Posted on 07/26/2013 2:57:13 PM PDT by Alex Murphy
Question:
What would a baptized and confirmed Roman Catholic need to do in order to join the Orthodox Presbyterian Church?
Answer:
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 Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 5:18). If we can be of further assistance, just let us know!
With that, I have to agree. You couldn't have.
This is that deep down "turn the other cheek" philosophy in action. Talking the talk and walking the walk. There's no faking the sincerity there.
Oh my! And a great debate tactic to show ones grasp of scripture as well!
I can just feel the love. Makes me just want to Cut out 90% of my brain, swim the Tiber back into the loving arms of the Catholic metmom's heretical, apostate, store front, christian posser wannabe church.
“You are ok betting your salvation on a self authenticating document? Wow.”
What’s wrong with that? The Koran is poorly written fiction that gets facts and history wrong, stealing straight from the Bible. The Book of Mormon is poorly written fiction that has been changed more than 3,000 times, with Trinitarian verses being removed and replaced to satisfy Smith’s evolving views on the number of gods.
Only the Holy Scriptures have stood the test of time. And, certainly, Ignatius, Polycarp, and Irenaeus were all appealing to Holy Scripture in all of their teachings, and not on their own authority. They didn’t need a church council in the 1st and 2nd centuries to determine what was and wasn’t scripture, and considering just how heavily they quoted from virtually all of the New Testament as well, goes to show how widespread the scripture had circulated within a relatively short period of time.
At best, all your making is an argument that the Pharisees could have made, claiming that they created and compiled the Old Testament, when really it was Moses and the Prophets, and therefore they (the Pharisees) are the only ones who have the right to interpret scripture.
I'm glad we're not making this personal here. Just citing Scripture and using clear concise theological viewpoints to frame our responses in a non-hostile manner.
Thank you!
This is great to see Catholics high fiving and back slapping on a post that I won’t take the time to dismantle and give counter-points to. What’s the use? But I’m glad to see you two enjoying yourselves. Really I am. Too bad joe can’t join in the reindeer games.
“What does a Roman Catholic need to do to join the Orthodox Presbyterian Church?”
Lose one’s mind.
Embrace Satan and all his empty promises.
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I find your post somewhat risible and, possibly, alchohol-fueled(?).
But, leaving that aside, to which empty promises of Satan, specifically, do you refer, Professor?
My comments were meant for all who were using their version of Biblical ‘Truth’ as a sledge hammer against any who opposed their view. You received my comment because you mentioned Baptists and I recall their prohibition of dancing. Believe me, I found the comments of several others to certainly be more offensive.
You will of course chastise metmom for post #61.... Oh wait you can't because she isn't Catholic.
“This is great to see Catholics high fiving and back slapping on a post that I won’t take the time to dismantle and give counter-points to.”
Okiedokie. Whatever excuse makes you want to use.
“What’s the use?”
There’s isn’t any.
“But I’m glad to see you two enjoying yourselves. Really I am.”
Good. And we’re glad you’re glad.
“Too bad joe can’t join in the reindeer games.”
Well, it’s that nose. here’s something more your speed since you “won’t take the time to dismantle and give counter-points”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLSS_P1r-_8
So it looks like you believe in popes after all — and you’re it.
I am mystified when people claim that they are raised as Catholics and suddenly they discover Jesus and the bible and how much they love Jesus. While I rejoice with them for this revelation, I am perplexed by it.
I am Catholic and every time I enter a Catholic Church I have a sense of God’s presence there. It is the Holy Eucharist which causes me to have this feeling. And, as for Jesus, he is the center of my life and all my major life decisions revolved around pleasing Him.
That being said, for about 30 years, the RC Church was being led by many poorly trained priests, who were not infused with the necessity of deep, prayerful lives. Thankfully the problems caused by these less than holy men is now being corrected and the newer priests are way above and beyond those who were trained earlier. Even so, the RC church has had many good priests despite this lapse when liberalism infected the hierarchy of the church.
Post #61 seems harmless and agreeable to your viewpoint unless of course you suspect she was being facetious. In either case, she was neither unkind or name calling. Perhaps that post wasn’t the best example of what you meant?
Why do you believe the Bible is from God?
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1. Because, by conviction of the Holy Spirit, I believe the Bible, and it plainly claims to be “from God.”
2. Because it is from God.
3. Because powerful messages from men of God have warned me not to reject God’s Word.
4. Because some Church Council(s) somewhere in the past said it was the Word of God....? Not so much — although I am certainly glad they did recognize the Bible.
It was one of her modus operandi or personal attacks, been on the receiving end of them long enough.
I am PCA not OPC. We really love the Westminister confession of faith. Well written and clear. Thanks for posting.
Can you show me in my postings where I claim to be pope? I do not believe in popes or their assumed authority. Because I do not bow to the Catholic Church, you assume a falsehood about me.
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