One of the clearest teachings in Scripture is that Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father (John 14:6). The Apostle Paul violently opposed adding any "works" to the Gospel to try and merit salvation (Romans chpt. 3, 4, 5, Galatians). Yet, here we have a very famous Catholic Priest, Michael Manning, denying that Jesus is the only way to the Father and actually trying to make a case that if you are a good rabbi and obey God's law you can go to heaven. A complete denial of everything the Apostles fought and died for. According to Michael Manning, you can go to heaven... without trusting in Christ as personal Lord and Savior. Listen to how he promotes Islam... Watch this!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Friday, January 11, 2008
Exciting News!
Our ministry website is currently under construction! It is going to be awesome! Here is the address.... defendthefaith.org
I love the domain name! I'll let you know when it is fully operational! Keep checking back!
I love the domain name! I'll let you know when it is fully operational! Keep checking back!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Great video to describe what we are talking about...
Check out this video that discusses exactly what we are talking about between the Apostle Paul in Romans and James in James chapter 2. I am busy preparing for my message at the junior high camp in Williams, Arizona this weekend. I am teaching these kids to witness to their Mormon friends and family. Pray for that! And watch this video it is really helpful...
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Just an update...
Earlier, a blogger named Timothy gave a quick response to my short post on Roman Catholicism. I will give a detailed analysis and rebuttal of what he said soon! I am just extremely pleased that he was so honest about the Catholic position. This is refreshing. And I definitely respect him for his honesty. Many Roman Catholics (including my own family members) have claimed that their church teaches salvation by grace through faith alone and even deny the mass as a propitiatory sacrifice. So you have to appreciate a guy like Timothy for knowing what he believes and definately clearly defining the lines that divide us. This is how truth is allowed to shine and expose the darkness. It is when people try to "soften" their theology (for whatever reason) that we run into confusion. Like in the recent event with Romney and the Mormon church trying to distance itself from the fact that it teaches that Jesus and Satan are brothers. Thats just crazy! But, thanks Timothy for your response and honesty!
Blessings,
Jeff
Blessings,
Jeff
New Series!
Just FYI for all the enrouters.... Our new series will be on the pillars of the Reformation. I am thrilled to begin this series. We will start on Sola Scriptura!
Does the Roman Catholic church teach a false Gospel?
Many Roman Catholics in America are trying to appear more and more like Christians. Let me clarify. Since the Gospel is so clear in Scripture, many American Roman Catholic churches are trying to "appear" as close to the Biblical/Reformed view of Justification as possible. Many Roman Catholics will make statements like... "I belive that Jesus died for me" or "I believe that Jesus is the only way to God". But, let's face it. Mormons say that too. So do Jehovah's Witnesses. It is important to define our terms and what exactly we are saying makes someone right with God. Let me start this blog series with a few qoutes from the Roman Catholic church's official teachings on the subject. Here are a few to set up what I'll be saying in the next few posts...
Why did Christ establish the Church?
Christ established the Church as the universal sacrament of salvation.
How is the Church the universal sacrament of salvation?
The Church is the universal sacrament of salvation as the divinely instituted means of conferring grace on all the members of the human family.
What does the Catholic Church believe about the forgiveness of sins?
She believes it is God’s will that no one is forgiven except through the merits of Jesus Christ and that these merits are uniquely channeled through the Church He founded. Consequently, even as the Church is the universal sacrament of salvation, she is also the universal sacrament of reconciliation.
How does the Church communicate the merits of Christ’s mercy to sinners?
The Church communicates the merits of Christ’s mercy to sinners through the Mass and the sacraments and all the prayers and good works of the faithful.
Are the sacraments necessary for salvation?
According to the way God has willed that we be saved the sacraments are necessary for salvation
(John Hardon, The Question and Answer Catholic Catechism (Garden City: Image, 1981), Questions # 401, 402, 461, 462, 1119).
If any one saith that the sacraments of the New Law are not necessary unto salvation...and that without them, or without the desire thereof, men obtain from God, through faith alone, the grace of justification...let him be anathema (The Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent. Found in Philip Schaff, The Creeds of Christendom (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1919), Canon IV, p. 119).
If anyone saith that by faith alone the impious is justified in such wise as to mean that nothing else is required to cooperate in order to obtaining the grace of Justification...let him be anathema...After this Catholic doctrine on justification which whosoever does not faithfully and firmly accept cannot be justified...(The Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent. Found in Philip Schaff, The Creeds of Christendom (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1910), Decree on Justification, Chapter XVI, Canon IX).
