KS: You say that because you name it and claim it that you have saved yourself. Have you not listened to anything I have said?


DM-I could ask you the same thing. But I recognize that we disagree with each other. I have heard everything you said, but I disagree.


KS-Romans 8.16, "The Holy Spirit bears witness that we are the children of God." I know that I am saved because I know the Lord; He bears witness to my salvation.


Romans 8, also says:


Romans 8:17 And if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, provided that we share his sufferings so that we may also share his glory.


Thus, unless you suffer with Christ, you will not share in His glory. Yeah, that is another condition for salvation.


Hebrews 12:8
If you have not received the discipline in which all share, then you are illegitimate and not true sons.


//KS-Moreover, Jesus said, "My Father will give the Holy Spirit to whoever asks of Him." DeMaria says, "Not so! You must be baptized before receiving the Holy Spirit." Or 'asking is only when being baptized.'//


KS-Jesus does NOT play games with words!


DM-It is you playing games with the Word of God. You have made yourself the authority over Scripture and have twisted God's message beyond recognition. Your incoherent, inconsistent, contradictory teachings are signs of the confusion which Satan produces.


Jesus Christ established the Catholic Church and sent her out to Teach His Commands. But you thumb your nose at being taught by men, you are too great for that.


Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus approached them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,[a] 20 and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the world.”


In your religion, God doesn't have the authority to appoint men to Teach you what He wants you to learn in order to be saved.


When God said to Cornelius, "send for this man". You would have replied, "Me, what for? I can read and understand by my own understanding." Even though Scripture warns against that sort of pride:


Proverbs 3:5 Trust wholeheartedly in the Lord
rather than relying on your own intelligence.


KS-He says 'ask and you will receive.' Yet, you make the Lord a liar by saying, "That's not true. You can only ask by being baptized.' I pray for you. You are in blatant contradiction to Christ.


DM-It is you making Him a liar. Jesus Christ also said:


John 15:10If you keep my commandments,
you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.


And again:


John 6:51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven.
Whoever eats this bread will live forever;
and the bread that I will give
is my flesh, for the life of the world.”


And also:


John 3:5Jesus said,


“Amen, amen, I say to you,
no one can enter the kingdom of God
unless he is born of water and the Spirit.


And many other requirements Jesus made for one to be saved. But you want to replace Jesus and give your own version of salvation.


//DM: The Catholic Church is waiting for you//
KS: I am already close friends with Jesus Christ. Of what value do I have with those who trample on the words of my Lord?


DM-It is you who trample on His words. The Catholic Church will give you the proper understanding of God's Word.


KS- I hope that you will simply be honest! May God help you to be so. Jesus Christ is the light of the world.


DM-It is you who needs to be honest. You have turned God's Word upside down and continue to make yourself into your own saviour. You have distorted the Gospel of Jesus Christ beyond recognition.


Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.


Exodus 20:6 but I will show my favor for a thousand generations of those who love me and observe my commandments.


You don't have the authority to annul God's Word simply because you prefer one verse over the rest of Scripture. Scripture is the Word of God. every word of it is equally inspired.


The Catholic Church is the instrument God has chosen to Teach His Word to the world. She it is who wrote the New Testament and selected the books to be included in the Old Testament. It is to her that you should be listening in order to discover how you will be saved. Just as God told St. Cornelius to send for St. Peter, you need to do the same and send for the Catholic Church.

KS- Hi. I think our entire line of dialogue boils down to this. Jesus said, "My Father will give the Holy Spirit to whoever asks of Him." Your reply is that 'asking' has to be during baptism. I think that negates the words of Christ; I don't think you are being honest.


DM-I have a different opinion.  Our entire dialogue boils down to this question, "who is in authority?" Without saying so directly, you demonstrate that you believe you are in authority.


Evidence for this conclusion.


1. You take one verse out of Scripture and make an entire theology upon it. You discard the rest of Scripture as though it is of no consequence regarding the question of salvation.


2. You have made yourself a special individual to whom you claim that God has given a special privilege of salvation without having to meet the requirements He has set for all others from the beginning.


Whereas, I accept the authority of God and the whole of the Revelation of God through Jesus Christ. I accept that God became man and that Jesus established a Church and Taught that Church the Doctrines He wanted mankind to know.

He then gave that Church the authority and command to make disciples of the world. Disciple means student. So, Jesus expected all of us to learn from the Church which He established to Teach mankind in His place.

The Church went into the world to Teach and wrote the New Testament as an aid in that goal. She also put the Old Testament together as further aid for that purpose.

Through the Church we learn that God has many requirements for the salvation of our souls and that the Church provides us with the grace (and therefore spiritual strength) to achieve this goal, if we desire it.

