The Heart of Rome's Errors
All ecumenical effort is futile until these Scripture-denying additions are addressed. Also the killing of the many Reformation martyrs needs to be confessed. But Rome refuses to do either of these. They will only admit they are sorry that the Protestants separated, (which caused a very significant loss of income!). They would much prefer to just try to forget the past, rather than repent and admit they were wrong to burn righteous men for translating the Scriptures into English or declaring that transubstantiation was unbiblical. Rome thus remains in gross and substantial error, holding its subjects captive.
The following are a brief summary - they start with sex and power! : :
1. Celibacy of Priests 305 AD [Contents]
2. Unholy Alliance of Church and State 313 AD [Contents]
3. Vestments 340 AD [Contents]
4. Kissing Pope's Feet 709 AD [Contents]
5. Worship of Relics 788 AD [Contents]
6. Fasting on Fridays 998 AD [Contents]
7. Sale of Indulgences 1095 AD [Contents]
8. Mariolatry 1095 AD [Contents]
8a Immaculate Conception 1854 AD [Contents]
8b. Assumption of Mary 1950 AD [Contents]
8c. Praying the Rosary 1090 AD [Contents]
9. Prayers to Saints [Contents]
10. Inquisition [Contents]
11. Transubstantiation 1215 AD [Contents]
12. Purgatory 1439 AD [Contents]
13. Tradition added to Authority of Scripture 1545 AD [Contents]
14. Seven Sacraments Confirmed 1545 AD [Contents]
15. Extreme Unction 1545 AD [Contents]
16. Papal infallibility 1870 AD [Contents]
17. Crucifix [Contents]
18. Evil Symbols [Contents]
19. 'One-way' confession [Contents]
20. Penance [Contents]
21. Apostolic Succession [Contents]
22. Priests take title of 'Father' [Contents]
23. Praying for the Dead [Contents]
24. Only Priests can Interpret Scripture [Contents]
25. Homosexuality 2020 AD [Contents]
26. Don’t need to change 2023 AD [Contents]
It is at our own deep peril that we forget what our Reformation forbears died for.
Read such books as:
Many of these errors are not peripheral, secondary issues about which Christians
may disagree. They are fundamental truths about our salvation, which the light
of God's Word in our native language revealed during the Reformation. Not
surprisingly, Rome vigorously repressed this. Rome has never admitted anything
wrong in their unscriptural theology, their idolatrous practices, or their murder
of Christians and Jews. They claim the Reformation and the Crusades were an
unfortunate aberration when part of the church was hijacked by some extremists.
But the extremists were actually the succession of Popes and their Cardinals!
Today (2020) Pope Francis has appealed for forgiveness for “the sins of our divisions, and open wound in the body of Christ.” He has expressed his sorrow that the Reformation happened - with good reason for Rome has lost £millions every year for 500 years; but they have never admitted that Rome did anything wrong. Ecumenism wants to just forget the past. This sounds nice, but it remains a deadly folly until Rome is willing to repent of the fact that they burned men who translated the Scriptures into English, who taught their children the Lord’s prayer in English, or denied in Transubstantiation in the Mass. Any ecumenical agreement would also require the most unlikely annulling of Papal Infallibility.
Even with these errors, some Roman Catholics are still believers saved by grace; but it is not because they are Catholics, but in spite of being so!
In the closing days of the northern tribes of Israel, God's cry to his people came
through his prophet Hosea. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Hos
46. Is this still God's cry?
At the same time the warning also came as 'a roar' by the Lord from the prophet Amos. Amos 12
God's command at the end is to 'Come out of her, my people, so that you will not
share in her sins ...' Rev 184 In its context this refers to the evil 'Babylon' system,
but it can equally well be applied to 'Rome'. Both are systems that turn men
away from God by the love of money, power and false religion.
Let us discern the truth and give time to learn what the Scriptures say. Let us
thoroughly test all that is prophesied, taught and practised in the light of
Scripture. It is the only safe way. Act 1711
1. Celibacy of Priests 305 AD
2. Unholy Alliance of Church and State 313 AD
3. Vestments 340 AD
4. Kissing Pope's Feet 709 AD
5. Worship of Relics 788 AD
6. Fasting on Fridays 998 AD
7. Sale of Indulgences 1095 AD
8. Mariolatry 1095 AD
8a. Immaculate Conception 1854 AD
8b. Assumption of Mary 1950 AD
8c. Praying the Rosary 1090 AD
9. Prayers to Saints
10. Inquisition
11. Transubstantiation 1215 AD
12. Purgatory 1439 AD
13. Tradition added to Authority of Scripture 1545 AD
14. Seven Sacraments Confirmed 1545 AD
15. Extreme Unction 1545 AD
16. Papal Infallibility 1870 AD
17. Crucifix
18. Evil Symbols
19. 'One-way' Confession
20. Penance
21. Apostolic Succession
22. Priests take title of 'Father'
23. Praying for the Dead
24. Only Priests can Interpret Scripture
25. Homosexuality 2020 AD
26. Don’t need to change 2023 AD
The Heart of Rome's Errors [Contents]
While Rome agrees that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, they steadfastly refuse to say that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. But they insist on adding that the sacraments of the church are also essential. e.g. 'Last rites', church baptism, confession etc. They claim that the sacraments can only be provided by the priest. But Jesus is our great High Priest who has opened the door of heaven. We need no other priest now: it is a task that no man can usurp. No man can be an intermediary between us and God. Jesus is our one and only Advocate. 1 Jn 21 Excommunication in the Roman Church means no sacraments, and no sacraments means damnation by their rules. This is a mighty threat and a lever for the priests to wield, giving them immense power over their subjects. No mere man has the right to pass such eternal judgement on another. Only Jesus has the necessary knowledge, the justice and righteousness. Like the Pharisees, who added so much to the Law, Rome, in the interest of power and wealth, have added much to what Jesus says was necessary for salvation. These additions may seem peripheral issues but the errors listed below actually contradict the Word of God.
Paul showed that as a missionary, being single can have significant advantages.
But Jesus made it clear that it was not for everyone. Math 1912. In describing the essential attributes of an elder, Paul says that they should be married! Tit 16.
Council of Elvira (canon 33) forbids all bishops, priests and deacons to be
married. Celibacy has caused much needless temptation and has resulted in the
fall of many. Paul warned Timothy that deceiving spirits would forbid church
leaders to marry. 1 Tim 41-3. During the last 17 centuries this unscriptural Papal law has consistently caused much secret sin and sexual abuse.
In 313 the Roman Caesar Constantine published the banns of the unholy alliance
between the Church and the State at Milan. At the same time he retained the
office of Pontifex Maximus - the high priest of the heathen. He never gave up this
title. Constantine thus began this corruption by power. (Islam was also corrupted
by thirst for power and fought their way as far as Poitiers in France where they
were defeated in 732. They tried again in 1529 and were defeated at Vienna.)
Jesus said, 'My Kingdom is not of this world.' Jn 1836. The battle between church and state would greatly affect Britain when King Stephen capitulated to Rome
in 1135 and again when Henry II appointed Becket as Archbishop, murdered
1171. Henry VIII was severely challenged by Papal power (Cardinal Wolsey) so he grabbed much of the huge church wealth, separated from Papal authority, and became head of the Church in England. But he never became a Protestant. Today the Pope is still 'king' of a separate nation state, Vatican City, though somewhat less powerful.
These merely reinforce the false notion that Priests are intermediaries between
God and man. In the O.T., clothed in their robes, they pointed to Christ. Christ,
who would make the 'one full, perfect and sufficient sacrifice for sin'. But now that
Christ has come and fulfilled the Law's just requirement, the priest's office is no longer
needed. All believers are 'a chosen people, a royal priesthood ...' 1 Pe 29
It had been a pagan custom to kiss the feet of emperors. Today they often kiss his hand. All dignitaries that are given an audience with the 'emperor' Pope are expected to wear black, while the Pope dresses in white (though in 2014 Queen Elizabeth wore lilac). This tradition is intended to show both his purity and his superiority.
Historical evidence is one thing, but encouraging superstition is quite another.
