Spare the Children from Meaningless “Sacraments”!

From definitions, to references used, to artifacts imbued with mystical power that are all attached to money, including their so-called sacraments, the Roman Catholic Church sounds like a ball of confusion. Let us examine what they call “confirmation.” What is to be confirmed and when?

But how should we define terms first? Is it anyway we like it? A disciplined Christian would go as far back and refer to the Authority on Life and check on His words.

Notice that this source, Modern Catholic Dictionary, in defining the term, “confirmation,” arrogates unto itself the authority to redefine others. May we highlight the terms at issue for easy reading - 

“Laying on of hands” is not “confirmation,” according to the Bible. When the Lord Jesus laid His hands upon the children which action the apostles were trying to forbid, it was not a rite nor sacrament so that the apostles were even trying to prevent the children. If it were a sacrament or a religious rite, the apostles, instead of preventing the children to come close, must be assisting them! Logical?

MATTHEW 19:13-15 

13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. 

14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. 

15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

Again, “laying on of hands” is not “confirmation,” according to the Bible. It is the act of giving the recipient the trust and honor necessary for his God-given office.

NUMBERS 27:18-20 

18 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; 

19 And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. 

20 And thou shalt put some of thine honor upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.

It is in this very sense that the Apostle Paul laid his hands upon Timothy.

II TIMOTHY 1:6 

Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

I TIMOTHY 4:14 

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

You do not lay hands on children! How can such delicate trust and honor be conferred to children? Consider the age as discussed by Michelle Arnold -

Following recognition by the Holy See, the [USCCB] has decreed that the age for conferring the sacrament of confirmation in the Latin rite dioceses of the United States will be between "the age of discretion [‘considered to be about age seven’] and about sixteen years of age.’" (www.usccb.org)

This is really laughable! How can a child at seven be capable of the trust likened to what Joshua and Timothy received? Even if you say 12 or even 17, should you lay hands on them?

Here’s one of two children, both 12 year olds, that were confirmed by Pope Francis at a ceremony in St Peter’s Square in Rome (Ref: Stephen Rogers, Irish ExaminerDotCom, 4/29/2013).

The doctrine of “confirmation” that they refer to as one of their “sacraments” is one of many inventions of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). According to Catholic authorities, it is “not strictly necessary for salvation” but “there is a grave obligation to receive it in due time.” From this definition we are sure that this is an invented teaching of the Council of Trent.

Modern Catholic Dictionary Page 122

COUNCIL OF TRENT

In contrast to Catholic teachings, every teaching or commandment of Christ is essentially necessary for salvation. These are imparted to a believer by a believing preacher without costs.

JAMES 2:10 

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

While the RCC is saying that their “sacrament of confirmation is not strictly necessary for salvation,” the truth is that all the teachings of Christ and His commandments must be observed, because defiance in one will make one guilty of all.

MATTHEW 28:20 

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

And note that “all teachings” of Christ must be shared without costs! Without costs! We underscore this fact because for every movement the Catholic priests undertake, there is payment. In other words, salvation in the RCC is to be had with monetary considerations – always. The Apostles of Christ preached the gospel freely. They did not require any payment for Church services.

II CORINTHIANS 11:7 

Have I committed an offense in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

In contrast, the Catholic Church requires payment for their sacraments like “confirmation” and baptism. According to them “confirmation” is done in three ways: 1) Laying on of hands; 2) Anointing with chrism; and 3) Prayer. As in their other sacraments, there is again an artifact they attach so that money can be paid: Chrism. Without a Catholic bishop’s blessing, there is no consecration for a mixture in their sacraments. Show money first, then consecration comes.

Is this what the Bible says? “Anointing with chrism” is certainly not biblical. There is no such thing as “consecrated mixture of olive oil and balsam” used in any Christian rite of the first century! In its place is the strengthening of faith of one through the help of the Holy Spirit. Obviously, this is not acquired in the invented manner of the “sacrament of confirmation” of the Catholic Church!

