The Early Church never mentioned Easter 2

3. VENERATION OF IMAGES Con’t………

“Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 26.1, Księga Kapłańska 26.1

“Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” 1 John 5.21.

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8.

“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” Revelation 22.14-15.

“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20.4 – 6, Księga Wyjścia 20.4-6

According to these texts we are not make an image of anything, nor bow down to them. If we do we will not be admitted into the Kingdom of God. In closing let us have a look what the Catholic Encyclopedia says about idolatry taken from the same article as above.

“Considered in itself, idolatry is the greatest of mortal sins. For it is, by definition, an inroad on God’s sovereignty over the world, an attempt on His Divine majesty, a rebellious setting up of a creature on the throne that belongs to Him alone. Even the simulation of idolatry, in order to escape death during persecution, is a mortal sin, because of the pernicious falsehood it involves and the scandal it causes.”

4. CHRISTMAS IS A CELEBRATION THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST

Although now days Christmas has been very commercialized, it really is a festival to celebrate Christ’s birth, right? Wrong!

Have a look at what the Catholic Encyclopedia says about the origin of Christmas in their article out it.

“Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church. Irenaeus and Tertullian omit it from their lists of feasts; . . . Concerning the date of Christ’s birth the Gospels give no help; upon their data contradictory arguments are based. The census would have been impossible in winter: a whole population could not then be put in motion. . . . The well-known solar feast, however, of Natalis Invicti, celebrated on 25 December, has a strong claim on the responsibility for our December date. For the history of the solar cult, its position in the Roman Empire, and syncretism with Mithraism, see Cumont’s epoch-making “Textes et Monuments” etc., I, ii, 4, 6, p. 355.”

When Christ was born shepherds there were in the fields with their flocks, but in December it is far too cold, for shepherds to have their flocks out in the fields at night. This festival was celebrated among heathens, at that precise time of year, in honour of the birth of the son of the Babylonian queen of heaven, Tammuz, which was supposed to be the reincarnation of her dead husband Nimrod. This was the same Nimrod that is mentioned in the Bible as ‘a mighty hunter before the Lord’ (Genesis 10.9, Księga Rodzaju 10.9), the founder of ancient Babylon and the tower of Babel.

So if the actual date is not about Christ’s birth what about the other things like the Christmas tree, giving gifts, holly, mistletoe, etc?

“Pagan customs centering round the January calends gravitated to Christmas. Tiele has collected many interesting examples. The strenae of the Roman 1 January survive as Christmas presents, cards, boxes.” Catholic Encyclopedia article on Christmas

“Ancient, pre-Christian winter festivals used greenery, lights, and fires to symbolize life and warmth in the midst of cold and darkness. These usages, like gift giving, have also persisted. The most splendid symbol of a modern Christmas is the brilliant decorated evergreen tree with strings of multicoloured lights.” Crompton’s Interactive Encyclopedia article on Christmas.

“Christmas festivals, generally observed by Christians since the 4th century, incorporate pagan customs, such as the use of Holly, mistletoe, Yule Logs, and wassail bowls.” Funk and Wagnalls Encyclopedia article on Christmas.

In at least 10 places in the Bible the ‘green tree’ is associated with idolatry and false worship (Deuteronomy 12.2, Księga Powtórzonego Prawa 12.2 ; 1 Kings 14.23, 1 Księga Królewska 14.23; 2 Kings 16.4, 17.10, 2 Księga Królewska 16.4, 17.10 ; 2 Chronicles 28.4, 2 Księga Kronik 28.4; Isaiah 57.5, Księga Izajasza 57.5; Jeremiah 2.20, 3.6, 3.13, Księga Jeremiasza 2.20, 3.6, 3.13; and Ezekiel 6.13, Księga Ezechiela 6.13). Since all trees are green at least part of the year, the special mention of ‘green’ probably refers to trees that are evergreen. It is especially interesting when we compare today’s custom with the texts below.

“Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.
They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.” Jeremiah 10:2 – 5, Księga Jeremiasza 10.2-5.

In England, Christmas was forbidden by Act of Parliament in 1644. The day was to be a fast and a market day, shops were compelled to be open, plum puddings and mince pies were condemned as heathen.

5. EASTER IS A CELEBRATION OF THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST

Easter is not a Christian name. It bears its Chaldean origin on it very forehead. Easter is nothing else than Astarte, one of the titles of Beltis, the pagan queen of heaven. Pagans celebrate an annual spring festival which was held in her honour. Some Easter customs have come from this and other pre-Christian spring festivals. Rabbits and coloured eggs have come from pagan antiquity as symbols of new life.

