JACQUES GAUVIN, RELIGION

Catholicism Is Not Christianity

I intend to show some basic or fundamental differences between Catholicism and Christianity in this article. I do believe that most Catholics are not even aware that the two are not synonymous. If the two have different beliefs and different practices then they are different and have different heads. If they have different fundamental practices, then either they are both false or one is false and one is true, they cannot both be true. If one follows the teachings of the Bible then it is true to the Bible. If one does not follow the teachings of the Bible then it is a fake. Christianity is learned from the Bible and from teachers of the Bible, that is how it has been preserved throughout the centuries. If neither Catholicism nor Christianity follow the teachings of the Bible then both are false. If both follow the teachings of the Bible then they should observe the very same things.

It is essential that you believe that the true God is the author of the Bible. The way to learn this is to prove it for yourself, you can start by reading it. It is essential that you believe the Bible. Since there is only one God then there is only one Head of the church. Any other head is false or a false god, fake god, imaginary god, fabricated god or man made god, not the true God. If you do not believe that the Bible is the word of God then this discussion may stimulate some interest or curiosity in you and get you started on a path of knowledge. Without the Bible we are truly lost as far as having an insight into God's relationship with man here on earth. Jesus is our only link with God and he taught from the whole Bible as it was in His day, that was the Old Testament. His apostles wrote the New Testament, for our benefit. Had it been meant for the knowledge of the Kingdom of God to be preached by word of mouth alone then the apostles would not have written anything. If you can't believe Jesus or the apostles then Christianity is not within your grasp. The only name by which salvation is possible is Jesus. He is also know as Yashua, Yahashua, Joshua, Johashua, Jehovah, Yaweh (YHVH) and others.

God does not lie (Titus 1:2). He does what he says and he says what he does. He does whatever pleases him and whatever he chooses to do. If God were evil we would be without hope. But God is good and we here in Canada have witnessed his goodness for many generations. It has been a long time since we have had war on our soil. Very few go hungry here. We are well clothed and well sheltered with few exceptions. We are in need of so little physically that some forget God, very irrational. Those who keep God in their hearts and minds can believe the Bible and that it is a gift from God.

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you - unless, of course, you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (KJV)

The following is recent correspondence that I had with a practicing Roman Catholic and my response to it. I think it typifies Catholic thinking.

You said ^About Catholicism and Christianity, Roman Catholicism is the mother of the Protestant movement.^

I do believe you are right. Here is a passage from the Bible that verifies that point. It is talking about a religious system that epitomizes the Roman Catholic Church.

And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: ^Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations.^ 6And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. Revelation 17:5-6 (ESV)

The mother is the Roman Catholic Church and the prostitutes are the protestant churches.

You Stated ^Catholics are christian because they are believers in Christ as the incarnate God who died for our sins. Incarnate means God came to earth in human or fleshly form.^

I do believe that Jesus died for my sins also but that is not what make me a Christian. Even Satan believes that Jesus is the son of God and our savior, that does not make Satan a Christian. Satan is as anti-Christian as is possible. I can believe that Confucius was a great leader of the Chinese but that does not make me Chinese. To be a Christian you have to live the life of a believer and follower. You have to let Jesus live in you as your Lord.

You stated ^After all He is a spirit.^

I believe that Jesus gave up His spiritual role in a sense or to a degree when He became human. He was then given it back in full when He was resurrected.

You stated ^Only those who don't believe that Christ is the son of God are not Christians.^

As I alluded to above, there are many who know that Jesus is the son of God but are not Christian. In other words they do not want to follow Him and they won t. Some protest greatly.

You stated ^There is greater tolerance Protestant and Catholic, one for the other. Catholics used to think that Protestants were going to hell and then protestants started to protest that catholics were going to hell. We need to focus individually on God, to start developing a relationship with Him, and start asking Him what He thinks of us.^

I am neither Catholic nor Protestant. Tolerance is a good thing I think but love is better. Love is much more diverse and far reaching. The scriptures teach that we should each one individually work out his own salvation in fear and trembling. The way to develop a relationship with God is as taught in the Holy Scriptures and by His true ministers. They do tell us what God thinks of us and what we need to do to change.

That was it for the correspondence. I tried to make as much sense of it as I could without compromising my beliefs and understanding.

Be aware of Jesus statements in Matthew 7:21-23
Not everyone who says to Me, ^Lord, Lord,^ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. 22 ^Many will say to Me on that day, ^Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?^ 23 ^And then I will declare to them, ^I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.^ (NASB)

The differences between Catholicism and Christianity could fill volumes. I intend to be brief. To summarize and emphasize:

Catholics observe Sunday but Christians keep the Sabbath holy.

Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Exodus 20:8 (NKJV)

as was His custom, He (Jesus) entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. Luke 4:16 (NASB)

Catholics have mass but Christians have sermons.

