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To: annalex
You want salvation, come to the Church Christ founded for that purpose. Regarding liturgical vestments, from the article:

That thief hanging beside Christ upon the Cross was 'saved' without ever entering a church.

Matthew 27:50 Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the spirit.

51 And, behold, the *VEIL* of the Temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent:

52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the *SAINTS* which slept arose,

53 And came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

At death Christ became anybody everybody who would intercessor directly to the Heavenly Father.... HE is the path to salvation and it was to be the churches job to teach this gospel NOT make them self that claimed vehicle to salvation.

18 posted on 01/21/2009 10:56:40 AM PST by Just mythoughts
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To: Just mythoughts
That thief hanging beside Christ upon the Cross was 'saved' without ever entering a church.

The Church did not begin her existence till the descent of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost (Acts 2). However, as a model of Catholic laity, the Good Thief is a fitting example: he repented of his sin, accepted his punishment, grew in virtue as he defended the innocently accused and defended the Lord against blasphemy, was baptized by his suffering, and asked Christ to bless him.

The story of the Good Thief serves another purpose as well: it shows that some people are prevented from receiving a baptism and can be saved extraordinarily. Likewise, if someone cannot receive the sacraments of the Church because of a physical impediment, the sacraments will be brought to him, or if for some reason that cannot be done either, he should not despair of his salvation in the Church despite the physical separation.

it was to be the churches job to teach this gospel

That is not the only job. The Church was told to proclaim the gospel and to baptize (Mark 16:15-16), to forgive sins (John 20:21-23), to offer the Holy Eucharist (Luke 22:19), to legislate supremely (Matthew 18:18), to correct heresies (Luke 22:31-32), and generally to guide people to salvation (Matthew 18:19).

21 posted on 01/21/2009 11:33:57 AM PST by annalex (http://www.catecheticsonline.com/CatenaAurea.php)
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To: Just mythoughts
HE is the path to salvation and it was to be the churches job to teach this gospel NOT make them self that claimed vehicle to salvation.

I think you are mistaken to interpret the Church to be saying that the Church is the vehicle to salvation. I challenge you to find anywhere in Church doctrine where it makes this statement -- official Church doctrine, mind you, in the Catechism, not some Catholic piping off somewhere.

The Catholic Church agrees that Christ is the means to salvation, and that His power to save is open to all, not only to Catholics. However, the Catholic Church is the only Church instituted directly by Christ, and for this reason is the only Church with the promise of infallibility. So, in comparison to any other institution, only the Catholic Church can claim objective truth in its interpretation of the Deposit of Faith, including the Bible. This is the result of the Holy Spirit, and not because of infallible men. On the contrary, in spite of the fallibility of Peter nad His successors, the Holy Spirit continues to instruct the Church infallibly. It is this teaching authority, as well as through the institution of the sacraments (baptism, confession, eucharist, etc), that the Catholic Church holds a special place and for which it has a special grace for guiding the faithful to salvation. This is different than saying the Church is the ONLY means to salvation. You are right that Christ is the only way. Indeed, He is.
79 posted on 01/23/2009 9:53:11 AM PST by bdeaner (The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? (1 Cor. 10:16))
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