I have a small chart with some of the names, which I use as supporting evidence in my HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. If you write me at
How then, do we deal with the several factions of the Catholic Church? Roman, Orthodox, etc?
Is it not wonderful that all these individual “churchs” have there own direction to salvation, making all others insignificant.
For every true Christian, regardless of denomination (including the RCC), our direction to salvation is Jesus Christ, the Truth is the Messiah, God the Son. We are all part of the body of Christ. Yes, I’m aware the RCC doesn’t consider itself a denomination nor do they consider their protestant brethren part of true churches, but never-the-less.
Dont know what that means?
The ekklesia is the the church. God’s out-called ones; all believers in Jesus Christ, all of His body, we are all one, we are “echad.” God Himself is One, but there are 3 Persons; the Trinity. We believers, as well, are all one even though we may be from different denominations. I know, that isn’t an RCC teaching, but it is what many protestants believe. There is not “kind of, sort of” when it comes to being a part of His Body, you either are or you are not. You can be a hand, foot, rib, toe, etc… but you are a part of the body fully or not at all.
The Catholic Church is NOT a denomination. You are correct, many protestant “communities” are recognized as within the One Church. This does not mean there is not dysfunction in them. The mystical Body of Christ works together… In all things. Does your community work together with any given community in Australia? The Catholic Church is bound to this unity, through the Eucharist.
wwjd?
Sure, there are mainstream protestant denominations all over the globe. The rest of Christianity, on a good day, does indeed see y’all as a denomination, one among many. Again, no, the RCC doesn’t agree with that, but not all Christians are RC, obviously. Most converts, and even reverts, to the RCC do in a sense church shop, as do protestants, even if they wouldn’t call it that… maybe initially church shopping and then maybe parish shopping…
No, no it’s not. It’s certainly implied many times. Anywhere it mentions that nothing unclean (i.e. sinful) shall enter the kingdom of Heaven. But Purgatory is never explicitly mentioned or described.
Some things are ok to agree and disagree on. Things that are ‘opinions’. The Lord’s Supper is not one of them. Nowhere in Scripture (which is the common thread holding us togetherSure, there are mainstream protestant denominations all over the globe. The rest of Christianity, on a good day, does indeed see y’all as a denomination, one among many. Again, no, the RCC doesn’t agree with that, but not all Christians are RC, obviously. Most converts, and even reverts, to the RCC do in a sense church shop, as do protestants, even if they wouldn’t call it that… maybe initially church shopping and then maybe parish shopping…
We aren’t going to agree on these things, or else you’d be protestant, or I’d be Catholic… or we’d both be Orthodox.
), is the Sacrament refered to as mere symbol. Yet, there is an aspect to John’s 6th chapter discourse in which Jesus uses His Word and Teaching as symbolic of bread. Though, He specifically acknowledges His flesh to be regarded as one and the same with His Word and Spirit. He prophecied (sp?) that He would give His bread (flesh) for the life of the world. His Word and flesh are united in obedience to the Father!!! When He consecrated the Bread and wine as His Body and Blood, He multiplied Himself for the Life of His Church. This miracle is hidden from our human nature. It is revealed through faith. We cannot believe in Transubstantiation and not believe in the whole Gospel! It is the hidden manna.Yes, but it is Catholic doctrine to follow it. It is not protestant doctrine to prevent divorce/remarriage.
I appreciate the dialogue and your obviously kind heart. But, you have to remember that most of what you write above isn’t something that I agree with. If I believed that “Peter’s See” was Rome, or that it was the most ancient, or that John 6 was a literal teaching, then there would be no need of discussion. All I can say is that I take it all very seriously, and I firmly believe in the power of the Holy Spirit and the word of our Lord, and thus far, I remain a protestant.Some things are ok to agree and disagree on. Things that are ‘opinions’. The Lord’s Supper is not one of them. Nowhere in Scripture (which is the common thread holding us together
You are not far off from belief. You are trying to figure it out, though. Remember, the most ancient See in Christiandom is Peter’s. This has out lived the seven churches in Revelations. They were promised the hidden manna for remaining faithfull. We could go another 2000 yrs with the Eucharist.
Thanks for being here
Michael
I will have to visit the library to read the page you cite. It has been a few years since I referenced the book. I don’t recall them listing Roman Catholicism as a denomination. I will take your word until I can have a look. If they did they made mistake.
That they may call themselves Catholic or say they are apostolic and authoritative in nature doesn’t make it so. There are no true Catholic denominations. There is one church, and all those communities who are aligned with the Bishop of Rome are within that one church. Others who are not in union with the Bishop of Rome (like the Old Catholic Church, I believe it is called for instance) are NOT “Catholic” regardless of why they might say.
Just wanted to mention this as these were two important factors in my decision to enter the Church from being raised a Baptist. The historical evidence as well as Scriptural evidence, is overwhelming that St. Peter was the head of the Church at Rome, that he was martyred there…his tomb was directly under St. Peter’s even!! The Church took it very literally indeed when Jesus said “Upon this rock I will build my Church” as indeed it was literally so!