Is the Catholic/Orthodox doctrine of mediation heretical according to any passage in the Protestant Bible?
I am interested in the Orthodox branch of the Christian church and I understand that Orthodox believers pray through Mary and the saints as opposed to Jesus and God directly. Is there any way to defend this practice in the Old or New Testament? Even if there is not, what I am most curious about is whether or not it is specifically condemned.
Thanks so much!
Catholic and orthodox are both false. Here's why:
The first Christians in ACTS in the Bible were not catholic or orthodox. They were fundamentalist in doctrine. Anyone can read Acts and see for themselves
Catholicism and orthodox didn't exist for over 300 years later.
Catholicism and orthodox both teach a false gospel of works ("sacraments") that leads to eternal hell (Galatians 1:6-9). Catholicism and orthodox are not Christian
Jesus wants to have a personal relationship with you. Catholicism and orthodox cannot give you this.
Catholicism/orthodox = faith + works = no salvation and eternal torment in hell
Christian = faith alone in Jesus for salvation, without our own works added = salvation and eternity in heaven with Jesus! 
Only faith alone in Jesus saves! Salvation is a FREE GIFT that happens in a split second when you believe in Jesus! It is impossible to lose or "leave" salvation.
The truth about Jesus is that the only way to be saved and to get into heaven and avoid being sent to eternal hell, is by believing in faith alone that Jesus, who is God, died for our sins on the cross as FULL PAYMENT for all our sins, and then Jesus rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Believe this and you will be in heaven, no matter what!
Please pray now: "Jesus, please forgive me of my sins. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and You rose from the dead. Thank You for eternal life!" You will be in heaven with Him forever when you die.
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January 28 2009 08:52 am | Uncategorized
HenryIX on 28 Jan 2009 at 2:12 pm #
Read Revelation.
You will see that the angels and saints offer up the prayers of the Christians on earth before the throne of God.
That the saints in heaven pray for us is certain, just read your bible. The saints see everything that pertains to them in God, who they see face to face.
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Mαθητης on 28 Jan 2009 at 2:24 pm #
All protestants understand that…
"There is only one God and only one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus". (1ºTim 2:5 catholic bible versions).
Besides, Neither Mary nor anyone can make madiation for anybody cause to do that it's need to be omniscient. Mary is not. If she is not, she can not hear any prayer neither to know anyone's thought. Only Jesus is able to know thoughts (Revelation 2:23)
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Olivia on 28 Jan 2009 at 3:07 pm #
go on this link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestant_Reformation
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CJ on 28 Jan 2009 at 3:38 pm #
Catholic and orthodox are both false. Here's why:
The first Christians in ACTS in the Bible were not catholic or orthodox. They were fundamentalist in doctrine. Anyone can read Acts and see for themselves
Catholicism and orthodox didn't exist for over 300 years later.
Catholicism and orthodox both teach a false gospel of works ("sacraments") that leads to eternal hell (Galatians 1:6-9). Catholicism and orthodox are not Christian
Jesus wants to have a personal relationship with you. Catholicism and orthodox cannot give you this.
Catholicism/orthodox = faith + works = no salvation and eternal torment in hell
Christian = faith alone in Jesus for salvation, without our own works added = salvation and eternity in heaven with Jesus!
Only faith alone in Jesus saves! Salvation is a FREE GIFT that happens in a split second when you believe in Jesus! It is impossible to lose or "leave" salvation.
The truth about Jesus is that the only way to be saved and to get into heaven and avoid being sent to eternal hell, is by believing in faith alone that Jesus, who is God, died for our sins on the cross as FULL PAYMENT for all our sins, and then Jesus rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Believe this and you will be in heaven, no matter what!
Please pray now: "Jesus, please forgive me of my sins. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and You rose from the dead. Thank You for eternal life!" You will be in heaven with Him forever when you die.
