Catholics: Do you know how to share your faith or "witness" to others?

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catsrus:
I had the chance this morning when as I was pulling weeds in my front yard, I was approached by 2 jws. I didn’t mention to them that I am well aquainted with their faith as I once "studied " with them about 20 years ago.

They were well scripted and very nice ladies but I was able to refute them and witness about the Catholic faith at the same time. It was a joy to me! We discussed several topics but I kept swinging them back to The Church and why we Catholics believe as we do.

The upshot was that the one lady, the main speaker, is going to look up my information to her that her Bible is incomplete and that it is missing 7 books and why. She said she enjoyed our conversation and will be back. I hope so.

I can hardly wait! 😃
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That’s really cool, especially since the JWs have a history of preying on Catholics that don’t know their faith well. I’m happy to hear about that. Please keep us updated if anything more comes of it. I used to so bust their chops with the simple fact that the hebrew word for one in Deuteronomy 6:4 is “echad” and is the same word used in the passage that says a man and his wife will become one flesh. It doesn’t prove the Trinity, but the fact that it means one unity implies a plurality and so disqualifies their non-Trinitarian doctrine and will almost always put 'em to flight. I think they got so tired of me that they marked my driveway and skip it now…Haven’t been here in years, now.
 
I have found the CA tracts invaluable. Sadly the folks who have read them do not “come back for more”, they just do not bring up my Catholicism any more. At first this was good enough for me as I reverted from Penecostalism and just wanted to be left alone. Now I find myself wanting to share more!
 
Oh yeah…John Martignoni’s tapes. I have memorized portions of these. Terrific talks!👍
 
So…To carry this topic further:
Do you know how to tell others just what your faith means to you and why your life is better because you’re a Catholic?

If you can…do so in a post so that others who haven’t done it before can get ideas. It’s probably best if you hold it down to no more than two (2) consecutive posts if needed.

Tell us why you’re a Catholic and what difference it has made in your life. Are you a cradle Catholic, re-vert, convert, or just now on your way? 😃
Pax vobiscum,
 
Hello all - I’m a newbie to this forum, so I thought I’d drop in and vote!

I’m one of those who gets a bit tongue-tied when I think of defending my faith (or actually have the opportunity to do so). Sadly, I just don’t have the knowledge to quote when I discuss my beliefs. When I engage in a very detailed discussion about the origins of my faith I simply tell the other person (generally non-Catholic) that UNFORTUNATELY I am unable to provide that information but I try to point them sources or persons that they can use to get clarification (i.e. Catechism, etc.).

I’m a cradle Catholic, but like many others I know little about my faith and the history of the Church.When it comes to Scriptures, I’m relatively clueless as to what ones address certain Catholic doctrines…and so on. I have attended Mass weekly throughout my life, but I know that I’ve only been “going through the motions” and not really learning the depths of our faith. Alas, that is why I am here and pursuing other research at this point in my life. I’ve come to the realization that I know so little, and I am dedicated to learning more. (Especially so I can witness more to my peers, especially those who have drifted from the Church).

God Bless!
 
Hi Love2Run and http://pages.prodigy.net/indianahawkeye/newpage12/17.gif

I have accumulated several resources that offer FREE materials about
Catholicism. Here they are for those of you who are interested:

The Catholic Home Study Service amm.org/chss/chss.htm
Has GREAT courses that you can take and will help anyone to better
understand what we really believe.

The St. Paul Center salvationhistory.com/
Another FREE Catholic study site.

The Bible Christian Society biblechristiansociety.com/
These folks offer a bunch of GREAT apologetics audio tapes, FREE.

The Mary Foundation catholicity.com/
Several GREAT audio tapes and CDs that will help with lots of
different things. I highly recommend “The Conversion of Scott Hahn” to
all non-Catholics. You may find it life changing.

Pax vobiscum,

P.S. The tracts and articles on ths home page here at CA “ain’t half bad” either. LOL! 😃
 
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Love2Run:
Hello all - I’m a newbie to this forum, so I thought I’d drop in and vote!

I’m one of those who gets a bit tongue-tied when I think of defending my faith (or actually have the opportunity to do so). Sadly, I just don’t have the knowledge to quote when I discuss my beliefs. When I engage in a very detailed discussion about the origins of my faith I simply tell the other person (generally non-Catholic) that UNFORTUNATELY I am unable to provide that information but I try to point them sources or persons that they can use to get clarification (i.e. Catechism, etc.).

