Catholic Heresies & Lies (2)

Compare Christianity and Catholicism

1. Paul warned about a terrible apostasy from the faith that was to occur in latter times (I Tim 4:1-6)
   1. This warning was given expressly by the Spirit – there is no room for confusion or interpretation.
   2. This apostasy was to occur in the latter times – not during pagan Rome’s then present world rule.
   3. This apostasy was away from Christianity – for some would fall away from it (II Thess 2:3).
   4. This apostasy was away from the faith – the singular, once-delivered gospel of truth (Jude 1:3).
   5. The apostasy would use seducing spirits rather than blatant, obvious paganism (II Cor 11:13-15).
   6. The apostasy would be a group of devilish doctrines despite Christian appearance and claims.
   7. The apostasy would be based on a hypocritical use of lies (II Cor 2:17; 4:2; II Thess 2:9-12).
   8. The apostasy would be characterized by cauterized consciences (Ephesians 4:18-19).
   9. The apostasy would expressly include the devilish doctrine of prohibiting marriages – celibacy.
   10. The apostasy would expressly include the devilish doctrine of avoiding meat – Lent and Fridays.
   11. A good minister will make use of the passage to warn his flock of apostasy and false doctrine.
2. Christianity must be defined properly for us to make a true comparison with Roman Catholicism.
   1. Christianity is totally the religion of Jesus Christ – He is its Founder, God, Bishop, Prophet, etc.
   2. The apostles, prophets, and Jesus Christ taught its doctrinal basis (Ephesians 2:19-20; 4:8-16).
   3. Christianity is based entirely on the written word of God (II Tim 3:16-17; 4:1-4; II Pet 1:19-21).
   4. It is on this basis that we can have confidence we are right and the rest of the religious world wrong.
3. Catholicism claims to be the true apostolic Christian faith descending from Jesus Christ and apostles.
   1. Many simply assume it from Catholicism forming the greater part of world Christianity today.
   2. She claims herself to be the mother church of all other Christian churches – we agree (Rev 17:5).
4. Paul warned of apostate Christianity in other places, and John had warnings and visions of it as well.
   1. Paul saw the papal power following a great falling from truth and Rome’s ruin (II Thess 2:1-12).
   2. John testified of antichrists that had already gone out from the early churches (I John 2:18-19).
   3. John saw an apostate church riding the revived Roman Empire to power (Rev 12,13, and 17).
5. John called on Christ’s true disciples to come out of Roman Catholicism and her errors (Rev 18:1-5).
   1. The effect of Catholicism and her abominations are seen in many other churches, even Baptists.
   2. Rome is the mother of harlots (false churches) and abominations of the earth (false doctrines).
   3. Our children must be taught against the pernicious doctrines of this great enemy of Christianity.

Compare Catholicism and Scripture