“Because the use of eggs was forbidden during Lent, they were brought to the table on Easter Day, coloured red to symbolize the Easter joy. This custom is found not only in the Latin but also in the Oriental Churches. The symbolic meaning of a new creation of mankind by Jesus risen from the dead was probably an invention of later times. The custom may have its origin in paganism, for a great many pagan customs, celebrating the return of spring, gravitated to Easter. The egg is the emblem of the germinating life of early spring. Easter eggs, the children are told, come from Rome with the bells which on Thursday go to Rome and return Saturday morning. The sponsors in some countries give Easter eggs to their god-children. Coloured eggs are used by children at Easter in a sort of game which consists in testing the strength of the shells (Kraus, Real-Encyklop die, s. v. Ei). Both coloured and uncoloured eggs are used in some parts of the United States for this game, known as “egg-picking”. Another practice is the “egg-rolling” by children on Easter Monday on the lawn of the White House in Washington. . . .

“The Easter Rabbit lays the eggs, for which reason they are hidden in a nest or in the garden. The rabbit is a pagan symbol and has always been an emblem of fertility (Simrock, Mythologie, 551). . .

“The Easter Fire is lit on the top of mountains (Easter mountain, Osterberg) and must be kindled from new fire, drawn from wood by friction (nodfyr); this is a custom of pagan origin in vogue all over Europe, signifying the victory of spring over winter. The bishops issued severe edicts against the sacrilegious Easter fires (Conc. Germanicum, a. 742, c.v.; Council of Lestines, a. 743, n. 15), but did not succeed in abolishing them everywhere. The Church adopted the observance into the Easter ceremonies, referring it to the fiery column in the desert and to the Resurrection of Christ; the new fire on Holy Saturday is drawn from flint, symbolizing the Resurrection of the Light of the World from the tomb closed by a stone (Missale Rom.).”
Catholic Encyclopedia article on Easter.

As we can see from the quotes above both the name and customs associated with Easter are totally pagan. So does the Bible say anything about easter?

“Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?
The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.” Jeremiah 7.17-18, Księga Jeremiasza 7.17-18

“As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.
But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.
But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine.
And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink offerings unto her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings unto her, without our men?” Jeremiah 44:16 – 19, Księga Jeremiasza 44.16-19.

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying; Ye and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and fulfilled with your hand, saying, We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her: ye will surely accomplish your vows, and surely perform your vows.
Therefore hear ye the word of the LORD, all Judah that dwell in the land of Egypt; Behold, I have sworn by my great name, saith the LORD, that my name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, The Lord GOD liveth.
Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them.” Jeremiah 44:25 – 27, Księga Jeremiasza 44.25-27.

“And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.” Acts 12.3-4.

The quotes from Jeremiah show that the Israelites back then, worshipped the queen of heaven and made cakes for her, similar to making hot cross buns. The text in Acts in quite unusual as the original word for ‘easter’ here used is the same word for ‘passover’. So why did the people who translated the KJV say easter instead of passover. The passover was at the beginning of the days of unleavened bread, which had already commenced according Acts 12:3, which meant that passover had just been celebrated. Herod intended to bring Peter forth to the people after Easter. It is highly unlikely that Herod intended to keep Peter in prison for twelve months, but after the people had celebrated the pagan easter the queen of heaven, which even today is celebrated after passover.

6. SACREDNESS OF THE CROSS OR CRUCIFIX

“The same sign of the cross that Rome [and most Christians today] now worships was used in the Babylonian Mysteries, was applied by Paganism to the same magic purposes, was honoured with the some honours. That which is now called the Christian cross was originally no Christian emblem at all, but was the mystic Tau of the Chaldeans and Egyptians – the true original form of the letter T – the initial of the name Tammuz – which, in Hebrew, radically the same as ancient Chaldee, as found on coins, was formed as in no. 1 of the accompanying woodcut and in Etrurian and Coptic. That mystic Tau was marked in baptism on the foreheads of those initiated in the Mysteries, and was used in every variety of way as a most sacred symbol. To identify Tammuz with the sun it was joined sometimes to the circle of the sun, sometimes it was inserted in the circle. Whether the Maltese cross, which the Romish bishops append to their names as a symbol of their episcopal dignity, is the letter T, may be doubtful; but there seems no reason to doubt that that Maltese cross is an express symbol of the sun; for Layard found it as a sacred symbol in Nineveh in such connection as let him to identify it with the sun. The mystic Tau, as the symbol of the great divinity, was called ‘the sign of life;’ it was used as an amulet over the heart; it was marked on the official garments of the priests, as on the official garments of the priests of Rome; it was borne by kings in their hands, as a token of their dignity or divinely-conferred authority. The Vestal virgins of Pagan Rome wore it suspended from their necklaces, as the nuns do now. The Egyptians did the same, and many of the barbarous nations with whom they had intercourse, as the Egyptian monuments bear witness. In reference to the adorning of some of these tribes, Wilkinson thus writes: ‘The girdle was sometimes highly ornamented; men as well as women wore earrings; and they frequently had a small cross suspended to a necklace, or to the collar of their dress. The adoption of this last was not peculiar to them; it was also appended to, or figured upon, the robes of the Rot-n-no; and traces of it may be seen in the fancy ornaments of the Rebo, showing that it was already in use as early as the fifteenth century before the Christian era [1500 BC].’ There is hardly a Pagan tribe where the cross has not been found. The cross was worshipped by the Pagan Celts long before the incarnation and death of Christ. . . . It was worshipped in Mexico for ages before the Roman Catholic missionaries set foot there, large stone crosses being erected, probably to the ‘god of rain.’ The cross thus widely worshipped, or regarded as a sacred emblem, was the unequivocal symbol of Bacchus, the Babylonian Messiah, for he was represented with a head-band covered with crosses.

