Comments on a Catholic Quote

Hello.  I was reading through some oldish Catholic literature to see how different Protestant and Catholic doctrines really are...  THEY ARE VERY DIFFERENT!  So I selected a quote that I found to stand out in particular from James Cardinal Gibbons in the early 1900s.  I've bolded the parts of his quote that I then comment on in square brackets [like this].  My comments are not bolded but I've put them in a different font so they're hopefully a little easier to distinguish.  Some of the original quote is not bolded so please do not get it confused.  I have not modified any of the original text other than font adjustments.

Faith of Our Fathers (1917) Chapter 7 (Infallible Authority of the Church) pg. 67 by James Cardinal Gibbons

"The Church has authority from God to teach regarding faith and morals, and in her teaching she is preserved from error by the special guidance of the Holy Ghost.  The prerogative of infallibility is clearly deduced from the attributes of the Church already mentioned. [Okay… so everything I learned in grade eight history class about the Spanish Inquisition was absolutely A-Okay?]  The Church is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic. Preaching the same creed everywhere and at all times; teaching holiness and truth, she is, of course, essentially unerring in her doctrine; for what is one, holy or unchangeable must be infallibly true. [What about God?  Isn’t He one, Holy and unchangeable?]

"That the Church was infallible in the Apostolic age is denied by no Christian. [I don’t believe that it was the Church that was perfect… The Holy Ghost’s outpouring did a marvellous work on the hearts of the Jews and Gentiles at that time but I think it’s a stretch to say that the new Christian Church had perfect doctrine, people, etc.  Everything conveyed in Scripture, however was flawless. Though the people may have held some false opinions, inspiration prevents error from entering the Scriptures.  I deny his statement though I do fancy myself a Christian.] We never question the truth of the Apostles' declarations;(114) they were, in fact, the only authority in the Church for the first century. The New Testament was not completed till the close of the first century. There is no just ground for denying to the Apostolic teachers of the nineteenth century in which we live a prerogative clearly possessed by those of the first, especially as the Divine Word nowhere intimates that this unerring guidance was to die with the Apostles. On the contrary, as the Apostles transmitted to their successors their power to preach, to baptize, to ordain, to confirm, etc., they must also have handed down to them the no less essential gift of infallibility.  [Hmm…  So where does the Bible say that the Apostles were unerring?  Actually, in studying the New Testament, you find that even Christ’s disciples were imperfect.  Before Christ’s death, many of them taught false doctrine (ex. That Jesus was going to overthrow the Jews). ]

"God loves us as much as He loved the primitive Christians; Christ died for us as well as for them and we have as much need of unerring teachers as they had.  [Is not our teacher the Holy Spirit which does an individual work on every person’s heart?]  It will not suffice to tell me: "We have an infallible Scripture as a substitute for an infallible apostolate of the first century," for an infallible book is of no use to me without an infallible interpreter, as the history of Protestantism too clearly demonstrates."  [So what’s being said is that Scriptures are not perfect therefore we require an interpreter?  Ever read 2 Timothy 3:15-16?  While you’re at it, read 1 Thess. 2:13; Matt. 23:45; Ps. 119:9, 11,1 05; John 17:17.  Man is just man.  We are wicked, power hungry and we make mistakes.  (Jer. 17:9)  Do I believe that perfection is possible… yes.  Do I think we should then have a religious organization study our Bibles for us – No Way!  Read Acts 17:11-13 where the faithful people of Thessalonica who were honourable and had knowledge are said to have “searched the scriptures daily.”  It was then, after studying for themselves that they were able to go out and preach to others regarding Christ and His work of Salvation.  It is our duty, as it was theirs, to search the Scriptures daily that we might know God, individually and personally.  We are not saved as a Church; we are saved as individual children of God.]

Find the book "Faith of Our Fathers" Online here:

 http://manybooks.net/_scripts/send.php?tid=gibbonsj2743527435-8&book=1:pdf:.pdf:pdf  

This is a free download and it opens online. 

I find it a real blessing to read through other people's books whether I agree with their opinion or not.  My knowledge of the scriptures are affirmed when I read different arguments and points of view.  I am led to study for myself what is truth. I encourage that you do the same.

Salvation Through Christ

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

What is Salvation?

