A few questions for Catholics about the Apostle Creed & Mary?

<<A few questions <snip> John about this.>>

Well then, I guess it's time you dusted off your Bible and READ AGAIN!

<<Regarding the Hail <snip> closer to God?>>

Well, why not?

Why don't you tell me your objections specifically - and then I can tell you why you're wrong.

<<Didn't both God & Jesus say not to pray to anyone but God?>>

WRONG! It's 'do not WORSHIP. Catholics do not worship. If you actually bothered to read and comprehend the Hail Holy Queen and Hail Mary, you would see that those are NOT prayers of worship.

<<Or to use any idols?>>

Catholics do not use idols.

<<I then read <snip> to serve her??>>

Who's "we"?

You are NOT one of us Catholics!

<<What the heck <snip> in your religion?>>

You're not Catholic. You can't understand Catholicism.

That's about as much as I can DUMB it down for the likes of you!

All bible references to the Apostle creed is explained excellent on this site: http://www.godonthe.net/evidence/apostle.htm#Luke_...

Shortly:

I believe in God,(1) the Father Almighty,

Maker of Heaven and Earth,(2)

And in Jesus Christ,(3)

His only Son,(4)

our Lord,(5)

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,(6)

born of the Virgin(7) Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,(8)

was crucified,(9) dead(10) and buried.(11)

He descended into Hell.(A)

The third day(12)

He arose from the dead,(13)

He ascended into Heaven(14)

and is seated at the right hand

of God,(15) the Father Almighty.

From thence He shall come

to judge the quick and the dead.(16)

I believe in the Holy Spirit,(17)

the church universal,(18)

the communion of saints,(19)

the forgiveness of sins,(20)

the resurrection of the body,(21)

and life everlasting.(22)

1. Isaiah 44:6; 45:5

2. Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3; Acts 14:15

3. Luke 2:11; John 20:28

4. John 3:16; Proverbs 30:4

5. John 20:28

6. Luke 1:35

7. Luke 1:27

8. Luke 23:23-25

9. John 19:20; Acts 4:10; all Gospels

10. 1 Corinthians 15:3

11. 1 Corinthians 15:4

A. 1 Peter 3:18; Luke 23:43

12. 1 Corinthians 15:4

13. 1 Corinthians 15:4

14. Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51, Acts 1:11

15. Mark 16:19; Hebrews 1:3

16. 2 Timothy 4:1; John 5:22

17. John 15:26; 16:7-8, 13-14; Acts 13:2

18. Galatians 3:26-29

19. Revelation 19:14; Hebrews 10:25

20. Luke 7:48

21. 1 Thessalonians 4:16; John 6:39

22. John 10:28; 17:2-3

Q: I would like to know where in the bible it says Jesus went to hell for 3 days after he was crucified & that he was buried before he arose?

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." (John 21:15). The Church existed before the Bible as we know it did. Jesus never told anyone to write something down - He told them to preach the Good News. The Apostles Creed is based on the oral teachings of the Apostles. These teachings also helped us know which texts were inspired by God and should be included in the Bible. Not everything Christ did is recorded in teh Bible.

Q: How can you believe that praying with the rosary & praying to Mary can bring you closer to God?

Praying the rosary involves meditating on events in the life of Jesus. Catholics refer to these as the "mysteries" of the rosary. Meditation on the events in Christ's life and on the dedication and devotion Mary showed to Jesus, and how these things can be applied in our lives today could obviously bring people closer to Jesus. The word "pray" means "to ask" (not to worship). Catholics understand that Mary is alive in heaven and would still be part of Christ's family and still part of the Body of Christ. So just like we can ask believers here on earth for help and prayers, we can ask believers in heaven (including Mary) for help and prayers. Plus Mary is a wonderful example of how we should live our lives. She is not God and it is against the Catholic religion to worship her or put her on the same level as God.

I then read the 15 promises of Mary & it states that we are supposed to serve her?? What the heck? How are all of these things not considered blasphemous in your religion?

