All Souls Day time to learn about Purgutory

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines purgatory as a "purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven," which is experienced by those "who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified" (CCC 1030). It notes that "this final purification of the elect . . . is entirely different from the punishment of the damned" (CCC 1031). The purification is necessary because, as Scripture teaches, nothing unclean will enter the presence of God in heaven (Rev. 21:27) and, while we may die with our mortal sins forgiven, there can still be many impurities in us, specifically venial sins and the temporal punishment due to sins already forgiven.

Purgatory makes sense because there is a requirement that a soul not just be declared to be clean, but actually be clean, before a man may enter into eternal life. After all, if a guilty soul is merely "covered," if its sinful state still exists but is officially ignored, then it is still a guilty soul. It is still unclean. Catholic theology takes seriously the notion that "nothing unclean shall enter heaven." From this it is inferred that a less than cleansed soul, even if "covered," remains a dirty soul and isn’t fit for heaven. It needs to be cleansed or "purged" of its remaining imperfections. The cleansing occurs in purgatory. Indeed, the necessity of the purging is taught in other passages of Scripture, such as 2 Thessalonians 2:13, which declares that God chose us "to be saved through sanctification by the Spirit." Sanctification is thus not an option, something that may or may not happen before one gets into heaven. It is an absolute requirement, as Hebrews 12:14 states that we must strive "for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord."

NIHIL OBSTAT: I have concluded that the materials presented in this work are free of doctrinal or moral errors. Bernadeane Carr, STL, Censor Librorum, August 10, 2004 IMPRIMATUR: In accord with 1983 CIC 827permission to publish this work is hereby granted. +Robert H. Brom, Bishop of San Diego, August 10, 2004

Reflection: Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Reading Henri Nouwen's "Spiritual Direction". He describes an opportunity to meet Blessed Mother Teresa, in which he regales her for ten minutes with his current struggles. When he finally shuts up, she responds simply "Well, when you spend one hour a day adoring your Lord and never do anything which you know is wrong...you will be fine!"

Nouwen relates this story in the context of having answers come from above to our very specific life concerns. As I reflected on it, it occurred to me that Mother Teresa's response is a formulation of the Two Commandments of Christ (Matt 22:34-40): You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind ("spend one hour a day adoring your Lord") and You shall love your neighbor as yourself ("never do anything which you know is wrong").

The lesson is twofold: first, that the answers to our personal problems lie not simply in specific plans of action, but through the moral truth embodied in the simple commandments to love God and to love our neighbor: the answer to our problems is a moral answer...second, that those commandments are not to be followed merely in obedience (as if, because of that obedience, blessings will flow), but because following them is in itself the MEANS to our happiness.

christian behavior

This isn't so much as an exclusively Catholic apologetic, but is a common argument against the Christian faith. In fact, CS Lewis considered it the only argument against Chrsitianity that could hold any weight at all. If the Christian faith is the true faith, why do Christians behave as they do? All Christian groups, Catholic and non-Catholic are approached with such questions when scandels arise and are questioned on their behavior. The world often judges Catholics based on the recent priest scandals as well as the behavior of individual Catholics and Catholic leaders. The answer to this question is the answer of nothing less than the cross.Why do Christians behave badly if their faith is the answer? Christians have free will as do all people. And the cross is the remedy to that free will when it chooses against God. It is no mistake that the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which is broken down into four sections (Creed, Sacraments, Life in Christ, and Prayer) places its treatsie on free will, grace, faith, and salvation in the section on "Life in Christ" and how we are to behave as Christians."With so many Catholics behaving like they do, how can the Catholic Church be the one true Church?"The biggest problem with this question really is that it is a fallacy in logic. Simply, Catholics have sources of grace which God makes available to us, but Catholics still can, and many times do choose sin. The inclination to sin (called concupiscence) is present in all of us, even as believers. The difference is, as believers we have sources of grace through which we can overcome temptation and live in that grace. Only through the grace of God alone can we live as God wants us to live and say no to temptation and be able to avoid sin against God. However, we sometimes fall into temptation as Christians and we must depend on the grace of God and His forgiveness (through the sacrament of reconciliation) to be able to pick ourselves up again. We still retain the free will as believers to choose God, or to choose not God. St. Paul warns of falling away as does Jesus himself (Matthew 24:13, Romans 11:22, Phil 2:12). It is the sad truth, though God does not will it, that some Catholics will choose to remain outside of the grace of God and commit serious sin. This sin though does not invalidate the truth and reality of the Catholic faith any more than good, moral Catholics can prove the authenticity of the Catholic faith. There are moral athiests, Buddhists, Muslims, and Christians. The evaulation of a faith based on the morality of some of its people is not adequate enough a measuring stick by itself. To our original question I could as much ask the question "With so many Catholic saints bahaving as they do and have, how can the Catholic Church not be the one true Church?" Both questions are fallacies in thinking. Besides it is ultimately very hard to judge how many "good Catholics" there are to how many "bad Catholics" there may be. The Church does not see its job though to kick people out who don't fit certian standards. The Church is, as the old cliche states, a "hospital for sinners". God did not come to save the righteous man, but the sinful man. And of course St. Paul reminds us that this is not a license to sin all the more so that grace may abound. Grace abounds aplenty through prayer, fasting, and good works.How then do we measure if the Catholic Church is the one true Church? That ultimately is the question of apologetics and often catechetics in its early stages. The answer leads to another question which is "Must I be a member of the Church Jesus founded?" Whether you are a critic of the Church, or a high school religion teacher looking for answers students have asked, I must say that we need to look further than our Christian behavior to answer the questions. Really the answer lies again in the cross of Christ on Calvary. As a convert the measure for me was that the Church stood on all three pillars - Scripture, Tradition, and Magisterium. It offered authority, given by Christ, that no other Christian sect can come close to even claiming to have. This authority gives assurance for the hope that we have in us.

