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!
Night. ;-)
And you know its the Holy Spirit answering because ... ?
There are many former Roman Catholic families in the Church I belong to, several ex-RCC members are in leadership positions.
Likewise, there are many former members of other Christian faiths in the Catholic Church of which I am a member, several of whom are in leadership positions. As a whole, they are much more fervent and dynamic than many cradle Catholics, and bring a whole new dimension to our faith family.
On the other hand, my sister and one of my daughters were raised Catholic and are now members of a Methodist church and a Christian church, respectively.
And then there’s my sister’s son, who was raised in her Methodist church, but has become a Catholic.
I have come to believe that there are many paths to Christ’s salvation, and each of us are called to find the path that best leads us to the salvation of our own soul.
And you know its the Holy Spirit answering because ... ?
A long daily talk with him will yearly much results. It is written come close to Me and I will come close to you.
There are many paths that can lead us to the one Way.
Christ will choose whoever believes in Him and follow His commandments.
And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matt 19:16-17
I think you’re trying to get me to say that I can recommend the way I “walked” to get me where I am now.
This is the last thing I would try to get anyone to say. In fact, it’s just the opposite.
I’ve posted this before, but I do not know if you’ve seen it.
My Mom and Dad grew up together as neighbors. My Dad was Catholic and my Mom was Methodist. Mom and Dad fell in love and got married, with Mom promising to raise any children they would have as Catholics, and she did. She was very involved as a school parent, transporting the nuns between the school and their mother house, being a school lunch lady, helping out at fish fries, but she also grew in her Methodist faith and lived and died as a devout Methodist.
Dad became very upset by many of the changes brought about by Vatican II and eventually stopped going to church. One day his dentist invited him to go on a Jesuit retreat with him, and that brought him back into the church, so much so that he became ordained as a Deacon.
Mom was very supportive of Dad in his faith journey. This was evidenced by the fact that a man could not become a deacon in the Catholic Church without the full support of his wife. Likewise, Dad fully supported Mom in her faith journey, and was very involved in her church, helping out at chicken dinners and other church functions, and even leading bible studies, being very careful not to insert Catholic teachings.
It got to the point that they joked that Mom was a Metholic and Dad was a Cathodist.
One day Dad told me something that had a profound impact on me. I told him that I was praying that Mom would become a Catholic like us. Dad told me not to pray for that. Instead, he said I should pray that I could become as good a Christian as Mom was.
Seeing this tolerance and respect that they had for each other’s religious beliefs makes it very difficult for me to see any Christian disparage another Christian’s beliefs.
You mentioned that in certain gatherings/fellowships of believers in Lord Jesus Christ, it is more likely that a person will have an encounter with Him than in other ritualized formats of religion. That is true, I have seen it with my sister and with my daughter. But it is also true that there are believers who have come into a close encounter with Our Lord in a more ritualized setting, as my nephew has.
I guess what I would like to see is for all of us to keep in mind what Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 3:21-23; Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your’s; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your’s; and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.
RESETTOZERO!
Of course I know that Jesus was not a sinner, but the Jewish leaders called Jesus a sinner and killed him because he didn’t follow the letter of their interpretation of the law. They were so immersed in their strict interpretations they were unable to open their eyes and see that Jesus was indeed God.
He also taught openly that His followers should eat His flesh and drink his blood. For anyone who was not God, teaching this would have been a direct violation of the law. But the OT prohibitions against blood were because the ‘blood is for the soul’, or taking the soul of whatever creature’s blood you consumed.
This is exactly the point of Communion as literal body and blood of Christ...becoming one with the body and soul of Christ. Jesus’ teaching this is not a violation of OT either, but its fulfillment, which is what we know Jesus to be.
Love, O2
>>>>tagline<<<<<<<
(the above reference to my tagline is independent of and not a substitution for any comments in the actual posts preceding. Thank you, The Management)
You haven’t answered my question about who gets to determine when Jesus is speaking figuratively and when He is speaking literally. Why should I trust your interpretation more than I trust mine?
There are some examples when it is clear, and there are some where it is not. ‘My words are spirit’ being one example. Are his words literally spirit? If so, are they always spirit, or are they just spirit in this particular instance? Is ‘spirit’ a synonym for ‘figurative?’ What about when He doesn’t say ‘My words are spirit’? Do we have to take what He says at that time literally?
Love, O2
I’m getting tired of the TAGLINE TAGLINE TAGLINE...lets get ‘er done!
You can trust whatever you want to trust. I trust that Christ did not eat blood as God commanded. I trust that when He said His words were spiritual and that the flesh didn't prophet anything He meant it. We spiritually internalize the word of God just as Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and John did when they were told to eat the scroll.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.