Sproul and MacArthur explain praying to Mary - Can you go to heaven if you pray to Mary

[@deancamp4914]

1Timothy 2 - "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus".

[@cshook123]

You do know that the Catholics wrote the Bible don't you? So what you imply by this verse is not the actual meaning.

[@option-sh9yd]

@@cshook123 please explain

[@liviDream]

@@cshook123 Depends on what you mean by catholic. Roman Catholic or καθόλου the universal church?

[@bar8665]

@@cshook123 as if the original church was the same as the Vatican run Catholic Church today lol Catholics broke off from Eastern Orthodox a long time ago. Go pay the church to have someone's soul go to heaven while you're at it! Lol

[@steventhury8366]

@@cshook123 The Apostle Paul, or Apostle Peter were not Roman Catholics. They were/are Christians.

[@rdrift1879]

While Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed.” But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” Luke 11:27-28

[@christopherton]

rdrift1879 doesn’t this contradict Mary’s fiat. Or are you misinterpreting this passage.

[@rdrift1879]

@@christopherton How can I misinterpret a passage by simply quoting it?

[@christopherton]

rdrift1879 obviously you have an Intention for quoting that specific passage Jesus was showing that Mary had no importance. Catholics put too much importance on who she is Right ?

[@rdrift1879]

@@christopherton What do you think Jesus is saying?

[@christopherton]

rdrift1879 excellent question. ‘be it done unto me according to thine word “When Mary gave the Angel Gabriel permission that His Son could be born from her. She fulfilled doing God’s will perfectly The second person of the blessed trinity became human AND BECAME SUBJECT to His earthly parents too.

[@ILoveOldTWC]

We often sing at Christmas "Mary Did you know?" "Mary did you know that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water...this Child you deliver will soon DELIVER YOU?" The lyrics in that song puts the Mary of Roman Catholicism in its place. Mary needed to be delivered and wouldn't need to be if she were without sin.

[@deancamp4914]

Indeed. In Luke 2 Mary calls God her saviour - confessing therefore that she herself was sinful.

[@nelsonfernandes5729]

No catholic contests that. It is anti-catholic protestants who have wrong ideas fed to them about catholics by high profile deceivers that is a problem.

[@nathanhornok]

Why is a song addressing Mary at all? According to Sproul any address toward "dead" people is idolatry.

[@FlyTour69]

@@nathanhornok why are we still celebrating Jesus birth? He’s not a newly born anymore. Why do we still proclaim the cruxifixction? It’s not still happening right now. By the same token we sing “Mary did you know?” even though this was in the past.

[@nathanhornok]

@@FlyTour69 I agree with you. My question was rhetorical. It was directed against RC Sproul's injunction against praying to Saints. If Protestant's really took their "you can't pray to Saints" logic to its conclusion, you also would not be allowed to sing the "Mary did you know" song.

[@paulroos8658]

My grandmother is very ill please pray for her, ty

[@stephaniedescoteaux4759]

ok I did just that.

[@gloriarood1523]

I will pray that she is received by the Lord Jesus. Blessings to your family.

[@BillyN31]

jumjum151 your sick

[@perrytheplatypus7661]

@Harry Waddington the Bible commands us to pray FOR each other, not pray TO each other. There's a difference. Prayer is only TO God. Ex: James 5:16

[@jobyjohn3527]

How is she doing know?

[@girlnotoftheworld2008]

Why pray to Mary when you can pray directly to Christ? Makes no sense to me.

[@Kivlor]

Jennifer, when Catholics "pray" to Mary, they ask her to pray for them, and to intercede on their behalf with her Son, Jesus. This is backed up through scripture, particularly Revelations 5:8 where we see the saints in heaven presenting the prayers of those on earth to Jesus. This is further backed up in James 5:6 "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" and those saints in heaven are truly righteous, so Catholics ask for their prayers. Additionally, the devotion to Mary, and asking for her to specifically intercede is due to Luke 1:26 "The wedding at Cana" where Mary asks Jesus to turn water to wine, and despite saying it is not His time, He does so anyways because she is His mother. So, if He is willing to do things out of the order and time that He had ordained them at His mother's request, you might ask her to pray for you, and for your prayers to be answered.

[@rredhawk]

Thanks to Christ's sacrifice believers can pray directly to the Father without the need for any other go-between. That's the beauty of salvation: Reconciliation with God.

[@barbaratheard5992]

Just because Mary and the saints are in heaven, why can't we ask them to pray for us? Communion of the saints includes those still living on Earth and those already in heaven. We do not pray to the dead. Another skewed belief of our Church by the all knowing protestants

[@barbaratheard5992]

@@rredhawk and when u sin you ask God to forgive u and he does? I have a question. When your child does something especially seriously wrong then confesses to you. As a parent do you forgive him and that's it or because he has done something wrong you discipline him? Why discipline him if you have forgiven him?

[@xxxmmm3812]

@@Kivlor you are out of your mind, you need to get out of rcc

[@danrebeiz4598]

Mary had a very important role. She was beloved. Her assigned role ended when Jesus came of age. He still loved her but now was in authority over her. He called her “woman” at the cross. Jesus created Mary. She didn’t exist prior to her creation. She was not there when the God spoke creation into existence. Scripture is clear that there is only one intercessor since the resurrection, and it’s not Mary or Saint whomever. It’s Jesus himself. Why do you think the veil tore in two? Praying to anyone other than God is blasphemy. Calling anyone other than Christ an intercessor is blasphemy. Please learn the scriptures. God has a lot to say on the matter.

[@gracielong3566]

@David Ortiz Correction: The Holy Spirit is our intercessor. Romans 8:26-27 " In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God." Not one word about the saints being intercessors. The closest you are going to get to the saints being intercessors is in the book of 2 Maccabees 15:12-16. But again, these books are not the "inspired" Word of God... The Catholics might recognize them as such but this does not mean they are. Catholics make a lot of false claims... I do believe that when we die, our spirit returns to the Father. This can be backed up with the Word: Ecclesiastes 12:7 "before the dust returns to the ground from which it came, and the spirit returns to God who gave it." That verse makes no implication, though, that we are to pray to the dead or the dead intercede for us. Revelation 8:3-4 And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Again, in the above verse, there is no implication that the saints mentioned here are dead. The living only can offer prayers.

[@raymondmcdonald355]

Amen to the above, and even Amen and Amen.

[@joecastillo8798]

@@gracielong3566 Kristie, None of the more than 68,000 different and divided churches and sects ever were infallible or present in order to decide which books were to be included in the Bible, only The Catholic Church was able to do it for the first time in 382 AD. That's why today YOU have a book called The Word of God, because The Catholic Church said it and you believe it. Regarding intercessory prayer to Saints in Heaven, don't forget that God is so generous that HE has given the body of Christ such UNITY that each member can pray for others. This is a great gift, as shown in: JAMES 5:16 16. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has GREAT POWER in its effects. I ask you then: Are THE SAINTS in heaven, RIGHTEOUS? Do you really think that they are unable to pray for us, even though they're in the presence of God? Though the Bible tells us that we must go to God in our necessities, it also encourages us to ask for each other’s prayers. After all, salvation is a family affair. Can the eye say to the hand, "I need you not?" Neither should you say that we don’t need the prayers of the rest of the body of Christ (on earth or in heaven). In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, immediately after requesting that we pray for each other, Paul affirms that Christ is the one mediator. A mediator is one who comes between two parties with the purpose of uniting them. Christ played a role of mediation that only the God-man could. Christians are called to serve as mediators between Christ and the world. This fact, in no way diminishes the unique work of Christ. On the contrary, it manifests it. Christ is our ONLY high priest, but we are all called to be a nation of priests. (1 Pet. 2:9). Christ is the only Son of God, yet we are made sons of God through adoption. (Gal. 3:4). The Christian life consists in being conformed to Christ, and as Paul says, being "God’s fellow-workers" (1 Cor. 3:9) in his plan of salvation. To think of those in heaven as unwilling or unable to pray for us is to have a grave misconception of heaven. It is not an isolated part of the body of Christ that exists without concern for the other members of the body who are still working out their salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12). Those in heaven surround us as a "great cloud of witnesses" (Heb. 12:1), and the book of Revelation teaches that the prayers they offer for us "saints" is an integral part of the eternal worship given to God. John describes the heavenly worship in these terms: "The twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints" (Rev. 5:8). The angels also play a role in bringing our prayers to God: "The smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God" (Rev. 8:4). If intercession among members of the body of Christ on earth is "good and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior" (1 Tim. 2:1-4), how would such behavior not also be pleasing to God in heaven? God bless.

[@christopherton]

Dan Rebeiz Super ignorant. Christians are suppose to intercede for each other daily Where in the Bible does it say Mary’s role of mother ended when he cane of age Mary is the woman of Genesis 3:15 No Mary no salvation

[@christopherton]

Kristie Gangwer Christians don’t intercede for each other. Hmmm. Your brand of Christianity is heretical.

[@megadeath7793]

"No one comes to the Father, but through ME" - The Lord Jesus Christ. Not rosaries, not confession boxes, not praying for the dead - JESUS and only Him.

[@cynthiax56]

Catholics DO go to the Father through Jesus.....not through Martin Luther like y'all do. You should stop making false unjust judgements about other people while you follow the reformers

[@CJ-lr4uq]

@@cynthiax56 We don't go through Martin Luther. No idea who put that in your mind. We go through Christ alone. Catholics go through the saints and Mary. When you decide to value truth above your own pride and the traditions you were brought up in, your eyes will be opened. May take some serious humbling and a tragic event to occur, but I hope that's not the case and that you'll smarten up without it.

[@cynthiax56]

@@CJ-lr4uq ALL protestants are following / going through Luther whether you realize it or not: 1. you use Luther's altered bible which he had no authiry to alter 2. you follow Luther's invented doctrine of "solascriptura 3. You follow his invented doctrine of "solafide" 4. Luther rebelled against the church that Jesus founded (hence the name PROTEST-ant) I will now show you the these doctrines are false: ➨ The Bible ITSELF Contradicts Luther's doctrine of "scripture alone" (solascriptura) The Bible tells us that the authority is THE CHURCH: ... ● 1 TIMOTHY 3:15 The pillar & foundation of TRUTH is the CHURCH. ● EPHESIANS 3:10 10 His intent was that now, THROUGH THE CHURCH, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, ● 2 THESS 2:15 We are to hold fast to the TRADITIONS we have been given, either by WORD OF MOUTH or by the letter. ● 1 COR 11:2 I commend you because you remember me in everything, and maintain the TRADITIONS even as I have delivered them to you. ● JOHN 21:25 Jesus said & did Many other things that are too numerous to be recorded in writing. ● HEB 13:17 Obey the eldars in the CHURCH. ● MATT 18:15-17 15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto THE CHURCH: but IF HE NEGLECTS TO HEARTHE CHURCH let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. The True Church is a TEACHING Church: (to Teach means to impart knowledge that is not presently know....not in writing) ● JOHN 14:26-31 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall TEACH you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (To TEACH is to impart knowledge that is not presently known....not in writing) ● ACTS 8:31: And he said, HOW CAN I, (understand scripture) EXCEPT SOMEONE SHOULD GUIDE ME? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. (The scriptures are not for individual interpretation. They need the guidance of the CHURCH. It is PROTESTANTS who are following the doctrines of a man.) ----------------------------- Luther's doctrine of "Faith alone" is ALSO False: ➨ WORKS, PENANCE, & PURGATORY (All copied from the protestant version of the Bible by me) ➨WORKS: ● REV 20:12...The dead are judged BY THEIR WORKS. ● JAMES 2:18 Faith without works is dead ● MATTEW 19:17 Jesus tells us if we want to enter into Life, we must keep the commandments. ● MATTHEW 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your GOOD DEEDSand glorify your Father in heaven. ● JAMES 2:24 A man is justified by works, and not by faith only. ● ROMANS 2:6 He will judge everyone ACCORDING TO WHAT THEY HAVE DONE. ● MATTHEW 7:21 Not everyone who says to me: "Lord Lord will enter into the kingdom of heaven but only those WHO DO THE WILL OF MY FATHER. ● PHILIPPIANS 2:12-13 Therefore, my beloved, as you 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; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. ● MATT 25:35-40 JESUS tells us to feed the hungry & clothe the naked (good works). He further warns us that those who do NOT will be sent away into the eternal fire., but those who do these WORKS will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. ● LUKE 16:19-30 The story of Lazarus and the rich man shows us that the rich man went to hell for refusing to help Lazarus who was poor and hungry. (He refused to do good works) ● TITUS 3:14 KJV And let our's also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. ● EPHESIANS 2:8-11 (KJV) Protestants "prove" their false doctrine of "faith alone" By quoting EPH 2:8-9 and they STOP before they get to number 10: 8 For by GRACE are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. (most protestants stop here instead of continuing on to 10): ➨ 10 FOR WE ARE GOD'S WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS UNTO GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD HAS BEFORE ORDAINED, THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM. ● 1 COR 9:27 (KJV) (Paul speaking) But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a cast away. ● MATT 12:36-37 36 But I say unto you, That every idle WORD THAT MEN SHALL SOEAK, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For BY THY WORDS THOU SHALL BE JUSTIFIED, and BY THY WORDS THOU SHALL BE CONDEMNED. (not by yout faith alone) ➨PENENCE: Protestants reject the idea that they must do "penence" (attempt to make up for the sins they have committed) ● Luke 19:8. Zacchaeus told Jesus if he has cheated anyone, he will repay them 4 times over. ● Mark 2:20 Jesus said (regarding his disciples): The days are coming when the Bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. ● Matthew 6:16 When you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrits do ● Acts 26:20 RSV but declared first to those at Damascus, then at Jerusalem and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and perform deeds worthy of their repentance. ● Acts 2:38-40: Do Penance and be baptized everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins and you shall recieve the gift of the Holy Spirit. For this promise is to you AND YOUR CHILDREN, and to all who are far off who the Lord our God shall call. ➨PURGATORY:. ● 2 TIMOTHY 1: 16-18. Paul prays for the dead Onesiphorus. ● 1 PETER 4:6 The gospel was preached to the dead. ● 1 PETER 3:19 , Peter says that after the crucifixion and death of Jesus, that Jesus "went to speak to the spirits in prison", which means that there is a place people go to after they die that is a prison and not heaven nor hell. ● MATT 12:32 Whoever speaks a word against the son of man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will Not be forgiven, either in this world, nor in the "world to come" This implies that some sins are forgiven in the "world to come" (purgatory) ● also 1 COR 3:12-15 & more in the Catholic Bible: (2 Mace 12:46). “It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they might be loosed from their sins” 1 Peter 1:17

[@cynthiax56]

@@CJ-lr4uq Now ask yourself the following question: Since the bible was written & compiled (old testament compiled, new testament written) 11 centuries before Luther was born, Did he write the bible? Did he own the bible? Obviously not, so WHO Gave him the authority to remove books from it or alter words???? Obviously, the answer is NO ONED

[@cynthiax56]

JESUS Established the gate into the kingdom (his CHURCH) 15 centuries before the protestant revolt. There is ONE Shepherd and ONE GATE. Anyoine who enters through a different gate is a thief and a robber. ➨ JESUS gives authority of the Church to PETER (not Luther, not Calvin, not Ellen White or any other "reformer" and not Constantine either) ✦ MATT 16:13-19: Jesus gives keys of the Kingdom to PETER and builds his church upon PETER. ✦ ACTS 15:7-12: "After much debate had taken place, PETER got up and said to them, “My brothers, you are well aware that from early days God made his choice among you THAT THROUGH MY MOUTH THE GENTILES WOULD HEAR THE WORD OF THE GOSPEL AND BELIEVE." ✦ JOHN 21:15-19: Jesus tells PETER to "Feed my sheep" The body of PETER now lies under the altar of St Peter's basilica. Evidence is even shown by unbiased secular media giants National Geographic, A&E & a book: "The Bones of St Peter" ➨The True Church is a TEACHING CHURCH: (To TEACH is to impart knowledge that is not oresently known....not in writing) ✦JOHN 14:26-31 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall TEACH you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. ✦JOHN 16:14: "When the Spirit of truth comes He will guide you to all truth." ✦ Acts 8:26-40 King James Version (KJV) 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. ★

[@zackrangeley468]

John MacArthur is amazing, his views are always bible based and honest, he isn’t afraid to tell people the truth even if it makes him unpopular amongst some. Nothing but respect for him!

[@barryoghagbon3917]

@Zack Rangely, You are spot on brother!

[@Kitiwake]

He's a pied Piper for hell.

[@garykcarpenter]

As with Sproul

[@nathanhornok]

MacArthur's critique against asking for the intercession of Mary or Saint would also apply to asking anyone to pray for you, or praying for anyone else. It's an argument that proves too much. Obviously MacArther would be ok with asking other "living" people to pray for him, why not ask those who have passed the mortal coil and become even more fully united to Christ ("for me to live is Christ to die is gain") to also pray for you?

[@user-nu3sd7zb2j]

@@nathanhornok All prayer goes to God directly. Dont make an idol out of a human being.

[@danieltrujillo5448]

There is one mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus

[@thomasmcewen5493]

More verseology, taken out of context. Paul was telling you must have something for Jesus to meditate with before God, you have been judged but mediation by Jesus to give you some mercy. Better do what Paul wrote. Not wave verses around.

[@georgepenton808]

All the more reason to belong to the Mediator's Church (the Catholic Church) than churches and denominations founded by men.

[@cynthiax56]

Yet the orayers of the SAINTS are presented to Jesus the lamb Rev 5:8 and Mary is the one who asked Jesus to help the wedding party. This is also biblical and it's called intercession. We ALL intercede & mediate for one another when we pray for one another. Protestants just ignore these biblical facts and cite onbly scriptures that they like

[@ixtoc999]

Nuestros santos y la Santisima Virgen pueden interceder por nosotros, ya se ha visto millones de veces.

[@amado4249]

@@georgepenton808 Catholicism is a Pharisee hub of lies and man-made tradition.

[@confused353]

1 Cor 3 “For when one says, “I am of Paul, & another, “I am of Apollos,“ are you not MERE MEN?...What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you BELIEVED, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one....For NO MAN CAN lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is JESUS CHRIST...whether Paul or Apollos or CEPHAS (PETER) or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, & you belong to Christ, & Christ belongs to God"

[@jackfanning7952]

@@edwardhill7045 The cornerstone of the church is faith in Christ and the gates of hell can not stand against that. Christ is the solid rock on which we stand; our great high priest. There are none beside Him in authority over the church. Think about it. Why would God the Father send His beloved Son to die on a cross to save us from our sins and thyen immediately after that appoint mistake-prone, fallable Peter to head His church? We already have a great high priest who lives forever.

[@jackfanning7952]

@@edwardhill7045 We will disagree on this. God has no intention of building His church on anyone other than Jesus Christ, certainly not the disreputable bunch that have been popes throughout church history.

[@jackfanning7952]

@@edwardhill7045 On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.

