Why should we pray to Virgin Mary? The reasons are many.
Why do Catholics pray to Mother Mary? Is Rosary really powerful?
The intercession of Mother Mary is very powerful as Jesus cannot neglect His mothers commands.This can be proved by the first miracle Jesus did at the wedding at Cana. – (John 2:1-11). Mother Mary told Jesus “They have no more wine.” And what was the final result? He turned water into wine.
In “The Poem of the Man-God” by Maria Valtorta, she says that Jesus told her about this incident as “I did it for Mary”. This proves that the intercession of Mother Mary is very very strong.
Mother Mary was blessed with Holy Spirit abundantly. We can see this as we read “At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Luke 1:39-41) ; just by Virgin Mary’s greeting.
Listen to the talk from Apologetics on Mary, Purgatory and The Bible
What the angels thought on this matter:-
When angel appeared before Zechariah,father of John, angel just greets him by his name ,nothing more although he was “upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.” – (Luke 1:6)
When angel appeared before Joseph, the greeting was like this: “an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” – (Matthew 1:20). Angel greeted him ‘son of david’, thats all.
Now let us see how did the angel greet Virgin Mary. It goes like this: “The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28). See the difference….
Also read the article Mary, The Mystical Rose
Mary..she is just a HUman…God never told us that she was a Godly Mother..Mary is just human:
Mary recognized that she needed the Savior.
The Bible never says that Mary was anyone but an ordinary human whom God chose to use in an extraordinary way.
Yes, Mary was a righteous woman and favored (graced) by God (Luke 1:27-28).
At the same time, Mary was a sinful human being who needed Jesus Christ as her Savior, just like everyone else (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 1 John 1:8).:
(Ecclesiastes 7:20;): Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth who does good and never sins.
Romans 3:23: Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives
1 John 1:8).: If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude and lead ourselves astray, and the Truth [which the Gospel presents] is not in us [does not dwell in our hearts].
Nowhere in Scripture does Jesus, or anyone else, direct any praise, glory, or adoration towards Mary. Elizabeth, Mary’s relative, praised Mary in Luke 1:42-44, but her praise is based on the blessing of giving birth to the Messiah. It was not based on any inherent glory in Mary.
@Jai
poor logic man!
Jesus is God’s Son, not David’s(descendant). read your bible.
Hi Jai,
Yes,God chose Mary for a purpose but please compare the purposes.Surely the purpose of God becoming man via a Jewish maiden far outstretches any other purpose.Mary was AND is His Mother and although God is Love and He loves all of His creation I have no doubt that He had and does have a ‘Special’love for his own Mother.A ounce of common sense confirms that in the mind of none bias persons.
By the way you have singed out with-hahahahahahaha- and I wonder if that is your nickname?
PLEASE PRAY FOR ME AND MINE.
hi
i liked “hahahahaha†my nick name……….
i was laughing on ourself.
In olden days…. people used to have High Priest to come in the presence of Most Holy GOD.
High Priest was not able to come in the presence of Most Holy GOD, with out purifying ourselves
For thou alone are holy. Rev 15:4.
If we Christians believe that we came out of Jews….. & we tell them that we(Human being)can be Holy or any one person of us is Holy….they might kill you.
B’se other than GOD no one is Holy.
GOD though sees through JESUS CHRIST. GOD does not see our sins, when HE sees us through JESUS CHRIST.
JESUS CHRIST is our High Priest, Hebrews 5:1-10, our Mediator, Heb 2:11-13, John 17:23, Col 3:3.
How come we can go into the presence of GOD, by standing behind someone who is not Holy who is sinful, Bible clearly tell us that everybody born in this world are born with Sinful Nature, being born b’se of flesh………… Romans 3:23, has some one born b’se of Spirit other than JESUS CHRIST.
You tell me if Mary, mother of JESUS CHRIST, was she born of HOLY SPIRIT……… answer is no.
So, How come we can go in the presence of a GOD, behind some one who is supposed to be Sinner….she became righteous by the sacrifice of JESUS and nothing else…. b’se BIBLE again tells us in Romans that law came through Moses and grace came through JESUS CHRIST, and by HIS Sacrifice on Cross.