Reflection on Luke 9:51-56

30 Sep 2008, Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time

Reflection on Luke 9:51-56

The apostles often offer us consolation. If they, walking with the Master, could still be so thick-headed, so unfaithful, then surely there is hope for us who are similarly weak. The Gospel reading today reveals a weakness of the apostles more serious than most: James and John seek to call down fire from heaven on their enemies. This is no figure of speech: as with Sodom and Gomorrah, they wish to obliterate the city, to kill all who live within it. Simply because the inhabitants of the city disrespected Jesus!

And James and John had not just met Jesus yesterday, either. This event occurs on the road to Jerusalem, on the way to Christ's final Passion. The apostles have learned at His feet for three years. They were present at the Sermon on the Mount to hear Jesus proclaim "love your enemies...bless those who curse you". Now, they seek the destruction of an entire city?

But consider: this is the same John who will later write "God is love" and "Whoever loves God must also love his brother". What changed? John was later a personal witness to the Passion of Jesus Christ. He saw with his own eyes the self-giving love with which Jesus poured out His blood for us on the cross. As he stood with the Blessed Mother at the foot of the cross, John finally understood the message of love Jesus had preached.

And us? Don't we sometimes, like the John in today's Gospel, hate, and curse? Do we not fail to heed the command of Jesus to love those who hate us? If we fail to do so, it is because we have not fully understood the sacrifice of Calvary, the full message of Jesus Christ. We need to pray on the Passion of Christ, to reflect on the Passion of Christ, to meditate on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary, to humbly walk the Stations of the Cross...until we can feel the Passion of Christ in our soul as clearly as Saint John saw it with his own eyes.

Then we will no longer hate, we will no longer curse...then we will bless as Christ blessed, and love as Christ loved.

Week of Prayer for Our Country

Bishop Finn Asks Parishes to Pray for Life

Bishop Finn has asked that the following letter be read at all Masses this weekend in the Diocese of Kansas City - St. Joseph. A hard copy will also appear in this week's Catholic Key.

thanks to Mark Harden for this article...

Week of Prayer for Our Country   

Dear Friends in Christ,

As we approach this monumental election, our choices are as clear as the Scriptures themselves: “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live.” (Deut 30:19)

Pope Benedict XVI similarly guides us in the proper ordering of our values as he teaches, “The fundamental human right, the presupposition of every other right, is the right to life itself. This is true of life from the moment of conception until its natural end. Abortion, consequently, cannot be a human right – it is the very opposite. It is ‘a deep wound in society.’”

Our Catholic moral principles teach that a candidate’s promise of economic prosperity is insufficient to justify their constant support of abortion laws, including partial-birth abortion, and infanticide for born-alive infants. Promotion of the Freedom of Choice Act is a pledge to eliminate every single limit on abortions achieved over the last thirty-five years. The real freedom that is ours in Jesus Christ compels us, not to take life, but to defend it.

Together with the other Bishops of Missouri I am calling on all the faithful to make this last week before the election a week of prayer for our nation - a week of prayer for the protection of Human Life.

Join me in calling upon Mary in this month of the rosary. In 1571, in the midst of the Battle of Lepanto, when the future of Christian Europe was in the balance and the odds against them were overwhelming, prayer to Our Lady of the Rosary brought the decisive victory. We ask her now to watch over our country and bring us the victory of life.

