Defending Catholicism With the Bible

The Church

Matthew 16:18 - Jesus established and protects His Church
Matthew 28:20 - Jesus promises to be with His Church always
John 16:13 - The Holy Spirit guides the Church into all truth
1 Timothy 3:15 - The Church (not the Bible) is the pillar and foundation of truth
Ephesians 3:21 - The Instrument by which "all generations" will know God's wisdom
Matthew 18:17-18 - If someone refuses to listen to the Church cast him out
Matthew 28:18-20 - The Churches authority is Jesus' authority
1 John 4:6 - Anyone who knows God listens to the Church
Luke 10:16 - He who rejects the Church rejects Christ
Matthew 16:19 - The Church has power to legislate
Acts 15:28 - Decisions of the Church are decisions of the Holy Spirit
Acts 15:6-29 - Apostles and elders settle disputes authoritatively through councils
Acts 16:4 - People are to observe the decisions of the Apostles and elders
Acts 1:15-26 - The Apostles choose successors (bishops)
Titus 1:5 - Bishops appoint presbyters (priests)
1 Peter 5:5 - Be subject to the elders
Hebrews 13:17 - "Obey your leaders and submit to them"
John 10:16 - The Church must be one
Ephesians 4:4-5 - There is one body, one Lord, one faith and one baptism
Romans 16:17-18 - Avoid those who create dissensions
1 Corinthians 1:10 - There must be no divisions among you
Philippians 2:2 - Be in full accord and of one mind
John 17:21 - Jesus prayed that we would be one

Apostolic Succession

Ephesians 2:19-20 - The Church is built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets
Ephesians 4:11 - That some should be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers
Acts 1:23-26 - Matthias is chosen to replace Judas
Acts 9:26-30 - Paul is approved by the Apostles
Acts 14:14 - Barnabas is also called an apostle
Titus 1:5 - Titus performs the duties of an apostle
1 Timothy 1:3-7 - Timothy is instructed to exercise the authority of an apostle
1 Timothy 3:1-7 - Qualifications for bishops (successors to the apostles)
1 Timothy 4:14 - The office of bishop was conferred upon Timothy by the laying on of hands

The Pope / Infallibility

John 1:42 - Simon is named Cephas (Peter) which means rock
1 Corinthians 1:12, 3:22, 9:5, 15:5, Galatians 2:9, 2:11, and 2:14 - Paul refers to Peter as Cephas
Matthew 16:18 - Jesus builds His Church on Peter the rock
Matthew 16:19 - Jesus gives Peter the keys of the kingdom, the power to loose and bind
John 21:15-17 - Jesus entrusts the care of His sheep to Peter
Luke 22:32 - Jesus tells Peter to strengthen his brethren
Acts 1:15-26 - Peter presided over the meeting that elected Matthias to replace Judas
Acts 2:14-42 - Peter preached the first public sermon (Pentecost)
Acts 3:6-8 - Peter performs the first miracle after Pentecost
Acts 5:1-11 - Peter inflicts the first punishment (Ananias and Saphira)
Acts 10:9-16 - It is revealed to Peter that Gentiles can be admitted into the Church
Acts 10:44-48 - Peter baptizes the first Gentiles
Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:14-16, Acts 1:13 - Peter is always listed first

The Bible Alone?

* 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - Scripture is profitable for teaching, that the man of God may be complete
Acts 8:26-35 - But guidance is needed to interpret the Scriptures
1 Timothy 3:15 - The Church (not the Bible) is the pillar and foundation of truth
Acts 2:42 - Church followed apostolic teaching (no Bibles, printing press not invented yet)
2 Peter 1:20 - Scripture is not a matter of one's own interpretation
2 Peter 3:16 - The ignorant and unstable twist Scripture to their own destruction
Proverbs 3:5 - Do not rely on your own insight

Tradition

* Matthew 15:3, Mark 6:8, Mark 7:9, and Colossians 2:8 - Human traditions condemned
2 Thessalonians 2:15 - Believers commanded to hold fast to Sacred Tradition
2 Thessalonians 3:6 - Shun those not living according to Sacred Tradition
1 Corinthians 11:2 - Corinthians commended for maintaining the traditions handed down to them
Romans 16:17 - Avoid those who are in opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught

Justification

* Romans 1:17 - The just shall live by faith
Galatians 5:6 - "Faith working through love"
2 John 6 - Love is following His commandments
Romans 12:9-13 - "Let love be genuine, hold fast to what is good"
Acts 16:30-31 - Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved
Mark 10:17 - "What must I do to be saved?"
Mark10:19-21 - Obey the commandments
1 John 2:3-5 - "He who says, 'I know him' but disobeys His commandments is a liar"
Revelation 20:12, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 2:2-8, 1 Peter 1:17 - We are judged by our deeds
Romans 2:13 - Doers of the law not hearers of the law will be justified
James 2:14-26 - "Faith without works is dead"
Matthew 25:31-46 - The saved are those who feed the poor and cloth the naked
John 14:6 - Jesus is the only way to salvation
Matthew 25:40 - Reject your neighbor and you reject Jesus
* Ephesians 2:8-9 - We are saved by grace not our works
Hebrews 4:15-16 - God gives us grace in time of need, we do nothing on our own
Romans 1:5 - Jesus provides the grace to bring about the obedience of faith
1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation is too great, grace provides a way out
1 Corinthians 12:3 - We cannot even say that Jesus is Lord without grace
Philippians 4:13 - We can do anything with Christ (works performed by grace are not our works)
Matthew 7:21 - [that's why] Only those who do the will of the Father will enter the kingdom

Have You Been Saved?

Ephesians 2:5-8, 2 Timothy 1:9, Titus 3:5-7 - I have been saved
Philippians 2:12 - I am being saved
Matthew 10:22, Matthew 24:13, Titus 3:5-7, Philippians 3:11-14 - I hope to be saved
1 Corinthians 9:25-27, Romans 11:22, Hebrews 10:26 - Salvation can be lost
2 John 8, Hebrews 6:4-8 - Salvation can be lost
Luke 24:46-47 - Repentance is necessary for salvation
Romans 2:4 - Even Christians need to repent to be forgiven
Revelation 2:5 - Even Christians need to repent to be forgiven
Acts 26:20 - There should be evidence of your repentance
2 Peter 3:9 - Repent or perish
1 Corinthians 4:2-5 - Paul does not even claim to be saved

Regenerative Baptism

John 3:5 - You must be born of water and of Spirit to enter the kingdom
Acts 2:38 - Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins
Titus 3:5 - We are saved by the washing of regeneration
Acts 22:16 - "Be baptized and wash away your sins"
Romans 6:4 - "We were baptized into Christ's death that we might walk in newness of life"
1 Peter 3:21 - "Baptism now saves you"

Infant Baptism

Colossians 2:11-12 - Baptism replaces circumcision
Genesis 17:12 - Circumcision took place on the eighth day after birth
Mark 10:14 - Children can receive spiritual benefits
Luke 18:15 - "Now they were bringing even infants to Him"
Acts 16:15 - She was baptized with all her household (children?)
Acts 16:33 - He was baptized with all his family (children?)
1 Corinthians 1:16 - Paul baptized the household of Stephanus (children?)
Acts 2:39-39 - Be baptized, "the promise is to you and to your children"

Sunday Worship

Colossians 2:14-16 - Christians are not to be judged for not observing the Jewish Sabbath
Romans 6:14 - Christians are not bound by Jewish ceremonial law
Galatians 4:9-11 - Paul considers adherence to the Jewish days of observance as possible evidence of straying from the faith
Acts 20:7 - The disciples met on the first day of the week (Sunday) to break bread (celebrate the Eucharist)
1 Corinthians 16:2 - The Corinthians collected money for the Church on the first day of the week (Sunday)

The Mass

Malachi 1:11 - Foresees a pure sacrifice that takes place among the nations (Jews & Gentiles)
Matthew 26:26-28 - At the Last Supper Jesus broke the bread and gave it to His disciples
Acts 2:42 - The early church devoted itself to the Apostles teaching and the breaking of bread
Acts 2:46 - They attended temple (Liturgy of the Word) and broke bread (Liturgy of the Eucharist)

Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist

Exodus 12:8, 46, Leviticus 6:24-26 - Under the Old Covenant the sacrificial lamb was eaten
1 Corinthians 5:7 - Jesus is the sacrificial lamb of the New Covenant
John 6:53 - Under the New Covenant the sacrificial lamb must also be eaten
John 6:35-71 - The Eucharist is promised
John 6:35, 48, 51 - Jesus says, "I am the Bread of Life"
John 6:51, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 - Jesus says, "The bread which I give is my flesh"
John 6:66 - Jesus disciples took him literally and He didn't correct them
Isaiah 9:20 - To symbolically eat ones flesh meant to do harm
Isaiah 49:26 - To symbolically eat ones flesh meant to do harm
Micah 3:3 - To symbolically eat ones flesh meant to do harm
Matthew 26:26-28 - The Eucharist is instituted, "This is my body this is my blood"
1 Corinthians 10:16 - The bread and wine are a participation in the body and blood of Christ
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - This is my body this is my blood
1 Corinthians 11:27-29 - Receiving unworthily is profaning the body and blood of the Lord

Confession / Reconciliation

Mark 2:5 - Jesus forgives sins
John 20:21 - Jesus says: "As I have been sent so I send you"
2 Corinthians 5:18 - Christ gave us the ministry of reconciliation
John 20:23 - If you (the apostles and their successors) forgive the sins of any they are forgiven
John 20:23 - If you (the apostles and their successors) retain the sins of any they are retained
Romans 2:4 - "Do you not know that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?"
Acts 3:19 - Repentance needed for forgiveness
Matthew 6:15 - Believers may not retain the sins of anyone

Purgatory

Numbers 20:12 - Moses and Aaron, though forgiven, are still punished
2 Samuel 12:13-14 - David, though forgiven, is still punished
1 John 5:16-17 - There is sin that is not deadly
Revelation 21:27 - Nothing unclean shall enter heaven
Hebrews 12:23 - All in heaven have been made perfect
Matthew 12:36 - "On judgment day men will account for every careless word they utter"
Matthew 18:23-35 - In the kingdom of heaven you will remain in prison until your debt is paid
1 Corinthians 3:11-15 - Fire will test each ones work. He will be saved but only as through fire
Luke 12:41-48 - There are different degrees of punishment after death
2 Maccabees 12:42-45 - He prayed for the dead that they might be freed from their sin
2 Timothy 1:16-18 - Paul prays for his dead friend Onesiphorus

Praying to Saints

* Deuteronomy 18:10-11 - Critics liken praying to saints to divination
1 Samuel 28:3-14 - Divination is conjuring information from the dead (not asking for their prayers)
* 1 Timothy 2:5 - "There is one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus"
Hebrews 9:15 - Specifically: "He [Jesus] is the mediator of a new covenant" (when someone prays for you they are not mediating a new covenant)
1 Corinthians 12:13 - "We were all baptized into one body"
Romans 12:5 - We are one body and individually members of one another
Colossians 1:18 - Christ is the head of the body
Romans 8:35-39 - Death cannot separate us from Christ (or the rest of the body either)
1 Corinthians 12:26 - If one suffers all suffer
Galatians 6:2 - We are to bear one another's burdens
James 5:16 - We are to pray for one another
James 5:16 - The prayer of the righteous has great power
Luke 15:7 - Those in heaven (very righteous) care for us
Revelation 4:8 - Those in heaven pray constantly
Matthew 18:10 - The angels pray for us
Revelation 5:8 - The angels and saints present our prayers to God
Revelation 8:3-4 - The angels add their prayers to ours and present them to God
Tobit 12:12 - An angel presented Tobit and Sarah's prayer to God
2 Maccabees 15:11-14 - The deceased Onias and Jeremiah pray for Israel

