A Covenant He Remembers

He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. (Psalm 111:5)

     Those who fear God need not fear want. Through all these long years the Lord has always found meat for His own children, whether they have been in the wilderness, or by the brook Cherith, or in captivity, or in the midst of famine. Hitherto the Lord has given us day by day our daily bread, and we doubt not that He will continue to feed us till we want no more.

     As to the higher and greater blessings of the covenant of grace, He will never cease to supply them as our case demands. He is mindful that He made the covenant and never acts as if He regretted it. He is mindful of it when we provoke Him to destroy us. He is mindful to love us, keep us, and comfort us, even as He engaged to do. He is mindful of every jot and tittle of His engagements, never suffering one of His words to fall to the ground.

     We are sadly unmindful of our God, but He is graciously mindful of us. He cannot forget His Son who is the surety of the covenant, nor His Holy Spirit who actively carries out the covenant, nor His own honor, which is bound up with the covenant. Hence the foundation of God standeth sure, and no believer shall lose his divine inheritance, which is his by a covenant of salt.

Needs to Open Our Mouths

Sep 30

Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. (Psalm 81:10)

     What an encouragement to pray! Our human notions would lead us to ask small things because our deservings are so small; but the Lord would have us request great blessings. Prayer should be as simple a matter as the opening of the mouth; it should be a natural, unconstrained utterance. When a man is earnest he opens his mouth wide, and our text urges us to be fervent in our supplications.

     Yet it also means that we may make bold with God and ask many and large blessings at His hands, Read the whole verse, and see the argument: "I am Jehovah, thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it." Because the Lord has given us so much He invites us to ask for more, yea, to expect more.

     See how the little birds in their nests seem to be all mouth when the mother comes to feed them. Let it be the same with us. Let us take in grace at every door. Let us drink it in as a sponge sucks up the water in which it lies. God is ready to fill us if we are only ready to be filled. Let our needs make us open our mouths; let our faintness cause us to open our mouths and pant; yea, let our alarm make us open our mouths with a child's cry. The opened mouth shall be filled by the Lord Himself. So be it unto us, O Lord, this day.

To Glorify Christ Jesus

Sep 29

He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (John 16:14)

     The Holy Ghost Himself cannot better glorify the Lord Jesus than by showing to us Christ's own things. Jesus is His own best commendation. There is no adorning Him except with his own gold.

     The Comforter shows us that which He has received of our Lord Jesus. We never see anything aright till He reveals it. He has a way of opening our minds and of opening the Scriptures, and by this double process He sets forth our Lord to us. There is much art in setting forth a matter, and that art belongs in the highest degree to the Spirit of truth. He shows us the things themselves. This is a great privilege, as those know who have enjoyed the hallowed vision.

     Let us seek the illumination of the Spirit; not to gratify our curiosity, nor even to bring us personal comfort, so much as to glorify the Lord Jesus. Oh, to have worthy ideas of Him! Groveling notions dishonor our precious Lord. Oh, to have such vivid impressions of His person, and work, and glory that we may with heart and soul cry out to His praise! Where there is a heart enriched by the Holy Ghost's teaching there will be a Savior glorified beyond expression. Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly light, and show us Jesus our Lord!

Work is Done; Rest in Him

Sep 28

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. (Hebrews 4:9)

     God has provided a Sabbath, and some must enter into it. Those to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief; therefore, that Sabbath remains for the people of God. David sang of it; but he had to touch the minor key, for Israel refused the rest of God. Joshua could not give it, nor Canaan yield it: it remains for believers.

     Come, then, let us labor to enter into this rest. Let us quit the weary toil of sin and self. Let us cease from all confidence, even in those works of which it might be said, "They are very good." Have we any such? Still, let us cease from our own works, as God did from His. Now let us find solace in the finished work of our Lord Jesus. Everything is fully done: justice demands no more. Great peace is our portion in Christ Jesus.