This is also the month of the Angels. I ask you to join me in invoking the Guardian Angels of 47 million babies lost through abortion in our country in the last thirty-five years. This horrendous loss of life remains one of the greatest threats to human civilization we have ever faced.

This week, please pray and make some sacrifices for our country. I ask every parish to provide some additional opportunity for prayer in the church: an evening Mass, or rosary, or time of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Say the rosary as individuals or as a family, or even simply a decade each night with your children. Say the election prayer. Give up meat, or do without some convenience this week. Make a good Act of Contrition and get to Confession. Offer a worthy Communion.

On Monday, November 3, at 7:00 p.m., I will celebrate an Eve of the Election Mass at St. Therese Parish, North. Join me as we pray for God’s assistance and Mary’s maternal aid.

Dear friends, we have great hope in Jesus Christ and His victory over sin and death. Let us keep this last week before the election as a time of prayer for our country, that we may experience His mercy and safeguard human life.

In Christ and Mary,


Most Reverend Robert W. Finn
Bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph 

As Catholics, do we have to accept everything the Church teaches?

As Catholics, do we have to accept everything the Church teaches?

If you want to call yourself Catholic, but you want to pick and choose for yourself which of the Church's teachings to accept and which to reject, you give everyone else who calls themselves Catholic the right to do the same thing.

For example, you believe women should be priests...in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1577 states, "Only a baptized man validly receives ordination...For this reason the ordination of women is not possible!" You don't believe that...well, that's fine...[RIP] just tear that page out of your Catechism...you just made it a Catechism of your Catholic Church...not mine.

But remember, if you can throw doctrines out, so can everyone else who calls themselves Catholic. That gives Joe Parishioner over at St. Doubting Thomas Catholic Church the right to throw out the Church's social justice teachings...he doesn't feel like feeding the hungry, caring for the poor, and all that other "bleeding heart" stuff - Paragraphs 2401 -2463 [RIP]...he just made it a Catechism of his Catholic Church...not mine and not yours.

You believe contraception is okay? Paragraph 2370 says contraception is intrinsically evil! [RIP] Joe Parishioner doesn't like what the Church teaches on the death penalty - Paragraphs 2266-2267 [RIP]. You don't like what it teaches on pages 55-60 [RIP]. He doesn't like what it teaches on pages 128-140 [RIP]

Can you see what's happening? I heard it said once that there is a shortage of vocations to the priesthood in the United States, but no shortage of vocations to the Papacy! If we don't believe in all of it, if we each appoint ourselves Pope and throw out a doctrine here or a doctrine there, then our faith is no longer Catholic.

Bible alone?

My Protestant friends say that their church goes by the Bible Alone, but that the Catholic Church has added a lot of man-made traditions to the Word of God...is that true?

No, it is not true. Protestants have as their sole rule of faith the written Word of God, which we find in Sacred Scripture. The Catholic Church has as its sole rule of faith, the entire Word of God, as it is found in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.

All of the Word of God was at one time passed on orally...Sacred Tradition. Eventually, some of Sacred Tradition was written down...this became Sacred Scripture, which is written tradition. However, Scripture itself tells us that not all of the things that Jesus said and did were written down. And listen to what Paul says about "tradition":

2 Thes 2:15, "So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter." Traditions! Traditions taught by word of mouth, in other words, oral tradition, and traditions taught by letter. Traditions which they are being told to "stand firm and hold to". Sacred Scripture and

1 Cor 11:2, "I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you." The Corinthians are being commended by Paul because they maintain the traditions that he passed on to them. Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.

2 Tim 2:2: "and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." What we have here in 2 Timothy is an instance, in Scripture, of Paul commanding the passing on of oral tradition.

1 Thes 2:13, "And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the Word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the Word of God, which is at work in you believers." So, they received as the Word of God that which they heard, not simply that which they read in Scripture.

In other words, the Bible clearly supports the Catholic Church's teaching that the Word of God is contained in both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.

Are we saved by Faith alone?

Many Protestants believe we are saved by Faith Alone and they say Catholic believe they can 'work' their way into Heaven. How do you answer that?

First of all, I ask them to show me where in the Catechism, the official teaching of the Catholic Church, does it teach that we can “work” our way into Heaven? They can’t, because it doesn’t. The Catholic Church does not now, nor has it ever, taught a doctrine of salvation by works...that we can “work” our way into Heaven.

Second, I ask them to show me where in the Bible does it teach that we are saved by “faith alone.” They can’t, because it doesn’t. The only place in all of Scripture where the phrase “Faith Alone” appears, is in James...James 2:24, where it says that we are not...not...justified (or saved) by faith alone.

