MARY WORSHIP and THE ROSARY

Do Catholics Worship Mary? 

Does the Bible forbid worship of Mary? 

Is Mary Sinless? 

Are we supposed to pray to anyone, but Jesus?

Was mary a perpetual virgin?

What dos the Bible say about all this?

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First, many Catholics claim that they do not worship

Mary or even say prayers to Mary.   

 

Let's first define worship.

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-The Feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a diety.

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So, let's look at what the Bible says as compared to what Catholics teach and/or believe?

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IS MARY A CO-MEDIATOR WITH JESUS?

 

CATHOLICISM

CO-MEDIATOR - Mary is the Co-Mediator to whom we can entrust all our cares and petitions. (Catechism 968-970, 2677)

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BIBLE

There is only one mediator and that is Jesus.

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First, let's discuss what the Bible says about a MEDIATOR. 

 

MEDIATOR ENGLISH DEFINITION- A mediator is an official “go-between” who acts as a link between two parties to reconcile their differences. The term literally means “one who stands in between.” In legal disputes, a mediator represents the interests of both parties, working as an intercessory agent to negotiate a settlement. In global conflicts, a mediator intervenes between opposing world powers to try to achieve peace.

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MEDIATOR- BIBLE- GREEK TRANSLATION- mesitēs-      One who intervenes between two either in order to restore peace and friendship, or a form a compact, or for ratifying a covenant. 

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Now, let's discuss how JESUS our MEDIATOR and sin relate. 

Sin is a problem because it stands in the way, blocking the relationship between humans and God. All people enter this world separated or estranged from the Holy God (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 5:10, 12) and deserving of His wrath (Ephesians 2:3). Romans 6:23 explains that the penalty for sin is death, not only physical death but spiritual, eternal death (Revelation 20:11–15).

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Because of our sinful condition, human beings need a mediator to negotiate peace with God—and that person is Jesus Christ: “Since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us” (Romans 5:1, NLT).

Scripture reveals Moses as mediator of the Old Testament covenant (Galatians 3:19; cf. Exodus 20:19, 21–22; Deuteronomy 5:5, 22, 23, 27, 31; Acts 7:38). Moses was the first mediator.  Moses entered God’s presence on behalf of the people of Israel. He drew near to God, speaking and interceding as their representative. Moses was God’s chosen mediator to lead the Israelites in the way of salvation through a relationship with God.

 

Later, the High Priest served as a mediator between God and man.   According to the law God gave Moses, only the High Priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and only once per year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) to make atonement for the sins of the nation. The priests were responsible for making intercession to God for the people by offering the many sacrifices that the law required. Among the priests, one was selected as the High Priest, and he entered into the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement to place the blood of the sacrifice on the Ark of the Covenant (Hebrews 9:7). By these daily and yearly sacrifices, the sins of the people were temporarily covered until the Messiah came to take away their sins.

 

Before entering, the High Priest washed, put on special clothing, and gathered incense and the blood from a sacrificed animal. Once inside the Holy of Holies, the high priest burned the incense, then sprinkled the blood on the mercy seat of the ark (the lid with the angel figures). This act was part of a ceremony completed every year where the Israelites as a nation would ask God for forgiveness of their sins.

The Holy of Holies was separated from the rest of the tabernacle (and later the temple) by a large veil. The veil was woven from fine linen and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and decorated with intricate embroidery featuring an image of gold cherubim. The veil guarded the people from accessing the Ark of the Covenant and coming into the presence of God.

When The High Priest entered into the MOST HOLY OF HOLIES through the veil he was entering into the presence of God where the ark of the covenant was located.  They would often tie a rope around his ankle because if he did anything wrong, he could die in the presence of the Lord.   

 

When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the Most Holy of Holies was torn in two from top to bottom giving us free access to God.  Jesus is OUR MEDIATOR between God and Man.   There is no longer a need for a mediator.

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NOW WHAT DOES SCRIPTURE SAY ABOUT ANYONE ELSE BEING A MEDIATOR OTHER THAN JESUS

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“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus: Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” 1 Timothy 2:5-6

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"For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance-now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant"  Hebrews 9:15

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Hebrews 7:25 says, Wherefore he [Jesus] is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” 

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Ephesians 3:12 says, “In whom [Jesus} we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”

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JESUS IS OUR HIGH PRIEST- When Jesus is called our High Priest, He is ordained as a priest apart from the Law given on Mount Sinai (Hebrews 5:6). Like the Levitical priests, Jesus offered a sacrifice to satisfy the Law of God when He offered Himself for our sins (Hebrews 7:26-27). Unlike the Levitical priests, who had to continually offer sacrifices, Jesus only had to offer His sacrifice once, gaining eternal redemption for all who come to God through Him (Hebrews 9:12).

