Bucknell university zinch Videos

I was. Roman. catholic. I. am now a. Evangalm

+CAnswersTV As many of you already know last year in 2014 we learned of a young French woman Camille Jolly who came to Christ after watching our videos on YouTube dealing with Roman Catholicism while living outside of Paris, France & was so excited about it she took a three week cargo boat ride across the Atlantic Ocean to visit us here in Austin, Texas. We have several videos about this fascinating situation, just type "Camille Jolly CAnswersTV" in the YouTube search box to hear her tell her story. This year in 2015 we've come to find out about another exciting conversion to Christ & away from apostate Romanism via our videos posted on YouTube against Roman Catholicism. This time it was our series of debates between James White & Dr. Robert Fastiggi that we had posted on YouTube that led a man in Switzerland to come to the true & living Lord Jesus Christ by the sovereign grace of God. What's fascinating about this story is the young Swiss man was preparing to serve in the Swiss Guard for the pope at the Vatican. Someone called into James White's podcast "The Dividing Line" on September 25, 2015 and asked James White about a person who was planning to join the pope's Swiss Guard at the Vatican but was instead recently converted to Christ after watching James White's 4 part 4 hour televised series of debates with Dr. Robert Fastiggi. This debate took place in Austin, Texas back in 1994 although the "almost" Swiss Guard recently viewed it on YouTube. To hear more about this please see James White's video called "Just a Little Conversation on the Pope, Lindy West’s Hatred of Life, and a Call from Chris Arnzen" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fHja4AHHSI. The four part debate series between James White & Robert Fastiggi can be found at the following: "IS THE ROMAN POPE WITHOUT ERROR? - PAPAL INFALLIBILITY DEBATE: JAMES WHITE VS. ROBERT FASTIGGI" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHEGCpTjulM; "DO ROMAN CATHOLIC INDULGENCES REALLY FORGIVE SINS? DEBATE - JAMES WHITE VS. ROBERT FASTIGGI" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D91y5sxUv5o; "Is the Roman Catholic Doctrine of the Virgin Mary Biblical? Debate - James White vs. Robert Fastiggi" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYdYaeYdJW4 & "HIGHLIGHTS & FULL DEBATE: JUSTIFICATION BEFORE GOD - DR JAMES WHITE VS. DR ROBERT FASTIGGI (#1 OF 4)" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPPXCRKMLuI. Larry Wessels, director of Christian Answers of Austin, Texas had previously debated Dr. Robert Fastiggi in 1992 in the same Austin TV studio & that 2 hour debate can be found at: "DOES ROMAN CATHOLICISM PREACH A DIFFERENT GOSPEL? DEBATE #1: LARRY WESSELS VS. ROBERT FASTIGGI" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvpsdh5S9jg & "DOES ROMAN CATHOLICISM PREACH A DIFFERENT GOSPEL? DEBATE #2: LARRY WESSELS VS. ROBERT FASTIGGI" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZmvTHwRW7c. Jude 21-25

+CAnswersTV I'm pretty sure I agree with most of that..lol. all that matters is that Christ and his work at Calvary should always be the object of our faith,,, that alone provides salvation through grace,,, God works are a byproduct of salvation.

