Against Protestantism: It Ceases Apostolic Acts and Offices

1. Protestantism does not continue the basic apostolic activities carried out by the disciples in Scripture.

   1. In the Bible, the disciples are commissioned to (1) preach penance and the coming Kingdom, (2) to forgive sins (3) to heal the sick, (4) to cast out demons. Also, (5) Our Lord, Peter, and Paul raise the dead to life again. Other non-apostolic supernatural offices depicted in scripture are (6) virgins and (7) victims. These offices are also absent in all protestant sects, which suggests Protestants are cut off from the supernatural ministry of Christ and the Holy Spirit. 

      1. These are the texts from the Gospels that describe this commission.

         1. The first commission is while Our Lord is living and during his public ministry. 

            1. Matt 10:1-10 “And having called his twelve disciples together, he gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseases, and all manner of infirmities….These twelve Jesus sent: commanding them, saying: Go ye not into the way of the Gentiles, and into the city of the Samaritans enter ye not. But go ye rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And going, preach, saying: The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils: freely have you received, freely give. Do not possess gold, nor silver, nor money in your purses: Nor scrip for your journey, nor two coats, nor shoes, nor a staff; for the workman is worthy of his meat.”

            2. Mark 6:7-13 “And he called the twelve; and began to send them two and two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. And he commanded them that they should take nothing for the way, but a staff only: no scrip, no bread, nor money in their purse, But to be shod with sandals, and that they should not put on two coats. And he said to them: Wheresoever you shall enter into an house, there abide till you depart from that place. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you; going forth from thence, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony to them. And going forth they preached that men should do penance: And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.”

            3. Luke 9:1-6 “Then calling together the twelve apostles, he gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And he said to them: Take nothing for your journey; neither staff, nor scrip, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats. And whatsoever house you shall enter into, abide there, and depart not from thence. And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off even the dust of your feet, for a testimony against them. And going out, they went about through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere.”

         2. The second commission is after his Resurrection. 

            1. Matt 28:16-20 “And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And seeing him they adored: but some doubted. And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.”

            2. Mark 16:14-20 “At length he appeared to the eleven as they were at table: and he upbraided them with their incredulity and hardness of heart, because they did not believe them who had seen him after he was risen again. And he said to them: Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be condemned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they shall cast out devils: they shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents; and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they shall recover. And the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God. But they going forth preached everywhere: the Lord working withal, and confirming the word with signs that followed.”

            3. Luke 24:48-53 “And that penance and remission of sins should be preached in his name, unto all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. And I send the promise of my Father upon you: but stay you in the city till you be endued with power from on high. And he led them out as far as Bethania: and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. And it came to pass, whilst he blessed them, he departed from them, and was carried up to heaven. And they adoring went back into Jerusalem with great joy. And they were always in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.”

            4. John 20:18-23 “Mary Magdalen cometh, and telleth the disciples: I have seen the Lord, and these things he said to me. Now when it was late that same day, the first of the week, and the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them: Peace be to you. And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord. He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you. When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.”  

         3. Anyone looking for a religion based on these scriptures would expect the true disciples of Jesus Christ to (1) preach penance and the Kingdom of God, (2) to forgive sins, (3) to cast out demons, and (4) to heal the sick. Catholic priests have these powers and fulfill these tasks and Protestant ministers only claim to preach as a function of their participation in Christ’s ministry. 

2. Preaching Penance and the Kingdom

   1. Protestants, due to their notion of free grace and the separation of justifying faith from good works do not preach penance. They preach repentance and the kingdom, where repentance usually means to convert or turn away from sin. Penance adds the idea of facing just punishment and carrying out acts of mortification to detach oneself from sin and from the world. Penance adds the idea of performing good or ascetical works as a preparation to receive redemption and recognize the King and his Kingdom. 

      1. Old Testament: It’s clear that a part of the act of repentance in the old testament were acts of penance. 

         1. This is the norm for the levitical law. Lev 5:4-10  The person that sweareth, and uttereth with his lips, that he would do either evil or good, and bindeth the same with an oath, and his word, and having forgotten it afterwards understandeth his offence, Let him do penance for his sin. And offer of the flocks an ewe lamb, or a she goat, and the priest shall pray for him and for his sin: But if he be not able to offer a beast, let him offer two turtles, or two young pigeons to the Lord, one for sin, and the other for a holocaust, And he shall give them to the priest: who shall offer the first for sin, and twist back the head of it to the little pinions, so that it stick to the neck, and be not altogether broken off. And of its blood he shall sprinkle the side of the altar, and whatsoever is left, he shall let it drop at the bottom thereof, because it is for sin. And the other he shall burn for a holocaust, as is wont to be done: and the priest shall pray for him, and for his sin, and it shall be forgiven him.

