The problem with Catholicism is that there is nothing about it that resembles biblical Christianity at all. The Catholic Church has unfortunately deviated from God’s word, instead choosing to follow the traditions of men that have been passed down through the ages, all of which do not have any biblical support. When we trust what others say (no matter who they are), we open ourselves up to deception and people who are deceived often don't realize it, which is why we have the bible to look to as the authority in all things, that we may test everything against it. Afterall, the bible is God's word. God warned us of deception
(Matthew 24:4 and 1 John 4:1). Some leaders out there are also deceived. They are what the bible describes as the blind leading the blind
(Matthew 15:14).
We must always seek out the answers in God’s word. Why not go right to the source? Read His word and pray to Him. Ask Him to reveal the truth to you. He never fails and will never turn anyone away. He wants us to seek and promises that if we do so then we will find the truth.
Matthew 7:7-8: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened”. And,
John 8:32: “…the truth shall set you free”. When we trust in another person to give it to us we will never find the truth.
Your points...
1. Sola Fide
The major difference between Catholicism and biblical Christianity is the topic of salvation. Catholics believe in faith + works to be saved, whereas the bible tells us it’s by faith alone. It is the grace of God, a gift from Him, not by anything we can do ourselves. We have filthy rags and are unworthy sinners. Why would God accept anything from us?
Grace is the gift and faith is the channel with which we receive it.
I think the problem is that many can’t accept the simplicity of it.
As for faith + works, it may seem like Paul and James disagree, but if you read closely it's very clear that they are saying the same thing, that works come after salvation, they are the fruit of salvation, they don't play a part in salvation, they come afterwards, prepared in advance for us by God. If someone does not bear this fruit then they're not really saved, as a saved person will produce works of the Holy Spirit)
James 2:26 – “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also"
James 2:17-19 – “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works”. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well”
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them”
2. Sola Scriptura
The Bible is complete, authoritative and true.
2 Timothy 3:16: “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness”
The Catholic church has made it's own traditions superior in authority to the bible. A lot of these traditions stand in opposition to the bible. The bible does not allow for traditions that contradict it's message. Scripture is true and everything should be compared to scripture.
3. Infant Baptism
Water baptism does not save anyone. It comes after salvation. It's an outward way of showing what's already happened inwardly, it's a testimony of our belief and a symbol of our relationship with Christ.
A baby does not yet understand these things, so baptism achieves nothing.
My family are all Catholics, including my husband and some of our friends. Only me and my immediate family are born again. My cousin's husband is an alter boy. As soon as their first child was born they were stressed about ensuring he got baptized immediately, as they said they were worried if anything happened to him he would go to hell. This shocked me. I personally do not believe God would send little babies to hell. Yes, we all inherited sin from Adam & Eve, but a baby cannot discern between it's left and right hand. God is a fair judge.
Infant baptism deceives many into thinking they are going to heaven so long as they do this ritual. This isn't what the bible teaches.
Actions do speak louder than words. Catholics claim to believe in the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice on the cross for all sins, but their actions say they don't and God knows it. These actions are all the things they cling to for salvation, things that God says cannot save us, as it's not of ourselves.
Imagine a set of monkey bars hanging high above hell. You are hanging onto the bars. God is standing in the middle between you and hell. Now, the monkey bars are the things you hold onto and have trust in, like penance, traditions, etc, etc. Now, if you let go of those monkey bars, would you TRUST that God would save you? Or would you rather cling to the monkey bars with no trust for God? - afterall, God says numerous times to have sole trust in him and nothing/no one else. After you die he will not catch you, as it'll be too late then.
Here is the Gospel explained very well! (NB: very graphic pictures used from 6:55-7:11)..........................
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdDzhT0MSc4[/video]
