W.J. Seaton
My Dear Friends,
There was a time when the believers in Christ had no doubts whatsoever concerning the church of Rome and its teaching. Being instructed in the Word of Life they were enabled to take the Romish dogma and apply it to the divine standards of Gospel truth. In doing this, it became obvious to them that Romanism was not only non-christian, but positively UN-christian; and it also became obvious that the everlasting issue with the Roman system would centre upon the nature of the everlasting Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. These times now seem to have passed and the doors of acceptance for the Romish gospel of “works” are opening wider and wider with each passing month. In the light of this state of affairs I want to bring before you the outline of our sermon on “Roman Catholicism and the Gospel”.
Please note the title and bear in mind that our conflict is not with individual Roman Catholics, who, like unconverted Protestants, are heirs of God’s wrath and in need of His salvation in Christ Jesus. Our conflict is always and only with that gospel which Rome presents and which is no gospel at all, but the devil’s counterfeit.
“Roman Catholicism and the Gospel”
Introduction: The church’s great commission is to “go into all the world and preach the Gospel”. Therefore, before there can be any talk of uniting churches there must be absolute clarity as to what the Gospel is. Does Rome preach the Gospel that our Lord and Saviour told His own redeemed church to proclaim?
1. First of all, we know and believe that if God were going to send His Gospel into this world, then He would employ a vehicle for the task. This He has done in His Word which is a “light unto our feet and a lamp unto our path.” But, one thing of which there can be no doubt – Rome separates men from this “vehicle” of the Gospel. Rome separates men from this pure Word of God! In many ways, this is what the great Reformation was all about. Oh yes, the over-riding theme was the justification of the sinner through faith alone: but it was no less the battle for the vehicle that was to carry that message of justification to the ends of the earth. The Reformers fought for this; the Romanist fought against it: this was the Reformation.
We are inclined to imagine that things have changed today simply because Rome now make some kind of outward show towards God’s Word and says her people may read it. But, they must read it in the light of the 15 books of the Apocrypha, the writings of the “Fathers”, the pronouncements of the Councils and the Papal letters. A whole “paper wall”, in fact, that still separates men from the Word of God today as much as ever.
2. Rome separates men from the “ethic” of the Gospel. There is no gospel of Free and Sovereign Grace that does not include the absolute moral demand of God.
“Teach me, Lord, on earth to show,
By my love, how much I owe”.
But, from this ethic – from this moral demand, Rome separates men and women. Read some of her “Laws of Mental Reservation:” read her teachings of “Clandestine Compensation.” This is one fact that we seem pathetically ignorant of today in all our so-called “dialogues” with Romanists; we fail to realise how the Roman theologian thinks!
3. Rome separates men from the “grace” of the Gospel. This goes without saying. How are we saved? “By our own merits,” says the church of Rome. But, what saith the scriptures? “By grace ye are saved,” they say. But Rome separates from this grace, and so the very warp and woof of the gospel must become the platform where all ecumenical discussions must end. Of course, Rome is wrong at the very source of things. She has no doctrine of the Total Depravity of human nature, and, therefore, she has defective views on the nature of man’s salvation.
4. Rome separates men from the “peace” of the Gospel. The very best that Rome can offer the dying soul is Purgatory at last. What peace is this? What a contrast to the whole assurance of our Saviour’s blessed words: – “My peace I leave with you.”
5. Rome separates men from the “author” of the Gospel. Rome separates men from Christ Himself.
a. The church does this, for she claims to be “the life”, receiving and excommunicating at her will. There is “nulla salus” – no salvation – apart from Rome.
b. The head of the church separates men from Christ. He is the Vicar of Christ and the “door.”
c. The Pope’s men – the priests also separate when they say they are men’s mediators with the Father.
d. The doctrine of Mary separates men from Christ. “Our co-redemptress” she is called on that cross where she is crucified along with Christ. “Let us direct our gaze to Mary,” said Pope Paul in his closing benediction at the Vatican Council; “our heavenly mother and Queen … in whom the image of God is reflected with absolute clarity.” Ah, my friends, there is only One who is “the express image” of the Father, and that is Jesus Christ, the righteous.
“Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel.” Rome’s gospel, brethren? Rome’s gospel? May God help us in our day to be His people.
Sincerely,
W.J. Seaton