Gald you didn't mention all of them..
If my brother won't listen to the Seventh Day Adventists, should I treat him as a pagan or tax collector?...etc etcAs they are all Christian denomination, within their memberships will be found a number of born again Christians how have been given the promise of salvation from God.
Are any of these "the church" that Christ founded? If not, why should I listen to them?
That is the body of Christ, as I posted in the post you replied to: "The church is the body of believers."
If there is a problem between individuals, scripture say the one sinned against should take it up with the one who did the sin.
If he listens, fine.
If he doesn't, take it up with him with a couple of witnesses present.
If he still doesn't listen, take it up with the church.
The "church" in this case if the congregation that they belong to.
Then if he doesn't listen, that is the time to treat him as a pagan or tax collector. [all the above taken from Matthew 18:15-17]
It does NOT mean take it up with the Catholic church, but the congegation where the members regularily meet.
Only the Catholic Church possesses a non-contradictory body of Teaching, and the Authority given by Christ to teach authoritatively.That is false statement.
As an example, years ago a Pope proclaimed that if any Catholic debates about Catholicism with someone that doesn't believe, he or she should be excommunicated. [you can find the exact quote from that Pope on this thread]
If that is true today, the Catholics debating on this thread would be candidates for excommunication.
If it is not true today, well there you have one example of Catholic contradictory teaching. (there are a lot more btw)
Don't worry though, there is room for any and all in the Body of Christ, His universal (that is what catholic means) church.
All it takes is being born again by believing on Jesus and asking him for salvation.
And just what does treating someone like a pagan or tax collector or sinner amount to?
Ostracizing them? Ex-communicating them and sending them to hell? Turning your nose up at them in the kind of smug superiority that Jesus condemned in the Pharisees?
How did Jesus treat tax collectors and sinners?
Catholicism is a very condemning and damning religion. Instead of reaching out and restoring them, they just claim the person ex-communicated themselves and let it go. Oh well.......
There are precious few real life Catholics I've ever met who didn't have an arrogant, superior to thou attitude.
Catholics do not debate issues of doctrine, dogma and faith here or anywhere else. A debate implies that the Truth is not eternal and absolute, but something to be determined by some kind of contest influenced by lies and judged by the fallible. Nothing any freeper, Catholic or otherwise, can or will post will change the Truth as proclaimed by God and His Church.
Peace be with you.