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 Vatican in Rome.

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 Constantine became Emperor and moved the capital of the Empire to Constantinople. 

 

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:  Vatican City – Basilica and Pope, a development from the Apostles or the Roman Emperors?  

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 16:18 'And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.'

Jesus called Simon by the new name Peter 'petros'.

Jesus said 'upon this rock 'petra' I will build my Church.

Meaning of 'petros' is different from 'petra'.

'petra' means 'a large rock'.

'petros' means 'a stone that can be easily moved or thrown'.

The foundation of the church is Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:11  'For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.'

 

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 4^th 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 St. Joseph. (890)

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)  Sale of Indulgences. (1190)

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 2^nd 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 Mass.

·        The priest literally offers Christ as a sacrifice.

·        The literal body and blood of Christ is eaten in the Mass.

·        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 5:31-32.  It is now accepted that this is a wrong translation but Marriage is still held to be a sacrament by the Roman Catholic Church.

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.