[@johnthomas8297]

@@jackfanning7952 Catholics say we believe scripture too. When I ask what else ? Their catholic chruch tradition which chruch teaches them . Ok well and good So when u believe both.it should not be contrasting to one another am I right? Yes it should not . So when scripture says against ur belief. Ur catholic chruch tradition should not override that , am I right ? Yes i am. Ok now i wil answer u with scripture that ur beliefs are wrong OK now wil start. John 14:13-14 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. He said to ask him . Did he say ask mary ? .. no scriptures supports that except catholics tradition If u say god didn't say not to ask mary Then I wil say scripture jesus is the only mediator And it also doesn't say mary is not So do u believe mary is a mediator? No rite ..ok So now answer when did god gave power to mary to listen all 1.2 billion catholics pray at the same time. He also says Isaiah 42.8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. He said he wil not give to another .Whether he says he gives to mary .. Scriptures doesn't support that except catholics tradition Ecclesiastes 9.5.6 ( old testament) 5 For the living know that they shall die: but hthe dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for ithe memory of them is forgotten. 6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is know perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun. Did god say mary wil remember? No Psalms 146:4 ( old testament) When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. This is Same for mary too. Deuteronomy 10:17 (old testament) 17 For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. God clearly says no partiality . Does he exempt mary and gave power ? No Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. God says that infront of him all are equal. He did not give exemption for mary. Does he ? No Jeremiah 29 .12 (old testament) Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. God said to pray to him . Did he say to pray to mary ? No Because some catholics say they ask to mary and not pray Some catholics say they pray to mary and not worship Psalm 18.6 (old testament) In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. God said he heard the voice .obviously yes he is the god . He has all powers over pall his creation Does he say mary can also hear ( after entering eternal life )? No Exodus 20:4-5 ( old testament) 4 d“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 eYou shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am fa jealous God, gvisiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, God clearly says not to make any statues or graven carved images under the heaven and bow to them .. But see u make statues of mary .. u bow and u ask or pray it is against scripture Leviticus 26:1 ( old testament) Ye shall make you no aidols nor bgraven image, neither rear you up a ||standing image, neither shall ye set up any ||image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the Lord your God. Again god said not to make any idols and graven images and bow to it . But u make those idols and bow to.it and pray or ask to it . 2 Chronicles 33:15 ( old testament) 15 He took away uthe foreign gods and the idol from the house of the Lord, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the Lord and in Jerusalem; and he cast them out of the city. He said to take away idols from the house of the LORD But u make idols .. keep inside the house of the LORD and bow and pray or ask to it. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, All Scriptures are god breathened. So all Scriptures are true So I have answered with scripture words that ur beliefs are wrong And now u have to answer where did god gave power to mary to listen all 1.2 catholics request at the same time and transfigure to all 1.2 billion catholics at the same time I know there is no scripture proof If u have any then answer with scripture proof then answer with it As I know no scriptures supports that Atleast give some logical explanation And no assumptions are accepted. See ur ultimate goal is to attain god All denomination ultimate goal is to attain god We all seek god directly as Scriptures says that But why catholics need to ask mary to pray for u to seek god . Did god said to ask mary to pray for u to attain him? No Our almighty god is kindest of kindest so u can directly ask god without any recommendations from dead human ( any way dead human cannot hear ur request to pray for u )

[@jackfanning7952]

@@johnthomas8297 I agree. The Bible does not instruct us to pray to Mary. Jesus is our great high priest and the mediator between God the Father and mankind. God does not want anything or person between us and Him. He has provided the Holy Spirit to reveal His will to us and help us understand scripture. Mankind has repeatedly rebelled against God by inserting rituals, idols and people between us and God. You do a good job of referring to scripture that backs up the theology you present.

[@delnayo9474]

Oh how I thank God for RC Sproul. He was so gifted in teaching the truth in grace.

[@bridgefin]

He does try. But he does not have the truth.

[@shawnglass108]

Praying to saints isn’t just a blow against God’s nature. It’s a blow against everything Jesus did that allows us a personal relationship with God. We are able to go directly to the Father in the name of the Son and so personal is that relationship allowed to be that we are actually allowed to refer to the Father as Abba. Which is like saying Daddy or Papa. That really blesses my heart. Why would anyone pray to a saint when they can directly to the Father? I simply do not comprehend.

[@annchovey2089]

As C.S. Lewis one said - What kind of mother would want more attention than her son?

[@nelsonfernandes5729]

What kind of son would not greatly honour his mother?

[@annchovey2089]

@@nelsonfernandes5729 Jesus did honor his mother. He asked John to look after his mother after he was gone. Nobody in the Bible is recorded as having prayed to Mary. I'm not saying you don't go to heaven, but why would you pray to Mary when you have Jesus? He created the world so he can definitely answer billions of prayers at once. Jesus doesn't live in the scope of time where he listens to one pray and then the next one. Time is non-existent. He lives in the perpetual present.

[@nelsonfernandes5729]

@@annchovey2089 Why would many Protestants rush to their Pastors for prayers when Jesus can answer billions of prayers at once?

[@nelsonfernandes5729]

@Linet Akinyi Mark 12:27 ► "He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!"

[@nelsonfernandes5729]

@Linet Akinyi [John 11:26-27] Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. 26And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

[@nametheunknown_]

I love Sproul's combination of humility and confidence. That's hard to find in teachers of the faith. Thank God for his work.

[@nametheunknown_]

I had a notification that someone commented "There is no humility in claiming to hold the truth." It looks like they removed their comment...I assume they realized the irony of their statement.

[@LookForTheDay]

Humility? Haha that was the most arrogant statement I’ve heard in a while! Knowledge only puffs up. That’s in the Bible. Read the book the apostolic fathers

[@nametheunknown_]

@@LookForTheDay are you asking me to read a book so that I gain knowledge?

[@LookForTheDay]

@@nametheunknown_ no I’m asking because you don’t need to be in the dark on something that might help you understand certain things. Not to just gain knowledge, but that you don’t have just one side of the coin so to speak! I was raised Protestant and doing my research I did find out that I had it wrong in a lot of areas about doctrine. Catholics are wrong also in certain areas when it comes to Mary but it’s on the belief she was assumed in to heaven like Elijah. Also about her being sinless. She wasn’t sinless and she did die and was buried. They also are wrong about one pipe to be over the whole church and he is infallible. He’s a creature just like you and I, he’s a sinner just like us and makes mistakes. Those errors in the doctrine are serious no doubt. You have to say things out of love and remember that people are sick and need help not the back of your hand! It’s the goodness of God that leads us to repentance.

[@jessemorris3258]

"I am the way,the truth and the life. No man come to the father but through me" -Jesus That 1 verse alone destroys the praying to others besides him. I used that with a catholic friend once. She was speechless. Couldn't answer me when I challenged her with that because she believed in praying to Mary and the saints

[@dman7668]

Sorry, that doesn't destroy the Catholic practice. You met a not well learned Catholic. When one prays through intercession prayers one is not going around Jesus. As members of Christ's Church the Blessed Virgin Mary is part of Christ's body. She has Christ's favor so it does nothing but benefit the believer to ask for her to pray for you on your behalf. She is a powerful intercessor as evidenced by the wedding feast where she does something nobody else does in the entire bible, change Christ's mind. He performs the miracle of water into wine at her request. This also prefigured the eucharist. Where the bread and wine at the last super becomes Christ's literal body and blood.

[@dman7668]

James 5:14-15- James says the prayer of the priests over the sick man will save the sick man and forgive his sins. This is a powerful example of men forgiving sins and bringing a person to salvation with the sacrament of the sick.

[@dman7668]

@Bobby Allen How do you know Mary was not a perpetual virgin?

[@charliejohn1]

@@dman7668 She had other children. I'm sure she liked sex like any normal woman.

[@cynthiax56]

JESUS establishe the way into the kingdom of god.....HIS CHURCH> (The Catholic church) There is but ONE Shepherd and ONE gate. You are going through Martin Luther and We Catholics have been going through the proper gate establishede by Jesus whiloe you follow the reformers and attack the true christians

[@jasperetale6916]

"who is my mother, who is my brother and sister except those sitting here........."

[@heathwells3564]

There are to be no other gods before God. This includes Mary and any other person or thing one would worship

[@eddieboggs8306]

@David Ortiz Luke 11:27-28.

[@heathwells3564]

David Ortiz you sir are elevating Mary over Jesus. Mary is Not equal with Jesus / God, no one is. That is what the Bible teaches. The Catholic Church teaches just what you mentioned. You can believe what the catholic religion teaches, but that is not what the Bible teaches. Jesus is to be elevated above every other person. Mary’s death was not even mentioned. It is not because she is not important, but that she was not to be made out as equal with God. Jesus knew the Devil would try to ensure some focused on her rather than Jesus. Mary was also born with original sin, just like everyone else. This is not opinion but biblical. No where in the Bible does it say Mary was to be worshipped, was equal with God or was without sin. Again, you can believe what you want, but what you cannot do is speak opposite of the Bible teaches and claim it is from the Bible

[@eddieboggs8306]

@@heathwells3564 Amen! Preach it brother. As light destroys the darkness so does the truth the lie.

[@eddieboggs8306]

@David Ortiz Your answer to whom?

[@eddieboggs8306]

@David Ortiz Luke 11:27-28.

[@MCS1993]

Anything that undermines,minimizes and ignores the Holy sacrifice in the Cross is not from God

[@البُشرَیالسَّارّة]

that what the catholic church does repent

[@1234poppycat]

Anything that undermines, minimizes and ignores the Holy sacrifice in the Cross is not from God ….. Catholic teaching for the last 2000 years

[@surferdude8086]

@@1234poppycat The RCC hasn't been around for 2000 yrs. Do about 2 minutes of due diligence and you'll learn that the RCC was started around 500a.d.

[@1234poppycat]

@@surferdude8086 Catholicism Popes from Peter to Francis 2000 years and counting. St. Peter (32-67) St. Linus (67-76) St. Anacletus (Cletus) (76-88) St. Clement I (88-97) St. Evaristus (97-105) St. Alexander I (105-115) St. Sixtus I (115-125) Also called Xystus I St. Telesphorus (125-136) St. Hyginus (136-140) St. Pius I (140-155) St. Anicetus (155-166) St. Soter (166-175) St. Eleutherius (175-189) St. Victor I (189-199) St. Zephyrinus (199-217) St. Callistus I (217-22) ) St. Urban I (222-30) St. Pontain (230-35) St. Anterus (235-36) St. Fabian (236-50) St. Cornelius (251-53) ) St. Lucius I (253-54) St. Stephen I (254-257) St. Sixtus II (257-258) St. Dionysius (260-268) St. Felix I (269-274) St. Eutychian (275-283) St. Caius (283-296) Also called Gaius St. Marcellinus (296-304) St. Marcellus I (308-309) St. Eusebius (309 or 310) St. Miltiades (311-14) St. Sylvester I (314-35) St. Marcus (336) St. Julius I (337-52) Liberius (352-66) St. Damasus I (366-84) ) St. Siricius (384-99) St. Anastasius I (399-401) St. Innocent I (401-17) St. Zosimus (417-18) St. Boniface I (418-22) St. Celestine I (422-32) St. Sixtus III (432-40) St. Leo I (the Great) (440-61) St. Hilarius (461-68) St. Simplicius (468-83) St. Felix III (II) (483-92) St. Gelasius I (492-96) Anastasius II (496-98) St. Symmachus (498-514) ) St. Hormisdas (514-23) St. John I (523-26) St. Felix IV (III) (526-30) Boniface II (530-32) ) John II (533-35) St. Agapetus I (535-36) Also called Agapitus I St. Silverius (536-37) Vigilius (537-55) Pelagius I (556-61) John III (561-74) Benedict I (575-79) Pelagius II (579-90) St. Gregory I (the Great) (590-604) Sabinian (604-606) Boniface III (607) St. Boniface IV (608-15) St. Deusdedit (Adeodatus I) (615-18) Boniface V (619-25) Honorius I (625-38) Severinus (640) John IV (640-42) Theodore I (642-49) St. Martin I (649-55) St. Eugene I (655-57) St. Vitalian (657-72) Adeodatus (II) (672-76) Donus (676-78) St. Agatho (678-81) St. Leo II (682-83) St. Benedict II (684-85) John V (685-86) Conon (686-87)

[@randyflores2933]

Amen

[@felicitybloomfield4620]

God said My people perish for the lack of Knowledge. IF WE COULD ONLY READ THE BIBLE

[@zaatheist]

I have and am so excited with the God's instructions. When can I get started? The Bible says I should kill- Homosexuals (Lev 20:13, Rom 1:26-32) Adulterers (Lev 20:10, Deut 22:22) Disobedient Children (Deut 21:20-21, Lev 20:9, Exod 21:15) Woman not virgins on their wedding night (Deut 22:13-21) All non-Christians (Luke 19:27) All non-Christians (Deuteronomy 13) Those accused of wickedness by at least two people (Deit 17:2-7) Anyone who works on the sabbath (Exod 35:2-3, Num 15-32-6) The Bible says women as a lesser class of human- It is shameful for a woman to speak in church (1 Cor. 14:34-5) A man must OK his wife’s words if they are to have force (Num 30:8) A woman must not teach or hold authority over a man (1 Tim 2:12) The Bible says I am allowed to enslave people- God supports slavery (Lev 25:44-6, Exod 21:2-8 Eph 6-5) How to sell your daughter as a slave (Exod 21:7-8) When to give your slave a "severe" or "light" beating (Luke 12:42-8) Its OK to beat your slave, only if they don’t die within 2 days (Exod 21:20-1) How to mark your slave (Deut 15:17)

[@savedbygrace8867]

Les Wood I bet your name fits you perfectly,ask somebody !

[@zaatheist]

@@savedbygrace8867 I have not forgotten. The stench of religions lingers.

[@kassandrasabean6020]

@@zaatheist are you telling the truth? That's um..... I don't know what to say.

[@zaatheist]

Never overlook the fact that at least 50% of human beings are of below average intelligence. These are the ignorant, the unthinking and unquestioning who believe in the existence of an invisible, undetectable magic man in the sky who sometimes supposedly grants wishes if you grovel and continuously stoke his ego. They only believe these things because someone else told them what to believe and they are too stupid to think for themselves.

[@honestyjustice6042]

One Mediator, Jesus Christ.

[@IrishEddie317]

What does that mean "one mediator?" You probably don't even know, do you?

[@IrishEddie317]

Still no answer, HONESTY JUSTICE? Big mouth, no response.

[@cynthiax56]

ONE scriptures does not "cancel out" Another scripture, no matter how much you want it to. The following IS STILL VALID: ➨INTERCESSION of a holy person on our behalf: Job 42:8 8 Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams, and GO TO MY SERVANT Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and MY SERVANT Job SHALL PRAY FOR YOU, FOR I WILL ACCEPT HIS PRAYER NOT TO DEAL WITH YOU ACCORDING TO YOUR FOLLY; for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. ➨INTERCESSION of MARY: At the wedding feast at Cana, it was Mary who asked Jesus to help the wedding party. ➨INTERCESSION OF THE SAINTS Rev 5:8 The prayers of the saints are offered to Jesus the Lamb. We ALL intercede / mediate for one another when we pray for each other.

[@lydiapetra1211]

@@cynthiax56 Scripture doesn't refer to dead people like Mary....and other dead people that the Roman catholics pray to...God is against necromancy!

[@joecastillo8798]

@David Ortiz David, 100% correct.

[@biffalobull2335]

Mary, in her prayer of praise, pointed to her Saviour as all sufficient. She knew.

[@Rixster53]

Biffalo Bull 100% correct Biff! If Mary was sinless she wouldn’t have to go with her husband Joseph to the temple and offer the doves for HER cleansing and purification to keep the law... no doubt she was a godly woman but she has NO PART in our New Testament salvation by grace through faith in Jesus. Christ!

[@biffalobull2335]

@@Rixster53 Amen.

[@christopherton]

Rixster53 Jesus was sinless abd was baptized ? Mary had no part in your salvation ? Didn’t she give the Father permission to be the savior’s mother ? What if she said no thanks. ? All you protestants have zero knowledge about true Christianity

[@christopherton]

Rixster53 If she didn’t offer the sacrifice in the temple THAT WOULDVE BEEN A SIN. But don’t let me screw up your tiny world and hatred of Mary.

[@biffalobull2335]

@@christopherton and you appear to have a lot of roman knowledge, but little scriptural. She called Christ her SAVIOUR. One who is perfect has no need of a Saviour. Mary had 0 part in my salvation. There is no salvation apart from Christ.

[@Vikingr4Jesus5919]

Whenever I ask Catholics why they pray to Mary when the Bible says not to, the usual answer I get is this: "We do not 'pray to Mary', we ask if she can pray for us." Isn't that the exact same thing in this case? You're asking someone who has passed away to pray for you. That is literally praying to the dead.

[@ammonquitalig9077]

then they will have another come back, its just an endless loop..you have to wonder though why it never ends. The catholics have made this catechisms and are so much deeply rooted in them. It never does, it takes a self examination to see things in a different point of view. To me, whats real troubling is the increasing number of young atheists, believing in their own truths...

[@Vikingr4Jesus5919]

@@ammonquitalig9077 I hear ya bro. But we know not what God has in store for us yet. And is His will not for our good? We may not feel comfortable, or happy, or like singing from time to time. But He knows what the future may bring. I would say, never stop seeking righteousness, never stop loving, never stop wanting to know God more and serving Him. On top of that, be patient. You are here for a reason, and may God show you soon what that reason is if He hasn't already! Trust in Him. You see people falling away, yes. But they may very well, in many numbers, come to a realization on how empty their lives became. That's when God will call upon the fishers of men ;)

[@jimmyross4352]

W.L the Bible says not to? Perhaps you could read the story of the wedding at Cana. We ask Mary to pray for us because Christ cannot refuse Her. She's His Mom !! Can you refuse you're mother? If you think Western Catholics got it wrong, you might want to read the Akathistos Hymn, and see for yourself what the original, unchanged, two thousand year old Holy, Catholic and Apostolic church thinks of ''Theotokos''. Yes, the Orthodox church may very well have been ''The best kept secret in America'' , but now, thanks to the internet, many Christians are catching on to the only Christian Church that worships GOD any where close to the way HE spent 5 chapters explaining how-to in Exodus. Last but not least?

[@Vikingr4Jesus5919]

@@jimmyross4352 Yes, I've read that. About ten times more so, because some Catholics refereed back to that. I will be honest, when referred to sources I check them out. Chances are that you are right. However, there's numerous points that are in flaw here if you use the wedding at Cana to support praying to Mary as Biblical or Godly. 1) Mary was still alive (as in, of this World). So her asking Jesus (interceding) was as simple as a mother asking her son. Nothing in that part seems to suggest we should ask Mary to intercede for us now. 2) You say it is in the Bible that "we can [therefore?] ask Mary to intercede for us". Give me some scriptures, mate. None of the Catholics I've met yet have given me such scriptures. That doesn't bother me in itself - it only supports my point anyway. What does bother me is that, if there's no scripture on this and God has never told us to, then we're talking about a major deception. And if that is so - which I'm starting to strongly believe is the case - then millions of people are told to pray to a dead Mary who does not and will not intercede for us. 3) Mary has passed away. Only Jesus has risen and never died again, that I believe wholeheartedly! Know that 'having died' means 'separation from' also. So in that sense, Mary is now separated from us. So any spiritual thing that suggests we can pray to her is a deception. And the strongest support for that is the fact that Jesus Himself said "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Nobody comes to the Father EXCEPT THROUGH ME". If we could come to the Father through Mary, or even if we could come to Jesus through Mary, would Jesus not have told us so? But He has said strictly that only through Him can we come to the Father. On top of this, why would we even NEED Mary when Jesus already offered Himself to intercede for us to the Father? 4) Can I deny my mother? Well, if she had made a sloppy meal and said it was a great meal, I would deny that xD But seriously, what argument was that supposed to be? I know Jesus did not refuse Mary WHEN SHE WAS STILL ON EARTH. But her task in this World is DONE. She has 'passed away'. I can't put it any stronger than that.

[@ryancain6012]

Asking your friends to pray for you is not idolatry. Asking your pastor to pray for you is not idolatry. Asking St. Paul to pray for you is not idolatry. There's a world of difference between "praying to" and "asking _____ to pray for" you. This isn't a theological issue it's a grammatical one. Diagram the sentence and the difference is plain. Praying *to* Mary would be idolatry; asking her yo pray for you is not big deal and is never forbidden in Scripture. The issue of idolatry is one of our Protestant misunderstandings, a non-issue.

[@villarrealmarta6103]

Why would a person skip going to the source of eternal life? Jesus lives to intercede for us, not Mary or any other believer.

[@ammonquitalig9077]

cause mary is somehow another deity

[@lorrainedusseau5760]

I was Catholic, left it in 2002, for sure...I did apologetics and decided I didn't want to say repetitive prayers, pray to dead humans, or recrucify Jesus every Sunday.