1. Celibacy: Catholicism forbids marriage for priests, bishops, archbishops, cardinals, popes, and nuns.
   1. Paul warned clearly that such teaching was an apostate doctrine of devils (I Timothy 4:1-3).
   2. The Bible requires a bishop to be the husband of one wife to qualify for the office (I Tim 3:2).
   3. The Bible teaches that the apostles and Peter had wives (Matthew 8:14; I Corinthians 9:5).
   4. The Bible warns carefully and prudently for every man to have a wife to avoid sin (I Cor 7:1-5).
   5. The rampant fornication and sodomy among priests and nuns condemn this error in practice.
   6. Roman Catholics will admit themselves that over half of their priests in the U.S. are sodomites.
2. Meat: Catholicism forbids members from eating meat during Lent and on Fridays and holy days.
   1. Many grew up in America’s public school system that served fish sticks every Friday for the RCC.
   2. McDonalds’ Filet-O-Fish was invented by a Cincinnati franchisee in 1962 to save Friday sales.
   3. Paul warned clearly that such teaching was an apostate doctrine of devils (I Timothy 4:1-3).
   4. They gorge on fish and other foods during these times of “fasting,” showing isolation of meat.
   5. While fasting is Scriptural, an arbitrary distinction among meats fits the Spirit’s condemnation.
3. Rosary: Catholicism requires rote prayers based on a string of beads picked up from the heathen.
   1. The Rosary is a collection of 150 Hail Marys and 15 Our Fathers counted by beads on a string.
   2. This emphasis on Mary over God the Father cannot be denied by even their ablest apologists.
   3. Catholics believe Mary can open her blouse and get her son’s full attention for you at any time.
   4. Jesus condemned repetitious prayers as a mark of heathen religion and superstition (Matt 6:7).
   5. There are not two prayers in all the word of God that are identical in format and wording.
   6. Prayers to Mary are definitely vain, and the much speaking of the Rosary is patently foolish.
   7. Pope John Paul II was dedicated to the Rosary; Pope Francis was buried with his hands holding one.
4. Mary’s Preeminence: Catholicism is dedicated to the worship of Mary as the goddess of their faith.
   1. Catholics may cry long and loud that they do not worship Mary, but the Rosary proves their hypocrisy.
   2. Jesus never gave Mary any preeminence for being His mother (Matthew 12:46-50; John 2:4).
   3. Jesus plainly rebuked the first Mariolater that tried to elevate His mother (Luke 11:27-28).
   4. The simple saints that believe and obey His words are His true mother and brethren. Amen!
   5. Calling Mary the Queen of Heaven closely connects one to spiritual adultery (Jeremiah 44:15-27).
   6. Calling Mary the Mother of God is ignorant and inane blasphemy, since God was her absolute Creator.
5. Mary’s Sinlessness: Catholicism invented the false doctrine of Mary’s Immaculate Conception.
   1. The doctrine of Immaculate Conception refers to Mary’s conception, not that of Jesus Christ!
   2. The Bible declares plainly enough that all have sinned (Ps 14:1-3; Mark 10:18; Rom 3:10,23).
   3. Mary acknowledged her own need and appreciation for a Saviour to cousin Elisabeth (Luke 1:47).
   4. If Mary must be sinless in order to have Jesus, then what of “St. Anne” in light of Job 14:4?
   5. The church long fantasized about this heretical doctrine, but Pope Pius IX made it dogma in 1854.
6. Mary’s Virginity: Catholicism invented the false doctrine that Mary was perpetually a virgin.
   1. The doctrine of Perpetual Virginity means Mary never had sex or any other children at all.
   2. If Mary did deny Joseph his sexual rights, she was a very wicked woman (I Cor 7:1-5; 11:9).
   3. The Scriptures plainly tell us Mary had many other children (Matthew 13:54-56; Gal 1:19; etc.).
   4. These brothers and sisters were not Jesus’ cousins, as Catholics must hallucinate (Psalm 69:8-9).
   5. The Bible says Joseph did not have intercourse with Mary “until” after Jesus’ birth (Matt 1:25).
   6. Roman Catholics had fantasized about the doctrine, but Pope Martin I made it dogma in 649.
7. Mary’s Assumption: Catholicism invented the false doctrine that Mary was translated into heaven.
   1. This doctrine is certainly as “assumption,” since there is no evidence of it whatsoever at all!
   2. God translated Elijah and Enoch directly into heaven, but Scripture is silent regarding Mary.
   3. Paul warned of a time when men would prefer fables like this to sound doctrine (II Tim 4:3-4).
   4. The church had long fantasized about the doctrine, but Pope Pius XII made it dogma in 1950.
8. Tradition: Catholicism exalts tradition as equal to Scripture and over Scripture when they conflict.
   1. Jesus condemned tradition and man’s rules as vain religion that ruined worship (Mark 7:6-13).
   2. God demands we keep His commandments without adding or deleting (Deut 12:32; Matt 28:20).
   3. Adding to the words of God is a serious offence that He will judge harshly (Pr 30:5; Rev 22:18).
   4. Their religion is clearly anti-Bible, so they must invent a source for their doctrine and practice.
   5. Since we are Bible Christians, we absolutely and dogmatically reject anything outside Scripture.
   6. Study of the “church fathers” will reveal confusion and contradiction on every point of doctrine.
   7. Catholicism outlawed Bible reading for many centuries and performed the Mass in dead Latin.
   8. They only allow or “encourage” it now is to combat defections to evangelical denominations.
   9. Let it be remembered that without the Bible we would not know anything of Jesus of Nazareth.
9. Purgatory: Catholicism invented a place for the dead between heaven and hell for the less faithful.
   1. The myth of such a place as Purgatory is entirely without any Scriptural basis or evidence at all.
   2. Neither the beggar Lazarus nor the rich man visited purgatory before their destinations (Luke 16:19-31).
   3. Jesus did not acknowledge any intermediate hope for sinners that He encountered (Matt 23:33).
   4. The invention of purgatory and the possible transfer to heaven was moneymaking genius! Think!
   5. Johann Tetzel, a German Dominican friar who sold indulgences for the RCC in the 1500’s is credited with a little jingle, As soon as a coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs.
