The Bondage of Religious Deception
[The Bondage
of Religious Deception Proclaiming
the Gospel Ministries]
"Many former Catholics have looked
back on their experience of
participating in the weekly
Sacrifice of the Mass as a "prison
sentence." It was something they
were forced to attend to avoid the
penalty of a mortal sin. Others
remember it as a mindless ritual of
standing, sitting, kneeling and
reciting responses as the priest
performed his religious duties. All
Catholics are obligated by the laws
of their church to attend church
every week: "On Sundays and other
holy days of obligation the faithful
are bound to participate in the
Mass" (Catechism of the Catholic
Church [CCC], para. 2180). With this
law so explicit and demanding, the
question begs an answer: Why is
participation so compulsory for
Catholics? The answers are complex
and controversial.
According to the Catechism, "The
Mass is...the sacrificial memorial
in which the sacrifice of the cross
is perpetuated" (CCC para. 1382).
"The Eucharist is thus a sacrifice
because it re-presents the sacrifice
of the cross....the sacrifice of
Christ and the sacrifice of the
Eucharist are one single sacrifice:
The victim is one and the same. In
this divine sacrifice...the same
Christ who offered himself once in a
bloody manner on the altar of the
cross is contained and is offered in
an unbloody manner" (CCC para.
1366,1367). Catholics express their
faith in the real presence of Jesus
by genuflecting as a sign of
adoration of the Lord.
Read more."
Pro-Gospel.org
Response to comment [from a Christian]: "Intolerance of other peoples beliefs suggest that you entertain secret doubts about your own."
We point out
error (Acts 17:11).
This people draweth nigh unto me
with their mouth, and honoureth me
with their lips; but their heart is
far from me [Matt. 15:7–8].
"...Jesus accused the scribes and
Pharisees of playing at religion.
The religious leaders were eager to
have people go through the ceremony
of washing their hands, but they
ignored the condition of the heart,
which was the important thing to
God. In a very pious way they were
breaking the Mosaic Law.
My friend, we also are pretty good
at rationalizing. Parents say to
their children, “You wash your hands
before you come to the table,” but
they pay no attention to what their
children see on television, which is
the thing that is damaging the
heart. Oh, of course, children
should wash their hands, but what is
on the inside is far more
important." McGee, J. V. (1991).
Thru the Bible commentary: The
Gospels (Matthew 14-28) (electronic
ed., Vol. 35, p. 35). Nashville:
Thomas Nelson.
"The Glorious
Gospel of Jesus Christ...
It is unique - God's only message of
salvation (1 Cor. 15:1-2).
It is eternal - the same unchanging
message for every generation (Rev.
14:6).
It is exclusive - declaring that all
other faiths are false (John 14:6;
Mat. 7:13-14).
It is of grace - those who add
anything to it stand condemned (Gal.
1:6-9).
It is according to Scripture alone -
everything about salvation is fully
contained in the Bible. It is not
according to man's religious
traditions (2 Tim. 3:15, 1 Cor.
15:1-4).
It is about one person - no other
name is given by which we must be
saved (Acts 4:12).
It is about two events - the unique,
historical, unrepeatable, atoning
death of Jesus Christ and His
glorious resurrection from the dead
(1 Cor. 15:1-4).
It is rejected by many - The most
powerful tool Satan uses to blind
people from the light of the Gospel
is religious pride (2 Cor. 4:4).
It must be proclaimed - The Great
Commission is not an option for
Christians. It is an imperative
command that demonstrates our love
for the Savior when it is obeyed."
Pro-Gospel.org