So, one of the two main pillars of Protestantism...the doctrine of salvation by faith alone...not only doesn’t appear in the Bible, but the Bible actually says the exact opposite - that we are not saved by faith alone.

Third, I ask them that if works have nothing to do with our salvation...then how come every passage in the N.T. that I know of that talks about judgment says we will be judged by our works, not by whether or not we have faith alone? We see this in Rom 2, Matthew 15 and 16, 1 Ptr 1, Rev 20 and 22, 2 Cor 5, and many, many more verses.

Fourth, I ask them that if we are saved by faith alone, why does 1 Cor 13:13 say that love is greater than faith? Shouldn’t it be the other way around?

As Catholics we believe that we are saved by God’s grace alone. We can do nothing, apart from God’s grace, to receive the free gift of salvation. We also believe, however, that we have to respond to God’s grace. Protestants believe that, too. However, many Protestants believe that the only response necessary is an act of faith; whereas, Catholics believe a response of faith and works is necessary...or, as the Bible puts it in Galatians 5:6, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumsion is of any avail, but faith working through love...faith working through love...just as the Church teaches.

THE SACRAMENTS

THE SACRAMENTS
Infant Baptism 
Jn 3:5; Mk 16:16 - baptism required for entering heaven 
1Cor 15:21-22 - in Adam all die, in Christ all made alive 
Mk 10:14 - let children come; to such belongs the kingdom 
Lk 18:15 - people were bringing even infants to him... 
Col 2:11-12 - baptism has replaced circumcision 
Jos 24:15 - as for me and my house, we will serve Lord 
Mt 8:5ff. - daughter healed because of centurion's faith 
Mt 15:21ff. - daughter healed because of Canaanite woman's faith 
Lk 7:1ff. - just say the word, and let my servant be healed 
Acts 16:31 - believe in Lord Jesus you & house will be saved 
Acts 16:15 - she was baptized, with all her household 
Acts 16:33 - he and all his family were baptized at once 
1Cor 1:16 - I baptized the household of Stephanas 

Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist 
Jn 6:35-71 - Eucharist promised 
Mt 26:26ff (Mk 14:22ff., Lk 22:17ff.) - Eucharist instituted 
1Cor 10:16 - Eucharist = participation in Christ's body & blood 
1 Cor 11:23-29 - receiving unworthily his body & blood 
Ex 12:8, 46 - Paschal lamb had to be eaten 
Jn 1:29 - Jesus called "Lamb of God" 
1 Cor 5:7 - Jesus called "paschal lamb who has been sacrificed 
Jn 4:31-34; Mt 16;5-12 - Jesus talking symbolically about food 
1Cor 2:14-3:4 - explains what "the flesh" means in Jn 6:63 
Ps 14:4; Is 9:18-20; Is 49:26; Mic 3:3; 2Sm 23:15-17; Rv 17:6, 16 -
to symbolically eat & drink one's body & blood = assault 

Confirmation 
Acts 19:5-6 - Paul imposed hands on baptized, received Holy Spirit 
Acts 8:14-17 - laid hands upon them, they received Holy Spirit 
2Cor 1:21-22 - put seal on us and given Holy Spirit in our hearts 
Eph 1:13 - you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit 
Heb 6:2 - instruction about baptism & laying on of hands 

Confession 
Mt 9:2-8 Son of Man has authority to forgive sins 
Jn 20:23 - whose sins you forgive/retain are forgiven/retained 
Jn 20:22 - breathed on them, "receive Holy Spirit" [recall Gn 2:7] 
2Cor 5:17-20 - given us the ministry of reconciliation 
Jam 5:13-15 - confess your sins to one another 
Mt 18:18 - whatever you bind & loose on earth, so it is in heaven 

Anointing the Sick 
Mk 6:12-13 - anointed with oil many sick, cured them 
Jam 5:14-15 - presbyters pray over sick, anoint, sins forgiven 

Holy Orders 
Acts 20:28 - Holy Sprit appointed you overseers, to tend Church 
Lk 22:19 - do this in memory of me 
Jn 20:22 - As Father sent me, I send you...receive Holy Spirit 
Acts 6:6 - the apostles prayed and laid hands on them 
Acts 13:3 - they laid hands on them & sent them off 
Acts 14:22 - they appointed presbyters in each church 
1Tim 4:14 - gift received through laying on of hands of presbyterate 
2Tim 1:6 - gift of God you have through imposition of hands 
Tit 1:5 - appoint presbyters in every town as I directed you 
(also see The Priesthood)

