In working for Roman Catholics, we might well keep the following principles in mind:
1. Use the Catholic Bible, as Catholics have no confidence in the Protestant versions. There are three Catholic versions extant : a full Bible in the Douay Version, which you can purchase for about $2 in any Catholic bookstore, two New Testament versions—the Knox and the Paterson, New Jersey, version. These cost about $1.50 apiece. Some of the notes in the Bibles are useful.
2. Call the Bible "the Holy Scriptures" or "the Word of God," but not "the Bible," as they have been taught that the Bible is a Protestant book.
3. Teach positively, and not in a condemning way.
"What course shall the advocates of truth pursue? They have the unchangeable, eternal Word of God, and they should reveal the fact that they have the truth as it is in Jesus. Their words must not be rugged and sharp. In their presentation of truth they must manifest the love and meekness and gentleness of Christ. Let the truth do the cutting; the Word of God is as a sharp, two-edged sword, and will cut its way to the heart. Those who know that they have the truth should not, by the use of harsh and severe expressions, give Satan one chance to misinterpret their spirit. . . .
"Let not those who write for our papers make unkind thrusts and allusions that will certainly do harm, and that will hedge up the way and hinder us from doing the work that we should do in order to reach all classes, the Catholics included. It is our work to speak the truth in love, and not to mix in with the truth the unsanctified elements of the natural heart, and speak things that savor of the same spirit possessed by our enemies. All sharp thrusts will come back upon us in double measure when the power is in the hands of those who can exercise it for our injury. Over and over the message has been given to me that we are not to say one word, not to publish one sentence, especially by way of personalities, unless positively essential in vindicating the truth, that will stir up our enemies against us, and arouse their passions to a white heat. Our work will soon be closed up, and soon the time of trouble, such as never was will come upon us, of which we have but little idea."—Testimonies, vol. 9, PP. 239-241.
4. Speak respectfully of Mary, the saints, and the popes. The Catholics reverence these, and we should not be disrespectful of any man's religion.
5. Refer to the New Testament writers as Saint Peter, Saint Paul, Saint John, and so forth.
6. Refer to the Catholic position on Peter as
"The First of the Accepted Popes," and "The Beginner of the Line of Papal Succession."
1. Refer to Peter's epistles and sermons as infallible and inspired.
2. Peter's statements can then become the preferred basis for Bible readings:
(I) The State of the Dead. Acts 2:29, 34; 13:36.
(2) Forgiveness of Sins. Acts 2:38.
(3) Baptism. Acts 2:38.
(4) Indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2: 33, 38.
(5) Jesus Our Redeemer. Acts 2 :32.
(6) The Resurrection. Acts 2 :27.
(7) The New Earth. Acts 3 :21 ; 2 Peter 3 : 10-12.
(8) The Judgment. Acts 10:42.
(9) The New Birth. I Peter I :3, 23
(10) Second Coming of Christ. I Peter I: 7,13.
(11) Christ the Creator. Acts 4:10.
(12) Christ the Soul Mediator. Acts 4:12.
(13) Holy Living. I Peter I:16; 2 :I, II.
(14) Obedience. I Peter I :22.
(15) Religious Liberty. Acts 4:19.
(16) Clean and Unclean Meats. Acts o:14.
(17) Rock Christ, Not Peter. I Peter 2:4, 6, 7.
(18) Peter Not Pope. Acts 10:26.
(19) Priesthood of Believers Not Hierarchy. I Peter 2:5, 9.
(20) God Hears Individual Prayer. I Peter 3 :12.
(21) Christian Witnessing. t Peter 3:15.
(22) The Nearness of the End. I Peter 4:7.
(23) Life of Prayer. I Peter 4:7.
(24) Endurance of Trial. I Peter 4:12.
(25) Existence of Satan. I Peter 5:8.
(26) Fallen Angels. 2 Peter 2:4.
(27) Rome Is Babylon. I Peter 5:13.
(28) The Prophecies. 2 Peter I:19-21.
(29) Apostasy of the Early Church. 2 Peter 2 :1.
(30) Destruction of the Wicked. 2 Peter 3:7.
(31) Preparation for Christ's Coming. 2 Peter 3:14.
(32) The Sabbath. Peter was present when the Saviour said, "The Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath." Mark 2:28.
(33) Peter puts approval on Paul's writings. 2 Peter 3:15. In Catholic usage this is equivalent to "Nihil Obstat" (there is no objection). This provides a wide field from which to prove many other truths by using Peter's writings, all on the premise that St. Peter was the first pope.
