My first experience with the Roman Catholic Church came a few months after I became a Christian. I was 20 years old, and a new believer in Jesus.
Everything was exciting about being a Christian. The Bible was new, my faith was new, and Jesus was new! I tried to learn all I could about my new Savior who loved me so much.
I was invited to attend Roman Catholic Mass, so I thought it would be worthwhile to check it out. After all, the Roman Catholic Church is the largest church on the planet with one billion+ members!
Since I didn't know much about Roman Catholicism, I looked forward to my first Mass with great anticipation.
Mass appeared on the exterior to be quite different than what I was used to at the Evangelical church I had been attending. In contrast to the informal worship service I was accustomed to, the Mass was very structured, with the priest and congregation reciting their lines from memory. There was a lot of standing and sitting, and everyone but me seemed to know the liturgy.
Despite those differences, I concluded that Mass was a lot more similar to my new faith than different.
They used the Bible, had communion, and, most importantly, talked about Jesus; all of which we did at my church as well!
I believe that many Christians come to a similar conclusion about the Roman Catholic Church: perhaps Rome is a bit more liturgical or formal than we're used to, but they're basically another Christian denomination.
The purpose of this document is to show that the Roman Catholic Church is not another Christian denomination.
Please understand that this document is not a "bashing" of Roman Catholics. My purpose is to bring to light truths about Roman Catholicism that are vital to understand, yet known by very few.
The Roman Catholic Church claims to be the true "Mother Church" and invites the "separated brethren" (non-Catholics) to return home. This document seeks to serve as a maternity test, subjecting Rome's maternal claim to the DNA testing of the Word of God. If it's true that Rome is the true "Mother Church," then all non-Catholics must run to her, forsaking our prodigal ways. If, however, the Word of God proves this claim to be false, then we owe Rome no allegiance, and must lovingly warn others from being lured into her embrace.
If you're a Roman Catholic and you're reading this document, then I implore you to use the Bible to test what your church has infallibly decreed, because the Bible is what God has infallibly decreed.
This document simply presents historical statements and positions of the Roman Catholic Church, many of which the church, particularly in America, is reluctant to reveal. When one understands the official beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church and compares them with the beliefs of the historic Christian church, one must conclude there is a mortal difference.
The stakes are very high. If the Roman Catholic Church is, as it claims, the true church of God founded on Saint Peter, then every Christian must run to Rome for salvation! If, however, Rome is found to be an imposter, then we must run from Rome with all vigor and haste.
There is no arguing against the fact that the Roman Catholic Church, with its history, art, and colossal number of followers, is one of the most impressive faiths in the history of mankind. But the measuring stick for truth is not found in these things. As Christians, we know that the measure of truth is found in the Bible, the Word of God.
My prayer is that this document will be a blessing and encouragement to you, and that we will all glorify our God and King by not only studying and knowing the truth, but by following it and doing it as well.
God bless you!
Mark Edward Sohmer
March, 2006
Next: What Roman Catholics Are Supposed to Believe
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