[@alvargesko3305]

Sorry to hear that Lorraine. Perhaps you did not know what you had? Did Jesus not say "repetitive prayer" in the Garden of Gethsemane prior to his arrest? And if you were really a learned Catholic you should have understood the Saints (those in heaven) are actually alive and well and not "dead". They simply passed from this life to the next and are not dead. You cannot "kill" a soul Lorraine. Also we do NOT recrucify Christ every Mass. The Catechism explains what we believe in the Mass. Remember that Jesus gave us the Mass, and the Eucharist, and commanded us to do both. He said "do this in memory of me" and "unless you eat the body and bllod of the Son of Man you have no life within you" Jesus said it, we don't debate it, we believe it. We do not completely understand exactly how it all works (the Trinity is surely a mystery, as is the Eucharist) but we believe it because Christ said it. All the John MacArthurs and RC Sprouls cannot undo what Christ started.

[@alvargesko3305]

You are too kind "jumjum151" whatever that stands for. Why not take your vile hatred for the Church elsewhere. You are certainly not Christian. Jesus built ONE Church, he said so and it is Catholic. Read MT 16-19 and tell me what it says " And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Read John 6 and tell me what it says. You profess to know scripture yet argue what it means. Sad.

[@alvargesko3305]

No "jum", I am not saying that the words of Jesus on the cross are an example of repetitive prayer. I am asking YOU what his words mean. Do you have any idea or not?

[@colleendavid2899]

Hey "jum" you are so confused. Iwas talking about two different things in two different responses to you. Check ALL my past responses.I stated Jesus used a repetative prayer in the garden. Another example of repetative prayer is clearly seen in Rev. 4. They are chanting "Holy, holy, holy,..........day and night. So if it is okay in heaven it is okay here.Second, why would Jesus pray to his Mother when she was still on earth? Of course he prayed to his Father as we all do.Al

[@alvargesko3305]

See Rev. 4 and see repetitive prayer

[@sarkiesarkie4918]

Well said Mr. R C Sproul. Be blessed in Heaven.

[@Cotronixco]

No, he's in hell, just as the RCC said. Originally it stated the dead go to the grave (hades) but the RCC thought they'd change that to 'hell.' Either way, he's NOT in heaven. He is in the grave awaiting his resurrection. And since he's apostate, he will most likely be resurrected AFTER the 7th day, not before.

[@hr2r805]

@@Cotronixco WRONG... You just spoke "Your" future... I feel sorry for YOU...

[@Cotronixco]

@@hr2r805 Which "hell" do you believe in, the first death, the second death, or Dante's inferno?

[@nathanhornok]

Is Sproul aware from heaven that you commented to him with a complement and a blessing? Do you hope he in some way is aware of your comment, or at least will become aware of it at some point in eternity? If so, you are now guilty of the same "idolatry" that Sproul just condemned. Or did you just make that comment in a completely empty and performative way that was only meant to signal to others here on earth? If so, that would make it a false display of piety. So either you admit that God is the God of the living and not the dead, where the living includes those who have died in Christ (as Jesus explained from the common use of the term "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob"), which according to Sproul makes you an idolater, or you deny the reality of the life of those who are with God after they fall asleep, in which case your opinion forces you into constant displays of false piety.

[@Cotronixco]

@@nathanhornok Sorry, but Sproul is not in heaven. I can guarantee that. The dead are not alive. They are dead. They will be raised from the dead, not from partial death.

[@chrispitrakkos8925]

Hi brother, also just want to add that in Hebrews 7:25 says who always intercedes for us, only Jesus, that is why we always pray and ask in Jesus name.

[@marciadiehl5733]

@David Ortiz Excuse me. The seed of the woman is Jesus Christ. The seed of the serpent is the anti-christ.

[@antoninoskomnenos1022]

It says Jesus intercedes for us, it doesn't say he's the only person who intercedes for us. Paul told us in 1 Timothy 2:1 that we should also intercede for people. By the way, Catholics only pray in the name of Jesus or the Trinity. They never pray in anyone else's name.

[@brianhouseholder1074]

Thank you for thoroughly and truthfully explaining God's true and loving ways!! Our atonement is through Christ alone!

[@KevinsHeaven]

More people need to hear this and understand.

[@loucontino4804]

And many have heard and do not understand. We have to pray for them.

[@ParaSniper2504]

Despite having grown up Roman Catholic, I agree completely with the late R. C. Sproul.

[@IrishEddie317]

R.C. is in the next life now and has come to understand all his theological errors, including his disrespect for the One who is the New Eve and Queen of Heaven

[@Hayzues50]

You did not listen to a thing what RC sprole spoke about. You love the traditions of man than the truth of Gods word. I hope you and many catholics come to realize that conclusion.

[@IrishEddie317]

@@Hayzues50 I didn't have to listen to R.C. Sproul. I was a PCA Calvinist for 13 years and he was one of our heroes. I have heard him speak, I know the errors of Calvinism, and I repeat what I said earlier - he is now in a place of greater enlightenment and has come to understand his errors. God's Word is Jesus. The Bible is a collection of writings which A.) point to Him B.) tell us what He taught and C.) tell us how to worship. You speak of "traditions of men," but what are you following if you follow a religion which was invented by men some 1500 years after the Apostles and Christ? If you want the truth, go back to the Early Fathers of the Church and study what they wrote. They learned directly from the Apostles, therefore, what they teach in regards to the Sacred Scriptures should be important to you.

[@IrishEddie317]

@@jumjum151 When you see the great majority of the Fathers of the Church teaching the same thing, you should be sure that this is something that the Apostles handed down, unlike Calvinist heresies which were developed in the 16th century.

[@IrishEddie317]

@@jumjum151 You show your complete historical lack of knowledge with these statements. The united Church condemned Arianism. That some were heretics did not change the truth nor the mind of the Church. As for Calvinism, you can't prove it other than by terribly distorting the Bible and the message therein. Like all other religions within the Christian sphere that exist outside the apostolic faith found in Holy Orthodoxy, you have an interpretation of the Scriptures, that is, you look at them and decide "Well, this means that." For instance, you deny the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, yet a simple reading of Christian history shows that this denial didn't start until the 16th century. It shows that from the very beginning, the Christian faith taught that the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ - what we in the Orthodox Church refer to as "the Holy Mysteries." If you are a Reformed Baptist, you deny Acts 2:38 and the fact that the Christian faith taught in the beginning that baptism washes away sin. You teach a horrendous doctrine called "predestination" in which God is a monster who, without any reason at all, damns some to eternal conscious torment. Yet the Bible states that God is love. Do you ever stop to think about how those two ideas conflict seriously with one another. As for not following the Bible, I will give you the following to read: http4281.wordpress.com/2019/01/21/calvinists-and-sola-scriptura/ http4281.wordpress.com/2019/01/19/what-exactly-are-we-doing-wrong-a-liturgical-challenge-to-calvinists/ As an X-Calvinist myself, I welcome further discussion on the errors of Calvinism.

[@dmustakasjr]

Mary cannot hear you. She is not Omniscient. nor Omnipresent.

[@datchet11]

Demetrios Mustakas Jr. yes exactly, Jesus is not Mary.

[@jobbz9107]

I can hear you, and I am not omniscient nor Omnipresent. Mary hears those who ask for her intercessions. Ave Maris Stella... Solve vincla reis, profer lumen cæcis ,mala nostra pelle, bona cuncta posce

[@dmustakasjr]

Perhaps you could elaborate? is there a scrying pool she is looking into in Heaven? I assume she does not have KZbin access to the internet from there. Does the Holy Spirit some how consistently and perfectly communicate all simultaneous prayer to her "ears" in Heaven? How does her mind contend with all of the individual requests from millions of people? If she is not like God and does not have attributes of God and is just a person, saved by her faith like all others, though admittedly blessed above all other women for carrying our savior, how is it possible for her to hear anyone? Is there any scriptural reference to help clarify this?

[@jobbz9107]

Demetrios Mustakas Jr. Amen brother thank you for taking interest! You may wish to use whatever fantastical imagery you want - if the answer is yes, the answer is yes. You have assumed that Heaven is a place where we are all still have our corporal limitations. Like Homer Simpson on a reclining chair on clouds. The true nature of Mary is constantly being revealed to us - I would be privileged to visit the various Marian shrines around the world. You are asking for evidence. The evidence is the apparition, the sheer power of prayer, its documentation, and the miracles associated with it. It's like believing that snails don't produce slime but then witnessing a snail produce slime and still refusing to believe it. Not only do "henceforth all nations call her blessed" (Luke) but also she is the Queen of heaven, 12 Jewels for the 12 tribes of Israel (Revelation). If your idea of truth and reference is the vernacular aphorisms of scripture, out of the context of the time it was written, your religion will not progress, will not evangelise, will not inspire and ultimately not be true to the message of God. One needs Trutu through the lens of the Church to help with this. Yes, use reason - a gift from God. Yes, be critical, for the people in the church are liable to sin. I'm grateful for the question, but I'll remind you that Catholics work as a Body. We tend not to pretend that we can understand all of creation (including scripture and revelation) individually, so we refer people to priests, scholars, libraries, thesis, works, and ultimately a diet of prayer and fast. Please contact a local RCIA group to learn more about The Faith. I can help you if you are interested. If it's not for you, your money back! X

[@dmustakasjr]

Well the understanding I get from Holy Scripture is that God is capable of hearing our prayers because of his very nature, that of Omnipresence. The mind of God is capable of then hearing and understanding all prayer because of his Omniscience. And He is capable of answering our prayer in his Omnipotence. Mary is never said to possess any of these traits and that is understood in that she was not deified by God and is anything other than a human woman. If the nature of Heaven is to be discussed or debated I would say that anything outside of God's revelation would be speculation on our part, and lean understanding on the side of what has been revealed. Mary is a woman and a human and while she may be in either spirit or glorified form right now her nature (similar to other created beings such as angels) is limited to the characteristics of her being. While I put my information in a form that can be communicated to a person, in this case you, that mechanism is in keeping with meeting the characteristics of what you are capable of, that you can login and read my comments. If there is no delivery system like YT or this comment thread you would then need some other characteristics in order to receive my communication, or other mundane method (someone emailed you in a fwd). Or you would need to possess characteristics not normally attributed to humans. I think leaning on the silent argument and assumptions that things are different in heaven or in a spiritual form are speculative at best. What has been revealed is sufficient so that we might know, the manner and abilities of Mary (or our own), and the manner and abilities of God. The Catholic body is still responsible to the revelation of God, even if you believe he is continuing to reveal himself. If the case is made from the mercy seat that adds new characteristics to Mary then that is in fact where the debate or discussion can be engaged. This argument would include all of the saints as well. In their nature as human in being (spiritual or in body) they are limited in their nature in the created order. Those beings would need to be shown either the mechanism of delivery or a change in nature to account for the new ability to simultaneously hear multiple prayers from multiple locations on earth and over time and be capable in power to either intercede or answer them at all. I am sorry but Holy Scripture is clear about the powers of man, angels and the God-head in this respect, from OT to NT it is God who through his Son created all that exists and by his Holy Spirit moves and expresses His power. There is neither the capability nor the necessity that Mary or any other person or Saint to intercede. And I want to thank you as well for your time and your graciousness in responding to me.

[@marebear09]

"Other than that, I don't have an opinion." 😜

[@marebear09]

@@jobyjohn3527 Because according to the Bible there is one mediator between God and man and that person is Jesus. He is the perfect High Priest, He is sufficient, We do not need another. We can hold her in high regard because she was indeed highly favored. But to esteem her more than that by praying to her, etc. is idolatry.

[@dcar9859]

@@jobyjohn3527 Because scripture teaches there is only ONE MEDIATOR Timothy 2:5 it says “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” Why is Christ the mediator and not the Holy Spirit? Because Christ in assuming flesh became the “kinsman redeemer” who brought us to right relationship with the Father. Only the Son bridged the gap between us and God the Father. and scripture says because of this in Hebrews 4:14-164 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

[@qesther1241]

@@jobyjohn3527 Mary did not perform any miracles. She was just a human. Jesus was God come to earth. Praying to Mary is idolatry. Did Jesus tell you to pray to any saints?If it can’t be found in the Bible then it is not true. Jesus/God/The Bible DID NOT TELL YOU TO PRAY TO ANYONE EXCEPT. see JOHN 16:23

[@robinfoster7076]

There have been several claims of seeing a vision of Mary throughout history and pretty much all of the observers said she had the rosary in her hand. Mary was Jewish, so she would not know what a rosary was. As far as I know,the only faith that uses prayer beads is Islam. In fact Mary would be horrified to think that she is placed on the same level as GOD. IM JUST MAKING AN OBSERVATION

[@miketerry581]

NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT,

[@sherwina11]

Mary was a wonderful believer who is still sleeping in the grave awaiting the first ressurection when Christ returns for all who have accepted him as the only way to eternal life

[@GeorgePenton-np9rh]

Wrong. Mary is alive in Heaven as are all the saints.

[@pauldraben7899]

The soul goes to be with Christ in heaven & the body is in the ground. Coming the rapture the soul will be reunited with the body first & those who are alive will taken to be with the Lord.

[@GeorgePenton-np9rh]

@@pauldraben7899 Yes, Paul, that is correct. That's what the Catholic Church teaches.

[@GeorgePenton-np9rh]

@Chuck Anya Any "Christian" preacher who teaches different doctrine than that which has been taught down the centuries by the Catholic Church is a false teacher. According to St. John if we co-operate with them in any way we become partners in their evil work. (Which, by the way, proves that ecumenism is not biblical, anti-biblical, actually.)

[@berniemckean2991]

George Penton Does the Catholic Church refer to Mother Mary as the queen of heaven in prayer

[@البُشرَیالسَّارّة]

As a former devoted catholic, I used to attend the mass 5 times a week, pray the rosary daily, was a leader of a Catholic group/movement on my campus, and was visiting the seminary to become a priest! I once was questioned, If I am to die at this moment, where would I open my eyes afterwards. Although I was a devoted catholic, I didn't have an answer, the person questioning me, opened the Bible at first John chapter 5, and as he read I was amazed. The passage actually speaks about a true believer in Jesus, whom has earned assurance of gaining eternal life in heaven, through Christ. It also says that if that believer doesn't acknowledge this assurance - eternal life in heaven - he is explicitly implying that God is a liar! After this encounter, I decided to study my bible daily, although I was a Catholic who reads his bible(which is very rare here in my country). After a year of studying my Bible i saw how much the Catholic church is far from the Bible. If you are a Catholic reading this I would suggest you search the following topics: -The authority of scripture -Justification and salvation: this is one of the most important topics, how am I to be reconciled with God according to the Bible!? What must I do to be saved!? -The mass and transubstantiation (Emphasis on Hebrews 10,the "lost" book in Catholicism) -The role of saints in The Bible -The role of virgin Mary in The Bible -Purgatory and the Bible -The pope :Is he biblical, is he even in the first church!? -The first church and the history of the Catholic church, did it really start with Jesus or with Constantine centuries later!? -The apocryphal books, why did they first show up in mid 15th century? -Baptism, Is it for the babies?? , does it have to do anything with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit!? -The sacred mysteries/sacraments and the Bible: why in a time of history they were 12 and 9 and 5 and now they stand at 7? Is the sacred mystery of confession biblical!? "The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." Psalms 145:18 God bless you all! MUCH LOVE!

[@antoninoskomnenos1022]

That's an interesting chapter for a Protestant to start with. It's the same chapter where Our Lord said, "the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."

[@franciscoscaramanga9396]

Why is Hebrews 10 the "lost" book? And what do you mean about the Apocrypha? Don't they pre-exist the council of Trent?

[@fred3893]

You say, 'I once was questioned, If I am to die at this moment, where would I open my eyes afterwards. Although I was a devoted catholic, I didn't have an answer'. If that is so, then you were a very IGNORANT Catholic. For a Catholic, the answer to that question is simple. The answer is "I DON'T KNOW. God will judge my heart'.

[@البُشرَیالسَّارّة]

@@fred3893 exactly, you don't know thank you for your honesty the Bible speaks clearly about believers that they know their eternal destiny in Christ And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:11‭-‬13 I did not know also, read the Gospel of John and the letters of John, that will help you to find the truth, cheers :D

[@johnraymond-pz9bo]

User, Nobody (except those visited by Jesus or Mary and told they were going to Heaven, like Fatima children) should presume to know that they are going to Heaven. Presumption/ despair are sins against hope. You almost certainly were not in Catholic Church, but Vatican II Church aping Catholic church.

[@sabah4123]

We are ex-Catholics, after searching the Scriptures, set free & saved. 🇦🇺 is waiting for you! 👍

[@cynthiax56]

That's because protestants ONLY pick scriptures that suit the protestant agenda

[@Romans8-9]

@David Ortiz The Bible precedes the Catholic church by centuries/millennia.

[@nelsonfernandes5729]

You have left the pure gold of the Catholic faith for imitation jewellry because you didn't know your own catholic faith deeply. And this is true of all catholics who leave the church. As for Mary she is biblically "full of grace". "the power of the Most high overshadowed her" just like the Ark of the covenant of which she is a pre-shadow. Mary is again mentioned in Revelation 12:1 ► A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. Mary whom the power of the Most High overshadowed is also the Queen of the 12 tribes of Israel who bore the almighty son of God in her womb and suffered with him and is glorified with him as we all will be one day. [Luke 2:35] Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed- and a sword will pierce your soul as well.” This is the key to understanding Mary's role as the New Eve.

[@loremaster234]

@@nelsonfernandes5729 I find it interesting that Catholics degrade "protestants" for adding their own doctrine and yet almost everything mentioned, besides the actual verses themselves, are non-existent in the Bible. The woman in Revelation, for example, was in pain during labor, but the RCC claims Mary felt no pain. So, how is that woman Mary, and not Israel? Secondly, there is no mention at all by Christ Himself of Mary being the "pre-shadow" of, or New, Ark. That is literally someone's own interpretation a part from the Word of God. Hmm. Perhaps Mary also had a "sword" pierce her "soul as well" because she had to witness her son's death? That would pierce any mother's soul. Not really sure what else that would mean, and it if did mean something else, surely the Word of the Most High God would have mentioned it.

[@herbstzeitlose1616]

@@loremaster234 can you show me where it says in the bible that everything the church proclaims has to be in the bible, or has to be written there. 2. where in the bible is which speciHc scriptural canon you have to observe? Whre you found Sola Scriptura in the Bible ? or that you would be reborn through a prayer of surrender? please indicate biblical passages..

[@cherylbaker3353]

Amen one way to heaven saved by grace through faith not of works only through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ

[@jobyjohn3527]

Sis, Are u a Catholic, if yes!.. Greatings from India. I am a Catholic, I am full of confused. Please help me, I am requesting you,🙏🙏🙏🙏, I was very much depressed because of some thing related to my life and recently I had met a lady (I like call her as my SISTER because I respect her) she was very much helpful for me because whenever I speak to her I feel somewhat reliefed, but she doesn't believe in Mother Mary and Sanit so she is telling me not to pray with Mary and Sanits, since u r from Catholic, I need ur help, she is connected to through email. So will please help me to answer her questions please 🙏 I am requesting you.🙏🙏🙏. Below I am mentioning my email id (or else if u need any other social media..I can provide you). I am waiting for your reply....🙏🙏🙏 please reply.. [e-mail]

[@dancinguy99]

Thank God for His eternal word, & promises to us thru the word.. His mercies never fail. The just shall live by faith... In Christ (alone)

[@sponsler]

"When you pray, pray like this... Our Heavenly Father... (our Father in Heaven")...... can't be much more clear than that. and "Malachi 1:6 "'A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?' says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name. But you say, 'How have we despised Your name?'"

[@alexchristopher221]

Taking Scripture out of context is the Protestant malaise.

[@SiRasputin]

And the our Father is prayed at every liturgy. How often do Protestants pray it?

[@sameeralraees3260]

Stephen Sponsler در

[@edilbertogomez5453]

Amen. I need help. I also grew up as a Catholic. Started little by little not believing in that religion as years went by. In January 2014. I stepped out and dedicated my life to Jesus Christ and becoming a Christian. Not by religion but a follower of Christ. Till this moment. I find my self looking for a church. I found a non denomination church. They baptized, read the gospel and preach about Jesus Christ. I also got baptized in another non denomination church that is a Christian church. I just want to serve and make sure I'm doing the right thing for God. Any answers will help.

