Scripture Gen 1:28, 9:1,7; 35:11 - from the beginning, the Lord commands us to be fruitful ("fertile") and multiply. A husband and wife fulfill God's plan for marriage in the bringing forth of new life, for God is life itself. Gen. 28:3 - Isaac's prayer over Jacob shows that fertility and … [Read more...]
DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE
Scripture Gen. 2:20-24 - we see that, from the beginning, husband and wife are joined together by God and become one body. A body cannot be dismembered and still live. Mal. 2:16 - God says "I hate divorce." These are strong words from our Lord. Divorce and remarriage violates the sacred marital … [Read more...]
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
Scripture Acts 8:14-17 - the people of Samaria were baptized in Christ, but did not receive the fullness of the Spirit until they were confirmed by the elders. Confirmation is a sacrament that Jesus Christ instituted within His Catholic Church to further strengthen those who have reached … [Read more...]
THE EUCHARIST
Scripture I. Old Testament (a). Foreshadowing of the Eucharistic Sacrifice Gen. 14:18 - this is the first time that the word "priest" is used in Old Testament. Melchizedek is both a priest and a king and he offers a bread and wine sacrifice to God. Psalm 76:2 - Melchizedek is the king of … [Read more...]
SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS OF SINS
Scripture I. Jesus Christ Granted the Apostles His Authority to Forgive Sins John 20:21 - before He grants them the authority to forgive sins, Jesus says to the apostles, "as the Father sent me, so I send you." As Christ was sent by the Father to forgive sins, so Christ sends the apostles and … [Read more...]
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
Scripture I. Born Again in Water Baptism John 1:32 - when Jesus was baptized, He was baptized in the water and the Spirit, which descended upon Him in the form of a dove. The Holy Spirit and water are required for baptism. Also, Jesus’ baptism was not the Christian baptism He later instituted. … [Read more...]
SEPTUAGINT QUOTES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Of the approximately 300 Old Testament quotes in the New Testament, approximately 2/3 of them came from the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) which included the deuterocanonical books that the Protestants later removed. This is additional evidence that Jesus and the apostles … [Read more...]
DEUTEROCANONICAL BOOKS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Scripture Matt. 2:16 - Herod's decree of slaying innocent children was prophesied in Wis. 11:7 - slaying the holy innocents. Matt. 6:19-20 - Jesus' statement about laying up for yourselves treasure in heaven follows Sirach 29:11 - lay up your treasure. Matt.. 7:12 - Jesus' golden rule "do … [Read more...]
ORAL APOSTOLIC TRADITION
Scripture I. The Word of God is Transferred Orally Mark 13:31 - heaven and earth will pass away, but Jesus' Word will not pass away. But Jesus never says anything about His Word being entirely committed to a book. Also, it took 400 years to compile the Bible, and another 1,000 years to invent the … [Read more...]
SCRIPTURE ALONE (“SOLA SCRIPTURA”)
Scripture I. Scripture Alone Disproves "Scripture Alone" Gen. to Rev. - Scripture never says that Scripture is the sole infallible authority for God's Word. Scripture also mandates the use of tradition. This fact alone disproves sola Scriptura. Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15 - those that preached the … [Read more...]