To summarize:

You have made for yourself a convenient shortcut in order to avoid keeping the Word of God while seeming to accept one verse in Scripture.

While I and all Catholics, obey God's Word entirely.

1. 
   John, you said:You were discussing Scripture with Jason and authority with Bryan and others. In fact, authority comes into many of the discussions. I was reading those and I noticed that we come from different sets of presuppositions. I think you also admitted so in your discussions. Especially, you made that clear to Bryan.

   So, then, it is paramount to discover which presupposition is true. The one you function under. Or the one we function under.
   Does that sound logical?

   My fellow Catholics can correct me if I’m wrong. But I believe the Catholic Church teaches us the following.
   1. Jesus Christ did not write any Scripture.
   2. Jesus Christ established a Church.
   3. Jesus Christ commanded the Church to teach all which He commanded.
   Do you deny any of these three?
   Those are the basis of our presupposition which can be found in CCC #113 2. Read the Scripture within “the living Tradition of the whole Church”. According to a saying of the Fathers, Sacred Scripture is written principally in the Church’s heart rather than in documents and records, for the Church carries in her Tradition the living memorial of God’s Word, and it is the Holy Spirit who gives her the spiritual interpretation of the Scripture (“. . . according to the spiritual meaning which the Spirit grants to the Church”).
   We can also see this presupposition confirmed in Scripture and how the Apostles applied it:

   Matthew 28:19-20
   King James Version (KJV)
   19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
   20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

   Luke 24:44-46
   King James Version (KJV)
   44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
   45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
   46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

   Acts 17:1-3
   King James Version (KJV)
   1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
   2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
   3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

   So, to summarize, we believe that Jesus Christ established a Church and commanded that Church to pass on His Sacred Tradition. That Sacred Tradition includes the knowledge that the Old Testament Scriptures reveal Christ. In other words, the Sacred Tradition of Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Old Testament in the sense that it contains and explains how Jesus Christ fulfilled the prophecies.
   But that is not all. Sacred Tradition is the basis of the New Testament. Jesus Christ did not write it. His followers wrote it based upon what His life, deeds and Teachings.
   Therefore, one must know and understand Sacred Tradition in order to understand the Scriptures. And since the Church is the one which has maintained these Sacred Traditions, she is the one which best understands the Scriptures.
   Would you explain the presupposition you function under so that we may compare it to Scripture and see which lines up better?

Did Jesus establish the Church just so you could snub your at her?

1. John, you said, I’ll leave aside all the issues ….. I would point out the hundreds (if not thousands) of different sects in Roman Catholicism which believe different things, hold to different theologies, and each have their own different interpretation of the supposedly infallible Roman Catholic interpretation of things.

   I’m not sure to what you refer. Would you provide an example please?

   I could point to wars which were fought in the past over different doctrines within the Roman Catholic Church itself by its own members.

   I can name one. The Protestant Revolution. But how does that disprove the Doctrine of the Church.

   There is almost as much disagreement within the Roman Catholic Church as there is outside of the Roman Catholic Church. But you would likely disagree. You would likely claim that there is unity in doctrine and always has been. Why? Because the Roman Catholic Church claims that there is unity in doctrine and there always has been.

   It is you making the claim. We see one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and we see what it teaches in the Catechism. Sure, there are dissenters. But there were dissenters in the time of Jesus and in the time of the Apostles.
   But the Catholic Church continues as one, under one Pastor appointed by Jesus Christ.
   So, please provide an example of what you are talking about to see if it is valid.



   
Or maybe, just maybe, God’s actually omniscient enough and omnipotent enough to be able to take care of that on His own, without submitting Himself to the Roman Catholic Church and its authority to do it for Him.
   

   Well then, why did He establish a Church. Scripture is clear that He established a Church. And Scripture says of the Church:
   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,
   And also:
   Matthew 18:17
   King James Version (KJV)
   17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
   Is it your opinion that Jesus established the Church simply so you could snub your nose at her?