You may have an idea of what salvation is but to really make it solid I’m going to have to use not only a dictionary but also God’s Word to really help us understand what salvation is.  Read Isaiah 60:18 to understand that salvation is safety.

Salvation: rescue (literally or figuratively, personal, national or spiritual): - deliverance, help, safety, victory.

So, how do we get this help and victory?  Who is it that delivers us to safety?

Exodus 15:2  “The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.”

Isaiah 12:2  Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

From these verses, we understand that it is God who is our salvation.  What else do we know about salvation?

Ephesians 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Isaiah 45:17  But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.

So not only can we saved (or sealed, as Paul said in Ephesians) but we can saved for eternity! 

Now, from the next two verses, we get a bit of a different perspective of salvation.

Zechariah 9:9  Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Hebrews 9:28  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the Sunday before His crucifixion, he rode in on a donkey, or an ass as the Bible calls it.  That is how we know that Zechariah is talking about Jesus.  So, yes, it is Christ, through His sinless life, that is meant to be our salvation. 

Also look at Ephesians 4:30 which talks about redemption.

To be saved, we need to come to the Lord.  How do we get to God?

So now we know that salvation is God.  Then, logically, to get salvation we need to get to God.  How do we do that?

John 14:6-7  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

We get to know God by accepting Jesus and His death for us.  Jesus says this in other places in the Bible, as well.

John 10:1,9  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Also read Matthew 1:21 to learn more about Jesus mission on Earth.

Is there any other way to be saved?

Jesus is the one and only way to be saved.  If you don’t believe me, read the following verses.

Acts 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

John 3:15,16,36  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

By believing and following Jesus is the only way to receive His salvation.  Is there more to it that just believing in Him?

How do we get a relationship with Jesus?

To receive salvation, we need to do more than just faith that God exists.  If you read James 2:19, you’ll see that even fallen angels believe in God and tremble, that doesn’t mean that they’re going to be saved.  One of the first steps to getting salvation is by having a relationship with Christ.  But how do we do that?

John 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

To show Christ that we truly love and accept Him, we must hear His Words and obey them.

Romans 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Is it fair to say that when this verse is talking about calling upon the name of the Lord it means that we should bring our humble supplications and prayers to Him.  Yes, prayer is a very important way of getting a relationship with God.

What are some things that we are required to do?

Now that we know what salvation is and who gives it to us, what is our part to play in gaining salvation?  God has some very simple requirements and expectations for us to live up to.

John 3:36  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

As we’ve talked about before, God requires us to have faith in Him.  But this is only the first step to acquiring salvation.

1 John 5:2  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

Just as the verse says, we are expected to keep God’s commandments!  Where can we find some of God’s commandments?  Read Exodus 20:1-17 to get the Ten Commandments.

How did Christ provide salvation?

All of the things we have learned so far come down to this: how did Christ provide salvation for us? 

Romans 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Isaiah 53:6  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

1 Peter 3:18  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

Hebrews 9:26  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

For our sins, Christ suffered, bled and died so that we might receive salvation.  He loved us so much that He was willing to die for us on the cross and carry the weight of our sins on His shoulders.  He suffered the separation from the Father just to allow us the opportunity to grow closer to Him and come closer to Heaven.

Note:  If you click on the verse references that are red and underline, it will bring you to the Bible gateway webpage already on that verse in the King James version.

The Bible- Why to Believe and Study It

The Authority and Source of the Bible

1.     2 Timothy 3:15, 16

"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" 

-Knowing the Scriptures will give knowledge and faith in Jesus.

-All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, so he inspired the words that were given.  If we doubt the Bible, we are doubting God.

-“The testimony is conveyed through the imperfect expression of human language, yet it is the testimony of God; and the obedient, believing child of God beholds in it the glory of a divine power, full of grace and truth.

     In His Word, God has committed to men the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are to be accepted as an authoritative, infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the revealer of doctrines, and the test of experience.” {GC vi, vii}

2.     2 Peter 1:19-21

"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

-“The Bible was designed to be a guide to all who wish to become acquainted with the will of their Maker. God gave to men the sure word of prophecy; angels and even Christ himself came to make known to Daniel and John the things that must shortly come to pass. Those important matters that concern our salvation were not left involved in mystery. They were not revealed in such a way as to perplex and mislead the honest seeker after truth.” {GC 521}

-The “day star” is Jesus (Rev. 22:16) and the “light that shineth in a dark place” is prophecy and the Word of God.