[@LuisMartinez-gt8my]

Amen brother. I also grew up in the Catholic Church but left it about three years ago when I got saved so my advice to you would be just continue to spiritually feed yourself with the word of God and keep searching for a biblical church. Good churches are hard to come across but if you go to one just examine that church and their teaching in the light of scripture and always pray about! God bless!

[@salvadorimx]

I think there's no perfect local church, but it's important to stay in a church where the Word is always preached (both the good news and the bad news that lead to repentance) and Christ is exulted and loved... I think is hard, at first I didn't loved much the church where I was born again but as time went by I saw that in spite of the errors they are faithful to what the scriptures teach and now I love my church very much, not a perfect one but one where God is truly present. So I encourage you to pray to God to lead you to a faithful Church :)

[@kovalanpachu]

Don't rely on churches alone. Invest your own time in studying the Word Of God. Listen, watch and read the materials of great teachers who have invested their whole life in breaking it down for us. I will remember you in my prayers.

[@edilbertogomez5453]

kovalanpachu THANK YOU. THAT IS WHERE I FIND HE TRUTH ON HIS WORD.

[@tonyamero]

Tony Amero : i was raised a catholic, went through all the ceremonial stuff, but didn't have a clue who Jesus is. suffice to say, He called me, I answered that call and left the Catholic Church. I love Him immensely. I know after fifty some years of walking with Him, He is beyond explanation, His love is real and it is hard to fathom the blind acceptance and erroneous teaching that is so foolishly accepted. The Bible tells us to study and show ourselves workman, rightly dividing the word of truth,, not blindly believing false teaching. It saddens me to see what is happening and perverting the gospel.

[@mysticalglowtv1796]

Hebrews 4:16 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Are you in Christ or not?

[@mysticalglowtv1796]

@David Ortiz How do you do what?

[@mysticalglowtv1796]

@David Ortiz By understanding that you as a saved Christian who has been baptized by the Holy Spirit of God now have the righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed unto you. You have now authority to approach the throne of God with prayers and supplications that God will hear when you never had it before.

[@mysticalglowtv1796]

@David Ortiz You couldn't get saved and you certainly cant hold onto it. It is the gift of God.

[@lydiapetra1211]

@David Ortiz You should study the New Testament... God's Word is very clear! You have been brainwashed and indoctrinated into lies, deception and fabrication by your Cult! Wake up.... you are on your way to hell!

[@JustMe-fs2yh]

Two voices of sanity in a insane world, Thank you

[@nelsonfernandes5729]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6PVXqGlmbGVb8k

[@Mixuni]

I just pray to Jesus to guide me. As well as my family.

[@loremaster234]

Good. That is what the Gospel of the Kingdom of God actually calls Christians to do. Interestingly enough, it does not mention praying to anyone else. In fact, the Bible, Old and New Testaments, make it clear that you are to pray only to God. Keep the faith, Mix, and may our Father in Heaven bless you in Jesus' name. Praise be to God. Amen!

[@BeingRomans829ed]

Outstanding answers by two titans of the truth of the Gospel. And RC. You gotta love him; adds a touch of humor at the end of his answer. Praise God! RC's with Him now, enjoying the glories that we all dream of.

[@Kitiwake]

Who gave them permission to preach the gospel? That right belongs to and it's dispensed by, the church.

[@mooreoftammie]

@@Kitiwake no. GOD gave them the directive to disciple the nations. Not “the church.”

[@BirdogEd]

As the Reformers said according to Scripture (Sola Scriptura) “ By Grace ALONE, through Faith ALONE, in Christ ALONE, to the Glory of God ALONE! “Eph. 2:8-9, Gal. 2:16 Respectfully yours

[@dinaandrade522]

Where in the Bible is the verse about sola scriptura?

[@BirdogEd]

Dina Andrade “Sola Scriptura “ in Latin means “ by the authority of Scripture Alone”. In other words; no one or title is above the authority of Scripture. No Pope, king, President, dictator, etc... Respectfully yours in Christ 😎

[@princeharming8963]

Sproul has remained steadfastly and lovingly consistent throughout his entire ministry. I find this incredibly refreshing.

[@princeharming8963]

@@MichaelTheophilus906 - Could very well be. Any documentation to support the claim. Would like to look into it.

[@ivetaf3855]

I left Catholic Church after 30 Years and God led me to do so . ..also by concrete Bible Verses in order not to take part in her Sins !

[@joecastillo8798]

You made a great mistake. Jesus founded only one Church, The Catholic Church. What's sad is that you have no idea of what the Church teaches.

[@ivetaf3855]

@@joecastillo8798 Your answer shows me that you have no clue ....sorry .

[@cynthiax56]

It wasn't GOD who led you out, Martin Luther invented protestantism, not God.....unless your God is LUTHER, that is... The Protestant claim that we are forbidden to speak to / pray to Mary and the saints is NOWHERE in the Bible. In fact, the following scriptures were copied (by me) directly from the Protestant version of the Bible: ... ➨INTERCESSION of a holy person on our behalf: Job 42:8 8 Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams, and GO TO MY SERVANT Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and MY SERVANT Job SHALL PRAY FOR YOU, FOR I WILL ACCEPT HIS PRAYER NOT TO DEAL WITH YOU ACCORDING TO YOUR FOLLY; for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. ➨INTERCESSION of MARY: At the wedding feast at Cana, it was Mary who asked Jesus to help the wedding party. ➨INTERCESSION OF THE SAINTS: Rev 5:8 The prayers of the Saints are offered to Jesus the lamb. The KING Honours his mother's request: 1 KINGS 2:20: Then she said, “I have one small request to make of you; do not refuse me.” And the king said to her, “Make your request, my mother, for I will not refuse you.” The Claim that Saints are among the dead, and we are forbidden to contact them is ALSI false: ➨SAINTS are not among the dead, They share in the ressurrection of Jesus: (Protestants attack Biblical saints while they follow dead reformers) LUKE 23 v 39-43...Jesus told the good thief "today you will be with me in paradise" REV 19 v 14...when Jesus returns he will be accompanied by his heavenly armies of saints. 2 COR 5 v 8...Paul tells us that to be absent with the body is to be with the Lord. JOHN 11 v 25-26...Jesus said I am the ressurrection and the life, he who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives, believing in me will never die. MATTHEW 27: 52 -53: When Jesus was raised from the dead Many were raised up with him. LUKE 1619-30 The story of the rich man and Lazarus show The Rich man, Lazarus and Abraham, all concious and interacting with each other even though they have physically died. REV 6:10 The souls of the martyrs are before the throne of God, crying out for justice. (they are conscious and actively petitioning God) HEB 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

[@joecastillo8798]

@@cynthiax56 My dear Cynthia, Beautifully said! A brother Catholic apologist. Many blessings.

[@cynthiax56]

@@joecastillo8798 Many thanks, sir xoxox

[@stykemccormack3741]

As a former catholic my sympathy goes out to catholics who genuinely beleive that their rituals and rites are correct but no catholics are taught scripture from the bible its catholic dogma but then if we understand that no one can come to christ unless god the father calls them so the veil is over not just catholic but most peoples eyes

[@WhiteBraveheart1]

Well, I hope you come back to the Catholic Church! The Holy Eucharist is waiting for you. God Bless.

[@Journey4SureKnowledge-N-Wisdom]

Luke 11:27-28 27 As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.” 28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

[@Journey4SureKnowledge-N-Wisdom]

@David Ortiz Oh hi, I remember we already had this conversation on another video a little while ago, and so here we go again I guess.... Well of coarse God blessed Mary, but NOTHING even close to the catholic's man-made doctrines whereby grossly hyping her up into being "God the mother" deity (or whatever else) and then encouraging people to bow before statues of Mary, kissing the feet of the statues, praying to/through the statues, buying prayer beads and then offering them to the statues for the statues to then pass those prayers to Mary in heaven who can't eve hear those prayers unless you manipulate the scriptures into her being able to. and sure, go ahead provide your scriptures again that are so weak (at best) as your self-proclaimed proof of your beliefs in Mary being more than just the blessed Mary who gave birth to the Lord and Saviour, and then I will provide at least 4 times as many scriptures which undeniably shatter your scriptural evidence used to support your beliefs

[@joeypuvel1228]

Journey4Sure Knowledge-N-Wisdom scripture and tradition my dude.

[@ronaldwatson1951]

Very Good and informative goes back to the saying that everyone that calls on the name of Jesus wil not be saved due to unbelief

[@alan137]

I think you mean to say not everyone who says to Jesus "Lord, Lord" will be saved because they never truly believed in Him. Big difference.

[@ronaldwatson1951]

@@alan137 I guess that's a play on words, but you're correct. I can only say as a war fighter, there's a God, and No disciples headed a church, holiness only! Too much theology. Have a Blessed day.

[@ronaldwatson1951]

@David Ortiz not works fool only Faith, hopefully you're not practicing praying to Mary??

[@eddieboggs8306]

@@ronaldwatson1951 Many forget Jesus already existed befor Mary gave birth.

[@ronaldwatson1951]

@@eddieboggs8306 you're absolutely 💯 Right, may fellow citizen in the kingdom to come.

[@mikeh4198]

Thorough and they don't pull punches. Many good intentioned Christians in the RC Church have no idea how faulted the teachings of that church truly are (I was brought up catholic and went to catholic school). The church claims the authority of the Bible but also adds their own traditions, too. A big problem is the church traditions often cloud what scripture teaches. Penance, Purgatory, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Heart Of Mary, the Rosary, venial and mortal sins, the infallibility of the Pope, veneration of the saints, etc.. None of these are scriptural and in fact contradict scripture. Where's the Righteousness of God freely given by His grace and grace alone to His children for all eternity? The blessed assurance of the 100% free gift of salvation that can never be lost - ever. It's a hard to see let alone admit that the church you grew up in, that your family has followed for generations, etc., is sincerely wrong. There is an answer and it will bring peace.

[@MrChristianBeliever]

YOU: Penance, Purgatory, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Heart Of Mary, the Rosary, venial and mortal sins, the infallibility of the Pope, veneration of the saints, etc.. None of these are scriptural and in fact contradict scripture. RE: Mike I must disagree with you. Purgatory, Venial Sins and Mortal Sins are most certainly in scripture. You claim that you were raised Catholic yet you are not aware of these? I find that very hard to believe. Then again, the CC has not done a very good job at teaching Catholics what is meant by these things. YOU: Where's the Righteousness of God freely given by His grace and grace alone to His children for all eternity? RE: What do you mean? Are you trying to suggest that the CC teaches God is not righteous? That is what Purgatory is all about. Are you suggesting the CC does not teach that God's Grace is a free gift? You really do not know what the CC teaches do you? YOU: The blessed assurance of the 100% free gift of salvation that can never be lost - ever. RE: You are correct, the gift will never be less than 100% free. If you are suggesting that once we accept the gift, we can never give it back, then you are speculating and dangerously at that. Once you accept the free gift, you are still free to reject the gift until the moment of your death. Scripture talks about this; I am surprised you are not aware of it.

[@chrisluvscats]

Micheal you know not what you defend. Why is your pope exalted above other men? You are of the nicolations mentioned in Revelation 2. Truly sorry for your spiritual blindness. Repent of idolatry and turn away from that church

[@bornagainsaint1]

Micheal: Scripture talks only about Jesus’ sufferings death and resurrection for the sins of the world. That is what Jesus is ALL about. In your response you never even said anything about Jesus’ saving blood sacrifice and resurrection. Purgatory does not exist !!!

[@xxxmmm3812]

@@MrChristianBeliever no, none of it is truly in the scriptures, you are as deluded as it gets. I will pray for you, to Jesus , not to mary or any other dead person

[@bornagainsaint1]

Jane Erstić: Over the years of reading the responses from staunch Catholics, I keep seeing the same excuse that they cling to - if it isn’t in the Bible then it is ok to believe in it. Examples: 1 - They claim that since the Bible doesn’t “specifically say” that we cannot pray to Mary then it must be perfectly safe to pray to her without taking responsibility for it. 2 - The last chp of John says that Jesus had said and done so many things that all the books in the world cannot contain everything. Catholic Church uses that passage to go hog wild in practicing whatever they wish thinking they will not be held responsible, but when you ask them what else did Jesus say and do, they just turn their noses in the air and walk off. Etc. Hypocrites !! This church really hasn’t read the Bible, they don’t take Jesus seriously. 3 - One more thing, in John chp 8, Jesus said if you do not believe who I say I am you will die in your sins. Jesus has said thru out the Bible that He is the way, the truth, the life, and the resurrection, Jesus said at His last supper that His blood will be shed for the forgiveness of sin, but Catholics really don’t believe in that because they believe in purgatory. Etc.

[@jackjones3657]

What fantastic responses. The Roman Catholic Church leadership, hierarchy and doctrine have proven, especially under Francis, they are indeed not in line with God's word. Many are apostates.

[@johnraymond-pz9bo]

Research sedevacantism

[@Codestud]

I am Anglican and generally we don’t typically say the Hail Mary but personally I think it’s okay. Clearly Mary was favoured by God to bear Jesus, she raised Him and for that I think every Christian should give her love and respect.

[@stephaniedescoteaux4759]

I miss RC Sproul still.

[@Wgaither1]

Me too

[@confused353]

cont- Mary is the mother of Christ's "physical" body but she is not the mother of "God". Hebrews 10:5 "Wherefore when He cometh into the world he saith...a body hast thou prepared for me" Mary did not exist until God knitted her in her mother's womb just as He knits all of us in our mother's womb. Mary is a created being. She was a "sinner" in need of a Saviour just like the rest of us and she knew it and was not ashamed to say so. The "Mary" of Roman catholicism is a complete fabrication.

[@AmericanPatriot-1776]

Mary was pure from birth. She was created and chosen to be the Mother of God. Mary is known as the Immaculate Heart, and that She is. She is not an angel, she is not a saint, and she is not God. Yet, as the Mother of Jesus She is a pipeline to Her Son. She intercedes for us. Jesus loves it when we talk to His Mother. He loves His Mother and in Her purity She went to heaven in body and soul. She is like my own mother, always there for me and helps my prayers get to Her Son. It's a wonderful thing to have that connection with someone who is so loving.

[@Mr_jemfi]

@@AmericanPatriot-1776 Wow John the Baptist was called greatest of us on the earth and least in heaven and I still wont pray to him, and my bible and I am 100% sure yours as well saids for all have sinned and fall short the glory of God( including Mary ) , a sinner, created by God saved by Jesus now has been pervertedly made into a god and prayed to by Roman Catholics, clap for yourselfs, genuises when it comes to misinterpreting the bible

[@MikeC-my4lf]

@@AmericanPatriot-1776 Mary needed a savior. If I were to ask you "what did a Jewish person understand if another Jewish person was 'unclean' either ritually or otherwise?" After you answer that, who was prescribed to offer a sacrifice, a clean or unclean person? Mary had to offer a sacrifice in the temple after the prescribed days. She was ritually unclean according to Levitical law. Jesus, though born to a human mother with a sinful nature, still remained pure as He did for His entire life. Though she is worthy of honor, so are all those that believe in Christ.

[@GeorgePenton-np9rh]

Jesus is God. Mary is Jesus' mother. Ergo Mary is the mother of God. Elementary, my dear Watson. This does not mean that Mary is God's equal or that the Second Person of the Trinity did not exist before Mary. But Mary did give birth to God Incarnate.

[@GeorgePenton-np9rh]

@@MikeC-my4lf Jesus is indeed Mary's Savior. He saved her by giving her an immaculate conception and freedom from any actual sin.

[@2godthrujesusonly139]

*Luke **11:27**-28* *27 As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”* *28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”* Acts 4:11-12 11 Jesus is the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone. 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Ecclesiastes 9:4-6 For whoever is joined with all the living, there is hope; surely a live dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know they will die; but the dead do not know anything, nor have they any longer a reward. Indeed their love, their hate and their zeal have already perished, and they will no longer have a share in all that is done under the sun The issue concerning whether catholics, as a whole or individually, actually worship Mary and the saints is not easily discernible due to how many people often have very different views of what qualifies someone as having worshiped something/someone, however the issue of catholics kneeling before, kissing the feet of, presenting prayer beads, and talking to the wood, clay, and stone statues of Mary and the saints in order to either directly answer their prayers or for them to pass our prayers to God, IS A FACT they do this Not only have I been to many catholic church services and witnessed these things but there are literally COUNTLESS videos on here, the rest of the internet, catholic tv channels, etc that are UNQUESTIONABLE witness to the catholics giving more reverence to serving God through Mary and the saints than through Jesus Christ alone. John 14:6 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me, Jesus Christ. 1Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus Matthew 23:9 9 and call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Habakkuk 2:18 Of what value is an idol carved by a craftsman? Or an image that teaches lies? For the one who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. Isaiah 26:13-14 O LORD our God, other masters besides You have ruled us; But through You alone we confess Your name. The dead will not live, the departed spirits will not rise Daniel 5:23 Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways.

[@bryanm5233]

Hum, no rebuttals from our Catholic friends. Being raised a Catholic, it was very rough when we learned the Truth. It’s really difficult to learn what you have always thought was good and holy is actually blasphemy.

[@William2015-q4h]

2GodThruJesusOnly Luke 11:27-28 In verse 28 Jesus says to the woman in the crowd why Mary his mother is blessed. Mary Jesus's mother heard the Word of God and kept it Luke 1:26-38. Mary is blessed Luke 1:42. Catholic's worship God and God alone. Every thing about Mary the mother of Jesus points to her Son Jesus. We can go over more if you like. Your verses are taken out of context. Remember a verse taken out of context to us as a proof text is a pretext.

[@cynthiax56]

ONE Scripture does not cancel out ANOTHER scripture, no matter how much you want it to. Luke 1:24-48 IS STILL VALID and it tells us that "All generations will call Mary blessed" Which church calls her the BLESSED Virgin Mary and treats her with honour? We Catholics call her blessed and you protestants "prove" your case by picking ONLY scriptures that suit your agenda. This is the error of Luther's doctrine of "solascriptura" which is an invalid doctrine:... The Bible ITSELF Contradicts Luther's doctrine of "scripture alone" (solascriptura) The Bible tells us that the authority is THE CHURCH: ... ● 1 TIMOTHY 3:15 The pillar & foundation of TRUTH is the CHURCH. ● EPHESIANS 3:10 10 His intent was that now, THROUGH THE CHURCH, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, ● 2 THESS 2:15 We are to hold fast to the TRADITIONS we have been given, either by WORD OF MOUTH or by the letter. ● 1 Cor 11:2 I commend you because you remember me in everything, and maintain the TRADITIONS even as I have delivered them to you. ● JOHN 21:25 Jesus said & did Many other things that are too numerous to be recorded in writing. ● HEB 13:17 Obey the eldars in the CHURCH The True Church is a TEACHING Church: (to Teach means to impart knowledge that is not presently know....not in writing) ● JOHN 14:26-31 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall TEACH you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (To TEACH is to impart knowledge that is not presently known....not in writing) ● ACTS 8:31: And he said, How can I, (understand scripture) except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. (The scriptures are not for individual interpretation. They need the guidance of the CHURCH. It is PROTESTANTS who are following the doctrines of a man.)

[@janethornback1053]

The Mysterious Cynthia X Mary is Blessed, because she was chosen to give birth to Jesus. End of.

[@cynthiax56]

@@janethornback1053 Well OF COURSE.........HELLLLOOOOOOoo

[@PInk77W1]

Simeon said to Mary “A sword shall pierce your soul too.” Lk 2:35

[@TheKevinmalta]

Amen bro.

[@LynLyn-wl9yu]

@@TheKevinmalta So, if a sword shall pierce her heart, what does that imply?

[@LynLyn-wl9yu]

Him Bike So, if a sword shall pierce Mary's heart, what does that imply?

[@LynLyn-wl9yu]

@Him Bike So, if a sword shall pierce Mary's heart, what does that imply?

