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SANTA SABINA CHURCH, ROME, ITALY - 2018/02/14: Pope Francis leads the Ash Wednesday procession and mass at Santa Sabina Church. The Mass marks the beginning of Lent, 42 days of prayer and penance which ends prior Easter Sunday. (Photo by Giuseppe Ciccia/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
According to Orthodox Christians, Roman Catholics have a lot of beliefs and practices that fall outside of the bounds of true Christianity.
Listed below are 3 reasons that orthodox Christians give when expressing the idea that Roman Catholics are not really Christians.
[1] Apostolic Succession
Roman Catholics believe that Peter handed them the "Keys of Heaven" described in Matthew 16:19.
This is what Jesus told Peter.
"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:19)
RCC priests are taught to believe that they are continuing the line of Apostolic Succession from Peter. But there is no pretext from the Holy Bible to claim apostolic succession except an obscure reference to Peter building the Church. All of the apostles helped build the Church. While Peter gave the sermon on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem, Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles not Peter.
[2] The Virgin Mary as Intercessor
The Virgin Mary is considered an intercessor for the prayers of the saints. Jesus Christ is the only Mediator between God and man. His sacrifice on the cross gave Him that sole right.
[3] The Crucifix
Many orthodox Christians are appalled by the crucifix that is used almost exclusively by Roman Catholics.
Jesus was crucified once.
Roman Catholics say that seeing Jesus on the cross is a constant reminder of the dead Christ sacrificing for the world. Yet, most Christians prefer to think about the risen Christ.
Paul preached Christ crucified and risen. That is the full Gospel.
Long live the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
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