Superstition comes easily to men. Relics soon cause men to worship the creature
rather than the Creator. Ro 125 They are mostly used to bring in revenue to any church claiming to have an 'authentic relic'. A piece of wood that was supposedly
part of Noah's Ark or Christ's cross, or a phial of his blood, the shroud of Turin
or ... Every year in holy week the Pope and his Cardinals go to St Peter's to silently
'adore' a piece of wood supposedly from Christ's cross and half the spear that
pierced his side. Only Satan could cause sensible men to behave so foolishly.
Relics have been much used to encourage pilgrimage and of course, donations.
In earlier years many Catholics would eat fish on Friday, instead of meat. Why
should this be thought to benefit the soul? Jesus instructed us to fast privately.
Math 616-18. Today few people keep this practice, though it remains canon law.
Around 1230 the Dominican Hugh of St-Cher proposed the idea of a "treasury"
at the Church's disposal, consisting of the infinite merits of Christ and the
immeasurable abundance of the saints' merits. It had been practised for many
years, but soon became 'No gift, no forgiveness'. A callous and wicked scheme
to gain wealth for the church that played on the tender conscience of the guilty
who desired some assurance of forgiveness. They were taught that their gift to the
church was as important as repentance. It was a form of penance. But the people
were not taught to believe what Christ has achieved for us on the Cross; that 'he
was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the
punishment that brought us peace was upon him, by his wounds we are healed'.
Is 535 But our forgiveness is never dependant upon what is said or given to the priest.
Mary's gift of perfume to Jesus was because she had been forgiven much, not in
the hope of earning forgiveness. Lu 736-50
The worst excesses of the sale of indulgencies were halted by the Council of Trent in 1545,
but the practice was not banned and continues today.
This began in the 5th Century when images and paintings of Mary holding the
infant Jesus were placed in many churches. The daily office for Mary was
confirmed by Urban II in the Council of Clermont in 1095 AD. Among Catholics
the prayer 'Avi Maria' and the 'Hail Mary' remain predominant practice. One
prayer says, "Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our
hope! to thee we cry, poor banished sons of Eve, to thee we send up our sighs,
mourning, and weeping in this valley of tears, turn, then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy towards us." Pope Francis recently said, "A Church without
women is like the Apostolic College without Mary. The role of women in the
Church is not only maternity, the mother of the family, but it's stronger: it is, in
fact, the icon of the Virgin, of Our Lady, the one who helps the Church grow! But
I think that Our Lady is more important than the Apostles! She is more important!
The Church is feminine: she is Church, she is spouse, she is Mother." On May
13, 1981, Pope John Paul II was the victim of an assassination attempt in St.
Peter's Square. In May of 1982, he went on a pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal to
thank the Blessed Virgin Mary for her maternal protection in saving his life and
to consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This shows plainly the
idolatrous place which Mary still occupies in the Roman church. What an insult
to Jesus Christ it is to suggest that he hasn't time or inclination to hear our pleas;
or that Mary can do what Jesus cannot do. The worship of Mary is so ingrained
that every Catholic cathedral and all their churches that are large enough have
a 'Chapel of our Lady'.
There are three spin-off errors from this ancient and wicked practice.
It is falsely claimed that Mary was born perfect. In Lu 147 she confessed her own need for salvation and that she was redeemed by being born again through trusting the
effective atoning blood of Christ for her sin - the same as for all believers.
The false and totally unsubstantiated claim that Mary did not 'die', but was
taken body and soul into heaven, like Elijah. She was also defined as the 'ever
Virgin Mary'. This is obviously wrong for Jesus had 4 younger brothers and at
least 2 sisters. Math 1355,56
Jesus forbade praying repetitious prayers. Math 67,8 The Rosary is often used like
this rather than as a simple aid to memory. And far worse it is used to pray to
Mary rather than to Jesus Christ, our Advocate and Redeemer. (See 8. Above)
We do well to honour the saints and learn from their example. But pray to them?
