Other Issues Scripture Concerns

Peter & The Papacy

Peter, the first Pope, is named 195 times in the New Testament — more than all the other Apostles combined. 

1. Mt 16:18-19 The keys were not given to the group collectively but Peter specifically, the powers however seem to be universal among the Apostles

2. Lk 22:32 — Peter’s faith will strengthen his brethren 

3. Lk 24:34 — Peter is first apostle to see resurrected Christ 

4. Jn 21:17 — Peter is Christ’s chief shepherd who “feeds the sheep” 

5. Mk 16:7 — angel sent to announce resurrection to Peter 

6. Acts 1:13-26 — Peter oversees election of Matthias 

7. Acts 2:14 — Peter preaches first apostolic sermon 

8. Acts 3:6-7 — Peter performs first apostolic miracle 

9. Acts 8:21 — Peter excommunicates first heretic 

10. Acts 10:44-46 — Peter baptizes first Gentile 

11. Acts 15:7 — Peter presides over first apostolic council 

12. Acts 15:19 — Peter pronounces first apostolic dogma 

13. Gal 1:18 — Paul visits Peter after his conversion 

The Church Fathers

1. Apostolic Succession

2. Authority of the Pope

3. Origins of Peter as Pope

4. Peter's Primacy

5. Papal Successor

Original Sin & Justification

Original Sin, A Transmitted Corruption

1. Gen 2:16-17 — the day you eat... you shall die (spiritual death) 

2. Gen 3:11-19 - God’s punishment for eating of tree 

3. Ps 51:5 — in sin my mother conceived me 

4. Rom 5:12-19 — many became sinners through one man’s sin 

5. 1 Cor 15:21-23 — by man came death; in Adam all die 

Conversion requires the Purification Justification Provides

1. 1 Jn 1:7, 2 Pet 1:9 - purified from sins 

2. Jn 1:29, Heb 9:26-28 - takes away sin 

3. Ps 50:3, Ps 102:12, Is 43:25 - blot out, clear away sin 

4. Rom 2:13, Rom 3:20 - future justification 

5.  Justifications of Abraham 

   1. Heb 11:8-Gen 12:1-4

   2. Rom 4:2-3-Gen 15:6

   3. Jas 2:21-23-Gen 22:1-18

6. Jas 2:24 “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” 

7. 2 Pet 1:4 - become partakers of the divine nature 

Purgatory & Prayers for the Dead

Magisterium

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

1. 1030 All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.

2. 1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:

   1. As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.

3. 1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin."From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God. The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead:

   1. Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.

Reasoning

1. It is clear from Scripture that Heaven is a place for perfect individuals and yet He is merciful.

2. If God is merciful, He would provide a last chance opportunity for becoming perfect for those how apart from being imperfect are on their way to Heaven.

3. The Catholic Church claims He is merciful and does allow this opportunity. It does not have to be pleasant to be merciful, since its end is Heaven.

Scriptural Backing

View all Verses

1. Mt 5:48 - be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect 

2. Heb 12:14 - strive for that holiness w/o which cannot see God 

3. Jam 3:2 - we all fall short in many respects 

4. Rev 21:27 - nothing unclean shall enter heaven 

5. 1 Jn 5:16-17 - degrees of sins distinguished 

6. Jam 1:14-15 - when sin reaches maturity gives birth to death 

7. 2 Sam 12:13-14 - David, though forgiven, still punished for sin 

8. Mt 5:26 - you will not be released until paid last penny 

9. Mt 12:32 - sin against Holy Spirit unforgiven in this age or next 

10. Mt 12:36 - account for every idle word on judgment day 

11. 2 Macc 12:44-46 - atoned for dead to free them from sin 

12. 1 Cor 3:15 - suffer loss, but saved as through fire 

13. 1 Pet 3:18-20; 4:6 - Jesus preached to the spirits in prison 

14. 2 Tim 1;16-18 - Paul prays for dead friend Onesiphorus 

15. 1 Cor 15:29-30 - Paul mentions people baptizing for the dead 

16. Col 1:24 - Completing the sacrifice of Christ requires our own sufferings

Church Father

Click here to read 

Sacraments as Instituted by Christ

1. Baptism of New Birth (View all passages on Baptism)

   1. Mt 28:19 - Direct command to Baptize and to do it with the Trinitarian invocation.

   2. Jn 3:5 - Some Christians will talk about being born again, but Christ defines exactly what that means incorporating both "water and Spirit"

