“our brothers and sisters regardless of what they think of us. Well, Levinfan, I am surprised by this, because on this forum I’ve mostly seen various non-catholics saying we Catholics are not Christian, or saying we are demonic led etc. etc. One or two are even coolly speaking on this thread.”
I come from a charismatic background that still believes in the Gifts, so I understand how you feel about all that. We’re called holy-rollers and snake handlers. So I’m cautious about attacking any church. look at some of the attacks to me regarding my reliance on the bible. Try speaking in tongues in a Lutheran or Baptist church and see what happens. I understand even some Catholics now believe in the Gifts of the Spirit.
Catholics are also very good at attacking non-Catholics. Catholics tend to be big believers in the all powerful authority of the Catholics church. people find that offensive. You should read some of the attacks against us who won’t follow the Pope or Catholicism. We’re often told non-Catholics are going to Hell.
The pope is not the anti-Christ. My background and reading suggest that will be a Jew.(no, I’m not anti-jew) As for the great whore, I expect that to be a fly by night mega-church.
I have my own issues with Catholics traditions, like baby baptisms and how close many come to idol worship and multi-theism, regardless of how they dress it up.
Nothing saves but faith and relationship with Jesus. Not a million hail marys, or the Sinners Prayer. Many Protestants tell people “repeat this prayer and you are saved.” What is that, but a formula? The same thing they accused Catholics of. People just repeat a chant they don’t understand, then leave thinking that is all there is to salvation. The prayer isn’t wrong, but it is incomplete without understanding.
The church struggles with the world, not because we aren’t united behind on church, but because we war with each other. The early church had great division on many points of doctrine, like cercumcision. But they didn’t feed on each other like sharks..
I say teach as we each understand, and let the student decided. His salvation is in his hands only. None will be able to point to his teacher, “but he said thus.”
I don't know what would happen in a Lutheran or Baptist church so won't comment
If you do try speaking in tongues with me, I'll say this, that the Church holds that There are furthermore special graces, also called charisms after the Greek term used by St. Paul and meaning "favor," "gratuitous gift," "benefit."53 Whatever their character - sometimes it is extraordinary, such as the gift of miracles or of tongues - charisms are oriented toward sanctifying grace and are intended for the common good of the Church. They are at the service of charity which builds up the Church.54 -- we have always held that
I would also be initially sceptical - as I'm sure you would be, but i'm not going to dismiss it straight off as wrong or fake. That's the Catholic position -- that this is possible, you can believe or disbelieve but it's not a flat-out no.
Actually nothing saves us but God's grace.
Faith is how we accept this freely given grace of salvation. The relationship with Jesus is not the 'Jesus my home-boy' kind nor a personal God, but God in our community led by the High Priest, Jesus Christ.