Only one translation of the Bible in the New Testament uses the word ‘balsam’ in only one occasion when Mary used it on the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ. This clearly shows that it is not a sacred object or by any implication a “chrism” used by the 1st Century Christian church.

JOHN 11:2 (ETHERIDGE TRANSLATION) 

It was that Mariam who anointed with balsam the feet of Jeshu, and wiped (them) with her hair, whose brother this Loozar was who was sick.

Let us refer to the Bible and learn from it. Faith is the very issue when one gets baptized. Faith is also the issue with every Christian after that. It is faith that should be strengthened as one matures because faith is not a one-shot process. What will you confirm then? One’s membership in the Catholic faith?

Here are conversations that showcase what we were saying all along (Ref: Zoe Ryan, “Views conflict on what age to confirm,” National Catholic Reporter, 5/13/2011). In conflicts about what age to confirm, younger age is the restored order, Catholic authorities decided. The following excerpt outlines the issue.

We quote here two authorities: Joseph Martos and Joe Paprocki. The first is a sacramental historian and an author of two books on Catholic sacraments. The second teaches an eighth-grade confirmation class and was a director of religious education.

The gist of Martos’ comments is that children are still children. They are confirmed in early adolescence and then they stop going to church, he observes. Here’s Martos on confirmation -

We have this ceremony ... and it doesn’t occur when it’s at a real change in the person’s life…. In other words, the problem is not theological. The problem has to do with the nature and purpose of ritual, especially rites of passages and initiation rituals.

Unless people, when they’re confirmed, are actually making a passage in their life, like from being not Catholic to Catholic, not married to married ... then there isn’t any meaning in the sacrament of confirmation, because the meaning comes from what’s going on in the person’s life at the time.

Meanwhile, confirmation is more to keep them in the Catholic faith, suggests Paprocki. However, he said confirmation needs to be looked into as far as children are concerned. Here is what he said in Zoe Ryan’s interview -

I think that tends to be the biggest fear: How will we keep them if we don’t have the sacraments? The problem with that is the sacrament of confirmation shouldn’t be a carrot on a stick. It shouldn’t just be the way we keep them. If we can’t keep them without confirmation, then I think there’s something wrong there. I think it would force us to reevaluate and look more closely at what we’re offering them.”

See? Even those charged to work on children in the Catholic institutions are worried sick of what they are doing. The biblical ways by which a Christian is strengthened in faith are:

1) Through exhortation and endurance in tribulations through faith.

THE ACTS 14:22 

Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

This is affirmed by the Apostle Paul among the Romans.

THE ROMANS 5:1-5 

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

2) Through vigilance and prayer that strengthen the weaknesses of our flesh.

MATTHEW 26:41 

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

THE ROMANS 8:26 

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

3) Through the practice of unfeigned love that strengthens Christians.

EPHESIANS 4:16 

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

COLOSSIANS 3:14 (RSV) 

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

All these biblical ways to strengthen a Christian will not apply to a seven-year-old child! He has still some growing up to do, some experiences to undergo. The faith of a Christian is revealed by time. The Bible confirms that.

I CORINTHIANS 3:13 

Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

Time is a very important essence in the strengthening of one’s faith. One has to grow through the years as one may experience what can threaten faith, what can derail it, as well as what can strengthen it. And time may confirm again and again one’s faith as long as one holds on to the teachings of Christ.

HEBREWS 5:12
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

For this reason, the Lord Jesus Christ tells Christians to endure until the end.

MATTHEW 10:22 

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

How can a child of seven years experience all of these wonderful teachings of the Lord? Unless Stephen “Steve” Shott was ordained as priest when he was still seven!

More laughters to come, God willing.

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Infant Baptism: Why Persist When There’s No Limbo?

The concept of infant baptism to the Roman Catholic Church is a series of false doctrines knotted to form a whole which is that of going to heaven or not. It is tied to a place of no suffering after death called Limbo, “original sin,” and sprinkling of water on body parts especially the forehead – all contrary to what the Bible says. In the end as always, there is money paid. But there is no more Limbo as one brave Pope Benedict XVI pronounced. So why carry on with infant baptism? 

