The Authority of the Catholic Church, Pt. 2

[see the book info-page for this volume / buy Kindle or Nook versions]
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Second part (pp. 100-136) of chapter two of my book, Bible Truths for Catholic Truths: A Source Book for Apologists and Inquirers (Manchester, New Hampshire: Sophia Institute Press, 2009); the paperback is now out-of-print. This book could also be known as Dave’s Topical Bible, and contains over 1,900 Bible passages, categorized under 115 thematic headings. I am now offering it online for free.
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In these blog posts I use — for readers’ convenience — the original RSV of the manuscript (© 1971 by Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America), rather than KJV, which was mostly used in the paperback, due to copyright law. This book is all Bible, except for a few clarifying comments here and there. Subtitles sometimes differ from the published version. They are my own original titles.

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“FATHER” AS A TITLE FOR PRIESTS

Acts 7:2 And Stephen said: “Brethren and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, . . .”

Romans 4:12 . . . the father of the circumcised . . . our father Abraham . . .

Romans 4:16-17 . . . Abraham, for he is the father of us all, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations . . .”

Romans 9:10 And not only so, but also when Rebecca had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac,

1 Corinthians 4:15 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Philippians 2:22 But Timothy’s worth you know, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.

James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar?

In other words, Jesus’ statement, “call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven” (Matthew 23:9) utilized the common Hebrew method of exaggeration or hyperbole (see Mt 19:24; 23:24; Lk 6:42; 14:26) to teach that God the Father is the ultimate source of all authority. Interpreting this absolutely literally would prohibit all uses of the word father whatsoever; even biological fathers. But Jesus Himself uses the term father many times (Mt 15:4-6; 19:5, 19, 29; 21:31; Lk 16:24, 27, 30; Jn 8:56, etc.), and we see other examples above. Thus, the objection to calling Catholic priests father must be discarded.

A related issue with some critics of Catholicism, is the address, “holy father” as applied to popes (it is claimed that only God could be called that). All that remains, then, is to find “holy men” referred to in the Bible. The writer of Hebrews calls the recipients of his epistle “holy brethren” Peter refers to a “holy priesthood” (1 Pet 2:5) and “holy women” such as Sarah (1 Pet 3:5) and “holy prophets” (2 Pet 3:2; cf. Acts 3:21 [also Peter]; Zechariah’s prophecy in Luke 1:70). John the Baptist is referred to as a “righteous and holy man” (Mk 6:20). Jesus refers to a “righteous man” in Matthew 10:41. Therefore, men can be called “holy” in Scripture, and by extension, since “father” as an address for priests is perfectly biblical as well, the two could be put together for “holy father.”

APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION

1 Chronicles 27:33-34 Ahith’ophel was the king’s counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend. Ahith’ophel was succeeded by Jehoi’ada the son of Benai’ah, and Abi’athar. . . .

This is an example of succession of office in the Old Testament.

 Acts 1:20-26 “For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his habitation become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it’; and ‘His office let another take.’ So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us — one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsab’bas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthi’as. And they prayed and said, “Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show which one of these two thou hast chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside, to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthi’as; and he was enrolled with the eleven apostles.

Ephesians 2:19-20 . . . the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets . . .

1 Timothy 6:20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you.

2 Timothy 1:6 Hence I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands;

2 Timothy 1:13-14 Follow the pattern of the sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus; guard the truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.

2 Timothy 2:1-2 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

2 Timothy 4:1-6 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths. As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry. For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come.

Hebrews 7:5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brethren, though these also are descended from Abraham.

BISHOPS  (EPISKOPOS)

Numbers 4:16 And Elea’zar the son of Aaron the priest shall have charge of the oil for the light, the fragrant incense, the continual cereal offering, and the anointing oil, with the oversight of all the tabernacle and all that is in it, of the sanctuary and its vessels.

2 Kings 11:18 . . . And the priest posted watchmen over the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 34:12, 17 And the men did the work faithfully. Over them were set Jahath and Obadi’ah the Levites, of the sons of Merar’i, and Zechari’ah and Meshul’lam, of the sons of the Ko’hathites, to have oversight. . . . They have emptied out the money that was found in the house of the LORD and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers and the workmen.

Nehemiah 11:9 Jo’el the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of Hassen’u-ah was second over the city.

Isaiah 60:17 . . . I will make your overseers peace and your taskmasters righteousness.

All of the above passages in the Old Testament are examples where the ancient Greek Septuagint translation of the Bible used the word episkopos.

