In this study we will look at what the Roman Catholic Church teaches from their own canon in contrast to what the word of God teaches.
Having spoken with hundreds of Catholics over the years it never ceases to amaze me when they say something like… “well that’s what the church teaches (the RCC) but that is not what I believe”.
If you are a follower or member of the Roman Catholic Church you CANNOT disagree with canon law! To do so means the forfeiture of your soul! However, your eternal destiny is not, thankfully, base on RCC teachings but on the firm foundation of the word of God. The canon of the mass stands in direct contradiction and violation of the word of truth.
Below I have listed the canon law on the mass. After each law I will give a verse or two that contravenes these laws with comments if needed.
RCC CANON LAW ON THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS
CANON I.–If any one saith, that in the mass a true and proper sacrifice is not offered to God; or, that to be offered is nothing else but that Christ is given us to eat; let him be anathema.
COMMENT:
The mass is not a true and proper sacrifice is evident because of the propitiationary work of the Lord Jesus Christ. The resultant issue today in the dispensation of the grace of God is NOT sin but belief & trust.
When Christ died two thousand years ago he paid for all sin for all men for all time. The ONLY reason a soul would be eternally lost in this age of grace is a failure to believe the gospel of grace. Sin is NOT an issue with God today as far as the doctrine of justification is concerned.
I would therefore assume that the word of God is anathema and so am I.
VERSES:
2 Cor 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
2 Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
1 Tim 4:10 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.
CANON II.–If any one saith, that by those words, Do this for the commemoration of me (Luke 22.19), Christ did not institute the apostles priests; or, did not ordain that they, and other priests should offer His own body and blood; let him be anathema.
COMMENT:
First of all the twelve were never called priest by Christ or anyone else in Matthew through Acts. In fact the priesthood of the day was corrupt. In 1 Pet 2:9 the nation, not just the 12, are called a royal priesthood; and they will be when that Davidic Kingdom is reestablished in the ages to come.
In any case, the adding on of “other priests” is no more than religious arrogance. There is absolutely no precedence for apostolic succession concerning the 12.
Lastly there is no need for the offering of the body and blood of Christ again as he died “once for all”.
I would therefore assume that the word of God is anathema and so am I.
VERSES:
1 Pet 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Isa 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Exo 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Mat 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Rev 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles (NOT PRIESTS) of the Lamb.
CANON III.–If any one saith, that the sacrifice of the mass is only a sacrifice of praise and of thanksgiving; or, that it is a bare commemoration of the sacrifice consummated on the cross, but not a propitiatory sacrifice; or, that it profits him only who receives; and that it ought not to be offered for the living and the dead for sins, pains, satisfactions, and other necessities; let him be anathema.
COMMENT:
It is not of praise, thanksgiving, commemoration, propitiatory, it is unbelief of and in the revealed word of God. And it benefits no one outside of the coffers of the Vatican who keeps its captive souls captive with lies and the traditions of men.
I would therefore assume that the word of God is anathema and so am I.
VERSES:
Heb 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
CANON IV.–If any one saith, that, by the sacrifice of the mass, a blasphemy is cast upon the most holy sacrifice of Christ consummated on the cross; or, that it is thereby derogated from; let him be anathema.
COMMENT:
The sacrifice of the mass is a blasphemy cast upon the most holy sacrifice of Christ consummated on the cross! The Roman Catholic Church makes a repetitive work out of free grace. Christ died, was buried and rose again one time. The gospel record needs only to be believed. How sad it is that millions of people are duped into believing the lie of Rome rather than the truth of the Holy Tome.
I would therefore assume that the word of God is anathema and so am I.
VERSES:
Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Rom 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
CANON V.–If any one saith, that it is an imposture to celebrate masses in honor of the saints, and for obtaining their intercession with God, as the Church intends; let him be anathema.
COMMENT:
This position cannot be defended by scripture. The Roman Catholic Church has been given no such intendancy or designation. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, writing in the dispensation of the grace of God, pronounces his own curse on anyone who would teach contrary to his message. I will stand with Paul, as Paul stands in Christ.
VERSES:
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
1 Cor 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
CANON VI.–If any one saith, that the canon of the mass contains errors, and is therefore to be abrogated; let him be anathema.
COMMENT:
The RCC is in error by assuming, I should say, presuming that the mass can take away sins.
VERSES:
Heb 10:11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
CANON VII.–If any one saith, that the ceremonies, vestments, and outward signs, which the Catholic Church makes use of in the celebration of masses, are incentives to impiety, rather than offices of piety; let him be anathema.
COMMENT:
Optical illusion is not an indication of righteousness.
VERSES:
2 Cor 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
2 Kings 10:22 And he said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments.
Luke 20:46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;
Mark 12:38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, 39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: 40 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
Mat 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
CANON VIII.–If any one saith, that masses, wherein the priest alone communicates sacramentally, are unlawful, and are, therefore, to be abrogated; let him be anathema.
COMMENT:
Again, there is no need for a priest today in the age of grace. We have direct access to the Godhead apart from any priesthood. The application of sacraments is non biblical and therefore bunk.
VERSES:
1 Tim 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
CANON IX.–If any one saith, that the rite of the Roman Church, according to which a part of the canon and the words of consecration are pronounced in a low tone, is to be condemned; or, that the mass ought to be celebrated in the vulgar tongue only; or, that water ought not to be mixed with the wine that is to be offered in the chalice, for that it is contrary to the institution of Christ; let him be anathema.
COMMENT:
No comment needed. If the RCC is not going to follow the truth of the word of God in big matters… well, it can hardly be expected to follow in small ones.
VERSES:
Luke 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
CONCLUSION
The Roman Catholic Church is in error. The RCC is in direct contradiction to the word of God. The word of God is the final authority for all matters of faith and practice. God has placed the importance of his word above his own name.
If you are a follower of the Roman Catholic Church I urge you to consider reading and rereading this document. Do not get mad at me for that will do you no good, but rather check out what has been written here against the authority of the word of God.