     As to providential matters, the work of grace in the soul and the work of the Lord in the souls of others, let us cast these burdens upon the Lord and rest in Him. When the Lord gives us a yoke to bear, He does so that by taking it up we may find rest. By faith we labor to enter into the rest of God, and we renounce all rest in self-satisfaction or indolence. Jesus Himself is perfect rest, and we are filled to the brim in Him.

Jewish Tradition vs Christ the Redeemer (Hebrews Chapter 1)

Oh Jews. Don't think you have a better religion, daily sacrifices, regular cleansing, a great temple, etc.,.

Christ Is Better Than Angels

(Heb. 1:1-2:18)

I. He has a more excellent name than the angels (1:1-5).

A. He is God’s Son.

1. The Hebrew writer establishes that Jesus is the Son of God by quoting the Old Testament (Psa. 2:7; 2 Sam. 7:14).

2. The more excellent name of “Son” denotes the deity of Christ.

B. He is God’s final revelation.

1. The Old Testament delivered by the prophets was for those of the past.

2. The New Testament given by Christ and His apostles is for us in this final age of history.

C. He is heir of all things.

1. Of course, God’s Son would inherit all things because all things are God’s.

2. In fact, all things were made for Him (Col. 1:16).

D. He is the One through whom God made the worlds.

1. The creation was the cooperative work of the Father and the Son (Col. 1:16; John 1:2-3).

E. He is just like God.

1. He radiates God’s glory fully (John 1:14).

2. He mirrors God’s person exactly (John 14:9).

F. He upholds all things.

1. He is so powerful that everything depends on what He says (Col. 1:17).

2. His word is the power that sustains our universe.

G. He Himself purged our sins.

1. The only sacrifice sufficient to provide the forgiveness of our sins was the one that Jesus made.

2. It was the sacrifice of Himself on the cross.

H. He sits at God’s right hand.

1. Jesus fully assumed the position of ultimate power and authority.

2. No one can occupy a higher office than He has taken.

II. He is worshiped and served by the angels (1:6-7).

A. The Hebrew writer establishes this by quoting from the Old Testament (Deu. 32:43 footnote; Psa. 104:4).

B. Their worship and service of Christ indicates that they recognized Him as deity (Mat. 4:10).

III. He is God enthroned by God (1:8-9).

A. The Hebrew writer establishes this by quoting from the Old Testament (Psa. 45:6-7).

B. In this passage the Father addresses the Son as “God” indicating His deity (John 1:1; Phi. 2:6; Tit. 2:13; Rev. 1:8).

C. His rule is everlasting and righteous. He was chosen for this position because He is righteous.

IV. He is Lord of the heavens and the earth (1:10-12).

A. The Hebrew writer establishes this by quoting from the Old Testament (Psa. 102:25-27).

B. In this passage the Son is called “LORD”. The Hebrew text in Psalm 102 from which this quotation is taken reads YHWH, which is translated Yahweh or Jehovah. This is the name of God (Deu. 6:4) and indicates the Son’s deity.

C. He is the eternal unchanging Creator, not part of the ever changing and transitory creation (Heb. 13:8).

V. He sits at God’s right hand while the angels are sent to minister to the saved (1:13-14).

A. The Hebrew writer establishes this by quoting from the Old Testament (Psa. 110:1; 103:20-21).

B. God installed Jesus in the most powerful position of all and grants Him victory over those who refuse to submit to His rule (1 Pet. 3:22; 1Tim. 6:15; Rev. 17:14; 19:16).

C. The angels are servants of the citizens of Christ’s kingdom.

He had also given believers a promise. Those who believe on Him are already purified and are heirs of His Kingdom. The promise given to Jews thru Abraham will be fulfilled for only those who are in CHRIST. (Rom 11:23)

Solus Christos!

The Divine Light in Darkness

Sep 27

For thou wilt light my candle. (Psalm 18:28)

     It may be that my soul sits in darkness; and if this be of a spiritual kind, no human power can bring me light. Blessed be God! He can enlighten my darkness and at once light my candle. Even though I may be surrounded by a "darkness which might be felt," yet He can break the gloom and immediately make it bright around me.

