Priest killed after crucifix falls on him during livestreamed Mass

This is a tragic death, and we should certainly have compassion for his family. But it also raises an important question about religious practices that are not taught in Scripture.

Jesus Christ is not hanging on a cross. He died for our sins, was buried, rose again on the third day, and is now seated at the right hand of God.

Hebrews 10:12 says, "But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God."

The Bible never instructs Christians to make images of Jesus hanging on a cross or to use such images as objects of religious devotion. Instead, Scripture warns against making religious images and bowing before them (Exodus 20:4-5).

Jesus told us how to remember His death. In 1 Corinthians 11:24-26, we are instructed to remember Him through the Lord's Supper and proclaim His death until He comes. He never commanded us to make a crucifix.

And consider what Jesus said in Revelation 1:18: "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen."

The problem with Catholicism goes much deeper than a crucifix. Whenever religious traditions are introduced as doctrines or required practices without biblical authority, we need to examine them against God's Word.

Jesus warned in Mark 7:7, "Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

Our faith must rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ, not religious objects, ceremonies, or traditions.

And while this priest's death was tragic, we should not assume it was God's judgment. Scripture does not tell us that. What we can say is that every one of us must be ready to meet the Lord.

Christ is risen, His sacrifice is finished, and He lives forevermore. That is the Savior Scripture calls us to worship.
 
David said:
Whenever religious traditions are introduced as doctrines or required practices without biblical authority, we need to examine them against God's Word.
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i hit on that couple weeks ago the one word i do not like is religion or religious . i also realize that in James there is pure and undefined religion and vain religion .far to many use religion over relationship a person can be religious but still lost .

i have family that is catholic and all they know is catholic and catholic rituals pray to Mary pay some one pray them out of purgatory . even our nation leaders have some form of religion... many folks likes to wear a cross necklace . yet has no clue what the cross stands for . nor our duty to take up our cross deny ourself .

i see so many that are blinded by the god of this world. reason i can see is i once was blinded by him
 
by grace said:


so why do the Catholics still have Jesus on the cross? when he has resurrected sitting on the right hand of GOD
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By Grace,

Thank you or your comment ... I have always wondered about that too!?

This is something that has never felt comfortable with me, and I have never been able to own a crucifix because I do not like to see Christ on that cross ... I see him as very much ALIVE and well ... yes, he arose and walked amongst the people, and now sits at the right hand of the Father.

It is as though the catholic religion has made Jesus "dead" to the world (that is Jesus on the cross, full stop)?
Personally I do not feel comfortable with a 'pope" which is supposed to be ordained by God?

As a teenager my catholic friend wanted me to convert, so I went to one session of "catechism" (I think it was?) and felt so uncomfortable, that I never returned.

I have always wondered where in Scripture does Mary Mother of Jesus get such reverence; so much so that she is prayed to and she sends "apparitions". To me praying the "rosary" is meaningless and repetitive, much like reciting the Lord's Prayer, without any emotions or meaning, just a "thing to do"

It is not for me, and never has been ... this was and still is just a "gut feeling" or how my brain interprets what this religion is about. However, perhaps there is more to this ...
 
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by grace said:
i hit on that couple weeks ago the one word i do not like is religion or religious . i also realize that in James there is pure and undefined religion and vain religion .far to many use religion over relationship a person can be religious but still lost .

i have family that is catholic and all they know is catholic and catholic rituals pray to Mary pay some one pray them out of purgatory . even our nation leaders have some form of religion... many folks likes to wear a cross necklace . yet has no clue what the cross stands for . nor our duty to take up our cross deny ourself .

i see so many that are blinded by the god of this world. reason i can see is i once was blinded by him
Click to expand...
I understand what you mean. Someone can spend a lifetime following religious practices without ever knowing Christ. As you noted, James speaks of “pure religion and undefiled,” so the word itself is not the problem. The question is whether what we believe and practice agrees with God’s Word.

Scripture directs us to Jesus Christ: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). We are never instructed to pray to Mary, and no payment can purchase forgiveness. We are redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:19).