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If Jesus is constantly interceding for us and He is able to save us “to the uttermost,” (utterly, completely) then He doesn’t need Mary’s help. If we can approach God with “boldness” and “confidence” because of our faith in Jesus, then we don't need Mary’s help either.

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IS PRAYING THE ROSARY BIBLICAL?

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First, we have just learned that scripture says; "There is one mediator between God and men, that man Christ Jesus".  1 Timothy 5.   As a result, there is no point in praying to Mary.   Mary is NOT a co-mediator.  Nor are any of the saints. 

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Second, the Bible very clearly speaks against VAIN REPETITION- "7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words."  Matthew 6:7

 

The words "VAIN REPETITION" in Greek is the word  battalogēsēte.  It means to repeat the same things over and over.   The Rosary is just that.  VAIN REPETITION.  

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GOD ALONE SHOULD BE WORSHIPPED 

Luke 4:8 (NLT) says, Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”

Praying to Mary and/or any living or deceased saints is an act of worship…which is reserved for God alone.

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Why then would we do something contradictory to scripture?

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WHEN THE DISCIPLES WERE PRAYING TO JESUS, MARY WAS AS WELL.   IF THE DISCIPLES AND MARY GO DIRECTLY TO JESUS, SHOULDN'T WE?

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In Acts 1 the disciples and about 120 believers were in an upper room waiting for the promise of the Holy Spirit (at Jesus’ command). Guess who was present with them? Mary. What was she doing? Praying.   Who were they all praying to?   ... JESUS.    Not one of them was praying to Mary. 

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Acts 1:14 (NLT) says, They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.

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It’s important to note that the apostles weren’t praying to Mary as a go between. She was joined with them in prayer…to GOD.

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THERE IS  NO RECORDED PRAYER IN SCRIPTURE OF ANYONE PRAYING TO MARY OR ANY OTHER DEAD PERSON.

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WAS MARY IMMACULATELY CONCEIVED?

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CATHOLICISM-

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION -- Mary was preserved from all stain of original sin from the first instant of her conception. (Catechism 490-492).

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BIBLE- 

In Luke 1:46-47, Mary said: “My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." 

Mary knew that she needed a savior.  The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception was first introduced by a heretic (a man whose teachings were officially declared to be contrary to Church doctrine). For centuries this doctrine was unanimously rejected by popes, Fathers and theologians of the Catholic Church.

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CATHOLICISM

ALL HOLY- Mary, "The All-Holy" lived a perfectly sinless life." (Catechism 411, 393)

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BIBLE-

"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God"  Romans 3:23

"There is no one righteous, no, not one."  Romans 3:10

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Even Mary said. 

"My spirit rejoices in God my savior" Luke 1:45

If Mary was sinless, she wouldn't need a savior.

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JESUS is the only person in the Bible God calls sinless.  

"For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."  Hebrews 4:15

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"for he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."  1 peter 2:22

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"Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth."  2  Corinthians 5:21 

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The Bible mentions no other human who did not sin.  In the Book of Revelation, when they were searching for someone who was worthy to break the seals and open the scroll, the only person who was found to be worthy was Jesus. Nobody else in Heaven or on earth (including Mary) was worthy to open the scroll or even look inside it. (Revelation 5:1-5)

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IS MARY A PERPETUAL VIRGIN? 

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CATHOLIC CHURCH

PERPETUAL VIRGINITY - Mary was a virgin before, during and after the birth of Christ. (Catechism 496-511)

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BIBLE- 

“Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.” Matthew 1:24:45

“Till” (until) means that after that point, Joseph did “know” (have sexual relations with) Mary. (See Genesis 4:1 where Adam “knew” Eve and she conceived and had a son.)

 

Jesus had brothers and sisters. The Bible even tells us their names. Matthew 13:54-56 says, 

“And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hatch this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us?” Other Scripture verses which specifically refer to Jesus’ brothers are: Matthew 12:46; John 2:12; John 7:3; Acts 1:14; and Galatians 1:19.