   3. Acts 2:37-38 - Peter claims the whole crowd ought to be Baptized

   4. Acts 22:16 - Baptism is done in haste here

   5. Rom 6:4-46 - death and new life is seen here as well. sanctification  and freedom from sin are key elements mentioned

   6. 1 Cor 6:11 - similar to number 5

   7. Titus 3:5 –water and rebirth in the Holy Spirit is mentioned

   8. 1 Pet 3:21 - Baptism is mentioned to be prefigured

   9. Heb 10:22 - Body washed and heart cleansed

   10. Infant Baptism

       1. Acts 2:38-39 - “Repent and be baptized... this promise is for you and your children.” 

       2. Acts 16:15, 16:33, 18:8; 1 Cor 1:16 - household baptisms suggest baptism of children 

   11. For a very thorough study of both Scripture and Tradition click here

   12. Church Fathers on:

       1. Baptismal Grace

       2. Necessity of Baptism

       3. Infant Baptism

2. Confirmation - a strengthening of the Holy Spirit's role in one's life (not choosing one's faith for oneself as in some denominations) - Acts 8:14-17; Heb 6:2

   1. Read a Posts

   2. Church Fathers on Confirmation

   3. The Catechism of the Catholic Church

3. Eucharist - Mt 26:26-29

   1. Mt 26:26-27; Mk 14:22,24; Lk 22:19-20; 1 Cor 10:24-25 — “This is my Body... This is my Blood.” 

   2. 1 Cor 5:7 — “Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us, therefore let us keep the feast” (1.e. the Eucharist) 

   3. 1 Cor 10:16 — eating Eucharist is participation or communion with the Body and Blood of Christ. 

   4. 1 Cor 11:26-30 — unworthy eating is sinning against the Body and Blood of Christ 

   5. Jn 6:52-58 - you must eat the Body and Blood of Jesus 

   6. Ps 27:1-2; Is 9:18-20; Is 49:26; Mic 3:3; Rev 17:6,16 — shows that symbolic interpretation of Jn 6 inappropriate. 

   7. Gen 14:18; Ps 110:4; Heb 7:1-17 - Christ is a priest like Melchizedek, offering bread and wine. 

   8. Acts 2:42 — “breaking of bread” refers to Eucharist. 

   9. Church Fathers on the Sacrifice of the Mass

   10. Church Fathers on The Real Presence

   11. The Catechism of the Catholic Church

   12. Biblical Backing for the Liturgy Itself

4. Penance - John 20:21-23

   1. Jn 20:22-23 - “if you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven.” 

   2. Mt 18:18 - binding on earth and heaven 

   3. 2 Cor 5:18 - the Apostles possess the “ministry of reconciliation.” 

   4. Jas 5:14-16 - speaks about the forgiveness of sins, anointing of the sick, confession 

   5. Church Fathers on Confession

   6. The Catechism of the Catholic Church

   7. Our Resources on the Sacrament

5. Anointing of Sick - Mk 6:13, James 5:14-15

   1. The Catechism of the Catholic Church

   2. Church Fathers

6. Holy Orders & the Priesthood (View all verses in order)

   1. Acts 6:3-6 - men dedicated to the word chosen from among the people

   2. Qualification of Deacons and Bishops are laid out

      1. 1 Tim. 3:1

      2. 1 Tim. 3:8-9

   3. Speaking of Ordination

      1. 1 Tim. 4:14-16

      2. 1 Tim. 5:17-19-22

   4. Apostolic Succession - Acts 1:15-26; 2 Tim 2:2; Tit 1:5

   5. Priests Ordained to Preach - Acts 15:6,23; 1 Tim 4:14, 5:22; 1 Tim 5:17; Jas 5:13-15

   6. Ministers called Father - Lk 16:24; Rom 4; 1 Cor 4:14-15; Acts 7:2; 1 Thes 2:11; 1 Jn 2:13-14

   7. Indelible Mark on the Soul - Gen 14:18; Ps 110:4; Heb 7:1-17

   8. Read a Posts

   9. The Catechism of the Catholic Church

7. Holy Matrimony - Mt 19:10-11; Eph 5:31-32

   1. The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Relics

1. 2 Kgs 13:20-21 - Elisha’s bones give life to a dead man (1st class relic) 