10. “Father”: Catholicism requires its officers, from priests to popes, to be called “Father” by address.
    1. Priests are to be called, “Father,” and popes are to be called, “Most Holy Father,” at a minimum.
    2. Jesus Christ plainly condemned the use of such titles for any of His ministers (Matthew 23:5-12).
    3. While men obviously have “fathers” naturally and religiously (Hebrews 12:9; Romans 4:1; I Corinthians 4:15; I Timothy 1:2), Jesus denounced the use of any such titles for public address.
    4. Elihu, the wise man in the book of Job, knew that God despised flattering titles (Job 32:21-22).The only title we have illustrated in Scripture is that of “brother,” even for apostles (II Pet 3:15).
    5. Consider how many outside Rome call their ministers, “Reverend,” (Ps 111:9) and/or, “Doctor.”
11. Divorce: Catholicism denies any legitimate grounds for divorce or remarriage after separation.
    1. Jesus taught that divorce and remarriage could occur due to fornication (Matthew 5:32; 19:1-9).
    2. Paul taught that divorce and remarriage could occur for desertion of believers (I Cor 7:15,27-28).
    3. Jesus taught mercy and the intent of a law are more important than the letter of the law, therefore divorce and remarriage may occur for other severe cases (Matthew 12:1-7; Mark 2:27; John 7:24).
    4. It is amazing to see Baptists and Fundamentalists copy this unmerciful extreme and abomination.
12. Confession: Catholicism requires full confession of sins to her priests for the forgiveness of sins.
    1. This is one of Rome’s seven sacraments bringing salvation, typically called Penance or Confession.
    2. This diabolical practice has been concealed in recent years as a counter move to save defections.
    3. Scripture plainly declares that we should confess our sins directly to God Himself only (I John 1:9).
    4. There is one mediator and advocate with God – the man Christ Jesus (I Timothy 2:5; I John 2:1).
    5. The publican went to his house justified after confessing his sins to God only (Luke 18:13-14).
    6. This practice has resulted in the devilish debauchery of many innocent girls and women in history.
13. Penance: Catholicism requires those confessing to a priest to expiate their sins by religious exercises.
    1. Closely connected to auricular confession above, penance is the following actions to secure forgiveness.
    2. They may vary from saying the Rosary to buying candles to attending Mass to tithing income.
14. Mass: Catholicism teaches that the communion sacrament is a bloodless re-offering of Jesus Christ.
    1. They call it a sacrifice; it is done on their altars; only priests can do it. They re-sacrifice Christ.
    2. Why they call it a bloodless sacrifice is contradictory and hypocritical, for it is the blood of Jesus!
    3. The event of the Lord’s Supper in the Bible was for memorial purposes only (I Cor 11:24-26).
    4. The sacrifice of Jesus for sins was made once for all and cannot be repeated (Hebrews 10:10-14).
    5. They hedge and squirm and try to avoid the implications of this sacrament, but they are guilty.
15. Transubstantiation: Catholicism teaches that their priests turn the communion cracker into God.
    1. The substance of the cracker is utterly transformed into Jesus’ body, blood, soul, and divinity.
    2. They address the cracker as God, they genuflect before it, they adore it, and they store it as God.
    3. They call this abominable, blasphemous, and pagan ritual the Real Presence in their Masses.
    4. They imagine this heresy from our Lord’s words, “This is my body,” or “Hoc est corpus meum.”
    5. Therefore, the words “hocus pocus,” referring to some magical act, are taken from this sham.
    6. They reject any figure of speech in our Lord’s words, yet they will not drink a cup (I Cor 11:25).
    7. They reject any figure of speech in His words, yet they say the bread becomes His literal blood.
    8. They totally miss the lesson of John 6 about believing on Christ to teach Christian cannibalism.
16. Wine: Catholicism has restricted the wine from the laity for many centuries until the recent past.
    1. If you understand their idea of transubstantiation, the cracker becomes the literal blood of Jesus.
    2. Jesus condemned this heresy by clearly telling His disciples to partake of the cup (Matt 26:27).
    3. In the past this practice resulted in many priests being drunkards from finishing off all the wine.
17. Ten Commandments: Catholicism reworked the commandments to allow graven images and idols.
    1. In the Bible, the second commandment prohibits graven images and likenesses (Exodus 20:1-17).
    2. In Rome, they split the tenth commandment and neatly eliminate the second one altogether.
    3. Of course, if you have ever been in a Catholic church or home you full well understand why.
18. Baptism Saves: Catholicism invented the heresy that water baptism is necessary for eternal life.
    1. Once you accept this heresy, other heresies are quick to follow to get as many saved as possible.
    2. Scripture clearly denies that our works have any merit (John 1:13; Romans 9:16; Titus 3:5).
    3. Scripture teaches that baptism is a figurative ordinance that does not wash away sins (I Pet 3:21).
    4. The Lord Jesus Christ took away the sins of the elect by Himself (Rom 5:19; Heb 1:3; 10:10-14).
    5. If you are committed to sacramentalism, or salvation by ordinances, then baptism must save.
19. Baptism by Pouring: Catholicism rejected immersion to practice water baptism only by affusion.
    1. Since they assume baptism is necessary for salvation, they compromise the mode to save souls.
    2. Baptism must picture burial and resurrection to be true baptism (Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12).
    3. Let a Catholic or Protestant apologist explain I Corinthians 15:29 without admitting immersion.
    4. Jesus and the eunuch were baptized down in the water, not from a canteen (Mat 3:16; Acts 8:38).
    5. John needed much water for baptism; pouring could have been done anywhere (John 3:23).
20. Baptism of Infants: Catholicism rejected believers’ baptism to practice affusion of new infants.
    1. Jesus was not baptized until He was thirty years of age to fulfill all righteousness (Luke 3:21-23).
    2. Proper baptism requires an active conscience for gospel faith in Christ (Acts 8:37; I Peter 3:21).
    3. Catholics are so desperate to get babies into heaven they even have intra-uterine baptism.
21. Sonship of Jesus: Catholicism holds to Origen’s hallucination regarding eternal generation of Jesus.
    1. They adore the Nicene Creed saying, “God of God, very God of very God,” and other nonsense.
    2. The deity, or Godhead, of Jesus Christ was not begotten in any way, shape, or form; only His human nature was begotten. We categorically reject their concept of a begotten god.
