Approaching the Roman Catholic Church

[PJM]

=jerome_ky;7180617]It seems that the Protestant churches have an edge over us on bringing people into their churches. In order to join the RCC (2 Easters ago) I had to undergo several months of catechesis, in the RCIA program. But to join a Protestant church you basically just have to show up. Now, I understand that we want a person to understand what he or she is getting into. But what about missionary activity? Surely when the Catholic Church proselytized in the New World, they didn’t make everyone wait 6 months to be baptized. The Book of Acts has examples of people just being baptized and saved.

I think this couples with a lack of Catholic evangelism. When I was much younger and did a lot of hitchhiking and a stint in the Army, I was approached on several occasions by Baptists and other evangelicals talking to me about being saved. I don’t recall one instance of being approached by a Catholic. When I first felt the call to Christ, I was baptized in a Protestant church.

It was me who approached the Catholic Church. That was fine for me, but how many bypass us?

***Hi Jerome. very interestering perspective.

I’m unsure about it’s truth BUT can understand WHY IT MIGHT BE.

Faith is a Gift from God given to those God deems worthy. This of couse inhibits the number of folks considdering entry into he SOURCE OF GOD"S SALVATION; His CC.

Our non-Catholic Brethern have a huge advantage in that the practicre of THERE idea of faith is always easier, simpler, less demanding and far for flexible.

What we Catholics held as the truth 2000 years ago is and must be unchanged today.

One can be a Protestant on ones own iniative, BUT One Can ONLY be a Catholic when chosen By Chrsit and given the necessary graces.***

 

[mark_a]

It seems that the Protestant churches have an edge over us on bringing people into their churches. In order to join the RCC (2 Easters ago) I had to undergo several months of catechesis, in the RCIA program. But to join a Protestant church you basically just have to show up. Now, I understand that we want a person to understand what he or she is getting into. But what about missionary activity? Surely when the Catholic Church proselytized in the New World, they didn’t make everyone wait 6 months to be baptized. The Book of Acts has examples of people just being baptized and saved.

Folks need instruction to be properly disposed to receive the sacraments.

I know of no Catholic Church that requires a valid Catholic ID to go to mass or put money in the basket.

 

[jerome_ky]

First, thank you for all the very sincere replies. I’d like to explain myself a little more.

I had several experiences during a period of hitchhiking and the Army, where people came up and started talking to me about Jesus. I was not always receptive. At times I confess I was rude. In spite of my initial reaction, however, my soul was stirred. I began reading the Gospels and thinking about Jesus Christ. So in my early 20’s, I walked into a church and asked to be baptized. There are a lot of details I’m leaving out, but I had an urgency to my request, and it was granted. It happened to be an Anglican Church.

It took me 25 years to come to Holy Mother Church. During most of that time, you couldn’t have convinced me that Catholics were anything but crazy or brainwashed for engaging in so much outdated liturgy and “worshipping Mary.” Those ideas came to me through Protestant writings and people I came in contact with. The anti-Catholic atmosphere is pretty thick. It’s part of the air that Protestants breathe. In my case, I managed to see through it and come to the True Church. But how many don’t? How many remained poisoned by it? How many Protestants think very casually that there are Christians and there are Catholics?

There was an article recently. It bemoaned the fact that Protestants are now only about 50% of the American population. Oh, no! But Catholics are 25%. Add Orthodox and others who weren’t counted, and Christians in America are over 75%. So is the answer to be more evangelical? To cross ourselves in restaurants? Wear a crucifix, put bumper stickers on our cars? I don’t know, I’m asking. But what I am sharing with you is that in my lifetime I have been approached by dozens of Protestants eager to share the faith with me. They have talked to me at work, they have invited me to their churches, they have approached me on buses, picked me up as I hitchhiked and preached to me. They spread wide the net, and frankly they’re the ones that snared me. I thank God He drew me in to the fullness of the faith, but my point is, they seem to be better fishermen than we are.

 

[mark_a]

There was an article recently. It bemoaned the fact that Protestants are now only about 50% of the American population. Oh, no! But Catholics are 25%. Add Orthodox and others who weren’t counted, and Christians in America are over 75%. So is the answer to be more evangelical? To cross ourselves in restaurants? Wear a crucifix, put bumper stickers on our cars? I don’t know, I’m asking. But what I am sharing with you is that in my lifetime I have been approached by dozens of Protestants eager to share the faith with me. They have talked to me at work, they have invited me to their churches, they have approached me on buses, picked me up as I hitchhiked and preached to me. They spread wide the net, and frankly they’re the ones that snared me. I thank God He drew me in to the fullness of the faith, but my point is, they seem to be better fishermen than we are.

Thanks for clarifying. I have also wondered about those things, and have made the following observation and conclusion.

Although I have been “evangelized” by many more Protestants than Catholics, once 90% of these folks realize they are evangelizing a Catholic, or even non-practicing Catholic, this evangelization morphes into a vile and disgusting display of hatred and ignorance.

