Catholic Practices: Finding Them in the Bible
Its a question that pops up quite often, doesn’t it? For Catholics, the faith is deeply ingrained, a tapestry woven with tradition, scripture, and centuries of understanding. Yet, sometimes, the question arises are the things Catholics do actually in the Bible? You might’ve heard folks say otherwise, maybe even felt a little unsure yourself. Well, the intention here isn’t to start a theological debate, but rather to explore the scriptural references often cited to support various Catholic practices. Consider this a friendly guide to help you locate where some of these familiar traditions find their footing in the Good Book.
1) Praying for the Dead: Continuing Our Connection
Is praying for the dead something you’ll find in the Bible? The passages often referenced include 2 Maccabees 12:38-45. This passage recounts how Judas Maccabeus and his men offered sacrifices for the sins of their fallen comrades, believing in the resurrection and that this act would benefit them. Doesn’t that sound a lot like intercession for those who’ve passed? Then there’s Wisdom 3:1, which speaks of the souls of the righteous being in God’s hand, implying a state beyond earthly life where God’s justice and mercy prevail. And let’s not forget Tobit 4:17, which advises to “place your bread with the burial of the righteous.” This act of charity and remembrance can be seen as extending beyond the earthly realm.
2) Use of Images and Sacraments: Visual Reminders and Divine Encounters
The use of images and sacraments in Catholicism isn’t about worshiping inanimate objects, but rather about these serving as reminders of the sacred. Think about 2 Kings 3:20-21, where the bones of Elisha brought a dead man back to life. Or Numbers 21:8-9, where the bronze serpent healed those who looked upon it. These examples suggest that God can work through physical objects. Exodus 25:17-22 describes the Ark of the Covenant with its cherubim, a sacred object ordained by God himself. Scripturally, sacraments find their basis in passages like Colossians 1:20 and 2:14, speaking of reconciliation through Christ’s blood and the blotting out of our sins. John 12:32 (“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself”) and Acts 19:11-12 (where God performed extraordinary miracles through Paul’s handkerchiefs and aprons) further illustrate God’s power working through tangible means.
3) Authenticity of Catholic Tradition as a Source of Revealed Truth: More Than Just the Written Word
Is the Bible the only source of revealed truth? Catholics believe that Sacred Tradition, passed down through the Church, is also a vital source. Consider 2 Thessalonians 2:15, which urges believers to “stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.” This clearly indicates that teachings were transmitted both orally and in writing. Passages like 2 Corinthians 10:10-11, John 21:25 (implying not everything Jesus did was written down), 2 John 1:12, and 3 John 1:13 further hint at a living tradition alongside the written scriptures.
4) The Shift to Sunday Instead of Saturday (Sabbath): The Lord’s Day
Why do Catholics (and most Christians) observe Sunday instead of the traditional Sabbath on Saturday? The Bible provides clues. Revelation 1:10 refers to “the Lord’s Day,” which Christians have historically understood to be Sunday, the day of Christ’s resurrection. Acts 20:7 describes the disciples gathering on the first day of the week to break bread. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 instructs believers to set aside offerings on the first day of the week. And the events of John 20:1-22, detailing Jesus’ resurrection appearances on the first day of the week, hold significant weight in this shift.
5) The Pope’s Authority as the Successor of St. Peter: The Rock of the Church
The authority of the Pope as the successor of St. Peter is a cornerstone of the Catholic Church. The Gospel of John 21:15-17 records Jesus asking Peter three times, “Do you love me?” and commanding him to “Feed my lambs” and “Tend my sheep.” This is often interpreted as Jesus entrusting the care of His Church to Peter. Furthermore, in Matthew 16:18-19, Jesus says to Peter, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” The early Church, as depicted in Acts 2:1-14 with Peter taking a leadership role, further supports this understanding.
6) The Reference of Catholic Priests as ‘Father’: Spiritual Paternity
The practice of Catholics calling their priests “Father” sometimes raises eyebrows, given Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 23:9 to “call no one on earth your father, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.” However, the term “father” in this context is understood within the Catholic Church as a sign of spiritual paternity. Just as Genesis 17:4 refers to Abraham as the “father of a multitude,” and prophets like Moses were seen as fathers to their people (Jeremiah 7:7, Numbers 12:14), priests are seen as spiritual fathers guiding their flock. Jesus himself refers to the manna as “the bread that came down from heaven” (John 6:49), contrasting it with the bread eaten by their ancestors. The context of Matthew 23:30 refers to the physical lineage of the Pharisees, not spiritual guidance. And Luke 1:73 speaks of God’s promise to Abraham, his earthly ancestor.