“Now this Pagan symbol seems first to have crept into the Christian Church in Egypt, and generally into Africa. A statement of Tertullian, about the middle of the third century, shows how much, by that time, the Church of Carthage was infected with the old leaven. Egypt especially, which was never thoroughly evangelised, appears to have taken the lead in bringing in this Pagan symbol. The first form of that which is called the Christian Cross, found on Christian monuments there, is the unequivocal Pagan Tau, or Egyptian ‘Sign of life.’ Let the reader peruse the following statement of Sir G. Wilkinson: ‘A still more curious fact may be mentioned respecting this hieroglyphical character (the Tau), that the early Christians of Egypt adopted it in lieu of the cross, which was afterwards substituted for it, prefixing it to inscriptions in the same manner as the cross in later times. For, though Dr. Young had some scruples in believing the statement of Sir A. Edmonstone, that it holds that position in the sepulchres of the great Oasis, I can attest that such is the case, and that numerous inscriptions, headed by the Tau, are preserved to the present day on early Christian monuments’ The drift of this statement is evidently this, that in Egypt the earliest form of that which has since been called the cross, was no other that the ‘Crux Ansata,’ or ‘Sign of life,’ borne by Osiris and all the Egyptian gods, that the ansa or ‘handle’ was afterwards dispensed with, and that it became the simple Tau, or ordinary cross, as it appears at this day, and that the design of its first employment on the sepulchres, therefore, could have no reference to the crucifixion of the Nazarene, but was simply the result of the attachment to old and long-cherished Pagan symbols, which is always strong in those who, with the adoption of the Christian name and profession, are still, to a large extent, Pagan in heart and feeling. This, and this only, is the origin of the worship of the ‘cross’”
The Two Babylons by Rev. Alexander Hislop.
The early Christians did not consider the cross a virtuous symbol, but rather a device of death and shame.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2.

The early Christian’s faith was not in the cross itself, but in what was accomplished on one particular cross.

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18.

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14.

“And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” Colossians 1:20.

The cross is never spoken of as a piece of wood or metal that one might hang from a chain around his neck or carry in his hand as a protector or charm. The adorning we should have, should be on the inside, not on the outside.

“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” 1 Peter 3:3, 4.

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” 1 Timothy 2:9, 10.

In Revelation we have pictures of two very different churches, one pure the other idolatrous.

“And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:” Revelation 12:1.

“So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:” Revelation 17:3, 4.

Notice their apparel. The pure church or God’s church is clothed with the sun. The apostate church is clothed in purple and scarlet and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls. Which church do you want to belong to?

7. THE USE OF CANDLES IN WORSHIP

“Another peculiarity of the Papal worship is the use of lamps and wax-candles. If the Madonna and child are set up in a niche, they must have a lamp to burn before them; if mass is to be celebrated, though in broad daylight, there must be wax-candles lighted on the altar; if a grand procession is to be formed, it cannot be thorough and complete without lighted tapers to grace the goodly show. The use of these lamps and tapers come from the same source as all the rest of the Papal superstition. That which causes the ‘Heart,’ when it became an emblem of the incarnate Son, to be represented as a heart of fire, required also that burning lamps and lighted candles should form part of the worship of that Son; for so, according to the established rites of Zoroaster, was the sun-god worshipped. When every Egyptian on the same night was required to light a lamp before his house in the open air, this was a act of homage to the sun, that had veiled its glory by enshrouding itself in a human form. when the Yezidis of Koordistan, at this day, once a year celebrated their festival of ‘burning lamps’, that, too, is to the honour of Sheikh Shems, or the Sun. Now, what on these high occasions was done on a grand scale was also done on a smaller scale, in the individual acts of worship to their god, by the lighting of lamps and tapers before the favourite prevalent, as we learn from the Apocryphal writer of the Book of Baruch. ‘They (the Babylonians),’ he says, ‘lighted up lamps to their gods, and that in greater numbers, too, than they do for themselves, although the gods cannot see one of them, and are senseless as the beams of their houses.’. . .