So, I guess I’m saying that I generally do not find Protestant evangelization very appealing. And I would never use their approach.

 

[PJM]

Originally Posted by Hiskid1973
.As for the OP, I have been approached by many people over the years inquiring of my faith but they have been either regular bible christians, JW’s or mormon’s but never a catholic…Your first pope Peter just gave a simple message about Jesus…It only takes them hearing a few verses for the Holy Spirit to start work…

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

A TRUE but nevertheless INCOMPLETE statement of the process [for hat is what Salvation is, a process NOT an accomplished fact. “Redemption and Slvation” do not shre a common meaning.

** For examples: John 3:5 , 36/B]

[5] Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” [36] “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him”

[Baptism and Faith]

**Matt.19: 17 **"And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.”

Obedience to All of the Commandments all of the time

And James Chapter TWO: 19-26

You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe – and shudder. Do you want to be shown, you shallow man, that faith apart from works is barren? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by works, and the scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness”; and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead. "

**My dear friend in Christ: Might I humbly suggest that if your going to accept the Bible, that you accept the ENTIRE bible? READ: 2Tim. 3:15-17

God love and Blessings,**

 

[Hiskid1973]

**My dear friend in Christ: Might I humbly suggest that if your going to accept the Bible, that you accept the ENTIRE bible? READ: 2Tim. 3:15-17

God love and Blessings,**

Hi…I have no problem with growth and maturity…Sanctification, justification…If I’m not mistaken we were talking of **evangelistic **outreach…Reaching the lost with the gospel…I just heard a few verses for the Holy Spirit to start working…I even said I was plugged in to a great bible study and found a church home…There the growth starts. Like I said, I have been walking/maturing in Christ for almost 40 years…Over that time I have been approached by MANY wanting to discuss faith in God/Christ…The were either bible church christians or jw’s/mormons…NEVER has one been a catholic or orthodox church christian…As one preacher said we’re fisherman, We catch em and the church cleans em up…That’s why we are to be ready in season and out to share the hop that lies within us…The gospel message is simple to understand…Our bishop that is over India/Nepal /Southeast asia sends out teams to tribes.villages to see the dialect they use then show whats called the “Jesus” movie…They have been having tremendous success…Even where a tribal elder will have relatives in neighboring tribe wanting them to come to their village…I just had opportunity to share with my fallen away catholic neighbor about the getting back to the Lord from their father passing away…I didn’t try to “convert’ them, but encourage them to return to the Lord…A luke warm faith is a scary position to be in…Remember there are many who identify with being a 'christian” but are far from really “knowing” Christ…It’s all about Jesus…

 

[jerome_ky]

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What we Catholics held as the truth 2000 years ago is and must be unchanged today.

One can be a Protestant on ones own iniative, BUT One Can ONLY be a Catholic when chosen By Chrsit and given the necessary graces.***

First, let me just make clear I’m not coming out against catechesis and am not suggesting we change 2000 year old Truths. I joined the Catholic Church BECAUSE she teaches what she does. Your last statement is interesting. Jesus said, “And because wickedness is multiplied, most men’s love will grow cold. But he who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all nations; and then the end will come. (Mt. 24:12-14)”

If the state of the Church in Europe, from what I hear, is an indicator then we may be very close to the end. But, are we trying our hardest, preaching in and out of season, or are we just relying on God to call His chosen and not doing His work for Him? I don’t say these things out of spite, but I think it’s time to be more vocal. Where, for instance, is the new William F. Buckley? Where is the next Bishop Sheen? Except when I turned to EWTN, I don’t remember hearing a Catholic message in America. But praise the Lord for EWTN!

 

[jmcrae]

I agree with this point of view. I think the Church nowadays makes it too complicated to join, or to receive the sacraments. In my own case, I’m having trouble arranging for my confirmation as an adult because I’m missing my certificate of baptism. I don’t see why they can’t just take my word that I’ve been baptized. After all, what would be the point of lying about something like that?

I doubt that anyone thinks you’re lying - it’s just that, in order to record your Confirmation, they have to write it on the back of your original Baptismal certificate - that’s what they need it for. This is so that if you ever choose to get married or to become a priest, it will be easy to prove that you have been both baptized and Confirmed.

Also, I’ve heard many stories about Protestant converts who had to go through RCIA even though they might have doctorates in theology.

Their doctorates would have been in Protestant theology, and there would have been lots for them to “unlearn.”

The unbaptized, inexperienced convert is actually easier to train than someone coming out of Protestantism, because of all the wrong information that has to be corrected, in the case of the Protestant.

It seems to me that if anyone shows up at a parish wishing to become Catholic, they should be able to do so immediately as long a priest speaks to them and makes sure they understand and accept the basic beliefs of Christianity as taught by the Church.

That’s actually what the RCIA does, and the reason it takes so long is that the basics of our faith aren’t limited to just seven fundamentals, or just a one-page statement of beliefs.