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Muslims are Converting to Christianity in Record Numbers
National Catholic Register ^ | Patti Armstrong

Posted on 01/26/2018 1:04:07 PM PST by GoldenState_Rose

We are in a time of the first ever mass conversions of Muslims,” Father Mitch Pacwa SJ told me in a phone interview. “God is doing a mighty work among them.”

Pacwa said that mass conversions are happening even in very fundamentalist countries. There is rapidly growing number of conversions especially on the edges of the Muslim world in the western and southern parts of Africa, he said. “Africa is now growing predominantly Christian despite crackdowns,” Pacwa said.

Some of the noteworthy countries he mentioned include Iran, reported to have 3 million Christians, and Indonesia with reports of 2 million a year converting.

“In Mongolia, the president opened the country to Christians and there’s even an archbishop,” Pacwa said. “They built a Catholic school there too. If I was younger, I would have gone.” He said that the desire for a Western education was the impetus to open up the country to the Catholic Church.

There are even conversions happening in many strict Muslim countries, according to Pacwa. He did not want to go on record with particulars for fear of increased retribution. Mass conversions are also being reported among refugees that are filling up the Christian churches left empty by Europeans. Many wonder if those are authentic conversions or just a response to improving their chances for amnesty, but time will tell.

Signs of this conversion are showing up in the U.S. too, Pacwa said. “I was about to celebrate Mass at a Maronite church in San Diego and I said hi to a man who introduced himself as Achmad. I asked if he was a Christian. He said: ‘Yes, I was recently baptized.’ He said he from Morocco. Christians do not have the name Ahmad—that’s a form of Mohammad.”

(Excerpt) Read more at ncregister.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bornagain; catholicism; christ; christianity; conversions; convert; evangelism; god; holyspirit; islam; jesus; love; ministry; muslims; muslimsconverting; refugees; trinity
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To: fortes fortuna juvat
Actually the relevant question is what MUST you do to avoid LOSING your salvation.

It's not relevant because the born again/born from above believe does not lose his salvation.

He didn't do anything to get it or gain it in the first place, so he can't do anything to lose it.

321 posted on 01/27/2018 10:38:10 PM PST by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith..)
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To: fortes fortuna juvat; Mom MD
Well, enjoy thinking your salvation is assured while you can, because you may be in for a very rude discovery when you meet your Maker. Such presumption is very much advised against in your Bible.

Well, then, show us the verses that teach that such presumption is advised against.

322 posted on 01/27/2018 10:40:39 PM PST by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith..)
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To: fortes fortuna juvat; Mom MD
Well, enjoy thinking your salvation is assured while you can, because you may be in for a very rude discovery when you meet your Maker. Such presumption is very much advised against in your Bible.

And MomMD WILL enjoy her security and time in heaven.

I John 5:10-13 Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life./u>

Security of the believer

John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

John 6:37-39 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.

John 10:25-30 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.”

Romans 4:16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring-not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.

1 Corinthians 1:4-8 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you—so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

2 Corinthians 5:4-8 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Ephesians 1:13-14 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritanceuntil we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 2:13-14 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

Colossians 3:3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Hebrews 6:17-20 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Jude v24 "Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy"

1 John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3156607/posts?page=313#313

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

For which the Greek, from the Byzantine, is:

2Corinthians 1:21-22 ο δε βεβαιων ημας συν υμιν εις χριστον και χρισας ημας θεος ο και σφραγισαμενος ημας και δους τον αρραβωνα του πνευματος εν ταις καρδιαις ημων

The first word in bold above is “bebaion,” the idea of confirmation, frequently used in commercial settings to confirm a bargain. Which of course makes sense of the remaining terms used here, which are also elements of a secured contract.

The second word in bold above is “sphragisamenos,” being sealed is to be marked by the signature, signet ring, or other unique proof of identity, that we belong to God, and this sealing is done by God, who is the one taking action in this verse. We do not and cannot seal ourselves. We do not, by our own powers, have access to God’s “signet ring.”

The third bolded word above is “arrabona,” and indicates what we might loosely refer to as earnest money, but in Hebrew culture conveys more the idea of a pledge of covenant, a security given as a guarantee that the deal will go through, though we only receive part payment at the beginning. See ערב for the related Hebrew stem indicating “pledge.”

323 posted on 01/27/2018 10:43:15 PM PST by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith..)
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To: papertyger
My that all sounds very impressive until one considers how long Revisionist “scholars” we’re united in their agreement over the “petros, petras” nonsense.

I would hardly think it wise to call the Scripture breathed out by the Holy Spirit as *nonsense*.

324 posted on 01/27/2018 10:45:26 PM PST by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith..)
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To: fortes fortuna juvat; Mom MD
Well, enjoy thinking your salvation is assured while you can, because you may be in for a very rude discovery when you meet your Maker. Such presumption is very much advised against in your Bible. I, however, trust that because I live as Christ Himself taught us we should live, I can look forward to the reward Christ has promised.

How hypocritical!

Condemning others to hell for their assurance of salvation while claiming it for yourself.