A video of ours "KEEPING THE OLD TESTAMENT LAWS & COMMANDMENTS CANNOT EARN HEAVEN OR SALVATION WITH GOD!" at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIh3T31ujuU is instructive concerning works salvation. When it comes to Romanism the Romanist's own individual "works" (along with other Roman Catholic believer's "works" & "merits") are vital to attaining his own salvation, especially in getting out of the Romanist purgatory (this type of "works" salvation is obviously a false gospel Biblically speaking - Galatians 1:6-9). Salvation, in Roman Catholicism, is a process with many steps: Actual Grace, Faith, Good Works, Baptism, Participation in the Sacraments, Penance, Indulgences, and Keeping the Commandments.  Basically, salvation is attained through baptism and good works.  It is maintained by good works and participation in the sacraments.  If lost, it is regained through the sacrament of Penance which only a Roman Catholic priest can administer.  Add to this purgatorial cleansing after a person dies, and you can see that salvation is an arduous process.In Catholicism, a person can gain salvation and lose it many times depending on the number of sins committed, their severity, and how much of the sacraments they participate in--in order to regain grace which enables them to do good works by which they are justified. Furthermore, justifying grace is infused into the Catholic upon baptism and via the sacraments.  This grace can be gradually lost through venial sins or forfeited all together with mortal sins. Actual graceActual Grace is the first step in the process of attaining salvation in Roman Catholicism.  Actual grace is what God gives to a person to enable the person to seek and respond to God’s call of faith. It helps the person move towards God--where he then freely chooses to accept or reject God’s work in Christ.Actual grace is “A supernatural help of God for salutary [beneficial] acts granted in consideration of the merits of Christ,” (Catholic Encyclopedia, “Actual Grace”)."Habitual grace, the permanent disposition to live and act in keeping with God's call, is distinguished from actual graces which refer to God's interventions, whether at the beginning of conversion or in the course of the work of sanctification," (Catechism of the Catholic Church, herein referred to as CCC, par. 2000).With actual grace working on a person, he is then able to have faith which is necessary for salvation.  But this faith is not a simple faith in Christ's work on the cross, so that we are justified by faith alone in Christ's work alone (Rom. 4:5; 5:1; Gal. 2:16).  On the contrary, according to Catholicism, the faith that is necessary for salvation must be a faith that also affirms what the Roman Catholic Church teaches."Faith is necessary for salvation. The Lord himself affirms: ‘He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.’ (Mk 16:16),” (CCC 183).“Faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that he has said and revealed to us, and that Holy Church proposes for our belief, because he is truth itself," (CCC 1814).“Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation,” (CCC 846).BaptismOnce actual grace has done its work and the person believes the gospel (and in the Roman Catholic Church), baptism is a necessary element for salvation in Roman Catholicism.  It is where sins are removed and a person is justified before God.". . . Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification, so that 'we too might walk in newness of life,'" (CCC 977).“Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament. The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude . . . " (CCC 1257)."Justification has been merited for us by the Passion of Christ. It is granted us through Baptism. It conforms us to the righteousness of God, who justifies us. It has for its goal the glory of God and of Christ, and the gift of eternal life. It is the most excellent work of God's mercy," (CCC 2020).At baptism, a person is restored to a state of innocence before God by erasing original sin.  Justification occurs in baptism, and sanctifying grace (the grace that saves) is infused into him. “Baptism, by imparting the life of Christ's grace, erases original sin . . . " (CCC  405).“Justification is conferred in Baptism, the sacrament of faith. It conforms us to the righteousness of God, who makes us inwardly just by the power of his mercy,” (CCC 1992).“The grace of Christ is the gratuitous gift that God makes to us of his own life, infused by the Holy Spirit into our soul to heal it of sin and to sanctify it. It is the sanctifying or deifying grace received in Baptism,” (CCC 1999).Good WorksAccording to Roman Catholicism, once a person is baptized and his original sin is removed, he must perform good works because they are also necessary for salvation. ”The specific precepts of the natural law, because their observance, demanded by the Creator, is necessary for salvation,” (CCC, par. 2010).“The Decalogue [the Ten Commandments] contains a privileged expression of the natural law. It is made known to us by divine revelation and by human reason,” (CCC 2080)." . . . the Second Vatican Council confirms: 'The bishops, successors of the apostles, receive from the Lord . . . the mission of teaching all peoples, and of preaching the Gospel to every creature, so that all men may attain salvation through faith, Baptism and the observance of the Commandments,'" (CCC 2068).Good works are necessary because Roman Catholicism denies justification by faith alone.  Justification is the declaration of righteousness.  It is where the righteousness of Christ is reckoned to the believer (Phil. 3:9) by faith (Rom. 5:1).  It is not by faith and something but by faith alone (Rom. 4:1-5).  But, Roman Catholicism declares that if anyone believes in justification by faith alone in Christ alone, then he is to be cursed."If any one saith, that by faith alone the impious is justified; in such wise as to mean, that nothing else is required to co-operate in order to the obtaining the grace of Justification, and that it is not in any way necessary, that he be prepared and disposed by the movement of his own will; let him be anathema," (Council of Trent, Canons on Justification, Canon 9)."If any one saith, that man is truly absolved from his sins and justified, because he assuredly believed himself absolved and justified; or, that no one is truly justified but he who believes himself justified; and that, by this faith alone, absolution and justification are effected; let him be anathema," (Council of Trent, Canons on Justification, Canon 14).“If any one saith, that the justice [righteousness] received is not preserved and also increased before God through good works; but that the said works are merely the fruits and signs of Justification obtained, but not a cause of the increase thereof; let him be anathema." (Council of Trent, Canons on Justification, Canon 24).So in Roman Catholicism, attaining salvation is a process that includes faith, baptism, and good works.  Therefore, in Roman Catholicism, attaining salvation and being justified (being right in God’s eyes) is not an instantaneous event received by faith.  It is a long process.Biblical ResponseSalvation in Roman Catholic Salvation is a system of works combined with faith. But, what does the Bible say about salvation when it comes to faith and works?   It separates them and clearly says that works are not part of becoming saved."For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one." (Rom. 3:28-30)."What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness," (Rom. 4:1-5)."Nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified." (Gal. 2:16).So we can see that salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone.  Did you also know that adding works to salvation is condemned in scripture?"You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" (Gal. 3:1-3)."Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. 4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace." (Gal. 5:2-4).“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’" (Matt. 7:22-23).In Gal. 3:1-3 above, Paul is clearly teaching that the Galatians were fools.  Why?  They were adding works to the work of the Holy Spirit.  In Gal. 5:2-4, Paul tells them if they received circumcision, that they would not be under grace.  Circumcision represented the works of the Law, and Paul clearly tells them that just getting circumcised (not doing good works) would damn them.  Why?  Because it was a symbol of keeping the Law.  That is why Paul had previously said in Gal. 3:10, "For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.”  Finally, in Matt. 7:22-23 we see an account where Jesus condemns people on the day of judgment. Why would they be condemned? They were appealing to their faith in Christ and their works for their salvation on "bad day." By adding any works into the active salvation, it means that the work of God is not sufficient, but that it needs to be perfected--completed by human effort. This is why salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. It cannot be by faith and any of our works.Rom. 11:6, "But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace."See the testimony of former Roman Catholic priest Richard Bennett on our video "Former Roman Catholic Priest for 22 Years Says Roman Catholicism Opposes Absolute Biblical Truth" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0OdEg8nUvw&list=PLFFA8D69D1B914715 & his website as well at www.BereanBeacon.org.If you love God you will do good works not to get saved but because you already are saved (a fact that Romanism denies since they say you cannot already know that you are saved until after you have completed their "process of rituals & sacraments" in order to get salvation which includes purgatory). 1 John 5:13

