How effective is apologetics in evangelism in your opinion?

Very effective. There are quite a few members here at CAF who came into or back to the faith mainly from apologetics interactions with some of us. (one dear brother embarrasses me often by claiming that I carried him across the Tiber on my back. )

Evangelism isn't the same as apologetics. It's more like apologetics is a vital part of evangelism since by definition apologetics is explaining the Catholic faith and I can't imagine any of us fulfilling Our Lord's commission in Matthew 28:19-20 without it. [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age."

Emphasis above is mine of course, but isn't teaching explaining? First one has to know the faith in order to effectively share it with others and part of that catechesis is apologetic in nature.

Why was I a bit embarrassed? Because I know that it was not me but the Holy Spirit that accomplished it. (See Luke 17:10)

I'm not sure I believe in "cold calls" per se. If you look at most of the conversions in the New Testament you see Our Lord and the Apostles personally interacting with people wherever they are, (i.e. the apostles mending their nets, sitting at a tax collector's booth, drawing water from a well, sitting in a tree in order to see Jesus, and even crying out to Him begging for mercy) so, though I will often carry and leave Catholic Tracts with folks I meet, I generally prefer to follow the advice of Father John McCloskey who says that Friendship is the Key to the Evangelization of Men. Having done street evangelism about 40+ years ago as a "Jesus Freak" and seeing the approach of many n-Cs who "witnessed" on the street, I came to prefer getting to know people in order to share the faith with them.


How effective is the Catechism in evangelism/apologetics?

Someone said that they were disappointed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church because it didn't go far enough in depth but I'll have to disagree with you about that since the footnotes can and do lead to ever deepening studies.

I am pretty sure that the Catechism is designed to be a compromise between concise information and brevity (and I think it cuts it pretty close on the brevity part. Look at the difference between it and the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church). The catechism is not intended for evangelism anyway, but general instruction of Catholics.

The fact is that the study of our most holy faith is a lifetime personal project.

On Catholic Evangelism

Baptism does not start conversion. Conversion begins with the work of the Holy Spirit and His gift of faith. Baptism is the logical and scriptural step in response to that gift, whether to an adult convert or the parents of a newborn blessed enough to be born into a Catholic family.

As a Catholic I am always involved in evangelism. I use a wide variety of means to communicate the Gospel and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I seek to call them to a deep conversion and right relationship with God through the sacrifice of Our Lord Jesus Christ. I endeavor to carry out the mandate of Matthew 28:19-20 which plainly tells us...[19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age."

RCIA, as well as other teaching aids, including both the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and other studies such as the Catholic Home Study Service assist in doing precisely that, so that the people get the fulness of the Gospel as found in the New Testament.

In a nutshell the following 2 brief articles on my blog sum up my position.

How Is A Catholic Saved?
Who REALLY Preaches "A Different Gospel"?

BTW, the Church does indeed teach that our first mission field is to those of our own households. IOW we are to seek to train up our children in the way that they should go. (See Proverbs 22:6 to see what we are committing to when we have our children Baptized.) We start there and expand to the whole world around us.

Does the Bible teach that everything that we believe and practice has to be found in its pages?

A Catholic buddy of mine offered this list as a start...

Hmmm...things non-Catholics believe that are not in the Bible. Lets see.
1. Evangelistic appeals.
2. Vacation Bible School.
3. Youth groups and youth pastors.
4. Church picnics,
5. Praise bands.
6. Bible Colleges.
7. Short hair on men, long hair on women. ( I once knew a preacher who insisted Jesus had a crew cut)

A non-Catholic then asked, "Can you show me where in the Bible it calls tradition God breathed?" to which I replied, Sure...2nd Thessalonians 3:6 And we charge you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother walking disorderly, and not according to the tradition which they have received of us.

So still no one has shown me where the Bible says that everything that we believe and practice has to be found in the pages of the Bible. I need to see this if I'm going to abandon my Catholic faith and return to what you have.

In fact...you need to show it to all of us Catholics because so long as you can't, every Catholic reading this has no chance of converting away from our most holy faith. Worse still...it makes it appear that we are right to reject this and (God help us all!), that would mean that you would be wise to seriously consider converting to the Catholic faith ASAP. 

If it's not in the Bible then it violates the very tenet that virtually every n-C doctrine is based upon, that such things must be found in the pages of the Bible. That's probably the fundamental foundation of most n-C belief and teaching in the last 500 years. 

This is a doctrine is one that many non-Catholics hold very dear and I'm serious...if you can show me this and not be refuted by me and my Catholic brothers and sisters, then you have a chance to really dent our Catholic faith. If you can't....well...that dent might be somewhere else.

I have Bibles all over the place right here and you even get the benefit of the 73 book canon to use. I absolutely need to see this. Seriously. 

This article is about getting some non-Catholic to show me where this idea is found within the pages of the Word of God. That's all I'm asking here.

If you want to shake me as a Catholic loose from my faith then this is what it will take.

I've read the Bible several times and cannot find this taught there, even with 73 books to work with.

I re-converted to the Catholic faith in part because of this very thing. If the Catholic Church is wrong on this...it should be pretty simple to show me.  

which is one of the things that a lot of people on both sides of this issue don't understand. My friend John Martignoni has a kinda neat way of explaining that here.

 A friend of mine said that his church takes the Bible literally, but that the Catholic Church doesn't...is that true?

The Fullness of truth is important. In John 14:6 Jesus tells us that He is "the truth" and I for one want nothing less.

I am trying to get you or any of the other n-Cs here that hold that belief to show us where it is found in the Word of God. 

Again though....where is this scriptural mandate that all that we believe and practice must be found in the pages of the Bible? 

I don't understand how people can believe this idea since St. Paul plainly tells Timothy that he's to withdraw from anyone who doesn't walk according to that tradition. If it wasn't inspired, the why would he make a big deal of it?

2nd Thessalonians 3:6 And we charge you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother walking disorderly, and not according to the tradition which they have received of us.