References :
Darth Eowyn on 28 Jan 2009 at 4:21 pm #
There is an associated term with this and it is called Intercession. Yes, it is biblical. Since there are too many quotes to copy and paste to prove it, here is the link and you can read for youself. It's Roman Catholic, not Orthodox, but it's the same thing.
http://www.scripturecatholic.com/saints.html
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Rene O on 28 Jan 2009 at 4:54 pm #
There is only one mediator, that is Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
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Freedom on 28 Jan 2009 at 5:16 pm #
The Bible nowhere mentions anyone asking for someone in Heaven to pray for them. The Bible nowhere describes anyone in Heaven praying for anyone on earth. (2) The Bible gives absolutely no indication that Mary or the saints can hear our prayers. Mary and the saints are not omniscient. Even glorified in Heaven, they are still finite beings with limitations. How could they possibly hear the prayers of millions of people? Whenever the Bible mentions praying to or speaking with the dead, it is in the context of sorcery, witchcraft, necromancy, and divination – activities the Bible strongly condemns (Leviticus 20:27; Deuteronomy 18:10-13).
The verses in Revelation about Saints and Christians praying are often used to defend this false doctrine of praying to the dead, but note, theses people are "alive", not dead.
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LH Catholic By Choice on 28 Jan 2009 at 5:48 pm #
I'm not a Orthodox Christian but a Catholic and we are never required to ask the Blessed Mother or Saints to pray for us but it is taught and encouraged as like one poster says read Revelation about the Vials of the prayers of the saints under the Altar. You can pray directly to GOD /Jesus as much as you like.But we believe in the communion of Saints and if you were ever to walk through the catacombs in Rome you will see prayer petitions of the one's buried there for those still here so it is a very much a part of the Christian Church.You will need a Catholic Bible but in the i believe second book of maccabees you will read of them offering prayer and sacrifices up for the dead.But as far as the new testament goes you will find no definite instruction for asking the Saints to intercede in our behalf but then things that were commonly excepted and practiced would not have one feel necessary to write about it.Also the first Christians had no Bible for 300 yrs and think about it does it not feel comforting to know we have friends in Heaven praying for us.Take notice how desparate those like CJ and Rene are as you learn the truth.
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http://www.bible-reviews.com on 28 Jan 2009 at 6:33 pm #
My position: Fundamentalist Christian
OK, first, the passage others mentioned is Rev 5:8. Also note that the Roman Catholics (RCs) believe that these saints, though dead, are now alive in heaven. That counters the answer who made a point that the elders in Revelation are alive.
Second, here's the passage about Jesus being the only mediator
http://www.studybibleforum.com/htm_php.php3?do=jump_to_chapter&refstr=1+Tim+2%3A5&trans=NASB
Notice: Jesus is the only mediator between God (the Father) and man. RCs believe that praying to Mary for intercession is the same as asking a fellow Christian to pray for you. In other words, the saints (RCs believe) are "prayer partners" and, more to the point, intercede (or mediate, if you prefer) between RCs and *Jesus* Just as someone who prayed for you would be praying to God with the aid of the mediator, Jesus, so RCs believe that the saints are praying for them through that one mediator, Jesus.
I would like to say that I consider the "omniscient" thing the most telling point against prayer to saints. To me, it seems unlikely that prayer to saints is effective, and also it seems that Scripture encourages us to pray to the Father through Jesus. However, even though that is my opinion, I don't think that Scripture actually prohibits (or even mentions) prayer to the holy dead for intercession.
To put it more simply: I don't know if "saints" can hear prayers and intercede on our behalf. Also, the bible does not encourage us to pray in such a manner. However, I don't know of any Scripture prohibiting such a practice.
Jim, http://www.bible-reviews.com/selector_rc.html
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imacatholic2 on 28 Jan 2009 at 6:51 pm #
No.
The prayer of meditation is a practice and not a doctrine.
This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. (Joshua 1:8)
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:2)
Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. (Psalm 4:4)
Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. (1 Timothy 4:15)
Catholics have been meditating for almost 2,000 years. For Catholics meditation is a quest to understand the why and how of the Christian life, in order to adhere and respond to what the Lord is asking.
One way this is done is by reading scripture, asking God to give you understanding of it, and then pondering it in your heart.
Here is the Pope promoting meditation on the Scriptures: http://www.zenit.org/article-14003?l=english
For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 2075-2078: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt4sect1chpt3.shtml#art1
With love in Christ.
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