We are reading disturbing things. Rex Humbard, in THE
ANSWER, March, 1980, tells of his visit to the Vatican, the seat of
Antichrist in our day. He said: "It was one of the most exciting
milestones in my entire life, something that will be with me as long as
I live." "The Pope was reflecting the love of Jesus Christ, just as we
reflect the love of Jesus Christ when we gather together each week by
way of television." "As the Pope and I talked together, I sensed more
and more that our mission is the same: to build the body of Christ; to
uplift our brethren in the Lord; to win the world for the kingdom."
Billy Graham has been praising the Pope. He has called him a
great evangelist. He has said that the Pope has the same message as
himself.
In the November 22, 1979 issue of Pat Robertson's FLAME the
charismatics are pushing themselves to be recognized among the
old-line Christians and are seeking to commend themselves as genuine
ecumenicals. Here the Pope, Billy Graham, Rex Humbard, Bill
Bright, Jim Bakker are all featured. The account headlines, Graham
echoes Pope, Praise the Lord Jesus Christ. All of them together were
an exhibition "of the spiritual unity that Jesus had asked His Father to
send upon His church."
Everywhere we hear Pentecostals rejoicing that "The
outpouring of the Holy Spirit in these days has occurred to Catholics
WITHIN the Catholic Church. The Charismatic Renewal has
RENEWED LOVE OF THE CHURCH."
It is shocking how many Christians are giving this their approval.
Their acceptance is really an endorsement of the Roman Catholic
Church and places it as one of the "many" churches of Christ in the
world. It gives it a standing as a TRUE CHURCH of genuine
Christian believers.
The "North American Congress on the Holy Spirit and World
Evangelization" was held July 22-25, 1987, in New Orleans
Louisiana.
There were 35,000 registrants from 40 different
denominations. At least 51% were Roman Catholics. The Chairman,
Vinson Synan, said: "The great conference of conferences, represents
the entire body of Christ of North America." All the big guns of the
compromising charismatic and ecumenical movements were there:
James Robison, Dr.E.V.Hill, Thomas Nelson, Campus Crusade for
Christ, Jews for Jesus, Oral Roberts University, Wycliffe Bible
Publishers, Karl Strader, who said, "The charismatic renewal is a
movement of the Holy Ghost," and over 400 other groups and leaders.
Billy Graham could not be present in person but he sent his
greetings by an audio tape: "Greetings in the Name of the Lord. I
would love to be with you in your great conference ... It is
encouraging to see the Holy Spirit moving in His church across North
America ... My prayers are with you that your congress will be greatly
blessed of God and used of the Holy Spirit to further the Good News."
How sad to see Billy Graham endorsing this compromising and
deceptive meeting which was not the work of the Holy Spirit.
Many of the speakers were Roman Catholic priests and
leaders. Each morning the Congress's largest meeting room, the
arena,was given over to a charismatic Catholic mass attended by
thousands. The congress chairman, Vinson Synan, urged the
delegates to stay over Sunday to attend the final Catholic mass,
saying, "If you want to see something beautiful, come see a
Spirit-filled Catholic mass."
The mass is described in the Catholic Church's booklet, The
Morning Sacrifice as follows: "The priest is about to offer up the
immaculate Lamb in sacrifice. Only an instant and God's priest will
hold his very Maker in his hands. That which is now only bread and
wine will soon become the body of our Lord which hung upon the
Cross, and the precious blood which He shed. We must bear in mind
that the sacrifice of the Mass is in very truth the sacrifice of the Cross.
What does the Bible say? Read Hebrews
9:11,12,13,14,25,26,28 and Hebrews 10:10,11,12,14,18. In these
Scriptures we have the teaching of the Word of God on the question of
the forgiveness of sins, and the sacrifice upon which that forgiveness is
based. Hear these words over and over and over gain: "ONCE",
"ONE", "FOREVER", "ONE SACRIFICE", "ONCE OFFERED",
"NO MORE". The mass is an abomination to our Lord and must be
rejected by every born-again Christian.
