Posted on 02/23/2015 9:53:14 AM PST by Gamecock
Question: "I am a Catholic. Why should I consider becoming a Christian?"
Answer: First, please understand that we intend no offense in the wording of this question. We genuinely receive questions, from Catholics, along the lines of “What is the difference between Catholics and Christians?” In face-to-face conversations with Catholics, we have literally heard, “I am not a Christian, I am Catholic.” To many Catholics, the terms “Christian” and “Protestant” are synonymous. With all that said, the intent of this article is that Catholics would study what the Bible says about being a Christian and would perhaps consider that the Catholic faith is not the best representation of what the Bible describes. As a background, please read our article on “What is a Christian?”
A key distinction between Catholics and Christians is the view of the Bible. Catholics view the Bible as having equal authority with the Church and tradition. Christians view the Bible as the supreme authority for faith and practice. The question is, how does the Bible present itself? Second Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” This text tells us that Scripture is not “just the beginning,” or “just the basics,” or the “foundation for a more complete church tradition.” On the contrary, Scripture is perfectly and fully sufficient for everything in the Christian life. Scripture can teach us, rebuke us, correct us, train us, and equip us. “Bible Christians” do not deny the value of church tradition. Rather, Christians uphold that for a church tradition to be valid, it must be based on the clear teaching of Scripture and must be in full agreement with Scripture. Catholic friend, study the Word of God for yourself. In God’s Word you will find God’s description of, and intention for, His Church. Second Timothy 2:15 declares, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
A second key difference between Catholics and Bible Christians is the understanding of how we can approach God. Catholics tend to approach God through intermediaries, such as Mary or the saints. Christians approach God directly, offering prayers to no one other than God Himself. The Bible proclaims that we ourselves can approach God’s throne of grace with boldness (Hebrews 4:16). The Bible is perfectly clear that God desires us to pray to Him, to have communication with Him, to ask Him for the things we need (Philippians 4:6; Matthew 7:7-8; 1 John 5:14-15). There is no need for mediators or intermediaries, as Christ is our one and only mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), and both Christ and the Holy Spirit are already interceding on our behalf (Romans 8:26-27; Hebrews 7:25). Catholic friend, God loves you intimately and has provided an open door to direct communication through Jesus.
The most crucial difference between Catholics and Bible Christians is on the issue of salvation. Catholics view salvation almost entirely as a process, while Christians view salvation as both a completed status and a process. Catholics see themselves as “being saved,” while Christians view themselves as “having been saved.” First Corinthians 1:2 says, “To those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy.” The words “sanctified” and “holy” come from the same Greek root. This verse is declaring that Christians are both sanctified and called to be sanctified. The Bible presents salvation as a gift that is received the moment a person places faith in Jesus Christ as Savior (John 3:16). When a person receives Christ as Savior, he/she is justified (declared righteous – Romans 5:9), redeemed (rescued from slavery to sin – 1 Peter 1:18), reconciled (achieving peace with God – Romans 5:1), sanctified (set apart for God’s purposes – 1 Corinthians 6:11), and born again as a new creation (1 Peter 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Each of these is fully accomplished at the moment of salvation. Christians are then called to live out practically (called to be holy) what is already true positionally (sanctified).
The Catholic viewpoint is that salvation is received by faith, but then must be “maintained” by good works and participation in the Sacraments. Bible Christians do not deny the importance of good works or that Christ calls us to observe the ordinances in remembrance of Him and in obedience to Him. The difference is that Christians view these things as the result of salvation, not a requirement for salvation or a means of maintaining salvation. Salvation is an accomplished work, purchased by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ (1 John 2:2). God offers us salvation and assurance of salvation because Jesus’ sacrifice was fully, completely, and perfectly sufficient. If we receive God’s precious gift of salvation, we can know that we are saved. First John 5:13 declares, “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.”
We can know that we have eternal life, and we can have assurance of our salvation because of the greatness of Christ’s sacrifice. Christ’s sacrifice does not need to be re-offered or re-presented. Hebrews 7:27 says, “He sacrificed for their sins once for all when He offered Himself.” Hebrews 10:10 declares, “We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” First Peter 3:18 exclaims, “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice was absolutely and perfectly sufficient. Jesus declared on the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Jesus’ atoning sacrifice was the full payment for all of our sins (1 John 2:2). As a result, all of our sins are forgiven, and we are promised eternal life in heaven the moment we receive the gift God offers us – salvation through Jesus Christ (John 3:16).
