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So, what you are saying is that for some 1500+ years ALL Christians, that is, ALL Catholics were "apostate"??

You're under the mistaken impression that there were only Roman Catholics for the first 1500+ years.

And no, that is not what I am saying. I believe (I know some) that there are genuine Christians among the Roman Catholic religion, just as there are genuine Christians among the Protestant denominations, perhaps even one or two Baptists lol ... but I also know that they did not become Christians by following the ordinances of the RCC, just as the Protestants did not become believers by reciting a prayer when they were 5.

They became believers in Christ by reading, hearing the scriptures and heeding the command to 'repent, believe, call on Him as Lord' ...

My, that IS a sweeping generalization and condemnation of BILLIONS of souls over 1500+ years.

And yet you would have no issue believing all the Jews have been lost since the time of Christ right?

Well, at least, dartuser, you are staying true to your "protesting" faith, whichever one of the 30,000 different "protesting" one it is.

There is only one faith ... as per Ephesians 4.5

If you read the entire context, you will see that the basis for unity here is truth. What truth? Doctrinal truth. Paul is telling us that these 7 truths about doctrine are the foundation that the apostles and prophets taught, that evangelists carry, that pastors and teachers today proclaim.

The purpose, to make us mature in Christ.

Do I believe there are Catholic Christians, yes. Do I believe they will ever become mature in the faith by remaining in the RCC, no.

So, what you are saying is that for some 1500+ years ALL Christians, that is, ALL Catholics were "apostate"?? You're under the mistaken impression that there were only Roman Catholics for the first 1500+ years. And no, that is not what I am saying. I believe (I know some) that there are genuine Christians among the Roman Catholic religion, just as there are genuine Christians among the Protestant denominations, perhaps even one or two Baptists lol ... but I also know that they did not become Christians by following the ordinances of the RCC, just as the Protestants did not become believers by reciting a prayer when they were 5. They became believers in Christ by reading, hearing the scriptures and heeding the command to 'repent, believe, call on Him as Lord' ... My, that IS a sweeping generalization and condemnation of BILLIONS of souls over 1500+ years. And yet you would have no issue believing all the Jews have been lost since the time of Christ right? Well, at least, dartuser, you are staying true to your "protesting" faith, whichever one of the 30,000 different "protesting" one it is. There is only one faith ... as per Ephesians 4.5 If you read the entire context, you will see that the basis for unity here is truth. What truth? Doctrinal truth. Paul is telling us that these 7 truths about doctrine are the foundation that the apostles and prophets taught, that evangelists carry, that pastors and teachers today proclaim. The purpose, to make us mature in Christ. Do I believe there are Catholic Christians, yes. Do I believe they will ever become mature in the faith by remaining in the RCC, no.

So YOU become the judge and jury of who will and won't become mature. Lol. The Catholic Church was around 1500 years before the Reformation. They will be around while the Protestants form another several thousand different denominations.

And that's okay with me. I look to God to sort it all out. He is, after all, the One who created our ability to diversify so much, as exemplified by the thousands of different Protestant denominations.

I put my trust in our Good Lord, as always. HE is the final judge.