The following account shows the deception and fallacy of the
charismatic movement. All during the first 2 1/2 days of the New
Orleans conference, there were dozens of instances of speaking in
tongues, being slain by the Spirit, falling on the floor, and other
practices. Yet, on Friday night after African Evangelist Reinhard
Bonnke spoke, between 35,000-40,000 people stood on their feet in
response to his invitation for salvation. These were the very same
people who for over two days had been speaking in tongues and
expressing their desire to evangelize the world. It was a frightful sight.
Bonnke repeated his invitation so that all would understand that he
was speaking of salvation. The thousands remained standing. He
then led them into a form of a sinner's prayer which shows how
confused they were about salvation.
The same spirit of compromise and deception is seen in the
Canadian Council of Churches receiving the Roman Catholic Church
as an associate member. It is the same Roman Catholic Church with
the same deception, and the same mass and the same false teaching on
salvation.
Halifax Herald, April 23/88
By DAVID HARRIS
staff reporter
When the Canadian Council of Churches (CCC) meets in
Montreal May 7 for its seventh triennial conference, the Roman
Catholic Church for the first time will attend as an associate member -
a significant development in ecumenical relations between the
country's largest denomination and most other mainline churches.
Ecumenism, a co-operative effort by various denominations in
addressing common theological and social issues, has grown in
importance during the latter half of this century, receiving particular
impetus from the second Vatican Council (1962-65).
For this reason, Most Rev. James M. Hayes, Archbishop of Halifax
and president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops says
"people who are attuned to what is going on will see as significant" the
Catholic church's presence in the council. The Canadian Council of
Churches attempts to reunite
Christians, speaking with a united voice on what can be agreed upon.
Reunification of the church is its ultimate goal.
"We (all) fell more comfortable in ghetto mentality," says
Archbishop Hayes. But "we have a real responsibility to work
towards Christian unity - it's not right to be divided the way we are."
The CCC admitted the Roman Catholic Church to associate-member
status during its last triennial in Halifax in May 1985. The move has
had significant consequences.
Besides bringing the largest Canadian church into the fold, the
council "had to become bilingual because more than half the Roman
Catholics in Canada are French-speaking." the archbishop says.
The change also gives much greater impact to resolutions passed by
the council on theological and/or social issues. Rev. Dawn Davis,
member-at-large of the CCC's executive council and an Anglican
member of the general council, says introduction of French is one of
the most important changes Roman Catholics brought with them.
"Now when the council speaks, it truly represents the church across
the whole country." Having a bilingual operation "reflects the cultural
reality of Canada," says Miss Davis, a deacon in the Diocese of Nova
Scotia.
The conference theme - Sharing Gifts/Partegeons nos richesses for
the first time reflects the council's bilingual state. Represented at
the triennial will be 15 member churches, one associate member and a
number of non-member churches, plus voluntary organizations such
as Ploughshares.
The Roman Catholic Church's size created some difficulty when
negotiations were under way to try to bring it into the council. The
number of delegates each church sends to the council is proportional
to that church's size.
Those members also determine the amount of financial
contribution made by each church. Under its present status, the
Roman Catholic Church is the third largest contributor after the
United and Anglican churches.
The size of the Roman Catholic Church "threatened to
overwhelm" the council if admitted immediately to full member status.
Archbishop Hays says. So the council created an associate
membership without suddenly tipping the balance.
But that status is not permanent. "It's a review status," Miss Davis
says. "The aim is full membership - it's a stepping stone." Entry of
Roman Catholics to ecumenical councils is not new. "Since the
Vatican Council in 1965 and the church's official declaration of
ecumenism, there have been numerous attempts to increase
inter-church relations," the archbishop says.
The church has also had full membership in local councils for some
time, being a member of the Halifax-Dartmouth Council of Churches
for 20 years.
We have had letters and newspaper clippings from all across
Canada and the United States telling of charismatic and ecumenical
services in which liberal and new-evangelical Protestant churches
united with Roman Catholic churches for "fellowship" and for
"nurture in the Spirit." Beloved, this is not of God. It is not of the
Holy Spirit.