“While Rome uses both lamps and wax candles in her sacred rites, it is evident, however, that she attributes some pre-eminent virtue to the latter above all other lights. Up to the time of the Council of Trent, she thus prayed on Easter Eve, at the blessing of Easter candles: ‘Calling upon thee in they works, this holy Eve of Easter, we offer most humbly unto thy Majesty this sacrifice; namely, a fire not defiled with the fat of flesh, nor polluted with unholy oil or ointment, nor attained with any profane fire; but we offer unto thee with obedience, proceeding from perfect devotion, a fire of wrought WAX and wick, kindles and made to burn in honour of they name. This so great a MYSTERY therefore, and the marvellous sacrament of this holy eve, must needs to extolled with due and deserved praises.’ That there was some occult ‘Mystery’, as in here declared, couched under the ‘wax-candles,’ in the original system of idolatry, from which Rome derived its ritual, may be well believed, when it is observed with what unanimity nations the most remote have agreed to use wax-candles in their sacred rites. . . The wax-candle was, in fact, a hieroglyphic, like so many other things which we have already seen, and was intended to exhibit the Babylonian god in one of the essential characters of the Great Mediator. The classic reader may remember that one of the gods of primeval antiquity was called Ouranos, that is, ‘The Enlightener.’ In this very character was Nimrod worshipped when he was deified. As the Sun-god he was regarded not only as the illuminator of the material world, but the enlightener of the souls of men, for he was recognised as the reavealer of ‘goodness and truth.’ It is evident, from the Old Testament, not less that the New, that the proper and personal name of our Lord Jesus Christ is, ‘The Word of God,’ as the Revealer of the heart and counsels of the Godhead.”
The Two Babylons by Rev. Alexander Hislop pages 193, 194.

From this quotation we can see that wax-candles are associated with idolatry in history. But does the Bible say the same thing?

“How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.” Job 21:17.

“For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.” Proverbs 24:20.

In the tabernacle that was built at Mount Sinai, and later in the temple at Jerusalem, candlesticks were used. These were not actual candles but oil lamps used to light up the temple. It was to represent the ‘Light of the World’, our Lord Jesus Christ. These oil lamps were to be kept burning day and night.

“And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.” Exodus 27.20.

So if the use of wax-candles in worship is a totally pagan idea, why does the Catholic church do it? I will let them answer this question themselves.

“We need not shrink from admitting that candles, like incense and lustral water, were commonly employed in pagan worship and in the rites paid to the dead. But the Church from a very early period took them into her service, just as she adopted many other things indifferent in themselves, which seemed proper to enhance the splendour of religious ceremonial.” Catholic Encyclopedia article on candles.

They have taken it from paganism and supposedly Christianised it, without any Biblical reasoning to do so, and going against the type of worship the Real God requires of us.

8. INFANT BAPTISM

“The absolute necessity of this sacrament is often insisted on by the Fathers of the Church, especially when they speak of infant baptism. . . This sacrament is the door of the Church of Christ and the entrance into a new life. we are reborn from the state of slaves of sin into the freedom of the Sons of God. Baptism incorporates us with Christ’s mystical body and makes us partakers of all the privileges flowing from the redemptive act of the Church’s Divine Founder.” Catholic Encyclopedia article on Baptism.

But is infant baptism according to the Bible?

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:19, 20.

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:15, 16.

From the above texts we can see that one must believe, repent, and be taught to observe all things that Jesus Christ has commanded before they can be baptised. This automatically cancels out infant baptism as Scriptural. Another interesting point to note is that baptism requires both the candidate and the officiator to be in the water, and the candidate to be totally immersed – go under – the water.

“And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptised him.” Acts 8:38, 39.

“And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptised of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:” Mark 1:9, 10.

What is the service for infants that even our Example, Jesus Christ, was participated in?

“And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; . . .
And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. . . .
And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, . . .
And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.” Luke 2:22, 24, 27, 39.

“Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.
And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled.
But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days.
And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest:
Who shall offer it before the LORD, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female.
And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.” Leviticus 12:2 – 8.

“Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.” Exodus 13:2.

“Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the LORD.” Numbers 3:13.

So if infant baptism or sprinkling is not from the Bible, where did it come from?

“It came from heathenism. The classic reader cannot fail to remember where, and in what melancholy plight, Aeneas, when he visited the infernal regions, found the souls of unhappy infants who had died before receiving so to speak, ‘the rites of the Church’:-

‘Before the gates the cries of babes new-born,
Whom fate had from their tender mothers torn,
Assault his ears.’

