Hmmm. So much for not telling everyone they're wrong. I claim nothing about my denomination -- which is where the difference seems to lie. The Roman Catholic Church is a denomination not "The One True Church."
The One True Church is composed of Christians -- many may be Baptists, Presbyterians, Church of God, or even Catholic...
The authority I claim is God's inerrant, inspired word -- I know because that's what God said. It's simple. And again, that's where an issue lies with the Roman Catholic Church: they ADD to what God says you need in order to be saved. And that's blasphemy. The authority the RCC claims is the magisterium -- fallible men, fallible "tradition" -- and a habit of ignoring scripture.
As for who's right about things, let me ask you this: CCC 969 says that Mary provides salvation through her intercession. How does that square with God's inerrant, breathed-out word where he says:
"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." -- John 14:6
Hmm. NO ONE comes to the Father (salvation) EXCEPT THROUGH ME. God Incarnate said so. Why does the Roman Catholic Church say God is a liar? That's what they do when the teach blasphemy such as in CCC 969 where the claim is made that Mary occupies an intercessory and salvific office!
Further on in CCC 969, we read that one of Mary's titles is "mediatrix." But what does God say about that?
"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus," -- 1 Timothy 2:5
ONE mediator. Not two or three. ONE. Jesus. Not Mary. But why does the Roman Catholic Church TEACH that Mary is a mediatrix when God says there is ONE and that ONE is Jesus? Again, the implication here is that God is a liar and the RCC knows better. In fact, it's the RCC that lies.
The fact that it lies is borne out in just two verses of scripture that directly refute its blasphemous teaching. So how can the RCC be right?
The way to know is to look to the actual authority: God Almighty. Not a man-made church. I am a Christian, not a Catholicitan. That's how one knows. God says so. And he says so because He is God.
Hoss
When you start lining up roman catholicism with the Word the glaring differences begin to show.
Slow your roll Hoss. If your interpretation of Scripture is right and true, what does that say about someone, say a Baptist, who also believes their interpretation is right and true, but they disagree on the meaning of the passage?
This is the problem Luther had with Calvin, then Wesley had with others, and you end up with any number of denominations. Back to the question, how do YOU know you are right, and someone else isn’t?
That’s a huge problem with those who believe in there own personal interpretation of Scripture. With no single authority, who’s to know who’s right and who isn’t?
Another question, who has taught you all you “know “ about Catholicism? What reason do you have to believe them? Finally, you’re able to quote selected passages that support your beliefs. Are you intellectually willing to go deeper, understanding you may be wrong?
I can appreciate your sincerity, and the time spent studying your beliefs. However, many of the conclusions you have come to are wrong. If you are open to further study, but not through the lens of your current beliefs, but rather as a dispassionate observer, you may come to different conclusions. For example, I have no interest in becoming a Mormon, but I have spent time reading what they have written about themselves. I still don’t agree with their theology, but at least I have a better understanding of where they are coming from.
Just some things to think about.