Category: Bible Study with Catholics

Does the Church possess authority to “rule over” believers? Mat 18:17  If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Does this verse teach that the church has authority over believers? Leader’s Notes: Yes, the Bible teaches that the church has authority over believers, especially in the area of enforcing discipline of believers who have committed sins. But there is no teaching that there is an infallible authority to interpret scripture. Did Jesus appoint Peter as the Pope or leader of the church? Matthew 16:15­18 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou…

Does the Church possess authority to “rule over” believers? Mat 18:17  If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Does this verse teach that the church has authority over believers? Did Jesus appoint Peter as the Pope or leader of the church? Matthew 16:15­18 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God….18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter (in Greek, Petros), and upon this rock (in Greek, Petra) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall…

1.    How does the Bible describe Mary? (Luke 1:28 NIV)  The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” The angel of God called Mary “highly favored”. What do you understand by this term? Leader’s Notes: (Luke 1:28 NIV)  The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” The verse describes Mary as “blessed” simply does so on the ground that she was chosen from among all other women to become the earthly mother of Jesus. The term “highly favored” cannot mean without sin as the same term (Greek charitoo) is used to describe all believers in Eph 1:6. (HCSB)  to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved. 2.    How did…

1.    How does the Bible describe Mary? (Luke 1:28 NIV)  The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” The angel of God called Mary “highly favored”. What do you understand by this term? 2.    How did Elizabeth address Mary? Luke 1:41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? What do you understand by the term “blessed among women”? 3.    How did Jesus address Mary? JN 2:1 On the third day a…

1.    Why is it that we pray to God? What do the following attributes of God have to do with why we pray to Him? Omnipotent (God is all powerful) Omnipresent (God is everywhere) Omniscient (God is all-knowing) Leader’s Notes: Omnipotent (God is all powerful) We pray to God because He is all-powerful and able to help us no matter how big our problems are. Omnipresent (God is everywhere) We pray to God because He is everywhere and He can hear us no matter where we are. Omniscient (God is all-knowing) We pray to God because He is all-knowing and can listen to even millions of people praying to Him at the same time. Prayers should be made to God directly and not through the Saints. This is because the…

1.    Why is it that we pray to God? What do the following attributes of God have to do with why we pray to Him? Omnipotent (God is all powerful) Omnipresent (God is everywhere) Omniscient (God is all-knowing) 2.    Who can intercede for us? (Rom 8:34 NIV)  Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. (Rom 8:26 NIV)  In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Who are the two persons that the Bible specifically mentions can intercede for us? Why were priests unable…

1.    What is the Bible useful for? 2 Tim 3: 16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Leader’s Notes: It is true that the Scripture that Timothy refers to is the Old Testament. Yet what is true of Old Testament Scripture is also true of New Testament Scripture. It is like saying “All dogs bark”. This statement refers to all dogs, whether they are born before or after this statement was made. 2.    According to 2 Tim 3:16, if we have the Bible do we still lack anything necessary for our spiritual life? Leader’s Notes: That is why Protestants rely on the Bible alone as the source…

1.    What is the Bible useful for? 2 Tim 3: 16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2.    According to 2 Tim 3:16, if we have the Bible do we still lack anything necessary for our spiritual life? 3.    Through whom did God reveal the Scriptures? (Eph 3:4-5 NIV)  In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, {5} which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 4.    What is the test of a prophet? (Deu 18:22 NIV)  If what a prophet…

1.    What do these verses teach about the work of Jesus’ death on the cross? John 19:30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Heb 9: 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Heb 10: 14 because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Leader’s Notes: Because Christ’s death is complete, we no longer need to punish ourselves with acts of penance in order to receive forgiveness of sins. The Catholic Church believes that Penance is necessary for salvation.…

1.    What do these verses teach about the work of Jesus’ death on the cross? John 19:30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Heb 9: 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Heb 10: 14 because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. 2.    If Jesus’ death is complete in paying the penalty for sin, what else is there for us to do to receive forgiveness of sin? Acts 10: 43 All the prophets testify about him that…