+kojo darkwa See our video "Are Catholics Christian?" Answered by Priest for 22 Years Richard Bennett & the Catholic Catechism" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu4fjSTRgRI. See our playlist "Dealing with Roman Catholicism, Idolatry & the Virgin Mary" with 125 videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFA8D69D1B914715. The following is the article by former Roman Catholic priest for 22 years Richard Bennett (his website is www.BereanBeacon.org) called, "Are Catholics Christians?" The Catholic Church presupposes itself to be Christian. Nothing could be farther from the truth; yet, the Catholic Church has presented and promoted herself in that guise particularly since the close of the Second Vatican Council in 1965. A primary, non-negotiable goal of Vatican Council II was to lay the groundwork and to establish the rules and parameters for a multifaceted, ecumenical outreach. Evangelical Christians, now called "separated brethren", rather than "heretics",1 are the primary target of Catholic ecumenism. The goal is to draw them into the Roman Catholic fold.2 Thus, in the 1994 Catechism of the Catholic Church, the word "Christian" occurs more than 100 times in these official teachings. Buzzwords such as "dialogue", "ecumenism", and "social justice" are being used under the guise of promoting true Christianity while advancing the Roman Catholic agenda.Assurances to Evangelicals NegatedEvangelicals are assured that Catholics who believe in the incarnation, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are true Christians, even though they misunderstand some of the "technicalities" regarding salvation. Such reasoning is negated by the fact that Catholicism differs from biblical faith—not only on minor details, but more importantly on what is essential for one’s salvation.The most dangerous aspect of Catholic Church doctrine is that it appears to be based on the great, indispensable truths of God’s revelation.3 In reality, however, the telling fact is that Catholic doctrine denies essential, biblical doctrines by that which it adds on to biblical truths. For example, while Catholic doctrine affirms the worship of the three distinct Persons of the Trinity, it adds divine adoration for the Virgin Mary by addressing her in prayer as "the All Holy One". The exact words of the official statement are, "By asking Mary to pray for us, we acknowledge ourselves to be poor sinners and we address ourselves to the ‘Mother of Mercy,’ the All Holy One".4 The Catholic Church also demands that worship, which according to Scripture is due exclusively to the one true God in three persons, is also to be given to the1 The anathemas or curses against Evangelicals as heretics still remain in Roman Catholic law because the Council of Trent (1545 – 1563) has never been revoked. Since the demise of the Holy Roman Empire, the Papacy has had no military and civil power by which to enforce these anathemas as it had during the 605 years of the Inquisition. Thus the Papacy has recently adopted "ecumenism, "dialogue," and promoting "social justice" as ways and means of drawing Evangelical Christians into its fold.2 Vatican Council II Documents, "Reflections and Suggestions Concerning Ecumenical Dialogue," Vol. I, Sect. II.This crucial Vatican document states, "…ecumenical dialogue is not limited to an academic or purely conceptual level, but striving for a more complete communion between the Christian communities…it serves to transform modes of thought and behavior and the daily life of those communities. [non-Catholic churches] In this way, it aims at preparing the way for their unity of faith in the bosom of a Church one and visible: thus ‘little by little’, as the obstacles to perfect ecclesial communion are overcome, all Christians will be gathered, in a common celebration of the Eucharist, into that unity of the one and only Church which Christ bestowed on his Church from the beginning. This unity, we believe, dwells in the Catholic Church as something she can never lose…"3 For example she holds to the existence of a self-existent and eternal God, the Creator of the universe, of man, and of all things. She teaches the biblical doctrine of the Trinity. She teaches Adam’s sin resulting in the shared guilt and consequences of his sin. She accepts the doctrine of man’s redemption by Jesus Christ, teaching that He became incarnate and endured the death of the cross; that He arose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and will return again.4 Catechism of the Catholic Church, Liguori Publications, 1994 Paragraph 2677 Hereafter referred to as Catechism."Sacrament" or "Eucharist", the Communion element. Thus, the Church of Rome officially declares,5 Vatican Council II Documents, Eucharisticum Mysterium," Vol. I, Para 3 (Emphasis not in original.)6 Ephesians 2:8, 97 Catechism Paragraph 11298 John 10:359 John 17:1710 Proverbs 30:611 II Timothy 3:16-17"There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind ‘that all the faithful ought to show to this most holy sacrament the worship which is due to the true God, as has always been the custom of the Catholic Church. Nor is it to be adored any the less because it was instituted by Christ to be eaten’".5These two official teachings of the Church of Rome show that the divine worship due to God alone is being given to Mary and to their communion element. In addition, the essential doctrine of man’s redemption by Jesus Christ is totally different in Papal Rome from that of the Bible. The Scripture declares that sinners, dead in trespasses and sins, are "by grace" "saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: It is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast".6 This Scripture shows that God directly saves sinners by His grace through faith. However, the Catholic Church insists on the necessity of her sacraments and consequently states,"The Church affirms that for believers the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation. ‘Sacramental grace’ is the grace of the Holy Spirit, given by Christ and proper to each sacrament".7The sacraments, which are declared by the Catholic Church to be indispensable, nullify the biblical doctrine of man’s redemption. With these explicit examples of the Catholic Church’s negation of essential biblical truths, the Papacy’s official doctrine and teaching on all the major topics of biblical truth need to be carefully examined.The Basis of TruthThe first topic to address is, "What is the basis of truth?" In other words, what is the norm by which we can know truth? The absolute standard set by the Lord Jesus Christ rests in the fact that "the scripture cannot be broken".8 He who identified Himself to His disciples, "I am the way, the truth and the life", also declared the truth of God’s Word by praying for them, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth".9 