[Montana_Sam]

Your words state that Jesus did not leave His authority to “His Church” (whether that is what you meant, or not). In your account, Pentecost has no meaning. And the Church as Body of Christ, as taught by St. Paul, becomes merely the work of men.

And that cannot be. Jesus clearly says He is building a church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Jesus was called ‘Rabbi’ for a reason; He was a teacher, but more than that, He taught with authority.

As such he invested his authority in St. Peter, who became the Bishop of Rome, as is our Pope today.

[metmom]

Pentecost was not about authority.

It was about giving the church the power to do what Jesus commanded.

[RnMomof7]

Your words state that Jesus did not leave His authority to “His Church” (whether that is what you meant, or not). In your account, Pentecost has no meaning. And the Church as Body of Christ, as taught by St. Paul, becomes merely the work of men.

Pentecost was the time God gave the indwelling Holy Spirit to men. In the OT the Holy Spirit was on them,not in them( there was one exception, the man that designed the garments for the levitical priesthood). Remember David prayed that the Holy Spirit not be taken from him??

In the NT Jesus promised that he would send another comforter to those that were His and that He did on Pentecost..This comforter was to lead them into all truth, and convict them of sin, and He would never leave them ??.

The Holy Spirit is the life force in the believer.

You make the assumption that "the church"Christ speaks of is Rome.. nothing could be further from the truth

No where does Scripture tell us that the "authority of Christ " was given to Peter it was given to the church not Peter

No where in scripture is extraordinary "authority " given to Peter

[RnMomof7]

And that cannot be. Jesus clearly says He is building a church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Jesus was called ‘Rabbi’ for a reason; He was a teacher, but more than that, He taught with authority.

Gates are DEFENSIVE not offensive ...

As such he invested his authority in St. Peter, who became the Bishop of Rome, as is our Pope today.

Do you really believe that Jesus gave His divine authority away?

[Grateful2God]

Thank you! You spoke your truth well, much better than I! The most important point for me is, this is what I believe. I was away from the Church for awhile when I was young. I explored other denominations, other faiths, even had friendly acquaintances who were Born-Again Christians try to, for lack of a better word, recruit me. I looked at Eastern religions: I tried the route George Harrison took with meditation and still have a great respect for Buddhists and their ascetic lifestyle. My Mom told me she couldn't put Jesus in my heart (although I had never stopped believing in Him). My parents never pushed me to remain Catholic: I would have been obstinate back then. I even had some of the same gripes some express here in forum. If I had known about Messianic Jews, I would have tried to become one. Well, I'm going to be frank and mean no disrespect to anyone. I found over a period of several years that: 1. I couldn't renounce Jesus as the Messiah; 2. I couldn't believe that Yahweh was not the One True God; 3. I couldn't find myself with a group that claimed to love Jesus, but showed no respect for His Mother; 4. I couldn't reconcile the idea that people who committed sins as we all do, thought themselves incapable of sin and going to Heaven simply because they believed-and thought everyone else was going to hell but themselves. They'd pass by someone in the gutter, on the way out at night, but praise the Lord all day long. Not for me.

I went through a lot of bumps in the road, and it was a really difficult time in my life. I was hurt and angry and disillusioned on nearly everything in my life. There was a Mass for the repose of the soul of my Grandfather, and I went, simply out of respect for him. I sat alone, that is, I went separately from my parents- I went at the last minute and the only place to sit was in the choir loft. I sat down, and, as Mass began, I began to cry. I sobbed the whole time, because for the first time in years, I was at peace. I went home that day, and never looked back. I made a commitment to learn my Faith, and it has given me a joy and peace which are among the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. My time away taught me tolerance, and love and respect for what others genuinely believe.

One answer to all your questions: Yes!, I believe! I am a Catholic of the Roman Rite; I chose to be, was not pushed; I love my God on a One-to-one level, and through His Church! I've opened my heart to all of you to show why I believe as I do, as you ask questions of me regarding what I believe and why. I pray God all may come to Him in one way or another!

May all of us find joy and peace and all the Gifts and Fruits the Holy Spirit has to offer! May God bless all of you!

To sum it up:

An Act of Faith

O My God, I firmly believe

That Thou art one God in three Divine Persons,

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;

I believe that Thy Divine Son became man,

And died for our sins,

And that He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe these and all the truths

Which the Holy Catholic Church teaches,

Because Thou has revealed them.

Who canst neither deceive nor be deceived.

An Act of Hope

O My God, relying on Thy almighty power

And infinite mercy and promises,

I hope to obtain pardon of my sins,

The help of Thy grace, and life everlasting,

Through the merits of Jesus Christ,

My Lord and Redeemer.

An Act of Charity

O My God, I love Thee above all things,

With my whole heart and soul,

Because Thou art all-good and worthy of all love.

I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee.

I forgive all who have injured me,

And ask pardon of all whom I have injured.

AMEN!