         2. This is the norm for the holy King David. 2 Samuel 12: 14-17 “Nevertheless, because thou hast given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, for this thing, the child that is born to thee, shall surely die. And Nathan returned to his house. The Lord also struck the child which the wife of Urias had borne to David, and his life was despaired of. And David besought the Lord for the child: and David kept a fast, and going in by himself lay upon the ground. And the ancients of his house came, to make him rise from the ground: but he would not, neither did he eat meat with them.” 

         3. This is the norm for the prophets. 

            1. Joel 2:12-13: "Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity."

            2. Daniel 9:3: So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes."

            3. Jonah 3:6-9: "When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: 'By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence.'"

            4. Isaiah 58:6-9  Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity.

      2. St John the Baptist 

         1. Matt 3:1-4 And in those days cometh John the Baptist preaching in the desert of Judea. And saying: Do penance: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by Isaias the prophet, saying: A voice of one crying in the desert, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. And the same John had his garment of camels' hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins: and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

         2. Matt 3:6-10 “And were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. And seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them: Ye brood of vipers, who hath shewed you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of penance. And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father. For I tell you that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. For now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doth not yield good fruit, shall be cut down, and cast into the fire.“

         3. The idea of bearing fruit worthy of penance is foreign to the Protestant notion of free grace. It is natural to the Catholic understanding of merit and the conditional efficacy of the sacrament of penance, it is efficacious only if one is contrite and performs the penance given.  

      3. The Council of Nicea clearly affirms the Catholic notion of penance in Canons 11 and 12. Protestants who hold to a lutheran or calvinist notion of free grace must reject the inspiration of this council and should thereby doubt its creed. 

         1. Canon 11 “Concerning those who have fallen without compulsion, without the spoiling of their property, without danger or the like, as happened during the tyranny of Licinius, the Synod declares that, though they have deserved no clemency, they shall be dealt with mercifully. As many as were communicants, if they heartily repent, shall pass three years among the hearers; for seven years they shall be prostrators; and for two years they shall communicate with the people in prayers, but without oblation.”

         2. Canon 12: “As many as were called by grace, and displayed the first zeal, having cast aside their military girdles, but afterwards returned, like dogs, to their own vomit, (so that some spent money and by means of gifts regained their military stations); let these, after they have passed the space of three years as hearers, be for ten years prostrators. But in all these cases it is necessary to examine well into their purpose and what their repentance appears to be like. For as many as give evidence of their conversions by deeds, and not pretence, with fear, and tears, and perseverance, and good works, when they have fulfilled their appointed time as hearers, may properly communicate in prayers; and after that the bishop may determine yet more favourably concerning them. But those who take [the matter] with indifference, and who think the form of [not] entering the Church is sufficient for their conversion, must fulfil the whole time.”

3. Forgive sins

   1. There is no scripture where the apostles or disciples are told to change this commission and teach people to forgive their own sins in Christ’s name. There was no specific moment when this task of forgiving sins, of binding and loosing was transferred to all the faithful.

      1. James 5:16 “Confess therefore your sins one to another: and pray one for another, that you may be saved.” This scripture clearly points to the necessity of Auricular confession for the forgiveness of sins as taught by the Catholic Church.” 

   2. Furthermore, it is telling that Judas has to be replaced at the beginning of the book of Acts 1:25-26. If all of these functions were going to be transferred to all the Christian faithful, why did Judas’ Apostleship need be replaced? It is only if the Apostolic task and commission was distinct from that of the lay faithful that this act makes sense. This is a strong scriptural support for the Catholic notion of apostolic succession, and that there was not a priesthood of all believers in the early Church, only Apostles or Priests were given power to forgive sins at the outset.

4. Healing the Sick 

   1. James 5:14 “Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”

      1. This anointing with Oil is a Sacrament of the Catholic church and a regular part of the ministry of Catholic priests. When protestants do healing services they do not use oil as depicted here in scirpture. 

5. Casting Out Demons

   1. As a rule Protestant denominations do not have exorcists nor do protestant ministers cast out demons. There are exceptions in charismatic circles and in Africa. Nor do they perform an exorcism before baptism as Catholic Priests do. 

6. In Scripture we see that Christ has the power to raise the dead to life and so do some of his Apostles. A naive reader of scripture would assume that some of his apostles today should still have this power. Evidence suggests that some still do have this power. 