     The mercy is that if He lights the candle none can blow it out, neither will it go out for lack of substance, nor burn out of itself through the lapse of hours. The lights which the Lord kindled in the beginning are shining still. The Lord's lamps may need trimming, but He does not put them out.

     Let me, then, like the nightingale sing in the dark. Expectation shall furnish me with music, and hope shall pitch the tune. Soon I shall rejoice in a candle of God's lighting. I am dull and dreary just now. Perhaps it is the weather, or bodily weakness, or the surprise of a sudden trouble; but whatever has made the darkness, it is God alone who will bring the light. My eyes are unto Him alone. I shall soon have the candles of the Lord shining about me; and, further on in His own good time, I shall be where they need no candle, neither light of the sun. Hallelujah!

Among the Redeemed

September 26

Lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be redeemed among the nations. (Numbers 23:9)

Who would wish to dwell among the nations and to be numbered with them? Why, even the professing church is such that to follow the Lord fully within its bounds is very difficult. There is such a mingling and mixing that one often sighs for "a lodge in some vast wilderness."

Certain it is that the Lord would have His people follow a separated path as to the world and come out decidedly and distinctly from it. We are set apart by the divine decree, purchase, and calling, and our inward experience has made us greatly to differ from men of the world; and therefore our place is not in their Vanity Fair, nor in their City of Destruction, but in the narrow way where all true pilgrims must follow their Lord.

This may not only reconcile us to the world's cold shoulder and sneers but even cause us to accept them with pleasure as being a part of our covenant portion. Our names are not in the same book, we are not of the same seed, we are not bound for the same place, neither are we trusting to the same guide; therefore it is well that we are not of their number. Only let us be found in the number of the redeemed, and we are content to be off and solitary to the end of the chapter.

The Sacrifice Has Been Accepted

September 25

If the Lord were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands, neither would he have showed us all these thing. (Judges 13:23)

This is a sort of promise deduced by logic. It is an inference fairly drawn from ascertained facts. It was not likely that the Lord had revealed to Manoah and his wife that a son would be born to them and yet had it in His heart to destroy them. The wife reasoned well, and we shall do well if we follow her line of argument.

The Father has accepted the great sacrifice of Calvary and has declared Himself well pleased therewith; how can He now be pleased to kill us! Why a substitute if the sinner must still perish? The accepted sacrifice of Jesus puts an end to fear.

The Lord has shown us our election, our adoption, our union to Christ, our marriage to the Well-beloved: how can He now destroy us? The promises are loaded with blessings, which necessitate our being preserved unto eternal life. It is not possible for the Lord to cast us away and yet fulfill His covenant. The past assures us, and the future reassures us. We shall not die but live, for we have seen Jesus, and in Him we have seen the Father by the illumination of the Holy Ghost. Because of this life-giving sight we must live forever.

The Life-Giving Stream

September 24

And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live. (Ezekiel 47:9)

The living waters, in the prophet's vision, flowed into the Dead Sea and carried life with them, even into that stagnant lake. Where grace goes, spiritual life is the immediate and the everlasting consequence. Grace proceeds sovereignly according to the will of God, even as a river in all its windings follows its own sweet will; and wherever it comes it does not wait for life to come to it, but it creates life by its own quickening flow. Oh, that it would pour along our streets and flood our slums! Oh, that it would now come into my house and rise till every chamber were made to swim with it! Lord, let the living water flow to my family and my friends, and let it not pass me by. I hope I have drunk of it already; but I desire to bathe in it, yea, to swim in it. O my Savior, I need life more abundantly. Come to me, I pray Thee, till every part of my nature is vividly energetic and intensely active. Living God, I pray Thee, fill me with Thine own life.

I am a poor, dry stick; come and make me so to live that, like Aaron's rod, I may bud and blossom and bring forth fruit unto Thy glory. Quicken me, for the sake of my Lord Jesus. Amen.

