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To: PetroniusMaximus
It is a dangerous thing to put your faith in an institution. That is why Jesus left us a record of his teaching - so we can put our faith in his words.

Jesus said his Church would be "the light of the world." He then noted that "a city set on a hill cannot be hid" (Matt. 5:14). This means his Church is a visible organization. It must have characteristics that clearly identify it and that distinguish it from other churches. Jesus promised, "I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18). This means that his Church will never be destroyed and will never fall away from him. His Church will survive until his return.

Among the Christian churches, only the Catholic Church has existed since the time of Jesus. Every other Christian church is an offshoot of the Catholic Church.

Only the Catholic Church existed in the tenth century, in the fifth century, and in the first century, faithfully teaching the doctrines given by Christ to the apostles, omitting nothing.

The Catholic Church has existed for nearly 2,000 years, despite constant opposition from the world. This is testimony to the Church’s divine origin. It must be more than a merely human organization, especially considering that its human members— even some of its leaders—have been unwise, corrupt, or prone to heresy.

13 posted on 03/06/2004 11:50:45 PM PST by NYer (Ad Jesum per Mariam)
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To: NYer
Greetings NYer!

Putting aside the details about the Church upon which we disagree... (ex. I doubt you would credit Islams 1500 year existance as proof of its "divine origin" - nor would I.


...Would you argree with my proposition originally put to the Stickman that a person can convert to a Christian/Catholic/Protestant/Orthodox "religion" but not actually come to know Christ?

In other words, that a person can be the follower of a Christian religion, but not a true follower of Christ - and therefore, in the end, wind up in hell.

Would you agree that that can happen?


16 posted on 03/07/2004 1:22:46 PM PST by PetroniusMaximus
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