From August 4-8, 1988, there will be a "National Festival of
Evangelism" in Chicago. This Congress is to be a coordinated effort
by the Billy Graham Association of Evangelicals (to which 98% of all
radio and TV ministries belong), the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago,
and the National Catholic Evangelization Association. One speaker
will be the Archbishop of Chicago, Joseph Cardinal Bernardin.
Back in 1554, a priest carrying the wafer (the little Jesus cookie),
stood before a family of Christians in Scotland who were tied to posts;
dried brush was piled around them up to their waists. The priest held
that wafer before them and asked, "Is this wafer the actual blood and
body of Jesus Christ." When they answered, "No, it is only a symbol,"
the priest's assistant placed his flaming torch into the brush and burned
the believers to death. As the victims screamed in agony, the priest
held up his crucifix and said, "All of this is for the greater glory of
God."
Rome has not changed. The Bible has not changed. Our Saviour
has not changed. He is: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today,
and for ever" (Hebrews 13:8). The way into Heaven has not
changed. What has changed? ;The preachers in the pulpits and on the
radio and TV programs, and the majority of all Gospel ministries and
missions! The greatest influence upon them has been the new
translation of the Bible.
But God still has a remnant who will not bow the knee to Baal.
Let us study carefully the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church and
compare them with the plain truth of God's Word.
SCRIPTURES FOR USE WITH
ROMAN CATHOLICS
By J.D. Lewen
Formerly a Franciscan Monk
All the following questions and answers, under letters R.C.C., are
taken from Roman Catholic Catechism No. 2. Prepared and enjoined
by order of the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore.
ON THE MASS
R.C.C. What is the Mass?
The Mass is the unbloody sacrifice of the body and blood of
Christ.
Is the Mass the same sacrifice as that of the Cross? The
Mass is the same sacrifice as that of the Cross.
The above Roman Catholic teaching is against God's teaching:
"For this he did once, when he offered up himself" (Heb.7:27). "He
entered in once" (Heb.9:11-15). "But now once" (Heb.9:26). "Christ
was once offered" (Heb.9:28). "We are sanctified through the offering
of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Heb.10:10). "He had
offered one sacrifice for sins for ever" (Heb.10:11,12). "For by one
offering" (Heb.10:14). "There is no more offering for sin"
(Heb.10:18). "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with
corruptible things, as silver and gold" (1 Peter 1:18,19).
If Christ is offered again by the Roman Catholic priests as they
claim, then the above Scriptures are not true. There are about
200,000 Masses said in 24 hours, all over the world. Jesus suffers the
terrible agony of Calvary 200,000 times in 24 hours and not as the
Scriptures teach us. God forbid! We must believe the Holy
Scriptures.
ON PURGATORY
R.C.C. What is Purgatory?
Purgatory is a state in which those suffer for a time who die
guilty of venial sins, or without having
satisfied for the punishment due to their sins.
The above is against God's teaching. The word or description of
such a place as Purgatory does not appear in the Bible. In fact, the
teaching of Purgatory makes God a liar. Hebrews 9:22: "And without
shedding of blood is no remission" There is there fore no Purgatory.
"He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by
him" (Heb.7:25). "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us
from all sin" (1 John 1:7). The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from
venial and mortal sins - all sin. God's Word is true but the above
Roman Catholic teaching makes God's Word untrue. Consider the
thief on the cross. He did not confess his individual sins. There is no
Purgatory teaching there. Jesus said: "To day shalt thou be with me in
paradise" (Luke 23:39-43).
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in
Christ Jesus" (Rom.8:1). "Therefore being justified by faith"
(Rom.5:1). "The just shall live by faith" (Gal.3:11). "The gospel of
Christ ... is the power of God unto salvation" (Rom.1:16). ;"Being
justified freely by His grace" (Rom.3:24). "Unto him that loved us,
and washed us from our sins in his own blood" (Rev.1:5). "They
overcame ... by the blood" (Rev.12:11).
THE PRIEST OR FATHER
Matthew 23:9: "And call no man your father upon the earth: for
one is your Father, which is in heaven." Hebrews 7:24: "But this man,
because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood." A
New Testament priest is higher than the heavens and only Jesus is
that. Hebrews 7:26: "For such an high priest became us, who is ...
higher than the heavens."
