EX-CATHOLIC MIKE GENDRON:
GOD'S WORD CONTINUES TO SET CATHOLICS FREE
Republished below in full unedited for informational, educational and research purposes:
Last month we celebrated the 502nd anniversary of the Reformation by praising God for the power of His Word! The German reformer, that many say ignited the Reformation with his 95 Theses, gave all the credit to God and His Word. Martin Luther said, "All I have done is put forth, preach and write the Word of God, and apart from this I have done nothing, the Word has achieved everything." In the providence of God, the Reformers appeared on the scene in the 16th century when the Word of God had been hidden from the people for over 900 years. They had no access to the Bible, because it was only available in Hebrew, Greek and Jerome's Latin Vulgate.
For this reason, the Reformers wanted to put the Bible into the hands of the people in their own language. As Catholics read the Bible, the truth was setting them free from religious bondage and deception (John 8:31-32). Desperate to put a stop to this mass exodus, the Catholic Church put the Holy Bible on their list of forbidden books at the 16th century Council of Trent. It was ignorance of Scripture that made the Reformation necessary and the recovery of Scripture that made the Reformation possible. Then, it was the power of Scripture that gave the Reformation its enduring impact. The Reformation continues today as the Word of God, empowered by the Spirit of God, preached by men of God, brings forth life to the children of God (Hebrews 4:12; 1 Pet. 1:23).
Use God's Word to Evangelize Catholics
The Supreme Authority of Scripture
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16). This verse establishes the supreme authority of God's inspired, infallible, inerrant Word, which can be used to correct and reprove the teachings of Catholic bishops and religious traditions.
The Sufficiency of Christ
"By His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption" (1 Cor. 1:30). This verse declares the sufficiency of Jesus Christ in saving sinners completely and forever. It is God, not the Catholic priests, who redeems people from the slave market of sin and sanctifies them through divine wisdom and the righteousness of Christ. By one offering of Christ, He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified" (Heb. 10:14).
The Means of Salvation
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Eph. 2:8-9). These two verses clearly declare that salvation is entirely the work of God and it is offered only as a gift of His grace, not by anything man does. In fact, if man tries to gain salvation through his works or merit, he has nullified the saving grace of God (Rom. 11:6).
The Promise of Salvation
"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13). Catholics are unaware that believers in the Lord Jesus can know, right here and now, that they have, in their possession, the assurance of eternal, everlasting life. Catholics are taught that making it to heaven is conditional on what they do instead of on what Christ has done.
Use God's Word to Expose Ungodly Catholic Traditions
The Sacrifice of the Mass
"Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He (Jesus), having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God" (Heb. 10:11-12). When the Lord Jesus finished His perfect, all-sufficient work of redemption, He cried out in victory, "It is finished!" (John 19:30). Catholic priests, who continue on altars what Jesus finished on the cross, are leading their congregations in the idolatrous worship of the Eucharist.
The Purifying Fires of Purgatory
"When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Hebrews 1:3). The dogma of Purgatory is a cruel and deceptive hoax, because only the blood of Jesus Christ purifies believers of all sin (1 John 1:7).
The Veneration of Mary as Another Sinless Mediator
"For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 2:5). Not only is Mary not a mediator, she was also a sinner who needed a Savior (Rom. 3:23). She said, "My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior" (Luke 1:46-47).
As we witness, remember our words are void of power and carry no authority. If we desire to see lost souls come to Christ, we must use God's Word. "The word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit" (Heb 4:12). Let us be faithful in sowing the imperishable seed of God's Word, because we know it will bring to life those who are dead in their sins if they repent and believe the Gospel (1 Pet. 1:23). This month we are offering an Ambassador Pack to equip the saints with six different Gospel tracts to share as you witness.