Catholic and Protestant methodology

1. Hi John,  You said:I must admit, I don’t think I could have possibly asked for a better response to my posts….. We’re talking about what is the ultimate standard, and as such, there can only possibly be circular reasoning on the issue! I will freely admit that I start with God and his word as my foundation, and I end with God and his word as my foundation. Completely circular, and happily accepted as such.
   I’ll have to challenge you on two points you made there.
   1. That appealing to an ultimate standard must be by way of circular reasoning.
   There is more than one way to appeal to an ultimate authority.
   a. The Protestant methodology is circular. It is me and my Bible. If a Protestant is asked a question, the answer is invariably, “The Bible tells me so.”
   b. Whereas Catholic methodology is many and varied. It can be circular, inductive or deductive, depending upon the situation.
   i. Circular reasoning is not necessarily wrong. It is simply not persuasive when it is the only type of reasoning employed.
   ii. Inductive reasoning is reasoning from the specific to the general.
   iii. While deductive reasoning is reasoning from the general to the specific.
   The Catholic methodology is robust and persuasive than the Protestant methodology because we don’t rely upon Scripture alone. But upon Sacred Tradition, Scripture and Magisterium.
   So, to contrast the Catholic situation with the Protestant. A Protestant will say, “the Bible tells me so.” Whereas a Catholic will say, “The Bible tells me so and that is confirmed in Sacred Tradition and in the Teaching of the Church (Magisterium). In addition, the Catholic methodology also admits historical and archaeological evidence. In fact, all branches of science are admissible in the Catholic court.
   2. That you begin with God and his word as my foundation, and I end with God and his word as my foundation.
   In practice, you don’t. You begin with your own understanding and end with your own understanding. That is why Protestants accuse Catholics of checking their brain at the door of the Catholic Church.
   Let’s compare the Protestant and Catholic methodology again.
   Say to Christians have a dispute upon what it says in Scripture. If they are Protestant, they debate. If neither is persuaded by the other, they simply go their way.
   If two Catholics dispute about Scripture, they go to the Church for an authoritative decision. The Church tells them which is right and which is wrong. This is confirmed historically. See the debates between St. Athanasius vs Arius; and St. Augustine vs the Pelagians.
   You also said:

   As I mentioned last time, the Roman Catholic Church states that it’s ultimate authority is God. But in actuality, it is not God, but the Roman Catholic Church itself. So I’m starting to see that this is what I need to show my Roman Catholic friend – the Roman Catholic Church makes a subtle authority swap and slips itself into the place of God as the ultimate authority. Hopefully, he’ll be able to see it, and hopefully some of your comments here will help him. They really are quite good at exposing the ultimacy of the Roman Catholic Church in its own beliefs.

   I’ll have to dispute that one also.
   The authority over the Catholic Church is God. Jesus Christ established the Catholic Church and Jesus Christ is God. And it is Jesus Christ who empowered the Catholic Church to be the authority over His flock.
   This is based upon the principle established by Jesus Christ:
   Luke 10:16
   King James Version (KJV)
   16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
   Jesus Christ was sent by the Father:
   John 20:21-23
   King James Version (KJV)
   21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me,…
   And He sent the Church:
   … even so send I you.
   Again, Jesus was sent by the Father:
   Matthew 28:18-20
   King James Version (KJV)
   18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
   And He sent the Church.
   19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
   20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
   And that Church is the Catholic Church.

In regards to the traditions

Anonymous says,

De Maria,
In regards to the traditions mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:15 we don’t know specifically what traditions Paul is referring to.

We do.  All you have to do is trace back to the Missionary journey to Thessalonia and you'll see:

Acts 17:1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:  2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

Therefore, he passed on Christian Doctrine.  AKA Catholic Doctrine.

We can though get a good idea from his letters what Paul taught. What we don’t see in his letters are things like Mary being sinless, indulgences, papal infallibility.

But those are part and parcel of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  And St. Paul was passing on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Not some different version.

Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Nor are these doctrines taught else in the New Testament. I don’t want to be blind and i hope you don’t either.  This is why exegeting the Scripture is so important because it will tell us if our doctrines are sound or not. So far, we have seen in our discussions that some your doctrines are not.

On the contrary, they are taught throughout the New Testament.

What does James mean in James 2:24? Is James teaching that we must do good works to be saved without faith in Christ?

No one can be saved without faith. 

Is he teaching that when Christ died for our sins that our good works helped Christ and added to it?

No.  But Christ died to give us an example to follow:

1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Scripture is clear that Jesus did not expect people to sit around claiming salvation by faith alone and who would neglect to do the work of God.

Heb 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 

How does your church officially exegete this verse?

Basically, that we are justified by faith AND works.  Not works alone without faith.  Not faith alone without works.

It is true that Ephesians 2:8-9 is teaching we are saved by faith alone in Christ alone.

That's not true.  You're just twisting Scripture in order to go against the Word of God.  The word "alone" is nowhere mentioned in that verse.  Let alone twice as you've inserted it.

And also, in order to get the entire idea being presented, you need to include verse 10.  Let's look at it.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith;
This is the Baptismal formula. It is in Baptism that we are saved by grace which is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, when we proclaim our faith in Christ.

and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

God gives us this grace. It is the first grace which God gives us because without faith we can’t please Him. And faith is a very special type of grace. It is a grace which must be exercised. Faith ALONE is dead (James 2:17).

