EARNESTLY CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH – Nov. 2015 Southview Bible Church * 2007 So. 7th St. * Council Bluffs, IA. 51501 Phone: (712) 322-5743 E-mail: [email protected] * Web Site: www.southviewbible.org

THE IDOLATRY THAT IS ROMAN CATHOLICISM

An idol is anything that takes the place of God, is placed before God, or is placed above God. Idolatry is when anything other than God becomes an object of worship. Of all the sins dealt with in the Bible, IDOLATRY is most serious. God is a JEALOUS God and He tolerates no rivals (cf. Ex. 34:14). The first and great command is to LOVE God supremely (cf. Mt. 22:37-38). The first command in the Law was “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Ex. 20:3). Many Roman Catholics either don’t understand or don’t adhere to the official positon of Rome on a myriad of subjects. But whether they realize it or not the official SYSTEM of Roman Catholicism that they identify with is fraught with IDOLATRY. Above all what DEFINES official Roman Catholicism is FLAGRANT IDOLATRY.

IDOLARY ASSOCIATED WITH MARY

Roman Catholicism holds that Mary was conceived without sin in what is called “the Immaculate Conception”. It is believed that she lived a sinless life. Mary is seen as both co-redeemer and co-mediator. Catholicism believes that God has exalted Mary to be Queen of heaven and earth and that she is to be praised with special devotion. But Mary referred to God as her “Savior” (Lk. 1:47). The Bible is clear that apart from Christ Himself, all have sinned (cf. Rom. 3:23). Jesus said, “No one is good but One, that is, God.” (Mt. 19:17) 1 Tim. 2:5 is emphatic that there is only ONE mediator and that is Christ Jesus. To venerate Mary as a sinless co-mediator/co-redeemer is to exalt her to a God-like status. To hail Mary to intercede for you at the hour of your death is nothing short of FLAGRANT IDOLATRY!

IDOLARY ASSOICATED WITH THE POPE

The Pope rules over the Church. He is said to be the “Vicar of Christ” on earth. Vicar literally means “one serving as a substitute”. In other words, supposedly the Pope directly acts for and authoritatively represents Christ. In effect he is seen as Christ on earth. Other titles for the Pope include, “Holy Father”, “His Holiness”, “The Rock”, “Supreme Pontiff”, and “Shepherd of the Universal Church”. But ONLY Christ is Lord of the Church (cf. Mt. 16:18, 1 Cor. 1:2, 8:6). Only Christ is HEAD of the Church (cf. Eph. 5:23, Col. 1:18). The “rock” upon which the church is built is Peter’s confession that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God”, not upon Peter or any Pope (cf. Mt. 16:16-18). Jesus alone is the ROCK foundation on which we can build. (cf. Lk. 6:46-49, Cor. 3:11). Jesus said, “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.” (Mt. 23:9). ONLY God is called “Holy Father” as seen in John 17:11. To exalt the Pope to the functional position of Christ is SHEER IDOLATRY!

IDOLATRY ASSOCIATED WITH THE MASS

Roman Catholicism believes in “transubstantiation” in which the bread and wine at communion are supposedly changed into the actual body and blood of Christ. This is why the priest BOWS before the elements in the Mass. These elements have now become his GOD! The consecrated bread and wine are worshiped as divine. This is PURE IDOLATRY! Christ as the ALL-SUFFICIENT Savior died for all sin ONCE (cf. Jn. 1:29; Heb. 10:10, 14). A saving faith rests in His FINISHED WORK on the cross alone (cf. Jn. 19:30). The entire sacramental system of Roman Catholicism is a false IDOLATROUS gospel (cf. Gal. 1:6- 9). FLEE idolatry (cf. 1 Cor. 10:14; 1 Jn. 5:21).

CONCLUSION: The great IDLOATROUS harlot of the last days involving all manner of false religion that evolved out of Babylon, will be wed to Antichrist. She is a “harlot” because of her unfaithfulness to God. I believe that a major player in the ecumenical whore of Revelation 17, that has sway over the entire world, will be the Roman Catholic Church. Babylon was defined by IDLOATRY, as is the Roman Catholic Church! It was stunning to note the sway the Pope had with the politicians, the media, and the public on his recent trip to the United States. His visit was seen by many as a smashing success! The Pope is one of the most popular people in the world, but Jesus said, “Woe to you when all men shall speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” (Lk. 6:26)

Thot: God LOVES Roman Catholics. God HATES the IDOLATRY that is Roman Catholicism!

Earnestly Contending, Pastor Dwight J. Oswald