Expert: Rick Jackson - 11/18/2007

Question
I have read the Bible (KJV) through several times and I can't find anywhere where we are told to worship Mary, the Mother of Jesus. I would like to know chapter and verse where you believe we are to worship Mary.
Also, we are told in the Scripture every believer is a priest upon salvation so why would I need a priest?
Final question: I would also like to know why and where you are told to baptise babies since sin is a personal issue and must be repented of in a personal way by the individual who also must ask God for forgiveness because he can't ask a priest for forgiveness because he did not sin against the priest. He sinned against God and God alone.

Answer
Hi Norman.

1. Mary: Catholics do not worship Mary.
Read more about Praying to Saints here: http://www.catholic.com/library/Praying_to_the_Saints.asp

2. Priests:  The New Testament is full of exhortations to follow the teachings of the leader of the local church.  Christ gave us leaders, not a book.  

The Catholic Church affirms that Sacred Scripture teaches "firmly, faithfully and without error that truth which God wanted to put into sacred writings for the sake of our salvation"

However the writen word of God is not the only source of teaching and guidance for god's people. Nowhere does the Bible teach this.

The Bible actually denies that it is sufficient as the complete rule of faith:  Paul says that much Christian teaching is to be found in the tradition which is handed down by word of mouth (2 Tim. 2:2) - and he instructs us to "stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter" (2 Thess. 2:15).

See, also, the special Authority described in Ephesians 3:
2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.

The Church is guided by the Holy Spirit, who protects Christ's teaching from corruption (John 14:25-26, 16:13).

3. Infant Baptism: In the Bible we read that whole families were baptized.  Read more about infant baptism here: http://www.catholic.com/library/Infant_Baptism.asp

Peace and Blessings to you and yours,
Rick.