Acts 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his habitation become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it’;
and ‘His office let another take.’

Acts 20:28 Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son.

Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philip’pi, with the bishops and deacons:

1 Timothy 3:1-5 The saying is sure: If any one aspires to the office of bishop, he desires a noble task. Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher, no drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and no lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way; for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for God’s church?

Titus 1:5-9 This is why I left you in Crete, that you might amend what was defective, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you, if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of being profligate or insubordinate. For a bishop, as God’s steward, must be blameless; he must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of goodness, master of himself, upright, holy, and self-controlled; he must hold firm to the sure word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to confute those who contradict it.

The New Testament refers basically to three types of permanent offices in the Church (apostles and prophets were to cease): bishops (episkopos), elders (presbuteros, from which are derived Presbyterian and priest), and deacons (diakonos). The usual Greek word in Holy Scripture translated as elder in English translations, is presbuteros and its cognates (Acts 15:2-6; 21:18; 1 Tim 5:1-2, 17, 19; Titus 1:5; Heb 11:2; James 5:14; 1 Pet 5:1, 5; at least 18 times in the book of Acts in KJV). Protestants view these leaders as analogous to current-day pastors, while Catholics regard them as priests. KJV (according to Young’s Concordance) translates presbuteros as elder 62 times, and never as bishop. But episkopos and related words are never translated as elder.

Deacons (often, minister in English translations) are mentioned in the same fashion as Christian elders, with similar frequency (e.g., 1 Cor 3:5, Phil 1:1; 1 Thess 3:2; 1 Tim 3:8-13). Some argue that bishops, elders, and deacons are all synonymous biblical terms for the same office: roughly that of today’s conception of a pastor, and that bishops are no higher in rank than these other offices. But in Titus 1:5 the bishop is charged to “appoint” elders “in every town.”  This suggests both hierarchy and regional administration or jurisdiction.

Bishops and deacons are both mentioned in Philippians 1:1, which would be odd if they were synonymous.  1 Timothy 3:1–7 also discusses bishops, then goes on to treat deacons separately in 3:8–10 (“Deacons likewise…”). We would fully expect some overlapping or variability in function of ministers in the early Church, at the beginning of the development of ecclesiology.  Even St. Paul called himself a “minister” or deacon (Greek: diakonos) more than once (1 Cor 3:5; 4:1; 2 Cor 3:6; 6:4; 11:23; Eph 3:7; Col 1:23-25), but no one thinks that is all he was. Likewise, St. Peter calls himself a fellow elder (1 Pet 5:1).

1 Peter 2:25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

Jesus Himself is referred to as episkopos, thus demonstrating the analogy of authority and oversight in the Church. God is over all, and human beings also oversee the Church.

INFALLIBLE CHURCH AND CONCILIAR AUTHORITY

Matthew 10:20  for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Luke 10:16 He who hears you hears me . . .

Luke 12:12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.

John 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you.

John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

John 15:26 But when the Counselor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me;

John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; . . .

Acts 15:1-30 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” [2] And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. [3] So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoeni’cia and Sama’ria, reporting the conversion of the Gentiles, and they gave great joy to all the brethren. [4] When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. [5] But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up, and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses.” [6] The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. [7] And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. [8] And God who knows the heart bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us; [9] and he made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith. [10] Now therefore why do you make trial of God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? [11] But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” [12] And all the assembly kept silence; and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. [13] After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brethren, listen to me. [14] Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. [15] And with this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written, [16] ‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up, [17] that the rest of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, [18] says the Lord, who has made these things known from of old.’ [19] Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, [20] but should write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols and from unchastity and from what is strangled and from blood. [21] For from early generations Moses has had in every city those who preach him, for he is read every sabbath in the synagogues.’ [22] Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsab’bas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, [23] with the following letter: “The brethren, both the apostles and the elders, to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cili’cia, greeting. [24] Since we have heard that some persons from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, [25] it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, [26] men who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. [27] We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. [28] For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: [29] that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from unchastity. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.” [30]  So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter.

Acts 16:4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions which had been reached by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.

Ephesians 3:10 . . . through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.

“EXCOMMUNICATION” AND ANATHEMAS

Matthew 16:19 . . . whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven . . . [St. Peter individually]

Matthew 18:15-17 If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Matthew 18:18 . . . whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven . . . [the disciples]

John 20:23 . . . if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.

Romans 16:17 I appeal to you, brethren, to take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught; avoid them.