The reason why Catholics institute infant baptism is the belief that an unbaptized child will go to limbo. Limbo is supposedly a place where there is no suffering. 

And the reason why a child cannot go to heaven if not baptized is because of the doctrine of the “original sin.” 

And because it may be too risky for an infant to be baptized by immersion, the practice of pouring or sprinkling water in baptism was invented. 

Imagine, for convenience they are willing to disobey the sacred manner exemplified by Christ in His baptism.

MATTHEW 3:16 

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

If we meticulously study the history or the doctrines of the RCC, its precepts and practices, we will be traveling in time as far as the Middle Ages and discover that these invented doctrines and practices were instituted a thousand years after the death of the last apostle.This clearly defines for us through history that these are man-made doctrines! 

One invention was necessitated by another and so on and so forth. The pack of lies support each other. Thus, the Bible says:

TITUS 1:14 

Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

If we may notice, the Jews are the authorities for salvation.

JOHN 4:22 

Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

But the apostles, who were taught directly by Christ, set a limit on what a Christian must believe in and be part of his faith. That limit is that Christians must learn from the Apostles not beyond what was written. Repeat: Not beyond what was written.

I CORINTHIANS 4:6 

And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

Logically and biblically, before the end of the first century, all Christian doctrines were completely taught and adhered to and practiced by early Christians. Although, the circumcision of a male child is a covenant between God and Abraham, the Apostles did not make it a necessary burden for salvation. They emphasized only four important doctrines as dictated by the Holy Spirit, excluding circumcision. These are abstaining from: 1) Pollutions of idols; 2) Fornication; 3) Things strangled; and 4) Blood.

THE ACTS 15:1-2, 19-20, 28-29 

1 And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 

2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. 

19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 

20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. 

28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 

29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well, Fare ye well.

Emphatically, the Apostles with the instruction of Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, practically and factually, omitted Old Testament practices of the Jews. This was to make Christians believe and practice only the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ and not those under the Law of Moses.

THE ACTS 13:39 

And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

If even the teachings and the Law of Moses which came from God were nullified by the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostles, how can we accept precepts, teachings, doctrines, invented by the Catholic Church that are “non-Jew?” Consider that Jews were authorities of faith and salvation but Jewish fables were commanded by the Apostles to be rejected by Christians!

TITUS 1:14 

Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

Let us focus on the inventions of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). Let us analyze scientifically, mathematically, and biblically their doctrine of the “original or inherited sin.” We begin with the three definitions of sin in the Bible: 

First, transgression of the law.

I JOHN 3:4 

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

Second, any act not done in faith.

THE ROMANS 14:23 

And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Third, the knowledge of doing what is not good and the intentional inaction of what is good.

JAMES 4:17 

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

None of these definitions of sin apply to a child, especially to a newborn baby.

HEBREWS 5:13 

For every one that useth milk is unskillfull in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

The human society (Of course, not all are Catholics) believe that there is a universal consideration of age in evaluating what a human does or what is done to him. There is then universal human common sense when it comes to age! Veritably, Catholic priests do not have this common sense! 

Isn’t this what their doctrine of infant baptism over the years manifest? Despite the fact that Pope Benedict XVI, speaking ex cathedra, said there is no Limbo after all, they continue with their senseless baptisms. Here’s the meaning of ex cathedra from Oxford Dictionary -

Meanwhile, let us read these exchanges from Twitter where a Catholic priest grossly displays his ignorance about Baptism. Steve Shott believes that when Christ said, Go and baptize all nations, he did not refer to any age.This indicates the shallow understanding of Catholic authorities on the meaning and essence of baptism. 

A child is devoid of understanding if he is still a child. At that age he has no capacity for making any covenant with anyone, least of all God.He cannot understand yet what it is that baptism binds him to do. But Shott mentions Matthew 28:19. -

Matthew 28:19 (KJV) 

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 

Steve Shott was being asked if Christ ordered child baptism. Was he answering the question correctly? 

