We each have to decide for ourselves whether we are Catholic or not. However, just like Salvation, we cannot simply pronounce our Catholicity and have it be a fact. We have to live Catholic by being in Communion with the Church and its doctrines and dogmas. The Early Church Fathers knew this, preached this, taught this, wrote this and lived this. Those who oppose the Catholic Church at every turn and are openly hostile to its teachings are not Catholic.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter." - Matthew 7:21
RE: We have to live Catholic by being in Communion with the Church and its doctrines and dogmas. The Early Church Fathers knew this, preached this, taught this, wrote this and lived this. Those who oppose the Catholic Church at every turn and are openly hostile to its teachings are not Catholic.
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Let’s not equivocate on the word “church” once again.
The Roman Catholic Church’s teachings (be it by the Bishop or Pope ) ALSO have to be discerned and judged in the light of scripture. Opposition to what a Pope or Bishop proclaims does not automatically make one in opposition to the church of Christ.
Conversely, it is also possible to oppose Popes or Bishop AND BE IN OPPOSITION TO THE CHURCH OF CHRIST.
How does one judge then? Here’s the simple answer:
Every individual is required to study God’s word for himself and examine what he believes in light of what the church ( the church as founded by Christ and His word as taught by the apostles ) to see if what he believes is right or wrong.
The PLUMB LINE or the standard by which I compare my belief IS SCRIPTURE. If I follow what scripture teaches, I AM IN HARMONY with what the apostles and the early church taught.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” - Matthew 7:21
True. But the more important question is this -— how does one make sure that he does the will of the Father in heaven?
Here’s a simple answer — OBEY HIS WORD. And where do we find his word? Answer: SCRIPTURE.
And as I said to the other poster, whether an individual is in obedience is for God to decide, not anyone posting in this thread.