You wrote:
“Baptism does not wash away our sins, belief in Christ does. Quote the scripture that says baptism washes away sin, please.”
Acts 22:16, 1 Peter 3:19-20.
“Baptism is symbolic of Christ dying and raising from the dead. Gettin baptized is a public observance of our conversion.”
No. Baptism is a sign of OUR dying with Christ and OUR rising with Him into a new life. That’s exactly what Colossians 2:12 says by the way.
“YOu said it yourself. Different churches battle over what the Bible says, so, in a nutshell, religion is divisive.”
No. False conclusions and opinions are divisive.
“Why would you need to minister to other believers?”
Why would I not?
Why not take it to the streets and minister there?”
I do.
“As far as believing the Bible being inspired by God, I take that on faith.”
Okay, but where in the Bible does it say that Matthew is inspired? How do you even know – according to the Bible alone – what books are supposed to be in the Bible? You really have no idea do you?
“I truly believe that the Catholic church is not where God wants me to be.”
I’m not surprised. I don’t think you’re open to the truth right now.
“FYI it is the Holy Spirit living within us that convicts us when we do something wrong. Hence the verse about grieving the Holy Spirit.”
I understand, but that doesn’t help in any way when you have to so-called Bible believing Protestants coming to opposite conclusions now does it?
“Let’s face it the only thing you’ve got to back up your argument is church doctrine. No scripture.”
Wrong. Deal with the verses I posted. Can you? You didn’t even know about Colossians 2:12 did you?
“Hello!! Some of Christ’s disciples were Jews, not Catholics.”
All of Christ’s faithful disciples were Catholics. Originally they were indeed Jews. Then they discovered the Messiah and believed in Him. Christ founded the Catholic Church for them.
“What makes you think I make up christianity as I go? Listen to yourself. Do you know haughtiness is one of the seven deadly sins? Just ask Lucifer.”
I don’t talk to Lucifer. Do you? Also, I am not being haughty, just truthful. And if you have enough courage to admit you didn’t about or didn’t remember that Colossians verse then you would have to admit you made up an idea or adopted an idea that was untrue.
“They condemn pedophilia? Right.”
The Church has always condemned sexual sin.
“What do they do when sexual abuse happens, they cart him off to another church to do some more damage there.”
The Church does no such thing – but some bishops did. I do not make the mistake of confusing the Church with a relative handful of bishops who defied Church teaching and practice. You, however, make that mistake just as you write “they” when we are not talking about a plural. The Church is singular.
“This mentality is unacceptable. They should strip him of his title, and file criminal charges against him.”
The Church cannot file criminal charges against anyone. It is not the civil or criminal law. And all priests who have committed such sins are in fact stripped of their positions.
“Look at how much it cost the church, monetarily speaking, all the lawsuits, and it all could have been avoided.”
Absolutely. But men sin. The Church doesn’t.
“You don’t send an alcoholic to tend bar anymore than commonsense tells you to put a pedophile with children.”
I agree. You also don’t confuse the Church – which is the immaculate bride of Christ. Are you familiar with Ephesians 5: 25-27?
“The church is responsible for the Priests actions.”
No. Some bishops and the priests themselves are responsible. The Church did nothing wrong.
“Again with the dig about my christianity. I’m willing to bet my husband’s pay that you don’t win too many to Christ.”
Oh, you’d be very surprised. Also, stating the truth about your approach to Christianity is not a dig.
“So it’s okay for me to read the Bible? Goody, goody. I know, it’s a last resort (smothered in sarcasm)reading that pesky Bible, and me, a commoner at that. Well, I think that if the Caltholic church can skew the scriptures to their way of thinking and try and justify their way of believing, so can I. How dare you question my faith.”
I never once questioned your faith. Feel free to attack what I say, but at least attack what I actually say and not just make things up. I NEVER questioned your faith.
“Be careful, God has a thing about a prideful person, He might just take you down a peg or two or three.”
God might take me down for many things. I am a sinner as are you and all the rest here. I have no doubt that I am a sinner. Why do you act as if you aren’t one too?
