Answers to four objections to the Catholic Church

The archaeological evidence for that period shows that all the first Churches practiced the same rites the Catholic Church practices today. They had the baptismal fonts, the altar, the holy water, the incense, the candles, the vessels, the vestments. All the same as the Catholic Church today. None of which any Protestants have today. 
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Jesus Christ established the Catholic Church and it is described in Scripture

First off, I want to thank all who participated in the “Does the Bible say that missing the Mass is a mortal sin?” thread.

One of the things which was brought up by one of the Protestants in that thread is this idea that St. Constantine started the Catholic Church. But, is that true? Why do Protestants make this claim?

The short answer, “I don’t know.” The claim is patently false...(Read More).

You choose to believe Protestant errors

DC:
Thanks for continuing to affirm both you misunderstanding of what the church is and how one becomes part of it.
Hint: the RCC doesn't enter into the picture.

It is you who does not know what the Church is. It is evident from Scripture, that Jesus created a hierarchy:

1 Corinthians 12:28

King James Version (KJV)
²⁸ And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

And provided rulers which are responsible even for our souls:
Hebrews 13:17

King James Version (KJV)
¹⁷ Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

That fact that you deny these things does not mean that they are not true. It simply means that you choose to believe the errors which are taught by the Protestants.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Christ established the Catholic Church

(continued from yesterday)

Lutero:
Your unproved assumption being that Christ established the RCC - a claim I am more than able to discuss should you wish.

I so wish. Let's see what Scripture says.

First, Jesus Christ appointed a Pastor as head of the entire Church: 
John 21:17 
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 


I see only a few Churches with such a Pastor. Further, Jesus Christ said that the Pastor over His Church would be infallible: 


Matthew 16:17-19 (King James Version) 
17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.18And 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. 19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 


The list of Churches accept this teaching gets smaller. Certainly, all Protestant denominations can now be eliminated. 


Jesus Christ not only said that the Pastor was infallible but Scripture describes the Church as infallible: 
Ephesians 3:10 
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 


The list remains the same, but now I can certainly eliminate all Protestant denominations. 


Back to Matt 16:18, Scripture says that Jesus Christ established one Church. History shows that all the Churches sprang from the Church which is frequently described as the Mother Church. The Catholic Church. 

So, even using just a few verses we can eliminate the Protestants. None of their denominations even come close to being in Scripture. But we can continue to find Catholic indicators throughout the Bible:

The Church which is infallible (1 Tim 3:15; Eph 3:10).
The Church which is united (Eph 4:5).
The doctrines of the Catholic Church which are distinctive from other churches:
Purgatory (1 Cor 3:15).
Eucharist (1 Cor 11:23-27).
Communion of Saints (Rom 12:12-20).
The Mass and the necessity to attend (Heb 10:25-31).
The Sacrament of Confession (Heb 13:17).
The Sacrament of Holy Orders (1 Tim 4:14).
The Sacrament of Baptism (Titus 3:5).
Justification and salvation by faith and works (Rom 2:1-13).

And we find that the Protestant doctrinal pillars all contradict Scripture. For instance:

Sola Scriptura contradicts 2 Thess 2:152 Thessalonians 2:15
King James Version (KJV)
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

Sola Fide contradicts James 2:24
James 2:24
King James Version (KJV)
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

OSAS contradicts Heb 6:4-6
Hebrews 6:4-6
King James Version (KJV)
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,


5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,


6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Salvation by grace alone contradicts:
Philippians 2:12
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 





and also:
Romans 6:16
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Every Protestant doctrine which contradicts the Catholic Church also contradicts the Word of God in the Bible.

Fallacy of many questions (complex question, fallacy of presupposition, loaded question, plurium interrogationum) – someone asks a question that presupposes something that has not been proven or accepted by all the people involved. (as you did) This fallacy is often used rhetorically (as you did), so that the question limits direct replies to those that serve the questioner's agenda.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...rmal_fallacies

Surely you can defend what you believe without being intellectually dishonest.

I can. But you can't.

Which Church has one Shepherd appointed by Christ?

Lutero:

Catholics substitute themselves for the church.

Scripture describes the Church. And it is the Catholic Church which is revealed in Scripture:

Which Church has one Shepherd appointed by Christ?

John 21:17

New International Version (NIV)
¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

Which Church passes down the Keys to the Kingdom to every generation?
Matthew 16:18-19

King James Version (KJV)
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.
¹⁹ And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Which Church claims infallibility?
1 Timothy 3:15

King James Version (KJV)
¹⁵ But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Ephesians 3:10

King James Version (KJV)
¹⁰ To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

Which Church provides Baptism of water?
John 3:5

King James Version (KJV)
⁵ Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Acts 22:16

King James Version (KJV)
¹⁶ And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Which Church still expects Christians to keep the Ten Commandments?
Revelation 22:14

King James Version (KJV)
¹⁴ Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Which Church teaches Apostolic Succession?
2 Timothy 2:2

King James Version (KJV)
² And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

Etc. etc.

The Catholic Church is described in Scripture.

They think only they are it and have no clue....despite Scripture.....as to what the church is or how one enters it.

As shown above, Scripture describes the Church. And Scripture also explains that one enters the Church via Baptism:
Acts 2

King James Version (KJV)
³⁸ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
³⁹ For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
⁴⁰ And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
⁴¹ Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
⁴² And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
⁴³ And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
⁴⁴ And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
⁴⁵ And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
⁴⁶ And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
⁴⁷ Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

The Bible says the church is the pillar and ground of truth

Exactly! Why don't you believe it? 1 Tim 3:15

and besides them thinking they are the church, they don't even get at all what the Scripture is saying. I've broken it down a couple of times and explained it as clearly as possible and they still can't get it. Scripture does not give final authority to the church to make up as it chooses.

Who said it does? Certainly not the Catholic Church.

The real church knows this. We know it's God's infallible Scriptures that we are the pillar and ground of. The RCC cannot possibly be the pillar and ground of truth since their teachings are at odds with God's Scriptures.

It is your doctrines which are at odds with Scripture. Let us see, Scripture says:

2 Timothy 2:15

King James Version (KJV)
¹⁵ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

But Protestant preach "Do not hold tradition. Hold to Scripture ALONE!"

Scripture says:
James 2:24

King James Version (KJV)
²⁴ Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

But Protestants preach, "We are justified by faith ALONE!"

And many other things Protestant preach which DIRECTLY contradict the Word of God.

Sincerely,

De Maria