God's promise to Israel was for a priesthood on this earth. Jesus
had to ascend from the sphere of this promise, the earth, to sit on the
right hand of God the Father in order to become a priest unto us. "For
if he (Jesus) were on earth, he should not be a priest" (Heb.8:4). "That
he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to
God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people" (Heb.2:17).
"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the
heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession"
(Heb.4:14).
Advocacy is the priestly work of Jesus Christ for sinning
Christians. "We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the
righteous" (1 John 2:1). Because of the eternal efficacy of His own
sacrifice, He restores believers to fellowship. "He restoreth my soul"
(Ps. 23:3). The believer is cleansed from sin "once for all" (Heb.
10:1-12), but needs ever to bring his daily sins to God and confess
them to Him. In this way the believer abides in fellowship with God
the Father and God the Son. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"
(1 John 1:9).
CONFESSION OR THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
R.C.C. How do the priests of the Church exercise the power of
forgiving sins?
The priests of the Church exercise the power of
forgiving sins by hearing the confession of sins, and
granting pardon for them as ministers of God and in His name.
The above is against God's teaching. "Who can forgive sins but
God only?" (Mark 2:7). "The Son of man hath power on earth to
forgive sins" (Mark 2:10). "Without shedding of blood is no
remission" (Heb. 9:22). "If any man sin, we have an advocate with
the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1).
PETER'S CONFESSION
"Thou art the Christ" (Matt. 16:13-19).
If we confess Christ as the Son of the living God, our sins are
loosed or forgiven. This is true confession. Jesus said: "Thou art
Peter (Petros-a stone), and upon this rock (Petra-rock-the confession
that Jesus is the Christ), I will build my church." He does not promise
to build His Church upon Peter (a little stone), but upon Himself, as
Peter himself is careful to tell us (1 Pet. 2:4-9. Read also John 1:42).
"And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it- not Peter - but Peter's
confession that Christ is the Rock. If Peter were the Rock as taught by
the Roman Catholic Church, then this promise that the gates of Hell
shall not prevail against it is untrue, because the gates of Hell did
prevail against Peter (see Matt. 16:22,23). Also Peter denied Jesus
thrice before the cock crew twice. Again, he played the hypocrite after
Pentecost when Paul rebuked him (Gal. 2:11-14).
Christ is the Rock and Head of the Church. "That Rock was
Christ" (1 Cor. 10:4). "Chief cornerstone" (1 Pet. 2:6-8). "Jesus
Christ...chief cornerstone" (Eph. 2:20). "A stumblingstone and rock of
offence" to the unbeliever (Rom. 9:33). "A stumblingblock (1 Cor.
1:23). "The head over all things to the church, which is his body"
(Eph. 1:22,23).
Christ crucified is the Rock-smitten that the Spirit of life may flow
from Him to all who will drink (Ex. 17:6; 1 Cor. 10:4; John 4:13,14;
7:37-39; to the Church, the foundation and chief cornerstone (Eph.
2:20); to the unbelievers, a stumblingstone (Rom. 9:32,33; 1 Cor.
1:23).
R.C.C. What is Confession?
Confession is the telling of our sins to a duly
authorized priest for the purpose of obtaining
forgiveness.
In view of the above Scriptures to the contrary, the Roman
Catholics ought to come God's way.
BAPTISM IN WATER
R.C.C. What is Baptism?
Baptism is a Sacrament which cleanses us from
original sin, makes us Christians, children of God, and
heirs of heaven.
The above is against God's teaching. When Jesus was on this earth
we read: "And they brought unto him also infants, that he would
touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But
Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come
unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God"
(Luke 18:15,16). In other words, little children are innocent, without
blame, for the work of Christ on the Cross of Calvary took away the
original sin. Who were these children? Turkish, Jewish and Arabian
children. Jesus said they go straight to heaven. He never changes His
mind!
