Roman Catholic Tradition, Its Roots and Evolution by William Webster Part 1-1/8

[AchillesShield]

If Rome is the church Jesus promised to preserve from the gates of hell (Matthew 16:18), why then did Paul warn the church at Rome to take care lest it fall? "You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will then say 'Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.' Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either" (Romans 11:18-21).

[28804ecorrell]

God bless the Roman Catholic church, God's church :)

[28804ecorrell]

Christ himself founded the Catholic faith. What the Catholic church believes, teaches, and professes is rightly so.

[shanana000]

@28804ecorrell no He didn't. Jesus taught and preached on heaven and hell..why did He forget to mention purgatory?...and don't give me a verse about an earthly prison! Jesus is clear on "heaven and hell" It would be cruel to not tell us about prugatory....He didn't forget..it doesn't exist, it's man made. We either put our faith in Christ or we don't..if we do, we have heaven. if we don't, then we have choosen hell. only Christ's blood washes sins away.

[kiwichristian2009]

Cardinal Newman, in his book, "The Development of the Christian Religion," admits that ... "Temples, incense, oil lamps, votive offerings, holy water, holidays and season of devotions, processions, blessing of fields, sacerdotal vestments, the tonsure (of priests and monks and nuns), images ... are ALL of pagan origin..." (Page 359).

[IDH77]

I have William Webster’s book ‘The Church of Rome at the bar of History’.

Highly recommended!

[NotByBreadAlone77]

The only problem now is resolving the fact that the reformers themselves while "restoring the truth" disagreed over this truth from the genesis of the reformation!

That makes absolutely no sense at all to anyone who can think clearly. I am partnering with you to reform another, claiming to hold the truth, while we disagree over truth, so in the end, you have three people in disagreement and no reformation in actuality and also nothing but beliefs which can only be traced to each individual.

[anastasia58able]

As a Catholic, you cannot blame Catholics for doing this, since they were taught by the Jesuits and the Jesuits via the index and other devices, have concealed the truth from them, often with the help of the popes.. They don't know because they can't know, but that does not justify Protestantism, albeit I can certainly understand the protest. But look to the ancient Church to know the Catholic Church, the ancient Councils, the Fathers of the Church. You see its infallibility in antiquity

[kiwichristian2009]

the rcc says that evolution is in line with Christianity and catholics can believe in it. This is CONTRARY to the Bible. the rcc says mary was sinless. this is CONTRARY to the Bible. the rcc says confess your sins to a priest. this is CONTRARY to the Bible. the rcc says mary can save you. this is CONTRARY to the Bible. the rcc says peter was "the rock". this is CONTRARY to the Bible. The rcc murdered MILLIONS of Christians. This is CONTRARY to the Bible.

[kiwichristian2009]

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Matthew 15:3, 6, 7 "Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? [Y]e made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Ye hypocrites.". Galatians 1:8,9 - Anyone who preaches differently from the gospel is accursed.

[AkhilleusWeeps]

Interesting, if I were to embrace protestantism I would feel the same. As if I were embracing a sham, a deceit of the devil to separate, divide, and cause angst among the flock.

You mention here that Catholic apologist misrepresent protestantism, really? With all the different opinions among protestants themselves it could be said protestants misrepresent protestantism when they argue against each other. Baptist vs Pentecostal, Charismatic vs Traditionalist, ALL high and haughty.

[tismychoice]

Protestant churches were founded by MARTIN LUTHER.... NOT CHRIST

[kiwichristian2009]

@tismychoice Wrong.Lutheran churches were founded by Luther. The Roman Catholic Church was not really in effect as an organization in the first couple hundred years of the Christian Church. The Christian church was under persecution and official church gatherings were risky business in the Roman Empire. Catholicism as an organization with a central figure located in Rome did not occur for quite some time, in spite of its false claim they can trace the papacy back to Peter.

[tismychoice]

Is the sinner's prayer in the Bible????? ISNT THAT A PROTESTANT '"TRADITION"!!!!

[thrufaithalone]

@tismychoice -FYI I don't believe in the "sinner's prayer". I also don't believe in denominationalism. Trusting Christ for salvation has nothing to do with denomination. Joining a church, whether it be Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, etc. does NOT make you a Christian any more than being in a garage makes you a car.