2. Mt 9:20-22 - Jesus’ garment cures a woman (2"* class relic) 

3. Acts 19:11,12 - handkerchiefs and aprons touch to Paul’s body heal the sick (3" class relic) 

4. Acts 5:15-16 - Peter’s shadow thought to heal the sick 

Moral Issues Every Generation seems to Struggle With

Abortion

Life begins at conception 

1. Job 31:15 God made you in the womb... formed us in our mothers 

2. Ps 22:9-10 “from my mother’s womb you have been my God” 

3. Ps 139:13-16 “you knit me together in my mother’s womb... your eyes saw my unformed body” 

4. Is 44:2; Is 49:5 the Lord formed you in the womb 

5. Is 46:3-4 “I have upheld you since you were conceived” 

6. Jer 1:4-5 “before you were born I set you apart” 

7. Lk 1:41 “the baby leapt in her womb” 

8. Read the Church Fathers

We should be involved in pro-life causes 

1. Ex 20:13 Thou shalt not murder 

2. Ps 82:3-4 defend the weak and fatherless 

3. Prov 24:11-12 rescue those being led away to death 

Read the Catechism

Contraception

1. Human fertility is a blessing 

1. Gen 1:27-28 — be fruitful and multiply 

2. Ex 23:25-26; Deut 7:13-14 — fertility declared a covenantal blessing 

3. Ps 127:3-5 — children are a gift from God... blessed is a quiver full 

4. Hos 9:10-17 — Israel punished with childlessness 

5. 1 Tim 2:11-15 — women saved through childbearing 

6. Lev 21:20 - crushed testicles called defect/blemish 

7. Deut 23:1 — castrated men banned from OT worship 

2. Withholding self and seed is unnatural and sinful 

1. Gen 38:9-10 — Onan "killed by God" for spilling his semen on the ground 

2. Acts 5:1-11 — Ananias/Saphira slain for withholding part of their gift 

3. The OT punishes sterile sex with death 

1. Lev 20:13 — death sentence for man with man (sterile sex) 

2. Lev 20:15 — death sentence for man with animal (sterile sex) 

3. Lev 20:16 — death sentence for woman with animals (sterile sex) 

4. Read the Church Fathers

5. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Both Sexuality and Contraception)

Homosexual Acts

1. Gen 1:27 — God made them male and female 

2. Gen 19 — the homosexual sinners of Sodom destroyed 

3. Lev 18:22 — homosexual acts called “abomination” 

4. Lev 20:13 — death penalty for people who commit homosexual acts

5. Rom 1:27 — called unnatural, shameful, and a perversity 

6. 1 Cor 6:9 — People who commit homosexual acts will not inherit the kingdom of God 

7. 1 Tim 1:9-10 — People who commit homosexual acts called “sinners” 

8. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Both Sexuality and Contraception)

9. Read the Church Fathers

The One Church

1. Jn 10:16 — one sheepfold and one shepherd 

2. Jn 17:17-23 — Jesus prays that his disciples might be one as He and the Father are one 

3. Rom 12:4-5 — though many, we are one body in Christ 

4. Rom 16:17 — avoid those who cause schism 

5. 1 Cor 1:10 — there should be no divisions among you 

6. Eph 4:3-6 — one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, on faith, one baptism, one God & Father 

7. Col 3:15 — called in one body 

Hell's Existence

1. Is 33:11-14 everlasting flames 

2. Mt 25:41 depart, you accursed, into the eternal fire 

3. Mt 25:46 these will go off to eternal punishment 

4. Lk 3:16-17 the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire 

5. 2 Thes 1:6-9 these will pay the penalty of eternal ruin 

6. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Para. 1033-1037)

Health and Wealth Gospel

Not always but often, following Christ requires everything you got. Even when wealth is not given up it is still surrendered to God's will, for His purposes.

