In the last chapter (9), we closed with Dr. Carroll
relating some of the doctrinal changes that had taken
place in the Catholic Church during the time of AD
600 through 1300.
He was not finished citing the heretical doctrines that
had been introduced.
We will begin with his lectures on these changes.
[Dr. Carroll]
13. The doctrine of Indulgences and the Sale of
Indulgences was another new and serious departure
from New Testament teachings.
But in order to make that new teaching really
effective, still another new teaching was imperatively
necessary: A very large Credit Account must
somehow be established — a credit account in
heaven, but accessible to earth.
So, the merit of "good works" as a means of Salvation
must be taught, and as a means of filling up, putting
something in the credit account, from which
something could be drawn.
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The first large sum to go into the account in heaven
was of course the work of the Lord Jesus.
As He did no evil, none of His good works were
needed for Himself, so all His good works could and
would of course, go into the credit account.
And then in addition to that, all the surplus good
works (in addition to what each might need for
himself) by the Apostles, and by all good people
living thereafter, would be added to that credit
account, making it enormously large.
And then all this immense sum placed to the credit of
the church — the only church! and permission given
to the church to use as needed for some poor sinning
mortal and charging for that credit as much as might
be thought wise, for each one needed the heavenly
credit.
Hence came the Sale of Indulgences.
Persons could buy for themselves or their friends, or
even dead friends.
The prices varied in proportion to the offense
committed — or to be committed.
This was sometimes carried to a desperate extreme, as
admitted by Catholics themselves.
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Some histories or Encyclopedias give a list of prices
charged on different sins for which Indulgences were
sold.
Yet another new doctrine was necessary, yea
imperative, to make thoroughly effective the last two.
That new doctrine is called Purgatory, a place of
intermediate state between heaven and hell, at which
all must stop to be cleansed from all sins less than
damning sins.
Even the "Saints" must go through purgatory and must
remain there until cleansed by fire — unless they can
get help through that credit account, and that they can
get only through the prayers or the paying for
Indulgences, by those living.
Hence the Sale of Indulgences.
One departure from New Testament teachings lead
inevitably to others.
15. It may be well just here to take time to show the
differences between the Roman and Greek Catholics:
1. In the Nationalities: The Greeks mainly are
Slavs, embracing Greece, Russia, Bulgaria, Serbia,
etc., speaking Greek.
The Romans are mainly Latins, embracing Italy,
France, Spain, South and Central America, Mexico
etc.
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2. The Greek Catholics reject sprinkling or
pouring for baptism.
The Romans use sprinkling entirely, claiming the
right to change from the original Bible plan of
immersion.
3. The Greek Catholics continue the practice
of Infant Communion.
The Romans have abandoned it though once taught it
as another means of Salvation.
4. The Greeks in administering the Lord's
Supper give the wine as well as the bread to the laity.
The Romans give the bread only to the laity — the
priests drink the wine.
5. The Greeks have their priests to marry.
The Roman priests are forbidden to marry.
6. The Greeks reject the doctrine of Papal
"Infallibility," the Romans accept and insist upon that
doctrine.
The above are at least the main points on which they
differ — otherwise the Greek and Roman Catholic
churches, it seems, would stand together.
In our lectures we have just about gotten through with
the ninth century.
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We begin now with the tenth.
Please note the chart.
Just here where the separation has taken place
between the Roman and Greek Catholics.
17. I again call your attention to those upon whom
the hard hand of persecution fell.
If fifty million died of persecution during the 1,200
years of what are called the "Dark Ages," as history
seems positively to teach — then they died faster
than an average of four million every one- hundred
years.
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That seems almost beyond the limit of, human
conception.
As before mentioned, this iron hand, dripping with
martyr blood, fell upon Paulicians, Arnoldists,
Henricians, Petro Brussians, Albigenses, Waldenses
and Ana-Baptists — of course much harder upon
some than others.
But this horrid part of our story we will pass over
hurriedly.
18. There came now another rather long period of
Ecumenical Councils, of course not continuously or
consecutively.
There were all through the years many councils that
were not Ecumenical, not "Empire Wide."
These Councils were largely legislative bodies for
the enactment or amendment of some civil or
religious laws, all of which, both the legislation and
the laws, were directly contrary to the New
Testament.
Remember these were the acts of an established
church — a church married to a Pagan government.
And this church has become far more nearly
paganized than the government has become
Christianized.
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19. When any people discard the New Testament as
embracing all necessary laws for a Christian life,
whether for the individual Christian or the whole
church, that people has launched upon a limitless
ocean.
Any erroneous law, (and any law added to the Bible
is erroneous) will inevitably and soon demand
another, and others will demand yet others, without
ever an end.