No - because Catholics understand that Mary (and all those in heaven) have been purified and perfected by God. God's will is their will - they can do nothing without God. So to serve Mary is to serve God. It's about understanding that we (believers here on earth AND in heaven) are the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12). God does His will through His body with Christ as the head. The fingers may serve the hand - but nothing can be done without the head.

You have too many questions in one post so I will answer one. The Rosary is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and it is completely biblical. Reciting and meditating on the life of Jesus Christ can bring one closer to God.Catholic Christians believe in eternal life and that heaven is for the living,it is not a graveyard. Those in heaven pray with us and for us.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ/Rosary

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost

(Matt 28:19; cf. John 14:13-14; Acts 2:21)

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sin, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Lev 5:5; Neh 1:5-9; Dan 9:3-19; James 5:16)

Our Father, who art in heaven hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

(Matt 6:9-13; cf. Luke 11:2-4; Mark 14:36; Gal 4:6)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. (Luke 2:14; cf. Rev 4:11; 5:11-14)

O my Jesus, forgive us of our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls into heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. (Luke 1:28)

Blessed art thou among women (Luke 1:41-42a,Luke 1:48),

Blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus (Luke 1:42b)

Holy Mary, Mother of God (Luke 1:43)

Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen (Luke 2:35, John 2:3-5)

The Joyful Mysteries

(Mondays and Saturdays)

1. The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) [Spiritual fruit - Humility]

2. The Visitation (Luke 1: 39-56) [Spiritual fruit - Love of Neighbor]

3. The Nativity (Luke 2:1-20) [Spiritual fruit - Poverty of Spirit]

4. The Presentation (Luke 2:21-38) [Spiritual fruit - Purity of mind & body]

5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52) [Spiritual fruit - Obedience ]

The Luminous Mysteries or Mysteries of Light

(Thursdays) see Rosarium Virginis Mariae

1. Jesus' Baptism in the Jordan (II Corinthians 5:21, Matthew 3:17 and parallels) [Spiritual fruit - Gratitude for the gift of Faith]

2. Jesus' self-manifestation at the wedding of Cana (John 2:1- 12) [Spiritual fruit - Fidelity]

3. Jesus' proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with His call to conversion (Mark 1:15, Mark 2:3-13; Luke 7:47- 48, John 20:22-23) [Spiritual fruit - Desire for Holiness]

4. Jesus' Transfiguration (Luke 9:35 and parallels) [Spiritual fruit - Spiritual Courage]

5. Jesus' institution of the Eucharist, as the sacramental expression of the Paschal Mystery. (Luke 24:13-35 and parallels, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25) [Spiritual fruit - Love of our Eucharistic Lord]

The Sorrowful Mysteries

(Tuesdays and Fridays)

1. The Agony in the Garden (Matthew 26:36-46, Luke 22:39-46) [Spiritual fruit - God's will be done]

2. The Scourging at the Pillar (Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:15, John 19:1) [Spiritual fruit - Mortification of the senses]

3. The Crowning with Thorns (Matthew 27:27-30, Mark 15:16-20, John 19:2) [Spiritual fruit - Reign of Christ in our heart]

4. The Carrying of the Cross (Matthew 27:31-32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26-32, John 19:17) [Spiritual fruit - Patient bearing of trials]

5. The Crucifixion (Matthew 27:33-56, Mark 15:22-39, Luke 23:33-49, John 19:17-37) [Spiritual fruit - Pardoning of Injuries]

The Glorious Mysteries

(Wednesdays and Sundays)

1.The Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-18, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-29) [Spiritual fruit - Faith]

2. The Ascension (Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:6-11) [Spiritual fruit - Christian Hope]

3. The Descent of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:1-13) [Spiritual fruit - Gifts of the Holy Spirit]

4. The Assumption [Spiritual fruit - To Jesus through Mary]

5. The Coronation [Spiritual fruit - Grace of Final Perseverance]

of course he was buried and then rose. why would you put someone back in the ground whose walking around?