Before we get started examining Roman Catholic teaching about Scapulars, let us examine the Biblical prohibition against " adding to" Scripture, and especially against presenting " another Gospel other than the one preached by Jesus Christ and His Apostles.

CANNOT ADD TO SCRIPTURE

1) Matthew 24:35 -- "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."

2) Matthew 5:18 -- "For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." If Jesus says that not one jot or tittle [period or punctuation mark] shall pass away until His Second Coming is accomplished, then how dare mere men eliminate words which the Lord still considers valid?

3) Deuteronomy 4:2 -- "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you."

4) Deuteronomy 12:32 -- "What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it."

5) Proverbs 30:5-6 -- " Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." Did you notice that God calls a person a liar who adds to his word? The same is true for anyone who takes any words away. At this point, I need to remind you that almost all of the Roman Catholic Traditions of the Church is an "adding to" Scripture!! Thus, it is forbidden.

6) Revelation 22:18-19 -- "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy 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 this book." Wow, this warning, from Jesus Christ Himself, is very heavy. He seems to be denying Heaven to anyone who adds to or takes away from His Words in Revelation. But, this warning is simply a restatement of these other warnings, as we have shared them with you, above.

SCAPULARS OFFER A CHEAP AND EASY "ESCAPE FROM ETERNAL FIRE"

Now, let us examine what the Roman Catholic Church is teaching its adherents concerning scapulars. The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism defines scapulars for us. "Scapular -- two small squares of cloth joined by strings so that they can be worn over the shoulders, one to the back and one to the front; indulgences are attached to the wearing of a scapular." [P. 250]

Then, on page 224, in the section entitled, "The Sacramentals", this issue of scapulars is addressed again. Question: "Which are the blessed objects of devotion most used by Catholics?" Answer: "The blessed objects of devotion most used by Catholics are: holy water, candles, ashes, palms, crucifixes, medals, rosaries, scapulars, and images of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin, and the saints."

Now that we all know what a scapular is, what are the teachings concerning its wearing? We purchased a scapular from the La Salette Shrine bookstore in Attleboro, Massachusetts. Inside the package was a fold-out pamphlet that told us what importance the scapular possessed.

"ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO YOUR SCAPULAR -- IT IS AN ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

"Whosoever dies clothed in this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire." -- Mary's promise to St. Simon Stock, July 16, 1251"

"Your SCAPULAR, then, should take on deep meaning for you. It is a rich preset brought down from Heaven by OUR LADY HERSELF. 'Wear it devoutly and perseveringly', she says to each soul. 'It is my garment. To be clothed in it means you are continually thinking of me, and I, in turn, am always thinking of you and helping you to secure eternal life.' "

"ST. ALPHONSUS SAID:

"Just as men take pride in having others wear their livery, so the most holy Mary is pleased when Her servants wear their Scapular as a mark that they have dedicated themselves to Her service, and are members of the Family of the Mother of God."

"TRUE DEVOTION TO MARY CONSISTS OF VENERATION -- CONFIDENCE -- LOVE. Without saying to Mary that we venerate Her, love Her, and trust Her, we tell Her these things every moment of the day, by simply wearing the Scapular."

"THE SCAPULAR IS A PRAYER

"Our Lord taught us to say the Our Father. Mary taught us the value of the Scapular. When we use it as a prayer, Our Lady draws us to the Sacred Heart of Her Divine Son. It is well, therefore, to hold the scapular in the hand while addressing Our Lady." [Emphasis in the pamphlet]

"A prayer uttered thus while holding the mystical Scapular is as perfect as a prayer can be. It is especially in time of temptation that we need the powerful intercession of God's Mother. The evil spirit is utterly helpless when a Scapular-wearer, besides his silent devotion, faces temptation calling upon Mary."

" If thou hadst recommended thyself to me, thou wouldst not have run into such danger' was Our Lady's gentle reproach to Blessed Alan." [Emphasis in the pamphlet]

"Because you love Mary's Scapular VENERATE IT OFTEN. [Emphasis in the pamphlet]

"Pope Benedict XV granted a partial indulgence each time the scapular is kissed. MARY'S MOTHERHOOD is not limited to Catholics: it is extended to all men. Many miracles of conversion have been wrought in favor of good non-Catholics who have been induced to practice the Scapular devotion." [Emphasis in the pamphlet]

" I wanted to know if Mary really and truly interested Herself in me, and in the Scapular. She has given me the most tangible assurance. I have only to open my eyes. She has attached Her protection to this Scapular: 'Whosoever dies clothed in this shall not suffer eternal fire.' -- Blessed Claude de la Colombiere" [Emphasis in the pamphlet]

" SIGN OF HER HEART (book about the Scapular) and other books, leaflets and religious articles are available from: THE BLUE ARMY of Our Lady of Fatima, Washington, NJ 07882." [Emphasis in the pamphlet]

"Imprimatur: + Thomas <. O'Leary, D.D., Bishop of Springfield"

THE TRUE GOSPEL, ACCORDING TO JESUS CHRIST AND HIS APOSTLES

Let us review again the core teaching in this pamphlet about this Scapular:

"Whosoever dies clothed in this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire." -- Mary's promise to St. Simon Stock, July 16, 1251"

This is NOT the Gospel, the Good News, preached by Jesus Christ and His Apostles! Let us examine the TRUE salvation from eternal punishment. Jesus Christ Himself enunciated it for us, in John 3:16, 18. "For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He even gave up His only begotten, unique Son, so that whoever believes in, trusts in, clings to, relies on, Him shall not perish and come to destruction, or be lost, but have eternal life ... He who believes in Him, who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him, is not judged; he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation -- he incurs no damnation; but he who does not believe, cleave to, rely on, trust in Him is judged already, he has already been convicted and has already received his sentence, because he has not believed in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ's name." [Parallel Bible, KJV/Amplified Bible Commentary]

According to this verse, and many others in the New Testament, True Salvation is trusting in Jesus Christ ALONE for Salvation! Listen to Jesus' Words again, above: "he who does not believe, cleave to, rely on, trust in Him is judged already, he has already been convicted and has already received his sentence, because he has not believed in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ's name."