Can baptism cleanse from sin? No, it cannot. The thief on the
cross knew nothing about baptism yet he went straight to heaven, and
he didn't stop off at Purgatory, because there is no such place. We are
not made Christians or heirs of God by water baptism whether
administered by immersion, or pouring or sprinkling. We are saved
by the blood of Jesus Christ. "But now in Christ Jesus ye who
sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ" (Eph.
2:13). The following verses, although already quoted elsewhere,
cannot be overemphasized: Heb. 9:22; 1 John 1:7; Heb. 10:10-19;
Rom. 5:9; Heb. 13:12; Rev. 1:5; Eph. 2:13; 1 Pet. 3:21.
ON INDULGENCES
R.C.C. What is an indulgence?
It is the remission in whole or in part of the temporal
punishment due to sin.
This is untrue. 1 John 1:7: "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son
cleanseth us form all sin." Hebrews 9:22: "Without shedding of
blood is no remission."
THE POPE
He is called, "Our Holy Father." (See Holy Bible, Douay Version;
encyclical letter of Our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIII.) He is also
called, "Our Most Holy Lord, Pope Pius X." (See Cardinal's Oath).
"And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your
Father, which is in heaven" (Matt. 23:9).
Peter denies that he was a Pope. "The elders which are among you
I exhort, who am also an elder" (1 Pet. 5:1). An elder was a pastor of
a church. John was an elder (2 John 1). Peter says: "Neither as being
lords over God's heritage" (1 Pet. 5:3). The Apostle Peter was not a
Roman Catholic but a Christian for he says in 1 Peter 4:16: "If any
man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed." There were no
Roman Catholics in Peter's time. In Acts 11:26 we read: "And the
disciples were called Christians."
HOLY COMMUNION
R.C.C. What is Holy Communion?
It is the receiving of the body and blood of Christ.
Why do Roman Catholics disobey Jesus and only take half
communion? In Matthew 26:27 our Lord said: "Drink ye all of it."
Pope Gregory the Great said: "Cursed be anyone that does not
receive both and teaches others not to take both bread and wine." And
a later Pope said: "Cursed be anyone who teaches that we must
receive both bread and wine." One Pope cursing the other and yet
they both are infallible when speaking "Ex-Cathedra." Lord, save us
from such confusion! Is it any wonder that God calls that system
"Babylon the Great"? (Rev. 17).
In Luke 22:17, 18 we read of our Lord Jesus: "And he took the
cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this and divide it among
yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine,
until the kingdom of God shall come."
In 1 Corinthians 11:24-26 the apostle Paul speaks of
communion as a memorial service. "And when he had given thanks,
he break it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for
your: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he
took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new
testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in
remembrance of me." How blessed are these precious words of our
Lord Jesus Christ!
IDOLATRY
In Exodus 20:4 we read: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any
graven image." In the face of this commandment the Roman Church
defies God and fills its temples and homes with images. Ephesians 5:5
says: "No...idolater...hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ
and of God." "Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry" (1
Cor. 10:14). "Be not deceived...idolaters..shall (not) inherit the
kingdom of God" (1 Cor. 6:9-10). "But the fearful, and
unbelieving,...and idolaters,...shall have their part in the lake which
burneth with fire and brimstone" (Rev. 21:8).
What is idolatry? It is the making of any image of likeness of God
or of any creature for a religious end. "Now the works of the flesh are
manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
lasciviousness, IDOLATRY ..." (Gal. 5:19). We cannot add or take
away from God's Word! "If any man shall add unto these things, God
shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if
any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy,
God shall take away his part out of the book of life..." (Rev.
22:18,19). "I am the Lord, I change not" (Malachi 3:6).
PRAYERS TO MARY AND THE SAINTS
R.C.C. Why do we believe that the Saints will help us?
Because both they and we are members of the same
Church, and they love us as their brethren.
The above is against God's teaching! "For there is one God, and
one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim.
2:5). The Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God and therefore He is
everywhere present. He is equal with God the Father and can hear our
prayers. It is not so with the Saints or Mary. If they too are
everywhere present they are gods; if they are not everywhere present
they cannot hear prayers. Heb. 7:25; 1 John 2:1; Romans 8:34.