“I just had an epiphany. I now know why you think I need the Catholic church, more money to pay for all those lawsuits you’ve got going from all those pedophiles. See what it’s like to have someone bring your integrity into question.”
Where are you getting these bizarre ideas? I do not remember calling into question your integrity. What I did do was point out your mistakes. Did I even use the word integrity anywhere with you? In what post? Also, your bizarre idea of joining the Church to only pay off lawsuits is exactly that bizarre. Guess how much I’ve had to pay off into lawsuits since this whole crisis came to light in the MSM? Zilch. There have been zero lawsuits in my diocese. ZERO. It alls depends on the bishop. We have good ones. They follow Church teaching. ZERO cases. ZERO lawsuits since all this opened and before that I don’t know because I didn’t live here.
“Only applying what would be comfortable for me, is that right?”
Yes.
“Then I’m doing something wrong because my life is less than comfortable, but then I guess you know better than I, since you are all knowing.”
Okay, let’s try these on for size: birth control. The Bible – according to all Christians before modern times – said it was wrong. What’s your stance? Divorce and remarriage? Jesus condemns it. And you? Celibacy? Jesus commends it (did you even know that?). How about you? Oh, and how about the real toughies for you: obedience to the Church. What’s the Bible say about that?
You are certifiable. I definitely don’t ever want to darken the doors of any Catholic church. False conclusions and opinions are what church doctrines are all about. Why minister to someone who’s already saved? Honey, the Catholic church is the last place I want to be, especially if you’re there. What’s that saying? They’re so holier-than-thou, they’re no earthly good.
You don’t like Bible believing Protestants? Do you have anything nice to say about any “bible believing” non- catholics?
A Jew will always be a Jew. No matter how you slice it. They are called Messianic (sp?) Jews, you know, christian Jews. I’ll tell you a little secret.....Jesus was a Jew.
Being that I got most of my church time in a conservative baptist church, yes I have read Colossians.
Christ founded the Catholic church for his, former Jewish, but now Catholic, disciples? You are now starting to scare me.
When the church knew someone was sexually indiscreet and moved him to another parish or church, they turned a blind eye to it. When they are in a position of leadership in the church they have an obligation to take care of their flock. Did they have any idea how much that grieved God?
What you must realize is WE are the church and yes, we do sin. Thank God that Christ’s blood washes away those sins.
The church I’m talking about is the organized religion, not Christ’s church. We are holy and blameless after our conversion. The organized church is accountable for the actions of their agents, that’s why the Bible is very specific as to the qualifications of elders, deacons,teachers and so on.
You did question my faith when you called me a lone ranger and told me I made up my christianity as I go. You don’t have to be a Priest to read the Bible anymore.....most of us are literate now.
The only thing I’ve said to Satan is you lose. Christ defeated him.
I still stand firm that baptism is symbolic, but whether I’ve been baptized or not will not prevent me from entering Heaven.
You brought into question my faith when you said “true believers are catholic”. And I do most certainly know I’m a sinner and Jesus is my Savior. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Your tithing goes into the coffer and your money goes wherever it’s needed, i.e. lawsuits. Don’t kid yourself.
Do you know me? No. Then how can you say I only apply what’s comfortable for me? That’s rather presumptive of you, isn’t it?
I don’t practice birth control. I have been married for eighteen and a half years, and not all of it fun either. Not that it’s any of your business but I was a 31 yr old virgin when I met my husband. I didn’t have any problems waiting for the right person. Birth control or did you mean abortion? I’ve had two ectopic pregnancies and by medical terms I had what they called a therapeutic abortion (surgery). I was devastated both times because of my stance on abortion. God did bless me with a son in between these other times, so I feel richly blessed. He’s sixteen and a half years old and homeschooled, I had to save him from their brainwashing.
I am obedient to Christ’s Church. It’s not near as hard being obedient to God as it is being civil to you when you make those smarmy comments. Now I know, firsthand, why people critize the Catholics. Your religion ranks right up there with Mormonism.....pssst, that wasn’t a compliment. Anyway, take care and God bless.