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Ask your friend if he even listen when the one lay person spoke.He quoted several verses from the OT about the real cause of the drought.Our need for repentance and the numerous instances of drought that were relieved in the OT when the people repented.

Remember a prayer to God the Father is just as effective as a prayer to Jesus.

Was he upset because the Bible verses were not all from the KJV?

I am a Stage IV colon cancer patient diagnosed a year ago and a life long Sothern Baptist.
The first few days after diagnosis death is on your mind.You plan your funeral and go through long “meetings with God” in other words you learn nabout real prayer and true Grace very fast.
God gave me the Islarelites in the wildernes.They had to gather their Manna each day.I have never prayed for healing but that cancer cells would be killed everyday.My cancer has not had one day of progession since I was told OCT 1st of last year I had a year to live.I operate with the believe God knows the day he will take me and he has promised to take away all fear.

From a secular standpoint statistics on cancer are obsolete.Targeted traments are coming fast and furious.This means they can point the chemo right at the cancer and avoiding killing good cells which reduces side effects and makes treatment more effective.Most Onocologist will tell you they believe cancer will be a chronic disease in 3 to 4 years

>So the good Cardinal Mahoney is saying there is salvation ouside the Catholic Church?? It’s a good thing he isn’t teaching catechism.<

Time to impeach the Pope since he said their was salvation through other Churches and community of Faiths.And it says the same thing on the Vatican Web sight.

Their is no official list of everyone on the mission.Dugan and Stewart pieced together and verified an extensive list for their book.I could not find a Harper on that list.

>You purposefully limited your definition of Bishop to elder, Why do you purposefully avoid the word “bishop” if it means the same thing? Too Catholic for you?<

Did you even read my reply before you claimed to be persecuted?

>Episkopos literally translates oversear(look at your concordance).I have no problem with you translating that to Bishop but it is equally valid for some protestant churches to use the term elder.<

>Wikipedia also lists it as Bishop,<

Now their is a great authority on anthing much less Greek to English translations.

>But since we are on the subject, you have neglected to tell me if your church has priets or deacons for that matter, the Bible says it should.<

Is that the same passage that says Bishops “should” be the husband of one wife and have their children in good order?

>The Bible calls Bishops, Bishops. I don’t see the word oversear. A Bishop is episkopos. The Catholic Church has a church-government and a Bishop is part of the definition. I don’t see why you are splitting hairs here. The word ‘Bishop’ is in the Bible and in extra-biblical writings. The Bible also calls for priests and deacons which the Catholic Church has.<

Episkopos literally translates oversear(look at your concordance).I have no problem with you translating that to Bishop but it is equally valid for some protestant churches to use the term elder.To do otherwise is the true definition of splitting hairs.

>Protestants broke away from the Catholic Church, not the other way around- I really don’t see why I have to justify my faith.<

You have not been asked to justify your faith.You have been asked to justify your statements which in some cases were not Catholic Doctine or were verses with no relevance to what you were trying to prove.

As to my denomination I am a follower Jesus Christ.

>I’ll give you an example, you think Bishops are elders. They are in a sense but their title is Bishop. 1Tim 3:1-13 says that the Church would have Priests, Bishops, and Deacons. The Bible doesn’t call them ‘elders’.<

The Bible doesn’t really call them Bishops either.The origional Geeek uses the term Episkope which translates oversear.Many translations now use that term to be more accurate.

Again you fail to read the scripture you quote.The church is not called the “pillar and foundation of truth” it is not even implied to be in Timothy 3.
>I am confident of my beliefs and I appreciate the Church, the “pillar and foundation of truth” (Tim 3).,

>Let no one eat or drink of the Eucharist with you except those who have been baptized in the Name of the Lord; for it was in reference to this that the Lord said, “Do not give that which is Holy to dogs.” Matthew 7:6,

This is so far off from what the scripture says as to be laughable.Did you even read the passage?This makes no reference to communion.Jesus is saying that if someone is so evil as to totally reject God you should no longer continue give them what is Holy.Holy here refers to the Gospel.If you read the next sentence about don’t cast your pearls before swine it is further clarified.A pig would have no concept of a pearl and therefore it would be a total waste to cast a pearl before them.

>The Pope answered that for me. No.<

You have been throwing around a lot of insults about people not knowing Catholic doctrine and making up their own.
I would suggest you check out the official Catholic Website and talk to your Priest because that is not what the Pope said.Don’t feel bad that often happens when people fail to ask the Holy spirit to reveal God’s word and istead base their theology on what they think someone else said.That is why Peter said Scriptur was a “more sure word”

From the Vatican
The brethren divided from us also use many liturgical actions of the Christian religion. These most certainly can truly engender a life of grace in ways that vary according to the condition of each Church or Community. These liturgical actions must be regarded as capable of giving access to the community of salvation.