1 Corinthians 5:1-5 It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and of a kind that is not found even among pagans; for a man is living with his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. For though absent in body I am present in spirit, and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment in the name of the Lord Jesus on the man who has done such a thing. When you are assembled, and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

1 Corinthians 16:22 If any one has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!

2 Corinthians 2:5-11 But if any one has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure –not to put it too severely — to you all. For such a one this punishment by the majority is enough; so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.  So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. Any one whom you forgive, I also forgive. What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, to keep Satan from gaining the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

Galatians 1:8-9 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, If any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.

1 Timothy 1:19-20 . . . By rejecting conscience, certain persons have made shipwreck of their faith, among them Hymenae’us and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

1 Timothy 5:20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.

2 Timothy 2:16-18 Avoid such godless chatter, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will eat its way like gangrene. Among them are Hymenae’us and Phile’tus, who have swerved from the truth by holding that the resurrection is past already. They are upsetting the faith of some.

2 Timothy 4:14-15 Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will requite him for his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message.

Titus 1:10-11 For there are many insubordinate men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially the circumcision party; they must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for base gain what they have no right to teach.

Titus 3:10 As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him,

EXORCISM

Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. . . .

Mark 3:14-15 And he appointed twelve, to be with him, and to be sent out to preach and have authority to cast out demons:

Mark 6:12-13 So they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.

Mark 9:38-40 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him; for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon after to speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is for us.”

Mark 16:17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

Luke 9:1 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,

Luke 10:17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”

Acts 19:12 so that handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.

CHRISTIAN UNITY / CONDEMNATION OF SECTARIANISM, DENOMINATIONALISM, AND DIVISIVENESS

Matthew 12:25 Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand

John 10:16  . . .  So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.

John 17:20-23 I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.  The glory which thou hast given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and thou in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them even as thou hast loved me.

Acts 4:32 Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, . . .

Romans 2:8 but for those who are factious and do not obey the truth, but obey wickedness, there will be wrath and fury.

Romans 16:17 I appeal to you, brethren, to take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught; avoid them. (cf. 13:13)

1 Corinthians 1:10-13 I appeal to you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chlo’e’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brethren. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apol’los,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

1 Corinthians 3:3-4 . . . For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving like ordinary men? For when one says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apol’los,” are you not merely men?

1 Corinthians 10:17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

1 Corinthians 11:16-19 If any one is disposed to be contentious, we recognize no other practice, nor do the churches of God. But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse.  For, in the first place, when you assemble as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and I partly believe it,
for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.

1 Corinthians 12:20-21 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”

1 Corinthians 12:25 that there may be no discord in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.

2 Corinthians 12:20 For I fear that perhaps I may come and find you not what I wish, and that you may find me not what you wish; that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.

Galatians 5:19-20 Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit,

Ephesians 4:1-5 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Philippians 1:27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

Philippians 2:2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

1 Timothy 6:3-5 If any one teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching which accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit, he knows nothing; he has a morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, base suspicions, and wrangling among men who are depraved in mind and bereft of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

2 Timothy 2:23 Have nothing to do with stupid, senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.

Titus 3:9-11 But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.

James 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

2 Peter 2:1-2 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their licentiousness, and because of them the way of truth will be reviled.

SINNERS ARE PART OF THE CHURCH IN AN IMPERFECT FASHION

Matthew 13:24-30 Another parable he put before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.
So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the householder came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then has it weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No; lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’” (cf. 3:12)

Matthew 13:47-50 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind;  when it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad. So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous, and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. (cf. 25:1-30)

Jesus chose Judas as His disciple, even though He knew the future, and he was truly an apostle (Mt 10:1, 4; Mk 3:14; Jn 6:70-71; Acts 1:17).

Matthew 22:2, 10 The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son, . . . And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.

Matthew 23:2-3 The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice.

Luke 22:31-34 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren.” And he said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” He said, “I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you three times deny that you know me.”

Acts 20:29-30 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

1 Corinthians 3:3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving like ordinary men?

1 Corinthians 5:1 It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and of a kind that is not found even among pagans; for a man is living with his father’s wife.

1 Corinthians 6:8 But you yourselves wrong and defraud, and that even your own brethren.

1 Corinthians 11:17-18 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you assemble as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and I partly believe it,

2 Corinthians 11:4 For if some one comes and preaches another Jesus than the one we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you submit to it readily enough.

2 Corinthians 12:20-21 For I fear that perhaps I may come and find you not what I wish, and that you may find me not what you wish; that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.
I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned before and have not repented of the impurity, immorality, and licentiousness which they have practiced.

