News from Evangelist Mike Gendron
  June 2016
Catholicism's Opposition to the Bible

In our conversations with hundreds of former Catholics, most of them tell us they were never encouraged to read the Bible. In fact, many of them said their priests actually discouraged them from reading the Bible because it was too difficult to understand. Could it be that the priests were worried that people would interpret the Scriptures correctly and undermine the authority of the Church? Or were the priests worried that those who studied God's Word would realize they were sitting under deceptive teachers and leave the church?

Historically, popes have openly condemned the reading of the Bible and often persecuted those who were caught with the Scriptures in their possession. Many loyal and devoted Catholics still deny the Vatican's fierce opposition to the Bible because they do not know their church's sordid history. 

The Council of Toulouse in 1229 A.D, stated: "We prohibit laymen possessing copies of the Old and New Testament ... We forbid them most severely to have them in the popular vernacular."

The Council of Trent in the 16th century placed the Bible on its list of prohibited books. People were forbidden to read the Bible without a license from a Roman Catholic bishop. The council warned: "If any one shall dare to read or keep in his possession that book, without such a license, he shall not receive absolution (from the punishment of sins) till he has given it up to his ordinary (bishop)."

Why would a religion that upholds the name of Jesus Christ forbid its people from reading the Bible? Clearly, it was because those who were reading God's Word were learning the truth, and the truth was setting them free (John 8:31-32). During the Reformation in the 16th century, there was a mass exodus of people leaving the Roman Catholic Church. As they studied God's Word, they were being set free from the religious bondage and deception of an apostate church. People who were once woefully deceived and dead in their sins were being born again through the imperishable seed of God's Word (1 Pet. 1:23). Then they began testing every man's teaching with the infallible Word of God (Acts 17:11). 
 
Scripture awareness among Catholics grew after the Second Vatican Council in the late 1960's when the Sacrifice of the Mass changed from Latin to the common vernacular. Later, the Charismatic movement exposed Catholics to Scripture even more. Some Catholics became interested in studying the Scriptures at protestant churches through the international Bible Study Fellowship program. The Catholic Church responded with its own Little Rock Scripture Study. In 1981, I was responsible for organizing the first Scripture study at a Catholic Church in Dallas. 

As more and more Catholics begin reading God's Word, we pray that God will grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth (2 Tim. 2:24-26). We pray many Catholics will exchange their religion for a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. This is prime time to be pointing Catholics to the infallible Word of God as their authority since they have a pope who continues to make bizarre statements that oppose historic Roman Catholicism and the Bible. Our DVD message Why Should I Believe the Bible? would be an excellent resource to share with your Catholic friends and loved ones. 

Inspiring Tour of Germany and Switzerland to Celebrate 500th Anniversary of the Reformation
 
Join Mike and Jane Gendron along with Mike and Kim Abendroth, Pastor of Bethlehem Bible Church and host of No Compromise Radio, as we celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation on an inspiring tour to Germany and Switzerland. Mike Gendron's extensive knowledge of Catholicism and the Reformation will equip you to be an effective witness and contend for the faith. You will also glean from Pastor Mike Abendroth's expository teachings and learn how to dive into the scriptures and discover the truths just as Martin Luther did those 500 years ago. This exciting tour will take you to the places Martin Luther, John Calvin and other Reformers ministered and give you a biblical perspective of why the Reformation must never be forgotten or reversed. See brochure here.
Pope Francis Compares Jesus Christ to ISIS 

In a shocking interview, Pope Francis likened Jesus Christ to the insurgent terrorist group ISIS. He said Muslim migrants must breed with Europeans to counter "declining birth rates." The pope said, "I don't think that there is a fear of Islam as such but of ISIS and its war of conquest, which is partly drawn from Islam. It is true that the idea of conquest is inherent in the soul of Islam, however, it is also possible to interpret the objective in Matthew's Gospel, where Jesus sends his disciples to all nations, in terms of the same idea of conquest."

The Pope also said he "dreaded" hearing about the "Christian roots of Europe" because, to him, they take on "colonialist overtones," and he called on European nations to "integrate" Muslim migrants into the continent. "This integration is all the more necessary today since, as a result of a selfish search for well-being, Europe is experiencing the grave problem of a declining birth rate," he stated. 