Being a child can be a “disadvantage”as when one is not allowed something like baptism (in the true church). But there are times it is an advantage as for example in what is referred to as infancy defense in crimes. His age protects him from being liable for crime on the notion that the minor mind is not capable of forming criminal intent.

Infancy is a criminal defense, descended from British common law, that attempts to disprove liability for a crime by reason of the defendant's very young age. Under the assumption that minors are incapable of forming criminal intent in the same manner as adults, the common law infancy defense traditionally bars the prosecution of children under the age of seven for crimes and presumptively precludes the prosecution of children aged seven to fourteen years under the adult criminal law system. Contemporary statutes in United States criminal law, however, hold that children in the latter age group are eligible for prosecution through the juvenile justice system. (Ref: http://www.lectlaw.com/mjl/cl032.htm)

The original sin, also called ancestral sin, has Catholic origins. History records that “the concept of original sin was first alluded to in the 2nd century by Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons. At that time this Catholic Bishop was dueling with certain dualist Gnostics. (Ref: “Original Sin,” Wikipedia) Biblically speaking, the original sin of the original man was turning away his ears from listening to God to listening to his wife.

GENESIS 3:17 

And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

How can a baby have such “original sin”? The truth is, “SIN IS NOT INHERITED.” What sin our ancestors have done is not passed on to us. There is no such thing as original sin. The Bible assures us that the iniquity of the father shall not be borne by the son. God is just. As a baby, he has no sin at the time he is being baptized. Even if he sins, as he grows older like an unmarried like a Catholic priest, he won’t be able to pass anything down!!!

EZEKIEL 18:20 

The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

How pitiful to think that Catholics, who possess many good things of this earth, would let their offspring inherit their sins! Is that a good thing to do – ever?

PROVERBS 19:14 

House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.

Adam, the original man, who committed “the original sin,” did not pass it to Abel.

HEBREWS 11:4 

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

Abel was not baptized and so were Moses, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Baptism was instituted only by the Father at the time of John and the Lord Jesus Christ.

JOHN 1:31-32 

31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. 

32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

Although the Israelites were allegorically baptized with Moses in water and the clouds, baptism was not instituted until the coming of John.

I CORINTHIANS 10:1-2 

1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 

2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

If the doctrine of the Catholic Church that claims universal supremacy were universally applied, all infants and children since time immemorial that died without baptism would all be going to limbo! Imagine that! But Christ speaking of universal facts and spiritual truth opened the gates of heaven to all children of all dispensation!

MATTHEW 19:14 

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

MATTHEW 18:3

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Of the more than 260 popes in the Roman Catholic Church, I consider only one having the guts to think and that is Pope Benedict XVI. He declared that limbo is non-existent and that infants and children will go to heaven without being baptized! Could this be the reason he later resigned or was forced to resign? Was he seeing through the errors of the Roman Catholic Church? If the doctrine of infallibility “ex-cathedra” is true, can it be that only Benedict XVI was speaking the truth about infant baptism and limbo, and all the more than 260 were wrong? For almost a thousand years they taught Catholics of the existence of limbo and original sin that may bar a child from entering heaven. 

I do not expect a logical and reasonable answer from Catholic priests. None of them can answer this because none of them can speak “ex-cathedra” – unlike the pope. I, therefore, expect an answer from a pope. 

The Bible is a complete reference for the doctrine of salvation.

II TIMOTHY 3:15-17 
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

In Christ, not even a letter of the alphabet is lost.

REVELATION 22:13 
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

When He said, “I am Alpha and Omega, he is also beta, gamma, delta, epsilon….” The fullness of things and salvation is in Christ for the Father is pleased that all fullness dwell in Him.

COLOSSIANS 1:19 
For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;

The book of Acts is a record of all Christian acts and faith - COMPLETE!

LUKE 1:1-3 
1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, 
2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; 
3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

THE ACTS 1:1-2 
1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 
2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

And it is evident that there was no infant baptism that was recorded in the Book of Acts. The foolish Catholic priest asked, “Where can you show me that the apostles forbade infant baptism?” 

Such a foolish question! But I am giving a logical and a biblical answer. 