Despite all this sin in the Corinthian assemblies, St. Paul called it the “church of God” (1 Cor 1:2; 2 Cor 1:1; cf. 2 Cor 11:2). We observe the same dynamic with regard to the seven “churches” of Revelation (Rev 2:1, 7, 12, 18; 3:13-14), even though sternly rebuked for a multitude of serious sins, such as: abandoning their initial love for God (Rev 2:4); idolatry and “immorality” (2:14, 20-21); lukewarmness (3:16); and being “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked” (3:17).

Galatians 3:1, 3 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? . . . Are you so foolish? Having begun with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh?

Galatians 4:9, 11 but now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and beggarly elemental spirits, whose slaves you want to be once more? . . . I am afraid I have labored over you in vain.

Galatians 5:7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?

Yet St. Paul calls these congregations the “churches of Galatia” (Gal 1:2).

1 Timothy 1:15 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the foremost of sinners;

2 Timothy 2:20 In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and earthenware, and some for noble use, some for ignoble.

1 John 1:8-10 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1 John 2:1-2 My little children, I am writing this to you so that you may not sin; but if any one does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the expiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

BEAUTIFUL, EXPENSIVE SACRED BUILDINGS OF WORSHIP

2 Samuel 7:2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.”

1 Kings 7:50 the cups, snuffers, basins, dishes for incense, and firepans, of pure gold; and the sockets of gold, for the doors of the innermost part of the house, the most holy place, and for the doors of the nave of the temple.

2 Kings 18:16 At that time Hezeki’ah stripped the gold from the doors of the temple of the LORD, and from the doorposts which Hezeki’ah king of Judah had overlaid and gave it to the king of Assyria.

1 Chronicles 22:5 . . . the house that is to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and glory throughout all lands; . . .

1 Chronicles 28:11-19 Then David gave Solomon his son the plan of the vestibule of the temple, and of its houses, its treasuries, its upper rooms, and its inner chambers, and of the room for the mercy seat; and the plan of all that he had in mind for the courts of the house of the LORD, all the surrounding chambers, the treasuries of the house of God, and the treasuries for dedicated gifts; for the divisions of the priests and of the Levites, and all the work of the service in the house of the LORD; for all the vessels for the service in the house of the LORD, the weight of gold for all golden vessels for each service, the weight of silver vessels for each service, the weight of the golden lampstands and their lamps, the weight of gold for each lampstand and its lamps, the weight of silver for a lampstand and its lamps, according to the use of each lampstand in the service, the weight of gold for each table for the showbread, the silver for the silver tables, and pure gold for the forks, the basins, and the cups; for the golden bowls and the weight of each; for the silver bowls and the weight of each; for the altar of incense made of refined gold, and its weight; also his plan for the golden chariot of the cherubim that spread their wings and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD. All this he made clear by the writing from the hand of the LORD concerning it, all the work to be done according to the plan.

1 Chronicles 29:1-9, 16 And David the king said to all the assembly, “Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is young and inexperienced, and the work is great; for the palace will not be for man but for the LORD God. So I have provided for the house of my God, so far as I was able, the gold for the things of gold, the silver for the things of silver, and the bronze for the things of bronze, the iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood, besides great quantities of onyx and stones for setting, antimony, colored stones, all sorts of precious stones, and marble. Moreover, in addition to all that I have provided for the holy house, I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, and because of my devotion to the house of my God I give it to the house of my God: three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, for overlaying the walls of the house, and for all the work to be done by craftsmen, gold for the things of gold and silver for the things of silver. Who then will offer willingly, consecrating himself today to the LORD?” Then the heads of fathers’ houses made their freewill offerings, as did also the leaders of the tribes, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and the officers over the king’s work. They gave for the service of the house of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze, and a hundred thousand talents of iron. And whoever had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the LORD, in the care of Jehi’el the Gershonite. Then the people rejoiced because these had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD; David the king also rejoiced greatly. . . . O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building thee a house for thy holy name comes from thy hand and is all thy own.

2 Chronicles 2:1,5 Now Solomon purposed to build a temple for the name of the LORD, and a royal palace for himself. . . . The house which I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods.

