General Beliefs:

  • The present Roman Catholic church organization in Rome is Christ's one true church established in 30 A.D.
  • The pope is a God-appointed head of the church on the earth.
  • The teachings and decrees of the pope as equal to the bible in authority.
  • The church as the infallible interpreter of scripture.
  • That tradition is equal to the bible in authority.
  1. Catholics believe that the theocratic organization of the church determines what doctrine will be taught and practiced. The Bible is just one of many sources of religious authority.
  2. For a non-Catholic to charge the Roman Catholic church with false teaching does not make sense to a Catholic because doctrine is defined by the organization. It is like telling God, He is wrong. To a Catholic, the Roman Catholic organization is the earthly standard of right and wrong and doctrine. ButJesus said that our standard of judgment would be his word, not what the pope says. John 12:48

Catholic Faith

  • The church defines the Bible
  • Church organization supreme over the Bible
  • Only Popes, bishops and priests can correctly interpret the Bible, not the common Catholic
  • The supreme doctrinal authority of Catholics is the Pope!


New Testament Christianity

  • The Bible defines the church
  • The Bible is supreme over the church
  • Anyone can understand the Bible, depending upon the time they spend trying.
  • The supreme doctrinal authority of Christians is Jesus Christ through the Bible only!

Defining Sola Scriptura: "Bible Only"

  • Latin: "Sola" = Alone
  • Latin: "Scriptura" = Scriptures

Sola Scriptura and the infallible book!

  • Sola Scriptura means just what it says: the Bible alone!
  • "that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit" Ephesians 3:3-5
  • "For we write nothing else to you than what you read and understand, and I hope you will understand until the end" 2 Corinthians 1:13
  • "from childhood you have known the sacred writings (Tanakh) which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3:15