Matrimony 
Mt 19:5-6 - leave father & mother, join wife, 2 become 1 flesh 
Mk 10:7-12 - what God joined together, no man separate 
Eph 5:22-32 - union of man & wife image of Christ & Church 
Heb 13;4 - let marriage be honored among all

PURGATORY, HELL, & SIN

PURGATORY, HELL, & SIN
Purgatory 
Mt 5:48 - be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect 
Heb 12:14 - strive for that holiness without which cannot see God 
Jam 3:2 - we all fall short in many respects 
Rev 21:27 - nothing unclean shall enter heaven 
Jam 1:14-15 - when sin reaches maturity gives birth to death 
2Sam 12:13-14 - David, though forgiven, still punished for his sin 
Mt 5:26 - you will not be released until paid last penny 
Mt 12:32 - sin against Holy Spirit unforgiven in this age or next 
Mt 12:36 - account for every idle word on judgment day 
2Macc 12:44-46 - atoned for dead to free them from sin 
1Cor 3:15 - suffer loss, but saved as through fire 
1Pet 3:18-20; 4:6 - Jesus preached to spirits in prison 
2Tim 1:16-18 - Paul prays for dead friend Onesiphorus 
1Cor 15:29-30 - Paul mentions people baptizing for the dead 

Hell 
Is 33:11, 14 - who of us can live with the everlasting flames 
Mt 25:41 - depart, you accursed, into the eternal fire 
Mt 25:46 - these will go off to eternal punishment 
Lk 3:16-17 - the chaff will burn in unquenchable fire 
2Thess 1:6-9 - these will pay the penalty of eternal ruin 

Original Sin 
Gn 2:16-17 - the day you eat of that tree, you shall die 
Gn 3:11-19 - God's punishment for eating of the tree 
Rom 5:12-19 - many became sinners through one man's sin 
1Cor 15:21-23 - by a man came death; in Adam all die 
Eph 2:1-3 - we all once lived in the passions of our flesh

THE PRIESTHOOD

THE PRIESTHOOD
Call No Man Father 
Acts 7:2 - St. Stephen calls Jewish leaders "fathers" 
Acts 21:40, 22:1 - St. Paul calls Jerusalem Jews "fathers" 
Rom 4:16-17 - Abraham called the father of us all" 
1Cor 4:14-15 - I became your father in Christ through gospel 
1Tim 1:2 - my true child in our common faith 
Heb 12:7-9 - we have earthly fathers to discipline us 
Lk 14:26 - if anyone comes to me without hating his father... 
1Thess 2:11 - we treated you as a father treats his children 
Philem 10 - whose father I became in my imprisonment 
1Jn 2:13, 14 - I write to you, fathers, because you know him 

Celibacy 
*1Tim 4:1-3 - forbidding marriage is a doctrine of demons 
*1Tim 3:2 - bishop must be married only once 
Eph 5:21-33 - marriage is good: holy symbol of Christ & church 
Mt 19:12 - celibacy praised by Jesus, who was chaste 
Jer 16:1-4 - Jeremiah told not to take wife & have children 
1Cor 7:8 - St. Paul was celibate 
1Cor 7:32-35 - celibacy recommended for full-time ministers 
2Tim 2:3-4 - no soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits 
1Tim 5:9-12 - pledge of celibacy taken by older widows 

BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Mary 
Lk 1:28, 30 - angel: "full of grace, found favor with God 
Lk 1:42 - Elizabeth: "most blessed among women" 
Lk 1:48 - Mary: "all generations will call me blessed" 

Mother of God 
Lk 1:43 - Elizabeth calls her "mother of my Lord" = God 
Mt 1:23 - virgin bear a son, Emmanuel = "God is with us" 
Lk 1:35 - child born will be called holy, the Son of God 
Gal 4:4 - God sent his Son, born of a woman 

The Assumption 
Gn 5:24 (Hb 11:5) - Enoch taken to heaven without dying 
2Kg 2:11 - Elijah assumed into heaven in fiery chariot 
Mt 27:52 - many saints who had fallen asleep were raised 
1Thess 4:17 - caught up to meet the Lord in the air 
1Cor 15:52 - we shall be instantly changed at the last trumpet 
Rom 6:23 - for the wages of sin is death 
Rev 11:19-21 - ark in heaven = woman clothed in sun
Ps 132:8 - Arise, O Lord & go to thy resting place, thou & the ark of thy might 

