Catholics and Protestants: Let's us deal with each other on our own terms

[elvisman]

The list so far:

1. We believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God.
2. We believe that Jesus was sinless.
3. We believe that Jesus was born from a virgin named Mary.
4. We believe that Jesus lived, was crucified and died, and was resurrected.
5. We believe that the Bible is the Inspired Word of God, without error.
6. We believe in the power of Prayer
7. We believe in eternal life with God
8. We all believe John 3:16
9. We believe in the sainthood of believers.
10. We believe in the Trinity.
    11.We believe that Jesus is also God the Son, second person of the Holy Trinity.
    12.We believe that God is the creator of all things.
    13.We believe in the forgiveness of sins.
    14.We beieve faith is a gift from God.
    15.We believe in the need for regeneration, to be born again.
    16.We believe that Jesus is God and Mary was his Mother.
    17.We believe that we must persevere.
    18.We believe in the importance of Christian unity, the fellowship of believers.
    19.We believe in celibrating the Eucharist.
    20.We all love God!!!

**As I stated earlier - the Holy Eucharist is a thanksgiving whereby the bread and wine offered actually becomes the Body Blood Soul and Divinity of Christ. The Real Presence is believed by very few Protestant denominations so this is a category where most of us differ. **

In fact - many denominations use crackers and grape juice in their communion service, rendering the elements even that much more different than the Catholic Eucharist.

Catholics and Protestants agree on much more than we disagree. However, the areas in which we differ are as different as night and day - and as important.

Simply pretending that we all agree on something doesn’t make it so, John. In fact, it’s a false message of hope.

 

[Mikeoffaith]

Hi all! Is the Eucharist(sp?) the taking of the bread and wine as Christ’s body and blood? If that is what you mean, then as far as I know, we all agree. At least I do. Love this thread! My little boy says to add that “We all love God”. He’s 7.

I don’t think we all agree on that. What I believe as a Lutheran and what a Baptist believe are two different things and most Roman Catholics will lump Lutheran and Baptist together in the same belief.

But you child at 7 is wiser than most of us. I think we should just let him make the list!

 

[PJM]

We’ve got a great list started. Let me try to list all the things we’ve added so far.

1. We believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God.
2. We believe that Jesus was sinless.
3. We believe that Jesus was born from a virgin named Mary.
4. We believe that Jesus lived, was crucified and died, and was resurrected.
5. We believe that the Bible is the Inspired Word of God, without error.
6. We believe in the power of Prayer
7. We believe in eternal life with God
8. We all believe John 3:16
9. We believe in the sainthood of believers.
10. We believe in the Trinity.
    11.We believe that Jesus is also God the Son, second person of the Holy Trinity.
    12.We believe that God is the creator of all things.
    13.We believe in the forgiveness of sins.
    14.We beieve faith is a gift from God.
    15.We believe in the need for regeneration, to be born again.
    16.We believe that Jesus is God and Mary was his Mother.
    17.We believe that we must persevere.
    18.We believe in the importance of Christian unity, the fellowship of believers.

1. We believe in ONLY One Church, One Faith and New Covennt in our Lords Blood [Eph. 2:19-20, and 4:4-8]

The list is looking great! Brothers and Sisters let’s keep adding to the list!

 

[BlueShadow123]

Well we’re all christan after all, are we not?

The bible is clear on how to become saved.

 

[elvisman]

Well we’re all christan after all, are we not?

The bible is clear on how to become saved.

Actually, that is a claim that has been argued since the Reformation - and Catholics and Protestants have different ideas about how one is saved.

 

[BlueShadow123]

**Actually, that is a claim that has been argued since the Reformation **- and Catholics and Protestants have different ideas about how one is saved.

I knew somebody was going to say that.

The main idea, accepting jesus as your savior is the same.

Good works should come from a person wether or not the are saved.

 

[lil_flower_luv]

I think one helpful step would be to ban the word “Protestant” from our discussions. . .

The Church and many of Her teachings were being protested in the early 1500s. Why must we ban the word?

Two things I wish most of my separated brothers and sisters could accept without any confusion involve the Eucharist and the Marian Dogmas. Alas, they are two of the hardest for you to accept! Interesting how Martin Luther, Father of Protestantism, was a bit more conservative in light of these doctrinal views…and DID accept these two truths until his death (even a few of those Marian Dogmas which were not officially declared dogmatic doctrine by the Church until far after his death, particularly the Immaculate Conception)…[In honor of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, please view my signature.]

Let this be known without any confusion, my brothers and sisters: we love you and want you to come back to Jesus’ Church.

 

[elvisman]

I knew somebody was going to say that.

The main idea, accepting jesus as your savior is the same.

Good works should come from a person wether or not the are saved.

That’s an debate for another thread. Best we don’t derail this one.

That being said - there are many differences in the Catholic vs. the various different Protestant formulas of salvation. We definitely don’t see eye to eye when it comes to salvation - so we should just stick to the things that we DO agree upon for the sake of this thread.

 

[BlueShadow123]

**That’s an debate for another **thread. Best we don’t derail this one.

That being said - there are many differences in the Catholic vs. the various different Protestant formulas of salvation. We definitely don’t see eye to eye when it comes to salvation - so we should just stick to the things that we DO agree upon for the sake of this thread.

We agree on pretty much almost all of the bible.

 

[panner]

We agree on pretty much almost all of the bible.

Even there we disagree for Protestant reject the complete Bible

 

[elvisman]

We agree on pretty much almost all of the bible.

I agree with ALL of your Bible, but you don’t agree with the whole Bible.
The whole Bible which includes 7 extra OT books and parts of Esther and Daniel that were cut out of yours.