Catholic friend, do you desire this “so great salvation” (Hebrews 2:6)? If so, all you must do is receive it (John 1:12) through faith (Romans 5:1). God loves us and offers us salvation as a gift (John 3:16). If we receive His grace, by faith, we have salvation as our eternal possession (Ephesians 2:8-9). Once saved, nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). Nothing can remove us from His hand (John 10:28-29). If you desire this salvation, if you desire to have all your sins forgiven, if you desire to have assurance of salvation, if you desire direct access to the God who loves you – receive it, and it is yours. This is the salvation that Jesus died to provide and that God offers as a gift.
If you have received Jesus Christ as Savior, by faith, because of what you have read here today, please let us know by clicking on the “I have accepted Christ today” button below. Welcome to the family of God! Welcome, Catholic friend, to the Christian life!
That would explain it. My choice of the source is the other perverse sicko subculture (aside from islam) : The pro-sodomy crowd.
I have told you .
YOU PEOPLE who claim to have a lock on the true religion or the true religion within a religion. I have encountered YOU PEOPLE among every religion and every sect of religion. Protestants fight among themselves and waste time judging who is really a Christian or really the right kind of Christian. Catholics do the same damn thing among themselves ... who is more Catholic than who (there are various sects with the Catholic religion as well. Have you not seen their fights here on FR as well?)
Meanwhile, Islam advances.
Thanks to YOU PEOPLE for nothing. Islam is getting a foothold in formerly Christian areas as people tire of and turn away from religion entirely because of all the infighting between YOU PEOPLE.
If you feel the need to ask this on a world-wide internet forum, you are in serious need of much mental health help...
You do not speak for me. YOU PEOPLE infect every religion and every sect of every religion.
Meanwhile, Islam advances. Enjoy.
Your response is still an evasion and still not an honest answer. Want to try posting it a fourth or a fifth time? Maybe something will change.
You appear shriller in your responses lately. Why?
Inflammatory comments are meant to receive responses like yours. Just ignore them.
I fear we have taken the bait. I'm done here.
Next to hydrogen, stupidity and ignorane are the most abundant things in the universe.
THAT POSTER ALMOST GOT REPORTED BY ME.
STILL MIGHT.
My post is very clear. I’ve been around enough of YOU PEOPLE for long enough in life to know what I’m dealing with. There is no winning. Your’re blind and irrational.
Meanwhile, Islam advances. Thanks a lot!
Wow. I thought Wayne was trying to help you out.
Or pretending to be Roman Catholics to discredit them, for whatever sicko personal reasons. I continue to maintain that at least 25% of the U.S. population is clinically insane...
So why do you believe that Catholics don’t accept or know Christ as the savior? Is it just ignorance? What makes your particular belief of how one should accept Christ right and everyone else wrong? Did you come to this conclusion without any influence by man or did you come to believe what your various pastors told you was the way based on their interpretations of the Bible? That would mean you follow a specific dogmatic belief rendered by mortal men.
I grew up a strict Catholic and I know very well the teachings of the church. I left them because their political views began to run contrary to mine. I found the same problems with every denomination I considered and if it wasn’t the politics it was the arrogant contention that if I didn’t believe their specific religious tenants then I would burn in hell.
I don’t need the Pope, John Calvin, my Quaker ancestors or any pastor tell me what I have to do to accept Christ and salvation and I don’t need them to remind me.
You want to follow any denomination then go for it; just don’t cut down and trash others who follow a different path to Christ and salvation. It makes you sound like a muslim talking about infidels.
Not by any Catholics I have known or heard of...
Maybe I misread his post? If so I apologize.
I read it as agreeing with Resettozero that I was referring to only to Protestants.
Sorry WayneS if I misread your comment.
We don't. We're very happy with our faith and particularly the sacraments and if truth be known, we feel just a little bit sorry for the insecurity of our enthusiastically evangelical Brethren. If they were really secure in their faith, they wouldn't feel the need to rail at us and if they really were filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, they'd be spreading the Gospel to nonbelievers and atheists and the like.
They don't though. They feel an nearly insurmountable desire to blather at length at us happy Catholics.
I can honestly say that I've never heard a single anti-Protestant sermon in the thousands of masses I've attended and to the contrary, I've heard many ecumenical sermons extolling unity among Christians and Jews.
It's just whistling into the wind but I genuinely hope that these folks find peace in their faith and quit the internecine bomb-throwing. It's embarrassing to themselves and a scandal to Christianity.
Very well said.
My experience is very much the same as yours.
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