As requested, this is my reasoning for not converting to Catholicism.
I was not raised in a Christian family. I knew little about Roman Catholicism except for the vitriolic attacks my father would launch from time to time. After I was saved, I investigated Roman Catholicism. I found it wanting in the extreme. There are many issues that Protestants have with various Bible interpretations. I have learned to agree to disagree with a great deal of denominational teaching. I do not accept that the issues with Protestant beliefs are a reason to adopt Catholicism.
This OP is as brief as I can make it, but there is much more to say. Feel free to challenge any of my statements.
I am well aware that RC theologians have answers for everything, but I find their reasoning specious. I have nothing against Roman Catholics as individuals. My problem is the false teachings of the RC organisation. I’ll use the abbreviation “RC”. I refuse to call it “church” because it is an organisation, not the true Church.
Top of my list is the false teaching is that the Lord Jesus founded the RC organisation. Lord Jesus is the Head of the Church, His body, the fullness of Him who fills all things. (Eph. 1:23). The true Church is all those who are born again. No one is a Christian because they are born into a Christian family. Everyone must choose Christ for themselves. “You must be born again” (John 3:7)
Next is the papacy. RC traces this to the apostle Peter. Supposedly Lord Jesus built the church on him. Yet we know that the “Rock” that the Lord Jesus spoke about was His words, not an individual (Matthew 7:24). Peter was fallible. He allowed himself to be influenced by Judaizers and Paul had to set him straight. There is no conclusive evidence that Peter was the Bishop of Rome.
Another issue is the priesthood. The idea that an individual is the priest while the congregation consists of ignorant simpletons is contrary to God’s word. Every born again Christian is a priest to our God. This leads into to the next issue.
The RC teaches that the Bible alone is not sufficient. RC teachings are equal to the Bible. This is patently false. Since when have the traditions of men taken precedence over God’s word? Since the days of the Pharisees, that’s when. Lord Jesus did not commend them. He rebuked them! Every Christian has the right and the duty to study God’s word for themselves. The Bible is the standard by which every supposed truth must be judged. If it contradicts God’s word, then the “truth” is in fact a lie.
Praying to the saints who have gone before us? Why? I’ve been asking God in Jesus’ name for nearly 50 years. I’ve never heard, “I’m busy, talk to Paul will you? He’ll clue Me in later.” Lord Jesus told us to pray in His name. If we are really stuck, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. (Romans 8:26).
“For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus……” (1 Timothy 2:5). Yet RC claims that Mary is a mediatrix. She is also awarded titles that are the domain of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Elevating Mary to a godlike figure is idolatry and blasphemous. Mary was not born sinless – her ancestry is traceable to Adam. Therefore she was in just as much need of grace as any other believer. She is not God and the RC obsession with Mary is not reflected in the New Testament.
Finally, consider the Kingdom of God. Lord Jesus declared that his Kingdom is not of this world. Yet the Vatican is a nation in its own right. It has an army, its own central bank, its own currency and postage stamps. It confers citizenship. It is a microcosm of the world system. It has nothing to do with the kingdom of God. Neither does Roman Catholicism.
This post is so full of half truths and lies that it is overwhelming. I'm sure you mean well, but this is shameful.
I'm going to address one point at a time as I can get to it.
1) Jesus started a single Church. He chose leaders for his Church. He gave these leaders the authority to teach, baptize, forgive sins, and appoint successors. He promised to be with his Church until the end of time. He promised that the Holy Spirit would guide the Church into all truth. He told the rest of us to listen to the Church.
Here are the verses that demonstrate these truths:
ONE CHURCH
Matt 16:18
18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock
I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
Also, note that Jesus spoke Aramaic. In Aramaic, Jesus said, thou art CEPHAS and on this CEPHAS I will build my Church.
CHOSEN LEADERS WITH AUTHORITY
John 15:16
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit
Matt 28:18
“
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.
19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
John 20
21Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.”
23If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.”
Luke 10
16Whoever listens to you listens to Me;
whoever rejects you rejects Me; and whoever rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”
Matt 18
17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And
if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
John 16
13However, when the Spirit of truth comes
, He will guide you into all truth.
Matt 18:18 18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
INSTRUCTIONS TO US TO FOLLOW AND OBEY
Heb 13:17
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you.
1 Tim 3:15
if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God,
the pillar and foundation of the truth.
Acts 15
The apostles and the elders, your brothers,
To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:
Greetings.
24It has come to our attention that some went out from us
without our authorization and unsettled your minds by what they said.
Did he carve images and put them in churches and ask people to pray to them?