The following article from my blog points out some other ways in which the apostles showed their thinking on Sacred Tradition.
Infallibility & How The Apostles Taught the Study of Sacred Tradition.

One of the big problems in discussing this topic is that so many different non-Catholics have differing definitions of what this actually means and that makes it really hard.

This is another case where we Catholics have difficulty seeing that often propagated "Unity in essentials" that they speak of.

Perhaps this is also another by product of this very foundational doctrine of post reformation non-Catholic Christianity?

Here are scriptures that one non-Catholic offered me..and my responses.

Quote:

1 Cor 4:6 Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not take pride in one man over against another.

Which is a very good point to make about that same interpretation which goes beyond what is written.

Quote:

Luke 1:1-4: Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled[a] among us, 2just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Here again, this does not say that everything that we believe and practice has to be found in the Bible. In fact....it actually is saying that the purpose of Luke's Gospel is to affirm oral tradition.

Quote:

In Matthew 4:1-11. Three times Jesus was tempted by the Devil and each time Jesus replied exactly the same three dangerous words that defeated the Devil: "IT IS WRITTEN" If any one could have used oral tradition, it was Jesus, yet he chose the only safe and sure way to defeat Satan: Scripture.

Still, this does not tell us what you claim it does. It infers much, such as that scripture is useful for resisting temptation, which certainly agrees with 2nd Timothy 3:16, but being useful is not the same as being the only and ultimate authority, which is something that I have not found in the Word of God.

Quote:

Mark 12:24 24 Jesus replied, "Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?

We've already discussed that ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ, but this also fails to make the claim that would make your belief scriptural.

Quote:

2 Timothy 3:15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Again...where does that even infer a sole and final authority to the Bible? In point of fact, St. Paul is here referring to the Old Testament, which by the same logic that you have used would eliminate the New Testament from any inspired authority. That's just based upon your own logic and not something that either of us believe.

 Quote:

1 John 5:13 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Does not claim the authority asserted. Another case of interpretation going beyond what is written?

Quote:

2 Timothy 3:16-17: 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Catholics have no problem at all with this verse. We believe that is means exactly what it says and we do not believe it means anything more. This does not claim a final and ultimate authority. Like I said before...it's inspired and useful...

Quote:

Luke 10:26 What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" Jesus expected even his enemies to correctly interpret the Bible by simply reading and studying it.

Again...this refers to the Old Testament and by your own logic would cast aside the New Testament as well as open the door for an interpretation that says we need to read and obey the law to be saved. That won't wok now, will it?

Quote:

Acts 17:11-12 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12Many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. Even though the apostles were inspired with genuine oral revelation, they always directed people to the scriptures for the final determination of truth.

They were talking to Jews about the Messiah. What other source would one expect them to use seeing that even Our Lord pointed out, "For many will come in my name saying, I am Christ: and they will seduce many."  Still there is no claim of final and ultimate authority here in this passage.

Quote:

Deuteronomy 4:2 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.

But by this logic this verse would deny inspiration and acceptance of the New Testament (again) since it specifically refers to the law. Further (and again) this would mean that we are still to obey the law in order to be saved. I know that that is not what most non-Catholics believe nor are trying to say, but that is where it logically and specifically leads. 

Quote:

I maintain that the Bible is the sole INFALLIBLE authority, to which all other authority is subordinate.

If that is true then I would like to see the Biblical passages that lay claim to that authority. Please show me.

Quote:

Sola Scriptura means that the Bible alone is the SUPREME canon of faith. There are other authorities. I, for instance, consider my pastor an authority, but his words should be measured against the Scriptures. If they collide, he is the one who's in error.

Since this belief requires that any such belief has its basis in the Bible, I would like to see the scriptures where that is taught.

And who is the authority that decides when that happens and where do they derive their authority from?

What I believe we see here is a assertion of conclusion drawn from a fallacious premise not supported by the text of the scriptures quoted.  

The reason why I like this one that it occurred to me one day that I do not feel that I have to logically prove this is true in some debate format in order for me to believe this is true. Maybe some other folks are up to this, but I think I will pass myself..

Certainly your prerogative, however, it is not a matter of feelings, which can mislead us, but of facts. Facts as to what given passages of scripture actually say, or do not say in order to ascertain objective truth. If it is untrue that the Bible lays claim to the infallible authority that your definition ascribes to it, then, even by the errant standard of Sola Scripture (as you have defined it) one would have to reject that interpretation.

Quote:

It occurred to me that it is a fact that today I do not hold to any other infallible rule of faith and conduct So logically unless I am convinced that there is another infallible rule of faith and conduct out there (be it the Book of Mormon, your pope speaking on faith and morals, or David Koresh), the Bible is my only infallible rule of faith and conduct.

Just because you are convinced does not make it correct. One can be sincerely in error and this is one reason I suspect some people ascribe to this belief.

To me it's fairly simply. If you want me to believe that everything that we believe and practice must be found in the Word of God, then you need to show me precisely where the Bible says that. So far I haven't seen anything like that, but have seen a lot of verses and then interpretations of men telling me they mean something other than what they actually say. 

Quote:

Now of course convincing me that there is another infallible rule of faith and conduct is a very difficult sell. Per 1 Thess 5:21 I am to examine everything carefully and hold fast to that which is good. So I don't know how one can convince me that there is another infallible rule of faith and conduct except through the rule of faith and conduct that I know is infallible. And I have not seen anything in the Bible that gives me the license to elevate any other rule of faith to the status of infallible.

Yet I have not seen anything that gives anyone the license to elevate the Bible to that status while I do see the simple statement from St. Paul as to what the pillar and ground of the truth is.

1st Timothy 3:15 "if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth"

Quote:

I approach this based on the presumption that the Word of God, the Bible is indeed God's Word. Your line of questioning does not appear to accept the presumption, therefore no matter how I would answer, it would not make any difference to you. What your view of the Bible is will be the determining factor of how one receives the Word of God. When you cite the church as being the pillar and support of the truth; it simply means that God has chosen to work through His elect to maintain the purity of His word and all that is contained.