From these Scriptures we understand that God’s Word not only contains the truth, but is truth itself. The Holy Scripture is the source of the believer’s standard of truth. Since Scripture alone is inspired, it alone is the ultimate authority, and it alone is the final judge of all human tradition and reasoning. Accordingly, the commandment of the Lord states, "Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar".10 Thus, in His written Word, the absolute authority of the Lord God is totally sufficient for all the believer’s needs. The Apostle Paul confirmed this when he wrote, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works".11 The Lord Jesus rebuked the Pharisees because they placed their human tradition on the same level as the written Word of God. Thus, the Pharisees corrupted the people’s understanding by confusing them in regards to God’s Word as the very212 Mark 7:1313 Catechism Paragraphs 80, 8114 II Peter 1:20, 2115 John 16:13 "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth".16 John 16:1517 Catechism Paragraph 8218 Catechism Paragraph 891basis of truth. Jesus declared to them, "[You are] making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered".12In spite of this unmistakably clear standard of truth, the Catholic Church declares her own standard of truth. She begins her reasoning with the following words,"Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture, then, are bound closely together and communicate one with the other" "And [Holy] Tradition transmits in its entirety the Word of God, which has been entrusted to the apostles by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit".13The fact is that no "tradition" transmits in its entirety the Word of God. This task is solely that of the Holy Spirit. First, in an exclusive sense, the Scriptures are the composition of the Holy Spirit; as stated by the Apostle Peter, "holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost".14 The Holy Spirit is fully fitted for this work because He is "the Spirit of truth".15 He has perfect knowledge of the truth because He is God, one with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit reveals the truth of the written Word to believers. For this reason the Lord Christ Jesus said, "He shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you".16 Thus, the Holy Spirit perfectly transmits the Word of God in its proper fullness.Having equated her "Sacred Tradition" with Sacred Scripture, and having stated that her tradition transmits the Word of God in its entirety, the Catholic Church reaches its conclusion with the following words,"As a result the [Catholic] Church, to whom the transmission and interpretation of Revelation is entrusted, ‘does not derive her certainty about all revealed truths from the holy Scriptures alone. Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence".17This statement is a formal denial of the sufficiency of Scripture and a repudiation of its unique authority. For a church, claiming to be Christian, to attach as much importance to tradition as she does to Scripture is to totally devalue Scripture. It is like a husband who declares that he loves his wife and at the same time states that he also loves equally the woman across the street. Such love would be adulterous; so also are Papal Rome’s "equal sentiments of devotion and reverence". Such a declaration is tantamount to a rejection of Scripture and unfaithfulness to the God of Scripture.Catholicism, however, does have a standard for truth that is taken to be absolute. It is not the unqualified authority of God in His written Word; rather, it is the authority of a man, the Pope of Rome. For Catholics, the ultimate authority lies in the decisions and decrees of the reigning Pope. This is seen in their official teaching which states,"The Supreme Pontiff, in virtue of his office, possesses infallible teaching authority when, as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful...he proclaims with a definitive act that a doctrine of faith or morals is to be held as such".18319 For example, Pope Honorius I (625-38) was posthumously condemned as a heretic and excommunicated from theChurch by the Sixth Ecumenical Council (680-681 A.D.) He was also condemned as a heretic by Pope Leo II, aswell as by every other pope until the eleventh century. It was not until 1870 at Vatican Council I that the CatholicChurch for the first time declared that the Pope is infallible.20 Ephesians 2:1, "and you… who were dead in trespasses and sins."21 Ephesians 2:922 Catechism, Paragraph 202123 Romans 11:624 Catechism Paragraph 112925 Vatican Council II Documents, No. 64, "Gaudium et Spes," 1965, Vol. I, Sect. 14Thus, in practice, the Catholic Church’s basis for doctrine is her pope and what he states to be truth. In other words, this is truth claimed by decree. The absurdity of this claim is evident when we remember that several popes were declared to be heretics and thus condemned by Church councils.19Salvation by Grace Alone Denied by Catholic Sacramental SystemThat salvation is by God’s grace alone must be clearly understood. Unredeemed sinners, all of whom are "dead in trespasses and sins",20 can only be saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone because salvation is "the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast".21 It is God who graciously saves by His unmerited free gift. In total contrast to this, salvation in the Catholic Church is said to come about by "grace" that is merely a "help" with the intention that people will respond. Thus, the Catholic Church officially states, "Grace is the help God gives us to respond to our vocation of becoming his adopted sons. It introduces us into the intimacy of the Trinitarian life".22 In this view, human beings are presumed to be good enough to respond to the help that God gives to them. According to the Catholic Church, grace is not a manifestation of God’s sovereign action in salvation but merely a "help" given to humans that they may respond, should they decide to believe. The Catholic teaching contradicts the very concept of grace. As the Scripture states, "and if by grace, then is it [salvation] no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace".23 God’s sovereign action is what is at stake and not uncertain, human response.The Catholic concept of "grace" denies God’s sovereign grace. Therefore, the Papacy needed to construct a mechanism by which Catholics can profess that they have received grace. The primary tools of their invention are called the "Sacraments". Accordingly, the Catholic Church states,"The Church affirms that for believers the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation. ‘Sacramental grace’ is the grace of the Holy Spirit, given by Christ and proper to each sacrament".24This teaching is appalling. In the Bible, salvation is given to an