Course: World Religions, Cults
and Heresies.
Lesson Four
Title: Roman
Catholicism
Text: Matthew 16:16-19.
Introduction: Roman Catholic Church
What is meant by the name 'Roman Catholic Church'?
1) Roman - The headquarters of the Church are at
the
2) Catholic - It's
universal character in that it is a major 'World Religion'.
3) Church - The institution, hierarchy and
ceremonies of the Church.
The meaning of the
term 'Catholic'
The word catholic means universal.
The catholic church is a term that describes the
universal character of the body of Christ.
In the Apostles Creed the church is described as
the Holy Catholic Church.
This is not referring to the Roman Catholic Church as
the Apostles Creed dates long before the Roman Catholic Church came to
prominence.
Roman Catholicism rose in prominence after
The meaning of the
term 'church'
The Greek word 'ekklesia' is translated 'church' in the KJV.
The word is better translated 'assembly'. It describes a company of people who have
been 'called out' and brought together for a particular purpose.
The church of Jesus Christ consists of those who
have received Him as Lord and Saviour and His life is in them. They are called the temple of the Holy
Spirit.
The church of Jesus Christ is organic. It is the living body of Christ.
Catholic church is a term describing the universal
character of the body of Christ.
Introductory Story:
The Basilica was a Roman public building usually
found in the forum (town centre).
Pontifex Maximus was the title given to Roman Emperors in their role
as the High Priest of the Roman religion.
Main Points
1. The Hierarchy of
the Roman Catholic Church.
The Roman Catholic Church holds that the Church is
built upon Peter. Biblical Christianity
holds that Jesus Christ is the only foundation.
What is meant by
the name Pope?
The Head of the Roman Catholic Church is called the
Pope. He is also known by the title 'Pontifex Maximus' or 'Supreme
Pontiff'.
This title refers to the Pope's position as the
'Chief High Priest of the Roman Catholic Church'.
It was a title held by Roman Emperors and
originated from ancient Babylonian religion.
Boniface III was the first to use the title
Pope. He received the title from the
Emperor Phocas in 610 AD.
Is the Church
built upon Peter?
Matthew
Jesus called Simon by the new name Peter 'petros'.
Jesus said 'upon this rock '
Meaning of 'petros' is different from '
'
'petros' means
'a stone that can be easily moved or thrown'.
The foundation of the church is Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians
What is meant by
the term 'Pontiff' or 'Priest'?
The Roman Catholic Church is a hierarchical
institution that is founded upon the need for a priesthood (clergy) to offer
sacrifices on behalf of the people (laity).
The sacrifice of the Mass - Christ is continuously
sacrificed through the offering of the Mass by the priest.
The supreme High Priest is the Pope (Pontifex Maximus).
Roman Catholicism claims ordination is only valid
through Apostolic Succession.
What is meant by
Apostolic Succession?
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the
ordination of a Bishop must be through Apostolic Succession. This means that only a bishop who has
received ordination within the line of succession from the Apostles can rightfully
ordain others.
Apostolic Succession is similar to maintaining
lines of genealogy.
Biblical Christianity holds that it is the doctrine
of the Apostle's (the scriptures) that must be held continuously and not a
continuous line of ordination
2. The decrees and
sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church.
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the
traditions of the Church are of equal authority with scripture. Biblical Christianity holds that scripture is
the only authority.
The Roman Catholic Church upholds the doctrines of
the Church that have developed since the
4th century. These decrees
are not found in the teaching of the New Testament
The decrees
1)
Prayers for the dead and making the sign of
the cross. (A.D. 300)
2)
Use of wax candles. (320)
3)
Veneration of angels and dead saints, and
use of images. (375)
4)
The beginning of mass as a daily
celebration. (394)
5)
The worship and exaltation of Mary and use
of term "Mother of God"(431)
6)
Priests begin to dress differently from
laity. (500)
7)
Extreme unction. (526)
8)
The doctrine of purgatory, instituted by
Gregory I. (593)
9)
The Latin Language used in worship and
prayer Gregory I. (600)
10) Prayers directed to Mary, dead
saints and angels. (600)
11) Title of "Pope" or
"universal bishop" first given to Boniface III.(607)
12) Kissing the pope's foot, began
with Pope Constantine. (709)
13) Temporal power of the popes, conferred
by Pepin, King of France. (750)
14) Worship of the cross, image, and
relics authorised in (786).
15) Holy water, mixed with a pinch of
salt and blessed by a priest. (850)
16) Worship of
17) College of Cardinals established.
(927)
18) Canonization of dead saints,
first by Pope John XV. (995)
19) Fastings
on Fridays and during Lent. (998)
20) The mass developed as a sacrifice
and attendance made mandatory. (11th Century)
21) Celibacy of the priesthood,
decreed by Pope Gregory VII. (1079)
22) The rosary, used in prayer.