That is why Christ gave His churches and to
preachers no legislative powers.
And again, and more particularly, that is why the
New Testament closes with these significant words,
"For I certify unto every man that heareth the
words of this book, if any man shall add unto these
things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are
written in this book. And if any man shall take away
from the words of the book of this prophecy, God
shall take away his part out of the book of life, and
out of the Holy City, and from the things which are
written in the book." Revelation 22:18, 19.
Note: We insert here this parenthetical clause, as a
warning.
Let Baptist Churches beware of even disciplinary
and other varieties of resolutions, which they
sometimes pass in their conferences, which
resolutions might be construed as laws or rules of
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Church government, The New Testament has all
necessary laws and rules.
20. The extreme limit of this little book precludes
the possibility of saying much concerning these
councils or law-making assemblies, but it is
necessary to say some things.
21. The first of these Lateran or Western Councils,
those called by the popes, was called by Calixtus II,
A.D. 1123.
There were present about 300 bishops.
At this meeting it was decreed that Roman priests
were never to marry.
This was called the Celibacy of the priests.
We, of course, do not attempt to give all things done
at these meetings.
22. Years later, 1139 A.D., Pope Innocent II, called
another of these Councils especially to condemn two
groups of very devout Christians, known as Petro-
Brussians and Arnoldists.
23. Alexander III called yet another, A.D. 1179, just
forty years after the last.
In that was condemned what they called the "Errors
and Impieties" of the Waldenses and Albigenses.
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Church History Through the Trail of Blood
24. Just 36 years after this last one, another was
called by Pope Innocent III.
This was held A.D. 1215 and seems to have been the
most largely attended of possibly any of these great
councils.
According to the historical account of this meeting,
"there were present 412 bishops, 800 Abbots and
priors, Ambassadors from the Byzantine court, and a
great number of Princes and Nobles."
From the very make-up of this assembly, you may
know that spiritual matters were at least not alone to
be considered.
At that time was promulgated the new doctrine of
"Transubstantiation," the intended turning of the
bread and wine of the Lord's Supper into the actual
and real body and blood of Christ, after a prayer by
the priest.
This doctrine among others, had much to do with
stirring up the leaders of the Reformation a few
centuries later.
This doctrine of course taught that all those who
participated in the supper actually ate of the body and
drank of the blood of Christ.
Auricular confession — confessing one's sins into
the ear of a priest — was another new doctrine
seemingly having its beginning at this meeting.
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But probably the most cruel and bloody thing ever
brought upon any people in all the world's history
was what is known as the "Inquisition," and other
similar courts, designed for trying what was called
"heresy."
The whole world is seemingly filled with books
written in condemnation of that extreme cruelty, and
yet it was originated and perpetuated by a people
claiming to be led and directed by the Lord.
For real barbarity there seems to be nothing,
absolutely nothing in all history, that will surpass it.
I would not even attempt to describe it.
I will simply refer my readers to some of the many
books written on the "Inquisition" and let them read
and study for themselves.
And yet another thing was done at this same meeting,
as if enough had not been done.
It was expressly decreed to extirpate all "heresy."
What a black page — yea — many black pages were
written into the world's history by these terrible
decrees.
25. In A.D. 1229, just 14 years after the last awful
meeting, still another meeting was held.
(This seems not to have been ecumenical.)
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It was called the council at Toulouse.
Probably one of the most vital matters in all Catholic
history was declared at this meeting.
At this it was decreed, the Bible, God's book, should
be denied to all laymen, all members of Catholic
churches other than priests or higher officials.
How strange a law in the face of the plain teaching
of the Word, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye
think ye have eternal life: and they are they which
testify of me." (John 5:39)
26. Yet another Council was called to meet at Lyons.
This was called by Pope Innocent IV, in 1245 A.D.
This seems to have been mainly for the purpose of
excommunicating and deposing Emperor Frederick I
of Germany.
The Church, the adulterous bride at the marriage with
the State in 313 in the days of CONSTANTINE THE
Great, has now become the head of the house, and is
now dictating politics of State government, and kings
and queens are made or unmade at her pleasure.
27. In 1274 A.D. another Council was called to bring
about the reuniting of the Roman and Greek branches
of the great Catholic Church.
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Church History Through the Trail of Blood
This great assembly utterly failed to accomplish its
purpose.
Conclusion
This concludes Dr. Carroll’s coverage of this
particular period.
In the next chapter we will consider the church of
Thyatira, which is the only one of the seven Churches
of Asia that falls in this time period.
I also want to cover some other things that Dr.
Carroll does not include in his work.
In addition, I want to take a look at some of the
groups that are mentioned, Ana Baptists, Paulicians,
Arnoldists, etc.
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