There are many examples in the scriptures of Jesus speaking, reading and giving instruction to the people but there are no examples of masses.

Catholics chant but Christians sing. This is a personal observation.

Catholic churches are filed with idols but Christian meeting places are not.

Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God. Exodus 26:1 (KJV)

And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? 2 Corinthians 6:16 (KJV)

Catholics pray with much repetition and often with a rosary but Christians do not.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Matthew 6:7 (KJV)

Catholics confess to their priests but Christians confess to each other.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. James 5:16 (NASB)

Catholics rely on the clergy for their knowledge and salvation but Christians work out their own salvation with fear and trembling.

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Phillipians 2:12 (KJV)

Catholics observe Christmas, Easter and Pentecost but Christians observe Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, the Feast of Temporary Dwellings and the Last Great Day. See booklet called God's Holy Day Plan by United Church Of God. (http://www.ucg.org/booklets/index.htm)

Catholics make saints of dead people but Christians are living saints.

Here is the patience of the saints, they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Revelation14:11 (ASV)

Catholics believe they go to heaven when they die but Christians go to the grave when they die and rest in peace until the return of Christ and the resurrection.

For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even the memory of them is forgotten. Ecclesiastes 9:5 (NIV)

But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, 32I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Matthew 22:31-32 (ASV)

Catholics are full of false hope but Christians fear God.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. Psalm 111:10 (KJV)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 (KJV)

Catholics do not read or believe the Bible but Christians do.

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Proverbs 30:5 (KJV)

It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4 (KJV)

Catholics do not take the Bible to heart but Christians learn to.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)

Catholics trust in their priests, bishops, archbishops and Popes but Christians trust in the Lord.

Trust in the LORD, and do good Psalm 37:3 (KJV)

For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 1 Timothy 4:10 (KJV)

Catholicism is a Roman religion with roots in Babylon but Christianity is a Jewish religion. Jesus, the apostles and most of the first century Christians were Jews. Perhaps if the French and English knew that they were descendants of Israel, the father of the Jews, they would have more respect for true Christianity and would have a more positive influence on the rest of mankind.

Catholics think that the truth is of little value and are often insistent on this point, pardon my experiences. Christians adhere to every word of God.

What are Christian works? They are learning God's ways, which come easier and quicker to some than others, and doing or applying what you learn, like you would any discipline. Discipline and disciple have the same root. Some is outgoing practice, such as obeying the commandments, and much is straightening out your thoughts, attitudes and beliefs. Outwardly you must live a righteous life. To a casual observer it might seem that most people do. Inwardly you must love living by God's commandments and guidance. Jesus simplified the commandments down to two, love God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind and love your neighbour as yourself. (See Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 22:37-39) If you love chemistry hopefully you don't just do drugs, you study how things are made and interact at a molecular level and try to solve problems on a molecular level. The more you learn the more you can apply your knowledge. The same goes for many disciplines including Christianity. Bad chemistry abounds because other things like economics take precedence. Bad religion also abounds because of man's egos and notably Satan's. People want superior status and influence. They want to control others rather than be students and disciples of Jesus. This is prevalent in Catholicism, I'm thinking primarily of the clergy, and many religious organizations. Christianity teaches to consider others better than yourself.

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:1-8 (ESV)

The purpose of this article is not to put down Catholics, it is an effort to call them out of confusion, to lead then away from blind guides and to set them free. 'And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.' Revelation 18:4 (KJV). This calling is part of the message to the world of the coming Kingdom of God. Everyone should be free to work out their own salvation. Free to take life, learning, bettering yourself, growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ and His teachings seriously. Freedom to get personally and whole heartedly involved in something worthwhile and fulfilling, something that leads to life, everlasting and indestructible life. The way without Christ and His lessons leads to death.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)

Jesus answered, ^I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (NIV)

How do you show love for your Teacher, God? By learning and applying what He teaches. You love your leader by being a good follower, a good student, a good disciple. If you treat the Bible as anything but the word of God you are being disrespectful of Him. If you believe that the Bible is the word of God you should do what it teaches and commands, not what men command.

When Catholics try to read the Bible they are often bewildered because it doesn't bear resemblance to their religion. They often can't understand it and, regrettably, it becomes of no use to them.

Catholics by and large do not read the Holy Scriptures. They are as a group spiritually and Biblically illiterate, they do not know the truth. This is nothing new, Catholics were not permitted to read the Bible before 1911. Since then they have not been encouraged to read it. Their blinders are the Papacy and the clergy. They are being lead into the Holy Sea, so to speak, and will all drown in it if they don't wake up.

And this, knowing the season, that already it is time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvation nearer to us than when we first believed. Romans 13:11 (ASV)

2007 Jacques Gauvin

Search for related topics. * United Church Of God - UCG - ucg.org