IS POPE FRANCIS A FALSE TEACHER? DEBUNKING THE ALLEGATIONS OF ANTI-CATHOLICS By John Noriel, SPMS

IS POPE FRANCIS A FALSE TEACHER?

Debunking the allegations of non-Catholic.

John Noriel, SPMS

According to Jordan Riley Ministries’s post he described Pope Francis as:

Pope Francis is NOT SAVIOR (Acts 4:12)

Pope Francis is NOT your FATHER (Matthew 23:9)

Pope Francis is NOT HOLY (Mark 10:18)

Pope Francis is NOT SINLESS (Romans 3:23)

Pope Francis is NOT GOD’S REPRESENTATIVE (1 Timothy 2:5)

Pope Francis is NOT HEAD OF THE CHURCH (Colossians 1:17-18)

Pope Francis preaches false doctrine (Galatians 1:6-9, Ephesians 2:8-9)

OUR RESPONSE!

(POPE FRANCIS IS NOT SAVIOR?)

The Catholic Church never believe that Pope Francis is a savior. We believe that salvation comes from God. (John 3:16, Titus 2:13)

(POPE FRANCIS IS NOT OUR FATHER?)

Pope Francis is not our father as God but we’ll called him father because he is the father of faith.

1 Corinthians 4:15 NIV

[15] Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I BECAME your FATHER THROUGH the GOSPEL.

We, Catholics believe that our only FATHER (GOD) is the Father in heaven.

(POPE FRANCIS IS NOT HOLY?)

First and foremost, can you elaborate what kinds of HOLY? God is HOLY therefore pope Francis is HOLY! God made him Holy.

Romans 1:7

To all in Rome who are LOVED by GOD and CALLED to BE his HOLY PEOPLE:

People in Rome are loved by God and called to be his HOLY PEOPLE.

(POPE FRANCIS IS NOT SINLESS?)

Yes, we believe that Pope Francis is NOT SINLESS!

Romans 3:23 NIV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Pope Francis is a mere man, he committed sin he is not sinless. But pope Francis is infallible for teaching the word of God. (Matthew 16:18-19)

(POPE FRANCIS IS NOT GOD’S REPRESENTATIVE?)

Pope Francis is God’s representative because the holy spirit appointed him as bishop!

Acts 20:28 Douay-Rheims Bible

Take heed to yourselves, and to the whole flock, wherein the HOLY GHOST hath PLACED YOU BISHOPS, to rule the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

SEE??! Pope Francis is GOD’S REPRESENTATIVE.

(POPE FRANCIS IS NOT HEAD OF THE CHURCH?)

Yes, the Catholics believe that Jesus is the head of the church not the pope.

Colossians 1:18

And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

The Pope was called VISIBLE HEAD OF THE CHURCH OR VICAR OR CHRIST.

(POPE FRANCIS PREACHES FALSE DOCTRINE?)

The poster use the bible verses ,(Galatians 1:6-9, Ephesians 2:8-9) to give his conclusion that Pope Francis is preaches false doctrine. But before we conclude let’s read what the bible verse says.

Galatians 1:6-9 KJV

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Pope Francis never taught a doctrine that not favor from the sacred scripture. In fact we defended the bible for many times.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Before you teach this bible verse, the Catholic Church teaches it first. We believe that we will saved by the GRACE OF GOD but if you’re talking for FAITH ALONE… there’s no FAITH ALONE written in Ephesians 2:8-9. If we continues reading from verse 10 we will see the truth.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

[10] For we are God’s handiwork, CREATED in CHRIST JESUS TO DO GOOD WORKS, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Pope Francis teaches FAITH AND GOOD WORKS not FAITH ALONE.

James 2:24 King James Bible

Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and NOT BY FAITH ONLY.

1 Peter 3:15 Berean Standard Bible

But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. ALWAYS BE PREPARED to GIVE a DEFENSE to EVERYONE who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,

 

MGA TANONG NA PWEDE NATING GAMITIN KAPAG GINAMIT NG IGLESIA NI CRISTO 1914 ANG ROMA 16:16 – CFD Muntinlupa

Catholic Faith Defenders - Muntinlupa City

APAT (4) NA TANONG NA PWEDE NATING GAMITIN KAPAG GINAMIT NG IGLESIA NI CRISTO 1914 ANG ROMA 16:16

Noong isinulat ni San Pablo ang Roma 16:16 ay HINDI PA LUMITAW ang Iglesia ni Cristo na tatag ni Felix Manalo kaya isang MALAKING KAMALIAN na eh proclaim na sila ang tinutukoy dito. Kaya malaking kasinungalingan talaga ito kung eh claim natin ang isang bagay na hindi naman para sa iyo.

