Mark 7:9-13, “And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.”
Most people are foolish, ignorant and naïve concerning the cult of Roman Catholicism. In fact, Catholicism is a prisonhouse of religion, not true Christianity, which I will prove to you.
The Catholic.com Website Gets The Gospel Wrong
Here is one of thousands of websites on social media that errantly think Catholics are Christians. ...
Are Catholics Christians?
by Charles E. Pope
Catholics are Christians. In fact, we are the very first Christians. And we who call ourselves Catholic are no less Christian than Lutherans who call themselves Lutherans, or Methodists who call themselves Methodist, etc. [emphasis added]
SOURCE: https://www.simplycatholic.com/are-catholics-christians/
Catholics are NOT Christians! By “Christian” I mean born-again. Jesus warned in John 3:3, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Dear reader, if there has never been a time and place in your life when you came to God as a guilty sinner, and by faith received Christ's sacrifice on the cross as payment for your sins, trusting the Bible record that Jesus was buried but then resurrected from the dead after three days, you need to get saved before it is too late. Being religious won't get you into Heaven. Most people have churchianity without Christianity, because they've never been born again. Satan's greatest weapon is to con people into living the Christian life without ever being born again.
In the Catholic religion some errantly teach that you must keep Seven Sacraments to get to Heaven. Some of these sacraments include water baptism, Holy Eucharist (communion), confession, et cetera. Interestingly, if you read different Catholic ministry websites you will find varying methods of how to get to Heaven. Oh boy! Let's examine a couple shall we.
Catholic Answers magazine says this is how you can go to Heaven...The two sentences are these: To come to God and be saved, you need to repent, have faith, and be baptized. If you commit mortal sin, you need to repent, have faith, and go to confession.
That’s it. That’s all there is to it. And we can show each of these things from the Bible.
SOURCE: https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/how-to-go-to-heaven
What you just read is another gospel which doesn't match the Bible's plan of salvation. Catholic.com is wrong to make repentance a separate step from faith to be saved. Biblically, repentance (Greek verb: metanoeo) is simply a change of mind unto the Gospel itself. That is, a man who believes the Gospel has repented. That is, he has changed his mind. Anybody who tells you that more than faith is required to get to Heaven is a liar! Faith is the only righteous thing that I can do.
'The Dark Knight' Catholic Website Gets The Gospel Wrong
Here is another Catholic ministry website at The Dark Knight. They errantly teach that you must keep the Seven Sacraments to get to Heaven...
Thus, if we want to get to Heaven and knowing that only the holy are allowed into Heaven, and then knowing that the Sacraments make us holy, then it is by the Sacraments that this is accomplished. Namely, our salvation and sanctification.
The Sacraments make us Holy! That is why they are important!
SOURCE: https://www.knightsrepublic.com/single-post/2020/04/08/Are-the-Sacraments-Necessary-for-Salvation
Dear friend, what you just read is self-righteousness reformation, not God's free grace. They are trying to make sinners holy through manmade tradition, in this case “sacraments.” The Dark Knight website are very wrong, you don't get made holy and sanctified by keeping some stupid religious sacraments. What saith the Scripture? John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” It is the inspired Word of God that sanctifies the believer. But you need to get saved first. How do you get saved according to the Bible? ...
Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
So, here we learn that “the gospel” is the power of God which saves, if someone simply believes it. That raises the next question of, what is “the gospel”? ...
1st Corinthians 15:1-4, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
The Bible plainly teaches us how to get to Heaven—by putting our trust in the Gospel, which is the “Good News” that Jesus died on a cross to pay for our sins, was buried and three days later He bodily resurrected from the dead. This is the GOOD NEWS!!! Believe it, Oh guilty sinner, and you are saved!
Now, how does what Catholic.com and KinghtsRepublic.com compare with what we just read from the inspired King James Bible? Nowhere does the Bible teach to repent of your sins to be saved. Nowhere does the Bible teach to keep sacraments to be saved. In fact, the word “sacraments” is not even found in the Bible. Nowhere does the Bible teach to be water baptized to be saved.
