Praying of the Rosary Is NOT Bible-Based Teaching

The Disciplers ^ | 2011 | Ptr. Vince

[RnMomof7]

Praying The Rosary Is Not Biblical, And Is A Form Of Idolatry

Just last Sunday, a local newspaper paper released an article teaching that the praying of the Holy Rosary is Bible-based. In the first two paragraphs, the writer admittedly says that there is no passage in the Bible teaching nor mentioned about the praying of Rosary.

However, in the following paragraphs, the writer justified the praying of the Rosary basing it on the repetition of historical events of some Bible characters (like Gideon as he mentioned) about Israel’s history.

I don’t know if the writer of this article did some research about the origin of rosary and how it was deeply encouraged for Roman Catholics.

Praying of Rosary was encouraged when Lucia Dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto claimed to have an apparation from an angel teaching them to pray in the spring of 1916. They were asked to pray repeatedly by the angel who appeared to them. This is why the Catholics were convinced that they have to pray repeatedly.

The flaw however in the story was that, the angel gave two sets of completely different prayers. The angel appeared to the three children three times.

Then after a year, 1917, it was said that Our Lady of Rosary had an apparitions for 7 times. In her second apparition the Our Lady said:

“I wish you to come here the 13th of next month; that you say the Rosary every day, and that you learn to read. In succeding months I will tell you what else I want.” “I would like to ask you to bring us to Heaven“, said Lucy. “Yes, Giacinta and Francis will be among the few, but you must stay here for a long time. Jesus wants to help Himself of you to make Me known and loved. God wishes you to remain in the world for some time because He wants to use you to establish in the world a devotion to my Immaculate Heart. I promise salvation to those who embrace it, and their souls will be loved by God as flowers placed by myself to adorn His throne.” Lucy asked: “Will I stay here alone”?, “Don’t be discouraged , I will not abandon you ever. My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and through it will conduct you to God.”

Now here are the flaws of this apparition. First, the Our Lady is telling the children to teach the people to make her known and be loved. Note that the apparition was initiated not by Jesus, nor an angel, but the very person who wants to be made known. It is like, someone came to you and asked you using the name of your friend to introduce her to other people that you know.

The second flaw, Our Lady promises salvation to those who embrace this command. A completely heretical claim, and totally in contrast to what the Bible is saying. The Bible is very clear in saying that “…whosoever believes in Him (Jesus) will not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).” Only God can give salvation. This is the Biblical truth that cannot be altered, deducted nor added.

Third flaw, Our Lady claims that her immaculate heart will be our refuge and through it will conduct you to God. This is another contradiction to what the Bible is saying. “Come to me all you labor and are heavily burdened and I will give you rest (Matt.11:28)”, “I am the way the truth and the life, NO ONE comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6)”.

The truth is, there is only one mediator between God and man, it is only Jesus Christ (Hebrews chapters 6,7,8,9, and 10)

This is the statement coming from the third apparition:

“In october I will tell you who I am, that which I want, and I will do a miracle that all can see and believe. Sacrifice yourselves for sinners, and say often this prayer, especially during any sacrifice: “O my Jesus, I offer this for love of Thee, for the conversion of poor sinners, and in reparation for all the sins commited against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.“

The flaw of the third apparition is the claiming of honor which belongs to Jesus Christ, and the idea of co-equality with Jesus. Though she did not claim co-equality, but the fact of showing that people committed sins against her proposes the idea of deity that people needs to be so sorry for not recognizing her. The Bible tells us that there are three persona where we committed sins, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. And now, here comes the Mary, an addition to the Holy Trinity.

“You have seen Hell, where the souls of poor sinners go. To save future souls God wishes to establish in the world the devotion to My Immaculate Heart. If people do what I tell you, many souls will be saved.” Then She said:” If my requests are granted, Russia will be converted and there will be peace. If not, she will scatter her errors throughout the world, provoking wars and persecution of the Church. The good will be martyed, the Holy Father will have much to suffer, and various nations will be destroyed…But in the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, Russia will be converted, and a certain period of peace will be granted to the world“. “Do you want to learn a prayer?” the vision asked, “Yes we do!” the children responded. “When you recite the Rosary, say at the end of each decade: Oh My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Your Mercy.“

Now let’s look at this additional quotations from the third apparition. This is more like “Our Lady” centered command rather than “Jesus” centered command. Russia will be consecreted to Our Lady of Rosary than instead of Jesus. Notice the number of recitation of the Rosary. At the end of each decade (10), there is only one calling for Jesus help.

This is quoted from the last (6^th) apparition

“I am the Lady of the Rosary, I desire here a chapel in my honor to be built, that people continue to recite the Rosary every day. Will the war finish. The war is going to end, and the soldiers will soon return to their homes.” Then Lucy asked: “may I ask you for cures and conversions, will you grant them?”. “Some yes, others no. It is necessary that they ask pardon for their sins, that they don’t offend God our Lord, and that he is already too much offended.” “Do you Want anything else from me?” Lucy asked. “I do not want anything more.“

The flaw of the 6^th apparition is that the Lady of the Rosary is asking for a chapel in “HER” honor, and not Jesus’ nor the Father’s honor. We have to note that taking glory which supposed to be for God is a serious sin, this is idolatry.

