Posted on 07/26/2013 2:57:13 PM PDT by Alex Murphy
Question:
What would a baptized and confirmed Roman Catholic need to do in order to join the Orthodox Presbyterian Church?
Answer:
Allow me to answer you question with a brief autobiographical anecdote. I was born, baptized, raised, confirmed, and educated in the Roman Catholic system. In fact, it was while I was at a Roman Catholic college (of all places) that I was converted by the grace of God. After realizing how different the teachings of the RCC are from Scripture, I joined with a Baptist church. And that church required that I be rebaptized as an adult. So, I went through that process and became a member. Several years later I came to understand the doctrine of the Bible as it was taught in Reformed churches like the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC). Joining them was quite easy. I went before the session (a group of men who are officers in the church) where they interviewed me to make sure I had a credible profession of faith in Jesus Christ. The following Sunday they put me before the congregation where I publicly professed my faith in Jesus Christ in the form of several membership vows. And that was it. I was a member!
So, being baptized and confirmed in the RCC is no big obstacle if you want to become a member of the OPC. As long as you have come to trust in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation, and you trust not in any of your works. When asked the question "What must I do to be saved?", the response of Paul and Silas was "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31), and that is still true today. What is important is to put your full trust in Jesus. If you have done that, if you have repented of your sin and trust in Jesus alone, you are welcomed into the fellowship of the OPC. There is no need to be re-baptized and there is no need to renounce your confirmation.
At this point I would strongly encourage you to seek out the pastor of a local OPC, and he can guide you through the details of the steps toward membership in the OPC. If you need assistance finding an OPC in your area, you can check out our Directory of Churches. May God bless you and may you "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 5:18). If we can be of further assistance, just let us know!
Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.
Because by their teaching they do.
//////////
The majority of them support abortion? Such a sweeping statement would be better supported with at least a modicum of documentation in the absence of which I say, “No sale.” I frankly think you are a bit of crank to make such an assertion sans the slightest citation. I know, you “did the research” years ago. Sorry: Again, no sale.
Of course, if you wish, you may continue to speak about abortion and birth control in the same discussion, but they are discrete topics, despite your somewhat obdurate insistence otherwise. (We are trying to focus on your volleys against Protestants regarding abortion, or so it had appeared earlier on.)
You obviously haven't seen my transformation on this site over the years. No, I'm not a "close-minded idiot". I have thoroughly researched the subject. I know the difference between fatalism and predestination and they are not the same. The whole idea of "free will" is a sham designed by Satan to make us think we can freely give ourselves over to God. I've acknowledged this false and prideful doctrine. The only thing I find idiotic is where people deny clear statements from our Lord like,
Joh_15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
Joh_15:19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
The whole bible is built upon the foundation of a "chosen" people called out to be a people set apart by God. And God tells us why:
If anything, I ask myself "What was I thinking?" not to have seen this before. But then, had I understood the election of God early in my Christian life, I would never have understood what a grave mistake I held for 33 years. You might say this post was predestined.
Excellent posting, sir. You have excelled yourself. Those who are not sent by God are sent by man (or the Despiser).
You wrote:
“You are being rude and crude.”
Actually, neither.
“There’s no need for acrimony in your postings.”
There’s no need for posting errors or lies yet Protestant anti-Catholic do it every day here.
“If you have such disdain for Protestants, why even bother to talk to us?”
Because you can learn - although it will probably take a supernatural act to make that happen.
” man_in_tx was being a gentleman about your rudeness but your reply reveals your true character.”
No, everything I post is true. If you don’t like it you can always stop reading.
you wrote:
“The majority of them support abortion?”
Yes, either intentionally of de facto.
“Such a sweeping statement would be better supported with at least a modicum of documentation in the absence of which I say, “No sale.””
Doesn’t matter what you say. What I wrote is true.
“I frankly think you are a bit of crank to make such an assertion sans the slightest citation.”
Doesn’t matter. What I wrote is true.
“I know, you “did the research” years ago. Sorry: Again, no sale.”
Again, doesn’t matter,
“Of course, if you wish, you may continue to speak about abortion and birth control in the same discussion, but they are discrete topics, despite your somewhat obdurate insistence otherwise.”
No, they are always linked and will always continue to be. The fact that you want them separated is exactly the same bad philosophy that leads to the de facto universal acceptance of abortion on some level by all Protestant sects.