[@TheKevinmalta]

@@LynLyn-wl9yu it carries on to say.... "so that the thoughts of many shall be Revealed".... God knew that many doubters will emerge. What's hard to understand? If Protestant's have no trouble understanding Mary's Virgin Birth, I can't understand why it is so hard for them to believe that She Remained a Virgin..... !!! Or do we LIMIT GOD!!! where we want??

[@ChaplainBobWalkerBTh]

Luke 8:19 - Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. Luke 8:21 - And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. ----------- John 2:5 - His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever [Jesus] he saith unto you, do it. ----------- Luke 11:27 - And it came to pass, as [Jesus] 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. Luke 11:28 - But [Jesus] he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But [Jesus] he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

[@mariamarymiriam293]

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; what is a mediator? I.one who intervenes between two, either in order to make or restore peace and friendship, or form a compact, or for ratifying a covenant II.a medium of communication, arbitrator So what´s up with the praying to Mary? what for?

[@ChaplainBobWalkerBTh]

María Mary Miriam Good question...

[@timseneca3202]

María Mary Miriam the mediator is one who is in the middle or between you and god ,which is jesus ,for you to go to heaven or get in ..you would have to go through jesus ,god says this is my son for those who believe and trust in my son shall have ever lasting life ,jesus is your mediator

[@MrChristianBeliever]

Tim Seneca Tim, I am quite certain you do not know what Catholics believe with regard to mediatrix. Every Catholic knows that Jesus is our mediator between God the Father and man. Why do you think otherwise?

[@ChaplainBobWalkerBTh]

MrChristianBeliever Then why do the catholics pray to Mary? Do not lie and say they do not do this. people look up the rosary and see they do pray to mary as mediatrix.

[@jasonstockman3532]

1 Timothy 2:5 King James Version (KJV) 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

[@cynthiax56]

The intercession of the saints is still valid and biblical. The Saints are the servants of Jesus. The reformers are not.

[@Rixster53]

The Mysterious Cynthia X, To say I am not a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ because I’m not Catholic is an insult... prison ministry is a real blessing, giving to less fortunate a blessing, giving to missionaries a blessing, thank God your opinion means nothing, God blesses me richly every day... and I am looking forward to meeting my glorious Savior without the assistance of the hellish church in Rome...

[@cynthiax56]

@@Rixster53 1. All protestants who follow Luther's doctrines are serving LUTHER. 2. If you were not attacking and making false accusations, I would not be RESPONDING. YOU are the slanderer (a serious sin) and I am RESPONDING by showing you that you are making false accusations while U R following LUTHER JESUS founded a CHURCH. LUTHER, who never knew Jesus came along 15 centuries later and told people to IGNORE the church and follow "SCRIPTURE ALONE" You are obeying LUTHER and not JESUS

[@cynthiax56]

@@Rixster53 BTW, recieving earthly rewards does not mean that God is blessing you. Just look at Joel Osteen

[@cynthiax56]

➨ INTERCESSION OF MARY & THE SAINTS IN THE BIBLE: ... Including proof that saints are not among the dead The Protestant claim that we are forbidden to speak to / pray to Mary and the saints is NOWHERE in the Bible. In fact, the following scriptures were copied (by me) directly from the Protestant version of the Bible: ... ➨INTERCESSION of a holy person on our behalf: ● JOB 42:8 8 Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams, and GO TO MY SERVANT JOB, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and MY SERVANT Job SHALL PRAY FOR YOU, FOR I WILL ACCEPT HIS PRAYER NOT TO DEAL WITH YOU ACCORDING TO YOUR FOLLY; for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. ➨INTERCESSION of MARY: At the wedding feast at Cana, it was Mary who asked Jesus to help the wedding party. ➨INTERCESSION OF THE SAINTS: Rev 5:8 The prayers of the Saints are offered to Jesus the lamb. ➨ JOHN 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. ➨The KING Honours his mother's request: ● 1 KINGS 2:20: Then she said, “I have one small request to make of you; do not refuse me.” And the king said to her, “Make your request, my mother, for I will not refuse you.” (Jesus is the Greatest King and he also honours his mother's requests) ➨SAINTS ARE NOT AMONG THE DEAD: AND THEIR INTERCESSION IS BIBLICAL: They share in the ressurrection of Jesus: (Protestants attack Biblical saints while they follow dead reformers) ● MATTHEW 27: 52 -53: When Jesus was raised from the dead Many were raised up with him. 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. ● LUKE 23 v 39-43...Jesus told the good thief "today you will be with me in paradise" ● REV 19 v 14...when Jesus returns he will be accompanied by his heavenly armies of saints. ● 2 COR 5 v 8...Paul tells us that to be absent with the body is to be with the Lord. ● JOHN 11 v 25-26...Jesus said I am the ressurrection and the life, he who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives, believing in me will never die. ● LUKE 1619-30 The story of the rich man and Lazarus show The Rich man, Lazarus and Abraham, all concious and interacting with each other even though they have physically died. ● LUKE 9:30-31 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. (Moses & Elijah were alive, and were yalking with Jesus) ● REV 6:10 The souls of the martyrs are before the throne of God, crying out for justice. (they are conscious and actively petitioning God) ● HEB 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ● MATT 17:1-13 ...At the Transformation of Jesus, he is seen speaking to Moses and Elijah, further showing that Holy ones of God are not among the dead. ➨HONOURING MARY: LUKE 1:48: All generations will call Mary Blessed. We Catholics are the ones who call her the BLESSED Virgin Mary and treat her accordingly. ➨NOWHERE does the bible permit protestants (or anyone else) to Scrutinize & monitor the prayers of other people, nor to judge their sincerity or their salvation. Protestantism does not come from jesus. It began with Martin Luther in 1517 & exists Only to oppose the Catholic church which Jesus founded 15 centuries B4 the protestant revolt. They only know & accept the PARTS of the Bible that suit them and they do not have an accurate bible either.

[@erickahlstedt4182]

The scriptures teach the priesthood of each believer - in other words, you may approach God through Jesus. Not through Mary. Not through priests.

[@jeffreperezhernandez9006]

Amen. Christ is the true High Priest; the great Malchizedek. He is the High Priest we go to to repent, confess our sins. And the argument Catholics make is they ask for the saints to pray for them. They say only pray to Christ. Then according to their logic, we cannot ask our Pastors to pray for us. The problem with this is clearly that pastors are elders appointed to watch over the flock, and Christ is the chief Sheppard and the Malchizedek we come to confess our sins. Pastors watch over us. And because Christ is the great High Priest, the priesthood system is abolished. We dont need priests or popes anymore because Christ is the great Malchizedek. Catholic arguments are flawed.

[@WhiteBraveheart1]

Well, I hope you come back to the Catholic Church! The Holy Eucharist is waiting for you. God Bless.

[@judyl.761]

People need to remember what Jesus said. “Those who are not against me are for me .

[@donaldduke2233]

I remember as a youth noticing that a great many parishioners went to Mass and spent most of their time there praying the Rosary instead of celebrating a service to Jesus.

[@GeorgePenton-np9rh]

In the rosary the emphasis is on Mary. In the much more important Mass the emphasis is on Jesus and Jesus' Body and Blood---Mary is barely mentioned.

[@bdvjack9214]

George Penton you do t what your talking about the Rosary is about the life of Jesus and Mary .

[@GeorgePenton-np9rh]

@@bdvjack9214 The rosary, if properly said, is indeed a series of meditations on the lives of both Jesus and Mary. But the emphasis---the number of sheer words in it---is on Mary. And there is certainly nothing wrong with that. I say at least one rosary every day. In the very much more important Mass the emphasis is on Jesus and His sacrifice and in His Body and Blood, and Mary is barely mentioned. Non-Catholics are very worried that if any devotion is given to Mary or other saints that Jesus might get lost somewhete in the shuffle. They see and hear Catholics saying the rosary, not understanding that one is supposed to meditate on the mysteries while reciting. They very likely have never attended a Catholic Mass and do not know how the Mass, the central form of Catholic worship, is all about Jesus. They do not understand how attending Mass and receiving Communion----or even attending Mass without receiving Communion as countless unseen angels do at every Mass---strongly and intimately unites the soul with its Holy Spouse Jesus. If you are devoted to Mary and the rosary more power to you. If you are I am sure you can attest that devotion to Mary in no way detracts from devotion to Jesus, and that in fact the opposite is true.

[@bdvjack9214]

George Penton I am devoted to the Rosary and you are correct . Mary prayed with Bernadette in Lourdes for bad Catholics , to me the biggest problem with Catholics is many do not know the faith and as a result leave and lose salvation which at Fatima souls are falling into hell like snowflakes. Mary always points to her son and will lead you too Jesus every time and you will know Jesus like never before .

[@homewardbound8327]

DONALD DUKE During the "old" Latin mass, many did not understand what was going on because they didn't understand Latin. At certain points bells were rung; that was the signal to pay attention to what was going on in the front of the church (altar). The lack of understanding of the Latin (or perhaps illiteracy) is why some people who were attending said the rosary, or went through the sequence of beads while gazing at a stained-glass Bible scene window and mediating on the life of Christ. They couldn't follow what was going on. The Latin mass is still said; but most who attend it are people who have studied Latin (It is a good language to understand if you are going into the medical or pharmacology fields). Some people like it because the only people chanting are the priest and the choir …. It is a very peaceful, quiet style of worship. *The vast majority of modern Catholics attend modern services* *(i.e. "The mass" -- "To gather together") in their own language* *AND they participate in the readings and hymns of the mass* Because they can understand the language. In the modern mass (Novus Ordo mass) the priest faces the congregation rather than the front altar when he is saying the mass. However, some Eastern (Byzantine) Rite Catholics attend mass that is said in Greek and the customs are those of the Eastern/ Russian Orthodox churches. It like attending an Eastern Orthodox Divine Liturgy (Service/Mass). There are also local Mozarabic and "Ambrosian"/"Milan" (originated in northern Italy) rite masses where the ethnic groups who speak the languages gather. The Eastern Rite Catholic churches were once under the control of Constantinople (now called Istanbul) before the Muslims took it over in 1453 CE/AD. Rome became the administrative head of these churches; but the customs stayed the same as when the churches were under the administration of the Patriarch of Constantinople. *Most Orthodox and most Catholics like their worship* *traditions and their families ethnic-lined parishes*

[@PInk77W1]

Mary said “Every generation SHALL call me blessed.” Lk. 1:48

[@deancamp4914]

Yes - she herself was blessed by God - given great favor - but can herself bless no one. She has no supernatural power.

[@PInk77W1]

@@deancamp4914 we can all bless everyone Her more than the rest of us

[@deancamp4914]

@@PInk77W1 What evidence is there that Mary can bless more than anyone else? Luke 11 records a time when someone tried to elevate Mary - and how Jesus responded. It says, "a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” Jesus responded to that lady that Mary is in no way especially blessed - but rather those who hear and keep the Scriptures are blessed.

[@PInk77W1]

@@deancamp4914 Mary is the ONLY one who has heard the word of God and kept it COMPLETELY. That’s what Jesus was saying. You missed that. Mary received more Grace than the universe combined. Mary is the NEW EVE. Mary said “Do whatever He tells.”

[@deancamp4914]

@@PInk77W1 You didn't answer any of my questions. What Biblical evidence is there for any of the claims you have made? I have given you verses that show Jesus's point of view. As to your claim that Mary kept God's word completely, even Mary disagrees with you! In Luke chapter 1, Mary says, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior". Only sinners need a Savior - and Mary acknowledges her need of a Savior like everyone else. Mary herself contradicts your claim for her!

[@TheCaliforniacajun]

" Do this in remembrance of Me!!"

[@Kathy12Ray]

Mariology brushes over the facts: GOD has spoken by His Son (Hebrews 1:1-4); The Son is superior to Angels (Hebrews 1:5-14); JESUS is the Great High Priest who sympathises with our weaknesses in every possible way and literally died to prove it (Hebrews 4:14 -5:10); CHRIST is the Mediator of the better covenant and His sacrifice was once and for all (Hebrews 8-10); that JESUS is the ultimate hero and example of faith (Hebrews 11-12).

[@MrBilioner]

In the name of our Father,His Son and the Holy Spirit not Mary.

[@epb3233]

Jonathan H. In Jesus name, Amen!

[@joecastillo8798]

Jonathan, Our sign of the cross goes like this: In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Regarding Mary, the Mother of God, let's begin from the beginning. Shall we? After the Annunciation. Mary Visits Elizabeth Luke 1, 40-45 40. and she entered the house of Zechari′ah and greeted Elizabeth. 41. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and ELIZABETH WAS FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT 42. and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43. And why is this granted me, that THE MOTHER OF MY LORD should come to me? 44. For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. 45. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” Mother of the LORD means Mother of GOD. RIGHT? Isn’t JESUS our LORD and GOD? LET'S SEE HOW THE OLD TESTAMENT SAYS, REGARDING A TYPE OF JESUS, THE ARK OF THE COVENANT: First, when Elizabeth “exclaimed with a loud cry… why is this granted me, that the MOTHER of my LORD should come to me” (Luke 1:42-43), Mary was revealed to be the New Testament ARK of the LORD. Elizabeth’s words make this clear as she repeats a text from II Samuel 6:9 wherein David exclaims concerning the Old Covenant “ark of the Lord:” And David was afraid of the LORD that day; and he said, "How can the ark of the LORD come to me?" If this one parallel leaves you unconvinced, there are more that may tip the scale for you. St. John the Baptist “leaped for joy” at the salutation of Mary (Luke 1:44), just as King David “danced before the Lord” in the ark of the Lord in II Samuel 6:14. Moreover, Mary “remained with [Elizabeth] for THREE MONTHS (Luke 1:56),” just as: “the ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obededom the Gittite for THREE MONTHS ” II Sam. 6:11. However, having brought up the greatest reason for her importance: Her Motherhood of God, no catholic will ever equate the created Blessed Mother, with the creator. However, I must point out that from Christ’s conception until his death, Mary was united to her Son in HIS work of salvation. From the Cross, Jesus entrusted his beloved disciple to Mary, telling him to see her as his own mother (Jn 19:27). Jesus Christ our Redeemer is dying on the Cross and tells "the disciple" to behold HIS Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. It seems that Jesus is referring to John, but the actual words are "THE DISCIPLE." And so, in that moment, Mary becomes MOTHER OF ALL DISCIPLES OF JESUS, including those in our own time who follow Jesus. The most straight forward theological answer is simply this: Mary is our mother because she is the Mother of Jesus and we, by baptism are incorporated into Jesus. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it. (1 Cor 12:27) . Jesus is the head of the body, the Church. (Col 1:18) But if Mary gave birth to the head of the Body of Christ she also gave birth to the rest of the Body of Christ, His Church which is us. When the Apostles and disciples gathered to pray after the Ascension of Jesus, Mary was with them praying for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Mary continues to pray before God for the Church and all humanity. Like Mary, the Church has a maternal role, giving birth to people in Christ. The Church can never cease to look at Mary, who gave birth to Jesus Christ. The Church contemplates Mary’s motherhood in order to fulfill her own calling to be mother of the members of Christ’s Mystical Body, the Church. . In our culture, there can be a discomfort with praying for Mary’s intercession on our behalf. This seems to be a mediating role that crosses a line set out in the First Letter to Timothy: “For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and the human race, Christ Jesus, himself human who gave himself as a ransom for all” (1 Tm 2:5). So Jesus Christ is the one and only mediator. Jesus alone is the Savior. But this does not deny the possibility that Christ would permit others to share in his mediating role. Here on earth we routinely ask others for prayers. Instinctively, we turn to holy people for their prayers because they seem nearer to God. Why would we stop asking saints for their prayers after they die? If we believe they are in heaven, would not their prayers be even more effective? From the earliest times, Christians have sought Mary’s prayers and help. There has been the basic sense on the part of the Church that Mary continues in heaven to be concerned for the growth of all members of the Church into holiness and an intimate relationship with her Son. God bless.

[@MrBilioner]

@@joecastillo8798 First Joe, lets look at 2 Chronicles 7:14=If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. We can see that God obviously wants us to pray to Him and only to Him through Jesus Christ who died for us and is our mediator (1 Tm 2:5) like you and the bible said. If you pray to marry you then break the first 3 commandments which are dont have other Gods because you pray to other god,marry is not a god,second have no other gods and 3rd dont make idols,marry again. Many thorough out old testament and new one we can see they had the holy spirit but it doesnt mean we should pray to them. Abraham,isak,jacob,david...they all had the holy spirit. In Num. 11:17-25 we can see that mosses and the seventy elders had the holy spirit does that mean we should pray to them? Absolutely not. Jesus Christ is our Lord and mother of the Lord does not mean mother of God,it does not say that. I see you cant figure out the holy trinity. God is one,but God is Jesus Christ and God is the holy spirit. All three have a different function and are different personalities but its the same God. Its hard to understand but with the help of God you can to.To see that Jesus Christ is God for example in John 8:58 ‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am! Or John 10:30 I and the Father are one. Where in the bible says in the exact words pray to marry and she will transfer our prayers or just pray to her? Nowhere. True Jesus is in the old testament a bunch of times thats right but marry just did birth to the Son of God,she is still a sinner. Please go and read matthew 12:46-50 and figure it out. Is marry still qualified as a "disciple"? Even when we forget to pray, we can take comfort in knowing that Jesus Christ is in Heaven, interceding for us. Hebrews 7:25 says, “He is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf”.And Romans 8:34 says, “It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us”. Not marry. Marry was there when they were praying for the holy spirit but there is no passage saying "Mary continues to pray before God for the Church and all humanity". No,marry dont give birth to the church but only God can give and only God can take, so can He grow the church and not marry. “For you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” Exodus 34:14. Thats why its not good to pray to other saints that are here on earth or in heaven only to Jesus Christ,to God himself. We can only ask them on this earth while they are still alive to pray for us,or with us in the name of Jesus Christ nothing more nothing less. Who has all the power,might and glory? Not paul,not the john,or the rest of the disciples and not even marry they are still humans but only God has all the power,and might and will and force to do it because He is God. Now as you see and got the knowledge of the real truth and see that God is angry at the people and dont want them to pray to marry or any other saints and have no idols, His grace and forgiveness is unlimited and He is ready to forgive your sins. Repent of the false religion and turn to Him and His son only,stop the chatolic circus and nonsense. I notices that in the chatolic churches they barely speak of hell and sin but only love and grace of God but not His another attribute and that is Just God. He cant be a loving God if He wont serve His justice then He would be a liar and a corrupt Judge and He is not that. And why does the chatolic church baptise babies without sin? Babies go to heaven no matter what before the first sin,the knowledge the free will of sinning. Jesus did not die for babies without sin but for us sinners. God bless you to and I hope and pray that you will see and get the truth. God bless you to.

[@lervin78]

Joe Castillo, thank you for this. Just as by loving my mother, I give honor to my father, loving Mary helps me to better love God. Thanks be to God for His inconceivable love!

[@lolasobande8663]

@@lervin78 So by your logic, since your mother is your father's wife, Mary is God's wife?

[@marktillotson5426]

fried rice..do you even READ THE WRITTEN WORDS OF CHRIST and the Apostles?? Christ said I AM the way the truth and the life NO ONE comes to the father EXCEPT THROUGH ME.THAT IS GOD TALKING not a man.

[@christopherton]

Christ isn’t a man ?

[@anabellesabangan7565]

@@christopherton A God man. This has a deeper meaning, sir.

