ROMAN CATHOLICISM IN LIGHT OF THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS

XXI. Christ’s Biblical Church Versus The Roman Catholic Church

(Hebrews 12:18-24)

I. Introduction

A. A number of our Church members have come from Roman Catholic backgrounds, and they often seek support in Biblical truths that counter the strong, errant indoctrination they faced in their past.

B. The epistle to the Hebrews was written to counter the errant traditionalism of first century Judaism that was similar in theological thrust to much of Catholicism, so we study Hebrews for edification in this matter.

C. The author of Hebrews in Hebrews 12:18-24 wrote of the Christian believer’s vastly superior eternal city in heaven with Judaism’s earthly worship at Mount Sinai, what applies to the Roman Catholic Church.

D. We view this passage for our insight, application and edification (as follows):

II. Christ’s Biblical Church Versus The Roman Catholic Church, Hebrews 12:18-24.

A. The Roman Catholic Church has an unbiblical view of itself as the Christian Church (as follows):

1. “(T)he pope and . . . other church leaders talk about uniting all churches into one super organization,” but “what they have in mind is not a spiritual unity of believers but an ecclesiastical and mechanical unity of believers and unbelievers . . .” (Loraine Boettner, Roman Catholicism, 1978, p. 21)

2. “(C)atholic” means “universal,” a title used by the Roman Church to lay claim to many peoples, but “(e)ven in the nominally Roman Catholic countries such as Italy, France, Spain, and Latin America, Rome today probably does not have effective control of more than fifteen percent of the people.” (Ibid., p. 23).

3. “(T)he . . . Catholic Church, with its hierarchical form of government, was not the New Testament church, for the institution of the papacy, with a sacrificing priesthood, did not develop until . . . later” (Ibid., p. 29).

4. “(T)he . . . Catholic Church seeks to exert a controlling influence in both the church and state” (Ibid., p. 31) opposite Christ’s testimony to Pilate that His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36).

B. In contrast, the true Church is a spiritual union of true believers with a heavenly orientation, Heb. 12:18-24:

1. The writer of Hebrews described Israel’s experience under the Law at Mount Sinai as an experience marked by externalism of a “fearful nature,” Hebrews 12:18-21; Bible Know. Com., N. T., p. 811:

a. Mount Sinai where Israel worshiped God was a mountain that could be touched, Hebrews 12:18a.

b. The mount was enveloped in blazing fire, darkness, gloom, and a storm, Hebrews 12:18b ESV, NIV.

c. God arranged for the blast of a ram’s horn to be so loud and His words so overwhelming that the people of Israel begged for God no longer to speak directly to them, Hebrews 12:19. They could not bear what was being said, that even if an animal touched the mountain, it was to be stoned to death, Hebrews 12:20.

d. Indeed, even Moses was terrified of the experience, and admitted that he trembled with fear, Heb. 12:21.

2. However, the author of Hebrews contrasted his readers’ experience under grace with what Old Testament Israel faced at Mount Sinai, what also contrasts with the Roman Catholic Church, Hebrews 12:22-24:

a. Instead of an earthly worship center such as Mount Sinai, the Church at Rome or some other local Catholic parish, we believers are come to the heavenly Mount Zion and the city of the Living God, v. 22a.

b. This is the heavenly Jerusalem that is superior to Sinai or Rome, for it has an innumerable company of angels in festal gathering, the assembly of the firstborn, deceased Christians who are enrolled in heaven, God, the Judge of all, and the spirits of Old Testament believers made complete, Hebrews 12:22b-23 ESV.

c. We are also come not to an imperfect man-made leader like a pope, but to Jesus, the Mediator of a New Covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel, Hebrews 12:24. The atoning blood of the New Covenant “does not cry for judgment as did Abel’s but secures the acceptance of all New-Covenant persons,” Ibid.

Lesson: Where Israel’s worship at Mount Sinai, much like worship in Roman Catholicism, was marked by externals, fear and an obvious alienation from God, the believer’s worship of God today is marked by spiritual union with God in heaven, with an innumerable company of holy angels, glorified Christians and Old Testament righteous believers made complete and our dear Savior Whose sacrifice for us on the cross has removed our alienation from God and brought us into complete, loving acceptance and fellowship with our Heavenly Father.

Application: (1) May we rejoice in Christ’s finished work that provides spiritual fellowship not only with each other, but with a host of saints in glory, with God the Father, with the Holy Spirit and with our Savior! (2) May we never yield to external demands made by any religion but adhere to our spiritual union in the true Body of Christ.