Mary Ever-Virgin

* Matthew 1:25 - Joseph knew her not until she had born a son
Luke 1:80 - The word until in Greek does not imply that anything happened after the fact
Matthew 13:55 - "Are not His [Jesus] brethren James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?"
Matthew 27:56 - Mary the mother of James and Joseph is also -
John 19:25 - Mary the wife of Clopas (not Joseph)
Matthew 28:10 - Jesus said, "Tell my brethren to go to Galilee and there they will see me"
Matthew 28:16 - "The eleven disciples went to Galilee" (Are they His siblings too?)
Mark 6:3 - Jesus is the son of Mary not a son of Mary
John 19:26-27 - Jesus entrusted the care of His mother to the apostle John as He had no siblings

The Immaculate Conception

Genesis 3:15 - Enmity between Satan and Mary (if she sinned there would be no enmity)
* Romans 3:23 - All have sinned (Paul is saying there is no advantage for Jew or Gentile)
Luke 1:28 - "Hail full of grace," in Greek indicates something that was completed in the past
* Luke 1:47 - "My spirit rejoices in God my savior" (Jesus saved Mary by preserving her from sin)

The Assumption

2 Kings 2:1-13 - Elijah is assumed into heaven
Hebrews 11:5 - Enoch is assumed into heaven
John 5:28-29 - All of the righteous will be assumed into heaven

The Mother of God

Luke 1:43 - Elizabeth calls her "The mother of my Lord" Jesus is Lord because He is God

Statues and Images

* Exodus 20:4-5 - "You shall not make a graven image…you shall not bow down and serve them"
Exodus 25:18 - "And you shall make two cherubim of gold (for the Ark of the Covenant)"
Exodus 26:1 - The curtains around the ark have cherubim on them
Exodus 26:31 - The linen veil had cherubim placed on it
Numbers 21:8-9 - The Lord tells Moses to make the bronze serpent (did He forget Exodus 20?)
1 Kings 6:23 - By God's design the temple had engraved cherubim
1 Kings 6:35 - Doors in the temple had Cherubim, flowers and palm trees carved on them
1 Kings 7:25-45 - By God's design the temple had bronze oxen and lions

Relics

2 Kings 13:20-21 - A dead man comes to life after touching the bones of Elisha
Matthew 9:20-22 - A woman is cured by touching Jesus' garment
Acts 19:11-12 - People were healed by handkerchiefs or aprons that touched Paul

Holy Medals and Scapulars

Numbers 15:37-40 - The Israelites wore reminders of God

The Trinity

Genesis 18:1-2 - "And the Lord appeared to him…he beheld three men"
Genesis 1:26-27 - God says: "Let us make man in our image…God made man in His image"
Matthew 28:19 - "Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"
2 Corinthians 13:14 - "The grace of Jesus, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit"

Jesus is God

Isaiah 9:5-6 - Prophecy concerning Jesus: "He will be called…Mighty God"
John 1:1 - Jesus is the Word and the Word is God
John 8:58 - Jesus claims to be the great "I Am" (God, Exodus 3:14)
John 10:30-33 - Jesus said: "The Father and I are one"
John 10:38 - Jesus said: "I am in the Father and the Father is in me"
John 14:9 - Jesus said: "He who has seen me has seen the Father"
John 20:28 - Jesus accepts Thomas calling Him "My Lord and my God"
Colossians 2:9 - "In Him [Jesus} dwells the fullness of deity"
Titus 2:13 - "Awaiting our great God and Savior Jesus Christ"
Hebrews 1:8 - God the Father refers to Jesus as "God"

The Holy Spirit is God

Acts 5:3-4 - Lying to the Holy Spirit is lying to God
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 - "The Lord is the Spirit"
Hebrews 3:7-9 - The Holy Spirit claims to be God

The Holy Spirit is a Person Not a Force

John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit will teach you all things
Acts 8:29 - "And the Spirit said to Philip"
Acts 13:2 - "The Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul'"
Romans 8:27 - "The Spirit intercedes for the saints"
1 Corinthians 2:11 - "No one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit"
1 Corinthians 12:11 - "The Spirit apportions to each one as He wills"
Ephesians 4:30 - "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit"

Confirmation

Acts 8:14-17 - Peter and John pray for baptized Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit
Acts 19:5-6 - Paul lays hands on those already baptized and they receive the Holy Spirit

