The Roman Catholic Pope Francis made a recent statement regarding Baptism and how it unites all Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox. Here is a short excerpt from an article on the pope’s message:
Referring to the Second Vatican Council document “Unitatis redintegratio”, the Pope affirmed that baptism “establishes a sacramental bond of unity which links all who have been reborn by it.” [‘Baptism is stronger than differences’: Pope Francis addresses the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, By Elise Harris (CNA/EWTN News) 1/21/2016]
As you know, I am a former Roman Catholic, and I was baptized as a little infant inside a Roman Catholic church in Astoria, Queens, NYC. Later on in life I was baptized as an adult. I do not remember that first baptism, but I certainly remember my second baptism. The first baptism in the Roman Catholic church was totally unbiblical, and I had no idea what was going on. The second baptism came AFTER my spiritual conversion to Jesus Christ, and AFTER I realized that I had been deceived by the church of Rome up until that point in time. When I was truly born again of the Spirit, I knew that the system of Roman Catholicism was a complete and total fraudulent religious system. I knew instantly that the system was made up of some very religious people, who were also very lost. The church of Rome still teaches, that they are the only true church on earth, with the “Holy Father” Pope Francis as their leader. They teach that a Roman Catholic infant is “born again” or “reborn” when they are sprinkled with water, by the Catholic priest. You might as well sprinkle the head of a plastic baby doll with some water, because it would have the same effect! The plastic baby doll has no idea what is happening either!
Here is one of the famous Roman Catholic curses (anathemas) from the Council of Trent, which were upheld by the council of Vatican II.
CANON XIII.-If any one saith, that little children, for that they have not actual faith, are not, after having received baptism, to be reckoned amongst the faithful; and that, for this cause, they are to be rebaptized when they have attained to years of discretion; or, that it is better that the baptism of such be omitted, than that, while not believing by their own act, they should be baptized in the faith alone of the Church; let him be anathema.
It is kind of funny when you listen to Pope Francis talk about baptism, as he pushes for unity, when there are curses like that in the Roman Catholic system. Folks I will tell you straight out that the Pope is the leader of a system that has absolutely nothing to do with Biblical Christianity. The Roman Catholic baptism is nothing more than another one of Rome’s man-made traditions which keeps millions in bondage to her.
I am happy to say that I do not believe a little child is numbered among the faithful after being baptized by a Roman Catholic priest, so I am under that curse! The curses of Rome mean absolutely nothing to me, and more importantly, they are nothing in the sight of Almighty God. If Jesus Christ were to walk he earth in our modern day he would rebuke the Pope, and the rest of the Catholic clergy because of their man-made traditions!
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 15:8-9
The Roman Catholic Pope travels all over the world, and he continues to lead millions astray with his false teachings. He is turning his followers into children of Hell in the process!
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.” Matthew 23:15
The Pope continues to allow people call him “Holy Father” and “His Holiness” despite the warning from Jesus Christ himself! He is even called “Father” by the so called leaders in the “Christian” world!
“And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.” Matthew 23:9
Take another look at the words “Unitatis reintegratio” which were quoted by the Pope, and what the Wikipedia site says about it:
Unitatis Redintegratio calls for the reunion of Christendom and so it is not terribly different from previous calls for unity by Pope Leo XIII in the 1894 encyclical Praeclara gratulationis publicae. However, the document articulates a different kind of ecclesiology than Praeclara, focusing on the unity of the people of God and on separate Christian brethren instead of a classical call for schismatics to return to the fold under the unity of the Vicar of Christ.[Unitatis Reintegratio-Wikipedia]
The Jesuit Pope Francis knows exactly what he is doing folks. It is the desire of the Roman Catholic Pope, to bring all Christians, and eventually the whole world under the religious umbrella of the Church of Rome. It is quite interesting that the Roman Catholic church formerly referred to Protestants and other Christians as heretics, but since Vatican II, they have simply changed the outer garments, but they still have over 100 curses against those who disagree with her false teachings.
Before the Second Vatican Council, per the pronouncements of the Council of Trent, the Roman Catholic Church officially referred to Protestants and other non-Roman Catholic Christians as “heretics” likely not having hope of salvation outside of the “Church of Rome”. [Unitatis Reintegratio-Wikipedia]
So instead of referring to the Protestants and others as “heretics” Rome simply calls them (including myself) “separated brethren” who need to come home to the “Mother Church” Rome!
I can testify with joy today and tell the “Mother Church” and the Pope, “Momma, I am not coming home, because I met the real Jesus Christ!”
Once again I must quote my faithful brother in Christ, Keith Green here, because Keith was not afraid to tell it like it was regarding that wicked religious system:
It is obvious by even this brief glimpse into the doctrines of mortal and venial sins, confession, penance, and purgatory, that the Roman Catholic Church has constructed one of the most unbiblical doctrinal systems that has ever been considered “Christian”. The fear, anguish, and religious bondage that such a system of “reward and punishment” creates, has tormented millions of lives for centuries, and continues to prey on those who are ignorant of the biblical way of salvation.
To merely call such a system “a cult”, would be to throw it into the vast category of religions and quasi-religions that are currently making the rounds of our college campuses and city streets, snatching up many an unsuspecting youth. No, the Roman Church is not a cult. It’s an empire!
With its own ruler, its own laws, and its own subjects! The empire has no borders, it encompasses the globe with its eye on every person who does not vow allegiance. It calls the members of other faiths “separated brethren” and has as its goal the eventual bringing together of everyone under its flag.
I know that many will not be convinced or moved by this article (or any of the others) to make such a conclusion. They are impressed by what they’ve heard about recent stirrings among the Catholics in the “charismatic renewal”. Many evangelicals (especially Charismatics) have been thrilled by the reports of Catholics speaking in tongues, dancing in the Spirit, having nights of joy and praise, even attending “charismatic masses”.