    3. Scripture declares that the thing Mary gave birth to was the Son of God (Luke 1:31-35).
    4. The Word of God is eternal God, but He was made flesh in the Son of God (John 1:1-3,14).
    5. Jesus is the Son of God, so before His incarnation there was no Son of God (Acts 8:37).
22. Inquisition: Catholicism practices evangelism at the point of a sword and murdered many Christians.
    1. While they have done their best to revise history, they are guilty for the blood of many saints.
    2. Foxe’s Book of Martyrs and other books fully document countless atrocities against believers.
    3. Daniel prophesied of a Roman power that would wear out God’s saints (Daniel 7:21,25).
    4. John told of a Roman power that would make war with the saints (Revelation 13:7; 17:6).
23. Vestments: Catholicism practices the use of religious costumes in public by her officers and leaders.
    1. The backward collars of priests and the habits of nuns are universally known about this church.
    2. Jesus condemned the use of garments to show religious service in public (Matthew 23:5).
    3. Jesus Christ’s condemnation as recorded by Luke includes long garments (Mark 12:38).
    4. Why in the world does the pope wear the fish hat of Dagon’s priests at important functions?
24. Shroud of Turin: Catholicism is fascinated with any object they can venerate instead of Jesus Christ.
    1. Their addiction to relics is clearly condemned by Scripture (Ex 20:4; Deut 12:1-4; II Kings 18:4).
    2. Jesus was not buried in one piece of cloth covering both His head and body (John 11:44; 20:7).
    3. You will never meet Catholics that venerate the Lord Jesus Christ, God the Father, or the Word.
25. Infallibility: Catholicism maintains that her popes are infallible in defining Christian doctrine.
    1. When the Pope speaks ex cathedra – from the bishop’s seat – he is divinely infallible.
    2. It would be valuable for every person to get a good look at the bishop’s seat in St. Peter’s Basilica.
    3. Simon Peter, their supposed first pope, was neither celibate nor infallible (Matthew 8:14; I Cor 9:5).
    4. Peter, whom they assume to be the first pope, denied Jesus Christ three times (Matthew 26:69-75).
    5. Paul corrected Peter to his face in public for his doctrinal hypocrisy with the Jews (Galatians 2:11).
    6. God’s assessment of a pope’s words are much less than Rome’s (Is 8:20; Romans 3:4; I Tim 6:3-5).
    7. Though having lusted for this doctrine for many years, a Vatican council made it dogma in 1870.
26. Peter’s Primacy: Catholicism gives Peter an unjustified position of preeminence over other apostles.
    1. They assume Jesus built His church on Peter rather than on Peter’s confession (Matthew 16:16-18).
    2. Peter had little influence with the Gentiles, as he was instead one of three leaders of the Jewish church; Paul was the apostle of the Gentiles (Galatians 2:7-9; Acts 9:15; Romans 11:13; 15:16).
    3. The Scriptures give Paul the great credit for the most abundant labor (I Cor 15:10; II Cor 11:5).
    4. There is no Bible evidence Peter was ever in Rome; he was Paul’s inferior with Gentiles anyway.
27. Sacramentalism: Catholicism bases their doctrine of salvation totally on grace through sacraments.
    1. They will take care of you from birth to death: Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction or last rites, Matrimony, and Orders. Women are overwhelmed with joy by this care.
    2. The Bible denies works of righteousness for salvation (Romans 9:16; 11:6; II Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5).
    3. The ordinances of the New Testament were for figurative identification and instruction rather than salvation (Romans 6:3-5; I Cor 11:24-26; II Tim 1:10).
    4. Jesus ended sin by His life of righteousness and substitutionary death (Romans 5:19; Hebrews 1:3).
28. Holy Days: Catholicism has adopted many holy days that they adopted from pagan religions.
    1. Halloween, Christmas, Valentines, and Easter are clearly holy days of pagan religious origin.
    2. Scripture clearly condemns use of pagan customs (Deut 12:29-32; Jer 10:1-4; II Cor 6:14-17).
    3. Easter flagrantly denies the three days and three nights that Jesus promised (Matt 12:39-40).
29. Saints: Catholicism worships angels and saints that they designate for adoration and prayers.
    1. They have a saint for every cause and every day, and All Saints’ Day for the rest they forgot!
    2. Paul clearly condemned the worship of angels as a mark of false religion (Colossians 2:When angels and saints did appear to men, they refused worship (Judges 13:15-18; Matthew 4:10; Acts 10:25-26; Revelation 19:10; 22:9).
30. Prayers for Dead: Catholicism teaches that those on earth can help save those already dead.
    1. You are able to discern the moneymaking windfall this secures from widows and women.
    2. Scripture plainly denies the ability of man to redeem another by any price (Psalm 49:6-9).
    3. After death comes the judgment (Hebrews 9:27); there is no movement between hell and heaven (Luke 16:26); and there is no such place as Purgatory to begin with (Matt 23:33).
