First ask yourself, if you had to choose between the word of God or the Roman Catholic church, which would you choose? If you choose the word of God, read on:
Making statues, which we are forbidden to do:
Exodus 20:4 King James Version (KJV)
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
In response to someone shouting that Mary is blessed, Jesus says the people who hear the word of God and keep it are the ones who are blessed:
Luke 11:27-28 King James Version (KJV)
27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.
28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
Praying to saints and angels, which is praying to the created and not the Creator. We must worship and serve God only:
Matthew 4:10 King James Version (KJV)
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Praying to saints and Mary, is praying to dead people.
Hebrews 9:27 King James Version (KJV)
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Praying to dead people is consulting with familiar spirits and necromancy:
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 King James Version (KJV)
10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.
11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
Calling Priests and the Pope “Father”, which Jesus instructed not to do:
Matthew 23:9 King James Version (KJV)
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Venerating Mary and the Saints. Jesus says that anyone who does the will of the Father is his brother, sister and mother:
Matthew 12:50 King James Version (KJV)
50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Penance, punishment, hail Marys, using rosary beads and other forms of self-punishment is self-righteousness. There is no reason to do these things because human righteousness is filthiness to God:
Isaiah 64:6 King James Version (KJV)
6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
We are saved entirely by the grace of God. We enter heaven through the price that Jesus Christ paid and not through any of our “good” works, which is pride:
Ephesians 2:8-9 King James Version (KJV)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Regarding the “infallibility” of Popes; None of us are actually good people:
Romans 3:10-12 King James Version (KJV)
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
We worship God in spirit and in truth. Not by doing the things of man nor the traditions of men nor observing rituals nor saying rites nor wearing garments and head ornaments:
John 4:23-24 King James Version (KJV)
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
To worship God in spirit and in truth, is to realise that physical things don’t matter to God. It is what is in our hearts that count. God wants us to worship him truthfully. We must humble ourselves and approach him without phylacteries, pomp, ceremony or any kind of pride.
2 Chronicles 7:14 King James Version (KJV)
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Further explanation:
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Our God is a very jealous God. (Joshua 24:19; Exodus 20:5). Showing honor and praise to the Virgin Mary is not honorable, it is sinful human nature at its worst. I am a former Roman Catholic from South Texas, where Catholicism is chosen over the Word of God. Some Catholics go as far to say that if you are baptized with the Catholic Church or make communion with the Catholic Church you are considered catholic forever. Indeed it is binding but nothing that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ cannot unbind. I stand here in faith with hope that many… Read more »
If there’s anyone that has kept the Word of God it is the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her absolute dependence on the Word of God stands her out. Luke’s 1: 38.
However, I think we are coming from irreconcilable viewpoints. Thus, may the will of the Lord in our lives prevail through Christ Jesus our Lord-Amen!
I think you’re right. Thanks for your viewpoint. I think one big difference between Christianity and Catholicism is the idea of being a stand out in the kingdom of God. In Christianity, there is a belief that all are fallen short. See Romans 3:10-15. And that we are saved completely by grace and that we have no righteousness. See Isaiah 64:6. That’s why it’s written that no man may boast in their works. If we had any righteousness then we would not need Jesus Christ. See Galatians 2:21. I pray that helps. Godbless you my friend.
I did highlight to you that the intent for these images do not constitute acts of worship but imports significance of varying degrees such as the Arch of Covenant of God where God Himself instituted it and gave precise instructions on the modelling. Check Exodus 25. Numbers 21, God Himself tasked Moses to make a bronze serpent and to stand it on a pole that anyone beaten by the snake may look up to it and be healed. Does that mean that God cannot heal without the bronze image? No, He certainly can but it for-shadows the salvation of man… Read more »
Dear friend, God did not tell us to make statues of Mary which is different to the situation with the ark and the bronze statue. In relation to Mary, Jesus said that she is not more blessed than a person who hears and keeps the word of God. So we should not be making statues of her anymore than you should make statues of you or I. I pray that helps to explain it. Luke 11:27-28 King James Version (KJV) 27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her… Read more »
I apologise if I sounded as if I was judging you. With respect, you do not represent all Catholics. Secondly, again with respect, the bible tells us to judge people who call themselves Christians. See 1 cor 5:11-13. If they are idolaters, fornicators, greedy, drunkards – don’t eat with them. Put them away.
If indeed, one makes images with the intent to worship it, it becomes idolatry. But Catholics do not make images with that intention to worship it. Instead, it is an avenue to help lift up your soul and help you realise that you are in a Sacred place of worship. The Arch of Covenant is a good example it signified the presence of God among the Israelites. The bronze snake is another example that signified the presence of God much that the people later called it Nehushtan and worshipped it. Images are not worshipped in the Catholic. I state that… Read more »
Well, read Exodus 20:4. Don’t make graven images. Catholics certainly do venerate the statue of Mary. I’m glad you don’t worship or pray to Mary but many do. Btw, you should also research the inquisitions commissioned by the Catholic Church as well as the pornocracy era of the Roman Catholic Church.
Revelations 17 , the ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH , LEVITICUS 18 , THE SKULL AND BONES OWNED AS A BRANCH FROM THE ILLUMINATI UNDER THE BLACK POPE , SATANIST
I see your point when it comes to some of these but have some personal views on others. I would love to sit down with a few ristian and Catholic Bible and compare the two scriptures on these subjects I would be able to make better judgements on what I think.