This book that I hold in my hand is a Roman Catholic Bible. Have you read it? If not, you should. Pope Benedict XV had this to say about it:

"The responsibility of our Apostolic Office impels us to promote the study of Holy Scripture in accordance with the teaching of our predecessors, Leo XII and Pius X. We shall never desist from urging the faithful to read daily the Gospels, the Acts, and the Epistles, so as to gather thence food for their souls. Ignorance of the Bible means ignorance of Christ."

Pope Pius X said this: "The more we read the Gospel, the stronger our faith becomes." So then, Catholics are urged to study the Word of God.

In Acts 17:11 it was the common people and not the priests who searched the Scriptures, for it is not man's interpretation that is authoritative, it is what the Bible itself says (Isaiah 8:20).

Let us now ask nine questions of paramount importance to both Catholics and Protestants, and turn to this Catholic Bible for the answers:-

1. DID JESUS SAY HE WOULD BUILD HIS CHURCH ON PETER?

Jesus did say, and I quote from this Catholic Bible, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church" (Matthew 16:18). But He did not say He would build His Church on Peter.

The Greek word for Peter is "petros", meaning "a little stone". The word for rock is "petra", meaning "The Rock". What Jesus said was, "I will build My Church on the Rock". He Himself was the Rock. He never said He would build His Church on Peter, "a little stone ". That would be too faulty a foundation. In fact, He called Peter, Satan (Matthew 16:23). Would He build His Church on Satan?

In 1 Peter 2:5-8, Peter himself speaks of believers as stones and of Jesus as a Rock. The Church, therefore, is built not on Peter or his successors but on Jesus Christ Himself — The Rock.

For my supreme authority I quote the great Apostle Paul. In 1 Corinthians 3:11, in this Catholic Bible, he says this:
"For other foundation no one can lay, but that which has been laid, which is Christ Jesus". Paul says Jesus Christ is the Foundation, the Rock. It is on that Rock the Church is built. See also 1 Corinthians 10:4.

According to Ephesians 2:20 in the Catholic Bible, the Church was "Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief Corner Stone". That makes it clear that the Church was built, not on Peter, but that its foundation was laid by all the apostles and prophets, and that, not Peter, but Jesus Christ was the Corner Stone — the Rock.

The keys and the power to bind He gave Peter in Matthew 16:19 was the authority He gave all believers in Matthew 18:18-19. In any case they were Kingdom, not Church Keys, and the Kingdom is now in abeyance.

2. IS THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS STILL NECESSARY?

Let us turn to this Catholic Bible. We will find the answer in Hebrews 10:11-12,14,18.

"And every priest indeed stands daily ministering and often offering the same sacrifice which can never take away sins". So then, according to this Catholic Bible, it is vain and useless to offer a daily mass, since God says it "can never take away sins".

"But Jesus, having offered one sacrifice for sins, has taken His seat forever at the right hand of God. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified. Now where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer offering for sin."

Isn't that wonderful! Jesus! What did He do? He offered but "one sacrifice". What was that "one sacrifice for sins"? It was Himself. Yes, Jesus offered Himself on Calvary's cross as a sacrifice for your sins and mine. And that sacrifice will never have to be offered again. God says it is "forever". That "one offering", He says, is sufficient for the "remission" of sin. Then He adds, "There is no longer offering for sin." Thank God, no more sacrifices are necessary. "It is finished", He cried, as He hung on the cross — your redemption and mine — the work done, atonement made, the debt paid. Yes, Jesus paid it all. Not another mass is necessary according to this Catholic Bible. He offered the only sacrifice that need be offered. Why add to a finished work? God says there can be "no longer offering for sin." In the bread and the wine we remember His one supreme offering of Himself for us; we do not offer Him again.

3. WHICH IS AUTHORITATIVE, THE TRADITION OF MEN OR THE WORD OF GOD?

When Jesus was upon earth, according to this Catholic Bible, "the Pharisees and Scribes asked Him, Why do not Thy disciples walk according to the tradition of the ancients?" (Mark 7:5).