Deliverance from Dust and Chaff

September 23

For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all sections, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. (Amos 9:9)

The sifting process is going on still. Wherever we go, we are still being winnowed and sifted. In all countries God's people are being tried "like as corn is sifted in a sieve." Sometimes the devil holds the sieve and tosses us up and down at a great rate, with the earnest desire to get rid of us forever. Unbelief is not slow to agitate our heart and mind with its restless fears. The world lends a willing hand at the same process and shakes us to the right and to the left with great vigor. Worst of all, the church, so largely apostate as it is, comes in to give a more furious force to the sifting process.

Well, well! Let it go on. Thus is the chaff severed from the wheat. Thus is the wheat delivered from dust and chaff. And how great is the mercy which comes to us in the text, "Yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth"! All shall be preserved that is good, true, gracious. Not one of the least of believers lose anything worth calling a loss. We shall be so kept in the sifting that it shall be a real gain to us through Christ Jesus.

Broad Rivers Without Galleys

Sep 22

But there the glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby. (Isaiah 33:21)

The Lord will be to us the greatest good without any of the drawbacks which seem necessarily to attend the best earthly things. If a city is favored with broad rivers, it is liable to be attacked by galleys with oars and other ships of war. But when the Lord represents the abundance of His bounty under this figure, He takes care expressly to shut out the fear which the metaphor might suggest. Blessed be His perfect love!

Lord, if Thou send me wealth like broad rivers, do not let the galley with oars come up in the shape of worldliness or pride. If Thou grant me abundant health and happy spirits, do not let "the gallant ship" of carnal ease come sailing up the flowing flood. If I have success in holy service, broad as the German Rhine, yet let me never find the galley of self-conceit and self-confidence floating on the waves of my usefulness. Should I be so supremely happy as to enjoy the light of Thy countenance year after year, yet let me never despise Thy feeble saints, nor allow the vain notion of my own perfection to sail up the broad rivers of my full assurance. Lord, give me that blessing which maketh rich and neither addeth sorrow nor aideth sin.

Let Trials Bless

Sep 21

Knowing that tribulation worketh patience. (Romans 5:3)

     This is a promise in essence if not in form. We have need of patience, and here we see the way of getting it. It is only by enduring that we learn to endure, even as by swimming men learn to swim. You could not learn that art on dry land, nor learn patience without trouble. Is it not worth while to suffer tribulation for the sake of gaining that beautiful equanimity of mind which quietly acquiesces in all the will of God?

     Yet our text sets forth a singular fact, which is not according to nature but is supernatural. Tribulation in and of itself worketh petulance, unbelief, and rebellion. It is only by the sacred alchemy of grace that it is made to work in us patience. We do not thresh the wheat to lay the dust: yet the Rail of tribulation does this upon God's floor. We do not toss a man about in order to give him rest, and yet so the Lord dealeth with His children. Truly this is not the manner of man but greatly redounds to the glory of our all-wise God.

     Oh, for grace to let my trials bless me! Why should I wish to stay their gracious operation? Lord, I ask Thee to remove my affliction, but I beseech Thee ten times more to remove my impatience. Precious Lord Jesus, with Thy cross engrave the image of Thy patience on my heart.

Perfect Willingness

Sep 20

Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power. (Psalm 110:3)

Blessed be the God of grace that it is so! He has a people whom He has chosen from of old to be His peculiar portion. These by nature have wills as stubborn as the rest of the froward sons of Adam; but when the day of His power comes and grace displays its omnipotence, they become willing to repent and to believe in Jesus. None are saved unwillingly, but the will is made sweetly to yield itself. What a wondrous power is this, which never violates the will and yet rules it! God does not break the lock, but He opens it by a master key which He alone can handle.

Now are we willing to be, to do, or to suffer as the Lord wills. If at any time we grow rebellious, He has but to come to us with power, and straightway we run in the way of His commands with all our hearts. May this be a day of power with me as to some noble effort for the glory of God and the good of my fellowmen! Lord, I am willing; may I not hope that this is a day of Thy power? I am wholly at Thy disposal; willing, yea, eager, to be used of Thee for Thy holy purposes. O Lord, let me not have to cry, "To will is present with me, but how to perform that which I would, I find not"; but give me power as Thou givest me will.

