The Catholic Mass- What Is It, and Is It Biblical?

HOLY CATHOLIC MASS- Introduction
The Catholic Mass — what is it, and is it biblical?

HOLY CATHOLIC MASS- Communion
Simply put, the Mass is a Communion service. It’s one of the seven sacraments upheld by the Catholic church in which believers can partake of the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

HOLY CATHOLIC MASS- Agreements
Now, though we differ with the Catholic view on Communion, we do share some points in common as well. For example, we concur that Communion is biblical, since Christ instituted it and commanded His followers to continue the practice in His remembrance (Luke 22:19). We also affirm that Jesus identified Himself with the elements — namely, the bread and wine — used in Communion (Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24). And then, of course, with Catholics we recognize Communion as a time of special fellowship with Christ when we commemorate and are strengthened by His sacrifice and by His spiritual presence (1 Cor. 11:26-27). But despite these common grounds there remain serious areas of disagreement as well.

HOLY CATHOLIC MASS- Disagreements
For instance, we take strong issue with the doctrine of transubstantiation, which teaches that the substance of the bread and wine is actually transformed into the literal body, blood, soul, and even the divinity of Jesus Christ during the Mass. While the bread and wine take on special significance during Communion, they certainly do not change — either visibly or invisibly — into Christ’s actual body and blood. When Jesus referred to the bread and wine as His body and blood, He wasn’t talking about this in a literal sense at all. We believe that Christ is truly present during Communion, but we certainly cannot go along with the doctrine of transubstantiation.

HOLY CATHOLIC MASS- Conclusion
Well, as dialogue continues between Protestants and Catholics we sincerely hope and pray that these important issues can be resolved in a biblical fashion. And remember, how you conduct Communion is not the real issue. The real issue is whether or not you have been born again spiritually — through the finished work of Jesus Christ alone.

On the Catholic Mass, that’s the CRI Perspective. I’m Hank Hanegraaff.