Presumption does not work. It comes to a conclusion even before it has looked at the facts. Would anyone want to be the subject of any case where presumption was the basis for conclusion? Very risky.

Where does 1st Timothy 3:15 even infer such a belief as you assert? I'll have to disagree with your interpretation and go with what the Word of God actually says right there.

Quote:

There is no place in the Bible that explicitly states that all Christian teachings MUST BE in the Bible, but a logical and rational thought will lead you to that conclusion; simply put, where else will you find it?

You express a gross fallacy because that may be your own opinion, but even if one accepts the authority ascribed to the Bible by Sola Scriptura, one would have to reject that.

As to your last question...you already answered that when you touched on 1st Timothy 3:15 above. What does that verse literally tell us is the pillar and bulwark of the truth?

Quote:

You have two premises that must be true for what you said above to be true and is a source of major doctrinal error within your church. First you must put your church above the authority of scripture to make the claim that your church interprets the bible.

Which is the only option supported by the New Testament.

Quote:

Second you presume that "scared tradition" were taught by Jesus adn passed down to the apostles and are outside of Scripture. How can you derive this and prove it is of divine authority unless you just make the claim that your church says it is that way; therefore it is.

Not so at all. I examined the evidence in the New Testament and wrote the following article on my blog based upon what I found.Take a look. Infallibility & How The Apostles Taught the Study of Sacred Tradition.

Quote:

The logic make no sense and I don't believe it to be possible to show Jesus taught anything that is not in the written pages of Scripture. Jesus himself said that Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God; where do all Christians go to find what proceeded out of the mouth of God? the Bible?

So then teachings that the apostles offer in their New Testament writings, (and there are a great many) that Our Lord never spoke about are invalid? Surely you didn't mean that! Yet that is the only logical conclusion to arrive at based upon what you have just said. 

Quote:

I cannot force a reasonable and logical deduction on any person; you either get it and see it or you don't. Jesus said the Man shall not live on bread alone but by every word the proceeds from the mouth of God; where does a Christian go to find what proceeds from the mouth of God? The Bible?

Was the New Testament written at that point when Our Lord said that? Isn't He quoting an Old Testament proverb? (Deuteronomy 8:3 to be exact) In all 3 places recorded, there is no New Testament scriptures...as a result you cannot correctly use that to support a premise that involves the New Testament Christian faith.

Quote:

The antithesis of you question is where does it not say we are to use the Bible for all teaching of moral principle and practices? Where does it say we are to obey "traditions" not written and contradict the teaching God has given. traditions are okay if they don't contradict, but when they do then they need to be done away with otherwise god's word becomes perverted and another gospel will emerge..right?

There are no such contradictory Sacred Traditions, and the link to the article on my blog will refute that idea.

Quote:

All of you keep repeating the same fatal fatal flaw. You are putting the authority of your church above that of scripture;

Not so! The New Testament puts the Church above scripture, as has been shown already, while no one has yet given me a single passage of the Bible that tells us that everything that we believe and practice must be found in its pages.

People can argue all day that we Catholics don't understand, but if you don't have a scripture text that specifically says what you say is true, then even by a Sola Scriptura standard one would have to reject it as a false teaching.   

NOTE: See page 21.

Bible Cheat Sheet

THE CHURCH
Mt 16:18-19 - upon this rock I will build my Church 
Mt 18:17 - if he refuses to listen even to the Church... 
Mt 28:18-20 - go baptize and teach all nations 
Mk 16:15-16 - go to whole world and proclaim gospel 
Lk 10:16 - whoever hears you, hears me; rejects you, rejects me. 
Jn 14:16, 26 - Holy Spirit with you always, teach/remind you of everything 
Jn 16:13 - Spirit of truth will guide you to all truth. 
1Tim 3:15 - Church is the pillar and foundation of truth. 

The Church is the body of Christ 
Col 1:18 - He is the head of the body, the church. 
1 Cor 12:20-27 - you are Christ's body, individually parts of it. 
Eph 5:30 - we are members of His body. 
Rom 12:4-5 - though many, we are one body in Christ 
1 Cor 6:15 - Don't you know your bodies are members of Christ? 

The Church must be one 
Jn 10:16 - there will be one fold and one shepherd. 
Eph 4:3-6 - one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father 
Rom 16:17 - I urge that there be no divisions among you 
1Cor 1:10 - I urge that there be no divisions among you 
Phil 2:2 - be of same mind, united in heart thinking one thing 
Rom 15:5 - God grant you to think in harmony with one another 
Jn 17:17-23 - I pray that they may be one, as we are one 
Jn 17:23 - that they may be brought to perfection as one 
1Cor 12:13 - in one spirit we are baptized into one body 
Rom 12:5 - we, though many, are one body in Christ 
Eph 4:4 - one body, one Spirit, called to be one hope 
Col 3:15 - the peace into which you were called in one body 
Mt 16:18-19 - upon this rock I will build my Church (singular)
Mt 18:17 - tell it to THE Church; if he refuses to listen even to THE Church...
(must be visible)

Apostolic Church 
Jn 15:16 - Jesus chose special men to be his Apostles 
Jn 20:21 - Jesus gave the Apostles his own mission 
Lk 22:29-3 - Jesus gave them a kingdom 
Mt 16:18 - Jesus built Church on Peter, the rock 
Jn 10:16 - one shepherd to shepherd Christ's sheep 
Lk 22:32, Jn 21:17 - Peter appointed to be chief shepherd 
Eph 4:11 - church leaders are hierarchical 
1Tim 3:1, 8; 5:17 - identifies roles of bishops, priests, deacons 
Tit 1:5 - commission for bishops to ordain priests 

Authoritative Church 
Mt 28:18-20 - Jesus delegates all power to Apostles 
Jn 20:23 - power to forgive sin 
1Cor 11:23-24 - power to offer sacrifice (Eucharist) 
Lk 10:16 - power to speak with Christ's voice 
Mt 18:18 - power to legislate 
Mt 18:17 - power to discipline 