1. Mt 10:38 - no “take cross and follow me” = not worthy of me 

2. Rm 8;16-17 - heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him 

3. Rm 8:18 - present suffering nothing compared w/ future glory 

4. Phil 1:28-29 - granted to believe, also to suffer for him 

5. Col 1:24 - filling up what is lacking in Christ sufferings 

6. Heb 12:5-7 - whom God loves, he disciplines.as sons 

7. Heb 12:11 - discipline seems painful, but brings righteousness 

8. 1 Pet 1:6 - for awhile you must suffer various trials 

9. 1 Pet 2:19-21 - suffering=grace; Jesus suffered as our example 

Statues and Icons

It is first worth noting that the "worship" or "prayer" to statues or Icons is to misunderstand the concept of analogy. These statues and/or icons may be images of whom they signify but they are not the persons themselves. Most of the corresponding accusations arise to do the "prayer" to saints covered on the last page. However, against Iconoclasm one may cite the following verses and the fact Jesus Himself made Himself an Icon by taking on Flesh.

1. Ex 25:18-22, 26:1, 31; Num 21:8-9 - God commands sacred images to be made 

2. 1 Kgs 6:23-29, 35, 7:29 - Solomon’s Temple contained both statues and images 

When are the End Times?

1. Mt 24:44 - be prepared, Jesus coming at unexpected hour 

2. Mt 25:13 - stay awake, you know neither the day nor hour 

3. Mk 13:35-37 - watch, unknown when lord of house coming 

4. Lk 12:46 - master will come at unexpected day and hour 

5. 1 Thess 5:2-3 - day of Lord will come like thief in night 

6. 2 Pet 3:9-10 - day of Lord will come like a thief 

7. Rev 3:3 - if not watchful, will come like a thief 

8. Mt 24:36 - no one but Father alone knows day and hou

Celibacy

God is the spouse of our nature, those Who serve His children, should imitate Him in sexuality. 

1. Eph 5:21-33 - marriage is good: holy symbol of Christ & church 

2. Mt 19:12 - celibacy praised by Jesus, who was celibate 

3. Jer 16:1-4 - Jeremiah told not to take wife & have children 

4. 1 Cor 7:8 - St. Paul was celibate 

5. 1 Cor 7:32-35 - celibacy recommended for full-time ministers 

6. 2 Tim 2:3-4 - no soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits 

7. 1 Tim 5:9-12 - pledge of celibacy taken by older widows 

Call no Man Father?

Every parent is an image of the provident and loveing God, especially Fathers.

1. Acts 7:2 - St. Stephen calls Jewish leaders “fathers” 

2. Acts 21:40, 22:1 - St. Paul calls Jerusalem Jews “fathers” 

3. Rom 4:16-17 - Abraham called “the father of us all” 

4. 1 Cor 4:14-15 - I became your father in Christ thru gospel 

5. 1 Tim 1:2 - my true child in the faith 

6. Tit 1:4 - my true child in our common faith 

7. Heb 12:7-9 - we have earthly fathers to discipline us 

8. Lk 14:26 - if anyone comes to me w/o hating his father ... 

9. 1 Thess 2:11 - we treated you as a father treats his children 

10. Philem 10 - whose father 1 became in my imprisonment 

11. 1 Jn 2:13, 14 - I write to you, fathers, because you know him 

Praying to Saints is Not Necromancy

Every parent is an image of the provident and loveing God, especially Fathers.

1. Mk 12:26-27 - he is God of the living, not of the dead 

2. Mk 9:4 - Jesus seen conversing with Elijah and Moses 

3. Lk 23:43 - this day you will be with me in paradise 

4. Rev 6;9-11 - martyrs under altar want earthly vindication 

5. Heb 12:1 - we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses 

6. Lk 16:19-30:- departed rich man intercedes for brothers 

7. Rev 20:4 - saw the souls of those who had been beheaded 

8. Wis 3:1-6 - the souls of the just are in the hand of God

9. Death does not hinder, CHirst, then neither His body the Church

Alcohol

CCC 2290 The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others' safety on the road, at sea, or in the air.

Read this Post on this Particular Subject

Read this Post on Temperance

Read this Post on a way of Determining Intemperance

Divorce

1. Mal 2:14-16 - for I hate divorce, says the Lord 

2. Mt 5:32-33 - to divorce or marry divorced wife is adultery 

3. Mt 19:4-6, 9 - to divorce wife and remarry is adultery 

4. Mk 10:11-12 - if either divorces and remarries=adultery 

5. Lk 16;18 - to divorce & remarry or marry divorced=adultery 

6. Rom 7:2-3 -wife consorts=adulteress if living, but not if dead

7. Church Fathers

8. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church