individual by the absolute power of God’s grace alone – because in God alone is the power to deliver a man from being spiritually "dead in trespasses and sins" to being spiritually alive in Christ. However, the Catholic Church adamantly disagrees with the Bible on this primary issue, for it officially claims, "man has only been wounded by sin".25 Thus, her Catechism describes God’s grace as a "help" accessible through her sacraments. These sacraments are in turn totally under the control of the Catholic priesthood.426 Ephesians 1:627 Acts 16:3128 II Peter 1:129 Romans 10:1730 Catechism Paragraph 16831 Catechism Paragraph 16932 Catechism Paragraph 18133 The Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent, 7th Session, March, 1547 (Rockford, IL: Tan Publishers, Inc., 1978) This curse against those who believe that Christ alone is the object of their saving faith has never been lifted. For centuries, the horrendous tortures of the Papacy’s Inquisition were used throughout Europe and Britain to wipe out all believers whose faith was in Christ alone. By the end of the eighteenth century, the Papacy no longer had theWe absolutely praise the Lord God that from Scripture we can be sure that His grace is totally His free gift, "wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved".26 In salvation, we are accepted not in any institution, or by partaking of any sacrament, but in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ alone.Papal Substitute for Christ Alone as Object of FaithThe object of faith is clearly seen in Scripture as the person of Christ Jesus Himself. Consequently, it is stated, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house".27 This faith is God-given faith, as declared by the Apostle Peter, "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ".28 This God-given faith comes by hearing the Word of God as is stated, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God".29 The topic of faith is so clear in Scripture that one would doubt that it could be twisted by any church. Nonetheless, the Catholic Church does manage to completely change the concept of faith. Regarding faith, she doesn’t deal directly with the individual, but focuses attention on herself, "the Church", as the object of faith and commitment, and as the one that first believes. Thus she teaches, "It is the Church that believes first, and so bears, nourishes and sustains my faith".30 Then, very audaciously and misleadingly, she declares, "faith comes through the Church because the Church is our Mother". As a result she officially teaches, "Salvation comes from God alone; but because we receive the life of faith through the Church, she is our mother…"31 In the Catholic Church the result is that a person believes in "Mother Church" and not on the Lord Jesus Christ. Her official words stating this are the"‘Believing’ is an ecclesial act. The Church’s faith precedes, engenders, supports and nourishes our faith. The Church is the mother of all believers. ‘No one can have God as Father who does not have the Church as Mother’".32Therefore, Roman Catholics are compelled to submit to "holy Mother Church" and accept her teaching. Without biblical warrant, the Catholic Church seeks to replace Jesus Christ as the object of saving faith with a substitute; namely, faith in "Mother Church".The effect of this change is the enslaving of individuals to the Roman Catholic Church rather than the freedom obtained by faith in Jesus Christ alone. To maintain the Catholic Church as the object of faith, the Papacy curses all who believe on Christ by faith alone. The official words of "Mother Church" are,"If anyone says that by the sacraments of the New Law grace is not conferred ex opere operato [from the work worked], but that faith alone in the divine promise is sufficient to obtain grace, let him be anathema [cursed]".335military and civil power to enforce her sinister doctrine. But by the mid-twentieth century, the Papacy’s new tools had been formed against those whose faith is in Christ alone: Ecumenism, dialogue, and "social justice" were formally unveiled at Vatican Council II. The method has changed; but the goal has not.34 Romans 6:1035 I Peter 3:1836 Hebrews 9:2837 John 19:3038 Catechism Paragraph 1367 (Emphasis not in original)39 Hebrews 9:2240 Catechism Paragraph 136841 Hebrews 1:342 Romans 3:2843 Titus 3:5Christ’s Sufficient Once and For All SacrificeThe unique oneness of Christ’s sacrifice is the fact that it was one offering—once made. The concept "once" is deemed so important that it is asserted seven times by the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. The perfection of Christ’s sacrifice is contrasted with the repeated daily sacrifices of the Old Testament. The truth of the excellence of Christ’s sacrifice is highlighted by the word "once". For example, the Apostle Paul teaches, "for in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God".34 The Apostle Peter likewise declares, "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God".35 The same truth is taught five times in the book of Hebrews with the conclusion, "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation".36 The majestic truth is found in the Lord’s declaration from the cross, "It is finished".37In total contrast, the Catholic Church declares that Christ’s sacrifice, which was offered on the cross, is contained and offered in her Mass. Her official words, which are in defiance of Scripture, are the following,"In this divine sacrifice which is celebrated in the Mass, the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and is offered in an unbloody manner".38 However, the Bible teaches that "without shedding of blood is no remission".39Quite unbelievably she reaches an even more outlandish conclusion. She declares that the sacrifice of Christ is also a sacrifice of the Church offering herself with Him. The official words are, "The Church, which is the Body of Christ, participates in the offering of her Head. With him, she herself is offered whole and entire".40 It is utterly blasphemous for a church to teach its members to offer themselves with Christ’s sacrifice. The doctrine of participating in Christ’s sacrifice is entirely perverse and immoral. This proposition is totally false as it denies the repeated statements of God’s truth in Scripture. The work of redemption is "by Himself",41 "without the deeds of the law",42 "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us".43 To teach people such a proposition is a dreadful abomination before the Lord God!The Nature of God as The Only All Holy OneThe Bible clearly teaches that God alone is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His Being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. Most important is the fact that He is the All Holy One. His holiness is the divine attribute that covers all attributes so that