Catholicism made me Protestant

First Things ^ | 9/11/2019 | Onsi A. Kamel

[Mom MD]

sounds to me like you have been give. permission. Along with all those other who have been baptized and confirmed catholic the founds the Truth of salvation by grace through faith alone.

[Albion Wilde]

a complete lack of understanding of Catholic teaching... Salvation is a complete gratuitous gift of God. The good works required are keeping one self from sin, or do you believe that one can remain in sin and still be saved by faith alone?

One cannot purify oneself to such a degree that one becomes sinless and therefore deserving of Salvation. All sin and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23), and sinful behavior continues in every individual throughout our lives, even though one may rid oneself of egregious outwardly visible sins. In one's heart are still moments of doubt, fear, envy, anger, lust and so on; and Jesus taught that these are sinful just as the outward acts may be. The gifts of grace, mercy and Salvation are so profound that we cannot even imagine, because we are undeserving and always will be. We are smaller than grains of sand in this vast universe only partially visible to us in the skies. Therefore it is only by faith in God's promises that we are saved, because there is nothing we can do to earn salvation. Compared to the unimaginable perfection of God, we are like filthy rags (Is 64:6).

That said, the Christian believer who surrenders his heart to Jesus and prays to be cleansed of sin will indeed begin to exhibit much improved behaviors and attitudes, and one of them of course is awareness that every act and word out of one's mouth is a choice on some level; so we discipline ourselves to learn self-control (I Cor 9:27). But the cleansing, while it may get off to a dramatic beginning, is not overnight and is never complete; therefore punishing effortfulness to stop sinning is like trying to lose 50 pounds or stop smoking by willpower alone—few achieve success this way. Congratulating oneself for keeping the sabbath, honoring one's parents and avoiding murder for awhile is pride; one inevitably falls into the silent sins of lust and covetousness in one's heart if we are honest with ourselves, if for no other reason than because God has given us the gifts of sex, perception, and talents. Flaying oneself because, although one has avoided outward sins, there are still these inward sins, is counterproductive—when the answer is to acknowledge these moral errors, pray and repent, being willing to do so for the multiple sins of every day—and wait on the Lord's outworking of mercy and relief, including a willingness to take one's just consquences.

One doesn't need an appointment, a confessor or a booth to confess to God. He hears our innermost thoughts. One can admit one's shortcomings while driving to work or doing the laundry, and ask to be cleansed of this or that sin. Healing and improved behavior may come quickly or may take a lifetime; but this is the call to circumcise one's heart.

[MHGinTN]

+1

[2nd amendment mama]

Yup! LOL

[Tell It Right]

Please read the entire chapter of Galatians 5. For example, verses 1-6 detail the topic of circumcision as it relates to salvation --- it doesn't (stated very clearly in verse 6).

That's Paul's way of reminding the Christians to not put too much stock in their works for salvation --- even works required by God in the Old Testament.

Yet Paul goes on in the later part of the chapter to say not to forget works altogether either. As you correctly point out that people who do those won't inherit the kingdom of God. And then he goes back to the circumcision-isn't-part-of-salvation argument in chapter 6.

So what does it all mean? I mean all of it together, not just a few verses here or there? I take it to mean:

1) Don't get caught up in works as far as salvation.

2) But don't think being saved by grace gives us license to live like we ain't saved. If we aren't believers enough to change our lives, then we need to question if we really are believes (and by extension aren't saved).

3) But Paul goes back to what I point out as point #1 -- actions still ain't enough to be saved.

Since Paul repeats that I'll repeat it too -- be careful not to put too much into works when it comes to salvation. Us Protestants also need to remember to live it like we mean it, but Catholics need to be weary of putting too much into works when it comes to salvation.

[Tell It Right]

I’m not following you. Where does that say Ignatius used apostolic succession to make the argument for the authority of the bishop?

[MHGinTN]

First let me be clear that I believe in once saved always saved. When GOD puts His Holy Spirit Seal upon the spirit of a believer they are a born from above creature thereafter. No thing not even the born again can remove HIS SEAL which HE placed upon their spirit.

Second, I referred you to the passages in Matthew 24 and Luke 21 because in those passages it is even more clear that Jesus refers to 'faithful to the end'. In Matthew 10 He is addressing The Disciples who will be the Apostles after His resurrection. He begins by telling them the same message found in Luke 21 and Matthew 24 regarding faithfulness to endure so they receive the reward not God's SEAL upon their spirits.