Without JESUS dieing on the cross there is no Sacrifice…., so howcome one person become Holy without Sacrifice…. High Priest used to go in presence of GOD, by making themselves Holy through many Process and by Sacrificing.
Without Sacrifice no one can become Holy and come in Presence of GOD.
Gabriel addressed Mary as being ‘full of grace’.Therefore she was not a sinner! for grace implies the lack of sin,in fact,grace comes from the Holy Spirit and where it exists there is no sin.And even before Mary mothered Jesus in human form Jesus was with her.As the Bible and God’s Church confirms.The key witness being the Angel Gabriel when he addressed her.
Hi,
Bible study, please reflect upon 657.The Bible requires careful study and as an extract is read at every Mass I have something to reflect upon.And I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me for personal interpretations canbe dangerous.
hi jai,
First of all what do you mean by sacrifice?
Mary sacrificed Her life for God’s Plan, So holy was She thats why God chose Her for the Divine Plan of Redemption. She is already up there with God. And don’t keep saying that Mary is sinful. coze She is not……..Period!
@ George
If u read the post u will understand…. i am talking about the sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin…. if read the book of Leviticus ( 4 & 5)
Sacrifice does not make us great…. @ George……….. Ps 51:16.
The word of GOD says that our work like filty rags in fromnt of GOD…. Isa 64:6
@ Liam
Before JESUS CHRIST came there was no grace…. if we read the Bible we know, there was only law…. other wise the word of GOD becomes “lie”…., Bible clearly says.
Grace came b’se Law became weak…. if we read the book of Roman we know that…..
@ Everybody
Bible tells us that Gabriel came and said ohhh !!! highly favored…. we do not find in any version of Bible where it says…. ohhhhh !!!! holy lady….. do u find in your Bible……… answer is no !!!!!
George/Liam it is better to spend time in prayer than arguing with these so called protestant, Born Again Christians who are HELL BENT ON BRINGING OUR BLESSED MOTHER DOWN. In her own way she will make them see the truth, you guys just pray for these types of Christians, that the Holy Spirit will open their minds and hearts to our Blessed Mother.
Rightly said Patricia
Hail Mary..!!!!!!
Glory to GOD….!!!!!!!!!
Amen.!
Luke 1:38 (NIV)
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
Satan does not want us to read the bible because he knows that if we read the bible we will know the truth. The truth that we should only pray through the name of Jesus Christ and not any saint.
Please read the bible and you with know the TRUTH. DO not be brainwashed and argue with the the things you were told to do. The bible has the answer.
My Praise and worship will be to God only and Jesus Christ and I believe that the Holy Spirit will be my guide. Remember, Jesus Christ is the one who died for our sins and he is merciful that anyone else.
If you respond to my comment please put a bible reference. Do not response and say “That is what I know” or “That is what I believed in” or “That is what they thought us”.
1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
Even Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Did the above passages said to come to Mary or come to any saint?
But you know the most powerful prayer? It’s a prayer that came from the heart and not memorized. Remember, through prayer, we communicate with our Father God. It’s like a bond between a father and a child.
May God bless you all and be enlightened with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Hello Squall,
The concluding part of your reference to Timothy 2:5 contradicts your main point as I reflect upon it.
Also when I pray via Mary or any saint or ask you to pray for me I am praying through Christ.How?
Because as a committed Catholic Christian I am a MEMBER OF THE ‘MYSTICAL BODY OF CHRIST’which is THE CHURCH which Jesus established UPON PETER-THE 1ST POPE.
That is: the Church is Jesus and Jesus is the Church. He is in me as I am in Him.Thus in spiritual reality we are not separated from each other as a row of electrical pylons are within a materialistic context.
May God bless you Squall and may you take the advice which you quoted from Timothy.And please understand that my contribution is not my own understanding but that of the Church-the Mystical Body of Our Saviour.
•Exodus 34:14: “Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”
•Deuteronomy 4:35: “You were shown these things so that you might know that the Lord is God; besides him there is no other.”