[kiwichristian2009]

@thrufaithalone Amen! Christ never preached a religion, but a relationship. Romans 10:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

[59pcorrea]

@kiwichristian2009 - Dear brother: Please look up the roots of the word "religion" Its meaning is relationship. Please, it is very common to fall into the typical error of saying "no religion saves you". Would you say that the "right relationship with God" cannot save you? It is always wise to think before putting something in writing. With all love, please take this as an advice. God bless you!!!

[kiwichristian2009]

@59pcorrea Again, Christ never preached a religion. The only way to heaven is a relationship with Jesus, NOT an organised "religion" which Christ never preached.

[59pcorrea]

@kiwichristian2009

[tismychoice]

Is the sinner's prayer in the Bible????? ISNT THAT A PROTESTANT '"TRADITION"!!!!

[DreamsofMajesty]

scribd (dot) com/nb812

[martlut]

Lets start a the beginning the bible itself came out of Catholic Tradition

[AgApE010]

...In 2 Tim. 3:16-17 Paul states that through the Scriptures the man of God is "artios" (complete) and equipped for every good work. Thus since the Scriptures contain within themselves everything the man of God needs to be complete and equipped for good works, nothing is lacking in them which need to be made whole by the addition of tradition and the interpretations and teachings of the Church Fathers, blessed as they were.

[AgApE010]

ty, it is painfully obvious that you copied and pasted these arguments from elsewhere and thus don't have an understanding of these topics in order to speak on them intellectually from your own mind. Thus I see no point in going through these comments you copied and pasted, whoever they may be from, and answering each one, which although is very easy to do, would be tedious and fruitless since you have no understanding of the topic yourself. But I will answer one thing...

[AgApE010]

As for Sola Fide, this doctrine is taught throughout the Scriptures, but most clearly by Paul. In Ephesians 2:8-9 Paul says we are saved by grace through faith and not of works. Since the Apostle removes works from the equation, only faith is left through which we are saved; thus Sola Fide. This is also seen in Romans 4, Romans 9, 2 Timothy 1:9, and Titus 3:4-5, just to name a few verses.

[AgApE010]

First let's define Sola Scriptura since this term is often misunderstood by Roman Catholics. SS means that Scripture alone is the only infallible, inerrant source from which we get Christian doctrine and beliefs. It does *not* mean that Scripture is our only source by which we do theology,but our only *infallible* source since tradition and Church Fathers often erred and contradicted one another. As Protestants, we search and study tradition and the Fathers, but don't equate them with Scripture.

[AgApE010]

Luther's removal of the book of James, for example, which he called "an epistle of straw", is obviously unbiblical. Protestants don't even begin to argue that Luther was a perfect Christian and theologian; we believe that his life and work was the driving force behind the Reformation, which is when the Church as a whole reformed back to Biblical truth. Again, this is not to say that Luther was correct in everything he said and did.

[AgApE010]

The phrase "she never bore him children until her death" isn't in the Bible and doesn't even make sense grammatically, thus the example, forgive me for saying, is not a good one. "Until" is indeed the English translation of the Greek text of Matthew. The Greek text isn't saying something different from the English text here, so, again, your comment doesn't seem to make sense or answer anything. But thank you for responding.

[Euphobia2]

Have a look at YouTube The Pope & Papal Infallibility but it is all of no consequence. The Modern Scientific Theory of Evolution proves Adam & Eve did not exist so NO 'Original Sin' and no need for redemption!

It makes no difference be it Christianity, Judasim or Islam. No A&E proves the bible is a work of fiction. Put it back on the shelf and enjoy life.

[JohnPaulPatrick]

@Euphobia2 :

That view is exactly what Satan, the enemy of all our souls, would want us to believe. That he succeeds in having us believe we are not accountable to God is obvious.

A key question is Who is Jesus and what did he do? If a myth, then pass. But if He did walk the earth & taught certain things, we should engage on that level. May you and all others truly seeking the truth about God receive it from Him and act on it. May He bless you as He has blessed so many seekers.

[asuzette]

Too much error in catholicism for them to be considered Christian. I wonder how those going into it deal with the many deep errors.