These wretched babes, to glorify the virtue and efficacy of the mystic rites of Paganism, are excluded from the Elysian Fields, the paradise of the heathen, and have among their nearest associates no better company that that of guilty suicides:-

‘The next in place and punishment are they
Who prodigally threw their souls away,
Fools, who, repining at their wretched state,
And loathing anxious life, suborned their fate.’”

The Two Babylons by Rev Alexander Hislop page 130.

9. A MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MAN OTHER THAN JESUS CHRIST.

“St. Paul writes to Timothy (I Tim., ii, 3-6) . . . “God our Saviour, Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus: Who gave himself a redemption for all, a testimony in due times.” The object of the mediatorship is here pointed out as the salvation of mankind, and the imparting of truth about God. The mediator is named: Christ Jesus; His qualification for the office is implied in His being described as man, and the performance of it is ascribed to His redeeming sacrifice and His testifying to the truth.” Catholic Encyclopedia article on Mediator.

“The priest is the minister of Divine worship, and especially of the highest act of worship, sacrifice. In this sense, every religion has its priests, exercising more or less exalted sacerdotal functions as intermediaries between man and the Divinity. . . . By his ordination a priest is invested with powers rather than with rights, the exercise of these powers (to celebrate Mass, remit sins, preach, administer the sacraments, direct and minister to the Christian people) being regulated by the common laws of the church, the jurisdiction of the bishop, and the office or charge of each priest.” Catholic Encyclopedia article on Priest.

The first part of the first quote is according to Scripture, until we reach the part that says Jesus Christ’s qualification for this office describes him as a man. What qualifications does the Bible say He has for this position?

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“Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” Hebrews 2.17, 18.

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4.14 – 16.

“Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8.34.

According to these Scriptures Jesus Christ’s qualification for this office is that He was a man, and is now our High Priest administrating in the Sanctuary in heaven. What about having confidence in a man?

“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.” Psalm 118.8, 9Księga Psalmów 11.8-9.

“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” Jeremiah 17.5.Księga Jeremiasza

The second quote from the Catholic Encyclopedia not only says that the priest is mediator between man and Divinity (God) which we have already proved incorrect, but that the priest can remit (pardon, forgive) sins.

“But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?” Mark 2.6 , 7 (see also Luke 5.20, 21.)

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” Luke 23.34.

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6.14, 15.

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1.7 – 10.

Therefore we should confess our sins to God through Jesus Christ, our High Priest. God will forgive us if we faithfully confess our sins to Him.

10. WOMEN MINISTERS

The first argument that normally comes up with this topic, is that men and women are equal. Well, yes Adam and Eve were equal when created, but this all changed at the fall of mankind. The serpent tricked Eve into eating the fruit, whereas Adam ate it knowingly.

“And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.” Genesis 3.13 Księga Rodzaju 3.13.

“And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.” 1 Timothy 2.14.

Because of this, man was placed over and in a position higher than woman.

“Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.” Genesis 3.16 Księga Rodzaju 3.16

“But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” 1 Corinthians 11.3.

“But if the priest’s daughter be a widow, or divorced, and have no child, and is returned unto her father’s house, as in her youth, she shall eat of her father’s meat: but there shall no stranger eat thereof.” Leviticus 22.13. Księga Kapłańska 22.13

“Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father’s house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house.” Genesis 38.11Księga Rodzaju 38.11

See also 1 Timothy 5.4 – 10 and Numbers 30.Księga Liczb 30

The leaders in the church back in the time of the Apostles were Bishops and Deacons. What does the Bible say about these church leaders?

“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 3.1 – 13.

What does the Bible have to say about women in Church?

“Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.” 1Timothy 2.11 – 15.

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.” 1 Corinthians 14.33 – 35.

11. FALSE TALKING IN TONGUES

To be able to recognise the false, we must first learn about the true. So what was talking in tongues, a gift of the Holy Spirit, like in the Bible? But first just a couple of quotes to show that tongues in the Bible refers to language.

“By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations. . . .
These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations. . . .
These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.” Genesis 10.5, 20, 31.Księga Rodzaju 10.5, 20, 31

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;” Revelation 7.9.

“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” Acts 2.4 – 8.

“He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;” Mark 16.16, 17.

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” 1 Corinthians 12.7 – 11.

“And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12.28.

“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.”
1 Corinthians 14.1 – 28.

Speaking in tongues or another language that you have not learned, is one of the least gifts of the Holy Spirit, and is to be used to help non-believers to believe, according to these texts and prophecying is for believers.

What happened before the Holy Spirit was poured out on people in the Bible?

“Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,” Acts 10.41 – 46.