-There is only one true interpretation to the Bible which is found through prophecy

-God spoke through holy men in giving the Bible. (2Sam. 23:2)

3.     1 Thessalonians 2:13

 "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe."

-The Word of God is not words of men.

- “A knowledge of the truth depends not so much upon strength of intellect as upon pureness of purpose, the simplicity of an earnest, dependent faith. To those who in humility of heart seek for divine guidance, angels of God draw near. The Holy Spirit is given to open to them the rich treasures of the truth.”  {COL 59.3} 

4.     Matthew 24: 35

"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."

-God’s Word will last forever. (Is. 40:8)

-God will never go back on His word.  At any time, with an earnest and willing heart, we can accept God's gifts and blessings that He has promised to obedient followers.

What the Bible Does For Us

5.     Psalms 119:11

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." 

-Knowing God’s word keeps us from sin. (Ps. 37:31)

-“Every promise in God's word is ours. "By every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" are we to live. When assailed by temptation, look not to circumstances or to the weakness of self, but to the power of the word. All its strength is yours.”   {DA 123.4}

-Jesus studied and lived by the scriptures.

-"In childhood, youth, and manhood, Jesus studied the Scriptures. As a little child He was daily at His mother's knee taught from the scrolls of the prophets. In His youth the early morning and the evening twilight often found Him alone on the mountainside or among the trees of the forest, spending a quiet hour in prayer and the study of God's word. During His ministry His intimate acquaintance with the Scriptures testifies to His diligence in their study. And since He gained knowledge as we may gain it, His wonderful power, both mental and spiritual, is a testimony to the value of the Bible as a means of education."  {Ed 185.1} 

6.     Psalm 119:105

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

-The Bible lights the path before us.

-Prov. 6:23

7.     Psalm 119:9

"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word."

-The Bible - and the studying and obeying of it - cleanses us from sin.

-"The whole Bible is a revelation of the glory of God in Christ. Received, believed, obeyed, it is the great instrumentality in the transformation of character. It is the grand stimulus, the constraining force, that quickens the physical, mental, and spiritual powers, and directs the life into right channels."  {MH 458.1}

8.     Hebrews 4:12

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

-The Bible is as powerful as a sword; it reaches deep into our heart.  But, instead of hurting us, it heals us.

-The Bible is referred to as a sword in other places in the Bible, like in Ephesians 6:17.

-Jeremiah 23:29 helps us understand the power and might of God's Word.

9.     John 17:17

"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."

-The Bible sanctifies us or, in other words, makes us to be like Jesus.

-For more insight, read 2 Samuel 7:28 and 2 Thessalonians 2:13

This is a study I went through with my friend and my sister on Friday nights.  I've added some things to it from our discussion.  I've written out the main verses in an italic font and there are other verse references in red that you should look up to get the whole picture of the study.  If you don't have your own Bible to use, you can just click on the verse reference and it will bring you to an online Bible already on that verse. 

The Bible

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for correction, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness."  

~2 Timothy 3:16

Let's look at some interesting facts about the Bible:

• Did you know that the name "God" is said 4473 times in the King James Bible?  The total number of words is 788,258.
• The total number of verses is 31,102 and 3+1+1+0+2=7  and that the word seven is defined in the Strong's dictionary as perfect, complete or pure.
• According to scripture, Jesus fulfilled over 300 prophecies about himself.  A Dr. Peter Stoner calculated the probability of a man fulfilling just eight of those prophecies and discover that there was a 1 in 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 chance that a man could. 

The Word of God is perfect in all ways.  We should live by nothing but the Bible.  Man's words should never be taken above God's words.  If we hear something, even from the pulpit, we must remember that all men are sinful and fallible (Romans 3:23).  Satan's counterfeits will try to deceive us (Daniel 7:25) but if we are firm in our knowledge of the scriptures, we cannot be deceived.

If you have a Bible of your own, I'd like to take a look at a few verses:

• Matthew 26:56 about Christ fulfilled his prophecies
• Psalm 19:7-11 about the power of God's word
• Psalm 119:11 knowing God's word keeps us from sin
• The other verses in brackets highlighted red throughout the text.

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." 

 ~Hebrews 4:12