It follows that the separated Churches(23) and Communities as such, though we believe them to be deficient in some respects, have been by no means deprived of significance and importance in the mystery of salvation. For the Spirit of Christ has not refrained from using them as means of salvation which derive their efficacy from the very fullness of grace and truth entrusted to the Church.

Can you answer the question? Is their salvation apart from the Catholic church?

>And no, it is not by faith alone....”Even so faith if it has not works, is dead, being alone.” James 2:17And no, it is not by faith alone....”Even so faith if it has not works, is dead, being alone.” James 2:17<

This verse does not say works produce salvation.It says you have a dead faith if out of the gatitude for the grace God has shown you through salvation you do not produce works.Show me one sentance inthese verses that says works are neccesary for salvation rather than a evidence of salvation.

Jam 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Jam 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Jam 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Jam 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

>It is the Catholic Church who interprets Scripture correctly.<

One question.Is salvation only available through the Catholic Church?

Changing the subject again.Where is my apology for your false accusasions.

>What saved people before there were Bibles were printed was the Catholic Church, and She continues to save.<

This contradicts the Bible.Only faith in Jesus Saves.
Gal 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Gal 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Gal 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Gal 3:26 ¶ For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

>I am perplexed that you and others insist that you know more about our Catholic faith than we Catholics do. These threads serve no other purpose other than to throw mud at the Church. I suggest you pick up a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It is inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is certainly not a book written by professional anti-Catholics with an ax to grind. So before you or others accuse the Church of ‘not beling Christian’, please pick up a copy- it only costs about $9 bucks. This will help you understand my faith instead of blindly throwing stones at the Church. <

I find it interesting that when you are confronted by scripture you run and switch subjects.I would like you to show me where I have done this”I am perplexed that you and others insist that you know more about our Catholic faith than we Catholics do”.

Or show me where I have done this”So before you or others accuse the Church of “not beling Christian”

Or this”This will help you understand my faith instead of blindly throwing stones at the Church.”

If you can’t do this I expect an apology but it will be like every other question I have posed to you in that if you don’t have a script that answers the question you switch subjects.

I would suggest you spend a week reading the New Testament “God’s inspired word”through after asking the Holy Spirit to let you see the truth of these scriptures.

I do not have any idea what you are talking about.Why don’t you deal with scripture rather than making up strawmen that only you understand.You obviously believe in ABCOK.

No I relied on this passage from Luke and Jesus”s words.

>Luk 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Luk 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

Luk 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

Luk 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that [would come] from thence.

Luk 16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:

Luk 16:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

Luk 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

Luk 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

Luk 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

>So, you believe the saints in Heaven are “dead”?<
They are dead to this world according th Jesus. Their is no communication between the after life and this life accept trough the Holy Spirit,

>Wouldn’t you want some certainty that you are beling saved?,<

I have the certanty of the Holy Spirit who has sealed me.If you have never experienced the Holy Spirit in your life then you lack any ceryanty that you are saved.

>There is no doubt, and in fact it has been known in all ages, that the holy and most blessed Peter, prince and head of the Apostles, pillar of faith, and foundation of the Catholic Church, received the keys of the kingdom from our Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the human race, and that to him was given the power of loosing and binding sins: who down even to to-day and forever, lives and judges in his successors.<

Why then did Peter refer to all believers as a Royal Priesthood?
1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

1Pe 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

1Pe 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe [he is] precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

1Pe 2:9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

>Your definition of Church is not the one I asked. In Which Church can one be saved? <

You don’t need a church to be saved.To believe otherwise is to deny the soverienty of God.

Jhn 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

Jhn 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Jhn 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Jhn 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Jhn 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

It says whosoever not what church believes in him.

>Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to His Church and promised never to leave her. The Holy Spirit and the Pope are not mutually exclusive.<

Chapter and verse plese.

>After years of being on FreeRepublic, I have yet to hear any protestant tell me which is the true Church. Perhaps you can tell me.,

The true church is made up of all who believe Jesus was born of a Virgin,Died on the Cross for our sins,Rose on the third day and now sits at the right hand of the father.

These are the Orthdox beliefs that have only been denied by a few cults like the JW’s.Most denomonations only disagree on nonessentials to salvation such as worship practices,security of the believer and baptismal practices.I have no doubt many Catholics fall under this veil I just believe the Catholic Church has done very little to lead them to the risen Christ.

>Are you saying that you possess the Holy Spirit?<

The Bible says I do and I am not saved if I don’t have the Holy Spirit.

Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

1Cr 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and [that] no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

1Th 4:8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.