Infallible Church 
Jn 16:13 - guided by Holy Spirit into all truth 
Jn 14:26 - Holy Spirit to teach & remind them of everything 
Lk 10:16 - speak with Christ's own voice 
1Tim 3:15 - Church called "pillar and foundation of truth" 
1Jn 2:27 - anointing of Holy Spirit remains in you 
Acts 15:28 - Apostles speak with voice of Holy Spirit 
Mt 28:20 - I am with you 

Perpetual Church 
Is 9:6-7 - of Christ's government there will be no end 
Dan 2:44 - God's kingdom shall stand forever 
Dan 7:14 - His kingdom shall not be destroyed
Eph 3:21 - to him be glory in the church to all generations for ever and ever. 
Lk 1:32, 33 - no end to Christ's kingdom 
Mt 7:24 - Jesus is like a wise man who built his house on a rock 
Mt 13:24-30 - let wheat & weeds grow together until harvest 
Mt 16:18 - gates of hell will never prevail against Christ's church 
Jn 14:16 - Holy Spirit will be with you always 
Mt 28:19-20 - I am with you all days

PAPACY & APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION
Primacy of Peter 
Mt 16:18 - upon this rock (Peter) I will build my church 
Mt 16:19 - give you keys of the kingdom; power to bind & loose 
Lk 22:32 - Peter's faith will strengthen his brethren 
Jn 21:17 - given Christ's flock as chief shepherd 
Mk 16:7 - angel sent to announce Resurrection to Peter 
Lk 24:34 - risen Jesus first appeared to Peter 
Acts 1:13-26 - headed meeting which elected Matthias 
Acts 2:14 - led Apostles in preaching on Pentecost 
Acts 2:41 - received first converts 
Acts 3:6-7 - performed first miracle after Pentecost 
Acts 5:1-11 - inflicted first punishment: Ananias & Saphira 
Acts 8:21 - excommunicated first heretic, Simon Magnus 
Acts 10:44-46 - received revelation to admit Gentiles into Church 
Acts 15:7 - led first council in Jerusalem 
Acts 15:19 - pronounces first dogmatic decision 
Gal 1:18 - after conversion, Paul visits chief Apostle 
*Gal 2:11-14 - I opposed Cephas to his face for his hypocrisy 
Peter's name always heads list of Apostles: Mt 10:14; Mk 3:16-19;
Lk 6:14-16; Acts 1:13 
"Peter and his companions" Lk 9:32; Mk 16:7 
Spoke for Apostles - Mt 18:21; Mk 8:29; Lk 8:45; 12:41; Jn 6:69 
Peter's name occurs 195 times, more than all the rest put together 

Apostolic Succession 
2 Chr 19:11 - high priest is over you in everything of Lord's 
Mal 2:7 - seek instruction from priest, he is God's messenger 
Eph 2:20 - Church built upon foundation of apostles & prophets 
Eph 4:11 - God gave some as apostles, others as prophets... 
1 Cor 12:28-29 - God designated in church: apostles, ... 
Acts 1:20 - let another take his office 
Acts 1:25-26 - Matthias takes Judas' apostolic ministry 
1 Tim 3:1, 8; 5:17 - qualifications for: bishops, priests, & deacons 
1Tim 4:14 - gift conferred with the laying on of hands 
1Tim 5:22 - do not lay hands too readily on anyone 
Acts 14:23 - they appointed presbyters in each church 
2Tim 2:2 - what you heard from me entrust to faithful teachers 
Titus 1:5 - appoint presbyters in every town, as I directed

SCRIPTURE AND TRADITION
Bible Alone or Bible Plus Tradition? 
1Cor 11:2 - hold fast to traditions I handed on to you 
2Thess 2:15 - hold fast to traditions, whether oral or by letter 
2Thess 3:6 - shun those acting not according to tradition 
Jn 21:25 - not everything Jesus said recorded in Scripture 
Mk 13:31 - heaven & earth shall pass away, but my word won't 
Acts 20:35 - Paul records a saying of Jesus not found in gospels 
2Tim 1:13 - follow my sound words; guard the truth 
2Tim2:2 - what you heard entrust to faithful men 
2Pet 1:20 - no prophecy is a matter of private interpretation 
2Pet 3:15-16 - Paul's letters can be difficult to grasp & interpret 
1Pet 1:25 - God's eternal word = word preached to you 
Rom 10:17 - faith come from what is heard 
1Cor 15:1-2 - being saved if you hold fast to the word I preached 
Mk 16:15 - go to the whole world, proclaim gospel to every creature 
Mt 23:2-3 - chair of Moses; observe whatever they tell you 

Tradition Condemned? 
*Mt 15:3 - break commandment of God for your tradition 
*Mk 7:9 - set aside God's commandment to uphold tradition 
*Col 2:8 - seductive philosophy according to human tradition 
1Cor 11:2 - commends them for following Apostolic tradition 
2Thess 2:15 - commands them to keep traditions 
2Thess 3:6 - shun those acting not according to tradition 

Deuterocanonicals
Heb 11:35 - 'Women received their dead by resurrection. 
Some were tortured, refusing to accept release,
that they might rise again to a better life' refers only to 2nd Macc 7


SALVATION, FAITH AND WORKS
Faith Alone or Faith plus Works? 
Jam 2:24 - a man is justified by works and not by faith alone 
Jam 2:26 - faith without works is dead 
Gal 5:6 - only thing that counts is faith working in love 
1 Cor 13:2 - faith without love is nothing 
Jn 14:15 - if you love me, keep my commandments 
Mt 19:16-17 - if you wish to enter into life, keep commandments 
1Tim 5:8 he who doesn't provide for family worse than unbeliever.

Have You Been Saved? 