You are right about the cross too. Wearing one is no substitute for trusting the Savior and following Him. Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

Your last sentence is worth remembering. Knowing that we were once deceived should keep us humble when speaking to others. Paul wrote, “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived” (Titus 3:3). But humility does not mean uncertainty about what God has clearly said. We should speak with patience, compassion, and confidence, making the message clear: people need to repent and turn to the true Savior, Jesus Christ. A man-made religious system cannot save them.

Jesus said, “Repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). That is what we want for them: to stop trusting in rituals, religious authorities, or their own works and put their faith in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again.
 
Yesua888 said:
By Grace,

Thank you or your comment ... I have always wondered about that too!?

This is something that has never felt comfortable with me, and I have never been able to own a crucifix because I do not like to see Christ on that cross ... I see him as very much ALIVE and well ... yes, he arose and walked amongst the people, and now sits at the right hand of the Father.

It is as though the catholic religion has made Jesus "dead" to the world (that is Jesus on the cross, full stop)?
Personally I do not feel comfortable with a 'pope" which is supposed to be ordained by God?

As a teenager my catholic friend wanted me to convert, so I went to one session of "catechism" (I think it was?) and felt so uncomfortable, that I never returned.

I have always wondered where in Scripture does Mary Mother of Jesus get such reverence; so much so that she is prayed to and she sends "apparitions". To me praying the "rosary" is meaningless and repetitive, much like reciting the Lord's Prayer, without any emotions or meaning, just a "thing to do"

It is not for me, and never has been ... this was and still is just a "gut feeling" or how my brain interprets what this religion is about. However, perhaps there is more to this ...
Click to expand...
You have raised questions that need to be tested against Scripture. Our feelings can alert us that something may be wrong, but God’s Word must settle the matter. Something can feel right and still be false, just as something true can make us uncomfortable.

You are right that Jesus is alive. He said, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore” (Revelation 1:18). His death must always be proclaimed, along with His resurrection. “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:12). Our confidence rests in Him and His completed sacrifice.

Scripture calls Mary blessed, and we should gladly acknowledge that. But it never instructs us to pray to her or seek access to Jesus through her. Mary herself said, “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour” (Luke 1:46–47). She needed a Savior too. Scripture plainly says, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). Any claimed apparition must be tested against the written Word. An extraordinary experience cannot make a false teaching true.

Concerning the pope, Scripture never establishes the office as it is claimed today, with one man serving as the universal head of the church. It identifies Christ as “the head of the body, the church” (Colossians 1:18). Every teacher’s authority is subject to His Word.

There is also a distinction concerning prayer. Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer, so its words are good and true. Praying those words sincerely is appropriate. The problem is treating any prayer as a formula or imagining that repetition earns God’s attention. Jesus warned, “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking” (Matthew 6:7). Strong emotions do not make a prayer true, either. We must pray sincerely and according to God’s Word.

The issue goes beyond whether a religion suits us or makes us uncomfortable. We need to ask whether it teaches the truth about Jesus Christ and salvation. Wherever a teaching contradicts Scripture, we must reject it. God calls people to repent and believe the gospel, trusting in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again. No religious institution, ritual, or human authority can take His place.
 
I don't feel right about wearing a cross or putting one up on the wall or having one on my Bible.
Instead of showing people I'm a Christian by wearing a cross I'd rather show it by the way I act.
 
Mason said:
I don't feel right about wearing a cross or putting one up on the wall or having one on my Bible.
Instead of showing people I'm a Christian by wearing a cross I'd rather show it by the way I act.
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if thats your conviction stick to it.. theres nothing wrong with wearing a cross necklace or one in your home.. at the Church i pastor we have one on the wall behind the pulpit. i often use it to remind what the cross stands for
 
Mason said:
I don't feel right about wearing a cross or putting one up on the wall or having one on my Bible.
Instead of showing people I'm a Christian by wearing a cross I'd rather show it by the way I act.
Click to expand...
My reason for wearing a cross (and having them in my home) is to show that I belong to Jesus!
One day we may be dragged out of our homes for wearing a cross, and that is my challenge to come : )
 
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