Never! Prayers to the saints (as also to Mary) imply that Jesus is too busy. They
are thus an insult to him, who always lives to intercede for us. Ro 834 Heb 725 924
In the late 11th Century the Roman church began to execute or torture people who they considered to be guilty of heresy. Initially inquisitors were usually from the Dominicans, later joined by Franciscans. Their brutality against the Waldensians and the Hussites became legendary - also in Spain and the Americas. While the Inquisition is not a theological error, it does reveal a practical sin that must be seen as a massive denial of the Christian faith. In 1578 the ‘Directorium Inquisitorum’ declared the punishment was not so much for the correction of the person but so that “others may become terrified and weaned away from the evils they would commit.” The burning of the Reformation martyrs for heresy and for the translation and printing of the scriptures in English, reveal the satanic heart of Rome for which there has not yet been any hint of repentance. In 1965 the inquisitors name was changed to ‘The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.’ And capital punishment for heresy is no longer practised!
Jesus commanded us to eat the bread and wine and remember that he died for
our sins, achieving our propitiation by paying the necessary ransom. The bread
and wine are not transformed in a magical rite that only a priest may perform.
For a series of minor concocted reasons the congregation are never allowed to
drink wine at Mass (from 1414 AD) - In reality this says that only the priest is
worthy to drink the wine. But we all need to 'remember' the cleansing blood.
Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and
drink his blood, you have no life in you." Jn 653. The Mass that repeatedly
sacrifices Christ on the altar is an insult. Jesus was sacrificed once for all when he
laid down his life at Calvary. Heb 912, 24-28. Rome burned at the stake many Protestants for refusing to accept this false, priest-magnifying lie during the
Reformation. Transubstantiation leads to the abominable practice of 'reserving
the sacrament' and once more gives unmerited additional power to the priests of
Rome. Their 'priests' offer sacrifices to God for men. This is wrong. The task of a minister is to offer God's truth, mercy and grace to men. Christ is the only perfect priest. He completely fulfilled all the sacrifices that the OT foretold. There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1Tim 25
Purgatory detracts from the fullness of the sacrifice Jesus made on the Cross. It denies that his sacrifice purchased the complete pardon for sin that is received by all who repent and plead to him for mercy.
Jesus said, "It is finished", the 'Debt Is Paid In Full.' Jn 1930 Heb 919 Purgatory holds that all
men must go through a further cleansing process before they can enter Heaven.
It encouraged the practice of prayers for the dead and further indulgences. Jesus
told the dying thief, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
Lu 2343 The parable Jesus told of the rich man and Lazarus emphatically denies the opportunity of salvation after death. Lu 1619-31
Rome allows Church Tradition to be given equal authority to the Word of God
when deciding whether something is right or true. We may live in the so called
'post modern era' but the truth of God does not change. Man's view of God may
vary; but God's Word remains unchanged and must be the sole arbiter in
determining both Christian theology and practice. The Apocryphal books were
added to the Scriptures by the Roman Church in 1546 AD.
In 1528 Thomas More and William Tyndale fought a literary battle for truth in which More wrote, "Whatever the church says, is the word of God, though it is not in Scripture." Also "We must not examine the teaching of the church by Scripture, but understand Scripture by means of what the church says." (From 'The Reformation in England' Vol 1 by Merle d’Aubigne. page 385)
Thomas More foolishly thought that the authority of the church far exceeded that of the Word of God.
There are only two sacraments Baptism and the Lord's Supper. The Council of
Trent (1545-1563) confirmed five others that had been practised for several centuries: Confirmation, Penance,
Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. According to Rome anyone
not regarding all seven sacraments is guilty of heresy and liable to damnation.
Extreme Unction is the sacrament which, through the anointing with blessed oil by the priest, and through his prayer, gives health and strength to the soul and sometimes to the body when we are in danger of death from sickness. It began with truth of Jms 514 but soon became essential for any real assurance of heaven.
Our leaders should be honoured, but none are infallible; Nor can any man be.
Jesus is the only man ever to have walked this earth in whom there is no sin. Even
a cursory glace at the long line of Popes show them to be anything but sinless.