I’m a cradle Catholic, but like many others I know little about my faith and the history of the Church.When it comes to Scriptures, I’m relatively clueless as to what ones address certain Catholic doctrines…and so on. I have attended Mass weekly throughout my life, but I know that I’ve only been “going through the motions” and not really learning the depths of our faith. Alas, that is why I am here and pursuing other research at this point in my life. I’ve come to the realization that I know so little, and I am dedicated to learning more. (Especially so I can witness more to my peers, especially those who have drifted from the Church).

God Bless!
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Hi Love2, Dont feel to bad because the truth is that about only 2% of christians share their faith with others. Isnt that a sad figure when Christ commands us to go and preach the good news to all ends of the earth. Jesus said if you love me you will obey me.WOW!! 2% WAKE UP CHRISTIANS. 😦 God Bless
 
There are many reasons why christians do not share their faith. I believe the MAIN reason is that they do not how to because they were never taught.Many of Jesus encounters were with one on one evangilezation. Personally I believe the first step is to teach our own church members how to share the Good News.Jesus said I will make you fishers of men.There are millions of pools out there where we can cast our nets.We cannot just sit back and expect them to come to us.The harvest is ready and the workers are few. Boy is that true.One of the best ways to share the Good News is to use the ten commandments. You see most people believe they are good and by that standard they will go to heaven. But what is being good? Lets test them by Gods standards.[10 commandments] This way we are not judging them,it is Gods job. Ask, have you ever stolen anything?[pen,candy,] They will answer yes. What does that make you? a thief correct.Have you ever told a lie? That makes you a liar. Have you ever looked at another person with lust in your eye? That makes you an adulterer.Ect.I wont go on but you can see where Im going.So by Gods standards you have failed.Now you come before God and are you judged. Do you still think you are good?.Whats your penalty now?Yes, Hell. Now their eyes are open and understand the truth. Next, you share Jesus ,who has paid the debt for our sins. My point there is alot of information out there to help us.We need to teach our brothers and sisters first so that they can do what Christ called them to do.If we sit back and wait many will enter into the gates of fire.We are responsable and I dont want anybodys blood on my hands.Forgive us Father for not obeying you. 😦 God Bless
 
HI Tea Partner! (SPOKENWORD)

I have to agree with you on this one and for the same reasons: Here’s some scriptures that back up the idea that their blood will be required at our hands:

Joel 2:1 “1 Blow ye the trumpet in Sion, sound an alarm in my holy mountain, let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: because the day of the Lord cometh, because it is nigh at hand,”

Ezechiel 3:17-21 "17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman to the house of Israel: and thou shalt hear the word out of my mouth, and shalt tell it them from me. 18 If, when I say to the wicked, Thou shalt surely die: thou declare it not to him, nor speak to him, that he may be converted from his wicked way, and live: the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but I will require his blood at thy hand. 19 But if thou give warning to the wicked, and he be not converted from his wickedness, and from his evil way: he indeed shall die in his iniquity, but thou hast delivered thy soul. 20 Moreover if the just man shall turn away from his justice, and shall commit iniquity: I will lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die, because thou hast not given him warning: he shall die in his sin, and his justices which he hath done, shall not be remembered: but I will require his blood at thy hand.

21 But if thou warn the just man, that the just may not sin, and he doth not sin: living he shall live, because thou hast warned him, and thou hast delivered thy soul. "

Prophecy Of Ezechiel Chapter 33
The duty of the watchman appointed by God: the justice of God’s ways: his judgments upon the Jews.

1 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say to them: When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man, one of their meanest, and make him a watchman over them: 3 And he see the sword coming upon the land, and sound the trumpet, and tell the people: 4 Then he that heareth the sound of the trumpet, whosoever he be, and doth not look to himself, if the sword come, and cut him off: his blood shall be upon his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not look to himself, his blood shall be upon him: but if he look to himself, he shall save his life.

6 And if the watchman see the sword coming, and sound not the trumpet: and the people look not to themselves, and the sword come, and cut off a soul from among them: he indeed is taken away in his iniquity, but I will require his blood at the hand of the watchman. 7 So thou, O son of man, I have made thee a watchman to the house of Israel: therefore thou shalt hear the word from my mouth, and shalt tell it them from me. 8 When I say to the wicked: O wicked man, thou shalt surely die: if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked man from his way: that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but I will require his blood at thy hand. 9 But if thou tell the wicked man, that he may be converted from his ways, and he be not converted from his way: he shall die in his iniquity: but thou hast delivered thy soul. 10 Thou therefore, O son of man, say to the house of Israel: Thus you have spoken, saying: Our iniquities, and our sins are upon us, and we pine away in them: how then can we live?

