WHAT IS THE INDEFECTIBILITY OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH? by Matt Slick The indefectibility of the Roman Catholic Church is the teaching that it will endure to the end of the world and never become corrupt in faith, authority, morals, or sacraments. In other words, the Roman Catholic Church will always be the proper representation of Christianity even though its members may err. “In the process of testing such formulations, the Church has moved cautiously, but with confidence in the promise of Christ that it will persevere and be maintained in the truth (cf. Matthew 16.18; John 16.13). This is what is meant by the indefectibility of the Church...” “The apostolic tradition in the Church cannot undergo any essential corruption because of the permanent assistance of the Holy Spirit which guarantees its indefectibility.” As you can see, the Roman Catholic Church claims that it cannot be corrupted. Why? Because it claims to be the one true Church (CCC 2105) that was founded by Jesus (Lumen Gentium 8.1) and the apostles (CCC 857). It is necessary for salvation (CCC 846), has the authority to reconcile sinners with the church (CCC 1444), to represent Christ (1548), dispense indulgences (CCC 1471), absolve sins (CCC 553, 1495), instruct people in what they should do before God (CCC 2036), and perform exorcisms (CCC 1673). It possesses infallibility in the deposit of divine revelation, doctrine, and morals (CCC 2035). It is “guided by the apostles until Christs return” (CCC 857), and people are moved to believe the gospel through the Church (CCC 119). Only the Roman Catholic Church has the authority to interpret scripture (CCC 85, 100, 119) and administer sacraments (CCC 1598). It is the minister of redemption (CCC 1471), because only through it can full salvation come (Vatican 2, Decree on Ecumenism 3). Its ordained ministers act in the authority of Christ (CCC 1548), but only when such authority is united with the Pope (CCC 883, 895) who has been “endowed with the authority of Christ” (CCC 2034), as has also its Magisterium (CCC 88) which is infallible (Lumen Gentium 18). (See Catechism of the Catholic Church, CARM Citation List) “This is the meaning of indefectibility, a term which does not speak of the Church’s lack of defects but confesses that, despite all its many weaknesses and failures, Christ is faithful to his promise that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it [the Catholic Church]. “By this term is signified, not merely that the Church will persist to the end of time, but further, that it will preserve unimpaired its essential characteristics. The Church can never undergo any constitutional change which will make it, as a social organism, something different from what it was originally. It can never become corrupt in faith or in morals; nor can it ever lose the Apostolic hierarchy, or the sacraments through which Christ communicates grace to men. The gift of indefectibility is expressly promised to the Church by Christ, in the words in which He declares that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Some of the verses the Roman Catholic Church uses to support indefectibility are: Daniel 7:13-14, “13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” Matthew 16:18, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 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.” Luke 1:33, “And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” 1 Timothy 3:15, “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” Claiming indefectibility is one thing, proving it is another If the Roman Catholic Church claims that it will obtain no defect in its essential teachings, then I must strongly disagree. In fact, the Roman Catholic Church is anything but indefectible. It has taught corrupt doctrines, such as: It can forgive sins and absolve people; salvation is by faith and works CCC 2036, “The specific precepts of the natural law, because their observance, demanded by the creator, is necessary for salvation.” CCC 2080, “The Decalogue contains a privileged expression of the natural law. It is made known to us by divine revelation and by human reason.” CCC 2068, “so that all men may attain salvation through faith, Baptism and the observance of the Commandments.” Grace can be merited CCC 2010, “Moved by the Holy Spirit and by charity, we can then merit for ourselves and for others the graces needed for our sanctification.” CCC 2027, “Moved by the Holy Spirit, we can merit for ourselves and for others all the graces needed to attain eternal life, as well as necessary temporal goods.” There are many false doctrines concerning Mary found in Roman Catholicism. Here are a few: Mary is Mediatrix, CCC 969, “Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix.” Mary brings us the gifts of eternal salvation, CCC 969, “Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation...” Mary delivers souls from death, CCC 966, “...You [Mary] conceived the living God and, by your prayers, will deliver our souls from death.” The list could easily be much longer, but these few should raise serious doubt as to the indefectibility of the Roman Catholic Church. Though some may claim it is the true church and that its teachings can be found within the pages of Scripture, again, I must disagree. The Bible tells us not to exceed what is written in the word of God: “And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.” (1 Corinthians 4:6). But, the Roman Catholic Church has done exactly that. It is not the true church and it teaches false doctrines.
Posted on: Mon, 03 Feb 2014 06:16:28 +0000
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