“(We are trying to focus on your volleys against Protestants regarding abortion, or so it had appeared earlier on.)”
Irrelevant. Abortion and birth control are inseparable.
“
“As a Catholic, I do not feel I have any business stirring up strife among Reformed denominations. I will note that I have found many denominations, in my experience, to seem to be solidly pro-life: Assemblies of God, Evangelical Free Church in America, Missouri Synod Lutherans, Wisconsin Evangelical Synod Lutherans, Westminster Confession Presbyterians, many non-denominational Evangelical and Pentecostal Churches, as well as non-reformed Eastern Orthodox Churches, Mormons (other than Romney and a few individuals), and some Jehovah’s Witnesses, and also many Orthodox and Chassidic Jewish Congregations, some Conservative Jewish Congregations and even a few very pro-life atheists and agnostics.”
Mormons (other than Romney and a few individuals). You might want to re-think the Mormon stand on abortion.
“We have no revelation on abortion”Didn’t you assume Mormons were pro-life? That’s certainly the image their church attempts to broadcast, and most Mormons, in fact, mistakenly believe their church opposes abortion and regards it as an objective evil.
But not so. Indeed, the Mormon church accepts abortion for a number of reasons. The Church Handbook of Instructions, approved in September, 1998, states that abortion may be performed in the following circumstances: pregnancy resulting from rape or incest; a competent physician says the life or health of the mother is in serious jeopardy; or a competent physician says that the “fetus” has severe defects that will not allow the “baby” to survive beyond birth. In any case, the persons responsible must first consult with their church leader and receive God’s approval in prayer (156).
This same Handbook, the official policies of the Mormon church to be followed by all local church leaders throughout the world, also claims: “It is a fact that a child has life before birth. However, there is no direct revelation on when the spirit enters the body” (156). Previous teachings by former Mormon prophets referred to the unborn child as “a child,” “a baby,” a “human being,” and decried abortion as “killing,” “a grievous sin,” “a damnable practice.” Spencer W. Kimball, the prophet who died in 1985, taught, “We have repeatedly affirmed the position of the church in unalterably opposing all abortions” (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, 189).
It appears that this “unalterable” position, constantly “affirmed,” is just another in a series of doctrinal and moral teachings that Mormons have reworded, reworked, rescinded, or reneged—though never officially renounced. Such is the quality of the Mormon belief in “continuing revelation.” Don’t expect dogmatic or ethical consistency. Rather, look for expediency and conformity with “the times.”
A further statement in the Handbook says: “The church has not favored or opposed legislative proposals or public demonstrations concerning abortion (156).” While the Mormon prophet claims to speak the mind and will of God, he can neither figure out when the unborn child becomes human or if it is God’s desire that we protect the unborn unconditionally.
Your Mormon friend will offer the excuse that his church leaves many decisions to the free agency (free will) of its people, and that abortion is one such concern.
You might point out the irony in the fact that the Mormon church has no hesitation or uncertainty in making the following declarations:
1. “The church opposes gambling in any form” (including lotteries). Members are also urged to oppose legislation and government sponsorship of any form of gambling (Handbook, 150).
2. The church also opposes [correctly, of course] pornography in any form (158).
3. Church members are to reject all efforts to legally authorize or support same-sex unions (158).
There is no need for a member to pray for divine guidance or seek church approval for such activities, for there will be no divine or ecclesiastical finessing of morality to permit even an occasional bingo game. A prayerful game of poker, unrepented, will bar the member from the temple and ultimate salvation; a prayerful, by-the-book abortion, unrepented, won’t.
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/mormon-stumpers
Great post.
Yes, why are we fighting?
When we could be agreeing?
Why are we fighting and often bitterly so? We need each and every pro-lifer on board. It is all well and good to hold strong religious beliefs. Is it necessary that we engage in the never-ending food fight on a site primarily political.
Good words, BlackElk. Thank you for posting them on my thread.
They merely need to jump through the hoops placed before them.
A similar, quite important one is, "What MUST we do..."
John 6:28
Jesus gives HIS answer in the next verse - #29
The largest MORMON sect, based in Salt Lake City, is quite the same.
(I have no knowledge as to whether the lesser ones hound you in the same manner...)
You left out:
Pretend these were GOOD popes who did NOTHING that proves RC to be in error...
Pope Stephen VI (896–897), who had his predecessor Pope Formosus exhumed, tried, de-fingered, briefly reburied, and thrown in the Tiber.[1]
Pope John XII (955–964), who gave land to a mistress, murdered several people, and was killed by a man who caught him in bed with his wife.
