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NASB | Matthew 15:6 he is not to honor his father or his mother.' And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 15:6 he is not to honor his father or his mother [by helping them with their need].' So by this you have invalidated the word of God [depriving it of force and authority and making it of no effect] for the sake of your tradition [handed down by the elders]. |
Bible Question:
Is Catholic considered cult? As explained in the Bible, we should not worship idols. Catholic region often shows the image of Mary. Besides, they have lots of images such as Saint this Saint that in their churches.... What do you think of that? |
Bible Answer: (My intent is to be objective, please correct me where I am wrong.) Brief History - Simplified 1) Judiaism rejects Christ 2) Judiaism accepts Christ - Christianity Born 3) Christianity rejects Gentile 4) Christianity accepts Gentile - Rome takes over Christianity 5) Christianity suppresses Judiaism - Forms Roman Catholicism 6) Gutenberg invents printing press - Promotes literacy 7) Martin Luther protests - Starts Reformation 8) Christianity branches out - Catholics and Protestants 9) Gospel spreads, industrial revolution, cultural revolution, generation x, and 21st century! -------- Summary: Catholicism focuses on working your way towards saintification. Prostants focuses on salvation on faith alone. They are two different topics. The conflict has been between the power of the state (government) and the power of the church, questioning who has the power to rule. With all the religious persecutions going on, we need learn to keep them separate. (Matthew 22:21) Food for thought, read 1 Peter 2:5, 2:9 Peace, -REW [Footnotes] ------- A) Rome adopts Christianity as national religion - The emperor appoints priest and bishops and uses the church to control people. B) The Bible tells us to be holy, so the appointed Priests tells people to DO good things to be holy. If people fail or sin, they feel bad, and goes to the priest. The priests hears them confess and tells people to DO more things to show repentance. - The priest becomes powerful over time and everyone has to go thru the Church hierarchy, hence power without accountability - corruption, faith without the Word - mysticism. C) Also, the bible was written in Greek and Latin, and literacy is low at that time, so only scholars, and government sponsored individuals gets educated and have access to the bible. (Reason for separation of Church and State) D) Gutenberg invents printing press, and prints lots and lots of bible, plus other books. Literacy improves, and people can read the bible without having to go thru the priest or the pope. E) Somewhere between 4 and 5, emphasis is place on work over faith. Meaning, "if you have faith show me your work." - Jame 2:18 Hence the focus on accomplishments and good deeds and achieving recognition and sainthood ---- for salvation. F) Martin Luther shifts the balance over to faith alone justifies salavation. Hence, Christians without a pope are called Protestants. Nonetheless, Christians (Protestants/Catholics) are both Christ believers. Recognizing that they are sinners and needs Jesus the Son of God to be saved. G) Salvation (sin forgiven) and Santification (becoming holy) is delineated. However, Grace brings both in perspective. |