•Deuteronomy 4:39: “Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.”
•Isaiah 45:5-6: “I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other.”
•1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
Friends, there is no doubt that Mother Mary was a good woman and is definitely to be spoken of with respect but her spirit is now in paradise and knows not that a majority of mankind is praying to her. God has not allowed the spirits of the dead to contact the living nor viceversa
Deut 18:9-13 “When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the LORD your God
Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.†(Leviticus 19:31)
3.“And the person who turns after mediums and familiar spirits, to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people.†(Leviticus 20:6)
4.“So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the Lord, because he did not keep the word of the Lord, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance.†(1 Chronicles 10:13)
For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any [thing] that is done under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 (KJV)
For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2 Corinthians 11:13-14 (KJV)
No contact between the living and the dead.
Scriptures shows that God does not allow the living to communicate with the dead, or the dead to communicate with the living. The Lord told us in Luke 16.19-31 of two men in eternity, this to teach us important lessons. There is a great gulf fixed between the saved and the lost in eternity, so that they cannot come together. Luke 16.26. There is also a great gulf fixed between the living and the dead. God forbids any attempt of the living to contact the dead. “Let no one be found among you who practices divination, or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does their things is detestable to the Lord.†Deut. 18.10-12.
If anyone prays to any spirit or medium other than Jesus Christ then i would request that person to study the word of God (I would recommend the King James Version which has accuracy in its translation), repent and turn to God our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
Glory and Praise to our Lord Jesus,
@TheBeliever,
God has to touch ur heart first to help u understand the Bible carefully, Moses and Elijah appeared spoke with Jesus on Mt. Tabor during the Transfiguration, what do you mean by that scene then, in the same way Mother Mary appears to Her Children around the world, and asking her to pray for us is not wrong.
May our Lord Jesus Christ touch you so that you may understand that satan is playing all this….!
Glory and Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ,
@TheBeliever,
Let our Lord Jesus touch heart to make you understand the Word of God properly and more carefully, Moses and Elijah appeared to Lord Jesus during transformation at Mt. Tabor, what do you mean by that. If Moses and Elijah can communicate with our Lord on earth why not Mother Mary, the Holy Mother of God, and there are many witnesses of Our Lady’s apparitions.
And what makes you say the so called king james version of Bible is accurate.
Whatever you feel or think in your mind doesnt make any difference to the truth and do not worry about Jesus touching my heart (I know he has and do not need to explain proof to you) So please stop trying to play his secretary.
Firstoff i did not direct my comment at anyone coz i wanted the truth to be out there and whosoever can read and think and understand may do so. Obviously you have not read what i have written carefully. i have quoted the verses from the bible as proof but you prefer to ignore all that and speak your mind and cling on to your traditional teachings. Moses and Elijah appearing to Lord Jesus, it was indeed a vision which is spoken of in Matthew 17:1-9 and they communicated with just Jesus the Lord not with Peter or James or John. Mother Mary’s spirit is resting in Paradise and if you say she or any other saint has appeared to men then they are clearly satan in disguise.
2 Corinthians 11:13-14 (KJV) For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
I say the King James Version is more accurate coz there are other versions of the bible where religious leaders have added their own words and theories to baffle the minds of innocent people who knows nothing about the truth. A clever attack from the devil himself.
The relationship which each person has with the Lord is personal. If they feel they are living up to the word of God then let God judge them. I have wrote here what i know is the truth and Im sure there are others who share the same testimony and agree with me and some who would feel furious about it and some people who will atleast start thinking and try to know the truth and Im sure God will touch their hearts and reveal the truths to them. Amen!
what mary? who ask you to pray to mary? any Bible verses to back it up?
The Lord Jesus says to ask from the Father, ask in His Name. mary is a human, committed to God, n God moved thru’ her, delivered the Messiah thru’ her. anything else is vanity n a spirit of jezebel/false religion. sometimes we have nothing better to do, so our minds n hearts invent some teachings we assumed is from God, n we blunder on.
No praying to mary, no rosary. Jesus the way, the truth n the life, no one comes to the Father but by Him.
good grief, if mary is around she will cane you all for deitifying her, n other humans.
