Take a Long Hard Look

I see the World Communion of Reformed Churches is the latest “Protestant” organization to collaborate with the Roman Catholic Church. Until recently, the biblical Doctrine of Justification kept them separated, but no more it seems. The Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity says, “One of the crucial issues of dissent between the Reformers and the authorities of the Catholic Church in the sixteenth century is thus being diffused and overcome, making further growth in spiritual and ecclesial communion between the Protestant and Catholic Churches possible.”

Supposedly the WCRC represents about 80 million Christians worldwide. Combined with other so-called Christian organizations siding with Rome in recent years over this issue, that’s a lot of people walking the pathway of spiritual deception. No doubt though, it’s only the beginning. If the surveys are accurate, less than 25% believe the Bible to be the actual word of God – to be taken literally, word for word. Roman Catholicism has never believed that of course, so as time goes on with Bible Christians dying off at fast rates, how easy their task in swaying Christians to come across to them. That’s always been the goal of Roman Catholicism; “Rome never changes.” Jesus never changes! Many false prophets shall arise and deceive many Matthew 24:11.

The Shorter Catechism of Historic Protestantism declares: “Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein He pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.” In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace Ephesians 1:7. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him 2 Corinthians 5:21. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous Romans 5:17. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ….. Galatians 2:16. That’s it!

Roman Catholicism says that’s not it! And not only have they seduced the WCRC into rejecting the Bible’s Doctrine of Justification, but also the Lutherans and the World Methodist Council. No doubt more denominations will follow in a very short time. It’s Rome’s intention to swallow them all up and they will be successful. The One-world Church of Revelation 17:1-18 is coming into formation before our very eyes. So who else will join them? The Pentecostals, the Anglicans, the Baptists, the Churches of Christ, and most of the Christian Fellowships. All groups compromising the Bible will become one with Rome. God has made it clear. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine….. 2 Timothy 4:3.

Encouragement for Bible Christians: God’s word on the Doctrine of Justification, just like His word on anything else, is settled! Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven Psalm 119:89. Roman Catholicism has always sought to unsettle it here on earth; that’s why Church Tradition usurps nearly every Bible doctrine except for the Trinity of God. It must do so otherwise there’s no such thing as Roman Catholicism. If Church Tradition didn’t usurp the Bible there would be no such people as popes and priests. If Church Tradition didn’t usurp the Bible the Virgin Mary would not be elevated to God-like status and she would hold no such blasphemous title as that of Co-Redemptrix.

If Church Tradition didn’t usurp the Bible there would be no such thing as the Sacrifice of the Mass. The Mass is not one and the same sacrifice as that of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross at Calvary. For this He did once for all when He offered up Himself  Hebrews 7:27. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified Hebrews 10:12-14. If Church Tradition didn’t usurp the Bible there would be no such thing as sinners doing penance for sin, sinners would repent from sin. From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” Matthew 4:17.

If Church Tradition didn’t usurp the Bible two facts of the true Gospel would always be kept in view in the Roman Catholic Church: Jesus death and His resurrection. But if you step inside an RC church you’ll find no evidence of His resurrection. Evidence of the dead Jesus is constantly in one’s face and mind by way of the Crucifix. We see His arms outstretched and nailed, but never His arms outstretched freely, telling us in no uncertain terms, I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forever more. Amen Revelation 1:18. There’ll be no evidence of His merciful and loving appeal to guilty, burdened sinners calling to them, Come to Me all You who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest Matthew 11:28.

If Church Tradition didn’t usurp the Bible there would be no such teaching of a place called Purgatory. God is the God of second chances and many more, but all of them this side of eternity, not the other side. Only two places exist on the other side, heaven and hell; heaven for those who have repented of their sins and have had them washed away by the blood of Jesus, or, hell for those who haven’t. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him Romans 5:9. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace Ephesians 1:7. The blood of Jesus is ever flowing for the sins of the repentant believer – past, present and future.

If Church Tradition didn’t usurp the Bible there would be no such teaching as Celibacy of the Priesthood. Think of the destruction that doctrine from hell has brought upon multitudes of people young and old, who placed total trust in their devil-possessed priests. On this matter, the Papacy boldly decrees: “Whosoever shall say that the married state is to be preferred to a state of virginity, or celibacy, and that it is not better and more blessed to remain in virginity, or celibacy, than to be joined in marriage; let him be accursed!” Well, let the apostle Paul respond to that: As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed Galatians 1:9. (Underline mine)

If Church Tradition didn’t usurp the Bible the Roman Catholic people would possess a blessed assurance of their salvation.  Very few have such an assurance, that’s why they work ever so hard at trying to earn it. Martin Luther did so too, until he sought God with all his heart, mind and soul. If ever there was a man who should have earned heaven it was him, but he found it an impossible task. What he did find though blessed him big time, as it does all who humble themselves like he had to. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast Ephesians 2:8-9. Luther submitted to the Bible; it turned his world upside down, as it did most of the church world!

If Church Tradition didn’t usurp the Bible the Roman Catholic leadership from the pope down, would do what Martin Luther did. They would prostrate themselves to the floor in true humility and repentance, they would cry out to God and they would stay there on the floor until God revealed Himself. God would have much to reveal to them both individually and corporately, including this very important truth – there is no other head of the Church but the Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus said, I will build My church….. Matthew 16:18, He was referring to Himself, not to Peter, not to Paul, not to apostles, not to popes not to priests and not to pastors. In addition, Jesus was not referring to any one particular church denomination.

If Church Tradition didn’t usurp the Bible this post would not be written. But I’m glad it is, for if you are one of those people affiliated with the WCRC or similar, take a long hard look at what you are embracing. Better still, take a long hard look at what you are rejecting. But above all, take a long hard look at Who you are rejecting, for it is without doubt the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the Word of God and He does not speak, reveal or operate outside of His written word, the Bible. Usurp the Bible and you forfeit all rights to the promises revealed within its pages, except the promise of God’s wrath coming upon you.  An astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; and My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end? Jeremiah 5:30-31.