(1090)
23) The Inquisition, instituted by
the Council of Verona. (1184)
24)
25) The teaching of Thomas Aquinas on
Transubstantiation proclaimed by Pope Innocent III. (1215)
26) Auricular (private) confession of
sins to a priest, instituted by Pope Innocent III in Lateran Council. (1215)
27) Adoration of the wafer (Host),
decreed by Pope Honorius III. (1220)
28) Bible forbidden to laymen and
placed on Index of Forbidden Books by Council of Valencia. (1229)
29) The Scapular, invented by Simon
Stock, an English monk. (1251)
30) Cup forbidden to the people at
communion by Council of Constance. (1414)
31) Purgatory proclaimed as a dogma
by Council of Florence. (1439)
32) The doctrine of seven sacraments
affirmed. (1439)
33) Tradition declared to be of equal
authority with the Bible by Council of Trent. (1545)
34) Immaculate Conception of the
Virgin Mary, proclaimed by Pope Pius IX. (1854)
35) Syllabus of Errors, proclaimed by
Pope Pius IX and ratified by the Vatican Council; condemned freedom of
religion, conscience, speech, press, and scientific discoveries which are
disapproved by the Roman Church; reasserted the Pope's temporal authority over
all civil rulers. (1864)
36) Infallibility of the pope in
matters of faith and morals proclaimed by the Vatican Council. (1870)
37) Assumption of the Virgin Mary
(bodily ascension into heaven shortly after her death), proclaimed by Pope XII.
(1950)
The 10 commandments
The Roman Catholic Church upholds the use of images
and the 2nd commandment has
been replaced by dividing the tenth commandment into two.
The Roman Catholic 10 commandments,
1. I am the Lord thy God. You shall not have
strange gods before me.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God
in vain
3. Remember to keep the Sabbath Day.
4. Honour thy Father and thy Mother
5. You shall not kill.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
9. You shall not covet your neighbour's wife.
10. You shall not covet your neighbour's goods.
Teaching
concerning Mary 'the Mother of God'.
Mary is called 'the
Mother of God' and the 'Queen of Heaven'.
A name associated with Babylonian religion, Jeremiah 7:18;
44:18-19, 25.
The doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary is
the teaching that Mary remained a virgin before during and after the birth of Jesus..
The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception (1854) is
the teaching that Mary was born sinless.
The doctrine of the Miraculous Assumption (1950) is
the teaching that Mary ascended into heaven.
The heart of Mary is also regarded as broken for
the redemption of mankind it is probable that the doctrine of Mary as co-redemptrix will be the next decree of the Roman Catholic Church (fifth Marian dogma).
3. The sacraments of
the Roman Catholic Church.
The seven
sacraments.
Roman Catholicism teaches
1.
The Mass
·
The sacrifice of the Mass is the same as the
sacrifice of the cross. Christ is
sacrificed in the
·
The priest literally offers Christ as a
sacrifice.
·
The literal body and blood of Christ is
eaten in the
·
Transubstantiation is the means by which
this happens.
·
The laity are only given the bread. The cup is denied to the laity. The bread is the body of Christ and therefore
contains both body and blood.
2.
Baptism
·
The sacrament of baptism produces baptismal
regeneration.
·
Unbaptised
children do not go to heaven but go to Limbo (Limbus infantum).
3.
Confirmation
·
The Holy Spirit is given through the laying
on of hands.
4.
Penance
·
The priest absolves sins committed after
baptism. Penance is required after
confession satisfying God by temporary punishment.
5.
Holy Orders
·
Ordination of priests, bishops, archbishops,
cardinals and popes is regarded as a sacrament.
6.
Marriage
·
The Vulgate states that marriage '
is a great
sacrament' Ephesians
7.
Extreme Unction
·
The priest anoints the dead or dying with
holy oil and special prayer.
The teaching of
'ex opera operato'
The Roman Catholic Church holds the doctrine of 'ex
opera operato'.
This is the teaching that grace is received through the sacrament.
Salvation is through faith in Christ and through
the sacraments of the Church. Roman
Catholicism teaches that there is no salvation outside of the institution of
the Church.
Summary
1)
The foundation of the Church - Christ alone (Solus
Christus). The Roman Catholic Church holds that the Church is
built upon Peter. Biblical Christianity
holds that Jesus Christ is the only foundation.
Roman Catholicism claims ordination is only valid through Apostolic
Succession. Biblical Christianity holds
that it is the doctrine of the Apostle's that must be passed down.
2)
The authority of the Church - Scripture
alone (Sola Scriptura). The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the
traditions of the Church are of equal authority with scripture. Biblical Christianity holds that scripture is
the only authority. The Roman Catholic Church upholds the
use of graven images which breaks the second commandment. This commandment has been removed from
the Roman Catholic version of the Ten Commandments.
3)
The salvation of the Church - Faith alone (Sola Fide). The
Roman Catholic Church teaches that there are seven sacraments which provide
grace for salvation. Biblical
Christianity upholds the validity of two sacraments, communion and baptism, but
the sacraments are symbolic in nature and do not provide grace for
salvation. A person can only receive
grace for salvation through faith alone in the death and resurrection of the
Lord Jesus Christ. The Roman Catholic Church strongly opposes the teaching that
salvation is through faith in Christ alone.