The disciples, who have the right to baptize, baptized only a believing person, not an infant!

THE ACTS 8:36-38 
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

We will continue these discussions. I have to park here. Expect more on baptism by sprinkling or pouring, and a broader depth discussion on original sin and other collateral matters. 

The reasoning of Shott - really a "bad Shott" - is that that there is no age mentioned in Matthew 28:19. That is not how to construe the Bible and its meaning. The verses are not islands by themselves. Did he read the next verse following it? We will prove biblically then beyond any shadow of doubt that there is a consideration of age in Matthew 28:19-20. 

More to come, God willing.

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Catholic Church: Faking Christ and His Sheep Too Low

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Anyone that tries to copy something will try as much as possible to resemble the model being copied. The objective is to mimic if not portray originality. Most of the time, there is deception in copying or mimicking if profit is at the base of motives. That is the reason the face or the physical appearance of an impostor can be very much like the person or the thing being faked – outwardly that is. Devourers, for example, can be like sheep outwardly. The Bible warns us of such false prophets.

MATTHEW 7:15 

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

The sheep or the lamb being imitated by false prophets is the Lord Jesus Christ and what He stands for.

JOHN 1:29 

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Even the sheep, the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, are being imitated by false prophets.

II CORINTHIANS 11:13-15 

13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 

14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 

15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

There are standards that a faker must follow in order to fake or imitate someone or something, albeit illegal. For example, fakers of the world’s famous Nike clothing and garments must strive to be perfect in imitating the logo, the class of materials, and the standards of its quality. In so doing, they would make customers think they are dealing with the real Nike items. 

The Catholic Church, by history and tradition, claim that theirs is the church founded by the Lord Jesus Christ. They do so to attract many adherents. However, as a church it falls short of all the wisdom and ability of fakers making the Catholic Church a very low standard “fake.” Here are the reasons why. 

(1) The first standard of the truth is TEACHINGS or DOCTRINES according to the Lord Jesus Christ! But the Catholic Church make up their teachings that are a combination of lore, myths, a hierarchy of false gods propped over and above the Almighty, tradition, Papal orders - all against the teachings of the Bible.

JOHN 7:17-18 

17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. 

18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

Notice the emphasis of the Lord that “he that seeketh his glory that sent him is true and there is no unrighteousness (or error) in him.” The indication is that the sent one represents the sender. Why is it certain that there is no error in the sent one? Because he does not speak of himself. He speaks of the will of the one who sent him. Let us prove that.

JOHN 3:34 

For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

The reason somebody sent by God can be “error-free” is that he only speaks the words of God – not just by his will but by a spirit given him, and unmeasured at that! And how must he speak the words of God?

JEREMIAH 26:2 

Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD's house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD's house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:

PROVERBS 30:5-6 

5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 

6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

The words of God must be spoken or be taught without subtraction or addition! Did you read that? If your answer is “yes,” you are better than Catholic priests! The teachings of the gospel must be exact: no addition, no subtraction.

I THESSALONIANS 2:3-4 

3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 

4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

“Even so we speak” means, “as is,” “exactly”! To emphasize this, the Apostle Paul said that Christians must learn not beyond what was written or preached by the Apostles.

I CORINTHIANS 4:6 (RSV) 

I have applied all this to myself and Apol'los for your benefit, brethren, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.

At this standard, the Catholic Church percentage-wise earns 0%! 

There is none of these things in the Bible: “rosary,” “purgatory,” “limbo,” “trinity” (with the notion that the three persons are perfectly equal), “novena,” “mass,” “doing the sign of the cross,” “Mary ascended to heaven body and soul,” “Mary is forever virgin,” “original sin which necessitates infant baptism,” “seven sacraments,” “baptism by pouring and sprinkling of water,” “indulgence,” “holy inquisition,” like the murder of alleged heretics, and “doctrines for sale.” 

(2) Use of the Rosary as a form of prayer does not adhere to God’s instruction. The idea of repetitious prayers is against the Bible.

