Do protestants have any hope?

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Phillnb25

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Hey everyone! I’m a new member to the forums…i was born and raised southern Baptist, went through an phase where I just lived how I wanted and didn’t care about God. After about 5 or 6b years of hedonism, I lost the desire for sin and came to my senses, i began my journey back to the Christian faith, but I digress. I thought being a protestant was with enough for salvation but I felt like I was missing something. I found Catholicism and began to study and really fell in love with it. I grew up in a very anti cathloic household so I never gave it much thought. Now I’m in somewhere thought process between Protestantism and Catholicism, agreeing with portions of both, but I feel as if my soul is at risk because I can not partake in any sacraments. Is there hope for people like me?

TL;DR: I’m a protestant who is becoming more cathloic in my belief and feel damned because I can not do any sacraments
 
As long as you are seeking the truth in good conscience and allowing yourself to be led by the Holy Spirit into all truth, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. God will ensure you receive what you are seeking–He has promised this.

This can take different amounts of time for different people. God wants all people to be saved and Christ was sent to save–He’s not going to condemn someone who is progressing toward the right path. Why would God draw you part way and then condemn you?

A Protestant (or a Catholic for that matter) who doesn’t care about the truth is who should worry!
 
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It is good that you follow your heart. The next step is to approach a Catholic church and ask to join the RCIA program so you can become a Catholic. Do not worry about the past, just deal with the present.
 
lilypadrees said:
I also recommend you enroll in RCIA.
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I thought about RCIA, but currently there’s nothing available that I could attend plus I still have some doctrinal issues that would probably make it problematic to be affirmed in the church
 
RCIA is for those interested in learning more about the Church also. When I went it was because I came back to the Church after a 40 year absence and wanted to be reminded of what I had learned. There was a man in our group who was not sure about the church and eventually decided against crossing the Tiber.

Patrick
AMDG
 
Phillnb25 said:
I thought about RCIA, but currently there’s nothing available that I could attend plus I still have some doctrinal issues that would probably make it problematic to be affirmed in the church
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For these I would continue to study. For me the easiest way was to start with the catechism. If I could not find a clear comprehension with that alone, I would go to the reference notes, starting in the bible for more information. I would journal, ponder, and ask a very knowledgeable Catholic friend. The key is to use reliable Catholic sources.

You are correct, having issues with doctrinal issues would make it impossible to profess faith in the Catholic Church truthfully. RCIA may help clear some up but that is largely dependent on the quality of the program near you.

You should know that starting RCIA does not commit you in any way. Each individual has right up to the Easter Vigil to back out of going through. Logistically speaking it is better for the coordinator to have a few more days notice but it can happen. We had a guy last year who just didn’t show up to the Easter Vigil.
 
In my opinion, there is no reason why G-d should punish a person of any faith. Rest assured that you have a place in heaven, as well as the World to Come.
 
@Phillnb25,

No reason to feel damned. G-d loves you more than anyone could.
 
@CAFMod,

Sure, I love bagels! Wouldn’t the world be a better place if trolling ended? I think you should try it, it’ll be rewarding. Just make a new avatar.
 
Is there anything from the early church fathers I could read? Something to make sure I’m getting close to the right path?
 
Hey Phillnb25, first, trust in the personal LOVE of God for you, and keep moving towards Him. In one sense it all starts very simply - Jesus himself said that all who believe in Him have great hope of heaven. To me, it is not that evangelical churches and believers don’t have faith or hope of heaven. I spent years in evangelical churches, and in my opinion, being Catholic is about going where the FULLNESS of Christian truth is. Keep your hope fixed on the God who loves you and remember - those who seek WILL find…!
 
Phillnb25 said:
Hey everyone! I’m a new member to the forums…i was born and raised southern Baptist, went through an phase where I just lived how I wanted and didn’t care about God. After about 5 or 6b years of hedonism, I lost the desire for sin and came to my senses, i began my journey back to the Christian faith, but I digress. I thought being a protestant was with enough for salvation but I felt like I was missing something. I found Catholicism and began to study and really fell in love with it. I grew up in a very anti cathloic household so I never gave it much thought. Now I’m in somewhere thought process between Protestantism and Catholicism, agreeing with portions of both, but I feel as if my soul is at risk because I can not partake in any sacraments. Is there hope for people like me?

TL;DR: I’m a protestant who is becoming more cathloic in my belief and feel damned because I can not do any sacraments
Click to expand...
Here’s a HUGE conditional statement Jesus made.

Re: the Eucharist John 6:53-57 RSVCE - So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, - Bible Gateway
 
Study and PRAY. Ask Jesus daily–beg Him–to give you the light of truth. Believe me, He will–although His timetable is often not ours.
 
It’s fine 🙂 all the feelings you have : you’re just coming home. Former Methodist ( still close to my heart and part of my identity). Still believe I’ll see Methodists in heaven . They are our separated brothers and sisters. But the best experience of Christ on earth is in the Roman Catholic Church. The real presence is something else
 
Phillnb25 said:
I thought being a protestant was with enough for salvation but I felt like I was missing something. I found Catholicism and began to study and really fell in love with it. I grew up in a very anti cathloic household so I never gave it much thought. Now I’m in somewhere thought process between Protestantism and Catholicism, agreeing with portions of both, but I feel as if my soul is at risk because I can not partake in any sacraments. Is there hope for people like me?
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This non-Catholic recommends you attend RCIA to find out if the Catholic Church is the place for you.
If not, Orthodox, Lutherans and Anglicans provide the sacraments, as well (Catholic dismissal of them notwithstanding).

Is there hope? Of course.
My Hope is Built on Nothing Less"
by Edward Mote, 1797-1874
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  1. My hope is built on nothing less
    Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
    No merit of my own I claim,
    But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
    On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
    All other ground is sinking sand.
 
This saying is quite upsetting to me as my mother passed away last month and was committed Methodist, total faith in saving power of Jesus.
 
Honestly my mother was the person I know in my life who most closely lived out the way of Jesus. She was the most selfless person I ever knew and never thought she would ever merit a place in heaven. I really believe God would give her the same chance as he gives me, a catholic convert.
 
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