Why Mary should not be worshiped
FOR MANY CATHOLICS in various parts of the world, paying homage and praise to and worshiping Mary, the mother of the Lord Jesus Christ, is a highly important religious practice. Countless images of Mary have been made and venerated and are attributed various names of praises.
Mary is venerated and worshiped as “Our Lady of Fatima” in Portugal, “Our Lady of Lourdes” in France, and “Our Lady of Guadeloupe” in Mexico. In Asia, particularly in the Philippines, Mary’s image called Nuestra Señora de la Paz y del Buen Viaje is likewise highly esteemed and worshiped. In the Bicol region, her image is called “Our Lady of Peñafrancia” and yearly, a procession is held in her honor.
Aside from worshiping the images of Mary, what other honors and attributes are heaped upon her by Catholics?
• “Mary was made as the mediatrix.”
• “She was not tainted with sin.”
• “It’s faster and more effective to ask for help in her name than in the name of Jesus.”
• “God is subject to her.”
(Reference: Catechism on True Devotion to Mary, p. 17; Glories and Virtues of Mary, pp. 26, 201; True Devotion to Mary, p. 9 )
The confusing teachings of the Catholic Church regarding Mary are made more prominent in the following:
“Through her divine maternity, Mary in a certain way entered the divine family as a spouse who enters a royal home. With regard to the Father she became the first-born daughter: ‘I came out of the mouth of the Most High, the first-born before all creatures’ (Ecclus. 24:5). With regard to the Son, she was a Mother; with regard to the Holy Spirit, she was a bride.”
(Reference: Glories and Virtues of Mary, p. 43)
The Catholic beliefs quoted above state the confusing supposed relationship of Mary with the so-called Trinity. She is said to be the first-born daughter of God the Father, the Mother of “God the Son,” and the spouse of “God the Holy Spirit.” But, does the Bible conform to these teachings?
CONTRADICTIONS TO BIBLICAL TRUTH
The Holy Bible makes it certain that there is only one Mediator between God and man. In I Timothy 2:5, this is written:
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
(Reference: New International Version)
Christ is the only One placed and purposed by God to be the Mediator between Him (God) and men. The Bible never teaches that Mary is the mediatrix.
It is not true that Mary was without sin because, according to the Bible, all men have sinned (Rom. 3:23), and the only One who did not commit sin is the Lord Jesus Christ (I Pt. 2:21-22).
The belief of the Catholic Church that it is much easier to ask anything in the name of Mary is unbiblical. In John 15:16, the Lord Jesus said to His apostles:
“Whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”
(Reference: New King James Version)
Not in the name of Mary or anyone else can true Christians ask for anything from God but only in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
To teach that God is subject to Mary is blasphemous! The Scriptures teach that the Father is the One who is above all, not Mary:
“One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
(Reference: Eph. 4:6 NKJV, Emphasis Mine)
Likewise, the Catholic doctrine that Mary is allegedly the mother of God (whom Catholics believe to be Christ Himself) contradicts the truth written in Psalms 90:2 that God has no beginning, that He is neither man nor the son of man (Num. 23:19). The Bible does not call Mary as the mother of God but was introduced as the mother of Jesus (Acts 1:14), the two (God and Christ) being different and distinct from each other.
Even the teaching that Mary is allegedly the daughter, mother, and spouse of the three persons in the Trinity is unfounded and likewise a blasphemy against God. The true God does not consist of three persons. He is absolute in oneness and is spirit in nature (Isa. 45:21; Jn. 4:24). He doesn’t recognize any other god besides Himself (Isa. 44:8;45:21).
On the other hand, Mary praised the Lord. She also recognized that God is her Savior. She herself said that she is a servant of the Lord (Lk. 1:38). She likewise declared:
“My heart praises the Lord; my soul is glad because of God my Savior,”
(Reference: Lk. 1:46-47 TEV, Emphasis Mine)
Therefore, it is not proper to worship Mary. It is improper to pray to her and ask her for one’s needs. Worshiping her would be going against the teachings of the Holy Scriptures and is a downright rejection of the true God.
IN CONCLUSION
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WE KINDLY EXTEND our visitors an invitation to explore the pristine, unadulterated teachings of Christ and His apostles as they were taught in the first-century Church Of Christ. The teachings presented by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) will guide you toward the path that leads to eternal life for all on that appointed day of Judgment:
The Great Apostasy
LEARN ABOUT “The Great Apostasy” that led to the transformation and change of the Church of Christ, gradually becoming the Catholic church, which later in turn gave birth and rise to the Protestant faith, both of which continued to hold conflicting and unbiblical doctrines. Many sought the truth during this time but were unable to find it. Despite their belief in God and Jesus Christ, they did not have access to the pristine gospel truth. Consequently, each generation inherited a deeper state of apostasy, perpetuating changes to Christ’s gospel.
Reach Out
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(Eph. 4:29, Amplified Bible)
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(1 Corinthians 13:4-5, Amplified Bible)