“Then said Paul, John verily baptised with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
When they heard this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.” Acts 19.4 – 6.

If one was to have any of the gifts of the Spirit, it would go without saying that they would have the fruits of the same Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galations 5.22, 23.

“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7.20

To have the gift of tongues from the Holy Spirit, they had to accept ALL the things that the Bible taught about our Lord Jesus Christ, first. Which means they had to give up any pagan practice. The same goes for people today. If we don’t know the true Jesus Christ and His doctrines we cannot have the Holy Spirit, but we receive another spirit.

12. UNITY (NOT IN DOCTRINE) OR ECUMENICALISM

“A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalm 133.1.Księga Psalmów 133.1

“With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4.2, 3.

“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:” John 17.21, 22.

“And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:” Matthew 12.25.

It is very clear from these texts that unity is important. But, are there any restrictions to this unity?

“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” Ephesians 4.13.

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6.24.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6.14 – 18.

These texts are summed up nicely in the sentence below by Ellen White in her book The Great Controversy page 45.

“If unity could be secured only by the compromise of truth and righteousness, then let there be difference, and even war.”

13. THE ATONEMENT WAS FINISHED AS THE CROSS

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” John 19.30.

Here we read that just before Jesus died on the cross, He said ‘It is finished’. But, what was finished? To answer this question we have to look at why Jesus came to this earth as a man (Hebrews 2.17), lived a perfect life (Hebrews 4.15), died on a cross outside the city of Jerusalem (Acts 4.10), rose from the dead (Matthew 28.5, 6), and ascended up into heaven to be our High Priest (Hebrews 4.14).

Yes, He came as a man and lived a perfect life so that we had an example to follow; died on the cross to pay the penalty of sin for us; rose from the grave that we have hope that the dead in Christ will also one day be resurrected; and ascended up into heaven to be our High Priest to make intercession to the Father for us. But, Christ is referred to as ‘the Light of the world’, and the ‘Bread of Life’, ‘the Lamb of God’, so what is the significance of these names in relation to the question above, and where is their origin from?

They originate from the sanctuary built by the children of Israel at Mount Sinai, so that God could dwell among them (Exodus 25.8Księga Wyjścia 25). The title ‘the Light of the world’ was in reference to the seven branched candlesticks, which was oil filled lamps which were to be keet burning at all times (Exodus 27.20Księga Wyjścia 27). The title ‘the Bread of Life’ refers to the unleavened bread that was placed on the table of showbread (Numbers 4.7.Księga Liczb 4 ). The title ‘the Lamb of God’ refers to the sin offering that a person was to bring to the sanctuary to receive forgiveness for their sins. This sin offering, a perfect innocent lamb, had to die which was only the first part of the service for forgiveness of sins. Let us take a much closer look at the sanctuary and it’s services to gain an even greater knowledge as the meaning of this last title.
“And if he bring a lamb for a sin offering, he shall bring it a female without blemish.
And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin offering, and slay it for a sin offering in the place where they kill the burnt offering.
And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out all the blood thereof at the bottom of the altar:
And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat of the lamb is taken away from the sacrifice of the peace offerings; and the priest shall burn them upon the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the LORD: and the priest shall make an atonement for his sin that he hath committed, and it shall be forgiven him.” Leviticus 4.32 – 35.Księga Kapłańska 4

First and foremost, a person who had sinned must recognise that they had done so, and take a lamb without blemish to the sanctuary as a sacrifice. Around the sanctuary was a wall of white linen representing purity or righteousness. There was only one entrance, which was on the eastern side. This meant that a person who wished to enter the sanctuary and make an offering had to turn his back towards the east, where the sun rises. The significance of this is that in all pagan systems of worship, in one way or another, worship the rising sun. So in turning his back on the rising sun, it symbolised a person turning his back or forsaking all idolatry, before he even entered the gate of the sanctuary.

Once inside the gate there was a priest waiting to check if the lamb that he had brought for a sacrifice was indeed perfect or without blemish. This was done as it was to represent our perfect, sinless Saviour, Jesus Christ. Then the sinner laid his hands or baring down on the head of the lamb, representing that he identifies himself with his substitute, and the sin, by confession, was transferred to the lamb. The sinner then took a knife and killed the lamb by slitting its throat. The priest caught some of the blood in a bowl, with his finger, put the blood on the horns of the alter of burnt offering in the outer courtyard, and poured the rest at the base of the altar. The sinner then had to remove all the fat from the animal which the priest burnt on the altar, making atonement for the sinner. The sinner then left the sanctuary forgiven. That same priest then had to eat the sin offering in the Holy Place of the sanctuary, sharing it with other priests (Leviticus 6.26, 29. Księga Kapłańska 6 ) In eating the offering, the sin that the lamb bore was transferred to the priest, who in turn transferred it to the sanctuary, making atonement for it.

