Page 55: Protestants are a diverse lot doctrinally, and some are more liturgical than others, but no Protestant community comes close to embracing Catholicism’s vast array of “extrabiblical” prayers, practices, and teachings. Because of this, if Protestants are being consistent with their beliefs, they can’t view Catholics as fellow Christians fighting the good fight; rather, they must conclude that Catholics are idolatrous apostates.
Note: Throughout Christendom, only 50% of “Christians” are saved per Jesus Christ.
“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” Matthew 25:1-13.

Pages 55-56: Some Fundamentalist groups do indeed identify the pope at the Antichrist and the Catholic Church as the “whore of Babylon” mentioned in Revelation 17 and 18. And it’s not just Protestants on that extreme end of the spectrum who think this way. In the section on the papacy, we saw that the Westminster Confession of Faith – the most important document for the Reformed movement of Protestantism – named the pope as the Antichrist.
Note: If the author was consistent, he should arrive at the same conclusion.
Pages 36-37: But what is the evidence that Peter was in Rome and established a church there? First, while the Bible does not explicitly say “Peter was the bishop of Rome,” in Peter’s first epistle he ends by saying, “She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark” (1 Pet. 5:13). We know from its usage in the book of Revelation that Babylon was a code word for Rome.

Page 56: But Protestants of all strips should get up in arms when faced with the spectacle of Catholics kneeling in worship of a consecrated communion host. No Protestant, however much he may protest to believe Jesus is present in some way, can justify adoring bread and wine. He must conclude that Catholics commit the sin of idolatry.
Note: Jesus Christ will not be physically present on the earth until evil has been vanquished.
And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. Hebrews 10:11-14.

Page 56: Although Catholics believe in the Trinity, Protestants should likewise balk at their elevation of the Virgin Mary above all other creatures, especially in the doctrines of her Assumption and her sinless life. They believe that Jesus alone lived a sinless life, so Mary’s achieving the same feat can’t help but steal glory from God, to whom belongs all glory and praise.
Note: Mary was sinful since she declared that God was her Savior.
And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” Luke 1:46-47.

Pages 56-57: Such distinctively Catholic beliefs stem from recognizing Sacred Tradition as a source of divine revelation equal to Scripture. This too should disturb any Protestant, for whom the Bible alone is God’s authoritative word. Any “tradition” outside of Scripture can be only a tradition of men.
Note: True.
For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Revelation 22:18-19.

Page 57: A paradox is presented when trying to match up the Catholic Church against the caricatures and accusations thrown at it. One the one hand, those today who call the pope Antichrist have been able to witness recent popes heroically defending the core tenets of Christianity against virulent modern attacks. The beloved disciple, St. John, tells us how to know who the Antichrist is: “Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son” (1 John 2:22). But we can see with our own eyes examples of popes who never stop proclaiming that Jesus is the Christ, our savior, the only begotten Son of the Father. So by the biblical definition, the pope cannot be the Antichrist.
Note: Are you abiding in Jesus Christ? Or, are you abiding in false doctrines?
Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. 1 John 2:24-25.

Page 58: If Protestantism is true, then Catholicism can only be viewed as serious, perhaps even diabolical, idolatry. Yet the marks the Bible tells us to look for to identify falsehoods and deceit are absent from the Catholic Church. Instead, Catholicism’s hallmark is that of a stalwart witness to Jesus Christ.
Note: Are you abiding in Jesus Christ? Or, are you focused on something else?
“And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” John 5:37-40.

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