In 1994, a significant event was marked by the signing of the Evangelicals and Catholics Together (ECT) agreement. At its core, evangelicalism is characterized by a profound commitment to the gospel of Christ as it is articulated in Scripture.
How can those who adhere to God's commandments and live according to His Word unite with those who compromise that very truth?
Consider the actions of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC), which has altered fundamental aspects of Christian practice, such as the observance of the Sabbath and the veneration of saints and relics.
When the gospel says:
"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy" Exodus 20:8
The RCC changed it from Saturday to Sunday
"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them......" Exodus 20:4-5
They worship/venerate (same meaning) saints, particularly the queen of heaven (Not Mary)
The Apostle John succinctly reminds us,
"He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar" 1 John 2:4
If we reflect on John's words, we are compelled to question how those who manipulate divine commandments can claim the authority of the "mother church."This church, which has modified the Gospel by altering the commandments and adhering to its own traditions, embodies a profound contradiction. Its actions not only diverge from the original message of Scripture but also raise serious questions about the authenticity of its teachings and authority. The very essence of the message of Jesus is one of truth and integrity, yet the actions of those in leadership positions seem to diverge from this fundamental principle.
How can an institution that distorts or adds to the Gospel legitimately claim to be the foundation of true faith?
The Apostle Paul warned against adding to the Gospel, stating that doing so results in a perversion of the faith.
Galatians 1:8-9
"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
How can individuals who are sanctified by the Spirit of truth, collaborate with those who rely on works toward achieving salvation? This notion echoes the very deception that led to humanity's fall; it was Satan who tempted Eve with the idea that she could become like God through self effort.
The gospel however says
"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" John 17:17
Interestingly, this theme of self-effort resonates not only within Catholicism but also within Eastern philosophies like Buddhism, which similarly promotes the idea of achieving enlightenment through personal effort. It prompts a sobering reflection:
could religion, in its various forms, be one of Satan’s most potent tools?
As true Christians, we are justified by God’s grace through faith in Christ, which distinguishes our relationship with the divine, from mere religious observance. We don’t follow a set of rituals or doctrines; we have a living faith in Jesus Christ, who is our Savior. Our beliefs and practices are rooted in a personal relationship with Him, rather than an adherence to tradition or man-made structures.
Christ did not come to establish a religion; He came so that we might have faith in Him. It’s essential to recognize that the Holy Spirit cannot work effectively through us if we cling to the belief that our self-efforts can earn us salvation. The truth is that only Christ can save us—no priest or member of the clergy holds that power.
We were bought at a price; as Scripture reminds us,
"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s" 1 Corinthians 6:20
The signing of the ECT marked a significant shift toward uniting church and state, reminiscent of the days of the pagan emperor Constantine. Constantine was not only astute but also wicked; his legacy includes the execution of his wife and son, hardly a testament to holiness. Faced with the undeniable resilience of Christianity after centuries of persecution, he sought to merge it with his satanic pagan beliefs. His title, Pontifex Maximus, a title still claimed by the pope today as his handle on X, highlights this union.
Through this blend of Christianity and paganism, the church amassed enormous wealth, often through unscrupulous means, including the sale of salvation—each sin bearing a price tag. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus warns us against storing treasures on earth, yet this very practice has been central to a corrupt system that thrives on greed.
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Furthermore, how can individuals from noble families claim to be the successors of humble fishermen? Even the Apostle Peter made it clear in his letters that Christ is the cornerstone of the church, not himself. The distortion of true Christianity stemming from Constantine's era continues to echo through the wealth of the Vatican today.
What kind of holy individuals resort to murder or cast curses—acts of witchcraft—against those who refuse to submit to their authority? This is nothing less than greed, self-righteousness, and an inflated sense of human authority. We see a similar blindness among ancient Israel's religious leaders, who were also led astray by pride and avarice. Their hearts were filled with hatred towards the very one who challenged their traditions. They despised Jesus because His teachings threatened to dismantle their lucrative business.
In this context, Rome can be seen as the embodiment of the warnings in
2 Corinthians 4:4
"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."
and this is precisely the path followed by the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) and many other pagan religions. If you were to ask individuals within these faiths how they plan to enter heaven, the overwhelming majority would cite some form of works rather than faith in Christ. This reflects a long-standing deception rooted in ancient mysteries that trace back to Babylon, which aimed to elevate humanity to godhood. Yet, in reality, those who pursue this path face eternal damnation unless they genuinely repent.
The gospel message is clear and does not mention sacraments as a means to salvation. In fact, it warns that if anyone adds to the gospel, they have distorted it entirely(Galatians 1:8-9)
This begs the question: how can the RCC claim any authority when Peter was never the first pope, nor did he transfer any authority to them?
1 Peter 2:6-7
"Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner."
One would expect that individuals who elevate themselves to such high positions would possess a profound understanding of God's Word. Yet, Scripture makes it abundantly clear that our salvation is not through works but through faith—
Titus 3:5
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."
tells us that it's not by our own righteousness, while
Romans 4:5
"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."
affirms that faith alone is credited as righteousness.
Moreover, John 3:16
"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."
underscores the importance of believing in Christ for eternal life.
Unfortunately, Catholics often find themselves trapped in religious bondage, perpetuated by those who adhere to a distorted version of Christianity—the very version that Constantine created by merging Christ's teachings with satanic pagan practices.
How, then, can the RCC consider itself the mother church when it stands condemned by God himself for distorting His Word and breaking His commandments? The historical roots of this system cannot be ignored, as they have led countless souls away from the liberating truth of the gospel.
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