11 Say to them: As I live, saith the Lord God, I desire not the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way, and live. Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways: and why will you die, O house of Israel? 12 Thou therefore, O son of man, say to the children of thy people: The justice of the just shall not deliver him, in what day soever he shall sin: and the wickedness of the wicked shall not hurt him, in what day soever he shall turn from his wickedness: and the just shall not be able to live in his justice, in what day soever he shall sin. 13 Yea, if I shall say to the just that he shall surely live, and he, trusting in his justice, commit iniquity: all his justices shall be forgotten, and in his iniquity, which he hath committed, in the same shall he die. 14 And if I shall say to the wicked: Thou shalt surely die: and he do penance for his sin, and do judgment and justice, 15 And if that wicked man restore the pledge, and render what he had robbed, and walk in the commandments of life, and do no unjust thing: he shall surely live, and shall not die.

16 None of his sins, which he hath committed, shall be imputed to him: he hath done judgment and justice, he shall surely live. 17 And the children of thy people have said: The way of the Lord is not equitable: whereas their own way is unjust. 18 For when the just shall depart from his justice, and commit iniquities, he shall die in them. 19 And when the wicked shall depart from his wickedness, and shall do judgments, and justice: be shall live in them. 20 And you say: The way of the Lord is not right, I will judge every one of you according to his ways, O house of Israel."

cont’d
 
cont’d from above:

and finally: Mark 16:14-16
14 At length he appeared to the eleven as they were at table: and he upbraided them with their incredulity and hardness of heart, because they did not believe them who had seen him after he was risen again. 15 And he said to them: Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be condemned.

and…
Matthew 28:18-20
“18 And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. 19 Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.”
 
Church Militant:
I have accumulated several resources that offer FREE materials about
Catholicism. Here they are for those of you who are interested:

The Catholic Home Study Service amm.org/chss/chss.htm
Has GREAT courses that you can take and will help anyone to better
understand what we really believe.

The St. Paul Center salvationhistory.com/
Another FREE Catholic study site.

The Bible Christian Society biblechristiansociety.com/
These folks offer a bunch of GREAT apologetics audio tapes, FREE.

The Mary Foundation catholicity.com/
Several GREAT audio tapes and CDs that will help with lots of
different things. I highly recommend “The Conversion of Scott Hahn” to
all non-Catholics. You may find it life changing.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for the information and the warm welcome! I will definitely be engaging in more research into my faith, especially during the Lenten season.

God Bless!
 
Church Militant:
HI Tea Partner! (SPOKENWORD)

I have to agree with you on this one and for the same reasons: Here’s some scriptures that back up the idea that their blood will be required at our hands:1 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say to them: When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man, one of their meanest, and make him a watchman over them: 3 And he see the sword coming upon the land, and sound the trumpet, and tell the people: 4 Then he that heareth the sound of the trumpet, whosoever he be, and doth not look to himself, if the sword come, and cut him off: his blood shall be upon his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not look to himself, his blood shall be upon him: but if he look to himself, he shall save his life.

6 And if the watchman see 11 Say to them: As I live, saith the Lord God, I desire not the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way, and live. Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways: and why will you die, O house of Israel? 12 Thou therefore, O son of man, say to the children of thy people: The justice of the just shall not deliver him, in what day soever he shall sin: and the wickedness of the wicked shall not hurt him, in what day soever he shall turn from his wickedness: and the just shall not be able to live in his justice, in what day soever he shall sin. 13 Yea, if I shall say to the just that he shall surely live, and he, trusting in his justice, commit iniquity: all his justices shall be forgotten, and in his iniquity, which he hath committed, in the same shall he die. 14 And if I shall say to the wicked: Thou shalt surely die: and he do penance for his sin, and do judgment and justice, 15 And if that wicked man restore the pledge, and render what he had robbed, and walk in the commandments of life, and do no unjust thing: he shall surely live, and shall not die.

cont’d
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Hi C.M. Thanks for the confirmation of Gods Word. Seems the
Holy Spirit is moving on our hearts as christians to be prepared to move into action.Its always been our calling yet christians have fallen into satans trap.Once we learn we are then accountable. Lets not have blood on our hands.Lets stop making excuses and begin to be obidient to Gods Word. 👍 God Bless. P/S How does black tea sound today brother. 😃
 