Kaya narito ang apat (4) na katanungan na pwede nating gamitin laban sa Iglesia ni Cristo 1914 kapag ginamit nila at sinabi nila na sila ang nakasulat at tinutukoy sa Roma 16:16.

1. Ang Roma 16:16 ay isinulat ni San Pablo noong 57-58 A.D., ang ibig sabihin hindi pa lumitaw ang Iglesia ni Cristo na itinatag ni Felix Manalo noong 1914 sa Pilipinas. Ang tanong paano ninyo na masasabi Iglesia ni Cristo 1914 ito eh matagal na pala itong naisulat at samantalang lumitaw lang ang INC sa Pilipinas taong July 27,1914?

2. Sa pinakaunang sulat ni San Pablo sa mga taga Roma, sinabi niya na ang PANANAMPALATAYA ng mga unang “Cristiano” ay LUMAGANAP NA SA BUONG SANLIBUTAN (Roma 1:8).

Ito ay nangangahulogan na noong panahong iyon ay LUMAGANAP NA SA BUONG SANLIBUTAN ANG PANANAMPALATAYA NG MGA NAUNANG CHRISTIANO. ANG TANONG, LUMAGANAP NA BA NOONG PANAHONG IYON ANG ITINATAG NI FELIX MANALO NA “IGLESIA NI CRISTO”?

3. Ang mga ugali ng mga naunang Cristiano ay hindi tulad ng pag uugali ng Iglesia ni Cristo na itinatag ni Felix Manalo. Ang mga Christiano sa taga Roma ay tinuroan na huwag silang humusga o humatol sa mga taong kumakain ng kahit anong klase ng pagkain (Roma 14:3). ANG TANONG BAKIT ANG MGA MIYEMBRO NG IGLESIA NI MANALO AY MAHILIG MANGHUSGA O HUMATOL SA MGA KATOLIKO SA MGA PAGKAIN NA KINAKAIN NITO TULAD NG “DINUGOAN”?

Dagdag pa rito malinaw na sinabi ni San Pablo sa sulat niya na ang taong kumakain ng kahit ano at mga taong kumakain ng gulay lang ay PAREHONG TINATANGGAP NG DIYOS. Ang tanong, tinatanggap ba ng Iglesia ni Cristo 1914 ang mga katoliko na kumakain ng dinugoan? Hindi bat sinasabi din nila na walang kaligtasan ang mga taong hindi pumapasok sa kanilang relihiyon? Kung ang Diyos ay TINATANGGAP NIYA ANG MGA TAONG KUMAKAIN NG KAHIT ANO, sino itong mga myembro ng Iglesia ni Cristo para pagsabihan nila ang hindi nila myembro?

4. Ang mga Christiano sa taga Roma ay tinuroan na Diyos si Cristo, PERO ANG IGLESIA NI CRISTO NA ITINATAG NI FELIX MANALO AY TINUROAN NA “HINDI DIYOS” SI CRISTO KUNGDI SIYA AY ISA LAMANG NA TAO.

Ano ang sabi ni San Pablo sa mga taga Roma:

“To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, ACCORDING TO THE FLESH, IS THE CHRIST, WHO IS GOD OVER ALL, blessed forever. Amen”(Romans 9:5)

ANG TANONG KUNG KUNG KINE CLAIM NILA NA SILA ANG TINUTUKOY SA ROMA 16:16 BAKIT HINDI ITINURO SA KANILA NA SI CRISTO AY TOTOONG DIYOS AT HINDI TAO?

Note: Ito ay mga katanungan lamang para sa INC 1914 na gumagamit ng Roma 16:16.

References:

Catholic Faith Defenders - Muntinlupa City. (2022, September 14). MGA TANONG NA PWEDE NATING GAMITIN KAPAG GINAMIT NG IGLESIA NI CRISTO 1914 ANG ROMA 16:16 – CFD Muntinlupa. Retrieved from The Splendor of the Church: https://thesplendorofthechurch.com/2022/09/14/mga-tanong-na-pwede-nating-gamitin-kapag-ginamit-ng-iglesia-ni-cristo-1914-ang-roma-1616-cfd-muntinlupa/

 

THE VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE CHURCH By Leonard Canamo

Cofat Catechesis

The Church with the Pope

Part 5: Visible and Invisible Church

Now a days, iba iba ang pagkakaunawa ng mga Kristiyano sa salitang “Simbahan o Church”. Some take it with a deeper meaning and some take it with a lesser one. Some with an exclusive mind believe na we should be a card holding member of this church in order for you to be save otherwise you will be damn in hell. On the other hand, there are some who believe na hindi importante kung saang simbahan ka nabibilang, what is important according to them is your personal relationship with Christ. And for me that’s a dilemma and if we sum up those views we can group them into two; either the Church is