Mouths that used to speak out boldly against the Church of Rome have been quieted by the times. It no longer is in vogue to speak of the pope as “the antichrist” or the Catholic Church as the “whore of Babylon”. Now Protestants unwittingly believe that “our differences are not so great”. Ah, that is just what She needs us to think!
I’ve never completely understood why God led me to write these articles. But it becomes more clear with each day of study, and each page of research. Never has something so black and wicked, gotten away with appearing so holy and mysteriously beautiful . . . for so long! (Keith Green-The Catholic Chronicles)
Folks, I hope that you see the extreme contrast in how Keith Green described the Roman Catholic church, and how the modern day ministers such as Billy Graham, Franklin Graham, Luis Palau, James Robison, Rick Warren, Paul Crouch and tons of others describe the church of Rome? Keith Green simply looked at the scriptures and compared it to what the Roman Catholic church taught, and he was absolutely astounded! You know that we must be living in the last days when you see people like Billy Graham using Roman Catholics as altar workers at his crusades, and sending them back to their Catholic churches!
Here Is an Example of a True Conversion and Baptism
In the book of Acts there is a story of a man from Ethiopia who was hungry for the truth, and the Lord honored that. This is a most important passage of scripture, and it exposes the counterfeit infant baptism of the Roman Catholic system. The Catholic church teaches that an infant is “born again” into the kingdom of God, when the Catholic priest sprinkles the head of the infant. What I want you to see here is a genuine conversion, and the genuine baptism which followed.
“And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias (Isaiah) the prophet.” Acts 8:25-28
Do not miss this folks. This Ethiopian man was reading the scriptures and the Lord saw it! The man had a heart that was seeking the truth, and he was reading the book of Isaiah from the Old Testament.
“Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias (Isaiah), and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.” Acts 8:29-31
Do not miss this part either folks. The scriptures tell us that the Spirit spoke to Philip and told him to pull up next to the chariot that the Ethiopian man was riding in. Can the Spirit of God talk to a mere human being like Philip? Of course he can, and he has never stopped talking to the children of God. The first thing that Philip asked the man was whether he understood what he was reading. The Ethiopian man told him that he did not, and so he invited Philip to help guide him. The Holy Spirit of God is also the Spirit of truth (John 16:13) and he used Philip to lead that man to the real Jesus Christ.
“The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.” Acts 8:32-35
The passage of scripture that this Ethiopian man was reading was from the prophet Isaiah, specifically Isaiah 53:7-8. That particular passage of scripture was a prophecy which spoke about the death of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins. It was written approximately 700 years before the death of Christ, which is simply amazing. The man from Ethiopia wanted to know if the prophet Isaiah was describing himself, or someone else. How did Philip answer the man from Ethiopia? Philip did what any man or woman who has been truly born again of the Spirit would have done. He preached Jesus to the man. Philip did not need to consult a Roman Catholic hierarchy or magisterium, or seek a Pope’s interpretation either. It was the Holy Spirit of God who was using Philip to preach the gospel to that man from Ethiopia. Philip did exactly what the Lord wanted him to do, and that is why the Spirit of God spoke to Philip in the first place. The same Holy Spirit that used Philip, has used countless millions to preach the soul saving gospel to people throughout the world. Dear reader of this blog post. Take the time to study the scriptures for yourself because we are living in a day of great apostasy. It was the powerful truth of the scriptures that delivered me from the deceptive and wicked system of Roman Catholicism, and I have not looked back.
“And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.” Acts 8:36-40
Here is what I want you to see regarding the teaching on baptism folks. The man from Ethiopia is the one who made the request to be baptized. He asked Philip what would keep him from being baptized right then and there. Philip did not simply dunk the man in the water at his request. He used the conditional word IF in his instruction to the man. He told the man IF he believed with all his heart, he could be baptized. The man declared that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and he obviously believed that he was the one whose death was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah! I want you to understand that the man from Ethiopia confessed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, which is something that the people of Judaism, and Islam and many other religions refuse to believe! The present Pope Francis has been known to talk about Christianity, Judaism and Islam as the three Abrahamic faiths, but Jesus is the SEED (descendant) who fulfilled that Abrahamic covenant.You cannot have salvation without faith in Jesus Christ. If a person tells you otherwise then they are DENYING the Lord Jesus Christ.
“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:26-29
So let’s get back to the man from Ethiopia and how he got saved. The Ethiopian man was baptized by Philip, and then the same Spirit of God supernaturally caught Philip away. That was a truly amazing event that took place, and the man was left alone, but he was not truly alone, because he KNEW the Lord from that time forth.
Call Upon The Lord and Get Saved!
Ladies and gentlemen I want you to know that the Lord Jesus Christ is not a sacrament. The Lord Jesus Christ is not someone to be summoned down from Heaven to be transformed into the “Blessed Sacrament” on a Catholic altar, and worshiped in that manner. Sacramentalism is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. You do not need the seven Roman Catholic sacraments to enter Heaven! The Lord Jesus Christ is as near as the mention of his name, and anyone can be SAVED by simply calling upon him for salvation. When that person has been truly born again of the Spirit, then they will know that they have been regenerated in true Biblical fashion. I was baptized as an adult AFTER I was born again of the Spirit, and it was a testimony that I my “old man” was dead, and that I was now risen agin through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons (children) of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we ARE the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Romans 8:14-17
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4
“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be SAVED.” Romans 10:10-13
The true Christian is already risen with Jesus Christ by faith. They do not need to enter a Roman Catholic confessional booth, to receive absolution for their sins from a Catholic priest. I did that for many years, but the real Jesus Christ set me free from that religious bondage, and that is why I continue to warn you about that system.