[@christopherton]

Anabelle Sabangan So feel free to explain this deeper meaning you apparently know better than I

[@cynthiax56]

Mark I have stunning news for you that may shock you because you are so proud in your "Knowledge" of the bible: (Albeit skewed knowledge and the fact that the protestant version of the bible is neither complete nor accurate) ......It is not your knowledge of the bible, or how many scriptures you can quote that will get you into heaven. Nope. It's how you lived your life and whether you have loved your neighbour as Jesus tells us we should do. When we die, we are not given a quiz on how well we know the bible. We are judged by our DEEDS. Check it out: WORKS, PENANCE, & PURGATORY (All copied from the protestant version of the Bible) ➨WORKS: REV 20:12...The dead are judged BY THEIR WORKS. JAMES 2:18 Faith without works is dead MATTEW 19:17 Jesus tells us if we want to enter into Life, we must keep the commandments. JAMES 2:24 A man is justified by works, and not by faith only. ROMANS 2:6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done MATTHEW 7:21 Not everyone who says to me: "Lord Lord will enter into the kingdom of heaven but only those WHO DO THE WILL OF MY FATHER. PHILIPPIANS 2:12-13 Therefore, my beloved, as you 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; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. MATT 25:35-40 JESUS tells us to feed the hungry & clothe the naked (good works). He further warns us that those who do NOT will be sent away into the eternal fire., but those who do these WORKS will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. LUKE 16:19-30 The story of Lazarus and the rich man shows us that the rich man went to hell for refusing to help Lazarus who was poor and hungry. (He refused to do good works) EPHESIANS 2:8-11 (KJV) Protestants "prove" their false doctrine of "faith alone" By quoting EPH 2:8-9 and they STOP before they get to number 10: 8 For by GRACE are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. (most protestants stop here instead of continuing on to 10): 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus UNTO GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD HAS BEFORE ORDAINED, THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM. 1 COR 9:27 (KJV) (Paul speaking) But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a cast away. ➨PENENCE: Protestants reject the idea that they must do "penence" (attempt to make up for the sins they have committed) Luke 19:8. Zacchaeus told Jesus if he has cheated anyone, he will repay them 4 times over. Mark 2:20 Jesus said (regarding his disciples): The days are coming when the Bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. Matthew 6:16 When you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrits do Acts 26:20 RSV but declared first to those at Damascus, then at Jerusalem and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and perform deeds worthy of their repentance. Acts 2:38-40: Do Penance and be baptized everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins and you shall recieve the gift of the Holy Spirit. For this promise is to you AND YOUR CHILDREN, and to all who are far off who the Lord our God shall call. ➨PURGATORY:. Paul prays for the dead Onesiphorus in 2 Timothy 1: 16-18. 1 Peter 4:6 The gospel was preached to the dead. (It would do no good to preach to those in heaven or in hell) PURGATORY EXISTS. 1 Peter 3:19 , Peter says that after the crucifixion and death of Jesus, that Jesus "went to speak to the spirits in prison", which means that there is a place people go to after they die that is a prison and not heaven nor hell. Matthew 12:32 Whoever speaks a word against the son of man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will Not be forgiven, either in this world, nor in the "world to come" This implies that some sins are forgiven in the "world to come" (purgatory) also 1 Cor 3:12-15 & more in the Catholic Bible: (2 Mace 12:46). “It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they might be loosed from their sins” 1 Peter 1:17

[@johnotto4931]

The Mysterious Cynthia X your idea of purgatory is false, when Christ descended to preach to the dead it is because they were at a place called “Abraham’s bosom”, they were only COVERED by the blood of bulls and lambs but when Jesus finished the work at the cross He preached His shed blood for the REMISSION of sins (washed away) because they could not enter paradise unless their sins were removed not covered. Then as the scripture stated Hell was enlarged. There is NO purgatory

[@doug1863]

Read this and then ask yourself, What is left for God? In thy hands I place my eternal salvation; to thee I entrust my soul. Enroll me among thy most faithful servants; take me under thy protection and it is enough for me: yes, for if thou protect me, I shall fear nothing; not my sins, for thou wilt obtain for me their pardon and remission; not the evil spirits, for thou art mightier than all the powers of hell; not even Jesus, my Judge, for He is appeased by a single prayer from thee. I fear only that through my own negligence I may forget to recommend myself to thee and so I shall be lost.

[@William2015-q4h]

doug 1863 O Mother of Perpetual Help, thou art the dispenser of every grace that GOD grants us in our misery; it is for this cause that HE HATH MADE THEE SO POWERFUL so rich, so kind, that thou mightest assist us in our miseries. Thou art the ADVOCATE of the most wretched and abandoned sinners, if they but come unto thee; come once more to my assistance, for I commend myself to thee. In thy hands I place my eternal salvation; to thee I entrust my soul. Enroll me among thy most faithful servants; take me under thy protection and it is enough for me: yes, for if thou protect me, I shall fear nothing; not my sins, for thou wilt obtain for me their pardon and remission; not the evil spirits, for thou art mightier than all the powers of hell; not even Jesus, my Judge, for He is appeased by a single prayer from thee. I fear only that through my own negligence I may forget to recommend myself to thee and so I shall be lost. My dear Lady, obtain for me the forgiveness of my sins, LOVE FOR JESUS, final perseverance and the grace to have recourse to thee at all times, O Mother of Perpetual Help. The prayer (request) to Mary is asking Mary to perpetual pray to her Son Jesus on ones behalf. Every teaching about Mary points to her Son Jesus Christ.

[@doug1863]

William 2015 this is unnecessary and idol worship. Clearly only Jesus is sinless and o lay Jesus can save us and no other goddess is needed

[@jamessgian7691]

As to Sproul’s remarks concerning the sacrifice of the Mass, and his offense regarding it, please read Revelation Chapter Five when the Lamb on the altar has been slain. This occurs in heaven. In eternity. Once for all is an eternal sacrifice. When Christ said “do this in memory of me” at the last supper, the word for in memory is a calling to re (again) member (flesh out in reality) the giving of his body and blood. Read the Last Supper and read all of John chapter 6. You will find Sproul’s offense is presented in that chapter. Not in Christ, but in those who refuse to accept the statement from the Lamb that they must eat his body and drink his blood. Come to the Supper of the Lamb. It is the same eternal sacrifice at every Mass. The Mass is what is going on in the book of Revelation. But before heaven, you can come to the table. Christ himself, in his body and blood, are there for you. Join your brothers and sisters at the table. Do not turn away like those in Chapter six of John. Be like Peter, confessing, “Where else shall we go. You have the words of eternal life.” Christ’s words of life are the last I will say on this: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever...unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life in you.”

[@Buildyourinheritance]

Rest in heaven R.C. I’m already missing you 😞😔

[@ronl514]

Terry. R C is in heaven because he personally believed/trusted in an all sufficient Christ to take away his sin and to be clothed in His (Jesus) righteousness, so that he could be found righteous before God! Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved! Acts 16:31

[@ronl514]

Terry. I do not want to get into a long drawn out extended conversation with you but are you saying that the life, death & resurrection of Christ is not sufficient for your/our salvation?? Are you trusting in something else (perhaps your own good works) in addition to what Christ has done for us?? If you are, then it sounds like you are carrying a very heavy burden and have strayed from the simplicity of the gospel. I assume you are a Roman Catholic, in a nutshell, please explain to me the way of salvation, acc to you or your church?? I would like to know what you believe and why you believe it?? Thank you!

[@ronl514]

Terry Kuntz Thanks again for your response! I am going to try and be as brief as I can in my comments, but brevity is relative in this case. I am an evangelical Calvinst Christian like RC Sproul, I came to that conviction based upon my salvation experience and my personal study of scripture and Christian theology. I was not raised in a Calvinist household, nor was I brought up in a Calvinist/ Reformed church. As an evangelical Calvinist christian, I/we believe that we are justified by faith alone but not by a faith that is alone, true faith produces obedience & good works. But good works, while a necessary result of regeneration/salvation, are non meritorious or non saving, only Christ saves through the means of faith, (neither is faith meritorious) We do not confuse or combine justification with sanctification, tho both are key elements in the salvation process! We believe justification is a once for all proclamation that we are declared righteous in God's sight because God imputes the perfect righteousness of Christ to us through our faith union with Him. We believe sanctification is a life long process of becoming more and more like Christ, becoming more holy and obedient as God enables and commands. We believe that we cannot be unregenerated or unborn again once we have been regenerated by God, in our view regeneration logically precedes & produces faith, it is not the result of faith. God would have to undo the miracle that He has done to & for us to become unregenerate. The many warning passages in scripture, to persevere in faith and holiness, are means that God uses to cause the elect to persevere! God thru Jeremiah says about the New Covenant, "I will put my fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me" and if some do depart then they were never truly regenerate in the first place 1 John 2:19! Regeneration or the new birth necessarily produces faith and good works because it is God's doing, "Salvation is of the Lord". The Lord wants us to have assurance of salvation, "His Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God", true faith produces assurance and obedience produces assurance 1 John 5:13 with 2:3 & 3:14, but let me add that I would have no assurance if it were based solely on my imperfect obedience and good works! This is what I/we believe, the old hymn says it well," my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood & righteousness, on Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand" May the God of all grace truly bless you as well!

[@ronl514]

Terry Kuntz Well said Terry! I agree that we will probably not be able to change the other....may the Lord grant us the wisdom and ability to know His will as revealed in scripture and to act upon it rightly so that we might be pleasing to Him! Thank you for the irenic conversation!

[@johnfountain5770]

Terry Kuntz, what do you really think his chances are? Do you think God forgave him for bashing The Blessed Mother and calling praying to Her, IDOLITRY.

[@Makai77]

The real question here is, "can you still go to heaven even though you've been misled and are ignorant?" Only God can be the judge of that. However, his word, the Bible, is clear about this issue.

[@GeorgePenton-np9rh]

But the Bible came from the Catholic Church!

[@Rixster53]

George Penton, the Bible is a Jewish book that existed LONG before the RC church hijacked it! The entire Old Testament canon was compiled and established by Jewish scribes before Jesus was born. The Pharisees would read the scriptures in the synagogue and Jesus did so also... see Luke 4:15-21 Jesus testified to the importance of the writings of Moses, John 5:39-47.

[@GeorgePenton-np9rh]

@Mark OnTheBlueRidge Jesus founded the Catholic Church, appointed Peter to be its first pope, andvpromisred that the gates of Hell would not prevail against it and that He, Jesus, would be with the Church until the consummation of the world (Matthew 16:18 and 25:20). Yes, there have been Catholics, even in the clergy, who have not lived up to the ideals of the gospel, but there are many Protestant clergy and lay people who also have not. Peter was in Rome and several of the Church Fathers attest to this. We have a history of popes going all the way back to Peter----Linus was the second pope (a.d. 67-76), Cletus was the third pope (a.d. 76-88), Clement the fourth pope (a.d. 88-97), and so on to the present day. And the list of books which would make up the Bible (the "canon") was decided by the Catholic bishops at the Council of Rome in 382 a.d., so it is only the teaching authority of the Catholic Church by which we know that the Bible really is the inspired word of God. it if you don't believe me google "Council of Rome".

[@dman7668]

@Mark OnTheBlueRidge Sorry Mark, the Catholic Church decided which books make up the bible. You can't hide from it. Yes of course the bible is the word of God, but how do we know that it is? Because his Church told you which books belong in the bible. Only the true Church could do that. Also despite your attempt at spreading confusion, the Catholic Church does know it's own line of apostolic succession. Something we both know your denomination lacks all together. That information can be found on google. Nice try!

[@42lookc]

What thorough, articulate, inarguable explanations of the idolatry of the catholic church. I don't know how anyone can honestly keep going to that utterly _false_ church and doctrine after hearing this discussion.

[@monizdm]

Oh go screw yourself and get a life.

[@johnsheedy461]

42LOOKC---- Check with the hundreds of Protestant ministers that are becoming Catholic after finding out that your endless lies and baloney are just that. Jesus said "but all nations shall hate you because you are MY followers". All day, every day, I read the hatred posted here ! It warms my heart as so many "Christians" curse HIS 2000 year old church and prove HIS WORDS !

[@Rixster53]

John Sheedy Hundreds of Protestant ministers converting to Catholicism? What are you smoking John? Maybe 2 or 3 that were never born again-saved by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ in the first place... And I’m sure you know that there was and is a group of people that were NEVER connected to the hellish church in Rome, we are not Protestants we are bible believing Baptists! Look it up many were murdered and burned at the stake during the dark ages, you know, the Inquisition! Groups called the Waldenses and Albigenses, that is the heritage of people that gave their lives for believing the Bible instead of holy mother church as you guys call it!

[@eddieboggs8306]

@@Rixster53 Amen.

[@eddieboggs8306]

@@monizdm You're not a Christian are you? Sweet and bitter water cannot flow from the same place.

[@israelperez-sg8er]

In Luke's gospel 1:47 Mary glorifies God and makes the statement "My spirit glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior''. Here she openy admits that she is in need of a savior, i.e. she admits that she is a sinner and is in need of God´s mercy and forgiveness just ike the rest of us! Case Closed!

[@georgepierson4920]

What sins did Mary commit?

[@jeffyoungblood1863]

Scripture does not back up the claims of the Catholic church. It's that simple. IT's not rocket science.

[@christopherton]

Delon Duvenage Well dunce the Catholic Church wrote the Bible it is ours to interpret. Not some lying Protestant Duh. Accept Jesus as your lord and savior and God pwede you heaven. Don’t worry about sins

[@jacobdominguez8221]

Delon Duvenage brother, you are correct. I came out of the catholic faith. I was challenged in 1985 to study the Bible starting with the gospels. Sure enough, when I asked the priest these questions I had, he said, your reading a Baptist bible. I told him it was a King James Bible. He really couldn’t answer my questions without looking agitated. One was about baptism as a baby rather than a adult or the age of knowing. Another was idol worship. He just said we will talk later. That was the last time I step in that church. Later that night my friend who gave the Bible, led my wife and I to asking Jesus into our hearts. Been serving him ever since. Lost some of my very devout Aunts and cousins cause of it. However, I would do it again a million times. Take care my brother in Christ. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱

[@jacobdominguez8221]

Christian Aaron the Catholic Church wrote the Bible? Yea, it’s called Satanic verses. You ever heard of the Dead Sea scrolls. And then don’t worry about sin. WOW. My friend, you got to really read the Bible. Start with a king James. You can still get them at a dollar store. Your soul depends on it. 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@mikewiththebluecar]

I've never understood praying to Mary or the saints and asking them to pray to God on your behalf. Asking them to intercede on your behalf. It's not necessary. The reason is because we can pray to God directly ourselves. If God agrees to grant our request that's great but if not then we should accept His decision. Praying to the saints is like saying God might not grant my prayers if I ask Him directly so I will have someone else pray on my behalf in an attempt to persuade Him. Both Mary and the saints are well known for accepting God's will and not their own will. So if God decides not to grant a prayer do you think they would try to change His decision or do you think they would accept it? Are they going to point out things for God to take into consideration like for example. Let's say you tithe every week and you are doing a great job as a Christian. Do you think they would mention that to God to persuade Him? God is all knowing and infallible. So there is no evidence they can present to God that He isn't already aware of and hasn't taken into consideration when He makes His decision. So if God has already taken all that into consideration and reached a decision do you think Mary or the saints would try to change God's decision? No they won't because they believe that God's will be done not our own. So it is pointless to pray to Mary and the saints asking them to intercede for us. They aren't going to say ok God said no but don't worry I'll talk to Him about it. There's no evidence they can present to God that He doesn't already know. It's not like asking dad can I go to the movies and he says no then you ask mom to intercede on your behalf. This is why praying to Mary and the saints is pointless. It would be like going to mom and asking her to talk to dad and she would say did you ask your father? And what did he say? Well then there's your answer. Mary and the saints will always accept God's decision and they won't ask Him to change it. Asking God to change His decision is not accepting his decision. They are well known for accepting God's decisions without question because they know He knows what is best for us.

[@Error_404_23]

Then asking living Christians to pray for you is also pointless. Don't you agree?

[@bornagainsaint1]

mikewiththebluecar: Amen !! Matt 6 says that our Heavenly Father already knows what's in our hearts. it doesnt make sense for Mary and the patron saints to take our prayers to Jesus.

[@AlphaOmega888]

You don't understand because you truly don't believe people are in heaven - because your soul is NOT in communion with heaven (you don't have the Spirit) because you are cut off. I wish you could be able to hear what I just said.. its very said to see people condemning themselves to eternal torment. If you WERE baptized legally then your soul IS in communion with heaven and not at enmity with God. Now it's just a matter of getting to know the Spirit and getting in touch with part of your true nature. It took me 2 years or trial and error but I could not be deceived. Heaven to me is a reality just like Jesus is. He's not a fictional Character in some book. Neither are the Saints or the Martyrs.

[@bornagainsaint1]

TakeSomeAdvice: My soul is in communion with Jesus. The Holy Spirit brings me to Jesus. I am not condemning myself because I refuse to pray to Mary or to anyone else. I hear what you are saying, and you are wrong. The Catholic Church hinders people from going to Jesus, and that is horrible and satanic. How dare this church tell the world that we must go thru Mary because Jesus came thru her. Of course He was born from Mary thru the Holy Spirit, but that does not constitute a law that we must go thru her first. I don't need to go thru Mary, and no that is not disrespect toward Mary either.

[@mikewiththebluecar]

bornagainsaint1 I agree brother the Catholic Church says even tho Jesus sacrifice Himself to pay for all of our sins we still have sins that are not forgiven and we must pay for them in purgatory. According to the Catholic Church Mary can get you out of purgatory if the church asks her to. But it usually costs quite a bit of money. I don't know why people believe that garbage. I think it's mostly cause by ignorance of the bible. Too many people are content to go by what they are told rather than studying the scriptures to learn the truth.

[@danieltrujillo5448]

If you come to God any other way you're a thief and a robber the only way we can approach God is through Jesus Christ not the Saints not marry not the church not by 9 only through Jesus Christ

[@option-sh9yd]

Absolutely true that is what mediator is, he helps us come to terms through him and no other else.

[@amyibrahim5719]

Daniel read: read Luke chapter one from verse 46 to verse 49 And. Hebrews chapter 13verse 18 And Ephesians chapter 6 verse 18 Think about it after you read the above . If the saints were asking the people to pray for them. Is not a way for use to ask the saints to assist our request in front of the lord thrown They are not the way for forgiveness or salvation because Jesus is the only one to ask for forgiveness and by him we are granted the salvation. You need to under stand before you reject to straight believe . Read the books in the Bible as Jesus said we will find our life

[@bobloblawb2593]

@@amyibrahim5719 Praying for living people is biblical praying to dead people is not. pray for the saints in the new testament was praying for believers as the believers were called saints and they were alive. The RCC has designated Saint as someone they choose and ignore the biblical nature of saint as the living believer. Thus the RCC prays to a saint is far different than praying for a fellow saint.

[@LynLyn-wl9yu]

@@bobloblawb2593 Yes, Biblical to pray FOR and to pray WITH a living saint!

[@GeorgePenton-np9rh]

We venerate the saints because they are Jesus' saints. We venerate Mary because she is Jesus' mother. We believe in the Catholic Church because it was founded by Jesus. We believe in the sacraments because they are Jesus' sacraments. Everything in the Catholic Church is all about Jesus Christ.

[@david-eb1sg]

Mark 9:38-41 Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us 38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” 39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us. 41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.

[@filomenapamela8178]

An awesome message which all Catholics around the world should hear, know the truth and be saved. Focus our eyes on Jesus and everything in this world will fall into place. Amen! Hallelujah!☺❤💖💕

[@christophermclean3921]

We do focus on Jesus and the truth. Amen

[@Kitiwake]

Who do you think the Mass is all about? Duh

[@donaldcooley897]

@@Kitiwake It is a pagan ritual .

[@mrigmaiden1]

Adoring Mary and asking for her intercessions are a far cry from saying she was born sinless and a far cry from bowing or postrate to her graven image. These Marian dogmas were actually codified in catechism in the 1800's and were not necessarily what the early church propagated. The early church asked for her intercessions but NEVER elevated her to be a co redemtrix as do the recent dogmas. This is something that bothers my spirit because via the dogmas a new gospel was created in a sense.

[@auntbertha2077]

Luke 1:24-48 God's own messenger the Angel GABRIEL greeted Mary with: "Hail full of grace (Grace is the pure state by which God saves us)

[@xavierowino]

You even wonder how it is possible for Mary to hear and answer one billion prayers 24/7. Even the mighty angels when sent by God to attend to humans showed limitations of not being omnipresent, omnipotent or omniscient as God is. So wittingly or unwittingly, Catholics are giving Mary attributes of God yet deny to be worshipping her.