The Reason for Singing

September 19

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

What a word is this! Jehovah God in the center of His people in all the majesty of His power! This presence alone suffices to inspire us with peace and hope. Treasures of boundless might are stored in our Jehovah, and He dwells in His church; therefore may His people shout for joy.

We not only have His presence, but He is engaged upon His choice work of salvation. "He will save." He is always saving: He takes His name of Jesus from it. Let us not fear any danger, for He is mighty to save.

Nor is this all. He abides evermore the same, He saves, He finds rest in loving, He will not cease to love. His love gives Him joy. He even finds a theme for song in His beloved. This is exceedingly wonderful. When God wrought creation He did not sing but simply said, "It is very good"; but when He came to redemption, then the sacred Trinity felt a joy to be expressed in song, Think of it, and be astonished! Jehovah Jesus sings a marriage song over His chosen bride. She is to Him His love, His joy, His rest, His song. O Lord Jesus, by Thine immeasurable love to us teach us to love Thee, to rejoice in Thee, and to sing unto Thee our life-psalm.

LIKE PALM AND CEDAR

Sept. 17

LIKE PALM AND CEDAR

"The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon" Ps. 92:12

These trees are not trained and pruned by man: palms and cedars are "trees of the Lord," and it is by His care that they flourish; even so it is with the saints of the Lord, they are His own care. These trees are evergreen and are beautiful objects at all seasons of the year. Believers are not sometimes holy and sometimes ungodly: they stand in the beauty of the Lord under all weathers. Everywhere these trees are noteworthy: no one can gaze upon a landscape in which there are either palms or cedars without his attention being fixed upon these royal growths. The followers of Jesus are the observed of all observers: like a city set on a hill they cannot be hid.

The child of God flourishes like a palm tree, which pushes all its strength upward in one erect column without a single branch. It is a pillar with a glorious capital. It has no growth to the right or to the left, but sends all its force heavenward, and bears its fruit as near the sky as possible. Lord, fulfill this type in me.

The cedar braves all storms, and grows near the eternal snows, the Lord Himself filling it with a sap which keeps its heart warm and its boughs strong. Lord, so let it be with me, I pray thee. Amen.

What You Need to Know About Roman Catholicism

Excerpt from James McCarthy’s ‘What You Need to Know About Roman Catholicism’

James McCarthy was educated in a Catholic school. When he came to Christ in 1975, he looked for literature to understand the differences between Catholicism and Protestantism, based solely on the Bible. Disappointed at what was available at that time, he did his own research.

In 1981, he produced a video documentary. “Catholicism: Crisis of Faith.” He published “The Gospel According to Rome” in 1995 and wrote other books after. He referred to Roman Catholicism as a “counterfeit Christianity.”

→ Ex-priest Father Anthony Pezzotta.

SALVATION:

Catechism:	The Bible:
Initial justification is through baptism. (1262-1274)	Justification is by faith alone. (Romans 3:28)
Adults must prepare for justification through faith and good works. (1247-1249)	God justifies ungodly sinners who believe. Good works are the result of salvation, not the cause. (Romans 4-5, Ephesians 2:8-10)
Justification is a transformation of the soul in which original sin is removed and sanctifying grace infused. (1987-1995)	Justification is an act of God where he declares a sinner to be righteous In His sight, having forgiven his sin and imputed in him God’s righteousness. (Romans 3:21-4-8)
Adults must prepare for justification through faith and good works. (1247-1249)	God justifies ungodly sinners who believe. Good works are the result of salvation, not the cause. (Romans 4-5, Ephesians 2:8-10)
Salvation is attained by cooperating with grace through faith, good works, and participation in the sacraments. (183, 1129, 1815, and 2002)	Salvation is attained by grace through faith apart from works. Good works are the result, not the cause of salvation. (Ephesians 2:8-9, 2:10)
Good works merit grace. (2010, 2027)	Grace is a gift. (Romans 11:6)
Eternal life is a merited reward. (1821, 2010)	Eternal life is a gift of God. (Romans 6:23)
The Roman Catholic Church is necessary for salvation. (846)	There is salvation in no one but the Lord Jesus Christ, “for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