Past Event (I have been saved) 
Rom 8:24 - for in hope we were saved 
Eph 2:5, 8 - by grace you have been saved through faith 
2Tim 1:9 - He saved us, called us according to his grace 
Tit 3:5 - He saved us through bath of rebirth, renewal by Holy Spirit 

Present Process (I am being saved) 
Phil 2:12 - work out your salvation with fear and trembling 
1Pet 1:9 - as you attain the goal of your faith, salvation 

Future Event (I will be saved) 
Mt 10:22 - he who endures to the end will be saved 
Mt 24:1 - he who perseveres to the end will be saved 
Mk 8:35 - whoever loses his life for my sake will save it 
Acts 15:11 - we shall be saved through the grace of Jesus 
Rom 5:9-10 - since we are justified, we shall be saved 
Rom 13:11 - salvation is nearer now than first believed 
Cor 3:15 - he shall be saved, but only as through fire 
1Cor 5:5 - deliver man to Satan so his spirit may be saved 
Heb 9:28 - Jesus will appear second time, to bring salvation 

Good Works 
Mt 7:21 - not Lord, Lord but he who does the will of father 
Mt 19:16-17 - to have life, keep my commandments 
Jn 14:21 - he who keeps my commandments loves me 
Rom 2:2-8 - eternal life by perseverance in good works 
Gal 5:4-6 - nothing counts but faith working through love 
Eph 2:8-10 - we are created in Christ Jesus for good works 
Phil 2:12-13 - work out salvation with fear and trembling 
Jam 2:14-24 - a man is justified by works & not faith alone 

Judged According to Deeds 
Rom 2:2-8 - eternal life by perseverance in good works 
2Cor 5:10 - recompense accord to what did in body 
2Cor 11:15 - their end will correspond to their deeds 
1Pet 1:17 - God judges impartially according to one's works 
Rev 20:12-13 - dead judged according to their deeds 
Col 3:24-25 - will receive due payment for whatever you do 

Assurance of Salvation? 
Mt 7:21 - not everyone saying "Lord, Lord" will inherit 
Mt 24:13 - those who persevere to the end will be saved 
Rom 11:22 - remain in his kindness or you will be cut off 
Phil 2:12 - work out your salvation in fear and trembling 
1Cor 9:27 - drive body for fear of being disqualified 
1Cor 10:11-12 - those thinking they are secure may fall 
Gal 5:4 - separated from Christ, you've fallen from grace 
2Tim 2:11-13 - must hold out to the end to reign with Christ 
Hb 6:4-6 - describes sharers in Holy Spirit who then fall away 
Heb 10:26-27 - if sin after receiving truth, judgment remains 

Regenerative Baptism 
Jn 3:5, 22 - born of water & Spirit; Apostles begin baptizing 
Tit 3:5 - saved us through bath of rebirth & renewal by Holy Spirit 
Acts 2:37-38 - repent, be baptized, receive gift of Holy Spirit 
Acts 22:16 - get selves baptized and sins washed away 
1Cor 6:11 - you were washed, sanctified, justified 
Rom 6:4 - baptized into death; live in newness of life 
1Pet 3:21 - baptism...now saves you 
Heb 10:22 - heart sprinkled, bodies washed in pure water 
(also see The Sacraments)

Health and Wealth Gospel 
Mk 10:28 - no "take cross and follow me" = not worthy of me 
Rom 8:16-17 - heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him 
Rom 8:18 - present suffering nothing compared w/future glory 
Phil 1:28-29 - granted to believe, also to suffer for him 
Col 1:24 - filling up what is lacking in Christ sufferings 
Heb 12:5-7 - whom God loves, he disciplines as sons 
Heb 12:11 discipline seems painful, but brings righteousness 
1Pet 1:6 - for a while you must suffer various trials 
1Pet 2:19-21 - suffering = grace; Jesus suffered as our example 

BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Mary 
Lk 1:28, 30 - angel: "full of grace, found favor with God 
Lk 1:42 - Elizabeth: "most blessed among women" 
Lk 1:48 - Mary: "all generations will call me blessed" 

Mother of God 
Lk 1:43 - Elizabeth calls her "mother of my Lord" = God 
Mt 1:23 - virgin bear a son, Emmanuel = "God is with us" 
Lk 1:35 - child born will be called holy, the Son of God 
Gal 4:4 - God sent his Son, born of a woman 

The Assumption 
Gn 5:24 (Hb 11:5) - Enoch taken to heaven without dying 
2Kg 2:11 - Elijah assumed into heaven in fiery chariot 
Mt 27:52 - many saints who had fallen asleep were raised 
1Thess 4:17 - caught up to meet the Lord in the air 
1Cor 15:52 - we shall be instantly changed at the last trumpet 
Rom 6:23 - for the wages of sin is death 
Rev 11:19-21 - ark in heaven = woman clothed in sun 
Ps 132:8 - Arise, O Lord & go to thy resting place,
thou & the ark of thy might. 

The Immaculate Conception 
Lk 1:28 - hail full of grace[highly favored] Lord is with you 
Lk 1:30 - you have found favor with God 
Lk 1:37 - for with God nothing shall be impossible 
Gn 3:15 - complete enmity between woman & Satan, sin 
Ex 25:11-21 - ark made of purest gold for God's word 
*Rom 3:23 - all have sinned & are deprived of God's glory 
*Lk 1:47 - my spirit rejoices in God my Savior 

Perpetual Virginity 
Lk 1:34 - how can this be, since I do not know man 
Lk 2:41-51 - age 12, Jesus evidently only son of Mary 
Mk 6:3 - "the son of Mary" not "a son of Mary" 
*Mt 13:55-56 - brothers James, Joseph, Simon & Jude 
Mt 27:56 - Mary the mother of James & Joseph also 
Jn 19:25 - Mary the wife of Clopas 
Jn 19:26 - entrusted Mary to John, not a younger sibling 
Jn 7:3-4 - brothers advise like elders: "go to Judea, manifest self"
unthinkable for younger siblings (see next verse)
Mk 3:21 - set out to seize him, "he is out of his mind" 
*Mt 1:25 - Joseph knew her not until she bore first-born 
Mt 28:20 - I am with you always, UNTIL the end of the age 
1Tim 4:13 - UNTIL I arrive, attend to reading, teaching... 
1Cor 15:25 - he must reign UNTIL has enemies underfoot 
Lk 1:80 - John in desert UNTIL day of his manifestation 
Ex 13:2; Nb 3:12 - consecrate first -born that opens womb 
Ex 34:20 - first-born among your sons you shall redeem