@thebeliever:
Amen. you r so right.
GOD did not required mary
or GOD does not reuire you oy me
GOD could use anybody in place of mary…. so mary does not become gr8.
she was just a instrument…. you making her idol, you are making her equal to GOD.
GOD wanted to come to earth as a Human.
The people responded in John 6:42: “Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, ‘I have come down from heaven’?
JESUS HIMSELF always proclaimed and told every body that HE is son of MOST HIGH….. any verse where HE tells us that HE is son of mary.
when HE came as son of man….”Jesus explained his purpose for becoming man Luke 19:10: “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.†God came to those who had the most knowledge of him first, those he was working through for centuries, those he entrusted his words to. His intent was to explain himself as being fulfillment of all the rituals and laws He gave them.”
do u have any refrence where HE refred HIMSELF as son of mary.
do u have nay refrence where mary died and came back and spoke with JESUS or any of HIS disciples…..
John 5:36 “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me.
John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
JESUS never said that HE came to fulfill the will of HIS Father, not of any man any time.
According to God’s plan, Mary is the one who presents and introduces us to Christ and who brings Him to our souls that we may be united with Him.
In the light of the Gospel study Mary and you will find there the Truth.
It was she who gave Jesus to the world in the Incarnation and the Nativity.By Mary Jesus was brought into the home of Zachary to sanctify John and to fill Elizabeth with the Holy Spirit.Mary also presented Jesus to the shepherds,to the Magi and to holy Simeon.
Thus it is an illusion to believe that God’s Mother is an obstacle to our union with Him.
accordinng to GOD’s plan ….. GOD said the the Messiah will come from David’s Kingdom.
Acoording to GOD’s plan GOD used Rahab a prostitute to become bring Boaz and later frrom whose Descendant JESS came.
As Rahab, Ruth, David, similarily Mary is the instrument.
Dear liam ó comáin
I think you are arguing with anti-catholics.
and this is completely a waste of time. as catholic apologist John Martignoni has said that we have to debate with non-catholics, not anti-catholics.
these people are going on repeating same things like- “you make Mary equal to God”,”you worship her”,”you idolators” etc. this is not fruitful but just a fight.
Hi Ntoppo,
There are some sincere persons who are non-Catholics who have made valuable contributions to this debate but I agree with you that there are those who are purely anti Christian,in fact,some of the latter may not be aware because of the intrigue of satan that they are anti Christian or as you state anti Catholic.And just as Mary suffered as she stood at the foot of the Cross witnessing the suffering and death of her Son the anti Mother of God statements of those whom Our Lord named as anti Christ’s must hurt.However,Ntoppo,I have just asked Jesus to forgive the latter and to send the grace of enlightment.Please pray for them.
George, Liam, Ntoppo do not waste time arguing with these anti Catholic who think they are the only chosen ones, who roam about with their so called King James Version of the Bible under their arm and think they know everything.
I have a good laugh reading all the nonsensical stuff they write about our Blessed Mother.
I REALLY WONDER WHETHER THEY HAVE RESPECT FOR THEIR OWN MOTHERS……….COME TO THINK OF IT.
Patricia you are right….. They surly have no idea of what Motherly Love is…………!!!!!
GOD Himself exalted about Mothers love…. at this phase they(anti-catholics) will never make it thats for sure…!!! Pray for them…. thats the least we can do…….
Let’s not forget about the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
Hey, just because it’s not in the Bible doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist! I think the FSM was in the Upper Room with Mary – now a widow – a SINNER WHO NEEDED CHRIST’S RIGHTEOUSNESS IMPUTED TO HER – and she was baptised in the Holy Spirit. After Acts Chapter 2 – you NEVER read of her again. WHY? Because she was probably one of the widows that the seven elders cared for until the day she died. Her soul returned to the God who created her as she awaits the resurrection of the dead.
If you are praying to a DEAD WOMAN, they you are a “foolish Galatian” following a FALSE GOSPEL. You are anathema.
CHRIST is the ONLY mediator between God and man.