His644 I Samuel 2:245 Revelation 15:446 Isaiah 6:347 Catechism Paragraph 267748 Catechism Paragraph 203049 Isaiah 42:850 Exodus 20:4-551 Deuteronomy 4:13, 15-1652 Exodus 32:4-9righteousness is holy, His truth is holy, and His justice is holy. He is each of His attributes, and the overall attribute of holiness is that which separates Him from all beings. His holiness is distinctive and matchless. This is the reason why we need to be saved by Him, the All Holy God. Thus, we read in Scripture, "there is none holy as the Lord".44 Again, the Word of the Lord proclaims, "who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorify Thy name for thou only art holy and all nations shall come and worship before thee".45 The Lord God is utterly holy in the words of Scripture, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory".46 In addition to declaring the holiness of God, the official teaching of the Catholic Church declares Mary to be "the All Holy One". The capital letters are there in print, and there is no disclaimer or footnote to explain differently what is said. The following is stated, "By asking Mary to pray for us, we acknowledge ourselves to be poor sinners and we address ourselves to the ‘Mother of Mercy,’ the All Holy One".47 Furthermore, Catholic teaching also officially states, "From the Church he [the Catholic] learns the example of holiness and recognizes its model and source in the all-holy Virgin Mary…"48 This blasphemous teaching is an attempted theft of the very essence of the divine glory reserved unto God alone. It comes as a shock to many to see that in this very doctrine the Papacy displays its total disregard for the Godhead. We know that the Sovereign Lord God alone is the All Holy One and that He is protective of His glory, opposing all that are hostile to it, "I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another".49IdolatryThe Scriptures are absolutely clear in declaring that we are neither to make a graven image nor show any veneration to such images, "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything...Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them".50 Then Scripture explains how this is to be understood, "and he [God] declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even Ten Commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone. Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake...Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure...".51 Hence, there is to be no similitude (or likeness) of God made by mankind. That which is forbidden in Scripture is the making of any likeness of Father, Son, or Holy Spirit. The Catholic Church, however, rationalizes that one can indeed practice idolatry. Paragraph 2132 of the 1994 Catechism states,"The Christian veneration of images is not contrary to the first commandment which proscribes idols. Indeed, ‘the honor rendered to an image passes to its prototype,’ and ‘whoever venerates an image venerates the person portrayed in it.’"The reason given is that one venerates the person portrayed by the image and not the image itself. Yet, this is exactly what the Bible forbids and why God’s second commandment had forbidden Aaron from making the golden calf.52753 Catechism Paragraph 2131The second reason given by Papal Rome to justify the practice of idolatry, cites the ruling of an 8th century council, which states the following,"Basing itself on the mystery of the incarnate Word, the seventh ecumenical council at Nicaea (787) justified against the iconoclasts the veneration of icons - of Christ, but also of the Mother of God, the angels, and all the saints. By becoming incarnate, the Son of God introduced a new ‘economy’ of images."53When the Seventh Ecumenical Council at Nicaea decided that the incarnation of Jesus Christ introduced a new "economy" of images, the unstated logic of their decision required them to maintain that God changed His mind regarding the Second Commandment. Such reasoning is blasphemy. God does not change His mind. Jesus Christ and the Apostles were equally forthright in condemning idolatry, just as were the commandments of the Old Testament. Nevertheless, the Catholic Church claims that a "tradition comes from the Holy Spirit" which justifies the making of graven images and these are to be publicly displayed. Thus in its Catechism, Paragraph 1161 states,"Following the divinely inspired teaching of our holy Fathers" and the tradition of the Catholic Church (for we know that this tradition comes from the Holy Spirit who dwells in her) we rightly define with full certainty and correctness that, like the figure of the precious and life-giving cross, venerable and holy images of our Lord and God and Savior, Jesus Christ, our inviolate Lady, the holy Mother of God, and the venerated angels, all the saints and the just, whether painted or made of mosaic or another suitable material, are to be exhibited in the holy churches of God, on sacred vessels and vestments, walls and panels, in houses and on streets".This is the "Mother Church’s full license for idolatry⎯plain, simple, and condemned by the Lord God.The Holy Spirit is also forthrightly blasphemed in the claim that He established tradition to justify the use of images. Rather, the Bible makes abundantly clear that God hates idolatry and forbids a representation in art of what is divine (Exodus. 20:4-6). Making images to represent God corrupts those who use them (Deuteronomy 4:13, 15-16). Images teach lies about God (Habakkuk. 2:18-20). God cannot be represented in art and all who practice such idolatry are commanded to repent (Acts 17:29-30). The Holy Spirit issues His warning in the New Testament as He did in the Old, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen" (I John. 5:21). Among the evil fruits of bringing idolatry that God hates into worship are the many pagan superstitions and traditions of Roman Catholicism. But the worst fruit of the idolatry that is rife in Roman Catholic worship under the guise of being Christian is its false gospel.The topic of idolatry is of utmost importance as many present day Bible-believing churches attempt to justify pictures and videos of Christ. They argue that both we, and those who cannot read, can come to a fuller understanding of the person of Christ from these images. Yet, the Bible clearly states that such images lie. Jesus Christ is the only one with two distinct natures – both divine and human – in one body. Therefore, to attempt to make any kind of an image of Jesus Christ, graven or two dimensional or moving, still falls under the Second Commandment.854 Hebrews 1:355 Colossians 2:956 Exodus 20:4-6; Deuteronomy 4:13, 15-16; Habakkuk 2:18-20; Acts 17:29-30 Thus, the Holy Spirit commands in both Old and New Testaments, "little children, keep yourselves from idols" I John 5:21.57 Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition, Para 