The enduring Jesus refers to is channeled to the soul via faith, not works. If you read Matthew 10 carefully, Jesus begins His teaching with the near future which the disciples will endure as they are proclaiming the Kingdom. Then Jesus shifts the focus more into the future when these same men will be proclaiming the Gospel of Grace not the Kingdom the Jews expected. And finally He makes reference to the very end as a message to us about enduring tot he end to receive the rewards. He is not admonishing them or us to endure in our strength but to apply our faith in HIM so that our faith channels HIS STRENGTH to our spirit and soul.

We can get this message by looking at what happens prior to this scene where HE is about to send them out to proclaim the Kingdom is at hand. The miracles He performed as recorded in Matthew 9 tell us these are illustrations of faith channeling Spiritual Power FROM GOD not the efforts of the disciples.

I would here refer you to Hebrews 11, the faith passage.

And finally:

40 “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

[infool7]

It suddenly strikes me that...

Catholicism is the worst form of Religion

except for all those other forms that

have been tried from time to time.

7

[MHGinTN]

Catholicism is not Christianity. It is another religion, not a flawed form of Christianity. You do well when you include Catholicism as one among many religions. Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship based upon the Righteousness of Christ Jesus imputed to ALL who believe in Him and have been born again, born from above, sealed by the Holy Spirit of God.

In the religion of Catholicism you must strive to obtain by faithfulness to the sacraments, eventually earning ... a trip through Gregory's purgatory and eventually into Heaven, perhaps by the assistance of the Catholic Mary.

Hebrews 11 explains the modus operendi of Christianity.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

Catholicism is the worst form of Religion except for all those other forms that

Except that Catholicism IS a compilation of the other forms.

From the Greek religion of a pantheon of gods, Catholicism has demigoddesses and demigods, the rituals, symbols, practices, etc., are simply syncretic paganism combined with Christianity.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

"You are still a Catholic. The marks of Baptism and Confirmation are on your soul.

.............

"Since you say that I'm still a Catholic since I was baptized and made my Confirmation as a child, can I then post on Catholic Caucus threads?

😂

[infool7]

I am sorry that you two are still so terribly confused and

continue to desperately flail about attempting to remain so.

The One True Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church founded by Christ Jesus
                                                                                                                            , that built Christendom(western civilization.)

          The Nicene Creed
          I believe in one God,
          the Father almighty,
          maker of heaven and earth,
          of all things visible and invisible.
+10 One God
          I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
          the Only Begotten Son of God,
          born of the Father before all ages.
+15 Christ Jesus
          God from God, Light from Light,
          true God from true God,
          begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
          through him all things were made.
+ 1 Consubstantial with the Father
          For us men and for our salvation
          he came down from heaven,
+ 1 For our salvation
           and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
          and became man.
+ 1 Virgin Birth
          For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
          he suffered death and was buried,
          and rose again on the third day
          in accordance with the Scriptures.
+10 Suffered, Died and Rose
          He ascended into heaven
          and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
+ 1 Ascended, Seated
          He will come again in glory
          to judge the living and the dead
          and his kingdom will have no end.
+10 Come Again in Glory to Judge
          I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
          who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
          who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
          who has spoken through the prophets.
+10 Holy Trinity
          I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
+10 One Visible Church
          I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
+ 1 One Baptism
          and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
          and the life of the world to come.
+10 Resurrection of the Dead

          The Ten Commandments:
          1. I am the LORD your God. You shall worship the Lord your God
              and Him only shall you serve.
          2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
          3. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.
          4. Honor your father and your mother.
          5. You shall not murder.
          6. You shall not commit adultery.
          7. You shall not steal.
          8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
          9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
          10.You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.
+10 The Ten Commandments

          The Greatest Commandment
          1. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy
               whole soul, and with thy whole mind, and with thy whole strength
          2. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
+ 2 The Greatest Commnadments

          The Seven Sacraments Catholic Church:
          1. Baptism.
          2. Eucharist.
          3. Confirmation.
          4. Reconciliation.
          5. Anointing of the sick.
          6. Marriage.(XY+XX, Till death do us part)
          7. Holy orders.
+ 7 The Seven Sacraments

          The Precepts of the Catholic Church:
          1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation
               and rest from servile labor.
          2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
          3. You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the
              Easter season.
          4. You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by
               the Church.
          5. You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.
+ 5 The Precepts