CHRIST sits at the right hand of the Father to make intercession for the saints.
CHRIST will return in glory for his CHURCH.
NOT A DEAD WOMAN.
Hi Bob,
I agree that there is much that relates to Christ and our salvation not in the Bible.In fact one of its scribes enlightened by the Holy Spirit confirms this.The latter however is conveyed by Holy Tradition as ensured by the Holy Spirit via the Popes and the Great Councils of Christ’s Church.However I believe that your comment relating to the Flying Spaghetti Monster may imply that satan may be influencing you.Therefore be careful.In fact as Jesus was attended by Mary during his time here on earth I suggest you seek her intercession with her Son so as to be protected from the satanic monster.Perhaps he also flies?
Hi again folks, well to answer you Patricia no i dont think we are the only Chosen ones, no one is perfect, you can be chosen too by following the word of God. And about carrying King James version under the arm, yes sometimes if our hands are full but i carry the word of God in my heart and i believe all God’s children do and no we dont know everything but we what we know we know is the truth. You said what we write is nonsense. I had quoted the Holy Bible so that means you think the word of God is nonsense? Also,Im sure we all respect our Mothers but there is a big difference between ‘Respect’ and ‘Worship’. You also said you could not stop Laughing so let me tell you Patricia you will stop laughing when Jesus comes the second time when truths and disguises are revealed.
The reason i said King James version or any version which displays accuracy from the original Hebrew is because of a few reasons mentioned below:
The Catholic Bible contains the Apocrypha. Now is the Apocrypha Inspired?
The answer is surprisingly simple.
1) God entrusted the Jewish nation with the Scriptures. Throughout the Bible, we are told
that it was the Jews who were given the Scriptures.1 The Psalmist writes, that God
“declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and His judgments to Israel. He has not dealt
thus with any [other] nation.â€2 And the apostle Paul confirms that the Word of God was
entrusted to the Jews when he writes: “What advantage then has the Jew, …Chiefly
because to them were committed the oracles of God.â€3 And Jesus confirms that salvation
if of the Jews.4 Therefore the Hebrew Bible is God’s inspired Word and it is identical to
the books of our KJV Old Testament (though the books are in different order). In other
words, God has entrusted the Scriptures to the Jews, and their Hebrew Bible is the same
as our Old Testament, and neither include the Apocrypha.
2) The New Testament quotes from the Old Testament Scriptures about 300 times, but
never quotes from the Apocryphal books. This shows that the New Testament writers did
not consider the Apocrypha inspired.
3) Jesus repeatedly referred to the Hebrew Scriptures as the Word of God, but never did
He refer to any other books as inspired.5
4) The books of the Old Testament claim to be the Word of God hundreds of times with
such expressions as “The Word of the Lord came to me†or “Thus says the Lordâ€, yet the
Apocrypha never claims to be the Word of God – in fact it denies being inspired.6
5) First Maccabees is considered the most valuable historical Apocryphal book and it
acknowledges that there were no prophets in those days7 – which means the writings of
this period cannot be inspired because God only spoke His Word through His prophets.8
6) While our Old Testament contains hundreds of verifiable prophecies to substantiate its
inspiration, the Apocrypha contains no specific verifiable prophecies.
1 Deuteronomy 7:6; 33:2-4; Psalm 78:5; 103:7; Malachi 4:4; Acts 3:25; Romans 9:4-5
2 Psalm 147:19-20.
3 Romans 3:1-2; 9:4-5
4 John 4:22. See also Isaiah 2:3 and Luke 24:44-47
5 Matthew 4:4; 7:13; Luke 4:4; 8:11; 8:21; 11:28; John 10:35
6 2 Maccabees 2:24-32; 15:39-40
7 1 Maccabees 4:46; 9:27; 14:41
8 Luke 1:70; Acts 3:18; 2 Peter 1:21
7) The entire inspired Word of God has one consistent theme focusing on the Messiah,
yet the Apocrypha does not maintain this theme.
