Ten Things Every Catholic Should Know

1. Christ is glorious, risen, and exalted.

He is now in heaven on the right hand of God; He is not hidden on the earth.
Jesus Christ is now reigning in heaven at the right hand of the throne of God. He is the head of all things, and He maintains the universe. He is the brightness of God's glory and the express image of God. He has all power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing.

• ". . . Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him" 1 Peter 3:21-22
  
• "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." Acts 22:55-56
  
• "Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens" Hebrews 8:1
  
• "But this man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God." Hebrews 10:12
  
• "Has in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they." Hebrews 1:2-4
  
• "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2
  
• ". . .You crowned Him with glory and honour, and did set Him over the works of Your hands: You have put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that He put all in subjection under Him, He left nothing that is not put under Him. But now we see not yet all things put under Him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man." Hebrews 2:7-9
  
• ". . . Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." Revelations 5:12-13
  
• ". . . He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And has put all things under his feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of Him that fills all in all." Ephesians 1:20-23

Since the current location of Jesus Christ is at the right hand of God in heaven, He is not in wafers, in a cup, or in a "tabernacle."

2. Christ is love.

• "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" Romans 8:35
  
• ". . . Christ also has loved us, and has given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." Ephesians 5:2
  
• ". . . Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word" Ephesians 5:25-26

3. Christ Jesus freely gave Himself to die for sins. He is not a victim.

• "Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father" Galatians 1:4
  
• "Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." 1 Timothy 2:6
  
• "Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar [special; His own] people, zealous of good works." Titus 2:4
  
• ". . . He offered up Himself." Hebrews 7:27

  According to the above verses, Jesus Christ was not an unwilling victim. He chose to offer Himself to be crucified so that He could redeem, give deliverance, ransom, and purify sinners.

4. Christ offered Himself as the sacrifice, and He was offered only one time.

The New Testament repeatedly declares that Jesus offered Himself only one time as the sacrifice for sins.

• "For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He lives, He lives unto God." Romans 6:10
  
• "For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit" 1 Peter 3:18
• "Who needs not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this He did once, when He offered up Himself" Hebrews 7:27
  
• "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." Hebrews 9:12
  "Nor yet that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world has He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself." Hebrews 9:25-26
  
• "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation." Hebrews 9:28
  
• "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering He has perfected for ever them that are sanctified." Hebrews 10:10-14

  According to the above verses, the claim that Jesus is continually offered in the Roman Catholic mass is contrary to the Word of God. The sacrifice of Jesus happened only at one specific time on one certain day and at one certain place. To claim that Jesus is sacrificed continually is to reject the efficacy and completeness of His sacrifice on a cross at Calvary.

5. Only Jesus is authorized, qualified, and worthy to offer Himself as the sacrifice.

The qualifications are very high for a person who offers Jesus Christ as a sacrifice. Christ is the only one who meets these qualifications. Other than Jesus, no one, including priests and bishops, is qualified or worthy to offer Him as a sacrifice.

• "For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless [innocent], undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;" Hebrews 7:26

Likewise, Jesus Christ did not authorize anyone besides Himself to offer Him as a sacrifice.
Other than Jesus Christ, no one, including priests and bishops, is authorized to offer Him as a sacrifice.
Therefore, the claim that Jesus Christ is offered as a sacrifice in the mass by a priest or a bishop is without the authorization of Jesus.

The command of Jesus Christ was "Take, eat." It was not "Take and propitiate." (Matthew 26:26; Mark 14:22). For this reason, to instruct people to offer themselves as a sacrifice during mass is contrary to the instructions of Jesus Christ.

Also, it was Jesus who gave the command to "Take, eat." and He did not authorize anyone else (including priests or bishops) to give that command. It is contrary to the Bible for someone to command during mass for people to eat the body of Jesus Christ.

Accordingly, Jesus did not say, ". . . this do to receive me." Instead, He said ". . . this do in remembrance of me." (Luke 22:19).

Jesus did not tell any persons (including the apostles) to offer Him as a sacrifice; instead, Jesus offered Himself as the Sacrifice when He was crucified on the cross. Therefore, it is contrary to Biblical teaching for any person to claim to offer Jesus as a sacrifice.

6. Christ's work of atonement/propitiation was completed on the cross, and He will not suffer again.

• "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, "It is finished:" and He bowed his head, and gave up the ghost." John 19:30
  
• "For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit" 1 Peter 3:18

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ was completed on the cross. Since it was completed, it is not to be continued. Since it was a one time occurrence, it is not to be repeated. This means that the claim that the mass is a continuing sacrifice devalues, misrepresents, and slanders the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

7. In order to forgive sins, a sacrifice must shed its blood (die), and the sacrifice must be Jesus Christ. The meaning of sacrifice is that it is the shedding of blood.