Faith is a grace.
Romans 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace;….

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Therefore we can’t boast that we made ourselves faithful nor that we saved ourselves.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

We are ALL created in Christ when we are conceived. Christ has created all that is in creation:
John 1:3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

and we were all made to do good. We were all made to keep the Commandments.
Romans 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

God gave this command from before time began. We were made for God. We were made to be righteous. This is why we are justified by DOING the faith OF Christ.

It is Christ alone who died for our sins and gained salvation for us.

True.  But He didn't die upon that Cross so that you would kick back, sip on your margarita and claim salvation without any effort on your part.  He frequently said:

Matthew 10:38

And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 

It is by faith alone in this that we are saved.

Nope.  But it is by faith ALONE that we believe in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.  And the Holy Eucharist is the New Covenant in the Blood of Christ.

Matthew 26:28

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

From this, as verse 10 says, the good works are the result of salvation and not the cause of it. The good works we do can do nothing to affect our salvation that Christ has already gained and secured for us.

You've misunderstood v 10.  Most Protestants do so.  You should have taken the Scriptural warning seriously:

2 Peter 3:15-17 King James Version (KJV)

15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

It is true we are to obey God and work out our salvation (that Christ gained for us) in our lives. But our obedience does not keep us saved. Rather, it is the power of God that keeps us saved.

But the power of God only keeps the obedient saved.

Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Before you converted to the Roman Catholic church did you talk to your pastor or anyone who was knowledgeable on the Scripture?

Many.  Protestant and Catholic.  I also read many books.

Thanks for the questions.

Jesus baptized the Apostles

De Maria March 4, 2013 at 10:54 PM

Douglass October 27, 2008 at 11:03 PM
Maybe I don’t understand an answer you gave to Michelle on 10/26. She asked about John the Baptist and Jesus doing full emersion baptism. Part of your answer was that Jesus never did any baptisms. Yet in paragraph 7 of “Are You Born Again” you state,” He (Jesus) went down and baptized people in the Jordan with his disciples” (Jn 4:1-2). I read these verses in Chapter 4 and verse 2 states *(although Jesus himself was not baptizing, just his disciples). So I see Jesus didn’t baptize, but I don’t understand your reply in paragraph 7 of your article. If you have time can you clear up this for me. Thank you for your help.

Hi, I’m not responding to your question to Steve. I’m giving my opinion in the meaning of the seemingly contradictory Scripture verses. First one verse says that Jesus baptized. Then another says that only His disciples baptized.

I think though, that Jesus had to get the ball rolling, so to speak. Who baptized the Apostles? True, some of them were baptized by St. John. But St. John’s baptism did not give the Holy Spirit. Therefore, Jesus had to re-baptize those Apostles. And baptize the rest. And then, presumably, delegated the duty of baptizing the masses to them.

That is my speculative explanation intended to explain the seeming contradiction in those two verses.

Full submersion Baptism

De Maria March 4, 2013 at 10:41 PM

Hi michelle,

i heard this discussion on the radio. i was raised catholic, but married a divorced man and now attend a non-denominational church. Here is my question–john the baptist and jesus all did full submersion baptism.

There is an assumption here. The assumption being that they ONLY did full submersion Baptism.

how can/does the Catholic church justify infant sprinkling ?

By the authority given to the Church by Jesus Christ (Matt 16:18-19; Matt 28:19-20; John 20:21-23)

1. the infant is not old enough to make the choice on their own

In the Gospels, the children which Jesus saved were too young to seek His aid on their own. Their parents needed to do it for them. And Jesus always healed them on behalf of their parents. (Matthew 15:28; John 4:50).

Why then, would Jesus refuse to save the little children in Baptism? (Matthew 19:14)

and 2. the baptism is not submersion–like john the baptist and Jesus.

According to the Tradition of the Catholic Church, all three types of Baptism are permitted.

If you want to interpret the requirement of Baptism according to the letter, then you must be Baptized in the Jordan River. There is no other river mentioned where anyone else was Baptized.

By the way, full submersion is not mentioned either. That is a Protestant reading into Scripture.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Use the Scientific Method and deductive reasoning

The scientific method is summarized thus.

