What Roman Catholics Find

When They Study Their Own Bible

Roman Catholics are taught many things. They are often told about the contents of their Bible. If they would study it
for themselves, they would find that their Bible encourages investigation and reading.
They would find — that they are admonished by Christ Himself to “Search the Scriptures” (John 5:39); that people
are liable to make mistakes if they do not know the Scriptures (Matt. 22:29); that those are blessed who read the
Scriptures (Revelation 1:3); and that “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching” (2 Tim. 3:16).
They would find — that their Bible is the only rule of life and that no man has right or authority to make any church
laws contrary to it, nor dare they add to or take from it. “For I warn everyone who hears the prophetic words in this
book: If anyone adds to them, God will add unto him the plagues described in this book, And if anyone takes away
from the words in this prophetic book, God will take away his share in the of life and in the holy city described in this
book.” (Rev. 22:18, 19). “Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Add nothing to
His words, lest He reprove you, and you be exposed as a deceiver.” (Prov. 30:5, 6).
They would find — that there is no Bible record of Peter being in Rome at any time, hence no apostolic succession.
Paul never built upon another man's foundation, so that is evidence no apostle had been in Rome before him (To the
Rom. 15:20). In writing to the Romans in A.D. 58 he salutes twenty-six people and never mentions Peter. Peter writing
from A.D. 60-63 was then in Babylon (1 Pet. 5:13). Paul writing to Timothy in the last year of his life says, “Luke is
the only one with me” (2 Tim. 4:9-12). Not a word about the apostle Peter. Finally, it is further proven that Peter was
the apostle of the circumcision and worked among the Jews, while Paul was the apostle to the uncircumcision and
worked among the Gentiles, therefore, it was the Lord's will that Paul, not Peter, go to Rome (To the Gal. 2:7-8; The
Acts 23:11).
They would find — that Peter (also called Simon), who is claimed to be the first pope, was a married man (St. Mark
1:29-31).
They would find — that Zachary was a married priest (St. Luke 1:5, 13). Also that bishops were permitted to marry (1
Tim. 3:1-4) and that to forbid marriage is not sound doctrine (1 Tim. 4:1-3).
They would find — that their Bible forbids bowing down and the worship of images, pictures or relics (Exo. 20:3-5).
They would find — that God only can forgive sins (St. Mark 2:7).
They would find — that there is no mention made of purgatory or prayers for the dead, but that if men are ever fitted
for heaven, they must be before death or not at all. “Just as it is appointed that human beings die once, and after this the
judgment” (Heb. 9:27). Abraham could not help the dead (St. Luke 16:19-31). David knew it was no use praying for
the dead (2 Sam. 12:16, 19, 22, 23).
They would find — that their Bible forbids them to call any man “ father” as a religious title. “Call no one on earth
your father; you have but one Father in heaven” (St. Matt. 23:9).
They would find — that the Gospel is free “without paying and without cost” (Isa. 55:1). No charges should be made
for it (St. Matt. 10:7, 8).
They would find — that there is only one Mediator between God and men, and that this Mediator is neither Mary the
mother of Jesus according to the flesh, nor some priest, but the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. “For there is one God.
There is also one mediator between God and then human race, Christ Jesus, himself human” (1 Tim. 2:5, 6). “But if
anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one” (1 St. John 2:1-3). “Then all of
you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified,
whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed. There is no salvation through anyone
else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.” (The Acts 4:10,
12).
They would find — that Christ is the only way of salvation and that no man-made system of religion can take the
place of, or even assist God's way of saving sinners. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one
comes to the Father except through me.” (St. John 14:6). “For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so
that we might become the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Cor. 5:21).
They would find — that a person can be saved and know it in this life, that a person can realize and experience peace
in his heart and have the assurance of his sins forgiven . These precious facts come to us only through faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ and His shed blood on the cross. “In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of
transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7). “Realizing that you were ransomed from your futile
conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold” (1 Pet. 1:18, 19). “He himself bore
our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have
been healed.” (1 Pet. 2:24). (Also read Isa. 53:4-6; Gal. 3:13; St. John 6:37; 2 Cor. 5:21; Col. 1:20-22).
They would find — that when men and women die, they go to either heaven or hell; and that it is an eternal place, a
state of conscious joy, or torment from which there is no deliverance (St. Luke 16:19-31; St. Matt. 25:41,46).
They would find — that the hope of the church is not earthly power and greatness, but a path of suffering as her
rejected Lord suffered; and to wait for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ in a personal, visible manner as He once left
this earth, and that He may come at any moment. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and
take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.” (St. John 14:3). “They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you
standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way
as you have seen him going into heaven.” (The Acts 1:11). “Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day
your Lord will come. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
(St. Matt. 24:42, 44).
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In conclusion — We would advise Catholics to read their Bibles and find the simple way of salvation as revealed
therein. The Bible itself declares the way is so plain that “nor fools go astray on it.” (Isa. 35:8). We are more and more
convinced that the need of the day is to search the unchanging Scriptures. Let us see if what bishops, priests, ministers
and teachers tell us is the truth or not. In Apostolic days, this was done. “These Jews were more fair-minded than those
in Thessalonica, for they received the word with all willingness and examined the scriptures daily to determine whether
these things were so.” (The Acts 17:11). They who do not preach and teach the Gospel as it is found in the Scriptures
are under the curse of God and should not be received into the house. “But even if we or an angel from heaven should
preach (to you) a gospel other than the one that we preached to you, let that one be accursed! As we have said before,
and now I say again, if anyone preaches to you a gospel other than the one that you received, let that one be accursed!”
(Gal. 1:8, 9). “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him in your house or even greet
him; for whoever greets him shares in his evil works.”(2 John 10-11).