Few men have had more influence on American society than Walt Disney. He pioneered the American animation industry and captivated children’s hearts with cartoon characters such as Micky Mouse and Donald Duck. He took Hollywood fantasy to a new level of influence with the building of DisneyLand in California and Disney World in Florida.
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Problem: Roman Catholics appeal to this passage in support of the doctrine of temporary punishment for those not good enough to go directly to heaven. They point to the fact that it speaks of people who “suffer loss” when their works are “burned” by fire and yet they are eventually “saved” (1 Cor. 3:15). Does the Bible teach that there is a temporary hell (purgatory) where people suffer for their sins before they are let into heaven?
Problem: When Philip meets the Ethiopian eunuch reading Isaiah 53, Philip asks, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And the man responds by saying, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” Jehovah’s Witness argue that this supports our need for an interpretive authority like the Watchtower Society: ““in order to understand God’s Word and discern his will we…need the help of his dedicated, organized people. [i.e. the Watchtower Society] The Ethiopian Bible reader acknowledged that fact.”[1] Is this the case?
Are we saved from our sins by faith or by faith and baptism? Though the Bible says that baptism is a very important part of the Christian life, it is not necessary for salvation. The truth is that we are saved by faith alone in Christ alone. Let’s take a look at scriptures used for both sides.
Problem: Peter states, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). When Peter refers to baptism here, he no doubt is referring to water baptism. Does this imply that we need water baptism in order to be forgiven?
Problem: Peter seems to be saying that those who responded had to repent and be baptized before they could receive the Holy Spirit. But this is contrary to the teaching of Paul that baptism is not part of the Gospel (1 Cor. 1:17) and that we are saved by faith alone (Rom. 4:4; Eph. 2:8–9).
Problem: Acts 2:1-4 states, “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.” Pentecostal theologians claim that this passage supports the doctrine of a Spirit baptism. Is this the case?
Problem: Roman Catholic apologists argue that Judas’ replacement by Matthias supports the notion of papal succession. That is, instead of having a first century apostleship, this is carried on from generation to generation. Catholic apologist David Currie writes,
This is presupposed in what the apostles did in Acts 1. The fact that there was no discussion of the matter so soon after Jesus had been teaching them lends credence to the Catholic position. Christ himself must have provided for succession when he taught the apostles during the time between his Resurrection and his Ascension.[1]
Is the replacement of Judas support of papal succession?
Problem: Simeon said of Mary, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed—35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed” (Lk. 2:34-35). Catholic interpreters argue that the mention of being pierced to the soul refers to Mary contributing to the redemption of humanity.
Problem: Roman Catholics claim that Mary the mother of Jesus was immaculately conceived (i.e., conceived without sin). However, with the exception of Christ, the Bible asserts that every human being is born in sin (Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:12). Was Mary immaculately conceived?