1. Construct a Hypothesis. God exists.

2. Test Your Hypothesis. Does the scientific data disprove the existence of God?

In my opinion, "No!" Quite the opposite.  Scientific data supports the existence of God.  For example:

a. The Big Bang theory.  Newton's first law that an object at rest remains at rest disproves the Big Bang theory. A singularity would not expand unless energy is added to it. Therefore, the best explanation for the Big Bang is that an Entity outside of the singularity added energy to the singularity in order that it might expand.

b. Abiogenesis.  Life does not spring from lifeless matter. Life produces life. Therefore, the best explanation of the beginning of life is that God had to produce it.

c. Evolution. The intricacy and elaborateness of the design of living organism can't be explained except by the existence of a primordial Super Intelligence.

If one applies the scientific method and deductive reasoning to scientific theories and laws of science, the best explanation which fits the evidence for creation and life is that God is the cause of all which we see.

7QT's Scripture verses to memorize

These verses have served me well over the years.

--- 1 ---

Matt 16:18-19

You are Peter and on this Rock I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.


To prove that Jesus Christ established the Catholic Church and the infallibility of the Pope.

--- 2 ---

Matt 18:17-18

If your brother sins against you, take him to the Church and if he does not listen to the Church, treat him like the heathen.  I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven, what you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, what you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

To prove that the Catholic Church is the visible Church with the authority to discipline those who disobey her commands.

--- 3 ---

Eph 3:10

The Church will make known the Wisdom of God even in the heavenly places.

To prove that the Catholic Church is the Magisterium or Teacher of the Word of God.

--- 4 ---

2 Thess 2:15

Hold the Traditions we have given you by word and by Epistle.

To prove that we must hold Sacred Tradition and to disprove the false notion of the Bible alone.

--- 5 ---

1 Tim 3:15

I will teach you how to behave yourself in the house of God, the Church, the pillar and foundation of the Truth.

To prove the infallibility of the Church.

--- 6 ---

Romans 2:13

Not the hearers are justified, but the doers of the Law are just before God.

To prove faith and works and disprove the false notion of justification by faith alone.

--- 7 ---

James 2:24

You see then, that by works a man is justified and not by faith alone.

To prove that faith alone is dead.  Well actually, there's a better one for that:

James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Apologetical Rosary - understanding indulgences from Scripture

The Apologetical Rosary

You can use
this learning Rosary
when you're exercising
on a treadmill. Just put your
smartphone on the 
book ledge and read along 
as you exercise.

Use the little checkbox

to keep track of your progress.

See the examples below:

*********************

Intention:
By praying this decade, 

may God open our hearts
and minds
to a fuller understanding
of the Doctrines of the Catholic Church.

With the Crucifix
make the Sign of the Cross.

And, since this is

a learning prayer,

let us make the 

Triple Sign:

May the Word of God

be ever on my mind

 (touch the crucifix to your forehead

then your nose

then your your left cheek

then your right cheek) 

On my lips

(touch your nose

your chin

the left corner of your mouth

then the right corner of your mouth)

and in my heart

(cross your heart)

In the name

of the Father,

of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit

(Finish with 

the regular sign 

of the Cross 

i.e. forehead, chest, shoulders)

and still on the Crucifix
pray the Apostle's Creed:

I believe in God,
the Father Almighty,
Creator of Heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ,
His only Son Our Lord,
Who was conceived
 by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
 suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified,
died, and was buried.
He descended into Hell;
the third day
He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into Heaven,
and sitteth at the right hand of God,
the Father almighty;
from thence He shall come to judge
the living and the dead.
 I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
 the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body
and life everlasting.
Amen.

On the first big bead
pray the Our Father:

Our Father,
Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

On the next three beads
pray three Hail Mary's:

Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of death.
Amen.

For faith:
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith
it is impossible
to please him: ....

Hail Mary...

For hope:
Romans 8:24
For we are saved by hope:....

Hail Mary...


For love:
Romans 13:10
....love is the fulfilling of the law.

Hail Mary...

On the next big bead
 pray the Glory Be:

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now,
and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

************************************

Our Protestant
brethren often
 ask where we
find indulgences
in Scripture.

Indulgences are the
graces which are stored
up in heaven
for the Saints

2 Macc 12:
[45] And because he
considered that they
who had fallen asleep
with godliness,
had great grace
 laid up for them.
[46] It is therefore
a holy and wholesome
thought to pray
for the dead,
that they may
be loosed from sins.

still on the big bead:

Our Father...

First reason:

There is a 
treasury in 
heaven

Matthew 6
20 But lay up
for yourselves
treasures in heaven,
where neither moth
 nor rust doth
corrupt, and where
thieves do not
break through nor steal:
21 For where your
treasure is, there
will your heart be also.

Hail Mary...

Second:

These treasures
are worth more
than gold

Mark 12
43 And he called
unto him his
disciples, and saith
unto them,
Verily I say unto you,
That this poor widow
hath cast more in,
than all they which
 have cast into the treasury:
44 For all they did
cast in of their
abundance; but she of
her want did
cast in all that
she had, even
all her living.