7) Is the Bible in Support of the Hierarchy in the Church? Yes, Order and Structure
The Catholic Church has a hierarchical structure, with bishops, priests, and deacons. Is this supported by the Bible? Absolutely. Ephesians 4:11-13 speaks of Christ giving “some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith.” 1 Timothy 5:17-25 provides instructions on respecting and providing for elders who lead the church. And 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and 3:8-13 outline the qualifications for bishops and deacons, clearly indicating a structured leadership within the early Christian communities.
8) Is Purgatory Real? Yes! What Does the Bible Say About It? A State of Purification
The doctrine of Purgatory, a state of purification after death for those who die in God’s grace but still have venial sins or temporal punishment due to sin, is often questioned. However, several biblical passages are interpreted as supporting this belief. Isaiah 35:8 and 52:1 speak of a “holy way” and a “holy city” that nothing unclean will enter. Zechariah 13:1-2 mentions a fountain to cleanse from sin and impurity. 1 Corinthians 3:15 states that if anyone’s work is burned up, they will suffer loss; but they themselves will be saved, as though escaping through fire. Luke 12:47-48 and 58-59 describe varying degrees of punishment and the possibility of being imprisoned until the debt is paid. Revelation 21:27 says that nothing impure will ever enter heaven. Hebrews 12:22-23 speaks of the “spirits of the righteous made perfect.” And even Job 14:13-17 expresses a longing for a hidden place until God’s wrath is past.
9) About Incense: A Symbolic Offering
The use of incense in Catholic liturgy has ancient roots, including biblical precedent. Exodus 30:33-37 provides instructions for the making and use of incense in the Tabernacle. Numbers 16:6-7 describes the use of censers and incense in worship. Leviticus 16:12-13 details the high priest using incense in the Holy of Holies. In the New Testament, Luke 1:10 mentions the people praying while incense was being offered in the temple. And Revelation 8:3-4 depicts an angel offering incense with the prayers of the saints before the throne of God.
10) The Rosary: A Prayer in Honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Rosary, a prayer in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, draws its scriptural basis from passages like Luke 1:28, where the Angel Gabriel greets Mary with “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” and Luke 1:42, where Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaims, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” These verses form the core of the Hail Mary prayer, the central prayer of the Rosary.
11) Is Holy Water the Will of God to Be Used? A Sign of Blessing
The use of holy water in the Catholic Church finds scriptural parallels in several instances of water being used for purification and blessing. 2 Kings 2:19-22 recounts how Elisha purified the water supply of Jericho. John 5:1-18 describes the healing pool of Bethesda, where an angel would stir the water, and the first to enter after the stirring would be healed. And in John 7:37, Jesus speaks of “living water” that will spring up to eternal life.
12) Why Do We Ask the Saints to Pray for Us? The Communion of Saints
The Catholic practice of asking the saints to pray for us is rooted in the belief in the communion of saints – the spiritual solidarity of all Christians, living and dead. Proverbs 15:8 states that “the prayer of the upright pleases him,” and Proverbs 15:29 says, “The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.” Job 42:8 shows God instructing Eliphaz and his friends to have Job pray for them. James 5:16 encourages believers to “pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” And Matthew 16:19 gives Peter the power of the keys, suggesting an ongoing authority in the heavenly realm.
13) Why Do We Use Medals, Crucifixes, and Scapulars and Bone of Saints? Tangible Reminders of Faith
The use of medals, crucifixes, scapulars, and even relics (like the bones of saints) isn’t about magic, but rather about these items serving as tangible reminders of faith and devotion. Remember 2 Kings 13:20-21, where contact with the bones of2 Elisha brought a dead man back to life? These objects can serve as powerful symbols and reminders of God’s grace and the lives of holy individuals.
14) Why Must We Confess Our Sins to Anybody Other Than God? The Ministry of Reconciliation
The Catholic practice of confessing sins to a priest is based on the understanding of the ministry of reconciliation given by Christ to his apostles. In Matthew 16:19, Jesus gives Peter the “keys of the kingdom of heaven,” with the power to bind and loose. And in John 20:21-23, Jesus tells his apostles, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” This is seen as the scriptural basis for the sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession).
15) Is Infant Baptism in the Bible? Welcoming All into the Family of God
The practice of infant baptism is supported by several passages. In Acts 16:15 and 16:33, we see the baptism of entire households. Acts 18:8 mentions Crispus and his entire household being baptized. While these passages don’t explicitly state that infants were baptized, the inclusion of “entire households” suggests it was a common practice. Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19 to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them” is understood to include infants, who were also part of the people of God in the Old Testament. And in Acts 10:47-48, Peter commands the baptism of Cornelius’3 household after the Holy Spirit fell upon them, without any age restrictions mentioned.
Hopefully, this exploration has shed some light on the biblical references often used to support these Catholic practices. It’s about understanding the context, the interpretation, and the rich tradition that informs the Catholic faith. Remember, faith is a journey, and exploring these questions can be a meaningful part of that journey.