Infallibility is impossible unless a man is sinless. God gave to Solomon greater
wisdom than any, but it did not stop him marrying foreign wives, making idols and worshipping them. 1
Kg 11 It is vital that all in the church learn how to practice discernment. We
need to test what we are told using Scripture. 1 Jn 41 1 Thes 521
The image of Christ on a crucifix is just that; a forbidden image. It is quite
different from the Christian symbol of the empty Cross. Furthermore Pope Paul
V1 (1962-1978) and Pope John Paul II (1978-2005) have both regularly used a
'Twisted Crucifix' on top of their staff, which was first used by Satanists in the
6th century!
Many are used like the (15th century BC) Egyptian obelisk (a sex symbol) and
the 8-fold path to enlightenment that surrounds in St Peter's Basilica in Rome.
Unknown to many, these symbols are particularly evil.
We are instructed to confess our sins to one another. Lev 55 James 516 It is not
confession that is wrong, but that it is 'one way'. It is said that knowledge is
power. Under Rome, the priest knew the secrets of everyone from Emperors to
peasants. Under the threat of excommunication and hell, the priest could
demand the most humiliating penance. Blackmail was not rare! Perhaps this is
why the Catholic Church has always insisted upon it.
This is the act of suffering instructed by the priest after confession. Its object can
be to enhance repentance and generate a greater hatred of the sin. It can also
encourage men to think that in completing penance they have done something
to atone for their sin. This is a complete delusion for only the blood of Christ
can atone for my sin; there is nothing I can do to achieve forgiveness. Forgiveness
is all by the grace and mercy of God.
Rome claims that Jesus put Peter in charge of the early church and that Peter was
their first pontiff. Thus all their priests are descended with this authority. It
enables them to claim power over all other Christians. But there is no evidence
that the first Pope (Clement ?) was enthroned by Peter. Even a tertiary
examination of the history of the Popes can only make one blush and be ashamed
when they claim to represent Christ on earth.
Jesus told his disciples to call each other brother or servant - never rabbi, father or teacher.
Math 235-12 Yet they insist on using the title 'Father'.
Jesus told the story of the Rich man and Lazarus. Lu 1619-31. This clearly shows
the truth that after death there is no further opportunity for salvation - it is too
late. Between Lazarus in heaven and the rich man 'a great chasm has been fixed,
so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over
from there to us.' So it is clear that praying for the dead is totally ineffectual.
The only solace is that we are not the Judge; and can rest assured that the Lord
of glory will make a just judgement. It may surprise us - either way!
This error is perhaps Rome's worst. The martyr William Tyndale was determined
that the Word of God should be given to all men in their own language. Rome was
frightened that the Scriptures would expose all their wicked errors. It did
precisely that. Though it has not caused Rome to repent of any of them. God's
Word does not require interpreting, only reading/hearing during which the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth, and then obeying. Though there will always remain some mysteries, it's message is plain for all to understand. Under Rome all church services were in latin, which for most were nothing more than a familiar 'babble'! Under Thomas More they even burned men who taught their children the Lord’s prayer in English!
All believers in Christ are priests, not just ministers. 1Pe 25,9 Rev 16 510 Exd 196
In Oct 2020 Pope Francis said: "Homosexuals have a right to be a part of the family. They are children of God.” He told the openly gay Catholic priest James Allison that he affirms his priesthood. But God has clearly said it is an abomination.
Lev 1822 2013 And in Ro 124-28 homosexuality and lesbianism is revealed as being the direct result of God removing his protection when men give up on God.
The Pope, addressing his General Audience on 18th Jan said, “Convincing someone from another religion to become a Christian is a pagan practice.” He also said that the church should grow by attracting people with the beauty of God’s love. And if they are attracted to the church, then they are accepted as they are, they do not have to change. But Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is near.” Math 417 And to Nicodemus Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’” Jn 33
Foxe's Book of Martyrs
The Reformation in England by Merle d'Aubigne
Masters of the English Reformation by Marcus Loane
Five English Reformers by J.C.Ryle
See also Our Debt to the Reformation - J C Ryle (Use arrow Back to return here))
They each tell us why Rome tried so hard to quench the light that dawned when
the scriptures were translated into English and the truth was revealed. Rome even
added the Scriptures to the index of forbidden books for laymen in 1229 AD!