[boatbums]

Thank you for the time and effort in composing this rebuttal. It was NOT in vain.

I think the issue with Roman Catholics is more than a disagreement over the "real presence" of Jesus in the Eucharist. The doctrine the RCC has developed over the centuries, and which gets tossed in the faces of non-Catholics regularly, is that only their "priests" have the valid authority to confect the Eucharist and, because of that, only the Roman Catholic church has the "fullness" of the Christian faith and can impart the sacramental infused grace necessary to attain salvation. It was the basis for the proclamation of Pope Boniface VIII in his Unam sanctam as well as the following (and others):

Pope Eugene IV's Cantate Domino, "The most Holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes and preaches that none of those existing outside the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews and heretics and schismatics, can have a share in life eternal; but that they will go into the "eternal fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels", unless before death they are joined with Her; and that so important is the unity of this ecclesiastical body that only those remaining within this unity can profit by the sacraments of the Church unto salvation, and they alone can receive an eternal recompense for their fasts, their almsgivings, their other works of Christian piety and the duties of a Christian soldier. No one, let his almsgiving be as great as it may, no one, even if he pour out his blood for the Name of Christ, can be saved, unless he remain within the bosom and the unity of the Catholic Church."

Pope Boniface I, Epistle 14.1: "It is clear that this Roman Church is to all churches throughout the world as the head is to the members, and that whoever separates himself from it becomes an exile from the Christian religion, since he ceases to belong to its fellowship."

Pope Pelagius II (578-590): "Consider the fact that whoever has not been in the peace and unity of the Church cannot have the Lord… Although given over to flames and fires, they burn, or, thrown to wild beasts, they lay down their lives, there will not be (for them) that crown of faith but the punishment of faithlessness… Such a one can be slain, he cannot be crowned… [If] slain outside the Church, he cannot attain the rewards of the Church" (Denzinger, 469). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extra_Ecclesiam_nulla_salus

They have used this issue to assert superiority and exclusivity and place all their "eggs" in this one basket, so to speak. It's not enough to concede Christians have liberty in those areas not specifically spelled out in Scripture as essential to the faith, instead, it is concluded that unless one receive the "proper" Eucharist - and that frequently - they have no chance for salvation. It isn't even a one-time thing - that confirming faith in Jesus Christ by partaking of the ordinance of the Lord's Supper imparts eternal life - but that it MUST be done on a consistent basis after a "good" confession is made first and no real assurance is given even then.

I rejoice in knowing that I am saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Thanks again for your work.

[Springfield Reformer]

I rejoice in knowing that I am saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Amen.

2Co 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

Peace,

SR

[daniel1212]

The doctrine the RCC has developed over the centuries, and which gets tossed in the faces of non-Catholics regularly, is that only their "priests" have the valid authority to confect the Eucharist and, because of that, only the Roman Catholic church has the "fullness" of the Christian faith and can impart the sacramental infused grace necessary to attain salvation. It was the basis for the proclamation of Pope Boniface VIII in his Unam sanctam as well as the following (and others):

Meaning only Rome has the authority to confect such wholly unScriptural nonsense that by literally consuming physical flesh and blood then one obtains spiritual life, which is nowhere seen in Scripture but is akin to some forms of pagan cannibalism

And it is obvious that Catholics do not manifest superior evidence of spiritual life over those who find life by consuming the assured word of God as Jeremiah did. (Jer. 15:16) May it be the joy and rejoicing of mine heart at all times.