The Immaculate Conception 
Lk 1:28 - hail full of grace[highly favored] Lord is with you 
Lk 1:30 - you have found favor with God 
Lk 1:37 - for with God nothing shall be impossible 
Gn 3:15 - complete enmity between woman & Satan, sin 
Ex 25:11-21 - ark made of purest gold for God's word 
*Rom 3:23 - all have sinned & are deprived of God's glory 
*Lk 1:47 - my spirit rejoices in God my Savior 

Perpetual Virginity 
Lk 1:34 - how can this be, since I do not know man 
Lk 2:41-51 - age 12, Jesus evidently only son of Mary 
Mk 6:3 - "the son of Mary" not "a son of Mary" 
*Mt 13:55-56 - brothers James, Joseph, Simon & Jude 
Mt 27:56 - Mary the mother of James & Joseph also 
Jn 19:25 - Mary the wife of Clopas 
Jn 19:26 - entrusted Mary to John, not a younger sibling 
Jn 7:3-4 - brothers advise like elders: "go to Judea, manifest self"
unthinkable for younger siblings (see next verse)
Mk 3:21 - set out to seize him, "he is out of his mind" 
*Mt 1:25 - Joseph knew her not until she bore first-born 
Mt 28:20 - I am with you always, until the end of the age 
1Tim 4:13 - until I arrive, attend to reading, teaching... 
1Cor 15:25 - he must reign until has enemies underfoot 
Lk 1:80 - John in desert until day of his manifestation 
Ex 13:2; Nb 3:12 - consecrate first -born that opens womb 
Ex 34:20 - first-born among your sons you shall redeem

Regenerative Baptism

Regenerative Baptism 
Jn 3:5, 22 - born of water & Spirit; Apostles begin baptizing 
Tit 3:5 - saved us through bath of rebirth & renewal by Holy Spirit 
Acts 2:37-38 - repent, be baptized, receive gift of Holy Spirit 
Acts 22:16 - get selves baptized and sins washed away 
1Cor 6:11 - you were washed, sanctified, justified 
Rom 6:4 - baptized into death; live in newness of life 
1Pet 3:21 - baptism...now saves you 
Heb 10:22 - heart sprinkled, bodies washed in pure water 
(also see The Sacraments)

Assurance of Salvation?

Assurance of Salvation? 
Mt 7:21 - not everyone saying "Lord, Lord" will inherit 
Mt 24:13 - those who persevere to the end will be saved 
Rom 11:22 - remain in his kindness or you will be cut off 
Phil 2:12 - work out your salvation in fear and trembling 
1Cor 9:27 - drive body for fear of being disqualified 
1Cor 10:11-12 - those thinking they are secure may fall 
Gal 5:4 - separated from Christ, you've fallen from grace 
2Tim 2:11-13 - must hold out to the end to reign with Christ 
Hb 6:4-6 - describes sharers in Holy Spirit who then fall away 
Heb 10:26-27 - if sin after receiving truth, judgment remains 

Judged According to Deeds

Judged According to Deeds 
Rom 2:2-8 - eternal life by perseverance in good works 
2Cor 5:10 - recompense accord to what did in body 
2Cor 11:15 - their end will correspond to their deeds 
1Pet 1:17 - God judges impartially according to one's works 
Rev 20:12-13 - dead judged according to their deeds 
Col 3:24-25 - will receive due payment for whatever you do 

Good Works

Good Works 
Mt 7:21 - not Lord, Lord but he who does the will of father 
Mt 19:16-17 - to have life, keep my commandments 
Jn 14:21 - he who keeps my commandments loves me 
Rom 2:2-8 - eternal life by perseverance in good works 
Gal 5:4-6 - nothing counts but faith working through love 
Eph 2:8-10 - we are created in Christ Jesus for good works 
Phil 2:12-13 - work out salvation with fear and trembling 
Jam 2:14-24 - a man is justified by works & not faith alone 

Have You Been Saved?

Have You Been Saved? 

Past Event (I have been saved) 
Rom 8:24 - for in hope we were saved 
Eph 2:5, 8 - by grace you have been saved through faith 
2Tim 1;9 - He saved us, called us according to his grace 
Tit 3:5 - He saved us through bath of rebirth, renewal by Holy Spirit 

Present Process (I am being saved) 
Phil 2;12 - work out your salvation with fear and trembling 
1Pet 1:9 - as you attain the goal of your faith, salvation 

Future Event (I will be saved) 
Mt 10:22 - he who endures to the end will be saved 
Mt 24:1 - he who perseveres to the end will be saved 
Mk 8:35 - whoever loses his life for my sake will save it 
Acts 15:11 - we shall be saved through the grace of Jesus 
Rom 5:9-10 - since we are justified, we shall be saved 
Rom 13:11 - salvation is nearer now than first believed 
Cor 3:15 - he shall be saved, but only as through fire 
1Cor 5:5 - deliver man to Satan so his spirit may be saved 
Heb 9:28 - Jesus will appear second time, to bring salvation 