 

[BlueShadow123]

I agree with ALL of your Bible, but you don’t agree with the whole Bible.
The whole Bible which includes 7 extra OT books and parts of Esther and Daniel that were cut out of yours.

Excuse me?
I do believe in the whole bible. Who the heck are you to label me protestant?

Don’t bother talking to me if you’re going to make false assumptions.

 

[elvisman]

Excuse me?
I do believe in the whole bible. Who the heck are you to label me protestant?

Don’t bother talking to me if you’re going to make false assumptions.

From your posts. They don’t sound very Catholic.**

If you are a Catholic - my apologies, but your posts definitely sound like they are coming from a Protestant.

One other thing - IF you are a Catholic - why don’t you identify yourself as one?
Are you a Catholic?

 

[John1]

Earlier in this thread it was suggested to refrain from using the terms “Protestant” and “Catholic”, but instead just use the name that God blessed us with, “Christian”. That way we would be able to come up with a list of the things that we believe in common, even if they are only the basic beliefs. Some of the things that we were adding to the list may have had different meanings to different Christians on deeper levels, but at least we were able to show some common ground, even with things like the Eucharist, and honoring Mary as the mother of our Lord and Savior. In John 13:34-35 Jesus says “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” The list is looking great! As Christians, we know that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, so please, let us continue to glorify God by the fruits of the Spirit, and let us continue making our list!

 

[graceandglory]

Did anyone quantify it as stopping there? Or is it just something that we all agree on? You are adding definition to something that at this point doesn’t need any more refining.
.

Actually it does. Salvation isn’t a one verse proposition. Or even a Roman Road. It was never meant to be. Salvation of mankind began in the garden of Eden and continues to this day through the Church that Christ founded and promised to send the Holy Spirit to guide. Salvation is the whole thing.

Yes, we can agree that belief is a necessary component.

 

[John1]

1. We believe in ONLY One Church, One Faith and New Covennt in our Lords Blood [Eph. 2:19-20, and 4:4-8]

The list is looking great! Brothers and Sisters let’s keep adding to the list!

Hi PJM,

Thanks for the Epheisians references, they’re great! There’s a lot we can all agree on in both parts.

First in Ephesians 2:
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Then in Ephesians 4:

1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Peace be with you and thanks for adding to the list!

 

[elvisman]

Earlier in this thread it was suggested to refrain from using the terms “Protestant” and “Catholic”, but instead just use the name that God blessed us with, “Christian”. That way we would be able to come up with a list of the things that we believe in common, even if they are only the basic beliefs. Some of the things that we were adding to the list may have had different meanings to different Christians on deeper levels, but at least we were able to show some common ground, even with things like the Eucharist, and honoring Mary as the mother of our Lord and Savior. In John 13:34-35 Jesus says “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” The list is looking great! As Christians, we know that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, so please, let us continue to glorify God by the fruits of the Spirit, and let us continue making our list!

**And again I will remind you that simply pretending that there aren’t differences - even with some of the items on your list - is not beneficial to ANYbody. In fact, it’s harmful and deceitful. **
The very name of this thread contains the words you despise: Catholics and Protestants.

You keep throwing the idea of love for one another around like there is no love. I love my Protestant brethren and pray for their conversion to the fullness of the truth.

**What I detest is the deceit perpetuated by people who sugar-coat the truth with their own version of it so as to create a false air of “togetherness”. There is only ONE truth, John.

 

[PJM]

=BlueShadow123;7345506]Well we’re all christan after all, are we not?

The bible is clear on how to become saved.

Yes BUT friend if you to Ask Jesus Himself: “God, are all Christians equa’?” Gd would smile sadly and say NO, they are not. WHY?

There arein the NT over 100 references to ONLY One new church, Faith and Covenant.

Mt. 16: 15 He [Jesus] said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I [singular] tell you, you are Peter, singular] and on this rock singular] I will build my singular] church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. singular] 19 I [God singular] will give you [singular] the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you singular] bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

**Eph. 2:19 **So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, [singular] ***built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, ***]Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; singular] in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Eph. 4: 4 -8“There is one body [Only One Church] and one Spirit, Only One set of beliefs] just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, Only One God] ONLY one faith, Only One set of doctrine and dogma] one baptism, By water in the Trinity] one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. "

**NOW. PLEASE READ: John 14: 16-17 and John 17:14-19.
**

May Our God continue to Bless you!

 

[BlueShadow123]

Yes BUT friend if you to Ask Jesus Himself: “God, are all Christians equa’?” Gd would smile sadly and say NO, they are not. WHY?

There arein the NT over 100 references to ONLY One new church, Faith and Covenant.

Mt. 16: 15 He [Jesus] said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I [singular] tell you, you are Peter, singular] and on this rock singular] I will build my singular] church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. singular] 19 I [God singular] will give you [singular] the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you singular] bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

**Eph. 2:19 **So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, [singular] ***built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, ***]Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone

, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; singular] in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Eph. 4: 4 -8“There is one body [Only One Church] and one Spirit, Only One set of beliefs] just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, Only One God] ONLY one faith, Only One set of doctrine and dogma] one baptism, By water in the Trinity] one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. "

**NOW. PLEASE READ: John 14: 16-17 and John 17:14-19.
**

May Our God continue to Bless you!

Yep! I agree.

 

[John1]

Hi PJM,

The Ephesians verses are great! I think that 1 Corinthians 12 says some of the same things:

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

I think that makes it abundantly clear that all Christians are not equal, and I think we all agree on that! I’ll be sure to add it to the list, thanks again!