This was the service for a poor person. If you read the whole chapter of Leviticus.Księga Kapłańska 4 you will read of other similar services for sin offering, some in which the blood was taken and sprinkled before the veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, and some was put on the horns of the alter of incense, thereby transferring the sin to the sanctuary. There are many more services conected with the day to day running of the sanctuary, but I would now like to turn our attention to what happened with all these sins which were now transferred to the sanctuary.

Once a year, a service called ‘the Day of Atonement’ was administered, and the High Priest entered the most holy place for the cleansing of the sanctuary (Leviticus 16.29, 30.Księga Kapłańska 16.29, 30 ). This work was performed there to complete the yearly round of ministration and services. On the Day of Atonement two kids of the goats were brought to the door of the tabernacle (Leviticus 16.5.Księga Kapłańska 16.5 ), and lots were cast upon them, “one lot for the Lord, and the other lot for the scapegoat.” (Leviticus 16.8.Księga Kapłańska 16.8 ). The goat upon which fell the lot for the Lord was to be slain as a sin offering for the people (Leviticus 16.9.Księga Kapłańska 16.9 ). And the priest was to bring his blood within the veil and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat and before the mercy seat (Leviticus 16.15.Księga Kapłańska 16.15 ). The blood was also to be sprinkled upon the altar of incense that was before the veil (Leviticus 16.17.Księga Kapłańska 16.17 ). Then, in his character of mediator, he took the sins upon himself and bore them from the sanctuary. Placing his hands upon the head of the scapegoat, he confessed over him all these sins, thus in figure transferring them from himself to the goat. The goat then bore them away, and they were regarded as forever separated from the people (Leviticus 16.20-21.Księga Kapłańska 16.20-21 ).

So when Christ said ‘It is finished’ just before he died, all that was finished was the slaying of the pure, innocent Lamb.

“As Jesus died on Calvary, He cried, “It is finished,” and the veil of the temple was rent in twain, from the top to the bottom. This was to show that the services of the earthly sanctuary were forever finished, and that God would no more meet with the priests in their earthly temple, to accept their sacrifices. The blood of Jesus was then shed, which was to be offered by Himself in the heavenly sanctuary. As the priest entered the most holy once a year to cleanse the earthly sanctuary, so Jesus entered the most holy of the heavenly, at the end of the 2300 days of Daniel 8.

14. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WAS THE ORIGINAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH

There must be no doubt as to which is the true Church of Christ, the one which has received, and has preserved intact the Revelation which He gave it for man’s salvation. Were it otherwise the purpose of the Redemption would be frustrated, the blood of the Saviour shed in vain, and man’s eternal destination at the mercy of chance. Without doubt, therefore, Christ, the all-wise legislator, impressed upon His Church some distinctive external marks by which, with the use of ordinary diligence, all can distinguish the real Church from the false, the society of truth from the ranks of error.

When we take a look at all of the Roman Catholic doctrines, some of them are mentioned above, we find that they all originated in paganism. Basically, what the Roman Catholic Church has done is take all the pagan rites and rituals, and given them Christian names. Whereby they claim to have ‘Christianised’ them. But as we have seen time and time again in this study, paganism with all its rites and rituals are condemned in the Bible, under all circumstances.

Now let us have a look at a few quotes about the original Christian Church.

“There is little point in claiming that a certain church or doctrine came down from the days of the apostles. Sin came down from the days of the apostles, and the devil also was active at that time and before. It is not so much what came down from the days of the apostles, as what came down from the apostles themselves. Even in his day the apostle Paul wrote: ‘The mystery of iniquity doth already work.’” Truth Triumphant by Benjamin Wilkinson page 16.

“Some will ask, Should not we look to the church which for ages has been the favoured of kings and nations to find the true church instead of looking to a people who for centuries were never the dominant church, and who many times were obscure? Let the prophet John answer this question: ‘The woman (church) fled into the wilderness.’(Revelation 12:6) In order to recognise the true church, it is imperative that we fix our eyes upon those Christian bodies which have largely been forgotten in the works of history.” Truth Triumphant by Benjamin Wilkinson page 10.

“The apostle Paul, in his second letter to the Thessalonians, foretold the great apostasy which would result in the establishment of the papal power. He declared that the day of Christ should not come, ‘except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.’ And furthermore, the apostle warns his brethren that ‘the mystery of iniquity doth already work.’ 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4, 7.

Even at that early date he saw, creeping into the church, errors that would prepare the way for the development of the papacy.

