The Catholic Church

Introduction
Recently we received a request to present a lesson on the Catholic Church. This organization claims hundreds of millions of members worldwide. We will certainly meet its followers, and we must be prepared to give an answer. What is the origin of this church, and what are its main teachings? (Acts 2:41–42, 47).

Origin
The New Testament reveals that Christ’s church was established on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. Those who believed Peter’s preaching were baptized, and the Lord added them to His church. They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. Yet Catholic sources teach that their church cannot exist without a pope, and many trace its beginning to 606 A.D., when Boniface III was named the first pope. This makes clear that Catholicism began centuries after Christ established His church.

The Pope
Catholic writings claim the pope is the Bishop of Rome, the Vicar of Christ, and the Visible Head of the Church, enjoying universal authority given immediately by God. Scripture gives no such role. Instead, each congregation in the first century appointed elders, also called bishops, to oversee only their local flock (Acts 14:23). The Catholic claim that Peter was the first pope is contradicted by Jesus’ own words. In Matthew 16:16–18, Christ distinguishes between Peter and the confession of faith Peter made—that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Paul declares that Jesus Himself is the only foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11).

Priests
Catholic priests are called “Father,” despite Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 23:9 that only God in heaven is our spiritual Father. They are viewed as mediators between God and man, though the Bible says there is only one Mediator—Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). Catholic priests are forbidden to marry, but Paul warned that forbidding marriage is a sign of departing from the faith (1 Timothy 4:1–3). Even Peter, whom Catholics claim as the first pope, was married (Matthew 8:14). He also described himself simply as a fellow elder (1 Peter 5:1).

Worship of Mary
The veneration of Mary developed in the centuries after the first century. Catholicism regards her as a co-redeemer and perpetual virgin. Yet the Bible says Christ alone redeemed us from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13). Scripture records that Jesus had brothers and sisters (Matthew 13:55–56). Mary was blessed to be the mother of the Lord, but she is never exalted as an object of worship.

The Mass
Catholic teaching claims that in the mass, Christ is sacrificed repeatedly in His literal body and blood. Yet scripture teaches He was offered once for all (Hebrews 9:28). The Lord’s Supper is a memorial, not a re-sacrifice. Paul said it is taken in remembrance of Christ’s death (1 Corinthians 11:24–26). When Jesus instituted it, He was still physically present with His disciples, showing it was not His literal body and blood.

Purgatory
Catholic doctrine describes purgatory as a place of purification after death, giving souls a second chance to reach heaven. But Hebrews 9:27 declares that it is appointed for men to die once, and after this the judgment. In Luke 16:19–31, Jesus described the rich man and Lazarus, teaching that eternal destiny is fixed immediately after death.

Authority
Catholicism states that not all of God’s truth is found in scripture, but that divine tradition carries equal authority. Yet Jude 3 says the faith was once for all delivered to the saints. Paul warned that even an angel who preaches another gospel is accursed (Galatians 1:6–9). Scripture is complete and final, fully equipping God’s people for every good work.

The Catholic Church Sermon Outline:

• Introduction

  • Lesson requested on the Catholic Church

  • Its size and global influence

  • Key question: origin and beliefs (Acts 2:41–42, 47)

• I. Origin

  • Christ’s church established on Pentecost (Acts 2:41–42, 47)

  • Catholic origin traced to 606 A.D., Boniface III declared first pope

  • Catholic catechism: no Roman Catholic Church without a pope

• II. The Pope

  • Titles: Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Christ, Visible Head

  • Catholic claim of universal jurisdiction (Conway, The Question Box)

  • Bible: elders in every church, local oversight only (Acts 14:23)

  • Catholic claim Peter was pope based on Matthew 16:16–18

  • Christ distinguished Peter from his confession; the foundation is Jesus (1 Corinthians 3:11)

• III. Priests

  • Called “Father” contrary to Matthew 23:9

  • Serve as mediators, but Christ is the only Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5)

  • Forbid marriage, contradicting 1 Timothy 4:1–3

  • Peter was married (Matthew 8:14), called himself a fellow elder (1 Peter 5:1)

• IV. Worship of Mary

  • Began around the fourth century

  • Catholicism views her as co-redeemer and perpetual virgin

  • Bible: Christ redeemed us (Galatians 3:13)

  • Jesus had brothers and sisters (Matthew 13:55–56)

• V. Mass

  • Catholic teaching: repeated sacrifice of Christ

  • Bible: one sacrifice for all time (Hebrews 9:28)

  • Lord’s Supper is remembrance, not literal flesh and blood (1 Corinthians 11:24–26)

• VI. Purgatory

  • Catholic teaching: souls purified after death

  • Bible: appointed once to die, then judgment (Hebrews 9:27)

  • Rich man and Lazarus account shows no second chance (Luke 16:19–31)

• VII. Authority

  • Catholic claim: divine tradition equal to scripture

  • Bible: the faith once for all delivered (Jude 3)

  • Warning against another gospel (Galatians 1:6–9)

• Conclusion/Invitation

  • Catholic Church not the church of Christ established in Acts 2

  • Many Catholic teachings contradict scripture

  • The Lord’s church exists today, founded on His Word

Call to Action
We have shown that the Roman Catholic Church is not the New Testament church founded by Christ. Its doctrines, traditions, and practices differ from the Word of God. The truth remains that Christ’s church exists today, and you can be added to it by obeying the gospel. Turn to His Word, believe His promises, and be part of the church that belongs to Christ.

Key Takeaways

• Christ’s church began on Pentecost, not in 606 A.D. (Acts 2:41–47).

• Jesus, not Peter, is the foundation (Matthew 16:16–18; 1 Corinthians 3:11).

• Only Christ mediates between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5).

• Mary is honored as mother of Jesus, but never as co-redeemer (Galatians 3:13).

• Christ’s sacrifice was once for all (Hebrews 9:28).

• After death comes judgment, not purgatory (Hebrews 9:27; Luke 16:19–31).

• The Bible is God’s final revelation (Jude 3; Galatians 1:6–9).

Scripture Reference List

• Acts 2:41–42, 47 – The establishment of Christ’s church.

• Acts 14:23 – Elders in every congregation.

• Matthew 16:16–18 – Confession of Christ, not Peter, is the rock.

• 1 Corinthians 3:11 – Jesus is the only foundation.

• Matthew 23:9 – Do not call men “Father.”

• 1 Timothy 2:5 – Christ is the one Mediator.

• 1 Timothy 4:1–3 – Forbidding marriage is apostasy.

• Matthew 8:14; 1 Peter 5:1 – Peter was married, a fellow elder.

• Galatians 3:13 – Christ redeemed us.

• Matthew 13:55–56 – Jesus had siblings.

• Hebrews 9:28 – Christ sacrificed once for all.

• 1 Corinthians 11:24–26 – The Lord’s Supper as remembrance.

• Hebrews 9:27 – Death followed by judgment.

• Luke 16:19–31 – No second chance after death.

• Jude 3 – The faith once delivered to the saints.

• Galatians 1:6–9 – Another gospel condemned.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO