The third option is not as previously mentioned. Revelations Chapter 2 and 3 say otherwise than to leave the holy catholic apostolic churches to join a denomination, sect, or fellowship originating out of the Protestant Reformation (which most posters will not even identify, with a few exceptions). He told us to repent, do works, and overcome/endure/persevere. There is no OSAS here. We better believe what the LORD Jesus said and the Apostle John wrote.
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Well why aren't you then??? John in his other letters says we Christians have overcome already...He also says we are saved right now...He says we WILL NOT come under condemnation...
If you can't reference ALL of scripture, you are wasting your time by cherry picking the verses you like because without the entire picture, you don't have a clue...
So, do you think any of us need to do any repenting? Go back to our first love? Do you ever ponder what this means?
You are really stuck on your holy catholic churches. How do you address the issue that the founding churches you claim to so tightly WERE SO FAR OFF TARGET? Do you think if they were off target, we could be also?
This is not an issue of Roman Catholic church vs protestant. WE are all off target and need to do some repenting. Claiming “I ate at your table and heard you in the streets”, or “I cast out demons in your name” does not get one into heaven. Or I am a Roman Catholic or Reformed I would not want to hang my hat on either............
John 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.