Hi Vic,
I find your web site interesting. Its logo or subtitle is: "21st Century Catholic Apologetics for Mary's Spiritual Warriors."
Not Spiritual Warriors for GOD! But, Spiritual Warriors FOR MARY! When did Mary supersede God?
So, now, I suppose instead of a Triune God -- Father, Son, Holy Spirit -- we have a Quad God: Mary, Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Somehow, I just cannot find a QUAD GOD in my Bible.
And, your web site tells us:
Are you saved? How many times have we all been asked that question by well meaning Protestant friends of ours? The question is a loaded one, implying that once you confess that Jesus Christ is your personal Lord and savior, that's it, you're saved. If that were true, then we wouldn't need to go to Confession, nor would we need the Eucharist at each Mass.
We do not need to confess to a man, nor do we need to re-crucify Jesus Christ every day at mass.
Do we need to confess our sins? You bet! But, when Jesus Christ died, we read, "And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split" (Matthew 27:51).
What was the significance of the 18 inch thick Holy of Holies veil splitting from top (God) to bottom (man)? The following footnote is from the Harper NASB Study Bible (Zondervan):
The tearing of the veil signified: (1) that full atonement had been made [Hebrews 10:19-20]; (2) that Christ had gone through the veil into the most holy place, into the presence of God Himself [Hebrews 9:12, 24]; (3) that Christ as mediating High Priest made unnecessary any human priesthood standing between man and God [Hebrews 7:23-28]; and (4) that ALL believers have immediate access, without the benefit of any priesthood except that of Christ, to the presence and favor of God [Romans 5:2, Ephesians 2:18, 3:12].
That pretty well explains it. Before Christ went to the cross as the "once for all time" Sacrificial Lamb of God -- priest had to enter the Holy of Holies and offer sacrificial animals, i.e., unblemished lambs, doves, etc., for the temporal forgiveness of sin. But, when the Perfect Lamb of God went to the cross, once for all -- there is no longer any need to continue crucifying Him on a daily basis.
Christ ripped the veil and gave man immediate access to the throne of God through prayer. There is now no longer any need for priests to sacrifice nor to hear confessions. God hears our confessions personally.
Then your web site tells us:
A one-time profession of faith in Jesus Christ is a great start, but there is much more to salvation than that. Jesus said that the Eucharist forgives sin (Matthew 26:28), Confession forgives sin (John 20:22-23, and the Last Rites forgive sin (James 5:14-15). This "I am saved" philosophy of many protestants doesn't require any of these methods of forgiveness, because they believe they are already saved and don't need any sacraments. And that begs the question as to why Jesus instituted these sacraments to aid us in our salvation if all we had to do was profess our belief in him one time.
This teaches: A one-time profession of faith in Jesus Christ is a great start, but there is much more to salvation than that.
Yet, Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; NOT as a result of works, so that no one may boast."
So, your web site tells us we have to work for salvation; yet the Bible tells us salvation is NOT a result of works. Which do we believe -- the Vatican or the Bible? I will take the Bible.
Your site tells us, "Jesus said that the Eucharist forgives sin (Matthew 26:28)."
Matthew 26:28, "For this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins." How true, Christ died on the cross so that all who will believe in His finished work on the cross can be saved. This is what we are told in Ephesians 2:8, ""For by grace you have been saved through faith;. . ." I see no Eucharist in Matthew 26:28 -- unless someone at the Vatican inserts it -- for God did not.
Your site tells us, "Confession forgives sin (John 20:22-23."
Does "confession" forgive sin? Does a priest forgive sin? Or does ONLY God forgive sin? I will go with ONLY God.
What is meant in John 20:22-23? Was Jesus giving His apostles the power to forgive sin? Of course not.
John 20:22-23, "And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained."
Jesus gives His disciples authority to announce forgiveness and to warn of guilt, as authorized by the Holy Spirit. This lays down the duty of the church to proclaim forgiveness to the penitent believer, and the duty of the church to warn the unbeliever that they are in danger of forfeiting the mercy of God. But, sin is against God, and God is the ONLY one who can forgive sins.
This authority to announce, or point out sin, and to warn of the consequences of sin -- is the responsibility of all pastors -- and, actually, the responsibility of all believers. This is what Jesus meant in Matthew 28:19-20 when He tells all believers to "Go, Make disciples, Baptize them, TEACH THEM all that 'all that I commanded you.' "
Confession does not forgive sin, nor does a priest. God forgives sin when a believer goes to Him in repentance. We need no priest for that -- for Christ's death tore the veil from top to bottom -- giving all believers direct access to the throne room of God.
And, you web site tells us, "and the Last Rites forgive sin (James 5:14-15)."
What does the Scripture passage in James teach us about prayer?
James 5:13-16, "Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. (14) Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; (15) and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. (16) Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."
This passage has absolutely NOTHING to do with last rites! This is telling all believers that, if we are sick, physically or spiritually, we should go to our elders, i.e., pastors, church leaders, etc., and to other believers -- seeking their prayers for our healing. Why? Because "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."
Vic, my Friend, typical of most Roman Catholic teaching -- your web site has taken Scripture verses out of context and has attempted to squeeze them into supporting erroneous Roman Catholic doctrines.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill