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!
My daughter is fascinated with Old English. I’ve seen several texts and listened to youtube readings of the Lord’s Prayer.
Thank you. Google wasn’t my FRiend.
Why did the Religious leaders want Him put to death? They believed He was a sinner, the ultimate sin being when He said He was God. We know that is true, but to those who held to OT law, it was a sin worthy of death.
Love,
O2
And I’ll TTTTTAAAAAAGGGGGLLLLLLIIIIIINNNNNEEEEEE all I want, thank you very much.
Here is what you said first and which I questioned:
O2 : “So by OT law, Jesus WAS a sinner.”
Here is how you changed the subject and evaded a direct answer:
O2 : “Why did the Religious leaders want Him put to death?”
I don’t believe you are totally off base at all.
One of the first times my ministry partner and I talked doctrinal differences was on one of those points you mentioned. Her response? “It’s not in the Bible.”
I know several within our circle who have followed the path you chose and left the RCC. My ministry partner has not as yet chosen to do so, but she’s still young..
But then, so are you. ;-)
(I’m the oldguy..;-)
They wanted Him dead because he exposed them for what they were, elitists. They made rules and added laws that discouraged people. Jesus exposed them by eating with sinners and showing them the way to God. The Pharisees disdained Jesus for hanging around with sinners. It's all through the NT. He was ruining the Pharisees gig and publicly insulted them. They wanted Him gone. They baited Jesus looking for a way to be rid of him and they found it.
Thank you.
OMEGATOO!
You have stated on this thread...
“So by OT law, Jesus WAS a sinner.”
Do you intend to evade trying to justify such a blatantly erroneous (and blasphemous to Christians) statement? How can you expect to defend it with just your tagline promos?
Sincerely,
R2z
Those are the laws Jesus was born under and required to follow as a Jew. That was a law set down by God Himself and not part of the "add ons" by the Pharisees which are what they claimed Christ violated.
>>Jesus contradicted Old Testament laws on several occasions,<<
Not even one that was set down by God.
>>by not requiring the apostles to follow strict handwashing laws<<
Those which had been added by the Pharisees.
>>So by OT law, Jesus WAS a sinner.<<
No, He was not. The Pharisees had corrupted God's laws and it was those corruptions He was accused of breaking.
>>Because He really did say what he said and contradicted the OT.<<
But not what you think He said.
>>Why would He only want those to stay with Him who knew immediately that He was being figurative and not correct those who were upset because they mistakenly took Him literally?<<
He told us why in that same Chapter. Only those who the Father had given Him. "All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away." He also said "“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them,". Those who didn't stay had not been called by the Father.
>>Did He drive them away on purpose?<<
He surely knew they were not going to stay. 64Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”
>>Surely He knew that the concept of eating flesh and drinking blood was controversial.<<
He also knew that they knew the scriptures and that when Ezekiel and Jeremiah were told to "eat the scroll" it meant to internalize the word of God not eat the literal physical scroll.
>> and there is again no clear explanation in scripture to tell us which one is the absolute truth<<
There most certainly is. He said His words were "spirit" not literal. He also said the "flesh profits nothing". Twice He said His words were "spirit" rather than literal.
>>Not ‘a lamb’ but ‘The Lamb’ of God, the perfect sacrifice.<<
Surely you don't believe He was a literal physical sheep. Surely you don't expect a literal physical river of water to flow from you belly. Do you ever get hungry or thirsty? He also said those who "eat his flesh" will never get hungryu or thirsty and even said they would never die. Catholics still die every day.
Already done.
Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
: Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Oh yuck!! I’m so thankful to have been able to retire and not worry about those any more. Mine now are very, very simple. I remember those days. I owned my own businesses all my life and have the deepest sympathies for those going through that these days.
“’As the Father has sent Me, so I also send you’. When he had said this, he breathed upon them and said to them, ‘Recieve the Holy Spirit; whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.’” (John 20:21-22)
I have to call it a night. Have a good one.
Me too. Gone.
Probably the same ones who had to leave suddenly because their camel was double-parked.
Right after Jesus wrote the names of their mistresses in the dirt.
(My version of the story in John 8... ;-)
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