[@quinntjenkins]

i grew up around the catholic church and regularly attended mass and went through all the requirements. the truth is, i don’t think i ever picked up a bible until i left catholicism. i was just taught in high school theology classes about the bishops and Church leadership claiming they are “infallible.” as we can see historically, it is not within human capability to be infallible. there is evil in the world, and whenever you put someone like the pope, in such a high position of power and leadership, you end up with the possibility of fallacy. i go to a catholic high school. i learned all about the saints and the virgin mary, and it never made sense to me why we pray to these people. i didn’t discover truth by going to confession. i didn’t discover truth by learning about apparitions of mary. i am not criticizing any catholics whatsoever, but i firmly believe that only through a real relationship with Christ can we be saved. i began attending a local community church. it was when i started attending that church and when i bought a bible where I truly found Christ and was saved. in order to save the world from all of the evil and hatred, we must rally around the only thing that will not change, and that is God’s word. a great example of the Church’s leadership trying to judge people is through the canonization process. they go through this long process analyzing their life, and then if they pass the test, which is kind of rare, they’re a saint. The only thing that matters is judgement before God. we pray to these saints, but only because a committee of leadership approved it. if we apply the same thing to other people who were perfect and did everything the saints did, except they weren’t canonized, what’s the difference? the natural tendency of the human heart is to sin. let’s stick to God’s word which is truly infallible, and not a “magisterium” that has historically taken advantage of people, persecuted their own people, and deceived people by the whole selling indulgences for purgatory thing. these men are holding themselves to such a high standard. they’re unable to get married for a completely outdated reason that isn’t at all relevant anymore. Christ is the only person who spoke the truth, was the truth, and will forever be the truth. catholic tradition and going through the motions do not truly save you.

[@quinntjenkins]

dmc123194 i don’t really understand what you’re saying, I was just pointing out that I started to read God’s word alone instead of going off of anything else?

[@nuggetoftruth-ericking7489]

This was great information. Thanks.

[@cynthiax56]

➨ INTERCESSION OF MARY & THE SAINTS IN THE BIBLE: ... Including proof that saints are not among the dead The Protestant claim that we are forbidden to speak to / pray to Mary and the saints is NOWHERE in the Bible. In fact, the following scriptures were copied (by me) directly from the Protestant version of the Bible: ... ➨INTERCESSION of a holy person on our behalf: ● JOB 42:8 8 Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams, and GO TO MY SERVANT JOB, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and MY SERVANT Job SHALL PRAY FOR YOU, FOR I WILL ACCEPT HIS PRAYER NOT TO DEAL WITH YOU ACCORDING TO YOUR FOLLY; for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. ➨INTERCESSION of MARY: At the wedding feast at Cana, it was Mary who asked Jesus to help the wedding party. ➨INTERCESSION OF THE SAINTS: Rev 5:8 The prayers of the Saints are offered to Jesus the lamb. ➨ JOHN 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. ➨The KING Honours his mother's request: ● 1 KINGS 2:20: Then she said, “I have one small request to make of you; do not refuse me.” And the king said to her, “Make your request, my mother, for I will not refuse you.” (Jesus is the Greatest King and he also honours his mother's requests) ➨SAINTS ARE NOT AMONG THE DEAD: AND THEIR INTERCESSION IS BIBLICAL: They share in the ressurrection of Jesus: (Protestants attack Biblical saints while they follow dead reformers) ● MATTHEW 27: 52 -53: When Jesus was raised from the dead Many were raised up with him. 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. ● LUKE 23 v 39-43...Jesus told the good thief "today you will be with me in paradise" ● REV 19 v 14...when Jesus returns he will be accompanied by his heavenly armies of saints. ● 2 COR 5 v 8...Paul tells us that to be absent with the body is to be with the Lord. ● JOHN 11 v 25-26...Jesus said I am the ressurrection and the life, he who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives, believing in me will never die. ● LUKE 1619-30 The story of the rich man and Lazarus show The Rich man, Lazarus and Abraham, all concious and interacting with each other even though they have physically died. ● LUKE 9:30-31 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. (Moses & Elijah were alive, and were yalking with Jesus) ● REV 6:10 The souls of the martyrs are before the throne of God, crying out for justice. (they are conscious and actively petitioning God) ● HEB 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ● MATT 17:1-13 ...At the Transformation of Jesus, he is seen speaking to Moses and Elijah, further showing that Holy ones of God are not among the dead. ➨HONOURING MARY: LUKE 1:48: All generations will call Mary Blessed. We Catholics are the ones who call her the BLESSED Virgin Mary and treat her accordingly. ➨NOWHERE does the bible permit protestants (or anyone else) to Scrutinize & monitor the prayers of other people, nor to judge their sincerity or their salvation. Protestantism does not come from jesus. It began with Martin Luther in 1517 & exists Only to oppose the Catholic church which Jesus founded 15 centuries B4 the protestant revolt. They only know & accept the PARTS of the Bible that suit them and they do not have an accurate bible either.

[@AmericanPatriot-1776]

The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are One. Mary intercedes for us. When you start to experience miracles every day of your life, then you'll understand. I haven't watched the video yet, just had to add my 2 cents.

[@AmericanPatriot-1776]

@@jumjum151 Really! There is a lot you don't know. A lot of what we know is not in the bible, because God speaks to all of us with important messages TODAY. The bible is a guide, it's not everything. Mary is my best friend and She has interceded for me in a million ways, ways you will never understand. I think you have a lot of educating to do. Read up on Our Lady of Fatima 1917 find out what She told the three peasant children. There are 1000's of instances where She revealed Herself to us humans to tell us how to live our lives. When Jesus was dying on the cross He told the world that His Mother was now our Mother. I bet you didn't know that either. Padre Pio was a great source of guidance, I could go on and on. Open your mind, I think there is A LOT you don't understand and you end up standing in judgement over the rest of us.

[@AmericanPatriot-1776]

@@jumjum151 I don't know what bible you are referring to, but there is only one bible that is the true one. Most likely you're looking at a re-write called King James. Really? Seriously. I think that those who don't believe in the existence of Mary you will perish when the day of reckoning arrives. Devotion to Mary is key because Jesus said so. Mary has appeared to so many of us mortal man to get Jesus' message to us and no one listened, not even the marxist/communist anti-pope Francis. Please do your research. I know what I know because of intense theological study. And you, well I just don't know. You sound resentful and pissed that there is someone as devoted to us as Mary out there waiting for us to talk to Her. For those who really want to be restored, it has to start somewhere. You will never change my mind and I will never help you learn. Just put this at the back of your mind jumjum, you will need this someday, I guarantee it.

[@wesleysimelane3423]

@@AmericanPatriot-1776 Mary is dead. Jesus has been interceding for you and you thank Him by acknowledging His human mother and not Him. Mary can't hear you. She is in her grave.

[@Mr_jemfi]

Jesus: " I am the way , the truth and life no one comes to the father except through me. " Catholics:" He is the way, the truth and life no one goes to the father except through Him or through Mary to Him."

[@GeorgePenton-np9rh]

Catholics: Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and we must believe in Him and all His teachings, including that works are necessary for salvation (Matthew 25:31-46), including we must eat His Body and drink His Blood (John 6:48-69), including that Purgatory exists (Matthew 5:25-26 and Luke 12:58-59), including that priests have the supernatural power to forgive sins (John 20:22-23), including that Peter was the first pope (Matthew 16:18-19), including that babies should be baptized (Matthew 19:14). Protestants: Martin Luther is the way, the truth, and the life, and we much prefer his easy salvationism of faith without works or morals to Jesus' hard teaching that works and morals are necessary for salvation.

[@agustinh.616]

@@GeorgePenton-np9rh AMEN

[@Rixster53]

George Penton, Really George, Matt.19:14 is infant baptism???😂 you have a wild imagination sir!

[@GeorgePenton-np9rh]

@@Rixster53 What elae could it possibly mean, if it doesn't mean infant Baptism? And can you name any Christian group prior to the Anabaptists of the 1600s who didn't baptize infants? Are you aware that Lutherans, Methodists, and Anglicans---the majority of the world's Protestants---baptize infants? Are you aware that the Eastern Orthodox do?

[@Rixster53]

George Penton, Sir read the verse in its context verses 13-15, Jesus put hands on the children and prayed over them. There isn’t any water in the chapter. See the other account in Mark 10:13-16. Again no water...Infant baptism is a tradition of men. Scriptural baptism is an act of obedience that comes AFTER you trust Jesus Christ and become born again. See The account of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26-39 for the order of events in salvation. The man was reading Scripture, he didn’t understand, God sends him a Holy Spirit filled preacher to expound the words and show him the prophet was speaking of Jesus Christ. He believes, puts his faith in and trusts Christ THEN he submits himself to baptism. See also Roman 10. Sorry sir, no infant baptism in bible...

[@titaniumsteel9114]

Images and Statues, Relics & Holy Water I. Images and Statues Deut. 4:15 - from this verse, Protestants say that since we saw “no form” of the Lord, we should not make graven images of Him. Deut. 4:16 - of course, in early history Israel was forbidden to make images of God because God didn’t yet reveal himself visibly “in the form of any figure.” Deut. 4:17-19 - hence, had the Israelites depicted God not yet revealed, they might be tempted to worship Him in the form of a beast, bird, reptile or fish, which was a common error of the times. Exodus 3:2-3; Dan 7:9; Matt. 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32; Acts 2:3- later on, however, we see that God did reveal himself in visible form (as a dove, fire, etc). Deut. 5:8 - God’s commandment “thou shall not make a graven image” is entirely connected to the worship of false gods. God does not prohibit images to be used in worship, but He prohibits the images themselves to be worshiped. Exodus 25:18-22; 26:1,31 - for example, God commands the making of the image of a golden cherubim. This heavenly image, of course, is not worshiped by the Israelites. Instead, the image disposes their minds to the supernatural and draws them to God. Num. 21:8-9 - God also commands the making of the bronze serpent. The image of the bronze serpent is not an idol to be worshiped, but an article that lifts the mind to the supernatural. I Kings 6:23-36; 7:27-39; 8:6-67 - Solomon’s temple contains statues of cherubim and images of cherubim, oxen and lions. God did not condemn these images that were used in worship. 2 Kings 18:4 - it was only when the people began to worship the statue did they incur God’s wrath, and the king destroyed it. The command prohibiting the use of graven images deals exclusively with the false worship of those images. 1 Chron. 28:18-19 - David gives Solomon the plan for the altar made of refined gold with a golden cherubim images. These images were used in the Jews’ most solemn place of worship. 2 Chron. 3:7-14 - the house was lined with gold with elaborate cherubim carved in wood and overlaid with gold. Ezek. 41:15 - Ezekiel describes graven images in the temple consisting of carved likenesses of cherubim. These are similar to the images of the angels and saints in many Catholic churches. Col. 1:15 - the only image of God that Catholics worship is Jesus Christ, who is the “image” (Greek “eikon”) of the invisible God. II. Relics Mark 15:43; John 19:38 - Joseph of Arimathea sought Christ’s dead body instead of leaving it with the Romans. Joseph gave veneration to our Lord’s body. Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1 - the women came to further anoint Christ’s body even though it had been sealed in the tomb. John 19:39 - Nicodemus donated over one hundred pounds of spices to wrap in Jesus’ grave clothes. This is also veneration of our Lord’s body. Matt. 9:21; Mark 5:28 - the woman with the hemorrhage just sought the hem of Christ’s cloak and was cured. This shows that God uses physical things to effect the supernatural. Acts 19:11-12 - Paul’s handkerchiefs healed the sick and those with unclean spirits. This is another example of physical things effecting physical and spiritual cures. Acts 5:15 - Peter’s shadow healed the sick. This proves that relics of the saints have supernatural healing power, and this belief has been a part of Catholic tradition for 2,000 years. Rev. 6:9 - the souls of the martyrs are seen beneath the heavenly altar. Their bones are often placed beneath altars in Catholic churches around the world. 2 Kings 13:21 - Elisha’s bones bring a man back to life. The saints’ bones are often kept beneath the altars of Catholic churches and have brought about supernatural cures throughout the Christian age. Rom. 13:7; Phil. 2:25-29; Heb. 3:3; 1 Pet. 2:7 - we are taught to honor the people of God and in 1 Cor. 4:16-17; 1 Cor. 11:1-2; Phil. 3:17; 1 Thess. 1:6; 2 Thess. 3:7; Heb. 6:12; Heb. 13:7; James 5:10-11 - we are reminded to imitate them. Keeping relics of the saints serves both to honor and imitate their heroic faith in Christ (just as keeping articles of deceased loved ones helps us honor and imitate them). III. Holy Water Ex. 29:4; Lev. 8:6 - Aaron and his sons were washed in holy water in their consecration to the priesthood. Thus, we see the use of holy water during the beginning of salvation history. Ex. 30:18-19 - the Lord requires Aaron and his sons to wash their hands and feet in holy water before they offered sacrifices to Him. The Church uses holy water for various purposes, and holy water fonts are generally located at the entrance of Catholic churches to be used before the sacrifice of Christ is offered to the Father. Num. 5:17 - here again, the priest uses holy water. God uses natural matter to convey the supernatural, just as God who is Spirit became flesh in Christ Jesus. Num. 8:7 - the Lord says to “sprinkle them with the water of remission.” The Lord uses water, a physical property, to convey His supernatural property of grace. 1 Kings 7:38-39 - in King Solomon’s temple, there were ten large basins of holy water. Holy water has always been used in the context of worship. John 9:6-7 - Jesus uses clay and spittle to heal the blind man’s eyes, and ordered him to wash in the pool of Siloam to effect the cure. Jesus did not need to use spittle, clay and water, but He does to demonstrate that God uses the material things He created to give graces and heal us. John 13:4-10 - the Lord uses water to wash the apostles’ feet to prepare them for their sacramental priesthood. John 19:34 - water and blood flowed from Jesus’ pierced side on the Cross. The Church uses holy water as a symbol of our Lord’s life giving water that flowed from His sacred Heart, and as the property which brings about the power of Jesus Christ Himself, in baptism, the Eucharist, and other sacred rites of the Church. "Ordinary catholic families cannot survive.They must be extraordinary catholic families. They must be what I do not hesitate to call 'heroic' catholic families.Ordinary catholic families are no match for the devil as he uses media of communication to secularize and desacralize modern society.No less than ordinary individual catholics can survive,so ordinary catholic families cannot survive.They have no choice. They must either be holy- which means sanctified - or they will disappeared". Fr John Hardon S.J Many Catholics easily stray away from the faith that they received. What are the reasons for their falling into complacency, becoming indifferent and even hostile towards Christ and the Christian Faith? The fault with many Catholics is that they think baptism is a graduation from having acquired knowledge and understanding of their faith. After completing their catechism classes or RCIA journey, they no longer seek out opportunities to continue growing their faith, both doctrinally and spiritually. Their only occasion to grow in faith is the one-hour Mass that they attend every Sunday. This is hardly enough to sustain the life of a Catholic. Those who do not grow in their faith are already losing their faith. There is no neutrality. How, then, can we grow in our faith? Firstly, we need to deepen our intimacy with God through Christ. In Christ, we come to know and love the Father. Secondly, we must be rooted in the Word of God. We cannot grow in our faith without deepening our love and appreciation for the Word of God through bible study and most of all, a prayerful reading and sharing of the Word of God. Thirdly, we must seek the support of the Christian community. A Catholic without the support of his fellow Catholics will eventually fall out from the faith, especially when he undergoes the trials and challenges of life, the influence of secularism, and the materialistic, individualistic and atheistic views of the world. Fourthly, to grow our faith, we need to evangelise and be a witness to Christ. We evangelise ourselves by evangelising others. By sharing our faith with others, we strengthen our own faith. By teaching our faith to others, we grow in understanding and clarity in what we believe in. Finally, growing in faith is to grow in our Christian life. This is the most effective form of witnessing. It means that those of us who are baptised must live a life of holiness and purity, free from sin and a bad conscience. A life of holiness and charity are the fruits of a strong spiritual life and a life of hope founded in the promises of God. If the Catholic Church is accused of being satanic, that is no more than its Founder, Jesus Christ, was accused of. When our Lord was on earth, he had the same problem. He was driving demons out, and some said he was doing this by the power of the devil. How did Jesus respond? He said, “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him” (Mk 3:23-26). The Catholic Church drives out the devil, too. This practice is called exorcism. No one can deny that the Catholic Church has been doing exorcisms on people and driving out Satan for nearly two millennia. Therefore, we must reason like Jesus: If the Catholic Church were from the devil, it could not drive the devil out. We shouldn’t be surprised when such charges are made against the Catholic Church. Jesus told us, “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master; it is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household” (Mt 10:24-25). Weak Catholics become protestants Strong Protestants become Catholics,

[@MCS1993]

We never give more honour to Jesus than when we honour his Mother, and we honour her simply and solely to honour him all the more perfectly. We go to her only as a way leading to the goal we seek - Jesus, her Son. Louis de Montfort

[@MCS1993]

jumjum151 I agree.

[@MCS1993]

@@jumjum151 And she will lead you to Jesus my dear friend. Please stay christian and keep praying.

[@MCS1993]

jumjum151 I might be in error, but please do not recur to insults... have a Blessed evening

[@MCS1993]

@@jumjum151 Thanks, and keep searching and praying for the Truth. I will remain Catholic.

[@MCS1993]

@@jumjum151 Thanks, and keep searching and praying for the Truth. I will remain Catholic.

[@shantor100]

Even God's angels said do not worship me

[@johncherry2205]

R.C.Sproule, A great man, dearly missed

[@JB91484]

1. Accusation of Idolatry in Praying to Mary and the Saints The claim that praying to Mary and the Saints is idolatry misunderstands Catholic teaching on intercession. Catholics do not worship Mary or the Saints; rather, they venerate them (known as hyperdulia for Mary and dulia for the Saints), recognizing their special roles in the communion of saints. The Church teaches that all prayer and worship are directed to God alone (latria). Praying to Mary and the Saints is akin to asking a fellow believer to pray for you, as is evident in James 5:16, which encourages Christians to pray for one another. The Catholic Church upholds Christ as the sole mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5), but this does not exclude the role of others in interceding on our behalf, much like how Christians ask their community to pray for them. 2. The Gospel and the Council of Trent The argument that the Catholic Church denies the Gospel, as claimed to be evident from the Council of Trent, is a misunderstanding of the Church's position. The Council of Trent (1545-1563) was a response to the Protestant Reformation and clarified Catholic teachings, particularly on justification. The Catholic Church teaches that salvation is through grace alone, received through faith, but it also emphasizes that faith must be living and accompanied by works (James 2:24). This is not a denial of the Gospel but an affirmation of the biblical teaching that genuine faith naturally results in good works. The Council of Trent anathematized the idea that one can be justified by faith alone without charity or works, which aligns with Christ's teachings on loving God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). 3. The Mass and the Sacrifice of Christ The Mass is often misunderstood as a "re-sacrifice" of Christ. However, the Catholic Church teaches that the Eucharist is a re-presentation of the one, unique sacrifice of Christ on Calvary, made present in a sacramental manner. This belief is rooted in Scripture, where Jesus, during the Last Supper, commands his disciples to "do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19). The word "remembrance" in Greek (anamnesis) has a much deeper meaning than a mere recollection; it involves making a past event present. Thus, the Eucharist is not a new sacrifice but the same sacrifice of Christ, offered in an unbloody manner, as the Church proclaims in the Mass. This understanding is consistent with the teaching in Hebrews 7:24-27 that Christ's sacrifice is once and for all, yet perpetually efficacious. 4. The Nature of God and the Role of Mary The argument that praying to Mary or the Saints diminishes God's graciousness or presents Him as distant and unapproachable is a misunderstanding of Catholic spirituality. The Church teaches that God is infinitely merciful and approachable, as evidenced by passages like Psalm 103:8-13 and Matthew 11:28-30. The practice of asking for Mary’s intercession does not imply that God is unapproachable; rather, it recognizes the special role Mary played in salvation history and honors her as the mother of Jesus. The idea that Mary’s intercession "softens" Jesus is more a reflection of the deep, familial relationship Catholics feel with Mary, akin to how people might approach a trusted elder or mentor in their spiritual lives. This does not deny God's direct accessibility but adds a layer of relational depth, much like the relationships within a family. 5. Call to Leave the Catholic Church The suggestion that true Christians must leave the Catholic Church to remain faithful to the Gospel fails to recognize that the Catholic Church is rooted in the apostolic tradition and upholds the fullness of Christian teaching, including the Gospel. The Church has preserved the teachings of Christ and the apostles for over two millennia, ensuring continuity and unity in doctrine. The claim that the Church denies the Gospel is a misunderstanding; rather, the Church teaches the fullness of the Gospel, including the importance of sacraments, tradition, and the communion of saints. Leaving the Church would mean abandoning this rich tradition that has been handed down from the apostles. The Catholic Church’s teachings on Mary, the Saints, the Mass, and the nature of God are deeply rooted in Scripture and Tradition. The arguments against these practices are based on misunderstandings or misrepresentations of Catholic doctrine. The Church remains committed to the Gospel of Christ and offers a path to holiness through a rich sacramental life, deep prayer, and communal support.