136758 Hebrews 9:25-2659 Hebrews 7:2660 Hebrews 9:22No image can portray Christ’s divinity, for He "is the brightness of his [God’s] glory and the express image of his person",54 "in whom dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily".55If we are to be biblical, we must avoid or reject any pictorial representation or video showing the persons of Father, Son, or Holy Spirit. The punishment for idolatry is severe, as both Old and New Testament make clear.56 For any temptation to visualize Christ, the Father, or the Holy Spirit, there must be repentance; for God is Holy, and the truth of the Bible is sufficient to provide for all our knowledge of things divine.Idolatry of the MassAt the heart of Roman Catholicism is the Mass or Eucharist, described by the Second Vatican Council as "the fount and apex of the whole Christian life". Papal Rome claims that the Mass is a sacrifice and that the sacrifice of Calvary and the Mass are the same, "one single sacrifice". Thus she teaches,"The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice: ‘The victim is one and the same: the same now offers through the ministry of priests, who then offered himself on the cross; only the manner of offering is different.’ ‘In this divine sacrifice which is celebrated in the Mass, the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and is offered in an unbloody manner.’"57The Holy Spirit’s teaching, however, is that Christ’s sacrifice was once offered, in contrast to the daily offering of sacrifices of the Old Testament, "nor yet that he should offer himself often...for then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself".58 Divine perfection is seen in the fact that it was one sacrifice, once offered.We list several grievous departures of "the Eucharistic Sacrifice" from the divine perfection of the Atonement as revealed in Scripture: Firstly, to provide a re-enactment of the one offering, once offered, is to set out to undermine the will and purpose of God. Secondly, for anyone to deem himself fit to offer the Lord Jesus Christ in His perfect sacrifice is simply arrogance of the highest order. Christ Jesus alone was qualified to offer Himself. He alone had the unique qualifications as the Holy Spirit teaches, "For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens".59 Thirdly, the Catholic Church’s claim is that Christ "is offered in an unbloody manner". However Scripture equates offering and suffering. In a propitiatory sacrifice, to offer and to suffer are the same thing. This truth is so important that it is given as an absolute principle, "without shedding of blood is no remission".60 Hence, in this context, to propose a bloodless sacrifice is a contradiction in terms. A bloodless sacrifice is a senseless inconsistency that can have no purpose other than to deceive.961 Exodus 20:5-662 Luke 22:1963 This is the dogma in the Catholic Church that is called "transubstantiation." Thus, the official teaching is in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Para 1376 states, "The Council of Trent summarizes the Catholic faith by declaring: "Because Christ our Redeemer said that it was truly his body that he was offering under the species of bread, it has always been the conviction of the Church of God, and this holy Council now declares again, that by the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of his blood. This change the holy Catholic Church has fittingly and properly called transubstantiation."64 Ephesians 2:165 Ephesians 2:8, 9Fourthly, the Lord’s Supper is not a sacrifice; it is a memorial. The bread and wine are tokens symbolizing the body and blood of the once and for all sacrifice of Calvary. We are to eat and drink them to remember Him and His atonement with thanksgiving and praise until He returns.Today there are in the Catholic Church convents of nuns devoted to worshipping the Eucharist on a rotational system day and night. There are devout Catholics who spend hours kneeling before the "blessed sacrament" worshipping and praying to it and obtaining solace, they say, from being in the "real presence" of Christ Jesus. The horrifying fact is that such people, professing that they are worshipping Christ in a religious and holy way, are literally practising gross idolatry. Worship of the sacrament brings about the wrath of God as promised in His Word. Idolatry is spiritual adultery. The Lord God looks upon those who practice idolatry as haters of Himself, though they pretend to love Him. The Scripture plainly states that He will visit the iniquity "of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments".61In the sixteenth century, during the reign of Mary I, or "bloody Mary", many of the martyrs who died in the fire in England chose to do so because of just four words of Scripture, "in remembrance of me".62 Had they been willing to set aside these words, or at least given them a "liberal interpretation", they could have saved themselves. Because they trusted Christ and upheld His Word they refused to do so. For them, the Word of God was truth and life. In affirming these words, the martyrs were denying the Roman Catholic Church doctrine that the communion elements of bread and wine contain the actual physical body and blood of Christ, together with His soul and divinity.63ConclusionAs we have sought to demonstrate, the Roman Catholic Church most certainly is not Christian. Rather, it is an apostate church. The Bible, God’s written word is the inerrant and infallible authority against the apostasy of the Catholic Church and against her false gospel. The Scriptures make clear that by nature, we are all born "dead in trespasses and sins",64 and in practice, we rebel against the All Holy God. Therefore, we justly fall under the curse of the Law. Yet, the love of the heavenly Father, through the Gospel of grace, rescues His own from His fiery wrath. By means of the conviction of sin, placed on the human heart by the Holy Spirit, He by His grace alone turns us to Himself in faith alone for the salvation that He alone gives. This salvation is based on Christ’s death and resurrection for His own. As a result we believe on Jesus Christ the Lord alone, "for by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast".65 Thus by the1066 Psalmabundant grace given by Jesus Christ we are not only redeemed from the empire of death, but we can live and reign with Him as we are sanctified daily through His Word by the Holy Spirit and by constant fellowship with Him. With Him also we shall forever live and reign, world without end. Through Christ Jesus, grace reigns with sovereign freedom, power, and bounty! "Blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen."66 ♦Permission is given to copy and distribute this article.Our MP3s are easily downloaded and our DVDs seen on Sermon Audio at: @212Our website is: //www.bereanbeacon.org 