Now let us turn to this same Catholic Bible for Jesus' answer. Here are His words: "In vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrine the precepts of men. For letting go the commandment of God, you hold fast the tradition of men. Well do you nullify the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition. You make void the commandment of God by your tradition." (Mark 7:7-9,13).

So He condemns tradition and exalts the Word. This Catholic Bible insists that only the commandments of God as found in His Word are authoritative. Even the teachings of Paul were tested by the Holy Scriptures. In Acts 17:11 this Catholic Bible says that the Bereans were "studying the Scriptures every day to see whether these things were so." Hence it was the Bible, the Old Testament, and not the Church that came first and was authoritative.

In 2 Thessalonians 2:15, in this Catholic Bible, there is no reference to tradition at all. It translates the word "teachings". Paul was referring to the Gospel he had preached and written down in his letters. So also, 2 Thessalonians 3:6 and 2 Timothy 2:2. When Paul wrote this there was no church tradition in existence, so he could not have referred to Roman Catholic tradition or the tradition of the Church Fathers. It came later. But once the New Testament was completed, all else was ruled out and a curse pronounced upon anyone who added to the written Word (see Apocalypse 22:18).

Nothing that the Church Fathers wrote was ever inspired. But what the New Testament writers said was in very truth God's Word. Colossians 2:8 condemns tradition. Paul said, "Preach the Word" (2 Timothy 4:2), not church tradition, but the Word of God. See Titus 1:14.

4. CAN MARY, THE PRIEST OR THE SAINTS BE OUR MEDIATORS?

Turning to this Catholic Bible, we read these significant words: "For there is one God, and ONE Mediator between God and men, Himself man, Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5). Then if there is only one, and God says there is, there cannot be two. The Catholic Bible says there is only one, and that One — Jesus Christ.

In any case, how can sinners mediate for sinners? And if mediation of the sinless Christ is not sufficient, how can sinful men and women help? Mary herself spoke of God as "my Saviour" (Luke 1:47). If she had not been a sinner, she would not have needed a saviour.

The rich man in Luke 16 prayed to Abraham, one of the greatest saints, but even Abraham could not help him. Why then go to a lesser saint? Why go to Mary or any of the saints, if we can go to Christ? In Luke 11:27-28 Jesus put the Word of God before His mother and rebuked the one who praised her. In Matthew 12:46-50 He completely ignores His mother's request. Why should He listen to her now? Mary's command was "Whatsoever HE saith unto you, do it" (John 2:5).

In Acts 1:14 Mary is mentioned for the last time. Why didn't Paul tell his converts that she would intercede for them? Why did he fail to mention her in any of his Epistles? Why should the letters of the New Testament ignore her? Is it conceivable that they would have, if she could really influence her resurrected and glorified Son? There is not a verse in Scripture that teaches that those who leave this world can pray for us. It is in this life only that we can intercede for each other.

In 1 John 2:1-2 we read, "But if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the just; and He is the propitiation for our sins". Who is our advocate? Mary? No! Jesus Christ. Who is our Propitiation? Mary? No! Jesus Christ. Why no mention of Mary if she can intercede? That should settle it.

5. CAN THE PRIEST FORGIVE SIN?

In this Catholic Bible there is a question that was once asked by the scribes. It was this: "Why does this man speak thus? He blasphemes, who can forgive sins, but only God?" (Mark 2:5-11). Jesus accepted that question at its face value. They were right. No one but God can forgive sins, and for a mere man to claim that he can is blasphemy. Jesus answered by saying, "The Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins." Hence, He was not a mere man.

No man can forgive, but He did forgive, so He was God. But no priests or ministers can forgive sin because they are men. We can go direct to God through our Mediator, Jesus Christ, and be forgiven. Rebels cannot forgive rebels; it is the King who forgives. Sinners cannot forgive sinners; it is God who forgives.

