During the 1200s, the Catholic church decided to make rule change. It was all official. It was decided at the Second Council of Lyon. Henceforth, people would be able to help their dead relatives by prayer and by alms.

So, if that favorite great aunt might not have been good enough to go to heaven, a person could give money to the church and then that grate aunt could go onto heaven, that is of course after the church received the proper sum.

It’s not biblical. The Catholic church made it up. While it had no affect on those who already died, it has brought a huge success to the Catholic church. Have you ever noticed the large number of huge Catholic cathedrals throughout Europe? Can you imagine the materials that went into their making, let alone the labor? Mostly built after the 1200s mind you.

Don’t get me wrong. We should have nice buildings for worship. However, the monies to build them should never be coerced. To be sure, the cathedrals are dens of thieves. The money was obtained through false teachings and totally for the power, profit and the benefit of the church.

It is convenient when a religion can make the rules along the way. In this case, it not only misled people but it also drove people from real Christianity. How many times have you heard someone say they would not go to a church because they are a bunch of hypocrites? Guess what? When it comes down to it, at least with some segments of the Catholic church, I certainly agree.

Down through the centuries, history is full of so-called preachers who are full of themselves. They make their fortunes off Christianity. And, of course, they believe not what they, themselves teach. In every state, in every major city, there are those who claim to be, but are not true ambassadors of Christ.

One of the ways you can spot them is that they love to make the rules along the way. If what they teach is not biblical, they are liars and likely thieves making their ill gotten gains off the hopes of others.

Take for instance the Mormons, Church of the Latter Day Saints. They had a really neat rule. The men could marry 4 wives, some married more. Great for the men, not so much for the women. It’s just not biblical. They made it up. They liked the new rule so they decided to adopt it. Well, nowadays, they claim to have removed their really neat rule, but some still live by it. Nonetheless, they have decided to adopt the Book of Mormon over the Bible, even though it is constantly being changed and revised.

One of the most horrid rules ever invented by any of these so-called churches is that you must do something aside from having faith in Jesus Christ to go to have eternal life. If any church, no matter who it is that is preacher tells you that you must do A, B or C it is a false teaching and comes from Satan. This is especially true if they say you must give money or possessions to that organization.

Read John 3:16 and 17

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17 ‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Not only is Jesus the only one who can save you, only He has the authority. He will not allow anyone or anything to usurp His authority nor will He allow anything or anyone to be given the credit for that which He and He alone has done.

If anyone tells you anything else, they are trying to change the rules along the way, likely for their purpose.

It has been said that John 3:16 is the Gospel in a nutshell and I’d have to say it at the least comes close to it. However, might I add, it is a direct quote from Jesus, though interpreted from the Aramaic that Jesus spoke. If anyone speaks contrary to these words, he is calling Jesus a liar.