Holy Orders

Luke 22:17-19 - Jesus institutes the priesthood at the Last Supper
John 20:22 - The Apostles are given the authority to forgive sin
Acts 6:2-6 - The first deacons are ordained
Acts 14:23 - Paul and Barnabas appoint elders for the churches at Derbe
Titus 1:5 - Titus, a bishop, is to appoint presbyters (priests) in every town

Celibacy

* 1 Timothy 4:1-3 - Forbidding marriage is a doctrine of demons
Ephesians 5:21-33 - Marriage is good, a symbol of Christ and His Church
Matthew 19:12 - Jesus praises celibacy
1 Corinthians 7:8 - The apostle Paul was celibate
1 Corinthians 7:32-35 Celibacy is recommended for those in ministry

Anointing of the Sick

Mark 6:13 - The Apostles anointed the sick with oil and healed them
James 5:14-15 - The presbyters (priests) pray over and anoint the sick with oil

Chastity

Mark 7:21-23 - Fornication is called evil
1 Corinthians 6:18 - Flee fornication, it is a sin against your body
1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. You are not your own
1 Corinthians 6:20 - You were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body
1 Thessalonians 4:3 - Abstain from fornication, control your body in holiness not in lust
1 Corinthians 7:1 - It is well for a man not to touch a woman
1 Corinthians 7:2 - Because of the temptation to immorality each man should have his own wife
1 Corinthians 7:2 - And each woman her own husband
Galatians 5:19-21 - Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity...those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God
Ephesians 5:5 - No fornicator has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God
Revelation 22:15 - Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers …
Colossians 3:5-6 - Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity...

Matrimony

Matthew 19:5 - A man leaves his father and mother to be joined to his wife
Matthew 19:6 - What God has joined together let no man put asunder
Ephesians 5:21-33 - Marriage is an image of the relationship between Christ and His Church

Artificial Birth Control

Genesis 1:28 - Adam and Eve told by God to be fruitful and multiply
Genesis 38:9-10 - Onan killed for spilling his seed on the ground
Deuteronomy 25:5-10 - Penalty for defying the Leverite law was not death
Galatians 5:20 - The word sorcery, pharmekeia in Greek, refers to abortifacient potions

Divorce and Remarriage

Malachi 2:14-16 - "For I hate divorce says the Lord"
Matthew 5:31-32 - "Whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery"
Matthew 19:9 - Whoever divorces and marries another commits adultery
Mark 10:10-12 - Whoever divorces and marries another commits adultery
Luke 16:18 - Divorce and remarriage is adultery
Romans 7:2-3 - A woman is bound to her husband for life. If she lives with another it's adultery
1 Corinthians 7:10-11 - When divorce is necessary remain single or reconcile

Homosexuality

Genesis 2:18 - It is not good that man should be alone
Genesis 2:18 - I will make him a helper fit for him
Genesis 1:27 - Male and female He created them
Genesis 1:28 - He said to them: "Be fruitful and multiply"
Genesis 2:24 - Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and cleaves to his wife
Leviticus 18:22 - You shall not lie with a male as with a woman, it is an abomination
Romans 1:27 - Homosexuality called unnatural and shameless
1 Corinthians 6:9 - Practicing homosexuals will not go to heaven
Matthew 25:31-45 - Jesus is the one who will judge (that is not the job of believers)
Matthew 19:19 - You shall love your neighbor as yourself (homosexuals are your neighbors)

The Rapture

* 1 Thessalonians 4:17 - We shall be caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air
* Matthew 24:40 - Two men will be in the field; one is taken and one is left
Matthew 24:47 - One man is rewarded (salvation)
Matthew 24:51 - The other is punished (hell) (that leaves no one on earth)
1 Thessalonians 4:15 - Jesus is coming back once more (not twice for a rapture and judgment)
Acts 3:20-21 - Jesus must stay in heaven until that time
Acts 1:11 - When He returns He will be coming all the way down to the earth (not hover above it)
Matthew 25:31-45 - When He comes He will come to judge the living and the dead
Matthew 25:46 - Some go to eternal punishment, some to eternal life (no one left on earth)

* Denotes a verse that is used in opposition to Catholic teaching

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Next Week: The Early Church was the Catholic Church