That is why we have adult water Baptism, to insure (as best we can) that the local church is composed of individual Christians.
The fact is that a local church well may be composed of unbelievers as well as believers.
You think everyone in a church is saved?
As for the Aramic nonsense, you had to go to that myth since even the Latin did not help you out with that verse. Are you going to explain the word "Kephas" or not?
Why do I need to explain 'Cephas' when that was not what was used in Matthew 16:18, Petros was used.
Since Petros is masculine and 'Petra' is neuter (upon this rock, I will build my church) Christ could not have been referring to Peter as being the 'Rock' upon which the church is built.
That is why Rome ran to the Aramic (having no gender) to state that the word in the 'original' was not Petros, but Cephas.
That Peter had a name in Aramic is not relevant to the question of what is being said in Matthew 16:18.
Peter states that the Rock is Christ (1Pe.2:8). Different context. Why are YOU calling Simon a rock?
I am not calling Simon a rock.
Literally his name (Petro) means 'a small stone', so maybe we should call him 'pebbles'.
Peter was part of that large Rock, which is Christ.
That was based on his confession of faith in Him. (Matthew 16:16)
The Church is built on Christ (1Cor.3:11) Does it say "but not Simon Peter"?
It doesn't have to, Peter states who the church is built on (1Pe.2:8) and never once does he point to himself as being that Rock.
He knew who the Rock was, you ought to listen to him and follow the real Rock, the Lord Jesus Christ, not the faker in Rome.
Salvation doesn't come from any organized church, salvation comes from the words of God (Rom.10:17, 1Pe.1:23). Salvation comes THROUGH the Church, not FROM the Church. You wouldn't have the Word of God, now, would you, without the Church?
The church did not give us the words of God, the Holy Spirit did.
He also gave us individual spiritual gifts that recognized the New Testament scriptures as being from Him.
Salvation gets you into the Church (spiritual body of Christ) but comes by the hearing and believing the words of God (1Thess. 2:13)
Amen, Paul did share the same Gospel as the Apostles, which was by Faith alone, in Christ alone. You have read the Scriptures through over and over and you believe that? Where does the Scripture say we are saved by faith ALONE? What nonsense.
Well, you must never have read Rom.4:5, Gal.2:16, Eph.2:8-9, Tit.3:5?
What part of 'without works' do you not understand?
A Roman Catholic appealing to the Book of Galatians! Why wouldn't I? It is inspired Scripture, just as much as any other book. It teaches Catholic Doctrine. I don't have problems with Galatians, when read in light of the Church's teachings.
It teaches anti-Catholic doctrine, it teaches Christian freedom in Christ, through faith alone.
The Galatians were going back to Jewish rituals to add to their faith, but were rebuked by Paul for doing so.
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another, but there be some that trouble you, and would prevert the gospel of Christ. But though we or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than we have preached unto you, let him be accursed....I do not frustrate the grace of God, for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain (Gal.1:7-8,2:21)
That last verse in chapter 2 came after Paul rebuked Peter for going back to the Law. (Gal.2:11) Regards
Likewise.
Most of the Protestants that I talk with here believe they are. Simply by being Calvinist, they know they are of the elect. And others? They speak the sinner's prayer 16 years ago, remembering it to the day as their day of eternal salvation. Thus, all of these Protestants consider themselves "saved". I do not know many Catholics who think that way...
That is why Rome ran to the Aramic (having no gender) to state that the word in the 'original' was not Petros, but Cephas.
Cephas means "rock" in Aramaic, correct? WHO IS CALLED CEPHAS in Scripture??? Jeez...
"Jesus appeared to Cephas and then to the twelve" Did Jesus appear to Himself in this passage? WHO ON EARTH WAS CEPHAS???
"and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship that we [should go] unto the Gentiles, and they unto the circumcision" Gal 2:9. Do you contend that James, Jesus, and John are whom Paul is speaking of?
Cephas is Peter is Simon. How can you be so confused? What does this have to do with some Roman conspiracy?
The church did not give us the words of God, the Holy Spirit did.
Keep going, you're on the right track...HOW did He give them to us?
What part of 'without works' do you not understand?
Listen. Don't be such a wise-guy. You aren't thinking very well. Slow down before you continue making ridiculous statements... Just because it says "we are saved by faith without works", that doesn't mean "we are saved by faith ALONE". The English language does NOT require "ALONE" in this case. Paul could very well mean "we are saved by faith without works of the law, but by faith AND LOVE". The ONLY thing Paul disqualifies is "works of the law", not love, not repentance, not ANYTHING BUT WORKS OF THE LAW. Sadly, that is how you read the Scriptures. You add your own words as you go. Read 1 Cor 13:3 and tell me all about faith alone... Paul NEVER says we are saved by faith alone. I hope that is clear now.
It teaches anti-Catholic doctrine, it teaches Christian freedom in Christ, through faith alone.
LOL! See above. Listen, if you want to engage in an intelligent conversation, I would be happy to do so. But you are going to have to drop the attitude and the condescension towards Catholics. I can read Scripture. I have read it. And I find Protestantism wanting on several major fronts. If you wish to discuss this, fine. But you better do better than above, because they aren't going to cut it. I got a lot of other things to do than refute these sloppy arguments.
Regards