Hail Mary...



Third:

We build up
this treasure
by our good deeds

Matthew 19:21
Jesus said unto him,
If thou wilt be perfect,
go and sell that
thou hast, and give
to the poor, and
thou shalt have treasure
in heaven: and
come and follow me.

Hail Mary...



Fourth:

We build up 
this treasure
in heaven
when we give 
money to the
Church

Luke 11:41
But rather give
alms of such things
as ye have; and,
behold, all things
 are clean unto you.

Hail Mary…



Fifth:

And we can
give this grace
one to another

1 Peter 4:10
As every man
hath received the gift,
even so minister
 the same one to another,
 as good stewards
of the manifold
grace of God.

Hail Mary...



Sixth:
And the Church
is in charge
of this treasury

Matthew 16
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.

Hail Mary...

Seventh:

These treasures
or graces 
will be applied to
us on the day 
of judgment

1 Cor 3
11 For other foundation
can no man lay
than that is laid,
which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man
 build upon this
foundation gold, silver,
precious stones, wood,
hay, stubble;
13 Every man's work
shall be made manifest:
 for the day shall declare it,
 because it shall be
 revealed by fire;
and the fire shall
try every man's work
of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work
abide which he
 hath built thereupon,
he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man's work
shall be burned,
he shall suffer loss:
 but he himself
shall be saved;
yet so as by fire.

Hail Mary...

Eighth:

They shall be 
applied to us
by Christ, 
the Just Judge

Revelation 22:12
And, behold, I
come quickly; and
my reward is with me,
to give every man
according as his
work shall be.

Hail Mary...

Ninth:

Those who 
honor the Saints
will receive the 
grace of the Saints

Matthew 10:41
He that receiveth
a prophet in the name
of a prophet shall
receive a prophet's reward;
 and he that receiveth
a righteous man
in the name of a
righteous man
shall receive a righteous
man's reward.

Hail Mary…



Tenth:

For we are 
one body
in Christ

1 Cor 12
25 That there should
be no schism
in the body;
but that the members
should have the same
care one for another.
26 And whether
one member suffer,
all the members
suffer with it; or
one member be honored,
 all the members rejoice
 with it.

Hail Mary...



On the next big bead

Glory Be...

 **************************************************************

To conclude:

HAIL, HOLY QUEEN, Mother of Mercy,
our life, our sweetness and our hope!
To thee do we cry,
poor banished children of Eve;
 to thee do we send up our sighs,
 mourning and weeping in this vale of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us,
 and after this our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
 O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!

V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy
 of the promises of Christ.

On the Crucifix,
end with  the Sign of the Cross:

**********************

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please share with others

see also:

Prayer Menu

Apologetical Rosary - Why do we believe in the Pope?

The Apologetical Rosary

You can use
this learning Rosary
when you're exercising
on a treadmill. Just put your
smartphone on the 
book ledge and read along 
as you exercise.

Use the little checkbox

to keep track of your progress.

See the examples below:

*********************

Intention:
By praying this decade, 

may God open our hearts
and minds
to a fuller understanding
of the Doctrines of the Catholic Church.

With the Crucifix
make the Sign of the Cross.

And, since this is

a learning prayer,

let us make the 

Triple Sign:

May the Word of God

be ever on my mind

 (touch the crucifix to your forehead

then your nose

then your your left cheek

then your right cheek) 

On my lips

(touch your nose

your chin

the left corner of your mouth

then the right corner of your mouth)

and in my heart

(cross your heart)

In the name

of the Father,

of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit

(Finish with 

the regular sign 

of the Cross 

i.e. forehead, chest, shoulders)

and still on the Crucifix
pray the Apostle's Creed:

I believe in God,
the Father Almighty,
Creator of Heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ,
His only Son Our Lord,
Who was conceived
 by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
 suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified,
died, and was buried.
He descended into Hell;
the third day
He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into Heaven,
and sitteth at the right hand of God,
the Father almighty;
from thence He shall come to judge
the living and the dead.
 I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
 the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body
and life everlasting.
Amen.

On the first big bead
pray the Our Father:

Our Father,
Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

On the next three beads
pray three Hail Mary's:

Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of death.
Amen.

For faith:
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith
it is impossible
to please him: ....

Hail Mary...

For hope:
Romans 8:24
For we are saved by hope:....

Hail Mary...


For love:
Romans 13:10
....love is the fulfilling of the law.

Hail Mary...

On the next big bead
 pray the Glory Be:

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now,
and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

************************************

Why do we believe
in the Pope?

