2. Why the Roman Catholic Religion is Unbiblical and Antichrist
The Roman Catholic Church, with its vast history and influence, claims to be the true church founded by Jesus Christ. However, many of its doctrines and practices significantly deviate from biblical teachings. This article will explore why the Roman Catholic Church is unbiblical, highlighting the differences between its teachings and those of the Bible, particularly regarding the nature of Jesus, the role of Mary, and other controversial doctrines.
The Roman Catholic Jesus vs. the Biblical Jesus
The Sinless Virgin Mary vs. Mary in Need of a Saviour
Roman Catholic View: The Roman Catholic Church teaches that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was immaculately conceived, meaning she was born without original sin and lived a sinless life. This doctrine aims to elevate Mary’s status.
Biblical View: The Bible presents Mary as a humble servant who acknowledges her need for a Saviour. In Luke 1:46-47 (NASB), Mary says: "And Mary said: 'My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour.'"
This passage clearly indicates that Mary recognised her own sinfulness and her need for God’s salvation, just like every other human being.
Jesus’ Birth
Roman Catholic View: According to Roman Catholic teaching, Jesus was born of a sinless virgin Mary. This belief is intertwined with the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.
Biblical View: The Bible teaches that Jesus was born of a virgin, Mary, who was a sinner in need of a Saviour. The emphasis is on Jesus' miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit, not on Mary’s sinlessness. Matthew 1:23 (NASB) states: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which translated means, "God with us."
This verse underscores the miraculous nature of Jesus’ birth and His divine identity.
Idolatrous Teachings and Practices
Praying to Saints
Roman Catholic View: The Roman Catholic Church encourages the faithful to pray to saints and seek their intercession, believing that saints in heaven can intercede for people on earth.
Biblical View: The Bible strictly forbids praying to the dead, which is considered necromancy and a sin against God. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (NASB) states: "There shall not be found among you anyone who... calls up the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD."
Praying to anyone other than God, including saints, is considered idolatry. Jesus is the only mediator between God and humanity. 1 Timothy 2:5 (NASB) says: “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
Calling a Man “Father” and the Title “Holy Father”
Why Calling Priests “Father” and the Pope “Holy Father” is Unbiblical and Antichrist
The Roman Catholic Religion encourages its followers to call priests “Father” and the Pope “Holy Father.” These practices, however, are not only unbiblical but also can be considered Antichrist. This article will explain why these titles are inappropriate according to Scripture, using plain contemporary English and references from the New American Standard Bible (NASB). We will also clarify the difference between calling our natural parent “father,” which is acceptable, and calling a man our spiritual “Father,” which is not.
Jesus’ Clear Instruction
Jesus Himself addressed the issue of using the title “Father” for religious leaders. In the Gospel of Matthew, He gave a clear command:
Matthew 23:9 (NASB) "Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven."
Here, Jesus warns His followers against elevating religious leaders to a status that belongs only to God. By saying, “Do not call anyone on earth your father,” Jesus emphasises that all spiritual authority and reverence belong to God the Father alone.
Natural Parents vs. Spiritual Leaders
Calling our natural parent “father” is entirely appropriate and aligns with the biblical understanding of family relationships. The Bible explicitly supports honouring our natural fathers:
Ephesians 6:2-3 (NASB) "Honour your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth."
This commandment refers to our biological parents and emphasises the importance of respecting and honouring them. However, when it comes to spiritual matters, Jesus teaches that no human should assume the title of “Father” because it confers a level of spiritual authority and reverence that belongs to God alone.
The Title “Holy Father”
The term “Holy Father” is used by the Roman Catholic Religion to refer to the Pope. However, the Bible reserves this term exclusively for God:
John 17:11 (NASB) "I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are."
In this verse, Jesus is praying to God and addressing Him as “Holy Father.” This term signifies God’s unique holiness and fatherhood over all creation. Applying this title to any human, including the Pope, is unbiblical and diminishes the unique reverence due to God alone.
Spiritual Leadership According to the Bible
The Bible acknowledges the role of spiritual leaders, but it does not support giving them titles that belong to God. Spiritual leaders are meant to guide and teach, but they are still human and fallible. The Apostle Paul, one of the early Church leaders, made this clear:
1 Corinthians 3:5-7 (NASB) "What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth."
Paul describes himself and Apollos as mere servants, emphasising that it is God who deserves the glory and the title of Father.
The Antichrist Nature of These Titles
The term “Antichrist” refers to anything that stands in place of or against Christ. By assuming titles that belong to God alone, religious leaders can be seen as putting themselves in God’s place, which is Antichrist in nature. The Apostle John warned about this:
1 John 2:22 (NASB) "Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son."
By taking on titles like “Father” and “Holy Father,” these leaders deny the unique position of God the Father and Jesus Christ, effectively setting themselves against the teachings of Scripture.
Biblical Examples of Proper Address
In the New Testament, leaders in the early Church were addressed by their names or their roles without any exalted titles. For instance:
1 Timothy 3:1-2 (NASB) "It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach."
The term “overseer” (or “bishop”) is used to describe the role and responsibilities, not to elevate the person to a status of reverence that belongs to God.
Summery
The Bible clearly teaches that titles such as “Father” and “Holy Father” are reserved for God alone. Jesus explicitly commanded His followers not to call anyone on earth “father” in a spiritual sense, and the term “Holy Father” is used exclusively for God in the Bible. The Roman Catholic practice of using these titles for priests and the Pope is therefore unbiblical and reflects traditions that developed long after the early Church.
Recognising and addressing these issues is crucial for aligning religious practices with biblical teachings, ensuring that all glory and honour are directed to God alone.