But, you ask, what about John 20:23? That, my friend was spoken to the "Disciples", not just the Apostles, as the text clearly shows. The word "Apostle" is not used, and some of the disciples were women.

Every believer (or disciple) is a priest according to this Catholic Bible (Apocalypse 1:6), and as such has the power (authority) to say, "Your sins are forgiven you in the name of Jesus Christ, if you receive Him as your Saviour." By the same token every believer (or disciple) has the power (authority) to say "Your sins are retained (not forgiven) if you do not receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour."

It was the chief apostle who made this clear when he stated to Cornelius, as found in this Catholic Bible in Acts 10:43 — "To Him all the prophets bear witness, that through His name all who believe in Him may receive forgiveness of sins." The apostles never heard confessions.

6. SHOULD WE WORSHIP IMAGES OF THE SAINTS AND OUR LORD, AND KNEEL BEFORE THEM IN PRAYER?

The Catholic Church says "yes" and I quote from the Catechism of the Council of Trent:- "It is lawful to have images in the church and to give honour and worship unto them. Images are put in churches that they may be worshipped." Therefore those who say they do not worship images are not true to the teaching of the church.

The Catholic Bible says "no" and I quote from Exodus 20:4-5 and Deuteronomy 4:15-23:- "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image; thou shalt not bow down to them." Read also Isaiah 44:15-19.

It is clear then that this Catholic Bible absolutely forbids images of any kind and that the worship of them is utterly condemned, while relics are not even mentioned.

7. DO WE GO TO PURGATORY WHEN WE DIE?

We could read the Catholic Bible through from the first word to the last and we would not read one single verse about purgatory, for purgatory is nowhere even mentioned in the entire Book. There is no purgatory in the Bible. Then it must have been invented by men, for God does not speak of it.

On the other hand, this Catholic Bible tells us that if we are God's children, we go straight to be with Christ when we die. Let me read it to you: "To depart and to be with Christ . . . far better" (Philippians 1:23). You see, when we depart this life we do not go to purgatory for Christ is not there. We go directly into His immediate presence. We go to be with Him where He is. It would not be "far better" to suffer in purgatory. "Exiled from the body ... at home with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8). The moment we leave the body we are in the presence of our Lord. That is the plain, unmistakable teaching of this Catholic Bible.

That means that the Christian will never have to suffer for his sins. His judgement is past. Let me read it to you in this Catholic Bible, from John 5:24, and may God enable you to believe it. Listen! "Amen, amen, I say to you, he who hears My Word, and believes Him Who sent Me, has life everlasting, and does not come to judgement, but has passed from death to life." Hence, there can be no such place as purgatory.

Did not the thief on the cross go directly to be with Christ? The promise of Jesus was, "Amen I say to thee, this day thou shalt be with Me in paradise." Not in purgatory, mark you, but in paradise. And if the dying thief did not suffer for his sins, when he repented and turned to Christ, why should you? NO, my friend, you will not go to purgatory for there is no such place. If you are saved you will go straight to Heaven to be with Christ.

Jesus endured all the suffering necessary. He atoned for your every sin. No suffering of yours could help in the least. It is His blood that cleanses from sin, not your sufferings (1 John 1:7). Nothing that you can pay can get your loved ones out of purgatory for, since purgatory does not exist, they are not there. (Maccabees is not God's Word).

Those who die in the Lord, "rest" and are "blessed" (happy) (Apocalypse 14:13). How could they be if they were suffering in purgatory?

In 1 Corinthians 3:8-15 Paul speaks of our work, not our salvation. He is talking about rewards for faithful service. These we will receive at the Judgement Seat of Christ. Purgatory is not even suggested.

8. IS SALVATION THROUGH CHRIST OR THE CHURCH?

Many people think it is the Church that saves, and that there is no salvation outside the Roman Catholic Church. They confuse the Church with Christ. But what says the Scriptures? How does the Catholic Bible answer this all-important question?

"But to as many as received Him He gave the power (right) of becoming sons of God" (John 1:12). What does it say? How do we become God's children? By receiving Him, Jesus Christ, as our Saviour. It doesn't say a word about the Church, does it?