“Little by little, at first in stealth and silence, and then more openly as it increased in strength and gained control of the minds of men, ‘the mystery of iniquity’ carried forward its deceptive and blasphemous work. Almost imperceptibly the customs of heathenism found their way into the Christian church. The spirit of compromise and conformity was restrained for a time by the fierce persecutions which the church endured under paganism. But as persecution ceased, and Christianity entered the courts and palaces of kings, she laid aside the humble simplicity of Christ and His apostles for the pomp and pride of pagan priests and rulers; and in place of the requirements of God, she substituted human theories and traditions. The nominal conversion of Constantine, 50 in the early part of the fourth century, caused great rejoicing; and the world, cloaked with a form of righteousness, walked into the church. Now the work of corruption rapidly progressed. Paganism, while appearing to be vanquished, became the conqueror. Her spirit controlled the church. Her doctrines, ceremonies, and superstitions were incorporated into the faith and worship of the professed followers of Christ.

“This compromise between paganism and Christianity resulted in the development of ‘the man of sin’ foretold in prophecy as opposing and exalting himself above God. That gigantic system of false religion is a masterpiece of Satan’s power–a monument of his efforts to seat himself upon the throne to rule the earth according to his will.

“Satan once endeavoured to form a compromise with Christ. He came to the Son of God in the wilderness of temptation, and showing Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, offered to give all into His hands if He would but acknowledge the supremacy of the prince of darkness. Christ rebuked the presumptuous tempter and forced him to depart. But Satan meets with greater success in presenting the same temptations to man. To secure worldly gains and honours, the church was led to seek the favour and support of the great men of earth; and having thus rejected Christ, she was induced to yield allegiance to the representative of Satan –the bishop of Rome.

“It is one of the leading doctrines of Romanism that the pope is the visible head of the universal church of Christ, invested with supreme authority over bishops and pastors in all parts of the world. More than this, the pope has been given the very titles of Deity. He has been styled ‘Lord God the Pope’, and has been declared infallible. He demands the homage of all men. The same claim urged by Satan in the wilderness of temptation is still urged by him through the Church of Rome, and vast numbers are ready to yield him homage.

“But those who fear and reverence God meet this heaven-daring assumption as Christ met the solicitations of the wily foe: ‘Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.’ Luke 4:8. God has never given a hint in His word that He has appointed any man to be the head of the church. The doctrine of papal supremacy is directly opposed to the teachings of the Scriptures. The pope can have no power over Christ’s church except by usurpation.

“Romanists have persisted in bringing against Protestants the charge of heresy and wilful separation from the true church. But these accusations apply rather to themselves. They are the ones who laid down the banner of Christ and departed from ‘the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.’ Jude 3.”
The Great Controversy by Ellen White pages 49 – 51.

“The accession of the Roman Church to power marked the beginning of the Dark Ages. As her power increased, the darkness deepened. Faith was transferred from Christ, the true foundation, to the pope of Rome. Instead of trusting in the Son of God for forgiveness of sins and for eternal salvation, the people looked to the pope, and to the priests and prelates to whom he delegated authority. They were taught that the pope was their earthly mediator and that none could approach God except through him; and, further, that he stood in the place of God to them and was therefore to be implicitly obeyed. A deviation from his requirements was sufficient cause for the severest punishment to be visited upon the bodies and souls of the offenders. Thus the minds of the people were turned away from God to fallible, erring, and cruel men, nay, more, to the prince of darkness himself, who exercised his power through them. Sin was disguised in a garb of sanctity. When the Scriptures are suppressed, and man comes to regard himself as supreme, we need look only for fraud, deception, and debasing iniquity. With the elevation of human laws and traditions was manifest the corruption that ever results from setting aside the law of God.

“Those were days of peril for the church of Christ. The faithful standard-bearers were few indeed. Though the truth was not left without witnesses, yet at times it seemed that error and superstition would wholly prevail, and true religion would be banished from the earth. The gospel was lost sight of, but the forms of religion were multiplied, and the people were burdened with rigorous exactions.”
The Great Controversy by Ellen White page 55.

“Now, while this characteristic [the seven hills of Rome] of Rome has ever been well marked and defined, it has always been easy to show, that the Church which has its seat and headquarters on the seven hills of Rome might most appropriately be called ‘Babylon,’ inasmuch as it is the chief seat of idolatry under the New Testament, as the ancient Babylon was the chief seat of idolatry under the Old. but recent discoveries in Assyria, taken in connection with the previously well known but ill-understood history and mythology of the ancient world, demonstrate that there is a vast deal more significance in the name Babylon the Great than this. It has been known all along that Popery was baptised Paganism; but God is now making it manifest, that the Paganism which Rome has baptised is, in all its essential elements, the very Paganism which prevailed in the ancient literal Babylon, when Jehovah opened before Cyrus the two-leaved gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron.

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