THE PRIESTHOOD
Call No Man Father 
Acts 7:2 - St. Stephen calls Jewish leaders "fathers" 
Acts 21:40, 22:1 - St. Paul calls Jerusalem Jews "fathers" 
Rom 4:16-17 - Abraham called the father of us all" 
1Cor 4:14-15 - I became your father in Christ through gospel 
1Tim 1:2 - my true child in our common faith 
Heb 12:7-9 - we have earthly fathers to discipline us 
Lk 14:26 - if anyone comes to me without hating his father... 
1Thess 2:11 - we treated you as a father treats his children 
Philem 10 - whose father I became in my imprisonment 
1Jn 2:13, 14 - I write to you, fathers, because you know him 

Celibacy 
*1Tim 4:1-3 - forbidding marriage is a doctrine of demons 
*1Tim 3:2 - bishop must be married only once 
Eph 5:21-33 - marriage is good: holy symbol of Christ & church 
Mt 19:12 - celibacy praised by Jesus, who was chaste 
Jer 16:1-4 - Jeremiah told not to take wife & have children 
1Cor 7:8 - St. Paul was celibate 
1Cor 7:32-35 - celibacy recommended for full-time ministers 
2Tim 2:3-4 - no soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits 
1Tim 5:9-12 - pledge of celibacy taken by older widows 

(also see Apostolic Succession and the sacrament of Holy Orders)

PURGATORY, HELL, & SIN
Purgatory 
Mt 5:48 - be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect 
Heb 12:14 - strive for that holiness without which cannot see God 
Jam 3:2 - we all fall short in many respects 
Rev 21:27 - nothing unclean shall enter heaven 
Jam 1:14-15 - when sin reaches maturity gives birth to death 
2Sam 12:13-14 - David, though forgiven, still punished for his sin 
Mt 5:26 - you will not be released until paid last penny 
Mt 12:32 - sin against Holy Spirit unforgiven in this age or next 
Mt 12:36 - account for every idle word on judgment day 
2Macc 12:44-46 - atoned for dead to free them from sin 
1Cor 3:15 - suffer loss, but saved as through fire 
1Pet 3:18-20; 4:6 - Jesus preached to spirits in prison 
2Tim 1:16-18 - Paul prays for dead friend Onesiphorus 
1Cor 15:29-30 - Paul mentions people baptizing for the dead 

Hell 
Is 33:11, 14 - who of us can live with the everlasting flames 
Mt 25:41 - depart, you accursed, into the eternal fire 
Mt 25:46 - these will go off to eternal punishment 
Lk 3:16-17 - the chaff will burn in unquenchable fire 
2Thess 1:6-9 - these will pay the penalty of eternal ruin 

Original Sin 
Gn 2:16-17 - the day you eat of that tree, you shall die 
Gn 3:11-19 - God's punishment for eating of the tree 
Rom 5:12-19 - many became sinners through one man's sin 
1Cor 15:21-23 - by a man came death; in Adam all die 
Eph 2:1-3 - we all once lived in the passions of our flesh

THE SACRAMENTS
Infant Baptism 
Jn 3:5; Mk 16:16 - baptism required for entering heaven 
1Cor 15:21-22 - in Adam all die, in Christ all made alive 
Mk 10:14 - let children come; to such belongs the kingdom 
Lk 18:15 - people were bringing even infants to him... 
Col 2:11-12 - baptism has replaced circumcision 
Jos 24:15 - as for me and my house, we will serve Lord 
Mt 8:5ff. - daughter healed because of centurion's faith 
Mt 15:21ff. - daughter healed because of Canaanite woman's faith 
Lk 7:1ff. - just say the word, and let my servant be healed 
Acts 16:31 - believe in Lord Jesus you & house will be saved 
Acts 16:15 - she was baptized, with all her household 
Acts 16:33 - he and all his family were baptized at once 
1Cor 1:16 - I baptized the household of Stephanas 

Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist 
Jn 6:35-71 - Eucharist promised 
Mt 26:26ff (Mk 14:22ff., Lk 22:17ff.) - Eucharist instituted 
1Cor 10:16 - Eucharist = participation in Christ's body & blood 
1 Cor 11:23-29 - receiving unworthily his body & blood 
Ex 12:8, 46 - Paschal lamb had to be eaten 
Jn 1:29 - Jesus called "Lamb of God" 
1 Cor 5:7 - Jesus called "paschal lamb who has been sacrificed 
Jn 4:31-34; Mt 16:5-12 - Jesus talking symbolically about food 
1Cor 2:14-3:4 - explains what "the flesh" means in Jn 6:63 
Ps 14:4; Is 9:18-20; Is 49:26; Mic 3:3; 2Sm 23:15-17; Rv 17:6, 16 -
to symbolically eat & drink one's body & blood = assault 

Confirmation 
Acts 19:5-6 - Paul imposed hands on baptized, received Holy Spirit 
Acts 8:14-17 - laid hands upon them, they received Holy Spirit 
2Cor 1:21-22 - put seal on us and given Holy Spirit in our hearts 
Eph 1:13 - you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit 
Heb 6:2 - instruction about baptism & laying on of hands 

Confession 
Mt 9:2-8 Son of Man has authority to forgive sins 
Jn 20:23 - whose sins you forgive/retain are forgiven/retained 
Jn 20:22 - breathed on them, "receive Holy Spirit" [recall Gn 2:7] 
2Cor 5:17-20 - given us the ministry of reconciliation 
Jam 5:13-15 - confess your sins to one another 
Mt 18:18 - whatever you bind & loose on earth, so it is in heaven 

