Letters    

 ...To A Catholic Priest (Con't.)

21.  Concerning the Adoration of the Host—The fact that we are not commanded to adore the elements used in the Lord's Supper is proof positive that the doctrine of Transubstantiation is without divine foundation.

22.  A. Concerning the Forbidding of the Bible to Laymen—It is certainly true God has ordained the Church for the perfecting of the saints, and that we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:12,14). It is also true, that God has called men to preach and to teach His Word, and it is also an undeniable fact that God has commanded men to "seek out the Book of the Lord and read" (Isaiah 34:16). So, our Lord Jesus exhorted, "Search the Scriptures" (John 5:39). Only one who is anti-Christ would forbid men to obey our Lord. Yet, several Popes and not a few church councils have warred against saints who were obedient to their Lord.

      B. Concerning the Forbidding of the Cup to Laymen— The only revelation God has given regarding the observance of the Lord's Supper is found in the Bible. In no instance are we told to deprive laymen of the cup.

      The forbidding of the cup to laymen is based upon the same faulty concept that forbids the Bible to laymen, and that forbids marriage to ministers.

23.   Concerning the Sacraments—There are only two "means of grace:" the Word of God, and Prayer. The Apostle Paul declares that the Holy Scriptures are "able to make (us) wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (II Timothy 3:15). He further tells us that "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (vs. 16,17).

     Peter exhorts us to "Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen" (II Peter 3:18). The "means" Peter refers to is the Scriptures (vs. 13-18, Note: 15-17). Peter again tells us that we are "born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God that liveth and abideth forever." And again, he says, "This is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you" (I Peter 1:23,25).

     "It (pleases) God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" (I Corinthians 1:21), says the Apostle. David also knew this ancient truth for he wrote, "The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul" (Psalm 19:7).

     The Bible reveals the state of the heart and the remedy (James 1:23,25). It is the "water" to cleanse us (Ephesians 5:26; John 15:3; Psalm 119:9-11). It is our lamp to guide us (II Peter 1:19; Proverbs 6:23; Psalm 119:105). It is our sword to overcome (Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians 6:17). Our blessed Lord prayed for us when He prayed, "Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth" (John 17:17). Prayer is the only other institution God has ordained to be an ordinary channel of grace. So, "When thou prayest, enter into thy closet and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly" (Matthew 6:6).

     There is a condition for prayer, however: "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me" (Psalm 66:18).

     Our Lord Jesus exhorted us that "men ought always to pray, and not to faint" (Luke 18:1); and that "What things so ever you desire, when you pray, believe that you have received them, and you will see them accomplished" (Mark 11:24, French).

     And Paul, in laying out the armor for spiritual warfare declares that prayer is not only part of the armor but enables us to use the rest of the armor (Ephesians 6:18).

    Prayer is not for naught: it "availeth much" if it is made in earnestness by a man God has declared to be righteous. Such prayer becomes "effectual" (James 5:16). It is because our Lord counseled His disciples to pray "that they enter not into temptation" (Luke 22:40) that we are exhorted by the Apostle to "pray without ceasing" (I Thessalonians 5:17).

     All other "means of grace" whether taking the forms of "penance" or of "confession," etc. have no foundation in the Word of God. True Christians are called "believers" because they adhere to the Word of God. They are "people of the Book," and are not "men of sentences."

24.     Concerning Tradition—No one denies that prior to the closing of the canon of Scripture that God's truth was passed on by word of mouth until such time that it became part of written revelation (II Thessalonians 2:15). Undoubtedly the early history of mankind was passed by father to son until God moved upon Moses to set it down in writing. But when by her traditions Rome contradicts the explicit, perspicuous Word of God, it is not sacred tradition, but sacrilege. If one believes the Word spoken by the apostles, he cannot observe the fabrications and prevarications of Rome.

      The Council of Trent had no Scriptural authority to proclaim tradition to be of equal authority with the Bible

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