Is the Catholic Church Scriptural? Part 3

Infant Baptism

Some were arguing in favor of infant baptism Early in the third century and departures concerning Baptism from complete immersion in water was substituted for sprinkling, of which there is no reference to in the gospel.

The baptism of the New Testament is a burial, complete immersion in water.

Baptism means

“immersion from the word it is translated from.
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon definitions for baptism
Strongs number: 907
1. properly, to dip repeatedly, to immerge, submerge
2. to cleanse by dipping or submerging

Strongs number 907
bapti/zw baptizo (bap-tid’-zo); from a derivative of NT:911; to immerse, submerge; to make overwhelmed (i.e.fully wet); used only (in the N. T.) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism

Children are used as examples of purity and innocence, Matthew 18:3, 19:14. And the scriptures teach that one must be able to understand the steps necessary for baptism of which an infant has no sin to repent from and no understanding of which the gospel teaches.

Steps preceding baptism:

1. Hear, Romans 10:17
2. Believe, Acts 16:31
3. Repent, Acts 2:38
4. Confess, Acts 8:37-38
5. Be Baptized, Acts 2:38

The Catholic Church Hierarchy

• Pope, head of the Catholic Church, is celibate, no reference to in the New Testament
• Cardinal, office in the Catholic Church, they are celibate, no reference to in the New Testament
• Bishop, Catholic office, their qualifications not in the New Testament, they are celibate Note, in the New Testament qualifications for a bishop are given, married to one wife believing children etc, 1 Timothy 3:1-7
• Priest, Catholic office, with certain duties, they remain celibate

Note, all Christians are Priests, 1 Peter 2:5, Revelation 1:6

According to the Catholic church the Roman Pope is Infallible in matters of doctrine and morals, and has Full authority.

The Vatican Council In 1870 declared that the Roman Pope is infallible in matters of doctrine and morals when speaking and has the full authority of the office.

The Greek Orthodox Church takes this stand, it is ready to recognize the primacy of the Pope under the condition that it be as “first among equals, and not, first over all. Thus the division continues until the present day.

Mary Mother of Jesus, How Many Times She Actually Appears in the New Testament

1. The mother of Jesus: Matthew 1:16-25:
2. Visits her cousin, Elisabeth: Luke 1:36-56
3. Attends the feast at Jerusalem with her husband and her son: Luke 2:41-42
4. Misses Jesus, seeks and finds him in the temple area: Luke 2:46
5. Is present with Jesus at a marriage feast in Cana of Galilee: John 2:1-10
6. Seeks Jesus when he is teaching in a house: Matthew 12:46-47
7. Present at the Cross: John 19:25
8. Is committed to the care of John: John 19:26-27
9. Lives with the disciples in Jerusalem: Acts 1:14

Next: Is the Catholic Church Scriptural? Part 4