2 Chronicles 3:4-10 The vestibule in front of the nave of the house was twenty cubits long, equal to the width of the house; and its height was a hundred and twenty cubits. He overlaid it on the inside with pure gold. The nave he lined with cypress, and covered it with fine gold, and made palms and chains on it. He adorned the house with settings of precious stones. The gold was gold of Parva’im. So he lined the house with gold — its beams, its thresholds, its walls, and its doors; and he carved cherubim on the walls. And he made the most holy place; its length, corresponding to the breadth of the house, was twenty cubits, and its breadth was twenty cubits; he overlaid it with six hundred talents of fine gold. The weight of the nails was one shekel to fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold. In the most holy place he made two cherubim of wood and overlaid them with gold.

2 Chronicles 4:7-8 And he made ten golden lampstands as prescribed, and set them in the temple, five on the south side and five on the north. He also made ten tables, and placed them in the temple, five on the south side and five on the north. And he made a hundred basins of gold.

2 Chronicles 4:18-22 Solomon made all these things in great quantities, so that the weight of the bronze was not ascertained. So Solomon made all the things that were in the house of God: the golden altar, the tables for the bread of the Presence, the lampstands and their lamps of pure gold to burn before the inner sanctuary, as prescribed; the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs, of purest gold; the snuffers, basins, dishes for incense, and firepans, of pure gold; and the sockets of the temple, for the inner doors to the most holy place and for the doors of the nave of the temple were of gold.

Isaiah 64:11 Our holy and beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, . . .

Jeremiah 52:18 . . . vessels of bronze used in the temple service

Daniel 5:3 . . . golden and silver vessels which had been taken out of the temple, . . .

Hosea 8:14 For Israel has forgotten his Maker, and built palaces; . . .

Mark 13:1 And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!”

Luke 21:5 . . . some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, . . . (cf. Acts 3:2, 10)

CHURCHES AND SACRED SITES AS “HOLY PLACES”

Exodus 3:2-5 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush; and he looked, and lo, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.” When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here am I.” Then he said, “Do not come near; put off your shoes from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” (cf. Acts 7:33)

Exodus 26:33-34 And you shall hang the veil from the clasps, and bring the ark of the testimony in thither within the veil; and the veil shall separate for you the holy place from the most holy. You shall put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.

Exodus 28:35 And you shall hang the veil from the clasps, and bring the ark of the testimony in thither within the veil; and the veil shall separate for you the holy place from the most holy. You shall put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place. (cf. 28:29, 43; 29:30-31; 31:11; 35:19; 39:1, 41)

Exodus 40:9-10 Then you shall take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and consecrate it and all its furniture; and it shall become holy. You shall also anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and consecrate the altar; and the altar shall be most holy.

Leviticus 6:26 The priest who offers it for sin shall eat it; in a holy place it shall be eaten, in the court of the tent of meeting. (cf. 6:16, 27, 30; 7:6; 10:13; 14:13)

Leviticus 16:2 and the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at all times into the holy place within the veil, before the mercy seat which is upon the ark, lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.” (cf. 16:3)

Leviticus 16:16 thus he shall make atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleannesses of the people of Israel, and because of their transgressions, all their sins; and so he shall do for the tent of meeting, which abides with them in the midst of their uncleannesses. (cf. 16:17, 20, 23-24, 27; 24:9; Num 18:10; 28:7)

1 Kings 6:16 He built twenty cubits of the rear of the house with boards of cedar from the floor to the rafters, and he built this within as an inner sanctuary, as the most holy place. (cf. 7:50)

1 Kings 8:6 Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the most holy place, underneath the wings of the cherubim. (cf. 8:8,10)

Nehemiah 11:1 . . . Jerusalem the holy city, . . . (cf. 11:18)

Psalm 5:7 But I through the abundance of thy steadfast love will enter thy house, I will worship toward thy holy temple in the fear of thee. (cf. 65:4; 79:1)

Psalm 28:2 Hear the voice of my supplication, as I cry to thee for help, as I lift up my hands toward thy most holy sanctuary.

Psalm 43:3 . . . thy holy hill . . . (cf. Jer 31:23)

Psalm 78:54 And he brought them to his holy land, to the mountain which his right hand had won.

Psalm 79:1 . . . thy holy temple; . . .

Psalm 138:2 I bow down toward thy holy temple and give thanks to thy name for thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness; for thou hast exalted above everything thy name and thy word. (cf. Jon 2:4,7; Mic 1:2; Hab 2:20)

Isaiah 48:2 . . . the holy city, . . . (cf. 52:1; 64:10)

Jeremiah 31:40 The whole valley of the dead bodies and the ashes, and all the fields as far as the brook Kidron, to the corner of the Horse Gate toward the east, shall be sacred to the LORD. It shall not be uprooted or overthrown any more for ever.