8) The Apocrypha encourages the unbiblical practice of praying to the dead,9 even though
God calls this an abomination in the Law of Moses.10
9) The Apocrypha includes offensive material which contradicts God’s Word.11
10) The Roman Catholic Church did not officially canonize the Apocrypha until the
Council of Trent in 1546 A.D.
In summary, though the books known as the Apocrypha contain some valuable historical
accounts, relate some godly wisdom, and include references to the Scriptures, they are
not the inspired Word of God.
9 2 Maccabees 12:38-46
10 Deuteronomy 18:9-12
11 Ecclesiasticus 22:3; 25:19; 25:24 are demeaning to woman. Tobit is a romance, entirely devoid of
historical value. 1 Esdras includes legends about Zerubbabel.
What is the Apocrypha anyway?
The Apocrypha is a collection of uninspired, spurious books written by various individuals. The Catholic religion considers these books as scripture just like a Bible-believer believes that our 66 books are the word of God, i.e., Genesis to Revelation. We are going to examine some verses from the Apocrypha later in our discussion.
At the Council of Trent (1546) the Roman Catholic religion pronounced the following apocryphal books sacred. They asserted that the apocryphal books together with unwritten tradition are of God and are to be received and venerated as the Word of God. So now you have the Bible, the Apocrypha and Catholic Tradition as co-equal sources of truth for the Catholic. In reality, the Bible is the last source of truth for Catholics. Catholic doctrine comes primarily from tradition stuck together with a few Bible names. In my reading of Catholic materials, I find notes like this: “You have to keep the Bible in perspective.” Catholics do not believe that the Bible is God’s complete revelation for man.
The Roman Catholic Apocrypha
Tobit
Judith
Wisdom
Ecclesiasticus
Baruch
First and Second Maccabees
Additions to Esther and Daniel
Apocryphal Books rejected by the Catholic Religion:
First and Second Esdras
Prayer of Manasses
Susanna*
*A reader says: “Susanna is in the Roman Catholic canon. It is Daniel 13.”
Why the Apocrypha Isn’t in the Bible.
Not one of the apocryphal books is written in the Hebrew language, which was alone used by the inspired historians and poets of the Old Testament. All Apocryphal books are in Greek, except one which is extant only in Latin.
None of the apocryphal writers laid claim to inspiration.
The apocryphal books were never acknowledged as sacred scriptures by the Jews, custodians of the Hebrew scriptures (the apocrypha was written prior to the New Testament). In fact, the Jewish people rejected and destroyed the apocrypha after the overthow of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
The apocryphal books were not permitted among the sacred books during the first four centuries of the real Christian church (I’m certainly not talking about the Catholic religion which is not Christian).
The Apocrypha contains fabulous statements which not only contradict the “canonical” scriptures but themselves. For example, in the two Books of Maccabees, Antiochus Epiphanes is made to die three different deaths in three different places.
The Apocrypha includes doctrines in variance with the Bible, such as prayers for the dead and sinless perfection. The following verses are taken from the Apocrypha translation by Ronald Knox dated 1954:
Basis for the doctrine of purgatory:
2 Maccabees 12:43-45, 2.000 pieces of silver were sent to Jerusalem for a sin-offering…Whereupon he made reconciliation for the dead, that they might be delivered from sin.
Salvation by works:
Ecclesiasticus 3:30, Water will quench a flaming fire, and alms maketh atonement for sin.
Tobit 12:8-9, 17, It is better to give alms than to lay up gold; for alms doth deliver from death, and shall purge away all sin.
Magic:
Tobit 6:5-8, If the Devil, or an evil spirit troubles anyone, they can be driven away by making a smoke of the heart, liver, and gall of a fish…and the Devil will smell it, and flee away, and never come again anymore.
Mary was born sinless (immaculate conception):
Wisdom 8:19-20, And I was a witty child and had received a good soul. And whereas I was more good, I came to a body undefiled.
It teaches immoral practices, such as lying, suicide, assasination and magical incantation.
No apocryphal book is referred to in the New Testament whereas the Old Testament is referred to hundreds of times.
Because of these and other reasons, the apocryphal books are only valuable as ancient documents illustrative of the manners, language, opinions and history of the East.