MATTHEW 6:7 

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Catholic apologetics try to cure this error by saying that the Lord Jesus Christ prayed the same prayer three times! Is that so? A little examination of the verse will prove that they were not done the Catholic way! It was not done the way of the “rosary”! And the prayer is not vain repetition for what He was asking of the Father is universally important! He prayed the same prayer three times but not in one occasion like the way of the rosary.

MATTHEW 26:39-44 

39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 

40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 

41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 

42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. 

43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. 

44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

Paul at times also said the same prayers but not in one occasion – as done with the rosary!

II TIMOTHY 1:3 

I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

Note that he prays for Timothy repeatedly night and day but not in one occasion. He also prayed another prayer for three times but not in one occasion.

II CORINTHIANS 12:8-9 

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Repeated prayers in the Bible were counted and the maximum was thrice and no more. No Catholic authorities - dead or alive - have a record how many times they prayed the “Hail Mary” in their lifetime. 

It is obvious that the prayers of the Catholic Church are very much unlike the prayers in the true Church of God that they are claiming to be themselves! This is certainly a very low standard of faking. 

To conclude, there is a world of difference in claiming to be of God and not following Him. Following God and his word is the proof of being of Him. 

More to come.

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Foundation of God's Church vs. Foundation of Catholic Church

We talk this time about the foundation of God’s Church and show why it is impossible that the Roman Catholic Church was founded on the same. I will trace who the prophet is that shall build or rebuild this specific church, using the Bible as reference as usual. From here, we will see why there is no semblance of the same foundation. 

The prophet that God will raise among the Israelites in the prophecy He declared to Moses was Christ Jesus. This was explained by an inspired authority in the New Testament, Peter.

ACTS 3:22, 20 

22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. 

20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

Deuteronomy puts this declaration further: “I will put my words in his mouth”.

DEUTERONOMY 18:18 

I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

God the Father had intended that He would build His church or rebuild His church as the case was that the Tabernacle of David was fallen.

AMOS 9:11 

In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:

The Tabernacle of David is symbolic of His people or the church.

THE ACTS 15:14-17 

14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 

15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: 

17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

The phrase “build again” in modern grammar is expressed as “rebuild.” And what is to be rebuilt? The Tabernacle of David symbolic of His people, Israel, or His church, which when fulfilled will include the residue of the people of Israel and the Gentiles. It must be understood in the biblical context that the Israelites are called “the people of God” or “His church” called in the Bible as “the church in the wilderness”!

THE ACTS 7:37-38 

37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear. 

38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

PSALMS 22:22 

I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

From Strong's Hebrew Lexicon -

H6951 

קהל 

qâhâl 

kaw-hawl 

From H6950; assemblage (usually concretely): - assembly, company, congregation, multitude.

The word קהל, qâhâl “assemblage” was translated by the Apostle Paul in the New Testament when he cited Psalms 22:22 in the book of Hebrews as ἐκκλησία or “church.” Meaning that the people of Israel is the qâhâl in the wilderness of Sinai or the “church in the wilderness,” the people of God, symbolic of the tabernacle of David which has fallen. 

What is the cause of the fall of the tabernacle of David, or the people of Israel, or the qâhâl in the wilderness, or the church in the wilderness?

HOSEA 4:6 

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

They lacked knowledge, not because it is not available but because they have rejected it! In fact, God rises early to teach them knowledge.

JEREMIAH 32:33 

And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.

Who were the culprits?

JEREMIAH 32:32 

Because of all the evil of the children of Israel and of the children of Judah, which they have done to provoke me to anger, they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets, and the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

From the leaders to the subjects, they turned into evildoers because of the hardness of their hearts! The leaders were deeply mired in profits and lusts.

EZEKIEL 34:2-5 

2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 

3 Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. 

4 The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. 

5 And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.

MICAH 3:11 

The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.

Such evil was found among the people of God, Israel, or the “Church in the wilderness”.

JEREMIAH 5:26-27 

26 For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. 

27 As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.

This is the same scenario happening among false churches in our times! And then came the time that the Church in the wilderness or the people of God was destroyed! This fact necessitated an action from the ever-loving God to rebuild His church or the Tabernacle of David. There was drought from the word of God as there was no teacher.

