the teachings of…

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How do I reach an elderly friend who is a Roman Catholic?

Question: I was wanting some advice on how to go about witnessing to a Catholic lady whom I know. I am 25 and she is about 75 years old, and we have been friends for about a year now. I was working as a nanny down the street from her and use to go and…

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What About Latter-Day Revelation from God?

by Clem Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 57, No. 47, Nov. 21, 2008. QUESTION: Is the Bible the complete and final revelation from God or is He continuing to give revelation through certain chosen people or organizations, such as the Mormon Church, The Catholic Pope ex-cathedra, Mohammad via the Koran, The New World Translation, Ellen…

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Did Jesus give men the right to forgive sins?

Question: I was reading “What is wrong with Catholicism?” because I was Catholic by default like you said. I had serious doubts, but what I found is that you made a big mistake. You say that man cannot grant forgiveness, but when I was reading the Bible, Jesus said that His priests, people, ministers, pastor,…

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Transubstantiation

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Transubstantiation.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 6:35-58   I.         The Lord’s Supper is a weekly memorial to the death of our Savior             A.        It was instituted by Jesus – Matthew 26:26-30             B.        To be done in memory of Jesus – Luke 22:19             C.        A declaration to the world – I Corinthians 11:26             D.        A sharing – I Corinthians 10:16…

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I don’t think you were fair in your analysis of the Roman Catholic Church

Question: I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but I do not believe that your answer to the question “What is wrong with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church?” is fair nor factually accurate. First off, you started with the statement, “Catholicism has its roots in Christianity, but it has long departed from its origins.” This…

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Is Peter the rock of the church?

Question: In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said to Peter: you are a rock, and on this rock foundation I will build my church, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it. Does Jesus give any guidelines as to how and when his followers or Christians should worship God? Answer: “He said to them, “But…

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Why the first holy communion?

Question: Why the first holy communion? What is confirmation after the first holy communion? Answer: The “first communion” is the name Roman Catholics give to the first time a person partakes of the eucharist. “Confirmation” is also a Roman Catholic term for teaching someone how to be a Roman Catholic. Neither phrase is found in…

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What do you think about the Catholic view of divorce?

Question: I read your web site today concerning divorce and the Bible.  Clearly, God considers divorce a serious matter, possibly a sin. However, for years Catholics had strict rules about divorce and remarriage.  It seems that Catholics were unfairly targeted as being too unforgiving or strict when it came to the laws of marriage.  Actually,…

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How can I teach my Roman Catholic friends?

Question: I have a couple of Catholic friends that I have tried for some time now to convert to Christianity. They have refused to be my friends and shunned the truth of the Word of God. I am 14 years of age but have been a Christian for three years. I need help with the…

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Did Mary’s intercession advance the hour Jesus showed he was the Messiah?

Question: Catholics say that according to John 2:1-11, the mother of Jesus not only interceded but thanks to her intercession, Jesus Christ advanced the hour to show (to manifest) his glory and He was the Messiah. Please address the following concerns: Is that true that thanks to Mary intercession, Jesus advanced the hour to show…

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Thank you for answering my questions about the Catholic church

Question: Thank you for putting this page on the web.  It answers my questions about the Catholic church. I was brought up Catholic and went to church until I was nine. I didn’t really get back into religion until I went into the Navy. I went into an evangelical place to use the bathroom (after…

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Is it Ecclesiasticus or Sirach?

Question: In your article “The Extra Catholic Books,” I had a question. In all of the Catholic Bibles I have seen I have not seen the book Ecclesiasticus. I do, however, see another book that is not in the KJV or the NKJV or any other version I’ve seen except the Catholic Bible and that…

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When was the earliest Christmas celebration performed?

Question: When was the earliest Christ Mass performed ever? Answer: According to historian Bruce David Forbes in Christmas: A Candid History: “Early Christians had no Christmas. The first written evidence of an annual celebration on December 25 commemorating the birth of Jesus comes from the fourth century. Epiphany developed a little earlier, in the eastern portion…

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Ascetic Vows vs. Scriptural Liberties

by Bryan Matthew Dockens Members of religious orders of the Catholic, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox churches, most prominently priests and nuns, commit themselves to particular ascetic vows. Asceticism, by definition, is extreme self-denial. Self-denial, of course, is enjoined upon all those who would follow Christ (Luke 9:23-24). However, the Lord never placed such restrictions as…

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How do I talk to my Catholic girlfriend about Catholicism?

Question: I absolutely loved this page: “What is wrong with Catholicism?” I feel like there are much more political based things wrong with Catholicism, but I like how you kept it as “What is wrong with the teachings.” I loathe the Catholic church for the many reasons posted on your page. I am deeply saddened…

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Why is it wrong to pray to saints?

Question: Why is it wrong for Catholics to pray to saints? Answer: Well, first of all, prayers to someone dead is an exercise in futility. The dead cannot hear your prayers. They are no longer involved in life. “For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more…

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What evidence is there that the Catholic church is not the one true church?

Question: I am a Catholic. What evidence is there from the Scriptures that the Catholic Church is not the one true Church to which all Christians belong? Answer: Since the Roman Catholic church is a large organization, your question is a broad one. What needs to be done is to compare current Catholic teachings and…

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Is it proper to have rituals, such as masses, for those who died?

Question: I have a handful of questions about the dead. Is it okay to have masses for the dead? My uncle just past away a few days ago and as relatives, we have to attend the funeral wake for several days. What does the Bible say about people who have passed on along with the…

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Are you saying that Roman Catholicism is not legitimate?

Question: In one of your articles, you state: “But I would like you to note that the core of the argument is that the doctrines of the Bible could be modified to suit local customs — a long-standing Roman Catholic practice.” My entire family is Roman Catholic and I was raised in the Catholic church as well. Currently, I…

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Could the Roman Catholic’s early list of popes be accurate?

Question: The Catholics base their entire religion on the belief of ”Sacred Tradition” and ”Apostolic Supremacy.” Catholics claimed that a man named Linus was the second pope and succeeded Peter in 67 A.D. And they believe him to be the same Linus mention in II Timothy 4:21.  They even have a list of popes [The…

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