Note from Charles Dailey. Many years ago I purchased this book for 10¢ from a sale table. A preacher was culling his library. When I became aware of the irenic and thorough nature of the text, I suggested to Don DeWelt that it needed to be reprinted. He renamed it to its present title and published it. He tried to locate the author and previous publisher, but they could not be found. The book has again been out of print for many years, so we are bringing it to the Internet where it can have world-wide impact.Personal Evangelism
Among Roman CatholicsIn 2007 we received this most welcome note from Mike Hewlett: I casually knew Aniceto during the last few years of his life. He was a wonderful man. I have posted his obituary below for your information.
Aniceto M. Sparagna
Date of Notice: Saturday, January 10, 2004Aniceto M. Sparagna, 90, of Tabernacle, passed away Thursday, January 8, 2004 at home. Born in Minturno, Italy, he was a most devoted citizen of the United States. Aniceto resided in Tabernacle for 52 years. He was a minister of the Church of Christ in Collingswood, Hammonton & Waterford He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Viola (nee Cutts) Sparagna; 1 nephew, Francesco Brunetti & family in Marino di Minturno, Italy. Relatives and friends may call on Monday, January 12, 2004 from 6-8 PM at the Mathis Funeral Home, 58 N. Main St., Medford (609) 654-2439. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 at 10 AM at the Waterford Church of Christ, Pennington Ave., Waterford. Interment will follow in Junior Mechanics Cemetery, Tabernacle. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Aniceto’s memory to the Waterford Church of Christ, c/o 162 Carranza Rd., Tabernacle, NJ 08088.His home on Carranza Road in Tabernacle, NJ (23 miles SE of Philadelphia) was next door to the building for the Tabernacle congregation. His wife, Viola Cutts, was probably a 3rd generation resident of that area. Her ancestors were responsible for founding the Tabernacle congregation in 1914 -- believed to be the first congregation of the church in NJ. Many of her relatives still attend that congregation, including one of my dearest friends. I myself was a member there from 1984 through 1999, and it was during this time that I met Aniceto.To download: File (on top Browser bar) /Save; Switch to Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and repeat with each.
PRACTICAL AND DOCTRINAL SUGGESTIONS
OF HOW TO WIN CATHOLICS FOR CHRISTby ANICETO M. SPARAGNA
Evangelist of the Church of Christ
College Press, Joplin, Missouri
Dedicated to
Outstanding Gospel Preacher and Student of the Word of God through whom I was brought to the knowledge of the true church of Christ and to all those who firmly and boldly are striving for a complete return to New Testament Christianity all over the world.
RALPH V. GRAHAMPart One -- ROMAN CATHOLIC SOURCES OF AUTHORITY
1. ROMAN CATHOLIC BELIEF AND USE OF THE BIBLE
Official Teaching About the Bible
Jerome's Vulgate
Apocryphal Books
Is the Church Before the Bible?
Value of the Bible in Catholic Hands
Bible Reading Among Catholics
Points of Agreement and Disagreement2. PLACE OF TRADITION IN THE ROMAN CHURCH
Tradition Above Scripture
Meaning of Tradition
Testimony of the Scripture
Testimony of Christian Antiquity
Romanists Change the Meaning of Traditions
The Organs of Tradition
Catholic Meaning of Dogma
Bible and Fathers against Tradition3. THE ALL-SUFFICIENCY OF THE SCRIPTURES
Necessity of an Infallible Guide
Catholic Rule of Faith Human and Mutable
Catholic Difficulties Explained
The Bible as Final and Unchangeable Authority
Bible Proved by the Bible
Church Fathers Exalt ScripturePart Two -- THE HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE OF ROMANISM
4. FROM THE PRIMACY OF PETER TO THE SUPREMACY OF THE POPE
Origin of the Primacy
Peter's Primacy Examined
Was Peter Ever in Rome?
Peter and the Rock
Peter and the Keys
Peter and the Sheep
Peter's Primacy Unscriptural
Papal Supremacy, A Result of Tradition5. INFALLIBILITY OF THE POPE
Meaning of Infallibility
Infallibility Unscriptural
History Against Infallibility
Infallibility and the Vatican Council
Infallibility, A Contradictory Doctrine6. THE PRIESTHOOD OF THE ROMAN CHURCH
Meaning and Origin of Priesthood
Holy Orders
The Hierarchy at Work
Revenue of the Priests
Catholic Priesthood Unscriptural
ContentsPart Three -- OTHER TENETS AND DOGMAS OF THE ROMAN CHURCH
7. THE ROMAN DOGMA OF PURGATORY
Meaning of Purgatory
Existence of Purgatory
Apocryphal Foundation
Internal Contradiction
Contradiction with the Dogma of Purgatory
New Testament Testimony
Testimony of Tradition
Full Salvation in Christ8. THE DOCTRINE OF INDULGENCES
Nature of Indulgences
Different Kinds of Indulgences
Existence of Indulgences
No Scriptural Foundation
Results of Tradition
Against God's Plan of Pardon
Contradiction With Other Catholic Doctrines
Cause of Laziness and Tragic Abuses9. THE CATHOLIC MASS
Different Parts of the Mass
Doctrinal Content of the Mass
The Sacrifice of the Mass
The Miracle of Transubstantiation10. MARY'S PERPETUAL VIRGINITY
"Behold, A Virgin Shall Be with Child"
True Meaning of the Virgin Birth
Mary's Virginity After the Birth
The Brethren of Jesus11. THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF MARY
Fathers and Scholars Oppose Dogma
Testimony of the Popes
The Word of God12. THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY INTO HEAVEN
Doctrinal Meaning of Assumption
Justification for the Dogma
Assumption Contradicts Scripture
Assumption Against Tradition
Assumption Against Papal InfallibilityRight Attitude
Love For Humanity
Wisdom
Grace and Gentleness
Good ExampleA Word of Encouragement to Our Catholic Friends