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IS MARY THE MOTHER OF GOD?

 

CATHOLICISM-

MOTHER OF GOD - Because she is the mother of Jesus, and Jesus is God, therefore Mary is the Mother of God. (Catechism 963, 971, 2677).

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BIBLE

The Incarnation means that Jesus was both fully God and fully man. Mary was only the mother of Jesus as man, and not the mother of Jesus as God. According to the Bible, the world was created through Jesus. This was long before Mary was born.

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“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds."  Hebrews 1:1-2

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“For by him [Jesus] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things [including Mary] were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things [including Mary] , and by him all things consist."

John 8:58 says, “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, before Abraham was, I am.”  Colossians 1:16-17

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Jesus existed before Abraham was born. That means that He also existed before Mary was born.

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In John 17:5, Jesus says, “And now O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” So Jesus existed even before the world began. Jesus came first - not Mary.

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WAS MARY THE MOTHER OF THE CHURCH?

 

CATHOLICISM

MOTHER OF THE CHURCH - Mary is the Mother of the Church. (Catechism 963, 975).

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BIBLE

Acts 1:13-14 gives a picture of a group of people praying together. Mary is mentioned as one of them, but nothing indicates any special prominence.

“And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Phillip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.”

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Mary was probably in the Upper Room when the tongues of fire fell upon the 120 disciples. However, she is never mentioned again in the Book of Acts, which is our only historical record of how the Church was born. She is also not specifically identified in the epistles. Paul did send greetings to “Mary”, but that was a common name. (In the Gospels and in the Book of Acts, she is referred to as “Mary the mother of Jesus” to distinguish her from other women named Mary.)

It is notable that John, who took Mary into his home after Jesus was crucified, does not mention her in his epistles, and he only mentions her on two occasions in his Gospel (the wedding at Cana and the crucifixion of Jesus). John mentions Mary Magdalene more than he mentions Jesus' mother.

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WAS MARY ASSUMED IN TO HEAVEN?

 

CATHOLICISM

ASSUMPTION - At the end of her life, Mary was taken up (“assumed”) body and soul into Heaven. (Catechism 966, 974)

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BIBLE

There is no biblical reference to the assumption of Mary. The Gospel of John was written around 90 A.D., which is more than 100 years after Mary was born. (Surely Mary was more than ten years old when Jesus was conceived.) If Mary had been supernaturally assumed into Heaven, wouldn’t John (the disciple that Mary lived with) have mentioned it? When Enoch and Elijah were taken up to Heaven, the Bible recorded it. With Elijah it was recorded in some detail. (See Genesis 6:24 and 2 Kings 2:1‑18.)

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The Assumption of Mary was officially declared to be a dogma of the Roman Catholic faith in 1950. This means that every Roman Catholic is required to believe this doctrine without questioning it. However, as we will see, the teaching of the Assumption originated with heretical writings which were officially condemned by the early Church.

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In 495 A.D., Pope Gelasius issued a decree which rejected this teaching as heresy and its proponents as heretics. In the sixth century, Pope Hormisdas also condemned as heretics those authors who taught the doctrine of the Assumption of Mary. The early Church clearly considered the doctrine of the Assumption of Mary to be a heresy worthy of condemnation. Here we have “infallible” popes declaring something to be a heresy. Then in 1950, Pope Pius XII, another “infallible” pope, declared it to be official Roman Catholic doctrine. [15]

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IS MARY THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN

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CATHOLICISM

QUEEN OF HEAVEN - God has exalted Mary in heavenly glory as Queen of Heaven and earth. (Catechism 966) She is to be praised with special devotion. (Catechism 971, 2675)

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BIBLE

Psalm 148:13 says, “Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.” 

This makes it quite clear that only God’s name (not Mary’s) is to be exalted. (In Catholic Bibles the numbering of the chapters and verses of some of the Psalms is slightly different.)

When people tried to give Mary special honor and pre-eminence because she was His mother, Jesus corrected them.

“And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” (Luke 11:27-28)

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In chapters four and five of the Book of Revelation, we are given a quite detailed picture of Heaven. God is seated on the throne, surrounded by 24 elders and four living creatures. The Lamb (Jesus) is standing in the center of the throne. Thousands upon thousands of angels circle the throne, singing God's praises. And Mary is not in the picture at all.