Posted on 02/02/2011 10:04:55 AM PST by Alex Murphy
What would a baptized and confirmed Roman Catholic need to do in order to join the Orthodox Presbyterian Church?
Allow me to answer you question with a brief autobiographical anecdote. I was born, baptized, raised, confirmed, and educated in the Roman Catholic system. In fact, it was while I was at a Roman Catholic college (of all places) that I was converted by the grace of God. After realizing how different the teachings of the RCC are from Scripture, I joined with a Baptist church. And that church required that I be rebaptized as an adult. So, I went through that process and became a member. Several years later I came to understand the doctrine of the Bible as it was taught in Reformed churches like the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC). Joining them was quite easy. I went before the session (a group of men who are officers in the church) where they interviewed me to make sure I had a credible profession of faith in Jesus Christ. The following Sunday they put me before the congregation where I publicly professed my faith in Jesus Christ in the form of several membership vows. And that was it. I was a member!
So, being baptized and confirmed in the RCC is no big obstacle if you want to become a member of the OPC. As long as you have come to trust in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation, and you trust not in any of your works. When asked the question "What must I do to be saved?", the response of Paul and Silas was "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31), and that is still true today. What is important is to put your full trust in Jesus. If you have done that, if you have repented of your sin and trust in Jesus alone, you are welcomed into the fellowship of the OPC. There is no need to be re-baptized and there is no need to renounce your confirmation.
At this point I would strongly encourage you to seek out the pastor of a local OPC, and he can guide you through the details of the steps toward membership in the OPC. If you need assistance finding an OPC in your area, you can check out our Directory of Churches. May God bless you and may you "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 5:18). If we can be of further assistance, just let us know!
I said that the RCC and the Baptists are Christians, not that every cult that claims to be is.
Who makes that call - what is "nonessential"?
After all, the notion of losing one's salvation contradicts three of the Five Pillars of Reformed theology: unconditional election, irresistible grace and the perseverance of the saints.
Not in most Baptist Churches. In most Baptist Churches a profession of faith and Baptism as a believer is what is required. Does the RCC require an oath of loyalty to it?
Thanks for the answer! Interesting, I wouldn’t have expected that.
Thanks for the answer. That’s about what I’d expect—a profession of faith. Are there Baptist distinctives in this profession? Or is it generic stuff like I believe in Jesus Christ, the only Son of God?
Do Catholics require an oath of loyalty, not that I ever heard, but I was born Catholic so I didn’t go through that process formally. You have to make a profession of faith though.
Two are in formation from our parish. Not sure how may others are active or in formation in the other parishes in the area.
Incorrect - it is a religion that requires that you go to Mass every DAY. If you're not attending every day, you're doing far worse than just "skipping here and there" - you're missing church 86% of the time.
Don't get out much, do you?
ROFL!!!
Off topic posts never seem to bother protestants when protestants post them ...
Strictly based on the Scriptural model, but the individual professes Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in his own words. There is some variation from church to church because while Baptist churches may associate with one another they are independent. Thus you will find some that don't require Believers Baptism, but most will.
Do Catholics require an oath of loyalty, not that I ever heard,...
I ask because so much is made of trusting your church in all things.
That's false, Alex, and inexcusably so.
Now, Alex, you have NO EXCUSE for ever posting that error again. You know better. To knowingly post a falsehood is to lie; to lie about another person or group is to bear false witness against them. I feel quite certain, Alex, that you have heard the phrase "bear false witness" before ... and that you know it to be an act forbidden by God.
Thank you for the education. And for the record, how often do you personally attend Mass, AB?
To knowingly post a falsehood is to lie; to lie about another person or group is to bear false witness against them. I feel quite certain, Alex, that you have heard the phrase "bear false witness" before ... and that you know it to be an act forbidden by God.
Not only have I heard it before, I've quoted it at least a half-dozen times myself to the many anti-Protestant Catholics who frequent FR. I can think of a couple of times when I should have quoted it to a few more (one comment from a Catholic, following criticism of the Kennedy funeral, about how Protestants would honor Robert "Sheets" Byrd at his funeral comes to mind), but I was no doubt feeling charitable at the time.
Re-read my post. I was objecting to dishonesty, not irrelevance.
Also, please reconsider your use of negative generalizations directed at groups of people who hold creeds different from yours. It smacks of bigotry to do this.
You're welcome. If you want to know what the Church teaches (whether you agree with it or not), you can use that link to further your education.
And for the record, how often do you personally attend Mass, AB?
Is this thread about me? For the record, every Sunday, every "Holy Day of Obligation", and some other days as time and schedule permit.
I've quoted it at least a half-dozen times myself to the many anti-Protestant Catholics who frequent FR.
You might try quoting it to the anti-Catholic protestants who frequent FR. Police your own.
ROFL!!!
Considering the behaviour of certain "groups of people who hold creeds different from" mine, your comment seems pathetically misdirected.
A repeated failure to capitalize the word "Protestant" smacks of bigotry, too.
Why is it pathetic for me to politely request that you desist in directing bigotry at Protestants?
These types of articles make me want to cry. My first thought is always... but the Eucharist. A client of mine left the Catholic Church because the sermons bored her. We don’t go to mass to be entertained ... its the Eucharist and the sacraments. Oh how we need them!!
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