31. Worldly Esteem: Catholicism seeks and receives the esteem of the world for her religion.
    1. The Saturday funeral of Pope Francis was likely the most watched event in the history of television.
    2. The political leaders of many nations visit and receive the Pope as a very important person on earth.
    3. Of course, Jesus Christ or the apostles never received such treatment, nor did they ever seek it.
    4. When men speak well and esteem something, it surely indicates that thing is evil (Luke 6:26; 16:15).
    5. The friendship of the world, which Catholicism has, is enmity with God (James 4:4).
    6. John prophesied of her fornication with the kings of the earth (Revelation 17:1-6; 18:1-3).
32. Papal Authority: Catholicism centralizes all her authority in one man at the pinnacle of the empire.
    1. This man is given authority and power over all churches, members, and officers in all nations!
    2. Peter, whom they assume to be the first pope, condemned such lordship over men (I Pet 5:1-3).
    3. Jesus condemned any hierarchy of authority among His disciples or apostles (Luke 22:24-27).
33. Cathedrals: Catholicism places great emphasis and investment on cathedrals for places of worship.
    1. They will extort enough funds from a poor populace to build a gaudy monstrosity for worship.
    2. When poor peasants enter the cathedral designed for the effect, they think they close to heaven.
    3. God does not dwell in temples made with hands and never sought one (Acts 7:47-50; 17:24-25).
    4. The true temple of God is a congregation of saints obeying His Son (Eph 2:19-22; I Tim 3:15).
34. Fee Income: Catholicism will charge for any service in order to keep their revenue stream intact.
    1. Whether you want a marriage or last rites, you better expect to pay their fee schedule for either.
    2. This practice has been reduced in recent years as a counter move to slow down defections.
    3. Peter declared that our redemption is by Jesus Christ’s blood and not money (I Pet 1:18-19).
    4. Redemption is such that it cannot be purchased for any amount of money (Psalm 49:6-9).
    5. Paul declared of his own ministry that he never coveted their money (Acts 20:33-35).
35. Peace: Catholicism emphasizes peace rather than purity as the primary objective for religion.
    1. The pope is viewed by most of the world as an ambassador of peace and good will for men.
    2. Their effeminate, gentle, and compromising approach wins the hearts of simple, deluded souls.
    3. Jesus said that He came to bring division among men rather than peace (Matthew 10:34).
    4. The peace that God recognizes cannot compromise purity that precedes it (James 3:17).
36. Ecumenical: Catholicism promotes the ecumenical conglomeration of compromising religions.
    1. Especially today, Catholics are participating in ecumenical gatherings of various religions.
    2. Paul dogmatically taught that there could be no compromise with error; separation must occur (Rom 16:17-18; Gal 1:8-9; II Thess 3:6; I Tim 6:3-5; II Tim 3:1-5; Titus 3:10-11).
37. Mother Church: Catholicism claims to be the mother church of all other Christian churches.
    1. Catholics arrogantly presume they have existed as a church since Jesus Christ and the apostles and that all other Christian churches are merely disobedient brethren and/or heretics.
    2. The Bible does say the Catholic Church is the Mother Church: Mother of harlot churches (Rev 17:5).
    3. The churches of Jesus spread from Jerusalem and Antioch, not Rome (Acts 1:8; Romans 15:26-27).
    4. Catholics are ignorant of the fact that Baptists have existed in various places and under various names outside the Roman brothel from the days of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ’s apostles.
38. Bible Version: Catholicism makes use of various Bible versions containing the apocryphal books.
    1. The Apocrypha are books that everyone, Jews and Christians, knows are false and spurious.
    2. They believe and propose that they are the guardians of the Scriptures and kept the Bible pure for all those churches and denominations that read and study it.
    3. Their arrogant confidence in Church Councils at Hippo (393) and Carthage (397) is without substance, for the New Testament canon was already 300 years old.
    4. The New Testament canon inspired by the Holy Spirit was identified around Jerusalem’s destruction, 300 years before Catholic councils realized how important Scripture was to others.
39. Priests: Catholicism makes use of priests in a religion that claims the New Testament as a guide.
    1. The whole religion of Catholicism depends on Catholic priests, altars, and sacramental rituals.
    2. There were no priests in the early church of the New Testament (I Cor 12:28-31); and there are no priests in the later church, only bishops and deacons (Eph 4:8-16; I Tim 3:1-13; Phil 1:1).
    3. The Jews had priests to offer animal sacrifices, but the Levitical priesthood went away 2000 years ago, when it was superseded by Jesus Christ’s Melchisedec priesthood (Heb 7:1-28).
    4. Catholicism is ridiculous with their priests, since the Bible denies both their office and work.
    5. Priests clearly show the origin of Catholicism, a satanic combination of Judaism and paganism.
40. Instrumental Music: Catholicism brought instruments into worship to stir the flesh of worshippers.
    1. They introduced organs to move the flesh of carnal worshippers looking for an experience.
    2. The Old Testament had musical instruments; New Testament music is simply and only singing.
    3. The sensual, ritualistic worship of the Old Testament has been totally replaced (John 4:23-24).
41. Offices: Catholicism invented offices for the church to be the hierarchal structure of an empire
    1. They have priests, bishops, archbishops, cardinals, popes, nuns, and many others.
    2. The Scriptures know of only two other offices, preferring married men (I Tim 3:1-13; Phil 1:1).