Catholic.com Perverts 1st Peter 3:21 To Teach Baptismal Regeneration
On the Catholic.com webpage that I linked to earlier, they cite the following Scripture passage from 1st Peter 3:21 as a proof text that you must be water baptized to get to Heaven. This popular false doctrine is called Baptismal Regeneration. ...
1st Peter 3:20-22, “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.”
But please take careful notice of the words following “whereunto even baptism doth also now save us”—it reads, “(not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,).” Water baptism cannot cleanse us from our sins, only the precious blood of Jesus can do that! Revelation 1:5-6, “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
My ministry friend Pastor Max Younce (1935-2023) graduated to Heaven on August 11, 2023. I appreciate and miss him. Dr. Younce was a true scholar. I often referred to him as “the Dr. John R. Rice of our generation.” Evangelist John R. Rice (1895-1980) founded the Sword Of The Lord in 1934 and was a brilliant Bible scholar, having authored hundreds of books and helpful resources for people who wanted to learn the Holy Bible.
Dr. Younce wrote the following helpful information to explain 1st Peter 3:21...
1 Peter 3:20,21
"...When once the longsuffering of God waited in the days
of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that
is, eight souls were saved by (through) water. (20) The like
figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not
the putting away of the filth of the flesh [i.e. our sins], but
the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the
resurrection of Jesus Christ." (21)
Several years ago, my wife and I were listening to the car
radio, having just tuned into a religious broadcast. After a few
minutes, the minister quoted one sentence from Verse 21, that
being "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save
31
us"—period! He did not finish the verse; but, went on to
explain, at great length, the necessity of baptism for salvation.
Again, I cannot emphasize strongly enough the
importance of reading all of a verse, including the surrounding
text, to receive the correct interpretation and meaning. In 2
Timothy 2:15 we are instructed to "rightly" divide the Word of
Truth;" NOT "rightly chop up the Word of Truth!"
Since Verse 21 begins with "the like figure," it is referring
to that which is set forth in Verse 20. It should be noticed that
in Verse 20, the "eight souls that were saved by water" should be
translated "saved through water"; NOT, "by water." The eight
were saved from the flood waters by being in the ark—a type
of Christ. They were not saved by the water for it was that
which destroyed! Therefore, "the like figure" is figurative of
the ark of Christ which provided absolute safety from the
flood waters of death. The flood waters testify of death; and
the ark, of resurrection. Notice Genesis 8:4,
"And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the
seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of
Ararat."
It is not by chance that the ark (A type of Christ) rested on
the mountain on the 7th month, on the 17th day. Centuries
later, God changed the calendar. Noah's calendar was in effect
until the emancipation of Israel from Egypt; and, God then
instituted their religious calendar. The first month of Israel's
religious calendar was the same as the 7th month of Noah's
secular calendar, or our April. The Jewish Passover,
representing Christ's death, was on the 14th day (Leviticus
23:4,5); therefore, Christ was resurrected three days later on
the 17th, the same day the ark rested on the mountains of
Ararat, showing resurrection.
Conclusion: Baptism does not save us; but, identifies us
publicly, showing our faith is in the death, and Resurrection
of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus.
Returning to 1 Peter 3:21 where the phrase "baptism doth
also now save us" is explained within the verse, itself. Here we
have the "negative" and the "positive." The "negative" tells us
what baptism does not save us from. Here is the record...
"...not the putting away of the filth of the flesh,...
(i.e. our sins)."
Now the "positive" telling us what baptism does save us
from, that being a GUILTY CONSCIENCE before God.
Again, the record...
"...but the answer of a good conscience toward God,
by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
How simple the Scriptures are when we are willing to
accept God's Word as our Authority. A child of God is saved
by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8,9); but, will be void of a good,
clear conscience; until they are willing to be identified with
Christ by their public baptism.