Jeremiah 51:51 . . . aliens have come into the holy places of the LORD’s house.

Ezekiel 20:40 For on my holy mountain, the mountain height of Israel, says the Lord GOD, there all the house of Israel, all of them, shall serve me in the land; there I will accept them, and there I will require your contributions and the choicest of your gifts, with all your sacred offerings.

Ezekiel 44:27 And on the day that he goes into the holy place, into the inner court, to minister in the holy place, he shall offer his sin offering, says the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 48:12 And it shall belong to them as a special portion from the holy portion of the land, a most holy place, adjoining the territory of the Levites. (cf. 45:1, 3-4, 6-7)

Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks of years are decreed concerning your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.

Zechariah 2:12 And the LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem.

Matthew 4:5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple,

Matthew 23:16-19 Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If any one swears by the temple, it is nothing; but if any one swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? And you say, ‘If any one swears by the altar, it is nothing; but if any one swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred?

Matthew 24:15 So when you see the desolating sacrilege spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place . . .

Matthew 27:53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. (cf. Rev 11:2)

Ephesians 2:19-22 So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Further analogy of Christians as a “holy temple” due to being indwelt by the Holy Spirit occurs in 1 Cor 3:16-17 (cf. 6:19; 2 Cor 6:16)

Hebrews 9:2-3 For a tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies,

Hebrews 9:12 he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.

2 Peter 1:18 we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.

Further instances of “holy place” occur in 1 Chron 6:49, 2 Chronicles (nine), Ezra 9:8, Psalms (four), Ezekiel (seven more). See also: “holy mountain”: Ps 48:1; 87:1; 99:9; 110:3; Is 11:9; 27:13; 56:7; 57:13; 65:11, 25; 66:20; Ezek 20:40; 28:14; Dan 11:25; Joel 2:1; 3:17; Obad 1:16; Zeph 3:11; Zech 8:3.

SACRED AND HOLY ITEMS

Exodus 28:2 And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. (cf. 28:4; 29:29; 31:10; 35:19, 21; 39:1, 41; 40:13; Lev 16:4,32)

Exodus 28:38 . . . the holy offering which the people of Israel hallow as their holy gifts . . .

Exodus 29:6 and you shall set the turban on his head, and put the holy crown upon the turban. (cf. 39:30; Lev 8:9)

Exodus 29:37 Seven days you shall make atonement for the altar, and consecrate it, and the altar shall be most holy; whatever touches the altar shall become holy.

Exodus 30:25 and you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil blended as by the perfumer; a holy anointing oil it shall be. (cf. 30:31-32; 37:29; Num 35:25)

Exodus 40:9-10 Then you shall take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and consecrate it and all its furniture; and it shall become holy. You shall also anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and consecrate the altar; and the altar shall be most holy.

Leviticus 5:15 . . . holy things of the LORD . . . (cf. Lev 22:2-7; 14-16)

Leviticus 16:2 and the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at all times into the holy place within the veil, before the mercy seat which is upon the ark, lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.” (cf. 16:3)

Numbers 4:19-20 but deal thus with them, that they may live and not die when they come near to the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in and appoint them each to his task and to his burden, but they shall not go in to look upon the holy things even for a moment, lest they die. (cf. 4:4, 15)

Joshua 6:19 But all silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are sacred to the LORD; they shall go into the treasury of the LORD

1 Samuel 21:6 So the priest gave him the holy bread; . . .

1 Kings 8:4 . . . all the holy vessels that were in the tent . . . (cf. 1 Chron 9:29; 22:19)

2 Chronicles 35:3 And he said to the Levites who taught all Israel and who were holy to the LORD, “Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, built; you need no longer carry it upon your shoulders. . . .”

Ezekiel 44:13 They shall not come near to me, to serve me as priest, nor come near any of my sacred things and the things that are most sacred; but they shall bear their shame, because of the abominations which they have committed. (cf. Zeph 3:4; Zech 14:21; Judith 4:3)

Matthew 7:6 Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under foot and turn to attack you.

Matthew 23:16-19 Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If any one swears by the temple, it is nothing; but if any one swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? And you say, ‘If any one swears by the altar, it is nothing; but if any one swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred?

Romans 11:16 If the dough offered as first fruits is holy, so is the whole lump; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Romans 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. . . . (cf. 1 Cor 16:20; 2 Cor 13:12; 1 Thess 5:26)

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Summary: I provide the biblical rationale for Catholic beliefs by presenting categorized Bible passages having to do with the topic of the authority of the Catholic Church.