The apparition is completely directing people in a wrong path. It is completely in contradiction with what the Bible is saying. The Bible warn us about these kinds of apparitions in Galatians 1:8 “But even though we (referring to Paul and his companions) or an angel from heaven, which should preach to you any gospel other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed.” This is a strong warning that we should be careful in believing apparitions especially if it gives another teachings that what the Bible already have taught us.

Just some additional observations concerning the apparition of Our Lady of Rosary. Our Lady appeared “6” times. In Hebrew culture (the Israelite culture), 6 is the imperfect number. A number usually associated with evil things. Thus, the number of the Beast in the Book of Revelations tells us that it is 666.

Another observation is the dates of the apparition. The apparition dates are significantly on the 13^th of every month of that year. Even until, Roman Catholics believe that 13^th is always associated with evil things like Friday the 13^{t h} bad luck and not placing 13^th floor on buildings. Not to mention all the horror movies that happens on Friday the 13^th.

Now let me ask you, do you really believe that these apparitions comes from God? These apparition and commands are completely in contrast to what the Bible teaches us. They are “Our Lady of Rosary” centered rather than “God” centered. The apparitions promotes glory and honor for “Our Lady of Rosary” rather than the glory of God. And finally, even culture related things are in contradiction to the apparitions. Not to mention its lack of Apostolicity and Biblical support.

The praying of Rosary is another heretical belief of the Roman Catholic church to which Catholics are willing fight for.

[rwa265]

And where exactly in the verses shown does it say Mary is the mother of God?

---

It doesn’t. As I stated in another post:

The phrase ‘mother of God’ is not found anywhere in Scripture. But does the fact that a specific phrase is not mentioned make it not so? Does that mean that the Son of God is not the “Second Person of the Trinity” because that specific phrase is not found in the Bible?

More importantly, is the concept or the essential truth of Mary as Mother of God found in Scripture? Does Scripture contradict the teaching that Mary is the Mother of God?

There are many verses that support the teaching that Mary is the mother of God. One such verse is:

“And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”

This supports the concept that the child that “shall be born” was fully human and fully divine at the time of His birth. And by conceiving in her womb and bringing forth “that holy thing that shall be called the Son of God,” Mary did become the mother of this child in His humanity and in His divinity; that is, the mother of God incarnate.

I have not found anything in Scripture that contradicts this. It would be Scripture contradicting itself.

Can you show me anywhere in Scripture that refutes the concept that Mary is the mother of God incarnate?

[CynicalBear]

>>their Christological errors must be refuted.<<

Calling Mary the "mother of God" doesn't do it.

[CynicalBear]

>>The title of Mother of God clears that up in no uncertain terms.<<

You're kidding only yourself. Those who don't acknowledge the divinity of Christ aren't going to change their mind simply because you call her mother of God. What do you think? That they can't read scripture and see that's not a term ever used?

[NoCmpromiz]

Ghandi didn’t know Jesus Christ...I wouldn’t take his advice...

He probably knew enough of his teachings to form an opinion.

It appears he stated his opinion...

"Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him."
Mahatma Gandhi

[CynicalBear]

>>Can you show me anywhere in Scripture that refutes the concept that Mary is the mother of God incarnate?<<

John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Ergo, no beginning with Mary.

[Colofornian]

Who knows what you're missing out on: Col 4: 16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
Paul gives instructions to read the epistle of Laodicea. But, you don't have it. Obviously it was important. God wanted everyone to read it. So it wasn't God that didn't put it in the Bible, that was man's choice. Perhaps it contained doctrine on not baptizing babies... who knows...but one thing is for certain, God wanted us to read it.

So, supposedly prophetic words are...
...recorded at great difficulty on golden plates,
...survive the centuries of gold-diggers,
...with a ghost guy named Moroni given a special mantle to lead a lad named Smith to find,
...who is supposedly somehow handed a urium & thummim device we don't see operated by Mormon "prophets" today -- even tho it's rumored to be in the special underground vault maintained by the Mormon church...
...and this "revelation" is meticulously recorded by Martin Harris.

But...

...since Harris took the manuscript home...
...and it's been since alleged that his wife hid it or lost it...
...we just don't have it...
...only an alleged "abridgement" Smith hastily edited...
...leaving out aplenty as "Book of Mormon" editor/slasher.

Obviously it must have been important! The Mormon god wanted everyone to read it. So it wasn't the Mormon god that didn't put it in the Book of Mormon; that was man's choice. That included Joseph Smith's choice to FAIL to double back & reconsult his sources...
...whether it was...
...a gold plate...
...a urim & thummim...
...and a hat...

(I mean what kind of a god is this who falters at the hands of Mrs. Martin Harris???)

Likewise, perhaps...
...the large plates of Nephi
...& the unabridged version of Ether
...& all those buried plates buried in the ground that the "prophet" Mormon didn't touch...
...contained doctrine on not teaching age 8 as the golden age of accountability ... who knows...but one thing is for certain, the Mormon god wanted us to read it.

