Bible Question: I was raised a Roman Catholic, but now I attend a Baptist church. I do not consider myself to be a true Roman Catholic any longer but I have always been comforted by praying the Rosary. What is your view about the Rosary?   Bible Answer: For the benefit of those who are not Roman Catholic we want to ask first , "What is the rosary?" and then "What does scripture say?"      The Rosary. Different forms of the rosary are prayed in Roman Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. It may surprise some that Hinduism also practices celibacy of the clergy, separation from the world, worship of saints, fastings, processions, litanies, and use of holy water. In each of these religions, the rosary is a string of beads on a string or knotted cord. Islam uses 99 beads and the Hindus and Buddhists use 100 as well as 66 beads. Prayers are repeated as the beads are counted.      The rosary was not used by Jesus, by His apostles, or by the early church fathers. The Roman Catholic Church started using the rosary around 1350 A.D. Protestants do not use a rosary. Within the Roman Catholic Church, the rosary has five sets of ten beads. Each set of ten beads is called a decade. Each decade is separated by one large bead. Different prayers are recited for different beads. The "Our Father" or "Lord's Prayer" is recited on the large bead while "Hail Mary" is prayed for on each of the small beads.     Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray fro sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.   The Roman Catholic Church claims that praying the rosary properly venerates Mary since they claim,     Mary has by grace been exalted above all angels and men to a place second only to her Son, as the most holy mother of God who was involved in the mysteries of Christ: she is rightly honored by a special cult in the Church. From the earliest times the Blessed Virgin is honored under the title of Mother of God, whose protection the faithful take refuge together in prayer in all their perils and needs.   Second Vatican Council, "The Cult of The Blessed Virgin In The Church"   Mary is also considered by Catholics to be a co-mediator and a co-redeemer. The Roman Catholic Church states that the rosary encompasses the gospel. Praying the rosary is also said to provide special graces and protection against various evils, including false teaching. Praying the rosary is said to provide partial removal of the punishment that we deserve for our sins while we are here on earth. Roman Catholic doctrine also teaches that a person can earn a complete "relief" from all stored up punishment at the time of praying the rosary, receiving the sacraments of confession, receiving the Eucharist, and offering prayers for the Pope.      What Does Scripture Say? It is important for us to ask a key question, "Does the Bible ever refer to the rosary?" If it does then the rosary might be important. If it does not, then how important is the rosary? The answer to these questions is that the Bible does not mention it. In fact, Mary does not appear in the pages of scripture after Acts 1.      The rosary is not mentioned in scripture because it is a human invention. It is not of God. It does not provide forgiveness of our sins, relief from punishment, or certain graces; nor does it give us victory over hell. In fact, God has given us different directions.         < Back   Next >
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