II CHRONICLES 15:3 

Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.

Thus, God declared:

AMOS 9:11 

In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:

But what is the manner by which God will rebuild the Tabernacle of David or the Church or the People of Israel who experienced destruction because of their utter rejection of God’s will? God will use a “branch.”

ZECHARIAH 6:12 

And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:

The prophecy using the word “temple” is symbolic of the “Church,” the “Temple of God.”

I CORINTHIANS 3:16 

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Paul, in speaking to the Church in Corinth, said that “they,” the Church in Corinth, is the “Temple of God.” A man called “the branch” will build or rebuild “the Temple of God” or “the Church” or “the People of God.” And who is this “branch” mentioned in the prophecy?

JEREMIAH 33:15 

In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.

JEREMIAH 23:5 

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

This “branch” coming from David to build the Tabernacle of David is the Lord Jesus Christ!

REVELATION 22:16 

I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

The word “offspring,” translated in English, should have been “branch,” as related to “root,” that was mentioned in the prophecy, “branch of David.” In the sense of horticulture, the science and art of cultivating plants, we have now branch and root that are related. 

One thing is definitely true: God will rebuild the “Church in the wilderness” which was fallen using a “Branch of David”, to build the “Tabernacle of David.” The original builder is God, and Jesus Christ as the instrument.

HEBREWS 3:4 

For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.

Thus, when Christ uttered through His mouth “upon this rock I will build my church,” the Father, owner of those words coming out of Christ’s mouth, is the one building the church or rebuilding it. The reality is that when the work is done, the result is “the Church of God.”

II CORINTHIANS 1:1 

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

It is legal and logical to call the church as the “Church of God” because God is the owner and the builder of the original church in the wilderness then to be rebuilt by His instrument, His Son. All that pertains to God is called in His name.

ISAIAH 43:7 

Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

Even Christ, the true Christ is called in the name of God.

LUKE 9:20 

He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

The Holy Spirit is called the “spirit of God”.

GENESIS 1:2 

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

A man that belongs to God is called a “man of God”.

II TIMOTHY 3:17 

That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

An angel not of Satan is called an “angel of God”.

THE ACTS 27:23 

For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

REVELATION 12:9 

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

The true “church” or the “people of God” in the Bible is called by His name.

II CHRONICLES 7:14 

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.

DANIEL 9:19 

O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

Although the people of God may be called “the people of Moses” but the official title by which they must be called is “the people of God.”

DEUTERONOMY 9:12 

And the LORD said unto me, Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have corrupted themselves; they are quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image.

I KINGS 8:16 

Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.

The Law of God for the Israelites maybe called by the connotation, “the Law of Moses” but in reality it is “the Law of God”.

MALACHI 4:4 

Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.

In the Christian era, the law is called “the Law of Christ” but in the truest sense of it, it is “the Law of God”!

GALATIANS 6:2 

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

JOHN 12:48-50 

48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. 

49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 

50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

The Law of God is occasionally called in the Bible as “the commandment of Christ”.

I CORINTHIANS 9:21 

To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

Thus, the church built by God through the instrumentality of Christ is sometimes called “the churches of Christ” but in the truest sense of reality it is the “Church of God”!

THE ROMANS 16:16 

Salute one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

GALATIANS 1:22 

And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judea which were in Christ:

I THESSALONIANS 2:14 

For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

To conclude: God rebuilt the fallen “church in the wilderness,” the “Church of God,” composed of the apostles, prophets, teachers and the like; and was built upon a strong foundation, “the rock” which is Jesus Christ - not Peter!

I CORINTHIANS 12:28 

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

EPHESIANS 2:20 

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

I CORINTHIANS 3:11 

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

This gives us the certainty that it is impossible that this is the Roman Catholic Church! 

The Roman Catholic Church was built upon another foundation! In contrast, the Church of God was built on the foundation, Christ. 

More to come. 

God bless you. 

Sincerely yours, 

Brother Eli

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