The Word of God is against Mary worship or veneration. Luke
11:27,28: "And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain
woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed
is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But
he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and
keep it." "Who is my mother?" (Matthew 12:46-50).
Jesus never called Mary His mother, but He called her "Woman".
No doubt He foresaw the great idolatry and place of deity to be given
her by the Roman Catholic System. For example they refer to Mary
as, "Gate of Heaven", "Tower of David", "Mystical Rose", "Ark of the
Covenant", "Morning Star", etc.. These are all names of deity and it is
sacrilege to attribute these to a human being. Mary is blessed, yes, but
she is not deity. The above names are taken from "The Litany".
Mary bore children to Joseph. Matthew 13:55,56: "Is not this the
carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren,
James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not
all with us?" See also Mark 6:3.
The Roman Catholic Church teaches prayer to Mary. "Sweet heart
of Mary be my salvation." Pope Pius IX, Sept. 30, 1852, granted 300
days Indulgence each time the above prayer was repeated. This
prayer is a blasphemy because God teaches that salvation comes
through Jesus' Name and through none other (Acts 4:12).
THE ROMAN CHURCH
CLAIMS SHE NEVER CHANGES
The following list of events proves the opposite, and shows also its
degradation:
Prayers for the dead instituted.......... A.D. 330
Making the sign of the cross.......... A.D. 330
The worship of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the
use of the words "Mother of God" as applied to her
originated in the Council of Ephesus.......... A.D. 431 Worship in
Latin language .......... A.D. 600
The Papacy is of pagan origin. The title of Pope, or
universal Bishop, was first given to the Bishop
of Rome by the wicked emperor Phocas in the year
610. This he did to spite Bishop Circiacus of
Constantinople, who had justly excommunicated
him for his having caused the assassination of
his predecessor, Emperor Maritius. Gregory 1,
then Bishop of Rome, refused the title, but his
successor, Boniface III, first assumed the title
of Pope .......... A.D. 610
Kissing the Pope's feet .......... A.D. 709
it had been a pagan custom to kiss the feet of
emperors. The Word of God forbids such practices,
Acts 10:25,26; Rev. 22:9.
Temporal power of Popes .......... A.D. 750
When Pepin the usurper of the throne of France
descended into Italy, called by Pope Stephen II,
to war against the Italian Longabards. He defeated
them and gave the city of Rome and surrounding
territory to the Pope. Jesus forbids such a thing
and refused worldly kingship. Matt. 4:8,9; 20:25,26. Adoration of
Mary and Saints.......... A.D. 788
Adoration of the cross, images and relics.......... A.D. 788 Blessing of
bells .......... A.D. 969
Fasting, lent, advent and Fridays.......... A.D. 998
Fabrication of Holy Water.......... A.D. 1009
Marriage of Priests forbidden.......... A.D. 1079
Rosary beads invented .......... A.D. 1090
Sale of Indulgences .......... A.D. 1190
Sacrifice of Mass .......... A.D. 1215
Transubstantiation of bread.......... A.D. 1215
Adoration of the water .......... A.D. 1220
Articular confession of sins to a priest.......... A.D. 1215 Cup forbidden
to people at communion.......... A.D. 1414
Purgatory proclaimed .......... A.D. 1438
Tradition held equal to Bible.......... A.D. 1545
The Council of Trent, held in 1545. By
tradition is meant human teachings. The
Pharisees believed the same way, and Jesus
bitterly condemned them, for by human tradition,
they annulled the commandments of God. Mark 7:7-13;
Col. 2:8.
Apocryphal books added to the Bible.......... A.D. 1546
Immaculate conception of Mary.......... A.D. 1845
Infallibility of the Pope.......... A.D. 1870
Cardinal Newman, in his book The Development of
the Christian Religion, admits that "Temples, incense, oil lamps,
votice offerings, holy water, holidays and seasons of devotion,
processions, blessing of fields, sacerdotal vestments, the tonsure (of
priests and monks and nuns), images . . . are all of pagan origin"
(page 359). (The above dates are approximate)
