Satan vs. Satan? The Pope, a Limpia, and Evil Spirits
Shelf · Church Discernment & False Teachers 118 of 118
Exhibit AKey Evidence
- "Could you imagine the apostle Peter receiving such a blessing, quote on quote, from Simon the sorcerer. In Acts chapter 8, well of course you could not."
- "These pagans are going to offer the Pope a blessing and exorcism, quite simply put. And he sits there, gives his endorsement."
- "Every Pope since John the 23rd has held to not only the ecumenical movements but the interfaith movement as well."
- "No repentance, no new birth, no faith alone in Christ alone."
Exhibit BFrom the Word
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?”
“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.”
Clip: Ex-Catholics For Christ
Archival footage and commentary from Ex-Catholics For Christ. Key Evidence quotes are theirs. Original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL5Ol2uDWVE
ClassifiedFull Briefing
In archival footage from the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico (2002), Pope John Paul II receives a limpia, a traditional "spiritual cleansing" ritual with smoke, incense and branches meant to ward off evil spirits. Ex-Catholics For Christ walks through the clip and asks a simple question: could you imagine the apostle Peter receiving a blessing from Simon the sorcerer?
A limpia is offered as protection from evil spirits, but Scripture never sends God's people to rituals, smoke or practitioners for spiritual cleansing. In Acts 8, when Simon the sorcerer tried to buy spiritual power, Peter didn't accept anything from him. He called him to repent.
Scripture doesn't ask us to accept a practice because it's traditional or because a religious leader takes part in it. It tells us to test the spirits (1 John 4:1) and to keep light separate from darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14). There is one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). Cleansing comes through His blood, and salvation is by grace through faith, not ritual.
The light was always there, in the Word. Test every practice by it.