SOLA FIDE

Of the world’s dominant religions, the Catholic, Muslim, and Hinduism believe that a person can attain heaven, peace, or paradise by doing good works. Faith alone saves. (John 3:16)

Good works are essential; a result of one’s relationship with Christ. However, penitence or indulgence has nothing to do with God’s gift of salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). To insist on adding something to what Jesus did makes it “cheap grace.” Jesus said it is finished. (John 19:28-30)

A faithful follower of Christ will not choose to continue living in sin but daily repentance. A true Christian will “bear fruit” by abiding in Christ. (John 15:5)

SHOULD INFANTS BE BAPTIZED?

Catholics believe that if a person or infant is not baptized by water, they will go to hell. Fortunately, there is abundant testimony in the New Testament that says faith in the Lord Jesus Christ precedes baptism. It is a declaration and symbolism of faith. (Read more: 35 Reasons why we do not baptize infants)

SIN & PURGATORY:

Catechism:	The Bible:
Venial sins do not incur eternal punishment. (1855, 1863)	All sin is punishable by eternal death. (Romans 6:23)
The priest forgives sin as a judge. (1442,1461)	No one can forgive sin, but God alone. (Mark 2:7)
Indulgence dispensed by the Church for acts of piety release sinners from temporal punishment. (1471, 1473)	Jesus releases believers from their sins by His blood. (Rev. 1-5)
Purgatory is necessary to atone for sin and cleanse the soul. (1030 – 31)	Purgatory does not exist. Jesus made purification for sins on the cross. (Hebrews 1:3)
Poor souls suffering in purgatory can be helped by those alive on earth, offering up prayers, good works, and the sacrifice of the Mass. (1032, 1371, and 1479)	Those who sleep in Christ need no help. To be absent from the body is to be home with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8)

VENIAL AND MORTAL SIN, AND THE CONFESSION BOX

There is no venial or mortal sin in the Bible. “Sin is sin” in the eyes of a Holy God. Scripture is also clear that man cannot dispense forgiveness; only Jesus can forgive sins.

Catholics often quote and misconstrue John 20:23 to justify the confessional box. A careful analysis of the verse meant the disciples have the authority to pronounce that our sins “have been forgiven.”

JESUS NEVER DELEGATED THE APOSTLES TO FORGIVE SIN

As, and you will be forgiven (1 John 1:9). Penance (like reciting rosary) takes away the finished work of Christ on the cross. A deception of Satan that takes away our focus on Jesus’ saving grace. ^{[Read more: CARM.org]}

INDULGENCE CERTIFICATE

During the middle ages, priests dispensing forgiveness was a powerful political tool to control people into submission. This issue was one of the reasons Martin Luther wrote to the pope in protest.

The faithful bought “certificate of indulgence” for the salvation and forgiveness of sins of those who died. Historical record points to this practice during the middle ages.

In the apostolic constitution of Pope Paul VI, Indulgentiarum Doctrina 1967, responding to suggestions made at the Second Vatican Council, substantially revised the traditional doctrine’s practical application.

PURGATORY

Purgatory, like many other Catholic dogmas, is based on a misunderstanding of the nature of Christ’s sacrifice. Catholics fail to understand that Jesus’ sacrifice was absolutely sufficient (Hebrews 7:27). During the middle ages, purgatory was used to justify indulgence.