• ". . . without shedding of blood is no remission." Hebrews 9:22
  
• ". . . but by his own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. . . . How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" Hebrews 9:12-14
  
• "You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood" Revelations 5:9
  

Jesus Christ shed His blood (He died) so that sins could be forgiven. If he had not shed His blood, there would be no forgiveness of sins. Consequently, the claim that the mass is an unbloody sacrifice is contrary to Biblical truth. Since no blood is shed in the mass, there is no forgiveness of sins effected by the mass. That means that it is a religious activity that has no atoning value.

The sacrificial act of redemption was for only Christ to do. Only Christ lived without sin. Thus, the only blood that can forgive sins is the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

• "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:14-15
  

8. The sacrifice of Jesus on a cross at Calvary was sufficient and effective to atone for sins and to satisfy God's justice.

• ". . . He had by Himself purged our sins . . ." Hebrews 1:3
  
• "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" Hebrews 9:12-14
  

The death of Jesus Christ can deliver a person from attempting to perform works in a misguided and valueless effort to appease God. The only way for a person to be redeemed is through the blood of Christ. Since Jesus Christ has already obtained redemption for people, there is no need for Him to keep offering Himself as a sacrifice. This is means that the claim that Jesus offers Himself as a continual sacrifice in the mass is contrary to the Word of God and is an insult to the completed and effectual sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.

• "Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin." Hebrews 10:18
  

Because of the fact that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on a cross bought forgiveness of sins, there is no need or reason for Him to offer Himself as a continuing sacrifice. Sins are forgiven by Christ's sacrificial death on the cross at Calvary, not by a "re-enactment" or another "presentation" of His crucifixion in a different place. Thus, the mass is contrary to the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, and the mass has nothing to do with forgiving sins.

• "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has He quickened [made alive] together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses. Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it." Colossians 2:13-15
  

Christ's sacrifice of Himself was by means of crucifixion on a cross at Calvary. In the crucifixion, Christ, who was in His human form (before, during and after His crucifixion), was nailed to a cross where He bled and died; He was not changed into a different form (such as bread and wine); He still had flesh, bones, and blood. This means that those who claim that Jesus is changed into a wafer and into wine are contradicting the Word of God.

• "And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him, . . . " Luke 23:33
  
• "This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid." Luke 23:52-53
  
• "But when they came to Jesus, and saw that He was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water." John 10:33-34
  

Notice that the blessings that God gives concerning salvation are based on the work that Christ accomplished in the past: He entered, obtained, and offered. Because Jesus Christ has already offered Himself at Calvary, and because He has already obtained eternal redemption, He does not continue to offer Himself as a sacrifice. This means that the claim that Jesus Christ continually offers Himself in the mass as a "re-enacted" sacrifice, is an insult to the work of salvation that Jesus Christ has already accomplished and finished.

• ". . . He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. . . . offered Himself without spot to God . . . " Hebrews 9:12-14
  

9. Through faith (alone), a person can have the free gift of salvation and eternal life.

When Jesus was at a well in Samaria, He told a Samaritan woman that if she sought everlasting life (living water) from Him, He could give it to her. Jesus did not tell her that to receive everlasting life she must deserve or to earn it through good works. Rather, all that was necessary was that she know who Jesus is and trust Him to give everlasting life to her.
(Notice that, rather than living a moral life, she was living in sin. She did not deserve the gift of everlasting life.)

• "Jesus answered and said unto her, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that says to you, Give me to drink; you would have asked of Him, and He would have given you living water." John 4:10
  
• "But whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." John 4:14
  

Those who do believe in the Lord Christ Jesus have everlasting life from the moment they believe. Everlasting life is not given because of a person's works. Instead, it is given as a gift to those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
God gives righteousness, justification, propitiation, and forgiveness of sins to people only through their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His atoning death/blood. He gives these things as gifts, not as rewards for works.

• "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe . . ." Romans 3:22
  
• "Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God has 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; To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus." Romans 3:24-26
  
• "Whosoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed [disappointed, deceived]." Romans 10:11
  

10. Those who do not believe in the Lord Christ Jesus will suffer eternal punishment and pain.

• "He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him." John 3:36
  
• ". . . ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins." John 8:24
  

If you are trusting in anything besides Jesus or in addition to Jesus, you must turn from your belief in your own worth and/or your own works.

You must trust in the work and righteousness of Jesus Christ alone for forgiveness of sin.

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L.D. Hammons © 2007 This article may be freely copied and distributed without charge if it is copied in its entirety (without editing) along with this notice - including the author's name and copyright notice.

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