Question: "Are Catholic beliefs and
practices Biblical?"
Answer: The issue concerning
any church and its practices should be “Is this Biblical?”
If a teaching is Biblical (taken in context), it should be
embraced. If it is not, it should be rejected. God is more
interested in whether a church is doing His will and obeying
His Word than whether it can trace a line of succession back
to Jesus’ apostles. Jesus was very concerned about
abandoning the Word of God to follow the traditions of men
(Mark 7:7). Traditions are not inherently invalid…there are
some good and valuable traditions. Again, the issue must be
whether a doctrine, practice, or tradition is Biblical. How
then does the Roman Catholic Church compare with the
teachings of the Word of God?
Salvation: The Roman Catholic Church teaches that salvation
is by baptismal regeneration and is maintained through the
Catholic sacraments unless a willful act of sin is committed
that breaks the state of sanctifying grace. The Bible
teaches that we are saved by grace which is received through
simple faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), and that good works are the
result of a change of the heart wrought in salvation
(Ephesians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17) and the fruit of that
new life in Christ (John 15).
Assurance of salvation: The Roman Catholic Church teaches
that salvation cannot be guaranteed or assured. 1 John 5:13
states that the letter of 1 John was written for the purpose
of assuring believers of the CERTAINTY of their salvation.
Good Works: The Roman Catholic Church states that Christians
are saved by meritorious works (beginning with baptism) and
that salvation is maintained by good works (receiving the
sacraments, confession of sin to a priest, etc.) The Bible
states that Christians are saved by grace through faith,
totally apart from works (Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9;
Galatians 3:10-11; Romans 3:19-24).
Baptism: In the New Testament baptism is ALWAYS practiced
AFTER saving faith in Christ. Baptism is not the means of
salvation; it is faith in the Gospel that saves (1
Corinthians 1:14-18; Romans 10:13-17). The Roman Catholic
Church teaches baptismal regeneration of infants, a practice
never found in Scripture. The only possible hint of infant
baptism in the Bible that the Roman Catholic Church can
point to is that the whole household of the Philippian
jailer was baptized in Acts 16:33. However, the context
nowhere mentions infants. Acts 16:31 declares that salvation
is by faith. Paul spoke to all of the household in verse 32,
and the whole household believed (verse 34). This passage
only supports the baptism of those who have already
believed, not of infants.
Prayer: The Roman Catholic Church teaches Catholics to not
only pray to God, but also to petition Mary and the saints
for their prayers. Contrary to this, we are taught in
Scripture to only pray to God (Matthew 6:9; Luke 18:1-7).
Priesthood: The Roman Catholic Church teaches that there is
a distinction between the clergy and the “lay people,”
whereas the New Testament teaches the priesthood of all
believers (1 Peter 2:9).
Sacraments: The Roman Catholic Church teaches that a
believer is infused with grace upon reception of the
sacraments. Such teaching is nowhere found in Scripture.
Confession: The Roman Catholic Church teaches that unless a
believer is hindered, the only way to receive the
forgiveness of sins is by confessing them to a priest.
Contrary to this, Scripture teaches that confession of sins
is to be made to God (1 John 1:9).
Mary: The Roman Catholic Church teaches, among other things,
that Mary is the Queen of Heaven, a perpetual virgin, and
the co-redemptress who ascended into heaven. In Scripture,
she is portrayed as an obedient, believing servant of God,
who became the mother of Jesus. None of the other attributes
mentioned by the Roman Catholic Church have any basis in the
Bible. The idea of Mary being the co-redemptress and another
mediator between God and man is not only extra-biblical
(found only outside of Scripture), but is also unbiblical
(contrary to Scripture). Acts 4:12 declares that Jesus is
the only redeemer. 1 Timothy 2:5 proclaims that Jesus is the
only mediator between God and men.
Many other examples could be given. These issues alone
clearly identify the Catholic Church as being unbiblical.
Every Christian denomination has traditions and practices
that are not explicitly based on Scripture. That is why
Scripture must be the standard of Christian faith and
practice. The Word of God is always true and reliable. The
same cannot be said of church tradition. Our guideline is to
be: “What does Scripture say?” (Romans 4:3; Galatians 4:30;
Acts 17:10). 2 Timothy 3:16-17 declares, “All Scripture is
God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking,
correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man
of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
