[boatbums]

Amen! I think what frustrates most of us is not just the constant reposting of the same dogmatic statements with the necessary rebuttals each time, but the overarching insistence that to ever believe otherwise than what they say is to not be a true Christian. I have never seen a "Protestant" (that's how we're identified) post anything yet that condemns anyone that has true faith in Jesus Christ as savior no matter what "label" they go by.

By "true faith", I mean the saving knowledge that Christ died for my sins and that by grace through faith, we are saved and not by our own works lest anyone should boast.

[Salvation]

**I have never seen a “Protestant” (that’s how we’re identified) post anything yet that condemns anyone that has true faith in Jesus Christ as savior no matter what “label” they go by. **

My goodness, where have you been? There are always Catholic bashing threads. In fact two were posted today. LOL!

[Bobsvainbabblings]

The thing that worries me most is how they believe a man can forgive their sins against God for God. I would like to believe God honors their trying.

 

Peter asked Jesus how many times he had to forgive a brother who sins against him. Jesus told him seventy times seven. That pretty much means anytime they ask. Somehow Peter being told to forgive sins committed against him by a brother translates into Peter being able to forgive that brother's sins against God.

 

Jesus went on to explain to him and us why you have to forgive those sins and the concept of binding and loosing in the same conversation. If you do not forgive, loose, a brother's sin when they ask, His Father cannot forgive your sins when you ask because they are bound.

 

Matthew 18:

²¹ Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
²² Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. ²³ Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. ²⁵ But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. ²⁶ The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ ²⁷ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
²⁸ “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ ²⁹ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet^[d] and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’^{[e] 30} And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. ³¹ So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. ³² Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. ³³ Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ ³⁴ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
³⁵ “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses

It worries me more that they think binding and loosing does not pertain to them, only priests. Nothing could be further from the truth when you read this passage. How many sins will God not be able to forgive because they have not been taught this truth to perpetuate the lie that only the apostles and their successors could forgive sins and bind and loose? BVB