AUTHORITY OF THE POPE:

Catechism:	The Bible:
Peter was the head of the Apostles. (552, 765, 880)	Christ is the head of the apostles. (John 13:13)
The Bishops are the successors of the apostles (861-62, 938)	The apostles had no “apostolic succession.” To succeed them means to have witnessed Christ’s resurrection. (Acts 1:21, 22)
The Pope, as the Bishop of Rome, is the successor of Peter. (882, 936)	Peter has no record of an apostolic successor, according to the Bible. (Acts 1:21, 22)
The bishops, with the Pope as their head, rule the universal Church. (883, 894 – 896)	Christ is the head of the body and rules the universal Church. (Colossians 1:18)
The Magisterium is the authoritative teacher of the Church. (85-87)	The Holy Spirit is the authoritative teacher of the Church. God grants Him freely to those who belong to Jesus. (John 14:26, 16:13; 1 John 2:27)
The Pope is the INFALLIBLE interpreter of Scripture. (891)	God alone is infallible. (Numbers 23:10)
Scripture and Tradition together are the Word of God. (81, 85, 97, 182)	Scripture is the word of God. Tradition is the words of men. (Mark 7:1-13, 2 Timothy 3:16)

PAPAL INFALLIBILITY IS MAN-MADE CATHOLIC DOGMA

According to the Catechism, by the alleged promise of Jesus to Peter, the Pope is preserved from the possibility of error. Hence, it justifies the Pope takes the role of Jesus as a shepherd, teacher, and vicar of Christ.

Catholic doctrine by the pope misinterprets the favor Jesus gave Peter in Matthew 16:15; Matthew 16:18 to justify false teaching and elevate the church.

WORSHIP & VENERATION OF MARY:

Catechism:	The Bible:
Mary was preserved from all stain of original sin from the first instant of her conception (Doctrine of the Immaculate Conception)	Mary, a descendant of Adam was born of sin. (Psalm 51:5, Romans 5:12)
Mary, ‘the All-Holy: lived a perfectly sinless life. (411, 493)	Mary was a sinner; God alone is holy. (Matthew 12:47, Luke 18-19, Romans 3:23, Revelation 15:4)
Mary was a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Christ. (496 – 511)	Mary was a virgin until the birth of Christ. Later she had other children (Matthew 1:25, Matthew 12:47; 13:55-56, Psalm 69:8).

PAPAL ASSUMPTION, MARY THE MOTHER OF GOD

Catechism:	The Bible:
Mary is the Mother of God. (963, 971, 2677)	Mary was the earthly mother of Jesus. (John 2:1-5)
Mary is the Mother of the Church. (963, 975)	Mary is a member of the Church. (Acts 1:13; 1 Corinthians 12:13, 27)
Mary is the co-redeemer, for she participated with Christ in the painful act of redemption. (618, 964, 968, 970)	Christ alone is the Redeemer, for He alone suffered and died for sin. (1 Peter 1:18, 19)
Mary is the co-mediator to whom we can entrust all our cares and petitions. (968-970, 2677)	Christ Jesus is the one mediator to whom we can entrust all our cares and petitions. (1 Timothy 2:5, John 14:13, 14, 1 Peter 5:7)
We should entrust ourselves to Mary, surrendering “the hour of our death” wholly to her care. (2677)	We should entrust ourselves to the Lord Jesus, surrendering the hour of our death wholly to His care. (Romans 10:13, Acts 4:12)
God has exalted Mary in heavenly glory as QUEEN OF HEAVEN AND EARTH; She is praised with special devotion.	The Lord’s name is to be praised, for he alone is exalted above heaven & earth. God commands, “You shall have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:3)

MARY WAS EARTHLY MOTHER OF JESUS

The Pope’s supreme apostolic authority allows him to define church doctrine without a Biblical basis. For example, to say “Mary the mother of God” who ascended to heaven—body and soul is an assumption by Pope Pius XII in 1950.

→ The “Catholic Mary” is not the mother of Jesus.

PAPAL DOCTRINE OF ASCENSION

Catechism: (966, 974)	The Bible (Genesis 3:19)
At the end of her life, Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven.	Mary’s body returned to dust when she died.