Because
Jesus Christ appointed
a shepherd, one man
to oversee His Flock

John 21:17
He saith unto him 
the third time, ….
 Feed my sheep. 

still on the big bead:

Our Father...

First:

Scripture says that
Jesus is the Rock

1 Corinthians 10:4
And did all drink
the same spiritual drink:
for they drank
of that spiritual Rock
that followed them:
and that Rock was Christ.

Hail Mary...

Second:

Scripture says that
Jesus, the Rock
 gave Simon
the name, "Rock"
(Peter means Rock).

Matthew 16:18

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.

Hail Mary...



Third:

This is to signify
that Peter stood 
in place of
Christ on earth

Matthew 16:19
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.

Hail Mary...



Fourth:

This is not 
new. God had
in the past
appointed Moses

Exodus 19:9
And the Lord said
 unto Moses,
 Lo, I come unto thee
 in a thick cloud,
that the people may hear
when I speak with thee,
and believe thee for ever. 

Hail Mary…



Fifth:

Peter is the one 
which Jesus 
appointed 
Shepherd 
over His flock

John 21:17

17 He saith unto him
the third time,
Simon, son of Jonas, l
ovest 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.

Hail Mary...



Sixth:

Peter is the one
to whom Jesus 
gave the coin
which Jesus was
supposed to pay

Matthew 17:24
24 And when they
were come to Capernaum,
they that received
tribute money
came to Peter,
and said,
Doth not your
master pay tribute?...
27 Notwithstanding,
lest we should
offend them,
go thou to the sea,
and cast an hook,
and take up the fish
that first cometh up;
and when thou hast
opened his mouth,
thou shalt find
 a piece of money:
that take, and
give unto them
for me and thee.

Hail Mary...

Seventh:

Peter is the one
for whom Jesus 
prayed, that his 
faith would hold
the church together

Luke 22:31-32

31 And the Lord said,
 Simon, Simon, behold,
Satan hath desired
to have you,
that he may sift
you as wheat:

32 But I have
prayed for thee,
that thy faith fail not:
 and when thou
art converted,
strengthen thy brethren.

Hail Mary...

Eighth:

Peter is the one
who acted as
the leader
before Pentecost

Acts 1:15-17

15 And in those days
Peter stood up
in the midst of
the disciples,
and said, ...
16 Men and brethren, ...

Hail Mary...

Ninth:

Peter is the one
who acted as 
the leader
during Pentecost

Acts 2:14

14 But Peter,
standing up with
the eleven,
lifted up his voice,
and said unto them,
Ye men of Judaea,
and all ye that
dwell at Jerusalem,
be this known
unto you, and
 hearken to my words:

Hail Mary…



Tenth:

Peter is the one
who acted as 
the leader
after Pentecost

Acts 15:7

7 And when there
had been much disputing,
Peter rose up,
and said unto them,
Men and brethren,
ye know how that
a good while ago
God made choice
among us,
that the Gentiles
 by my mouth
should hear the word
of the gospel,
and believe.

Hail Mary...



On the next big bead

Glory Be...

 **************************************************************

To conclude:

HAIL, HOLY QUEEN, Mother of Mercy,
our life, our sweetness and our hope!
To thee do we cry,
poor banished children of Eve;
 to thee do we send up our sighs,
 mourning and weeping in this vale of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us,
 and after this our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
 O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!

V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy
 of the promises of Christ.

On the Crucifix,
end with  the Sign of the Cross:

**********************

If you found this helpful,
please share with others

see also:

Prayer Menu

The Apologetical Rosary - Prayer to the Saints

The Apologetical Rosary

You can use
this learning Rosary
when you're exercising
on a treadmill. Just put your
smartphone on the 
book ledge and read along 
as you exercise.

Use the little checkbox

to keep track of your progress.

See the examples below:

*********************

Intention:
By praying this decade, 

may God open our hearts
and minds
to a fuller understanding
of the Doctrines of the Catholic Church.

With the Crucifix
make the Sign of the Cross.

And, since this is

a learning prayer,

let us make the 

Triple Sign:

May the Word of God

be ever on my mind

 (touch the crucifix to your forehead

then your nose

then your your left cheek

then your right cheek) 

On my lips

(touch your nose

your chin

the left corner of your mouth

then the right corner of your mouth)

and in my heart

(cross your heart)

In the name

of the Father,

of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit

(Finish with 

the regular sign 

of the Cross 

i.e. forehead, chest, shoulders)

and still on the Crucifix
pray the Apostle's Creed:

I believe in God,
the Father Almighty,
Creator of Heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ,
His only Son Our Lord,
Who was conceived
 by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
 suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified,
died, and was buried.
He descended into Hell;
the third day
He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into Heaven,
and sitteth at the right hand of God,
the Father almighty;
from thence He shall come to judge
the living and the dead.
 I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
 the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body
and life everlasting.
Amen.