Pope Benedict IX (1032–1044, 1045, 1047–1048), who "sold" the Papacy
Pope Boniface VIII (1294–1303), who is lampooned in Dante's Divine Comedy
Pope Urban VI (1378–1389), who complained that he did not hear enough screaming when Cardinals who had conspired against him were tortured.[2]
Pope Alexander VI (1492–1503), a Borgia, who was guilty of nepotism and whose unattended corpse swelled until it could barely fit in a coffin.[3]
Pope Leo X (1513–1521), a spendthrift member of the Medici family who once spent 1/7 of his predecessors' reserves on a single ceremony[4]
Pope Clement VII (1523–1534), also a Medici, whose power-politicking with France, Spain, and Germany got Rome sacked.
Dang!
He coudda been a POPE!
But; what if someone wants to follow SCRIPTURE???
|
Is Peter the 'rock'?
As you can see, Simon was already known as 'Peter'
BEFORE the following verses came along.....
NIV 1 Corinthians 10:4
and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. NIV Luke 6:48
He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. NIV Romans 9:33
As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." NIV 1 Peter 2:4-8
4. As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- 5. you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6. For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 7. Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone, " 8. and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message--which is also what they were destined for. But, since there WAS no NT at the time Christ spoke to Peter, just what DID Peter and the rest of the Disciples know about ROCKS??? NIV Genesis 49:24-25 24. But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, 25. because of your father's God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the deep that lies below, blessings of the breast and womb. NIV Numbers 20:8
"Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink." NIV Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. NIV Deuteronomy 32:15
Jeshurun grew fat and kicked; filled with food, he became heavy and sleek. He abandoned the God who made him and rejected the Rock his Savior. NIV Deuteronomy 32:18
You deserted the Rock, who fathered you; you forgot the God who gave you birth. NIV Deuteronomy 32:30-31
30. How could one man chase a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up? 31. For their rock is not like our Rock, as even our enemies concede. NIV 1 Samuel 2:2
"There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. NIV 2 Samuel 22:2-3
2. He said: "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; 3. my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior-- from violent men you save me. NIV 2 Samuel 22:32
For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? NIV 2 Samuel 22:47
"The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior! NIV 2 Samuel 23:3-4
3. The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: `When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, 4. he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.' NIV Psalms 18:2
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. NIV Psalms 18:31
For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? NIV Psalms 18:46
The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior! NIV Psalms 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. NIV Psalms 28:1
To you I call, O LORD my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit.
NIV Psalms 31:2-3
2. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. 3. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. NIV Psalms 42:9
I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?" NIV Psalms 62:2
He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. NIV Psalms 62:6
He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. NIV Psalms 62:7
My salvation and my honor depend on God ; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. NIV Psalms 71:3
Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. NIV Psalms 78:35
They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. NIV Psalms 89:26
He will call out to me, `You are my Father, my God, the Rock my Savior.' NIV Psalms 92:14-15
14. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, 15. proclaiming, "The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him." NIV Psalms 95:1
Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. NIV Psalms 144:1
Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. NIV Isaiah 17:10
You have forgotten God your Savior; you have not remembered the Rock, your fortress. NIV Isaiah 26:4
Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. NIV Isaiah 30:29
And you will sing as on the night you celebrate a holy festival; your hearts will rejoice as when people go up with flutes to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel. NIV Isaiah 44:8
Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one." NIV Habakkuk 1:12 O LORD, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, we will not die. O LORD, you have appointed them to execute judgment; O Rock, you have ordained them to punish. |
And now you know the Biblical position!
Does your pope know you talk this way to strangers?
You wrote:
“Pretend these were GOOD popes who did NOTHING that proves RC to be in error...”
I didn’t leave out anything. The existence of bad popes centuries ago do not disprove the truth of doctrines. If anything, they help to prove the truth of the teachings of the Church for those men did not act in accordance with those teachings yet the Church survived and thrived despite them.
Works the same if you merely change...
...on religion threads I see what appear to be MORMONs, using the non-christian cults to attack Christians and trying to confuse the MORMON theologies with Christianity, it seems pretty strange and it must be confusing to many Christians reading their posts; especially if they do NOT know their BIBLE very well.
(It's PROTESTantism's fault!)
Oh?
I've missed that.
Could you give me the reference, please?
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