SALVATION, FAITH AND WORKS

SALVATION, FAITH AND WORKS
Faith Alone or Faith plus Works? 
Jam 2:24 - a man is justified by works and not by faith alone 
Jam 2:26 - faith without works is dead 
Gal 5:6 - only thing that counts is faith working in love 
1 Cor 13:2 - faith without love is nothing 
Jn 14:15 - if you love me, keep my commandments 
Mt 19:16-17 - if you wish to enter into life, keep commandments 
1Tim 5:8 he who doesn't provide for family worse than unbeliever.

Deuterocanonicals

Deuterocanonicals
Heb 11:35 - 'Women received their dead by resurrection.  Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life' refers only to 2Macc 7

Tradition Condemned?

Tradition Condemned? 
*Mt 15;3 - break commandment of God for your tradition 
*Mk 7:9 - set aside God's commandment to uphold tradition 
*Col 2;8 - seductive philosophy according to human tradition 
1Cor 11:2 - commends them for following Apostolic tradition 
2Thess 2:15 - commands them to keep traditions 
2Thess 3:6 - shun those acting not according to tradition 

SCRIPTURE AND TRADITION

SCRIPTURE AND TRADITION
Bible Alone or Bible Plus Tradition? 
1 Cor 11:2 - hold fast to traditions I handed on to you 
2 Thess 2:15 - hold fast to traditions, whether oral or by letter 
2 Thess 3:6 - shun those acting not according to tradition 
Jn 21:25 - not everything Jesus said recorded in Scripture 
Mk 13:31 - heaven & earth shall pass away, but my word won't 
Acts 20;35 - Paul records a saying of Jesus not found in gospels 
2Tim 1:13 - follow my sound words; guard the truth 
2Tim2:2 - what you heard entrust to faithful men 
2Pet 1:20 - no prophecy is a matter of private interpretation 
2Pet 3:15-16 - Paul's letters can be difficult to grasp & interpret 
1Pet 1:25 - God's eternal word = word preached to you 
Rom 10:17 - faith come from what is heard 
1Cor 15:1-2 - being saved if you hold fast to the word I preached 
Mk 16:15 - go to the whole world, proclaim gospel to every creature 
Mt 23:2-3 - chair of Moses; observe whatever they tell you 

Apostolic Succession

Apostolic Succession 
2 Chr 19:11 - high priest is over you in everything of Lord's 
Mal 2:7 - seek instruction from priest, he is God's messenger 
Eph 2:20 - Church built upon foundation of apostles & prophets 
Eph 4:11 - God gave some as apostles, others as prophets... 
1 Cor 12:28-29 - God designated in church: apostles, ... 
Acts 1:20 - let another take his office 
Acts 1:25-26 - Matthias takes Judas' apostolic ministry 
1 Tim 3:1, 8; 5:17 - qualifications for: bishops, priests, & deacons 
1Tim 4:14 - gift conferred with the laying on of hands 
1Tim 5:22 - do not lay hands too readily on anyone 
Acts 14:23 - they appointed presbyters in each church 
2Tim 2:2 - what you heard from me entrust to faithful teachers 
Titus 1:5 - appoint presbyters in every town, as I directed

PAPACY & APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION

PAPACY & APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION
Primacy of Peter 
Mt 16:18 - upon this rock (Peter) I will build my church 
Mt 16;19 - give you keys of the kingdom; power to bind & loose 
Lk 22:32 - Peter's faith will strengthen his brethren 
Jn 21:17 - given Christ's flock as chief shepherd 
Mk 16:7 - angel sent to announce Resurrection to Peter 
Lk 24:34 - risen Jesus first appeared to Peter 
Acts 1:13-26 - headed meeting which elected Matthias 
Acts 2:14 - led Apostles in preaching on Pentecost 
Acts 2:41 - received first converts 
Acts 3:6-7 - performed first miracle after Pentecost 
Acts 5:1-11 - inflicted first punishment: Ananias & Saphira 
Acts 8:21 - excommunicated first heretic, Simon Magnus 
Acts 10:44-46 - received revelation to admit Gentiles into Church 
Acts 15:7 - led first council in Jerusalem 
Acts 15:19 - pronounces first dogmatic decision 
Gal 1:18 - after conversion, Paul visits chief Apostle 
*Gal 2:11-14 - I opposed Cephas to his face for his hypocrisy 
Peter's name always heads list of Apostles: Mt 10;14; Mk 3:16-19; Lk 6:14-16; Acts 1:13 
"Peter and his companions" Lk 9:32; Mk 16:7 
Spoke for Apostles - Mt 18:21; Mk 8:29; Lk 8:45; 12:41; Jn 6:69 
Peter's name occurs 195 times, more than all the rest put together 