On the first big bead
pray the Our Father:

Our Father,
Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

On the next three beads
pray three Hail Mary's:

Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of death.
Amen.

For faith:
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith
it is impossible
to please him: ....

Hail Mary...

For hope:
Romans 8:24
For we are saved by hope:....

Hail Mary...


For love:
Romans 13:10
....love is the fulfilling of the law.

Hail Mary...

On the next big bead
 pray the Glory Be:

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now,
and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

************************************

Prayer to the Saints

Non-Catholic Christians

frequently ask

why we hold the Saints

in such high esteem and

why we pray

to them?  Here

are ten reasons.

Meditation:

Hebrews 12:22-23
22 But ye are come 
unto mount Sion, 
and unto the city 
of the living God, 
the heavenly Jerusalem,
 and to an innumerable 
company of angels,
23 To the general assembly 
and church of the firstborn, 
which are written in heaven,....

still on the big bead:

Our Father...

First reason:
Because the
Saints are alive in Christ

Scripture says:
John 11:25

... he that believeth in me, 
though he were dead, 
yet shall he live:

Therefore,
the Saints who
died with Christ
are alive
in Christ

Hail Mary...

Second:
Because we
are one Body
in Christ

Romans 12:5
 So we, being many, 
are one body in Christ, 
and every one 
members one of another.

Whether dead
or alive
all the saints
are one in Christ

Hail Mary...



Third:
Because Scripture
commands all
Saints to intercede
for each other

1 Timothy 2:1
I exhort therefore, 
that, first of all, 
supplications, prayers, 
intercessions, and
 giving of thanks, 
be made for all men;

Therefore,
the Saints intercede
for all men

Hail Mary...



Fourth:
Because the
prayer of a just man
is very effective

James 5:16
.... The effectual 
fervent prayer 
of a righteous man 
availeth much.

The Saints in heaven
are just men who have
been perfected by God
therefore, their prayers
are highly efficacious.

Hail Mary…



Fifth:
Because he that
prays in the name of a Saint
is acceptable to God

Matthew 10:41
...he that receiveth 
a righteous man 
in the name 
of a righteous man 
shall receive a 
righteous man's reward.

Therfore, those
who honor
God's saints
will in turn
be honored
like saints

Hail Mary...



Sixth:
Because, God blesses
all who honor His saints

Genesis 12:3 
And I will bless them 
that bless thee, 
and curse him 
that curseth thee: 

Therefore,
when we pray
to the Saints,
we are blessed
by God

Hail Mary...

Seventh:
Because Christ is
interceding for us
from heaven

Romans 8:34
... It is Christ that died, 
yea rather, 
that is risen again, 
who is even 
at the right hand of God, 
who also maketh 
intercession for us.

Therefore,
we imitate Christ
and do God's will
on earth as it is
in heaven

Hail Mary...

Eighth:
Because the Saints
surround us
in a cloud of
witnesses

Hebrews 12:1
Wherefore seeing 
we also are 
compassed about 
with so great 
a cloud of witnesses,

Therefore, the saints are
aware of all which we do
and pray for us to God

Hail Mary...

Ninth:
Because the saints
are our friends
who welcome us
into heavenly tents

Luke 16:9
And I say unto you, 
Make to yourselves friends 
... that, when ye fail, 
they may receive you 
into everlasting habitations.

Therefore, the Saints
are our friends
ready to receive us
into heaven

Hail Mary…



Tenth:
Because, the Saints
are our brothers
in Christ

Galatians 4
5 To redeem them
 that were under the law, 
that we might receive 
the adoption of sons.
6 And because 
ye are sons, 
God hath sent 
forth the Spirit 
of his Son
 into your hearts, 
crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou 
art no more a servant,
 but a son; 
and if a son, 
then an 
heir of God through Christ.

All the Saints
are sons of God
and therefore,
brothers in Christ

Hail Mary...



On the next big bead

Glory Be...

 **************************************************************

To conclude:

HAIL, HOLY QUEEN, Mother of Mercy,
our life, our sweetness and our hope!
To thee do we cry,
poor banished children of Eve;
 to thee do we send up our sighs,
 mourning and weeping in this vale of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us,
 and after this our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
 O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!

V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy
 of the promises of Christ.

On the Crucifix,
end with  the Sign of the Cross:

**********************

If you found this helpful, see also:

Prayer Menu