Bible Questions and Answers
Browse all the questions that have been asked at thisisyourbible.com and see their answers, read the most recent questions and answers, or have a look at some prepared questions and answers on key Bible themes.
With the invention of the printing press and the translation of the Bible into English and other languages, the Bible became widely available. With it came the realisation that a lot of Roman Catholic doctrine was not supported in the Bible.
It became plain that the Roman Catholic Church was in fact the ‘harlot’ described in Revelation 17.
Unfortunately the protestant churches which arose out of the ‘Reformation’ retained many of the false doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church (such as the trinity, immortal souls, heaven going at death etc.). The harlot thus brought forth ‘daughters’, fulfilling the prophecy that she was the ‘Mother of harlots’.
Below is a chart of some of the agreements and differences compared with the truth of Bible teaching.
|
Belief |
Roman Catholic |
Protestant |
The truth |
|
God |
Trinity |
Trinity |
One God – the Father |
|
Salvation |
Cannot be saved without belief in the Trinity |
Cannot be saved without belief in the Trinity |
Trinity is an absurd false doctrine |
|
Bible |
Old & New Testaments + Apocrypha |
Old & New Testaments |
Old & New Testaments |
|
Authority |
Bible + Church traditions + Apostolic succession |
Bible alone |
Bible alone |
|
Interpretation of the Bible |
Only the Roman Catholic Church can interpret the Bible |
All believers through the Holy Spirit can understand the Word |
The Bible is self interpreting if read carefully and prayerfully with an open mind |
|
Immortal souls |
Yes |
Yes |
No. Souls die |
|
Existence after death |
Heaven, Purgatory or Hell (a place of torment) |
Heaven or Hell (a place of torment) Purgatory denied |
None – the dead ‘sleep’ in the dust until resurrection |
|
Prayers for the dead |
Advocated |
Denied |
Denied |
|
Saints |
Immortal souls in heaven canonised by the Church |
All who become Christians are saints |
All who believe the gospel and are baptised into Christ are saints |
|
Prayers to dead Saints |
Advocated |
Denied |
Denied |
|
Mary |
Immaculately conceived perpetual virgin |
Normal woman – a virgin until after the birth of Jesus |
Normal woman – a virgin until after the birth of Jesus |
|
Prayers to Mary |
Advocated |
Denied |
Denied |
|
Jesus |
God the Son Eternal 2nd person of a triune God. One substance with the Father |
God the Son Eternal 2nd person of a triune God. One substance with the Father |
Son of God born of a woman. Did not exist until his birth. Flesh and blood exactly as other men |
|
HOLY SPIRIT |
Eternal 3rd person of a triune God |
Eternal 3rd person of a triune God |
The Power of God |
|
Eucharist |
Transubstantiation – a ‘sacrifice’ offered through the priest’s hands |
Bread and wine are symbolic only |
Bread and wine are symbolic only |
|
Pope |
The ‘vicar’ of Christ with spiritual authority |
Denied – the Bible is the only authority |
Denied – the Bible is the only authority |
|
Repentance |
Do penance to earn forgiveness |
Change the way we live |
Change the way we live |
|
Veneration of statues, icons and relics |
Advocated |
Denied |
Denied |
|
Participation in ‘just’ wars |
Advocated |
Advocated |
Denied |
|
Kingdom of God |
Established on earth by Jesus Christ 33 AD, in the form of His Church, led by Peter. |
The Church constitutes the Kingdom of God. |
The restored kingdom of David bearing rule over the earth to be established when Christ returns |