References above: See:

* The large plates of Nephi [reduced to an abridgement: 3 Nephi 5:8-17; Words of Mormon 1]
* The supposed "numerous plates" buried in a hill that the "prophet" Mormon didn't touch (Mormon 1:3-4)
* The unabridged version of Ether (Ether 1:1-5; Moroni 1:1)

[Resettozero]

That’s the beauty of Catholicism we don’t need to reinvent the two thousand year old wheel. Or reverse engineer it from a text.

Or think at all.

Nesotarians denied the divinity of Christ. The title of Mother of God clears that up in no uncertain terms.

Like I said: RCs don't need to think...just to repeat the mantras and keep the funds flowing in.

(And be able to imagine the goofiest explanations for what they don't really know.)

[rwa265]

Before Abraham was, I am.

---

True, Jesus is I AM. However, He was not incarnate before He became the son of Mary.

[NoCmpromiz]

can be found in the Book of MORMON.

Also would be appropriate to ask the apologist for peer reviewed archeology reports on the historicity of such internal claims presented in that work as could with reasonable expectation be verified by such research...

You know, like we have for much of the similarly identifiable claims in the real Bible...

[Resettozero]

My mind was opened to apprehend and appreciate the information in this your post.

Thank you for the clarity and the understandable layout of information.

R2z

[CynicalBear]

>>True, Jesus is I AM. However, He was not incarnate before He became the son of Mary.<<

Incarnate - having a human body

So! Now we have Jesus who always has been taking on human form from Mary. Ergo, Mary is the originator of His human body and not His God nature.

[Resettozero]

So! Now we have Jesus who always has been taking on human form from Mary. Ergo, Mary is the originator of His human body and not His God nature.

Lee Marvin voice:

"I'll drink to that!"

(huh?)

[Colofornian]

There are people right here in the RF who deny the divinity of Our Lord, nevermind the mormons. There are arians and nestorians still running around today, their Christological errors must be refuted.

I simply don't tend to find JWs (modern-day Arians) or openly id'd process theologians (Barth thought them a form a Nestorianism) around on FR.

Now some do link Oneness Pentecostals to embracing a form a Nestorianism, so I suppose you may be able to be able to build a case for others to post more threads on them.

My experience with this group (I hate to stereotype them all...so a caveat here that I'm not pidgeon-holing them all):
* Their focus is often more on the Holy Spirit than Christ (or His divinity);
* They're highly worship-oriented; and would rather experience the Divinity and the resulting joy & emotions that come with/from that, than to enter into once-removed digital discussions that tend to lean on the "intellectual" side...this isn't to say they are "anti-intellectual," but they invest their energies based upon "guidance" or "impulse" or "intuition" -- or however that's to be framed.

[Resettozero]

Duh. I git it now.

“So! Now we have Jesus, who always has been, taking on human form from Mary. Ergo, Mary is the originator of His human body and not His God nature.”

Two commas added did the trick this time.

(Is that like adding a jot or a tittle?)

[af_vet_1981]

And where exactly in the verses shown does it say Mary is the mother of God?
Hoss

Hoss, good question; since the Holy Spirit interpreted the scripture for us we know that Miriam/Mary is the mother of "God with us," which is what the Hebrew from Isaiah means.

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Isaiah, Catholic chapter seven, Protestant verse fourteen, Matthew, Catholic chapter one, Protestant verse twenty three,
as authorized, but not authored, by King James

[Vermont Lt]

I tried to send my wife to the red tent once.

That did not work out well. I think I ended up sleeping in the back yard for a few night.

[Vermont Lt]

I think it’s a logic thing.

Jesus is God, incarnate.
Mary is Jesus mother.
Ergo, Mary is the Mother of God.

I don’t know how one can be the creator of the creator.

I thought you were being literal (as if Mary did not bear and raise Jesus.)

[Colofornian]

But, I don’t tell my catholic relatives their prayers are wasted. (My term, not yours.). In the end, we will know. Then it’s too late.

When Jesus commented on "vain repetition" prayers (Matt. 6:7), his comment was aimed at a very general group ("heathen")...not a specific religious group like the Pharisees.

Yet in the context in which he spoke Matt 6:7, He wasn't directing it immediately as something "in-your-face" to the heathen;
so it wasn't so much a "descriptive" focus...
as much as a contrast "prescriptive" directive: Don't pray as they do; instead, pray this way.

I think we can learn from that on this subject.

Instead of saying in an accusatory approach, "Your prayers are wasted" in a direct, descriptive way; we could say, "Ya know, Jesus prescribed some ways of praying...namely something similar to The Lord's Prayer...and He also prescribed as a way of contrast how vain repetitions in prayer reflected more heathenism than it did godly prayer. How do you think those who call upon the Name of Christ could move further away from heathenism by engaging in distinctive prayer patterns?"

[Resettozero]

The Jewish Messiah has many Names and titles. One of His many Names is Immanuel (Emmanuel when Romanized). But This Person of Whom we speak went by the quite ordinary name Yeshua (Jesus, in the Greek).

Thus, one might say that Miriam/Mary is the mother of “Yeshua” or “Jesus”.

Hope this helps.

[daniel1212]

How does God manage to use me much at all is the real question!