[mysteriumaenigma]

@asuzette - Every Catholic doctrine is 100% consistent with the word of God.

Some insecure Protestants make stupid videos against Catholicism so that they can sooth their jealous and insecure psyches.

[AgApE010]

"Every Catholic doctrine is 100% consistent with the word of God"

What about Rome's Mariology? Rome argues that Mary was continually a virgin and never "knew" Joseph, even after Jesus' birth. This is in contrary to the N.T. which teaches that Jesus had other brothers and sisters (Matt. 12:46, Matt. 13:35 Mark 3:31, Gal. 1:19) and teaches that Joseph didn't know Mary "but kept her a virgin *until* she gave birth to a Son.."

-Matt. 1:25

[NotByBreadAlone77]

@asuzette My question to you would be...what authority do you have to make this claim? If it is non-christian, or possibly even heretical in her beliefs, what role or authority do you, or even any random protestant church have in making the claim? Is it even possible to define a heretic considering each individual has the right to come to whatever conclusion each person desires from the scripture?

The same scripture which depends upon oral tradition, and human tradion to maintain before print

[asuzette]

@NotByBreadAlone77 My question to you is where do you get the idea that 'each individual has the right to come to whatever conclusion each person desires from scripture' God's Word is not to be so meddled with. See the warnings in Scripture about doing so. For example: Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him. Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Proverbs 30:5,6

[NotByBreadAlone77]

@asuzette And you have an infallible knowledge as to exactly what that passage means?

[asuzette]

@NotByBreadAlone77 God's Word is not that difficult to understand. My suggestion to anyone really humble enough to seek the truth is to begin reading it daily and as you stay with it The Lord will impart wisdom from above. His Word is quite wonderful. I read it through every year and never mine the depths completely. The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Psalm 12:6

[NotByBreadAlone77]

@asuzette God's word is not difficult to understand and that is why even the original "reformers" disagreed over basic doctrines? God's word is so simple that there are at least 40,000 differing protestant denominations differing over matters such as abotion, homosexualtiy, gay marriage, the role of women, faith, baptism, works, ect?

Watch my video regarding protestantism and truth...it just might open your eyes if your heart and mind are open to it. I am a former protestant.

[pbaylis1]

Nobody disagrees that the reformation was probably necessary, but just like God never abandoned the Jews on the basis of its many evil kings, Christ doesn't abandon His Church or remove His Holy Spirit from it on the basis of a bad pope. Quite the opposite. Christ said that the gates of hell would not prevail. It has certainly tried to prevail through those dark times, but has indeed not, just as Christ promised. It matters not what you think SHOULD be or how rosily you paint the reformation.

[gerryboy101]

the reformation was necessary in order to fulfill prophecy and leed christians astray. the result is most obvious today with more christian denominations that we can count. with huge chunks removed from thh holy bible. evidence becomes more clear as each day passes on earth because the true church still exists:)

[shanana000]

@pbaylis1 And the rcc still hasn't changed! that's because she isn't the church of Jesus Christ.

[pbaylis1]

@shanana000

Keep trying to convince yourself.

[froberts7]

Which protestant teaching? There are as many protestant sects as there are men and women who read the Bible and then decide that God is speaking to them alone. What hubris! This fellow reads a few books and decides he has all answers. The Roman Catholic Church was founded by Christ while he was on earth. It has faithfully taught the doctrine of Christianity for 2000 years. I think I'll stick with the one true faith, Roman Catholicism.

[johnthreesixteen316]

@froberts7 The true church of Jesus Christ is a relationship, not a membership. It isnt any particular protestant denomination or Roman catholic. It doesn't have a roof or an address. The true church is the Body of Christ, past present and future from all around the world who have accepted Christs work on the cross for our sins 2000 years ago, once and for all. Our names have been written in the Book of Life from the beginning. 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.

[thrufaithalone]

@johnthreesixteen316 I couldn't have said it better myself:)

[shanana000]

@johnthreesixteen316 Amen! and again I say Amen!

[RUSavedByGraceAlone]

Thanks for sharing this video and William Webster's website.  I am currently reading his book, "The Church of Rome at the Bar of History" - A must read!

Soli Deo Gloria!