1. The Spirit Of Truth And The Spirit Of Error: Roman Catholicism The Spirit Of Truth And The Spirit Of Error: Roman Catholicism 1 John 4:6

2. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 1 John 4:6, KJV 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 1 John 4:6, KJV

3. Roman Catholicism - History During the first 100 years of Christianity, each local congregation exhibited autonomy in its structure and organization. Before the end of the second century, the church at Rome held a distinctive place in the Christian world. Rome was an important economic and political center, and the church at Rome grew very strong.

4. Roman Catholicism - History In 313 A.D., the Roman emperor Constantine did the unthinkable. He not only ended hundreds of years of persecution against Christians; he made Christianity the official religion of the Roman empire. He gave church leaders, especially those in the capital city, enormous religious and political power.

5. Roman Catholicism - History In the middle of the fifth century, Leo, Bishop of Rome, commanded, by virtue of an edict from the emperor, that all should obey the Bishop of Rome because he held the primacy of St. Peter. Through the Pope, as Peter’s successor, Peter would continue to minister as one who held the “keys to the Kingdom.” Leo’s claim was widely disputed, especially by the eastern wing of the church centered around Constantinople.

6. Roman Catholicism - History The “break” came in 1054 when the Patriarch of Constantinople excommunicated Pope Leo IX of Rome. From that time on, the Western (Roman Catholic) church and the Eastern (Orthodox) church developed separately. As the Western church grew, it began to add certain doctrines that were not in the Bible. Not everyone agreed with these new teachings, primarily because they were not in the Bible.

7. Roman Catholicism - History Finally, in 1517, a leader of the opposition emerged. His name was Martin Luther. Luther did not intend to break with the church, but rather to reform it from within. Luther sought to return the church to a belief that a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through faith in Him was the way to salvation. But the Roman Catholic Church rejected Luther’s views, and he and the other “protestors” were forced out.

8. Roman Catholicism - History So today, from a beginning of one Christian church, we have three main divisions – Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism with all of its various denominations. Not surprisingly, the Roman Catholic Church denies the validity of all claims but its own. Today there is an effort by some to unite the Roman Catholic Church and Protestants into one religious movement.

9. Roman Catholicism -- Overview Some say Roman Catholics are not allowed to read the Bible. This is not exactly true. Catholics are encouraged to be nourished by the truths of Scripture. However, Catholics believe that “Scripture is subject finally to the judgment of the church, which carries out the divine commission of guarding and interpreting the Word of God.”

10. Roman Catholicism -- Overview Roman Catholicism teaches that “the Church is the divinely appointed Custodian and Interpreter of the Bible … God never intended the Bible to be the Christian’s rule of faith independently of the living authority of the church. The Bereans, in Acts 17:11, followed the proper, God-given procedure for evaluating the teaching of church leaders in light of God’s Word.

11. Roman Catholicism -- Overview Based on a misinterpretation of Matthew 16:18, Roman Catholics make another grave error in identifying Peter as the first Pope. Never in the New Testament is Peter given a special place of prominence or authority. At the only church council mentioned in the New Testament James, not Peter, presided. The teaching that says the Pope is the Vicar of Christ and infallible is contrary to Scripture.

12. Roman Catholicism -- Overview Catholics believe that faith is basic to salvation, but Catholics say that a person must also do good works to finish what was begun by faith, and that complete salvation come through the church. Mariology is another area where Catholics are in serious error. The belief in the power of Mary is so great in some parts of the world that Catholics worship her in place of Christ.

13. Roman Catholicism -- Overview Errors include the belief that Mary is the Mother of God; that her virginity continued after the birth of Jesus; that she was conceived without sin and lived a sinless life; that at the end of her earthly life she was taken up body and soul to heaven; that she is Co-Redeemer, having suffered with Christ; and that she is Co-Mediator, serving as the mediator between God and man. Catholics believe that all sins are divided into two categories.

14. Roman Catholicism -- Overview Mortal sins include missing Mass without a good reason; getting seriously drunk; stealing something expensive; adultery; and reading non- Catholic Bibles or religious books. Mortal sins, which cause loss of salvation, must be confessed to a priest. Venial sins require only a personal act of repentance. Venial sins include lies which harm no one; gossip; getting slightly drunk; eating too much; and stealing something cheap.

15. Roman Catholicism -- Overview Since Catholics believe that faith is only the beginning of salvation, they teach a series of Sacraments that make up seven steps in the stairway to heaven. The sacraments are: 1) Baptism; 2) Confirmation; 3) Holy Communion; 4) Reconciliation; 5) Last Rites; 6) Holy Orders; and 7) Matrimony. Two other unscriptural doctrines include Purgatory and the Apocrypha as Scripture.

16. The Godhead The Bible teaches that there is one God, existing in three Persons simultaneously. Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19 Roman Catholics believe the same thing. Roman Catholicism holds to the doctrine of the Trinity, the deity of Christ, and the deity and personhood of the Holy Spirit.

17. Jesus Christ The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is God, the second Person of the Godhead, Savior of the world, and that He was raised from the dead bodily. John 1:1; 1 Corinthians 15:17 The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is God, the second Person of the Godhead, Savior of the world, and that He was raised from the dead bodily. John 1:1; 1 Corinthians 15:17 Roman Catholics believe the same thing. What they add to this doctrine is another matter altogether.

18. The Holy Spirit The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Godhead, equal in deity with the Father and the Son. Acts 5:3-4; Romans 8:9 The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Godhead, equal in deity with the Father and the Son. Acts 5:3-4; Romans 8:9 Romans Catholics believe essentially what the Bible teachers about the Holy Spirit.

19. Sin The Bible teaches that sin is the transgressing of God’s law, and that all have done so. 1 John 3:4; Romans 3:23 The Bible teaches that sin is the transgressing of God’s law, and that all have done so. 1 John 3:4; Romans 3:23 Roman Catholics believe the same thing. They believe in original sin and in acts of sin.

20. Redemption The Bible teaches that we are redeemed or bought back from sin by the shedding of Christ’s perfect blood on the cross. Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19 The Bible teaches that we are redeemed or bought back from sin by the shedding of Christ’s perfect blood on the cross. Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19 Roman Catholics believe that the sacrifice of Christ upon the cross makes salvation possible; however, the waters of baptism have the power to cleanse from sin and provide saving grace.

21. Salvation The Bible teaches that all who call upon Christ in faith will be saved. This salvation is accomplished through His sacrifice plus nothing. John 1:12; Ephesians 2:8-9 The Bible teaches that all who call upon Christ in faith will be saved. This salvation is accomplished through His sacrifice plus nothing. John 1:12; Ephesians 2:8-9 Roman Catholics believe that Christ made salvation possible, but that good works and sacraments are required to accomplish salvation.

22. Retribution The Bible teaches that the wages of sin is spiritual death in a literal, burning hell. Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15 The Bible teaches that the wages of sin is spiritual death in a literal, burning hell. Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15 Roman Catholics believe in an afterlife, including heaven and hell. However, Roman Catholics also believe in a place called Purgatory for those Catholics who die with un-absolved sin. This purgatory is a place where people pay for their sin before being promoted on to heaven.

23. Evangelicals and Catholics Together? While there is much doctrine that Catholics and orthodox Christians share, the differences cannot be ignored. When the doctrine of salvation is a issue, there is zero room for compromise, acceptance or cooperation. 2 Corinthians 6:17 While there is much doctrine that Catholics and orthodox Christians share, the differences cannot be ignored. When the doctrine of salvation is a issue, there is zero room for compromise, acceptance or cooperation. 2 Corinthians 6:17