Anointing the Sick 
Mk 6:12-13 - anointed with oil many sick, cured them 
Jam 5:14-15 - presbyters pray over sick, anoint, sins forgiven 

Holy Orders 
Acts 20:28 - Holy Sprit appointed you overseers, to tend Church 
Lk 22:19 - do this in memory of me 
Jn 20:22 - As Father sent me, I send you...receive Holy Spirit 
Acts 6:6 - the apostles prayed and laid hands on them 
Acts 13:3 - they laid hands on them & sent them off 
Acts 14:22 - they appointed presbyters in each church 
1Tim 4:14 - gift received through laying on of hands of presbyterate 
2Tim 1:6 - gift of God you have through imposition of hands 
Tit 1:5 - appoint presbyters in every town as I directed you 
(also see The Priesthood)

Matrimony 
Mt 19:5-6 - leave father & mother, join wife, 2 become 1 flesh 
Mk 10:7-12 - what God joined together, no man separate 
Eph 5:22-32 - union of man & wife image of Christ & Church 
Heb 13:4 - let marriage be honored among all

SOCIAL TEACHINGS
Divorce and Remarriage 
Mal 2:14-16 - for I hate divorce, says the Lord 
Mt 5:32-33 - to divorce or marry divorced wife is adultery 
Mt 19:4-6, 9 - to divorce wife and remarry = adultery 
Lk 16:18 - to divorce & remarry or marry divorced = adultery 
Rom 7:2-3 - wife consorts = adulteress if living, but not if dead 
1Cor 7:10-11 - if wife separated, stay single or reconcile 

Contraception 
Gn 38:9-10 God killed Onan for spilling seed [see next]
Dt 25:5-10 - penalty for defying Levirate law: not death  
Gn 1:27-28 (Gn 9:1, 35:11) - be fruitful and multiply 
Ps 127:3-5 - children gift from God, blessed is a full quiver 
1Chr 25:5 - God gave 14 sons & 3 daughters to exalt him 
1Chr 26:4-5 - God indeed blessed Obededom with 8 sons 
Hos 9:10-17 - Israel is punished with childlessness 
Ex 23:25-26 - blessings promised: no miscarrying, barrenness 
Lv 21:17-20 - crushed testicles is called a defect & blemish 
Dt 23:1 - no one castrated shall enter the assembly 
Dt 25:11-12 - punishment for potential damage to genitals 
Rom 1:25-27 - natural function of women = childbearing 
1Tim 2:11-15 - women saved through the bearing of children 
Acts 5:1-11 - Ananias/Saphira slain - withholding part of gift 
Gal 6:7 - God is not mocked-accepting pleasure, denying fruit 
Mt 21:19, Mk 11:14 - Jesus cursed fruitless fig tree 
Gal 5:20, Rv 9:21, 21:8 - Greek pharmakeia = abortifacient potions 
1Cor 6:19-20 - body temple of the Holy Spirit, glorify God with body 

Homosexuality 
Gn 1:27 - complementarity of sexes reflects God's inner unity 
Gn 2:21-24 - transmission of life through total self-donation - one flesh
Gn 19 - original sin deteriorates to Sodom's sin, destroyed 
Lv18:22 - called abomination, cut off from people (v.29) 
Lv 20:13 - both shall be put to death for abominable deed 
Rom 1:27 - called unnatural, shameful, and a perversity 
1Cor 6:9 - active homosexuals won't inherit kingdom of God 
1Tim 1:9-10 - those who engage in such acts called sinners 

Drinking Wine 
Gn 27:25 - Isaac brought Jacob wine, and he drank 
Dt 14:23-26 - spend money on sheep, wine, & strong drink 
Prov 20:1 - wine is a mocker, unwise to be led astray by it 
Eccl 9:7 - drink your wine with merry heart - God approves 
Is 25:6 - God will provide feast of rich foods & choice wines 
Is 5:11 - woe to those who rise early & run after strong drink 
Is 5:22 - woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine 
Luke 7:33-34 - son of man eats & drinks: behold glutton & drunk 
Jn 2:2-10 - miracle at Cana: water turned into good wine 
Eph 5:18 - do not get drunk with wine, that is debauchery 
1Tim 5:23 - drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach

SAINTS, RELICS, AND STATUES
Communion of Saints 
Eph 1:22-23 - he is head of the Church, which is His body 
Eph 5:21-32 - Christ is the head of the Church, Savior of the body 
Col 1:18, 24 - He is head of the body, the Church 
1Cor 12:12-27 - if I suffer, all suffer; if I am honored, all rejoice 
Rom 12:5 - we are one body in Christ, individual parts of one another 
Eph 4:4 - one body, one Spirit, called to one hope 
Col 3:15 - you were called in one body 
Rom 8:35-39 - death cannot separate us from Christ 
Rom 12:10 - love one another with mutual affection 
1Thess 5:11 - encourage, build up one another 
Gal 6:2 - bear one another's burdens 
Gal 6:10 - let us do good to all, especially those in family of faith 

Intercessory Prayer of Saints 
Rom 15:30 - join me by your prayers to God on my behalf 
Col 4:3, 1Thess 5:25 - pray for us 
2Thess 1:11 - we always pray for you 
2Thess 3:1 - finally, brothers, pray for us 
Eph 6:18-19 - making supplication for all the saints & for me 
Tob 12:12 - angel presents Tobit & Sarah's prayer to God
Ps 148 - David calls upon angels
Zech 1:12 - angel intercedes for Jerusalem 
Mk 12:25, Mt 22:30 - men in heaven are as the angels
Rev 5:8 - those in heaven offer prayers of the holy ones to God 
*Saints dead, prayer is necromancy (Dt 18:10-11) 
Mk 12:26-27 - he is God of the living, not of the dead 
Mk 9:4 - Jesus seen conversing with Elijah & Moses
Lk 9:31 - Elijah & Moses aware of earthly events 
Rev 6:9-11 - martyrs under altar want earthly vindication 
Heb 12:1 - we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses 
Lk 16:19-30 - departed rich man intercedes for brothers 
Rev 20:4 - saw the souls of those who had been beheaded 
Wis 3:1-6 - the souls of the just are in the hand of God 
2Macc 15:7-16 - the departed Onias & Jeremiah pray for the Jews 
Jas 5:16 Prayers of righteous man
1 Cor. 13:12 - I shall understand fully
1 John 4: 20-21 - whoever loves God must love his brother
1 Cor 12:21 - parts of Christ's Body cannot say to other parts,
"I do not need you".