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SPOKENWORD:
Hi C.M. Thanks for the confirmation of Gods Word. Seems the
Holy Spirit is moving on our hearts as christians to be prepared to move into action.Its always been our calling yet christians have fallen into satans trap.Once we learn we are then accountable. Lets not have blood on our hands.Lets stop making excuses and begin to be obidient to Gods Word. 👍 God Bless. P/S How does black tea sound today brother. 😃
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Yeah…black tea is fine. I’ll bring some sweet rolls to balance it out.
In sharing my faith, I hear Jesus saying to me, “As you have freely recieved freely give”.
Pax vobiscum, 😦
 
I don’t meet many strangers…in other words I’m not afraid to talk to anyone about my faith and I really will not sit around and let some know nothing run down Catholicism. I don’t do that to other religions and I won’t brook it against my own because it’s just not right. If the opportunity arises to talk about religion, I love to share and invite people to Mass or some other church function.
I like this poem by Hillare Belloc because it says it all about what life as a Catholic really is.

Wherever the Catholic sun doth shine,
There’s always laughter and good red wine.
At least I’ve always found it so.
Benedicamus Domino!
 
Church Militant:
I firmly believe what St.Peter says in 1st Peter 3:15 “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope,”
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I logged on to the Internet about 4 hours ago looking for a bible verse. My nephew is about to be confirmed and I am his sponsor. I bought for him three Patrick Madrid books: “Where is that in the Bible”, “Why is that in Tradition”, and “Answer Me This”. I plan on writing a letter to him, also. In the letter I wanted to explain that it was our duty (and should be our joy) to learn our faith and be able to defend it. I wanted the scripture passage that supported this.

After searching on the word ‘defense’ and not findit it, I gave up and wandered over to these forums.

Four hours later and you’ve given me the answer … and I had even forgotten the question. Thank you.

I consider this a knock on the door from Christ.
I like to call these little incidents “signal graces”.

😃

Cheers!!!

michel
 
Church Militant:
Knowing how to effectively share your faith is important to the spread of the gospel.
So…what do you all say? Shall we study to show ourselves approved and to be about our Father’s business while carrying out all the corporal works of mercy as well.========================================================= Hi C. M. I thing it,s a great idea. There is nothing more important then being obidient to Gods Word. 👍 God Bless
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SPOKENWORD:
Church Militant:
Knowing how to effectively share your faith is important to the spread of the gospel.
So…what do you all say? Shall we study to show ourselves approved and to be about our Father’s business while carrying out all the corporal works of mercy as well.
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========================================================= Hi C. M. I thing it,s a great idea. There is nothing more important then being obidient to Gods Word. 👍 God Bless
Then why have you not come home to the Catholic faith since you say you cannot do better than to obey the Lord, which certainly implies that you feel that our works have some merit with God. SW…you need to rethink your place outside His church and consider comin’ home. You wouldn’t hang out here so much if you didn’t know in your heart that the truth is right here. You’re not an attack dog and you’ve been Catholic. Think about it…I think the Holy Spirit is calling you home buddy.
Pax vobiscum,
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Church Militant:
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SPOKENWORD:
Then why have you not come home tom the Catholic faith since you say you cannot do better than to obey the Lord, which certainly implies that you feel that our works have some merit with God. SW…you need to retthink your place outside His church and consider comin’ home. You wouldn’t hang out here so much if you didn’t know in your heart that the truth is right here. You’re not an attack dog and you’ve been Catholic. Think about it…I think the Holy Spirit is calling you home buddy.
Pax vobiscum,
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Hi C.M. You know God is in control. Gods timing is perfect. Maybe He wants you to hear what I have to share? :confused: God Bless
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Hi C.M. You know God is in control. Gods timing is perfect. Maybe He wants you to hear what I have to share? :confused: God Bless
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God does want Catholics to hear what you have to share. God is trying to light a fire under some who, like you used to be, don’t love the Lord even though they attended Church.

But the Lord wants you to do it as a member in full communion with the Catholic Church. He wants you to share what you have come to understand, so others never need to leave the Catholic Church to understand and love the Lord.

God’s timing is perfect. But make sure your ears and heart are open to His leading. I know now God was leading me to the Catholic Church 13 years ago. It took 7 years in the Protestant Churches before I heard Him. For many of those 7 years, I *thought *I was supposed to show the truth to Catholics and get them “truly saved”.

Your sister in Christ,
Maria
 
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