   1. Jesus resurrects Lazarus in John 11. 

   2. Peter resurrects Tabitha in Acts 9: 36-42 “And in Joppe there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days that she was sick, and died. Whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppe, the disciples hearing that Peter was there, sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not be slack to come unto them. And Peter rising up, went with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber. And all the widows stood about him weeping, and shewing him the coats and garments which Dorcas made them. And they all being put forth, Peter kneeling down prayed, and turning to the body, he said: Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and seeing Peter, she sat up. And giving her his hand, he lifted her up. And when he had called the saints and the widows, he presented her alive. And it was made known throughout all Joppe; and many believed in the Lord.”

   3. Paul resurrects Eutychus in Acts 20:9-12 “And a certain young man named Eutychus, sitting on the window, being oppressed with a deep sleep, (as Paul was long preaching,) by occasion of his sleep fell from the third loft down, and was taken up dead. To whom, when Paul had gone down, he laid himself upon him, and embracing him, said: Be not troubled, for his soul is in him. Then going up, and breaking bread and tasting, and having talked a long time to them, until daylight, so he departed. And they brought the youth alive, and were not a little comforted. “

   4. 400 instances of Saints being given this power: https://www.amazon.com/Saints-Who-Raise-Dead-Resurrection/dp/0895557983

   5. There are not, to my knowledge, recorded instances of a Protestant minister having this power. Jonathan Wesley did claim to do this at one point but even his account of the story makes one wonder if the person truly died. They certainly did not lie dead for days and then return as with Lazarus and many of the cases of Catholic saints. 

7. Virginity 

   1. The Apostle John writes in Revelation 14, about a song that only virgin souls are capable of singing in heaven, clearly depicting the spiritual excellence and power of virginity in eternity over those who have married or fornicated. One thus would expect the truth Church to promote this office and calling with celibate communities of men and women devoted to God. 

      1. Rev 14:1-5 “And I beheld, and lo a lamb stood upon mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty-four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the noise of many waters, and as the voice of great thunder; and the voice which I heard, was as the voice of harpers, harping on their harps. And they sung as it were a new canticle, before the throne, and before the four living creatures, and the ancients; and no man could say the canticle, but those hundred forty-four thousand, who were purchased from the earth. These are they who were not defiled with women: for they are virgins. These follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were purchased from among men, the firstfruits to God and to the Lamb: And in their mouth there was found no lie; for they are without spot before the throne of God.” 

      2. Our Lord says many will be given this gift of celibacy in Matt 19: 10-12 “He that can take it, let him take it”

      3. The Apostle Paul clearly argues for the preference of celibacy and by extension virginity in 1 Corinthians 7. 

   2. Catholic theology has always proclaimed the excellence of virginity and praised the spiritual powers and graces given to virgin souls. Protestant theology from its very inception rebelled against this reality and encouraged all souls to marry and engage in carnal commerce. Protestant theologians as a rule do not admit that virginity is an excellence or a particular calling on particular souls. There are a few exceptions but, diverse as protestant beliefs can be, there always are, but the aggregate is opposed to the scriptural teaching. The practical reality reflects this seizic difference, in Catholic religious life, millions of souls have been formed and lived in communities that support their call to virginity and celibacy and total devotion to Christ! Protestant sects have nothing like this to speak of. In practice, the majority of Protestants act as if celibacy were something unhealthy. Again, this suggests a totally different spirit at play. 

8. Victim/Martyr 

   1. St. Paul 

      1. I Col 1:22-25  “Yet now he hath reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unspotted, and blameless before him: If so ye continue in the faith, grounded and settled, and immoveable from the hope of the gospel which you have heard, which is preached in all the creation that is under heaven, whereof I Paul am made a minister. Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ, in my flesh, for his body, which is the church: Whereof I am made a minister according to the dispensation of God, which is given me towards you, that I may fulfill the word of God.”

   2. Supernatural Sufferings of the Saints and Victim Souls

      1. In the history of the Saints there have been many victim souls, souls offering their suffering and lives for the redemption of souls and the edification of the Church. St Catherine of Sienna saw in a vision the forces defending the vatican and protecting the Pope being overrun and she offered her life as a victim to save the Pope. Then she saw the Papal forces gain the upper hand. She died soon thereafter in fulfillment of her prayer. Thousands and thousands of souls in the Catholic faith have done like heroic acts, in the imitation of Christ and St Paul. Due to the rejection of our works having any sort of power to mediate and assist ourselves or others, Protestants reject this high vocation out of hand. In doing so, they contradict scripture. Rom 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

9. All of these acts require the grace of God to be able to carry out. Only the first activity of preaching can be easily carried out, though in a perverted manner, contrary to the will of God. It’s not a surprise then, that Protestantism, which has cut itself off from the supernatural graces of God, can only persist as a form of perverted preaching that leads away from, rather than extending the supernatural ministry of Jesus Christ and His Apostles.