"Go ye therefore, and teach (i.e. make disciples of) all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (19) Teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and,
lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
Amen." - Matthew 28:19,20
I want to repeat something that Dr. Younce said, because it is so very important when studying the Word of God. ...
Again, I cannot emphasize strongly enough the importance of reading all of a verse, including the surrounding text, to receive the correct interpretation and meaning. In 2 Timothy 2:15 we are instructed to "rightly" divide the Word of Truth;" NOT "rightly chop up the Word of Truth!"
The false teachers at Catholic.com are guilty of violating the principle that Pastor Younce just taught. They “chop up” the Word of Truth by only quoting the first portion of 1st Peter 3:21, totally ignoring the last part of the verse.
Here is an exact quote from the heretical Catholic.com website...
And the need for baptism is shown when St. Peter flatly tells us: “Baptism now saves you” (1 Peter 3:21).
So that’s what you need to do if you want to come to God and be saved: Repent, have faith, and be baptized.
SOURCE: https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/how-to-go-to-heaven
Do you see how dishonest they are? They are merely cherry-picking the Bible, lifting text out of context to create a new pretext. By manipulating the Bible the way that Catholic.com does, you could literally teach ANYTHING! 1st Peter 3:21 says that water baptism does not put away the filth of our flesh. That is, water baptism cannot wash away our sins, only the precious blood of Jesus can do that! 1st John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Getting water baptized is the first step of obedience for a new believer. If we want to have a good conscience toward God, then we need to get baptized right away (which is the public profession of our Christian faith).
Roman Catholicism butchers the Holy Bible:
- Whereas the Bible commands us not to call men “Father” or “Rabbi,” that is exactly what Catholics wickedly do! Matthew 23:9, “And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.”
- 1st Timothy 4:1-3 warns that false prophets will come, “Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats...” That is exactly what Catholics do, flagrantly violating God's Word!
- There is nothing in the Bible about The Assumption of Mary.
- There is nothing in the Bible about The Immaculate Conception of Mary.
- There is nothing in the Bible about The Perpetual Virginity of Mary.
- There is nothing in the Bible about about praying The Rosary to Mary.
- There is nothing in the Bible about confessing your sins to a priest.
- There is nothing in the Bible about sacraments.
- There is nothing in the Bible about eating Jesus' body and drinking His blood.
- There is nothing in the Bible about priests having power to forgive men's sins.
- There is nothing in the Bible about clergy forbidden to get married.
- There is nothing in the Bible about idolizing the Pope.
- There is nothing in the Bible about Mortal versus Venial Sins.
- There is nothing in the Bible about Purgatory.
- There is nothing in the Bible about Holy Water.
I could literally list hundreds of manmade Catholic traditions that are not found in the Bible.
Sadly and tragically, there are over one billion Catholics in the world. Roman Catholicism is the biggest religious cult on planet earth! The Russian Orthodox Catholicism comes in second as the largest cult. Catholicism is a prisonhouse of religion!!!
Do you know what Catholicism really is friend? It is a religion for unregenerate men! That is, it is the religion of choice for unsaved religious people, for those who want an elaborate religious package from the cradle to the casket! But be forewarned dear reader—religion is a sure road to Hell. Religion never saved anybody! Salvation is not found in any religion; but rather, in the person and redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ! John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
I could say much more, but you get the point. You now know everything you need to be saved dear friend. It saddens me that billions of people have been given false hope by the Vatican, falsely told that they can find salvation through the sacraments of the Catholic Church. As I should you earlier from The Dark Knight website, they teach that holiness gets you to Heaven. But what does the Bible says? Isaiah 64:6, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Your best effort to achieve holiness is filth to God! The reason why is because you cannot compensate for the sins you've already committed by cleaning up your act. This is why we are told in James 2:10, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” Even committing just one sin is enough to prevent someone from entering into Heaven (1st Corinthians 6:9-11). That is why we all need a Savior!
Until Catholics repent of their DEAD WORKS (Hebrews 6:1), and instead BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST (Acts 16:30-31), they cannot be saved.