His opinions are stunningly similar to those of Iman Sheikh Muhammad Ayed, who said Muslims should exploit the migrant crisis to breed with Europeans and "conquer their countries because Europe has become old and decrepit and needs human reinforcement...soon, we will trample them underfoot, Allah willing." He said, "Throughout Europe, all the hearts are enthused with hatred toward Muslims. They wish that we were dead, but they have lost their fertility, so they look for fertility in our midst. We will give them fertility! We will breed children with them, because we shall conquer their countries!" Read more.

Mike's comment: I keep asking, "Where is the outrage among Catholics?" When will they try to silence this false apostle who blasphemes the Lord Jesus Christ? Are they so loyal to this man that they let him spew whatever perposterous lies he concocts? His latest incomprehensible offense confirms the assessment of Reformer John Calvin. He wrote, 'The Pope and Muhammad are the twin horns of Antichrist' in his Sermons on Deuteronomy. This also explains why the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day" (para. 841).
 
Anglican Priest Denies God's Punishment for Sin

While Jane and I were looking for divine appointments in Nanaimo, British Columbia, last month, we walked into St. Paul's Anglican Church to see if a priest was available to talk with us. Within a few minutes we were deep into a spiritual conversation with "The Venerable" Brian Evans. He assured us that he had the same power as Catholic priests. Through the "miracle" of transubstantiation he could bring Jesus down from heaven and change wafers into his physical body and blood to be offered on his altar. When we began to explain that Jesus died once for all sin for all time to satisfy divine justice, he told us that there is no divine punishment for sin and no need for divine justice. The more we shared the truth of God's Word with him, the more defensive and agitated he became. After about 30 minutes, when he had heard enough Scripture, he dismissed us. As we walked out, I warned him that he would be held accountable to God for deceiving his congregation with a false gospel.  

Letters from Around the World

Mike, I was a Catholic for 68 years. I went to a Catholic school for 12 years and taught CCD. I finally left five months ago and went to a non-denominational church that is Bible based. It was hard to break away from something you believed in for so long. I saw you on YouTube and read your book Preparing for Eternity. I am so glad that you wrote that to help me others who have been deceived. I have lost many friends and they think I am crazy. My 83 year old aunt even told me that I was losing my mind and that I better stop reading that Bible. K.S.K. Facebook

Mike, I knew the moment Pope Francis arrived on the scene, he is really bad news, as the whole world is running after him, even non-Catholic's. I just don't see how so many other Christians don't see that he is a false prophet. Our church hosted the The New Hampshire Alliance and there was a catholic priest there and I said nothing, but I am really alarmed and bothered by all this. Please pray as I consider what to do, mostly for the courage to speak these convictions that are in me, that I won't waver in doubt and that I will speak them in the right attitude. N.K., Laconia, NH

Mr. Gendron, I am a free thinker and not bound by organized religion. I just wonder how you folks can even call yourselves Christians when you hate Catholics and run down their beliefs. I suppose you think heaven is only for people who hold your views. Won't you people really get a surprise if Jesus lets you into heaven and you see all those people you despised for believing differently than you. David, Internet

David, Heaven is for those who place their trust in the perfect, finished, and sufficient work of Christ and His glorious resurrection. We do not hate Catholics, but we do hate the religion that deceives them with a false and fatal gospel (Psalm 119:128; 2 Peter 2:1-2). It is because of our love for Catholics that we point them to the Scriptures that are able to make them wise unto salvation (2 Tim. 3:15). It truly amazes us how often Catholics demonstrate the fruit of Rome with their hostile verbiage towards those who speak the truth in love to them.

Dear Mike, Of all books that I have, Preparing for Eternity is the most comprehensive description of salvation that I have read. Your book is easy read and to the point and I refer to it constantly because I've noticed that the Christians around me can't defend their beliefs. Keep up the good work and I keep you in my prayers.

Mr. Gendron, There is an excellent book called Sin, Shame & Secrets: A True Story of the Murder of a Nun, the Conviction of a Priest, and the Cover-up in the Catholic Church, by David Yonke. I still live in the city where this murder happened and Father Robinson was finally arrested and brought to trial. The book really opened my eyes to the corruption of the Catholic Church and how the diocese covered up this crime. This story also included Sex Abuse and Satanism perpetrated by this same priest. Sometimes, people need to see the evil within this satanic system before they will accept that it is false. L..H., Internet

Statue of Mary Draws Crowds To See a "Miracle" 
 
Hundreds of ecstatic pilgrims are flocking to a statue of the Virgin Mary believed to be crying a single tear of blood. Images of the statue, with a red liquid dripping down its cheek, have been shared on social media, prompting a mass pilgrimage to Floridablanca in Columbia. Locals believe they have witnessed a miracle and others are swarming to catch a glimpse. Read more.

