The Papacy
ROME SAYS: The pope is the head of the church, and that he is necessary for salvation. “We declare, say, define, and pronounce that it is absolutely necessary for the salvation of every human creature to be subject to the Roman Pontiff” (Unam Sanctam, 1302).
SCRIPTURE SAYS: Christ is the head of the church (Colossians 1:18, Eph 5:23, Eph 2:20, etc.) and that He alone is necessary for salvation. “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
Mary and the Saints
ROME SAYS: Mary was immaculately conceived and Holy like God, remained a virgin after Jesus was born, is to be venerated through prayer (a form of worship) forever and serves as a mediatrix for salvation.
SCRIPTURE SAYS: Nobody is Holy except God (1 Samuel 2:2), that only Christ serves as mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5), that Mary had other children after Jesus (Matthew 13:55), and that God will not share His glory with any other (Isaiah 42:8, Exodus 20:3)
Mass and Communion
ROME SAYS: Mass is a perpetual and true sacrifice offered to God which is the true body and blood of Jesus, and is repeatedly necessary as a propitiation for our sins. (Council of Trent Canons on the Mass)
SCRIPTURE SAYS: Communion is symbolic and is to be done in remembrance (1 Cor 11:24, Luke 22:19, etc.) of Christ’s finished (John 19:30) sacrifice on the cross. “And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:10)
Purgatory
ROME SAYS: Those who die in a “state of grace” will go to Purgatory to have their non-mortal sins cleansed, and make them ready for Heaven. SCRIPTURE SAYS: We are justified by the blood of Jesus (Romans 5:9) It is appointed for man to die once, and then the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). Purgatory is never mentioned. Jesus taught that those who are in Him
SCRIPTURE SAYS: We are justified by the blood of Jesus (Romans 5:9) It is appointed for man to die once, and then the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). Purgatory is never mentioned. Jesus taught that those who are in Him will be with Him immediately upon death (Luke 23:43).
Justification
ROME SAYS: Justification is not by grace alone through faith alone but requires meritorious works in order to earn one’s way into Heaven. Council of Trent Canons 9 and 14 say, “If any one saith, that by faith alone the impious is justified…let him be anathema.”
SCRIPTURE SAYS: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Pauls says if anyone teaches otherwise, let them be anathema. (2 Corinthians 11:4)