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!
Catholics are Christians. In fact the first followers of Christ were Catholics. Christ established his Church on the apostles, the first Bishops.
There is much you believe that is not so. However, you are so passionate in your delivery that you fail to see the beam in your own argument. May God bless you and open your eyes.
I agree, but for some here any belief not in keeping with what their denomination teaches is not believing in Christ.
How they accept Christ, through a church, through their own contemplation and understanding of Christ, with or without public proclamation to others is what is being questioned here. Questioned to the point where some are saying that Catholics or some other denomination that is not their own don’t believe in Christ or are never going to be saved because they don’t follow their dogma. God determines who is saved or not and you won’t know his decision until you face him.
Deriding the belief in Christ of other denominations because they follow a different path to salvation is ignorant and arrogant and certainly not in keeping with the teachings of Christ.
Sounds like you and I have walked similar pathways. I found myself alone away from home on vacation amongst non-denominational charismatic young believers who just wanted to show me what Jesus is like and had just met Him themselves. But that’s ancient history.
“Deriding the belief in Christ of other denominations because they follow a different path to salvation is ignorant and arrogant and certainly not in keeping with the teachings of Christ”
I have always found Jesus’ corrections of His disciples’ errors particularly illuminating. Jesus dealt with denominationalism directly in Mark 9:38-42, too bad so many of His followers can’t take it to heart.
Did you read Jim’s post?
Jesus was born under and had to abide by those laws or He would have been sinning. Matthew 5 only makes the Catholic case worse. In Matthew 5 Jesus was talking to the Jews who thought the law would save them. He was showing how utterly impossible it was to abide by the letter of the law. He came to “fulfil” he law. Not break the law. It would have been a sin to eat blood per His/God’s own words.
Mega dittos with all you said. I disagree with my Catholic friends on theological details and stuff that really none of us really know anyway. They are my brothers in Christ. I have never felt they were less a Christian because they are Catholic. I spent 20 years in the Catholic church myself.
Having said that there can be non-saved Christians in the pews of both Catholic and Protestant churches. It depends on their relationship with Christ and I am not privy to that.
Jesus was bound by a whole lot of laws that He technically broke, according to the Pharisees, and was put to death for them. Again, your argument is the same as those who condemned Christ in His day. Did He sin when He healed on the Sabbath? Did He sin when He drove the money changers out of the Temple (He wasn't the Chief Priest)? Did He sin when technically committed blasphemy at His Trial? No, no, and NO! HE IS GOD, the Author of the Law and He understood its underpinnings better than His accusers.
I have shown you why we are not to eat the blood of others... because the life is in the blood... and this is also why we ARE to eat the flesh of the Son of Man... so we will have life within us. You answer with invective. May God bless you and open your tightly shut eyes.
They were all Jews to whom the oracles of God were given. Please show the scripture that said they were bishops.
Easy... John 21:25.
Wayne, Unless I completely misunderstood the interactions between the three of you, I believe Lorianne was the one who misunderstood you/misread you, not Resettozero.
I didn't say he broke the Law. His contemporaries said He did because they didn't understand. Again, your arguments are like theirs who try to pin God down based on a misunderstanding of the Law.
It would have been a sin to eat blood per His/God’s own words.
It would also be a sin to commit blasphemy...
Not one that God set down. Only those which the Pharisees had added to or enhanced without God's sanction.
>>Again, your argument is the same as those who condemned Christ in His day.<<
No, it's not. I used what God handed down. They used what they added to what God handed down.
>>Did He sin when He healed on the Sabbath?<<
Christ did an adequate job of explaining that. Read it.
>>Did He sin when He drove the money changers out of the Temple (He wasn't the Chief Priest)?<<
Once again, I believe Jesus explained that quite adequately.
>>Did He sin when technically committed blasphemy at His Trial?<<
No, He did NOT "technically" commit blasphemy.
>>HE IS GOD, the Author of the Law<<
And as God He would never go against His own law. Ergo He neve ate real physical blood.
>>I have shown you why we are not to eat the blood of others... because the life is in the blood...<<
ALL blood both of sacrifices and animals for food was to be spilled on the ground as Christ's was on Calvary. NOT to be eaten. It was the information, God's word, which was contained on those scrolls and it is the information of God's word that is to be internalized not His physical blood.
It’s ok. Nothing goes unseen. :-)
1 Cor 11: 23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
Thanks for the correction.
That was so lame. That verse did NOT give carte blanc to make up what you like.
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