Mike's Comment: Catholics travel long distances to seek signs and messages from their distorted version of Mary instead of opening their Bible to receive a message from God. They need to listen to Peter who they refer to as the first pope: "we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention" (1 Pet. 1:19). The Lord Jesus warned, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah" (Mat. 16:4). 
Pope Francis "Friend of Islam"

Vatican expert John Allen said there is no religious leader in the world today with a more credible claim to the title "friend of Islam" than the pope. He cites his credentials for such a claim including washing the feet of Muslim inmates. The pope has also become Europe's leading voice of compassion for Muslim refugees, including bringing back three Syrian Muslim refugee families after his recent trip to the Greek island of Lesbos.

Along with his direct outreach to Muslims, Francis has also visited five places with a majority Muslim population. Paradoxically he has yet to make a single visit to anywhere in Western Europe, "the traditional cradle of Christendom." So far, he has visited Jordan, the "State of Palestine," Turkey, Albania, and Sarajevo.

In his meeting with the highest authority in Sunni Islam, Pope Francis offered a "hugely symbolic" hug and exchange of kisses, and said, "Our meeting is the message." The two leaders focused on the common commitment to peace in the world, the rejection of violence and terrorism, the situation of Christians in the context of conflict and tension in the Middle East, and their protection." Read more.
We hope you've enjoyed this month's e-Newsletter. Please let us know how we can serve you!

Mike and Jane Gendron

(972) 495-0485
PO Box 940871, Plano, TX 75094
www.ProclaimingTheGospel.org
Mike's Ministry Schedule
Mike at TC Pulpit  
Heritage Christian Fellowship 
June 5
Albuquerque, NM

Mike will preach two Sunday morning services on The Tragic Decline of Discernment in the Church at Heritage Christian Fellowship, 
11104 Menaul Blvd NE 
in Albuquerque. 
The services start at 9 am and 10:45 am. For more information click here.
Countryside Bible Church
Southlake, TX
June 12th and 19th
Mike will teach the High School Sunday School at 9:30 am on effective ways to evangelize Roman Catholics and why Roman Catholicism is the world's largest and most neglected mission field. The church is located at 250 Countryside Rd in Southlake.
Heritage Bible Chapel
Princeton, MA
Sept. 9-11
Mike will teach a 3-day evangelistic seminar on Roman Catholicism at Heritage Bible Chapel, 182 Brooks Station Rd, Princeton, MA.
For more information call (978) 464-5100.

Northwest Bible Church
Ft. Worth, TX
Oct. 9

Dallas Theological Seminary
Dallas, TX
Oct. 26

Preparing for Eternity Should We Trust God's Word or Religious Traditions?

This book will equip you to reach those who are lost in religion. Author Mike Gendron answers over 100 commonly asked questions by Catholics with the power and authority of God's Word. Equip yourself with the Scriptures that will set Catholics free from religious deception.
Three DVD Special
Only $29

These three DVDs contain five messages that will equip you to become a more effective witness to Catholics and also inspire you to contend earnestly for the faith against ecumenical unity. 
Many evangelical leaders are now accepting Roman Catholicism as a valid expression of Christianity. Mike gives seven critical reasons why the Reformation can never be reversed and why Catholics and Evangelicals can never be united in a common faith. Order here.
Gospel Cards
The 12 Most Important Words of the Gospel

This set of 12 four-color Gospel Cards were designed and developed to make the Gospel of Jesus Christ clear, complete, and biblically accurate. Each card defines and explains the most important words of the Gospel using four bullet points with Scripture references. The cards can be used to clarify common misunderstandings about life's most critical issue: "What must I do to be saved?" Order here.

Proclaiming the Gospel 
now has periodic broadcasts on TV as well as radio. You can watch the broadcast here or listen to the radio broadcasts here.

The Sufficiency of our Lord Jesus Christ

  God's Gospel reveals all the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished to save sinners from the power, punishment, and ultimately, the presence of sin: righteousness had to be perfected, divine justice had to be satisfied, blood had to be shed, redemption had to be paid, sins had to be forgiven, reconciliation had to be achieved, death had to be conquered, and salvation had to be secured. 
What a glorious Savior we have to proclaim!

 


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