*1Tim 2:5 - "One mediator between God and man" 
1Tim 2:1-7 - offer prayers, petitions for all men 
1Pet 2:5 - be a holy priesthood to offer sacrifices through Christ 
Mk 10:18 - only God is good 
Mt 25:23 - well done my good and faithful servant 
Jn 10:11-16 - I am good shepherd; one flock I shepherd 
Jn 21:15-16 - feed my lambs, tend my sheep 
Eph 4:11 - He gave some as apostles…others as pastors 
Heb 3:1, 7:24, 9:12-13 - Jesus eternal high priest; one sacrifice 
Rev 1:6, 5:10 - He made us a kingdom of priests for God 
 

Veneration of Saints 
Jos 5:14 - Joshua fell prostrate in worship before angel 
Dan 8:17 - Daniel fell prostrate in terror before Gabriel 
Tob 12:16 - Tobiah & Tobit fall to ground before Raphael 
Mt 18:10 - angels in heaven always behold face of God (we venerate 
angels because of their great dignity,
which comes form their union with God. 
Saints also are united with God) 
1Jn 3:2 - we shall be like him, we shall see him as he is 
1Thess 1:5-8 - you become an example to all the believers 
Heb 13:7 - remember leaders, consider/imitate their faith & life 

Relics 
2Kgs 13:20-21 - contact with Elisha's bones restored life 
Acts 5:15-116 - cures performed through Peter's shadow 
Acts 19:11-12 - cures through face cloths that touched Paul 

Statues 
*Ex 20:4-5 - do not make and worship any graven images 
Ex 25:18-19 - make two cherubim of beaten gold 
Num 21:8-9 - Moses made bronze serpent & put on pole 
1Kgs 6:23-29 - temple had engraved cherubim, trees, flowers 
1Kgs 7:25-45 - temple had bronze oxen, lions, pomegranates

(also see The Blessed Virgin Mary)

MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS

Scandals in the Church 
Jer 32:32-35 - OT leaders & priests offered child sacrifices 
2 Kgs 23:7 - OT cult prostitutes in the temple of the Lord 
Jn 4:22 - in spite of their infidelity, salvation is from Jews 
Mk 14:43-46 - Judas betrayed Jesus 
Mk 14:66-72 Peter denied him 
Jn 20:24-25 Thomas refused to believe his resurrection 
Mk 14:50 - they all left him and fled in garden of Gethsemane 
Rom 3:3-4 - will their infidelity nullify fidelity of God? No! 
2 Tim 2 :13 - if we are unfaithful, God remains faithful 
Mt 13:24-30 - Parable of the weeds among the wheat 
Mt 13:47-48 - parable of net that collects good and bad 

Fasting 
*1Tim 4:3 - condemns anti-flesh heretics
Mk 7:19 - Christ declared all food clean 
1Tim 4:4-5 - everything created by God is good 
Dan 10:3 - Daniel refused to eat choice foods for 3 weeks 
Mt 9:15 - Christ's followers will fast once he is gone 
Mt 6:16-18 - Jesus gave regulations concerning how to fast 

Divinity of Jesus 
Jn 1:1 - the Word was God 
Jn 1:14-15 - glory of Father's only Son, full of grace and truth 
Jn 8:19 - if you knew me, you would know my Father 
Jn 8:58-59 - I assure you, before Abraham was, I AM 
Jn 10:30-33 - the Father and I are one (see Ex 3:14, 20:7;
Lev 19:12, 24:14-16) 
Jn 10:38 - the Father is in me and I am in the Father 
Jn 12:45 - whosoever sees me sees the one who sent me 
Jn 14:8-12 - whoever had seen has seen the Father 
Jn 20:28 - Jesus accepts Thomas's "my Lord and my God" 
Col 2:9 - in him dwells whole fullness of deity bodily 
Acts 20:28 - church of God he acquired with his blood 
Eph 1:7 - in him we have redemption by his blood 
1Jn 1:7 - blood of his Son Jesus cleanses from all sin 
Tit 2:13 - glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ 

Time of Second Coming Unknown 
Mt 24:44 - be prepared, Jesus coming at unexpected hour 
Mt 25:13 - stay awake, you know neither the day nor hour 
Mk 13:35-37 - watch, unknown when lord of house coming 
Lk 12:46 - master will come like a thief in night 
1thess 5:2-3 - day of Lord will come like a thief in night 
2Pet 3:9-10 - day of lord will come like a thief 
Rev 3:3 - if not watchful, will come like a thief 
Mt 24:36 - no one but Father alone knows day and hour 

Holy Spirit a Person, Not a Force 
Jn 14:26 - "he will teach you all things" 
Acts 8:29 - "and the Spirit said to Philip, 'Go up..." 
Acts 13:2 - "Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me...'" 
Rom 8:27 - "Spirit intercedes for the saints..." 
1Cor 2:11 - no one understands the thoughts of God, but Spirit 
1Cor 12:11 - Spirit apportions to each as he wills 
Eph 4:30 - "do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God" 

Repetitious Prayer 
*Mt 6:7 - do not babble like pagans with their many words 
1Kgs 18:25-29 - example of vain repetition: call Baal for hours 
Mt 26:44 - Jesus prayed a third time, saying the same thing again 
Lk 18:13 - collector kept beating breast & praying: be merciful 
Rev 4:8 - repeat day & night, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord" 
1Thess 5:17 - pray without ceasing
Ps 136 (26X 'his steadfast love endures forever')
Mt 6:9-13 Our Father