+rockypath1 I'm confused lol

Chad, You had also asked about where were the previous debates with Fastiggi referenced in this debate: see "DEBATE: CHRISTIANS VS PAPISTS - BIBLE ONLY OR BIBLE PLUS ROMAN TRADITIONS & DECREES AS TIME GOES ON" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR4C_bHQJmM&index=40&list=PLFFA8D69D1B914715 & "DEBATE: CHRISTIANS VS PAPISTS - CAN IGNORANCE & BELIEVING IN ANY OR NO GOD STILL GET YOU TO HEAVEN?" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABoBdeNeeT0&list=PLFFA8D69D1B914715&index=41. Blessings in Christ. 1 Peter 3:15 

+Dave Pax Tim Stables would be another one.

+Dave Pax Are you saying Dr. Robert Fastiggi is not a "heavyweight"? Have you ever looked up Fastiggi's credits online? Here's a sampling: "A.B., M.A., Ph.D., School of Theology, Professor of Systematic Theology. A.B. (Religion), Dartmouth College, 1974; M.A. (Theology), Fordham University, 1976; Ph.D. (Historical Theology), Fordham University, 1987. At SHMS 1999- Dr. Robert Fastiggi, Professor of Systematic Theology, has been at Sacred Heart Major Seminary since 1999. Prior to coming to Detroit, he taught at St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas from 1985-1999. Dr. Fastiggi received an A.B. in Religion (summa cum laude) from Dartmouth College in 1974; a M.A. in Theology from Fordham University in 1976; and a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Fordham in 1987. In addition, he has done private research in Paris and Montréal, and he took part in a study-tour of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain sponsored by the National Council for U.S.-Arab relations. During his time at Sacred Heart, Dr. Fastiggi has taught a wide variety of courses, including Ecclesiology, Christian Anthropology, Christology, Mariology, Moral Theology, and the Sacramental Life of the Church. He is a member of the Society for Catholic Liturgy and the president of the Mariological Society of America. He has served as the executive editor of the 2009-2013 supplements to the New Catholic Encyclopedia and the co-editor of the English translation of the 43rd edition of the Denzinger-Hünermann compendium published by Ignatius Press in 2012. Dr. Fastiggi was born in Montclair, New Jersey and now resides in Michigan with his wife, Kathleen, and their three children: Mary, Anthony and Clare."That was just from the first site that came up. That's not a "heavyweight" huh? You must not have thought much of how Fastiggi did in this debate.As far as Scott Hahn & Patrick Madrid go, why debate these dudes when James White (www.AOMin.org) has already done the job. Rob Zins (www.CWRC-RZ.org) has done plenty of debating with Romanist apologists as well. However, I have produced over 106 videos on Romanism, all of which can be found on our playlist called. "Dealing with Roman Catholicism, Idolatry & the Virgin Mary" at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFA8D69D1B914715. Titus 1:9-16

+CAnswersTVWhy don't you debate Scott Hahn or Patrick Madrid - some heavyweights???

Thank you Chad for the encouraging comment. To see Larry Wessels' personal testimony please check out the following video at D & D Dungeon Master Testimony: Dungeons & Dragons, Wargaming, Violent Video Games & Wasting Time. It was simply the sovereign mercy & grace of God that took Larry out of the kingdom of darkness & into the marvelous light of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:9

+Maienduo Nava The Bible says that James 2:14-26 KJV/NIV

+meandepiphany - I wondered if they had the same Scripture in mind as I did? :)

Right!  The first thing I noticed was how they just stared at him as he was praying. 

This makes me so happy!

YES!!!