Wasn’t the Apocrypha in the King James?
The King James translators never considered the Apocrypha the word of God. As books of some historical value (e.g., details of the Maccabean revolt), the Apocrypha was sandwiched between the Old and New Testaments as an appendix of reference material. This followed the format that Luther had used. Luther prefaced the Apocrypha with a statement:
“Apocrypha–that is, books which are not regarded as equal to the holy Scriputres, and yet are profitable and good to read.”
King James Version Defended page 98.
In 1599, TWELVE YEARS BEFORE the King James Bible was published, King James said this about the Apocrypha:
“As to the Apocriphe bookes, I OMIT THEM because I am no Papist (as I said before)…”
King James Charles Stewart
Basilicon Doron, page 13
In his A Premonition to All Most Mightie Monarches,” King James said this–
“…Is it a small corrupting of the Scriptures to make all, or the most part of the Apocrypha of equall faith with the canonicall Scriptures…?”
Not only this, but the sixth article of the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of England (1571 edition–the church of England published the Authorized (King James) Version) states that the Old and New Testaments are the Bible and the apocrypha is not:
In the name of the Holy, we do vnderstande those canonical bookes of the olde and newe Testament, of whose authoritie was never any doubt in the Churche…
Now concerning the apocrypha it states,
And the other bookes, (as Hierome sayeth), the Churche doth reade for example of life and instruction of manners: but yet doth it not applie them to establish any doctrene.
Philip Schaff, Creeds of Christendom. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1977, Vol. III, pp. 489-491.
The Hampton Court Document came as a result of the famous Hampton Court Conference of 1604 when King James authorized the translation of the Bible that would one day bear his name. Concerning the apocrypha and the Church of England, it states–
The Apocrypha, that hath some repugnancy to the canonical scriptures, shall not be read…
The Apocrypha began to be omitted from the Authorized Version in 1629. Puritans and Presbyterians lobbied for the complete removal of the Apocrypha from the Bible and in 1825 the British and Foreign Bible Society agreed. From that time on, the Apocrypha has been eliminated from practically all English Bibles–Catholic Bibles and some pulpit Bibles excepted.
Not even all Catholic “Church Fathers” believed the Apocrypha was scripture.
Not that this really means anything. The truth is not validated by the false. Nevertheless, this may be of interest to some… Jerome (340-420) rejected the Apocrypha:
“As the Church reads the books of Judith and Tobit and Maccabees but does not receive them among the canonical Scriptures, so also it reads Wisdom and Ecclesiasticus for the edification of the people, not for the authoritative confirmation of doctrine.”
Jerome
Jerome’s preface to the books of Solomon
According to Edward Hills in The King James Version Defended p. 98 other famous Catholics with this viewpoint include Augustine (354-430 who at first defended the Apocrypha as canonical), Pope Gregory the Great (540-604), Cardinal Ximenes, and Cardinal Cajetan.
There are other spurious books.
These include the Pseudepigrapha which contains Enoch, Michael the Archangel, and Jannes and Jambres. Many of these books falsely claim to have been written by various Old Testament patriarchs. They were composed between 200 B.C. and 100 A.D. There are lots of these spurious books like The Assumption of Moses, Apocalypse of Elijah, and Ascension of Isaiah.
Concerning the Dead Sea Scrolls, there may be some information in them that parallels the Masoretic Text, but there are fables in them too. I went to see the scrolls a few years ago with great expectation but found a bunch of fables. The best defense against error in any form (fake Bibles and religions) is a solid knowledge of your King James Bible. If you read it, forgeries become readily apparent.
@TheBeliver,
You say that we Catholics pray to Mary the Mother of GOD. but what you people do is stand on some king james’ words.
I repeat this statement for you again. Bible was not some thing that came from the Heaven as a whole…. It was written with Divine intervention by many people. And put together by the one and only Catholic Church which you speak upon. What makes you think that the Bible ends with Revelations.
There are a lot of God’s Words that are not yet revealed, in the right time He revels them by various means. As Patricia said you anti-catholics keep arguing over and over again and will never make it……..!