[@davidwiita7054]

Shared to my FB. Folks need to know. Amen

[@enhancedcalm]

It's good they recognize we all have some error, including them and the calvinism they preach.

[@cynthiaerickson3646]

Yes mary was an extraordinary woman,chosen to be Christ's mother but was she better than the mother's of noah or abraham,jacob,father of the 12 tribes of israel,moses,king david,the prophets,the apostles?all their mother's,like mary,were human.all those mom's had a significant role in the birth of Christ.should she be honored more than them?what about his father joseph?all these people are born sinful,in a fallen world,all are controled by flesh and spirit.only Christ was sinless,not mary.only Christ is our high priest and our advocater for grace and NOWHERE in the Bible does it state anyone who shares that role.Christ alone,period

[@thomasmcewen5493]

cynthia Erickson What other woman had the God the Father the first person of the Trinity spoke to her and asked her of her own free will to give birth to Jesus the son, with her acception the third person of the Trinity the holy Spirit overshadowed her making her the spouse, she carried the second person of the Trinity in her womb. Just a normal woman.

[@thomasmcewen5493]

Julie Garcia you and your Protestant garbage, she was not an ordinary woman. God the Father selected her and gave her a new name, Chaire Kecharitomeno. Which means she was the first woman since Eva that was preserved from original sin. Kecharitomeno is a unique Greek word found no where else. The Ke is in the perfect Greek tense and this means an action completed totally in the past as the statement Christ was sacrificed before the foundation of the world continuing in the present into the future. The charito is what action was completed it is full of Grace. You do believe we are saved by grace Don't you? And the meno means who God's action was directed too. The Bible was Greek not English. Mary. Mary is a shield for Christ's divinity. You think the Greeks didn't talk like you Protestants do today in the first centuries? We had councils to talk about these things. Who is Jesus, was he a man and/or a divine being created later, or is is two natures one man and one God, the council of Nicene answered was Jesus a divine but a creature created by God? Did Mary give birth to Jesus the man but not to the nature of God? This was the first time what a person is was defined. The answer was Mary gave birth to a person not natures. That Jesus while divine was he a creature? Mary helped with he was begotten not made and the same substance as God the Father. This term begotten was a shield for Christ. What do think the heresy of Araism was about? Mary had to be pure, what can God have to do with evil? Mary again was used at the council of Ephesus to shield the divinity of Christ. Do you think there weren't people who didn't want to accept Jesus was more then a man. You are living on the shoulders of Giants and just assuming 21 centuries later, not knowing zero history. Mary being Chaire Kecharitomeno is not a threat to Jesus but a shield. Ordinary woman do not have God the Father, the first person of the Trinity, give her, a true name, ask her permission so she may bear God's son, an ordinary woman does not have the third person of the Trinity overshadow her, making a spouse, and bear in her womb the second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ the son of God. Just an ordinary woman. Protestant like to trot out where Protestants say she was insulted, but read it again, she is one who heard the word and did it. Too much verseology has killed Protestantism in Western Protestant Europe, it is 85% agnostics and atheists, this is your fruit of verse pulling. Europe is a post Christian society. Americans and their born again and personal relationship with Jesus. There are historical reasons why this occurred has nothing to do with Christ but your history of rejection. Russia has the right idea on Protestants and I hope the visegrad listens. A little history, you fought for the Islamic Invaders at Lepanto in 1571AD and at Vienna in 1683AD, the religious prisoners in Dachau were 96% Catholics, one was the priest from my church for walking with the Jews to the camp. When the communist came you used Romans 13 to swear loyally to them. Now Western ex-Protestant Europe has invited in Islam, it took the Spanish 781 years to drive them out and Protestantism invites them in. You Americans think Protestant is Christianity, it isn't. Read St Ignatius letter to the Smyraeans, 105AD, that is Christianity. There are two billion apostolic Christians who are not Protestants.

[@thomasmcewen5493]

Julie Garcia When the atheist-communists were gang raping the Catholic religious sisters demanding the price of them the StB stopping was to reject God, none did an they were sent to labour camps then prison for 25 years. Protestants were the official religion of the communist Czechoslovakian government and attended the world councils of churches. The 21 apostolic coptics, who was founded by St Mark Bishop of Alexandra, had their throats cut rather than reject Christ. I am told by Protestants that they are not born again Christians and teach a false Gospel. The Protestants have created a non-christian Europe. You think that is good. Poland was ruled by the Nazis who killed 1/5 or 6,000,000 people then ruled by communists for a total of 46 years and is 96.5% Catholics. I am told by Protestants they are going to bring Jesus to Poland, Protestants are going to bring Jesus to Hungary, Protestants are going to bring Jesus to Czechia then Slovakia. We have been Christian since the 9th century, but you are going to bring us your American Jesus. I go to mass in a church that existed 400 years before Jamestown and the foundation is from the 10th century. We look across the border and see agnostics and atheists, not Protestant Christians. Yes I hate Protestants, you fought against Catholics at Lepanto and Vienna and with the communists against Catholics once more. Only a fool doesn't remember the past. Taking Jesus to Poland. Do you know any history before 1740-1790AD. I do.

[@thomasmcewen5493]

Julie Garcia His Word? The English translation is lacking the term Word is meaningless. The actual term is Logos Divine Reason and Creative order. We see this Divine Reason and Creative order in the universe. The first Catholic University was founded in 1088AD on this word Logos. God is rational, the universe was created by God, man is made in the image of God therefore he too is rational. Being rational he can understand the universe and see the mind of God. Israel was a Greek speaking province of the Greek empire for 300 years, Jesus read the Greek old testament, the Septuagint, 220BC, in the synagogue at the beginning of his ministry. He and his apostles spoke Greek, the burial urn of the Chief priest who condemned Jesus is in Greek. Koine Greek was the language of the Roman empire. Aramaic is the language of the Babylonian, Hebrew was lost in 585BC. I believe God chose Greek to be the language of Israel at that time. If the gospels had been in Aramaic it would have died in a Galilee pasture. Greek is a perfect language for theology and it open the ancient world for Christianity. The Bible was not canonized or sworn by the apostolic fathers that the gospels were written by the unsigned authors, there was hundreds of gospels, gnostic and other wise. The three councils Rome, Hippo and Cartagena determined the 27 books in the Bible. The entire Roman empire both East and West was Christian before the Bible. The church is the foundation and pillar of truth and the mother of the Bible not the Bible the mother of the church. The KJB is a bad translation, they say this themselves. The Greek word they translate as believe has another meaning Obey perfect Greek tense. John 3 16 is Not Whomsoever believeth in him shall have eternal life. But Whomsoever Obeys him, May Have eternal life. Read St Ignatius letter to the Smyraeans, to see biblical born again. Can you trust him, he was ordained a priest by St Peter the first Bishop of Antioch and schooled by St Polycarp Bishop of Smyra and by St John apostle, guardian of the Theotokos and Bishop of Ephesus. The Holy Fire and Eucharistic miracles testify to the church and that of being hated by men. Yes I know the Word.

[@thomasmcewen5493]

Julie Garcia The Greek Orthodox Bible is good in English. Still I recommend learning a bit of Greek especially the tenses, Greek is one word can be a paragraph in English. That is why it is suitable for theology. I have a friend at the academy who works on physics on fusion at Livermore and has become very religious, it is interesting to study. The Bible is cultural, historical and theological, it must be understood in context. About my neighbor, I don't think my neighbor claims falsehoods, the population after the fall of Rome was 50 million by Luther the population was 78 million after three waves of the black death. We see the results of these deaths on culture, technology and a rights. What I don't see is the ripples in history of Catholics killing a hundred million people. I don't think people who don't respect coptics who are faithful unto death as non born again Christians, there is a difference between 54AD and 1790AD. The Russians lost 300,000 clergy, 60,000 churches and 46 million believers and I am told they didn't know Jesus. The Catholic Church has 18,000 medical clinics 16,000 assisted retirement homes, 5,500 hospitals or 1/5 of medical care in the world, if you can't pay Caritas will. 96,000 primary schools, 43,000 secondary Schools and the oldest and largest University system in the world, my parish in Prague pays for an orphanage run by religious sisters, a primary school, a clinic in Africa, 150 students with lodging, food, clothing school supplies and teachers, we feed the hungry, cloth the naked, visit and pay for the sick, help those trapped in crime. The Nazis and the communists didn't do evil they believed they were doing good. Evil is easy if sold as good, but I don't think my neighbor is the Gestapo or the StB.

[@MsHandydo]

I am a Roman Catholic and love my Lord and savior Jesus Christ and the community of saints. Hail Mary full of grace.

[@wampastompa5344]

Hebrews 4:14-16 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

[@massimobozzi1]

The Bible was compiled on the authority of the Church. It does in fact contain a reference to praying for the dead so that they may be loosed of their sins. The quote exists in second Maccabees, a book which is not part of the Protestant canon. I think Luther didn't like it because it did not fit in with his teaching. Catholics, however retain this book as doctrinally correct.

[@dennischase]

Even the Jews did not accept the apocrypha.

[@lydiapetra1211]

Those books were not inspired or written by God!!...the Roman catholic church is a false pagan and apostate church that leads people to hell!...

[@TryingTo]

@David Ortiz Protestants and mostly others who don't believe in the apocrypha trust it not to be inspired from the holy Spirit like the rest of the books which were written by holy men of God. It can be trusted as a book to refer what happened at that time for more info, it's not to be taken as scriptures inspired by the holy Spirit. And just so you know all the OT mention and point towards the Messiah coming and is still accepted by the Jews, so what ur saying just doesn't make sense. Lastly its just false for anyone to say that Christians should not have to do anything with the Jewish canon. Firstly as Jesus said in John 4:22 , God says in Deuteronomy 7:6-7 about Jews being as the chosen people and salvation coming through the Jews to the world. God chose the nation of Israel so that through them the world may know him and get salvation through his Son. Even Paul mentions about salvation being received by Jews first in Romans 1:16. And just so u know the real Jews r Christians cuz as the followers of Christ who was jewish himself v become the chosen people when his spirit comes in us. The Jews were the people who kept his word, Peter, Paul and the other apostles were Jews yet called Christians cuz they followed Christ what God's people, the Jews r supposed to do. Also Paul and the other apostles were Jews from the beginning, how come in their cannon these apocrypha was never said to be scriptures inspired by the Holy Spirit, How come the Jews in Jesus' time which will b including Jesus himself never had these as scriptures. Ur right in saying most of the Jews don't refer Jesus as the Messiah but that doesn't mean none. The early Church in who were many Jews also had accepted Jesus as their Messiah including the apostles, they never referred these as scriptures. And just so u know I don't give my allegiance to any particular denomination or religion, nor identify as a Protestant or Roman Catholic or any denomination,I'm a Christian who believes in the baptism of the holy Spirit, and should join a church which does not contradict scriptures,no religion or church can save, only Jesus. I was raised as a Roman Catholic , my family is Roman Catholic. Jesus saved me from such false doctrine

[@douglas61920]

the contradictions come from the fact that catholics place church traditions at or near the same level as Scripture. God gives believers the ability to pray to Him through his son Jesus. Praying to dead sinners to pray to Jesus on behalf of us is so unbiblical and wrong, i just dont how else to describe it. Only during the times when the Catholic Church prevented people from translated the Bible into the common language under penalty of death or the majority of the population was unable to read, could it be understood that the masses would adhere to false theology because they were dependent upon what the priests told them. That kind of enslavement is no longer necessary and as a result, the dozens of incorrect and even sinful practices of the Catholic Church and its adherents, needs to be done away with. Catholics may not say that Mary is not part of the Trinity but when they bow down and worship her statues and pray to her as though John 14:6 did not exist, it would show otherwise. There is no justification towards praying to dead sinners and countless other aspects of Catholicism. How anybody could read the Bible and pray to statues, believe in purgatory, that the pope is the head of the church, that one can earn their way to heaven and can go through their whole life not knowing if they are going to heaven and a dozen other things that have zero justification in the Bible, is something that i will never understand. if if you left a Bible believing church, then i pray that you return. put your trust in Jesus and the Scriptures and not in fallible dead sinners and other false teachings.

[@cheagan]

Think of it this way: when the political Rome decided to co-opt the spiritual Rome, they threw it like a blanket over all the idols and gods comprising their empire, which was a lot of idols indeed. Each place had its own, call them "patron" gods, but then they all recognized a common origin, which was Semiramis/Tammuz, aka, the "Madonna and child".

[@krissycam]

"How anybody could read the Bible and pray to statues . . . " As a former Catholic I can tell you that, in my experience, many/most Catholics do not/have not read the Bible. They hear snippets and select readings from the Bible during mass but few have read the entire Bible from cover to cover. I didn't read the entire Bible until I was 50 years old. I was already a former Catholic at that point.

[@sarahs3988]

krissycam same here Krissy, I went through all the church classes, confirmation etc. And was never encouraged to read the Bible myself, nor did we do it in our classes. But there are some Catholics who read scripture, so we can't blanket that statement. The problem is that they aren't allowed to interpret for themselves, but have to use Catholic chaticisms as a guide. When you read some of the comments above many have the exact same answer, exact same verses, and exact same ( wrong) idea about the scripture. For example I've read quite a few point to revelation to say we are allowed, and encouraged to pray to saints as God will hear their prayer. This wrong interpretation comes from believing saints are special people the church has chosen. Not the true biblical saint whom is a true Christian being sanctified by his or her relationship with Christ.

[@option-sh9yd]

@@sarahs3988 right most people who i have encountered they dont read the bible the foundation of christianity and the central figure which is jesus and what he says about salvation and why he even came here, and to comfirm it those who continued on his teachings. They say " the priest said" lol....no enough of the priest said, read it for yourself. Even though many translations are given, we have what we call cross reference so to make sure you are on the right track match it with other translations and come to a conclusion n withing context

[@christopherton]

2 thes2:15. Wasn’t the Bible translated orally for decades ?

[@seanledoux6201]

So don't ask a friend or family member to pray for you? After all, "there is only one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." The Catholi. Church teaches us to pray directly to God. It also teaches to ask Mary and the saints to pray for us just as we would ask any brother or sister in Christ to pray for us

[@janinevanreenen9470]

They are dead. They are not omniscient. God is. So, even if you could Pray to the dead how do they hear you all? Do you get a set time?

[@lindabooker3512]

I only remember one time when Jesus softened up to His mother which was the wedding at Cana. But when he was finally found in the temple after being sought by Joseph and Mary when He was 12, His response was, I’m sure disheartening to Mary. The other time was when He said “Who is my mother?” We all know when that was. I sure John was taken aback.

[@jasonstockman3532]

Matthew 23:9 King James Version (KJV) 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

[@xxxmmm3812]

where are they a+with their heresies now

[@bitesdadust]

Jason, in charity, you are falling into proof-texting where you run with only one Scripture, but don't balance the full Scriptural revelation. How on earth do you answer 1 Corinthians 4:15 where Paul says you (Corinthians) have many guardians but only one father (Paul)? We have noticed with closed minded Protestants that when texts like this are pointed out to them, they don't consider the answer, but quickly JUMP to the next anti catholic rant. I have never yet had a rational biblical argument with Proof Texters for they never answer the text offered. So Jason, I look forward to reading how Paul gets around "Call no one on earth "father".

[@cynthiax56]

If "Call no man father" was meant to be taken LITERALLY< Then Jesus would not have referred to "FATHER ABRAHAM" and Paul would not have told us he is our "FATHER IN CHRIST JESUS" y'all do not know the bible as well as you think you do. ➨CALL NO MAN FATHER is not meant as a literal command because: Paul tells us he is our Father in faith: 1 Corinthians 4:15 You may have ten thousand teachers in Christ, but you don’t have many fathers. Through the Good News I became your father in Christ Jesus. Jesus talks about Father Abraham: John 8:56 Your father Abraham was overjoyed that he would see my day. He saw it and was happy

[@Kivlor]

Welp, I sure hope you've never celebrated "Father's Day" or called your dad "Father". Heck, to avoid being Pharisaical you should probably avoid dad, or any other synonym, or you're just trying to find a way around that commandment! Good Lord, save us from the aspy Protestants.

[@cynthiax56]

@@Kivlor Here's more scriptures that protestants ignore: ➨CALL NO MAN FATHER is not meant as a literal command because: Paul tells us he is our Father in faith: 1 Corinthians 4:15 You may have ten thousand teachers in Christ, but you don’t have many fathers. Through the Good News I became your father in Christ Jesus. Jesus talks about Father Abraham: John 8:56 Your father Abraham was overjoyed that he would see my day. He saw it and was happy

[@renaeholmes4348]

Thank you, YESHUA , JESUS

[@cheagan]

Is it possible for one to be saved in the Roman church? Of course it is; after all, if God can save *me* He can surely save a Catholic. In fact, I was raised in the RCC. My question remains, however, how can one *remain* Roman Catholic once one has been saved. That doesn't seem possible.

[@LuisMartinez-gt8my]

I agree with you. I grew up in the Catholic Church but as soon as I got saved I already didn't wanna be there because of their denial of the true Christ. So of course Catholics can get saved but if they truly belong to God they won't stay there.

[@anniesabangan4304]

i watched..FORMER ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST..REV BULLOCK...on you tube it help me understand.

[@alexchristopher221]

Alas, the blind leading the blind. He probably couldn't handle celibacy and thus rationalized.

[@MyVidzy]

+cheagan That is interesting. I am a former Protestant and a convert to Catholicism. I found the RCC to be closer to the first Christians and Church Fathers and truly the only Church that has an apostolic line of successors going all the way to the first century and Christ himself. Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed in 381 AD states: We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. Catholicism is the hard and narrow way. Protestantism with its "Sola Fide" theology is the wide and easy way that is much more likely to lead people to hell by ignoring the seriousness of grave sin.

[@marktillotson5426]

cheagan YES you CAN accept Christ as your Lord and savior THE QUESTION IS.....do you STAY where the church teaches you to pray to CREATED BEINGS asking them to do for you the things Christ said to come to HIM for BECAUSE HE is the only intercessor between God and man? Mary is to be RESPECTED and Mary is to be Honored...NOWHERE in ANY verse of the Bible does it say she is to be worshipped OR considered an intercessor for man to God. GOD SAID HE is the ONLY GOD Christ is the second person of the GODHEAD as is the Holy Spirit the third. ALL ONE GOD...GOD NEVER SAID PRAY TO MARY,PETER,PAUL,JOHN.PATRICK,JOSEPH ETC. They are ALL created beings MANKIND and ALL BORN IN the sin of the world. IDOLS if you pray to them.

[@MrAllan875]

People commenting here about the saints forget that the word saint refers to those who believe in Jesus Christ as the begotten son of God. Not only those who died but even Christians who are alive. If you are a believing Christian you are a saint.