Believe me, it gets worse. But, suffice it to say that the Roman Catholic church "officially" denies salvation by grace through faith alone (Romans 3:28). The Roman Catholic church's official view on salvation is nearly "identical" to the false gospel known as the Judaizer heresy found in the book of Galatians. Here is a great chart from William Webster and a neat exchange to illustrate this...
Judaizers
1. Belief in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God
2. Circumcision
3. Become a Jew
4. Sacrificial System
5. Priests
6. High Priests
7. Altars
8. Feast Days
9. Laver of Water
10. Dietary Regulations
11. Candles
12. Incense
13. Shew Bread
14. Keep the Ten Commandments
15. Tradition of the Elders
Roman Catholicism
1. Belief in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God
2. Baptism
3. Become a Roman Catholic
4. Sacrificial System
5. Priests
6. High Priests
7. Altars
8. Feast Days
9. Font of Holy Water
10. Dietary Regulations (Until recently)
11. Candles
12. Incense
13. The Eucharist Wafer
14. Keep the Ten Commandments
15. Tradition of the Church Fathers
Why did Christ establish the Church?
Christ established the Church as the universal sacrament of salvation.
How is the Church the universal sacrament of salvation?
The Church is the universal sacrament of salvation as the divinely instituted means of conferring grace on all the members of the human family.
What does the Catholic Church believe about the forgiveness of sins?
She believes it is God’s will that no one is forgiven except through the merits of Jesus Christ and that these merits are uniquely channeled through the Church He founded. Consequently, even as the Church is the universal sacrament of salvation, she is also the universal sacrament of reconciliation.
How does the Church communicate the merits of Christ’s mercy to sinners?
The Church communicates the merits of Christ’s mercy to sinners through the Mass and the sacraments and all the prayers and good works of the faithful.
Are the sacraments necessary for salvation?
According to the way God has willed that we be saved the sacraments are necessary for salvation
(John Hardon, The Question and Answer Catholic Catechism (Garden City: Image, 1981), Questions # 401, 402, 461, 462, 1119).
If any one saith that the sacraments of the New Law are not necessary unto salvation...and that without them, or without the desire thereof, men obtain from God, through faith alone, the grace of justification...let him be anathema (The Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent. Found in Philip Schaff, The Creeds of Christendom (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1919), Canon IV, p. 119).
If anyone saith that by faith alone the impious is justified in such wise as to mean that nothing else is required to cooperate in order to obtaining the grace of Justification...let him be anathema...After this Catholic doctrine on justification which whosoever does not faithfully and firmly accept cannot be justified...(The Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent. Found in Philip Schaff, The Creeds of Christendom (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1910), Decree on Justification, Chapter XVI, Canon IX).
Believe me, it gets worse. But, suffice it to say that the Roman Catholic church "officially" denies salvation by grace through faith alone (Romans 3:28). The Roman Catholic church's official view on salvation is nearly "identical" to the false gospel known as the Judaizer heresy found in the book of Galatians. Here is a great chart from William Webster and a neat exchange to illustrate this...
Judaizers
1. Belief in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God
2. Circumcision
3. Become a Jew
4. Sacrificial System
5. Priests
6. High Priests
7. Altars
8. Feast Days
9. Laver of Water
10. Dietary Regulations
11. Candles
12. Incense
13. Shew Bread
14. Keep the Ten Commandments
15. Tradition of the Elders
Roman Catholicism
1. Belief in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God
2. Baptism
3. Become a Roman Catholic
4. Sacrificial System
5. Priests
6. High Priests
7. Altars
8. Feast Days
9. Font of Holy Water
10. Dietary Regulations (Until recently)
11. Candles
12. Incense
13. The Eucharist Wafer
14. Keep the Ten Commandments
15. Tradition of the Church Fathers
We're having another baby!!!
Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you know that God has blessed us with another baby! I am so excited! Keep us in prayer... as most of you know, we lost the last two babies (actually the last pregnancy was most likely twins). The doctor said that everything looks great right now. Candi also got to hear the heartbeat. She got an ultrasound today and she saw the baby moving around! Praise the Lord! We trust in His total sovereignty and trust and believe Him for a healthy baby... boy... well at least I hope so :]
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