Does partaking of the Eucharist have power to cleanse Catholics from past sins and preserve them from future sins?
| "For this reason the Eucharist cannot unite us to Christ without at
the same time cleansing us from past sins and preserving us from future
sins:" Pg. 351, #1393
"By the same charity that it enkindles in us, the Eucharist preserves us from future mortal sins." Pg. 352, #1395 |
Once again, God's Word and Catholic tradition couldn't be farther apart. Regarding cleansing from past sins, the Bible declares that all sins are washed away through the blood of Jesus Christ:
| "...the blood of Jesus Christ his Son
cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7
"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness...Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood," Revelation 1:5 |
The Catechism strips away from Christ the credit He alone deserves for cleansing people from their sins, and credits instead a wafer with accomplishing that task. Why is Jesus demoted again?
| "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthians 6:11 |
Preserving from future sins
There is no scriptural evidence that eating a piece of bread will preserve anyone from future sins. This doctrine's only practical function is to keep members returning to the Catholic church to receive the Eucharist, in hopes that it will help preserve them from sin.
Aside from holding people in bondage to the church, there is little else such a practice can accomplish.
Though God's Word does not endorse this practice, it does suggest a way you can protect yourself from sin:
| "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin
against thee." Psalm 119:11
"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word." Psalm 119:9 |
To preserve yourself from sin, God suggests that you read, memorize and obey the Bible. Curiously, the Catholic church disagrees. It seems that the Catholic leadership would rather have you looking to the church for help than to God's Word.
You must decide why:
| "The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil..."
Psalm 121:7
"Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah." Psalm 32:7 "And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." 2 Timothy 4:18 |
Conclusion
To cleanse you from past sins and protect you from future sins, Catholicism demands that you look to a piece of bread.
It is imperative that you understand that this tradition of men directly contradicts God's Word. To obey this Catholic doctrine, you must reject Holy Scriptures.
Do you really want to do this?
| "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. " Jude 1:24-25 |
Understanding Roman Catholicism © 1995 by Rick Jones
