Replies

“ So how long were you a Catholic and what (specifically) changed your beliefs?”

Cradle Catholic, altar boy. No priest abused me thankfully.

I read the Bible myself for the first time when I got to college.

I came to saving faith in Christ and assurance of salvation. What a joy to know God personally! And to know all my sins are forgiven! And to have assurance of salvation!

“You don’t indicate the basis for your beliefs, apparently protestant based on Luther and others.”

God’s Holy Word and The Wonderful Spirit to open my eyes.

No Luther, no Protestant, no Catholic.

“You seem very committed to your beliefs, but it apparent to me that they reject some of God’s truths and don’t agree with the Bible.”

That your opinion is that my beliefs don’t agree with the Bible does not surprise me. You are “rome-blind” as I used to be, but fir the grace of God.

I took almost 4 years in seminary, outlining every book in the Bible - verse by verse, chapter by chapter. Studied every single verse of every single book. Read more church history than I would ever want to again, studied theology and more importantly, the history of theology. And of course Greek and actual translation.

But there is no greater truth than this:

Salvation comes only by entrusting yourself to Him alone for the forgiveness of sin and to make you a new creation in Him.

No work, no church, no rituals, no saint, no angel, no scapular, nothing but simple saving faith in Him alone.

Best.

Thanks for your response. That is an impressive background.

You have indicated that your beliefs come from the Bible and your previous studies, but that you are not associated with the Catholic Church or any other church.

Can you explain some of your beliefs based on the Bible?

1, That faith alone is sufficient for salvation. That appears to be a belief of Martin Luther and protestant religion? Yes, Jesus told us that faith was necessary, but so was Baptism, keeping His commandments, Eucharist, etc so why do you exclude them when it is clearly comes from Jesus? What is your definition of faith?

2. That you have assurance of salvation. Does this mean everyone that says they have faith is assured of salvation or do they need to agree with your beliefs? Show me where there is absolute assurance rather than an opportunity when we die after God’s judgement? That also appears to be a protestant belief? Do you dispute that all will be judged by Jesus at the time of their death on whether they go to Heaven, or Hell?

So you disagree with Jesus on parts of the Bible?
1. Christ established His Church (Catholic Church)?
2. Jesus gave His Church the 7 Sacraments including the Eucharist.
3. That Jesus told us to do good works even greater. Mt 5:16 John 14:12

In Phil 3:;&-16, Paul renounces his religion of Judaism in favor of God’s gifts to us in Christ’s Church. Legal righteousness under the old covenant is not a saving righteousness because it does not depend from the inward grace of God. Divine righteousness which we receive through faith in Jesus Christ under the New Covenant. . The life of faith is like a race, where the prize of salvation has yet to be won since the completion is still in progress.

Your comment: “Salvation comes only by entrusting yourself to Him alone for the forgiveness of sin and to make you a new creation in Him.”

So if one with saving faith commits murder, adultery, etc (mortal sins) and dies in the act, are they saved?

What changed your animus toward the Catholic Church, the Mass and good works?

Your comment: “That your opinion is that my beliefs don’t agree with the Bible does not surprise me. You are “rome-blind” as I used to be, but fir the grace of God.”

That is your opinion. You have not convinced me that your beliefs are God’s Truth. If one can not convince someone that their beliefs are supported as God’s Truth and not just opinions. then why should anyone follow your beliefs?

God bless you.