Let us review that last sentence again: "He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ's name." Do you hear any mention whatsoever about wearing a Scapular or in trusting in a Scapular, or in trusting in Mary, for salvation? No, none whatsoever!! As I read that entire pamphlet promising escape from "eternal fire" for anyone who died wearing it, I could not help but notice that the name of Jesus Christ was nowhere mentioned!! Yet, in Jesus' own Words, no one can be saved who is depending upon anything else but His name for Salvation! Listen again: "He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ's name."

GOD IS JEALOUS, NOT ALLOWING ANY OTHER TO SHARE HIS GLORY!

This pamphlet talks a great deal about devotion to Mary and to the Scapular. Notice above the true devotion Jesus says we are to give to Him. "whoever believes in, trusts in, clings to, relies on, Him shall not perish and come to destruction, be lost, but have eternal life".

Further, we must notice at this point that God has stated that He is a jealous God, who will not share His glory with anyone. See Exodus 20:5, where God has just given His prohibition against making and praying to any graven image. See also Exodus 34:14; Deuteronomy 4:24; 5:9; 6:15; Joshua 24:19-20]

But, finally, consider the very dim view in which God considers giving His glory to another, any other. "I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise, to graven images." [Isaiah 42:8; Did you notice God's reference to graven images?]

"For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another." {Isaiah 48:11}

This presentation of the Scapular, promising to save you from eternal fire, constitutes another way to get to Heaven, another Gospel. As I said, this entire pamphlet never, ever mentions the name of Jesus Christ. This is serious because we are saved from eternal fire only by the name and blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

"Jesus saith unto him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.' " [John 14:6] No one can come to the Father in Heaven except through Jesus Christ!

Further, this "other Gospel" sidesteps the Blood Sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In fact, it does great disservice to the very sacrifice by which we are delivered from our sins, and saved from eternal fire. Make no mistake about the huge fact that Jesus' life, ministry, and death on the cross cost Him a great deal, and is not to be trifled with by such silly teachings as this teaching on the Scapular! In fact, this Scapular teaching holds Jesus Christ and His true sacrifice on the Cross up to continual shame, because you are telling Jesus that His sacrifice was not enough to save you from eternal fire; you are telling Him that you need to " ADD" this teaching on the Scapular. The Bible teaches that you cannot be saved at all as long as you are holding up Jesus to continual shame. Listen:

"For it is impossible to restore and bring again to repentance those who have been once for all enlightened ... if they then deviate from the faith and turn away from their allegiance -- it is impossible to bring them back to repentance as long as they nail upon the cross the Son of God afresh ... and are holding Him up to contempt and shame and public disgrace."

[Hebrews 6:4, 6]

Did you understand this statement? As long as you continue to hold Jesus Christ up to continual shame and disgrace, you cannot be saved! Not only does the Mass hold up Jesus Christ to continual shame and disgrace, so does this teaching that His sacrifice on the cross was not enough to save you, but you need to also give your primary devotion to Mary through many things, including this silly Scapular.

This my Catholic friend, is firm, fair warning from God to you. When you give you wholehearted devotion to anyone other than God or Jesus Christ, you are condemning your eternal soul to Hell. Whenever any person in the Roman Catholic Church is encouraging you to give wholehearted devotion to Mary, or the Saints, or to "blessed objects" such as this Scapular, they are dooming your soul to Hell.

Let us allow the Apostle Paul the final word in this matter. Since this teaching on the Scapular constitutes "another Gospel", another way to Heaven, Paul's words, below, take on new meaning. Listen:

"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." [Galatians 1:8-9] The Apostle Paul stated this warning twice just so we would get it. When he uses the word " accursed", it is equivalent to our current saying, "go to Hell"! So, the Apostle Paul is saying that, when a person proposes another Gospel, let him "go to Hell"!

Please turn to Jesus Christ ALONE for salvation, my Catholic friend. We pray that the Holy Spirit will open your spiritual heart and mind so you can recognize our words to you as the truth they are. We pray that your wholehearted devotion will be given only to Jesus Christ, the Lover of our souls, as He demands in John 3:18. We love you in the Lord Jesus Christ and only wish to see you come to the Truth and trust in Jesus Christ ALONE for your salvation!

Jesus demands this kind of devotion be given to Him and Him ALONE! [Read John 3:16-18 again and as many times as you need to before you understand this critical truth] The Roman Catholic Church is lying to you!! Your precious eternal soul is at stake.

If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, but have come to realize His reality and want to accept His FREE Gift of Eternal Life, you can also do so now, in the privacy of your home. Once you accept Him as Savior, you are spiritually Born Again, and are as assured of Heaven as if you were already there. Then, you can rest assured that nothing will not hurt you spiritually. You will also know the greatest heart peace that the greatest God can give to one of His own children.

If you would like to become Born Again, and come to know this wonderful heart peace, turn to our Salvation Page now.

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