"Those who believe in Him may not perish but may have life everlasting" (John 3:15). How? By belonging to the Church? No. By believing in Him, by putting their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that those who believe in Him may not perish, but may have life everlasting" (John 3:16). Again, not a word about the Church. Once more it is Christ. All who trust Him have everlasting life.

"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; he who is unbelieving towards the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him" (John 3:36). It depends entirely on your relationship, not to the Church, but to Christ. It is Christ Who saves. The Church is not mentioned.

"I am the way ... No one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6). It was Jesus Who said that. Note, if you will, He did not say "The Church is the way! no one comes to the Father but through the Church." No, my friend, He said "I am the way/" Jesus Christ is the one and only Way to God.

"He who has the Son has the life; he who has not the Son has not the life" (1 John 5:12). The same answer again, this time from the inspired lips of the Apostle John. Not the Church but Christ. "He who has the Son."

"Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). That is from the lips of Peter and it is the authoritative word of the great apostle himself. What does he say? He tells us that salvation is in Christ and in no other.

"No other name", he says. Neither the name of Protestantism nor Roman Catholicism. No minister, no priest, no pope, neither the Virgin Mary nor any saint. "No other name under heaven", he insists. No Church of any kind.

Salvation, declares Peter, is through Christ and Christ alone. Then why not turn to Christ? For this Catholic Bible tells us that it is Christ and not the Church Who saves.

9. ARE WE SAVED BY WORKS OR BY FAITH?

Some say by faith, works and the sacraments. The Catholic Bible says by faith. Which is right? If by works, it cannot be by faith, and if by faith it cannot be by works. Either you save yourself by works or else God saves you by faith.

Are you going to afflict your body and count your beads in a vain effort to save your soul by works? Are you going to attempt to lay up merit in Heaven by your tears and your prayers, long fastings and church observances, pilgrimages, monastic or convent living and sacraments? Are you going to suffer all this when God in this Catholic Bible tells us that salvation is "not by works?" How foolish! But now let us read:

"To him who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the impious, his faith is credited to him as justice" (Romans 4:5).

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not from yourselves, for it is the gift of God: not as the outcome of works, lest anyone may boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9).

"Not by reason of good works that we did ourselves, but according to His mercy, He saved us" (Titus 3:5).

That, my friend, is what the Catholic Bible says. What are you going to do about it? All these verses that we have read tell you in plain, unmistakable language that you are not saved by works but that you are saved by faith.

Then where do works come in? James answers that question. "Show me thy faith without works, and I from my works will show thee my faith", he says (James 2:18). Works follow faith. Faith produces works. If you are saved your life will show it. You work for God because you ARE saved, not in order to be saved. "Faith without works is dead."

If there is no change, if you still commit the same sins, if you have not been delivered and set free, then there is no evidence that you are saved. "If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the former things have passed away; behold, they are made new!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Well now, will you believe God's Word as recorded in this Catholic Bible, or will you believe the teachings of man? It is for you to decide. Remember, there are only two religions in the entire world, man's and God's. Man's is by works — his own efforts, his fastings and prayers, his obedience to the church. That makes him his own saviour. God's is by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Jesus paid it all. "He who is just lives by faith" (Romans 1:17). That makes Christ his Saviour.

Oh, then, my friend, turn from all reliance on yourself; your own efforts, and all your works or sacraments, and open your heart to Jesus Christ. Receive Him as your own personal Saviour, rely on His shed blood, and trust Him to save your soul.

"Come to me", He says, "all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Never yet has He turned anyone away. "Him who comes to Me I will not cast out", He declares (John 6:37). Oh, then, come to Him. Put your trust in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved. Will you do it? Do it and do it-NOW.

MY DECISION

Realising that I am a sinner, and believing that Jesus Christ the Son of God died and rose for me, I now receive Him as my personal Saviour, and turning from all else, I put my trust in Him alone.