          The seven chief corporal works of mercy:
          1. To feed the hungry.
          2. To give drink to the thirsty.
          3. To clothe the naked.
          4. To visit the imprisoned.
          5. To shelter the homeless.
          6. To visit the sick.
          7. To bury the dead.
+ 7 Corporal Works

          The seven chief spiritual works of mercy:
          1. To admonish the sinner.
          2. To instruct the ignorant.
          3. To counsel the doubtful.
          4. To comfort the sorrowful.
          5. To bear wrongs patiently.
          6. To forgive all injuries.
          7. To pray for the living and the dead.
+ 7 Spiritual Works

          Pro-Life - From Conception Until Natural Death
+10 Pro-Life

          _____ How Catholic am I?
                                   >15 Praise God!
                                   16-87 Good Candidate for RCIA
                                   88-100 Impressive
                                   > 100 You are on the Way.

                                                            * Click the pic to learn how to say it in Latin

Sáncte Míchael Archángele,
Saint Michael the Archangel,
Sahn tay Me kale ark ann ja lay

defénde nos in proélio,
defend us in battle.
de fen day nos en pro leo

cóntra nequítiam et insídias diáboli ésto præsídium.
Be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil.
contra neh-queet ee um et in cid e ah s dee ob lay esto pray sid ee um

Ímperet ílli Déus,súpplices deprecámur:
May God rebuke him we humbly pray;
Im pair et ee lay Day-ews soup-lay-chase day-pray-che-more

tuque, prínceps milítiæ cæléstis,
O Prince of the Heavenly host
too quay pren-cheps may-lee-tea-a che-lace-tees

Sátanam aliósque spíritus malígnos,
Satan and all evil spirits
Say tan um ah lee o squeece spear ee toose mah ling nos

qui ad perditiónem animárum pervagántur in múndo,
who wander through the world for the ruin of souls
quee ard per dits ee own um ani mon um prev a gon tour en mundo

divína virtúte,
by the divine power of God,
day vee nay ver-toot-tay

in inférnum detrúde.
thrust into hell
en in fair num day-too-tay

Ámen.

Lord, keep us strong. Keep us bold and filled with love for our enemies and for all those who are troubled and in need of healing. Never allow us to hide or to be concerned for our own safety, but rather concerned only that your glorious and Holy Name bring healing and grace, conviction for our sins, repentance, and therefore mercy. Help us, Lord, to stay faithful, courageous, and bold no matter the threats, the hardships, the persecution, and even the ruthless attempts at suppression. May no one who looks at us conclude anything less than that we “have been with Jesus. -Dr. Mary Healy

Amen

7

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[Hebrews 11:6]

God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek HIM.

Hebrews 11:6 alert!

[MHGinTN]

As evidence of your darkness within, you keep posting a painted image of an Angel with a belly button. And you expect to be taken seriously?

[aMorePerfectUnion]

Been there, done that
was Roman Catholic - not my fault
Took time to study the Bible
came to saving faith in Christ
Holy Spirit spoke through God’s Word
I left Rome for Him
Had a hard time keeping upright - millions were pushing to leave with me from South America alone!
No more Perpetual Catholic Hamster Wheel of guilt and ritual
I know Christ
Have salvation and assurance of salvation
Have eternal security
Went to seminary
Outlined every book of the Bible, verse by verse
Learned Greek
Learned theology
It all confirmed what I already knew...

Salvation comes not through any church, but through entrusting yourself to Him alone, by faith, apart from ritual, church, works, etc.

Never regretted coming to Him for a millisecond

Would never go back to pagan Rome.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“you keep posting a painted image of an Angel with a belly button. And you expect to be taken seriously?”
.....

+1!

[infool7]

As evidence of your darkness within

Praying for you and all those

in the spiritual wilderness.

7

[infool7]

You seriously misunderstand\misinterpret\misrepresent Catholicism

some of the absurd things you mention

can only be of your own innovation.

I hope and pray that one day you can escape your delusions.

7

[MHGinTN]

Sooner than you could believe you will be commanded to take the mark of the beast. Even if thisevent is accompanief by images of the Catholic Mary, do not accept the mark.Repeat, Do not accept the mark, regardless. You are under strong delusion now. In that day It will be worse! Do not obey the beast.

[daniel1212]

Wow. 81 replies in about 3 hours. Must be a hot topic.