325 posted on 01/27/2018 10:47:18 PM PST by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith..)
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To: af_vet_1981

Man cannot in and of himself bring forth any works that could attain salvation.

He does not have that capability wi5thin himself.


326 posted on 01/27/2018 10:48:58 PM PST by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith..)
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To: aMorePerfectUnion; fortes fortuna juvat

More hypocrisy on the part of Catholics.

Condemning us for our own personal interpretation of Scripture, and then asking for it above and beyond Scripture itself.

They ask us what we believe, and when we point them to Scripture, they disallow it.


327 posted on 01/27/2018 10:50:54 PM PST by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith..)
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To: MrKatykelly
Islam to Catholic, big improvement. Catholics don’t cut your head off, let’s start there.

Anymore.

However, whether the conversions are genuine remains to be seen.

328 posted on 01/27/2018 10:52:16 PM PST by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith..)
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To: Mark17

Pretty typical.

Get in late, leave early and as long as you hit the REQUIRED parts of the mass, you filled you obligation and were good to go.


329 posted on 01/27/2018 10:54:41 PM PST by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith..)
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To: ealgeone

Christianity is about a relationship with god. I don’t think god gives a hoot about denominations and institutions. I myself would never tell some one that they are not a christen because I disagree with there particular flavor because I just don’t know what is with in there heart.


330 posted on 01/27/2018 11:04:55 PM PST by PCPOET7
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To: metmom
Get in late, leave early and as long as you hit the REQUIRED parts of the mass, you filled you obligation and were good to go.

Yep. I was a bad catholic. At that time, I was told I could not do YOPIOS, and could not commit presumption, by having assurance of salvation.
After awhile, I decided that was bunk, and I do both now. 😇👍😀😆🇵🇭☘️

331 posted on 01/27/2018 11:41:50 PM PST by Mark17 (Genesis chapter 1 verse 1. In the beginning GOD....And the rest, as they say, is HIS-story)
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To: longfellowsmuse
Do you feel I need to comment on post number 265 since you spent so much time on it?

No.

Just let it sit there.

332 posted on 01/28/2018 3:25:59 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: narses
Your info filled rebuttals are always welcome.
333 posted on 01/28/2018 3:27:06 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: narses

I knew that if I continued to present the fact of Catholics ignoring the CLEAR words of Jesus; that SOMEONE would take the bait and post the official spin concerning just WHY they are allowed; nay - TAUGHT - to do so.


334 posted on 01/28/2018 3:29:08 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: narses

Come on; N...

You KNOW you’re just BURNIN’ to post yer cereal pix!


335 posted on 01/28/2018 3:30:06 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Mark17

They are still waiting for your return.

They have TIME on their side.


336 posted on 01/28/2018 3:32:34 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: metmom
I would hardly think it wise to call the Scripture breathed out by the Holy Spirit as *nonsense*.

We too sofistikated fer dat!

We now use words like Tourette to show how wise we is!!

--CAtholic_Wannabe_Dude(Hail Mary)

337 posted on 01/28/2018 3:35:00 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: metmom
Condemning others to hell for their assurance of salvation while claiming it for yourself.

HAve we gotten an answer from any of our FR Catholics on this yet?


"One indeed is the universal Church of the faithful, outside which no one at all is saved, in which the priest himself is the sacrifice, Jesus Christ, whose body and blood are truly contained in the sacrament of the altar under the species of bread and wine; the bread (changed) into His body by the divine power of transubstantiation, and the wine into the blood, so that to accomplish the mystery of unity we ourselves receive from His (nature) what He Himself received from ours."

--Pope Innocent III and Lateran Council IV (A.D. 1215)

338 posted on 01/28/2018 3:36:44 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: PCPOET7
... because I just don’t know what is with in there heart.

Matthew 12:36 KJV

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.



...or type on FR.

I can get a pretty good idea where folks are coming from and what they believe in their heart after reading what they type over a period of time.


 

Judge NOT???
 
 
Jesus has commanded us to judge!
 

"Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?... And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?... Do you not know that we shall judge angels?... How much more, things that pertain to this life?.. If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge ? (1 Corinthians 6:1-5).


Many commands of God require the exercise of righteous judgment.


"But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us" (2 Thessalonians 3:6).

"And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother" (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15).

"Teach and exhort these things. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wrangling of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself" (2 Timothy 6:2b-5).

"Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple" (Romans 16:17-18).


All these commands require the careful exercise of righteousness judgment. Do not be deceived by smooth words and flattering speech. Beware of wolves who come to you with a sheep's skin.

We must be careful not to make unqualified judgments. But we must judge appropriately when commanded to do so.


 "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."  (John 7:24).

339 posted on 01/28/2018 3:42:53 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: fortes fortuna juvat; ealgeone
You have it right, presumption is considered a sin in Catholic teaching, and rightly so since it is cited as a sin in the divinely inspired Holy Scriptures.

Where? Show us the Scripture that calls presumption a sin.

340 posted on 01/28/2018 5:06:41 AM PST by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith..)
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