Journal: Conservative Theological Journal
Volume: CTJ 05:16 (Dec 2001)
Article: The Power of the Catholic Priesthood
Author: Mal Couch

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CTJ 5:16 (December 2001) p. 253

The Power of the Catholic Priesthood

Mal Couch

President & Professor of Theology & Languages
Tyndale Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, TX

Below is the fifth article in a ten-part series on Catholic Theology and Dogma. Almost all of the material quoted comes from books and articles approved by the Catholic Church. The first article (March 2000) dealt with the Catholic view of the Church. It is hoped that many Catholics will read these articles and arrive at a conviction of the unbiblical nature of Catholic Theology. It is also hoped that Evangelicals reading this material will understand why it’s impossible for Catholics and Evangelicals to join hands in spiritual endeavors. The abbreviations for the references are explained at the end of the article.

The Old Testament legal system of sacrifice and priesthood was cumbersome and heavy upon the Jewish people. And besides, it was ritualistic and simply represented a picture of the spiritual reality that would be completed through the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. The Aaronic priesthood served its purpose but it has passed away. The Catholic system of Church government continues a false priesthood built upon Old Testament trappings but with New Testament language. Such a priesthood cannot be justified in this new dispensation. In fact, this system of priestly power destroys the gospel, and hides from view the grace of salvation found only in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The writer of the book of Hebrews makes all of this clear when he says:

CTJ 5:16 (December 2001) p. 254

“So much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant [than the Old]. And the former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers, because they were prevented by death from continuing, but He, on the other hand, because He abides forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Hence, also, He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; Who does not need daily like those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.” (Heb. 7:22–27)

These verses leave no room for the present, all-encompassing Catholic system of the priesthood and the continual offering of Christ daily on the altar of the local Catholic church. The New Testament gives no place for the massive structure of control over the lives of the people as the Church has exercised for at l...

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