[annalex]

on this point all of the Gospels agree: that it is Jesus Christ who baptizes us with the Holy Spirit:

Of course; however, the same baptism that gives you the fellowship of the Holy Ghost also defines the boundary of the Catholic Church. "We beleive in one baptism..."

[Alamo-Girl]

me: on this point all of the Gospels agree: that it is Jesus Christ who baptizes us with the Holy Spirit:

you: Of course; however, the same baptism that gives you the fellowship of the Holy Ghost also defines the boundary of the Catholic Church. "We beleive in one baptism..."

I am not anti-Catholic, dear annalex, I am pro-God.

Half of my family is Catholic - the entire family is Christian - and we will all be together in heaven.

But truly, if the Catholic Church is claiming that it has the authority to dispense the Holy Spirit to whom it chooses, or conversely to refuse the Holy Spirit to whom it chooses --- then the Church (not the members of it) is in deep, Spiritual, darkness on that point.

The Holy Spirit is God. The Church is not God. Jesus Christ who also is God, baptizes with the Holy Spirit. And the Father Himself, gives the Holy Spirit according to His own will:

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? - Luke 11:13

On the other hand, if the Catholic Church recognizes those who are outside of the "Catholic Church" but who are baptized with the Holy Spirit as part of the "universal church" - then it is not in deep, Spiritual, darkness.

So which is it?