MARY AS GOD’S MOTHER SUGGESTS A DIVINE PROGENITOR

The Marian tradition of honoring her is has led to the “worship of Mary.” Although Catholics deny worshipping her, the catechism is enough proof. God desires us to honor him, not with repetitive prayers, such as the rosary. We are to worship Christ alone. (Mark 7)

The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.” (Isaiah 29:13)

JAMES MCCARTHY’S DESIRE IS TO ENLIGHTEN CATHOLICS INTO TRULY WORSHIPPING JESUS ALONE. IF YOU ARE A CATHOLIC STRUGGLING WITH HER TEACHINGS, RELIGION DOES NOT SAVE ANYONE. OPEN YOUR BIBLE! CHRIST ALONE HAS THE POWER TO REDEEM US.

IF WE SEEK THE TRUTH WITH ALL OUR HEARTS, WE SHALL FIND IT IN JESUS.

Which Catholic Pope Do Catholics Believe?

Roman Catholics are faced with a serious dilemma. Since they have been indoctrinated to believe that their popes are infallible, they must obey their infallible teachings. "The Roman Pontiff... enjoys this infallibility... when, as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful...he proclaims a definitive act or doctrine pertaining to faith or morals. The definitions 'must be adhered to with the obedience of faith'" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, para. 891). Catholics believe that the Apostle Peter was their first pope but they do not believe his definitive doctrines. Instead they choose to believe and obey the heretical teachings of Pope Francis. This should be a serious dilemma for all thinking Catholics. How can two "infallible" popes contradict each other with their infallible teachings, and how can Catholics adhere to two sets of conflicting doctrines? Consider the following examples that contrast the teachings of the Apostle Peter with Pope Francis: Peter was an elder who submitted to Jesus as the head of the Church (1 Pet. 5:1; Col. 1:18). He taught that Jesus was the Shepherd and Guardian of souls (1 Pet. 2:25). Francis believes he is the Vicar of Christ and the head of the Church, with supreme and universal power which he exercises unhindered (CCC 882). Peter taught we are born again through the living, abiding Word of God (1 Pet. 1:23). Francis teaches we are reborn through the ritual of baptism (CCC 1213). Peter taught salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ alone (Acts 4:12). Francis teaches salvation can be attained apart from Jesus Christ (CCC 841). Peter taught a believer's eternal salvation and inheritance is secured by the power of almighty God (1 Pet. 1:3-5). Francis teaches salvation is conditional because it is attained by merit and can be lost by mortal sin (CCC 2027, 1035). Peter knew Jesus was the rock (1 Pet. 2:7-8). Francis believes Peter was the rock (CCC 552). Peter warned of false teachers who would come into the church to teach heresies and malign the way of truth (2 Pet. 2:1-2). Francis is a false teacher and under divine curse for adding requirements to the Gospel and naming Mary as an intercessor and mediatrix of salvation (Gal. 1:6-9; CCC 969, 1129). Peter refused adoration from men (Acts 10:26). Francis welcomes the adoration of men.      We must warn Catholics that Peter was not the first pope and that he was not infallible. Paul had to correct him for not being “straightforward about the truth of the gospel” (Gal. 2:11-14). However, the Word of God that Peter penned under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is infallible and authoritative. Scripture never teaches that Peter had authority over the other Apostles, and there is no mention of the papacy anywhere in Scripture. The Lord Jesus, who purchased the church with His own blood, is the one and only head of the church (Col. 1:18; Acts 20:28). We must also warn Catholics not to trust in princes, in mortal man, in whom there is no salvation (Ps. 146:3). It is our prayer that Catholics will test every man's teaching with the inerrant, inspired, authoritative Word of God and reject any teaching that opposes it (Acts 17:11).

Catholicism's Opposition to the Bible

How many different ways does the Catechism of the Catholic Church oppose the Bible? There are more than we can count, but this Gospel tract gives 13 of the most important contradictions that deal with authority, regeneration, justification, salvation and the Lord's Supper. Anyone who reads this tract will see that Roman Catholicism stands opposed to the faith of the apostles. This Gospel tract will force Catholics to make an important decision: should I trust Christ and His Word or the teachings and traditions of my religion? It is impossible to believe both.