Perpetual Church

Perpetual Church 
Is 9:6-7 - of Christ's government there will be no end 
Dan 2:44 - God's kingdom shall stand forever 
Dan 7:14 - His kingdom shall not be destroyed 
Eph 3:21 - to him be glory in the church to all generations for ever & ever
Lk 1:32, 33 - no end to Christ's kingdom 
Mt 7:24 - Jesus is like a wise man who built his house on a rock 
Mt 13:24-30 - let wheat & weeds grow together until harvest 
Mt 16:18 - gates of hell will never prevail against Christ's church 
Jn 14:16 - Holy Spirit will be with you always 
Mt 28:19-20 - I am with you all days

Infallible Church

Infallible Church 
Jn 16:13 - guided by Holy Spirit into all truth 
Jn 14:26 - Holy Spirit to teach & remind them of everything 
Lk 10:16 - speak with Christ's own voice 
1Tim 3:15 - Church called "pillar and foundation of truth" 
1Jn 2:27 - anointing of Holy Spirit remains in you 
Acts 15:28 - Apostles speak with voice of Holy Spirit 
Mt 28:20 - I am with you 

Authoritative Church

Authoritative Church 
Mt 28:18-20 - Jesus delegates all power to Apostles 
Jn 20:23 - power to forgive sin 
1Cor 11:23-24 - power to offer sacrifice (Eucharist) 
Lk 10:16 - power to speak with Christ's voice 
Mt 18:18 - power to legislate 
Mt 18:17 - power to discipline 

Apostolic Church

Apostolic Church 
Jn 15;16 - Jesus chose special men to be his Apostles 
Jn 20:21 - Jesus gave the Apostles his own mission 
Lk 22:29-3 - Jesus gave them a kingdom 
Mt 16:18 - Jesus built Church on Peter, the rock 
Jn 10:16 - one shepherd to shepherd Christ's sheep 
Lk 22:32, Jn 21:17 - Peter appointed to be chief shepherd 
Eph 4;11 - church leaders are hierarchical 
1Tim 3:1, 8; 5:17 - identifies roles of bishops, priests, deacons 
Tit 1:5 - commission for bishops to ordain priests 

The Church must be one

The Church must be one 
Jn 10:16 - there will be one fold and one shepherd. 
Eph 4:3-6 - one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father 
Rom 16:17 - I urge that there be no divisions among you 
1Cor 1:10 - I urge that there be no divisions among you 
Phil 2:2 - be of same mind, united in heart thinking one thing 
Rom 15:5 - God grant you to think in harmony with one another 
Jn 17:17-23 - I pray that they may be one, as we are one 
Jn 17:23 - that they may be brought to perfection as one 
1Cor 12:13 - in one spirit we are baptized into one body 
Rom 12:5 - we, though many, are one body in Christ 
Eph 4:4 - one body, one Spirit, called to be one hope 
Col 3:15 - the peace into which you were called in one body 
Mt 16:18-19 - upon this rock I will build my Church (singular)
Mt 18:17 - tell it to THE Church; if he refuses to listen even to THE Church... (must be visible)

The Church is the body of Christ

The Church is the body of Christ 
Col 1:18 - He is the head of the body, the church. 
1 Cor 12:20-27 - you are Christ's body, individually parts of it. 
Eph 5:30 - we are members of His body. 
Rom 12:4-5 - though many, we are one body in Christ 
1 Cor 6:15 - Don't you know your bodies are members of Christ? 

Catholic Bible cheat sheet

Verses marked with an asterisk (*) are objector verses that you should know.  If you want to save space on your cheat sheet, you may want to delete them.
__

THE CHURCH
Mt 16:18-19 - upon this rock I will build my Church 
Mt 18:17 - if he refuses to listen even to the Church... 
Mt 28:18-20 - go baptize and teach all nations 
Mk 16:15-16 - go to whole world and proclaim gospel 
Lk 10:16 - whoever hears you, hears me; rejects you, rejects me. 
Jn 14:16, 26 - Holy Spirit with you always, teach/remind you of everything 
Jn 16:13 - Spirit of truth will guide you to all truth. 
1Tim 3:15 - Church is the pillar and foundation of truth.