1) Visible or

2) Invisible

–

For the first view of the Church, they believe that the Church is a Visible organization that can be identified. But some take it exclusively to the point that they promote a belief that we should be a member of this Church and outside of this church you have no hope to be save. Only the members of this Church ang may pagasang maligtas. Sometimes ganito ang nangyayari if we focus too much sa ganitong view to the extent na it emphasized membership rather than God’s saving grace working inside of us. Evident ito sa mga Philippine founding church like Iglesia ni Cristo and others

–

While for the second view, they believe that the Church is Invisible meaning the holy Christian Church is a reality, although it is not an external, visible organization. Because ‘man look on the outward appearance, but the Lord look on the heart, therefore only the Lord knows ‘them that are his.’ That’s why according to them, the members of the holy Christian Church are known only to God; we cannot distinguish between true believers and hypocrites. So for those who believe in an Invisible church promotes a kind of church that cannot be identified with anyone church body or the sum total of all church bodies. The invisible church is a typical view of most of “born again christian groups” now a days na very appealing because of their clever expression of their view like “Christianity is not a religion it is a personal relationship with Christ”, and “I’m spiritual but not religious”. Those expression shows their belief to an invisible church.

–

In both extremes that we have, the Catholic Church gives I think the balance between this two different views. Because we catholics believe that the Church has both Visible aspect and Invisible aspect. It means we believe that the Church is a Visible Church with a hierarchical structure, with an address that we can locate their place and leaders that has authority to settle doctrinal and moral issues. At the same time we believe in the Church that transend,meaning it has invisible aspect in which we can receive the grace of God through sacraments that make us holy and partakers of the life of God.

–

That is why Catholics believe that Christ’sChurch is more than invisible communion of faith. Just as Christ had a real physical body, so Christ’s Church is made up of a real physical union of believers held together by human bonds, as well as by divine grace. The Church is the “Mystical Body of Christ”, an expression which reflect both the spiritual (Mystical) and the physical (Body) nature of the Church.

–

Of course,there are some Christians that will object with that, because they see the human,physical side of the Church as a barrier between them and God. They contend that the Church should be only spiritual and therefore invisible community of faith. God offers grace,they think, directly to each person,not through the mediation of any Church. God speaks, they suppose, to each one individually,not through the teaching office of a Church.

–

But if we read the bible, it shows that God offers salvation to human being not merely as individuals without any mutual bonds,but by making them into a single people. Remember God formed first, the people of Israel sa Old testament to prepare the way, then through Jesus, he formed the new “People of God” we read

–

1 Peter 2,10

[10]Though in past times you were not a people, yet now you are the people of God. Though you had not obtained mercy, yet now you have obtained mercy.

–

This People of God is the Church. Now if that Church is invisible we will fail to see the significance of Jesus words in the bible we read

–

Matthew 18,17

[17]And if he will not listen to them, tell the Church. But if he will not listen to the Church, let him be to you like the pagan and the tax collector.

–

This is a passage from the Gospel that explain how to settle disputes among christians and from that text Jesus shows the role of the Church as a final arbiter in which Jesus said “if he will not listen to the Church let him be like the pagan and tax collector” meaning a foreigner or a sinner.

–

Ngayon kung iaapply natin yan today,if we have doctrinal dispute sa isang born again Christian, following the words of Jesus na “tell the Church” which will serve as our arbiter, the question is saang church kami pupunta? Ako as catholics will go to the Catholic church habang ang kaibigan kong born again will go sa Church na kinabibilangan nya, in the end we will not solve our doctrinal dispute. That’s the problem of those christians na naniniwala na ang simbahan is an invisible church. But for catholics,we don’thave that problem because as i said we believe also sa visible church that serve as a judge to settle doctrinal issues.

–

Next time pagusapan natin ng mas malalim ang Visible aspect ng simbahan kung saan alam naman natin maraming issue dito hindi lang ang mga non catholics kundi maging ang mga kapwa natin catholics. And after that dadako na tayo sa aspect kung saan paguusapan na natin sino sino ang bumubuo sa simbahan hanggang sa makarating tayo sa main topic ko walang iba kundi ang Santo Papa. Stay tuned. Godbless

References:

Canamo, L. (2022, September 10). THE VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE CHURCH . Retrieved from The Splendor of the Church: http://thesplendorofthechurch.com/2022/09/10/the-visible-and-invisible-church-by-leonard-canamo/

 

REBUTTAL TO THE RADTRAD PROPAGANDA: “Mass of the Ages 2”