Posted on 01/18/2018 4:49:18 AM PST by Gamecock
Question: What is the OPC's policy on receiving former Roman Catholics, now Reformed, for membership? Must they notify their former church and receive permission from the Catholics before being allowed by the OPC to become a member of the denomination? Or would it be acceptable for them simply to cease attending the Roman Catholic Church and begin membership classes at the OPC congregation? What if the Roman Catholic Church told them they shouldn't?
Answer: Thanks for your question about membership in the OPC. I assume that you are describing yourself, "a former Roman Catholic, now Reformed."
One becomes a member of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church when the Session (the local elders and pastor) of a congregation receive you into membership. If someone is moving from another church into the OPC, the session will inquire as to your standing with that church. If the church is a church of "like faith and practice," then a letter of transfer will be very helpful. This is good practice. It enables churches to commend members to another congregation when, for example, someone relocates. It also enables churches to help uphold the valid discipline of one another.
If you have come to an understanding of the principles of the Reformation, then you will know that the Roman Catholic Church is not a church of "like faith and practice." You are correct in assuming the Roman Catholic Church would not encourage someone to join the OPC and would not issue such a letter of transfer.
I think you would find it very helpful to attend classes at an OPC congregation. The pastor and elders will be able to give you more guidance on this matter. I am unsure if you have already found an OPC. If we can help you any further, please do not hesitate to contact us or use the online Church Locator . For more information on the subject of membership please see the OPC Directory for Public Worship, section IV, D.
**One becomes a member of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church when the Session (the local elders and pastor) of a congregation receive you into membership.**
So the decision is all up to MEN, mere mortals?
Talk about an esoteric thread...
Membership, yes.
Scripture? No.
Eh. Most churches that have any actual beliefs to which one is expected to subscribe have guidelines for the reception of converts. Catholics have theirs and we (Orthodox) have ours.
The irony is beyond comprehension.
You're questioning the decision to grant someone church membership when your very own priests, also MEN, mere mortals, are claimed to have the power to send someone to hell by not remitting their sin?
You all seem to have no problem with THAT kind of power in the hands of men, and yet criticize about simple church membership?
The hypocrisy is staggering.
So tell us, who in the Catholic church determines if someone is admitted in membership as a Catholic, if not MEN, mere mortals?
Well, the priests are part of the One True Church (TM), don’tcha know. So that means that they’re special.
In an RCIA class, the adults in the class make their own decisions about whether to join the Catholic Church. It is totally their choice.
Other men or women have nothing to do with their decision other than offering further education.
And the Catholic church has to abide by their decision?
The church has no say in the matter?
Yes.
I'm glad I helped clarify that for you.
Don't they have to at LEAST get a passing grade from catechism classes??
Based on how many times we've been told about "poorly catechized" Roman Catholics you gotta wonder what the requirements are.
Just like Peter and the disciples conducted....oh wait.
37Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” 38Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:37-38 NASB
Membership in the VISIBLE CHURCH, yes.
The INVISIBLE CHURCH, no.
“just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world” Ephesians 1:4
👍😇
It’s their own decision/discernment. A lot of prayers to the Holy Spirit for each individual’s guidance are prayed.
It is the discernment of the candidate or catechumen.
And again, the Catholic church has no say in it, right?
If the person decides to join, then the Catholic church can’t refuse him, right?
And about that problem you seem to have about men deciding on simple church membership.....
You don’t seem to have a problem with MEN, mere mortals, being able to have the power to (allegedly) retain someone’s sins and thus send them to hell. Why not?
I’d consider that a bit more serious than church membership.
Don’t you?
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