Help with Christian beliefs & Churches?

[komeeks18]

I’ve been raised Southern Baptist & am fascinated with learning about religion. I’ve been studying Christian denominations a lot recently, and I’ve become very intrigued with the Catholic Church. Many of the Catholic beliefs that do not match up to the Baptist beliefs, I kind of do believe, but with things like Limbo, Purgatory, and other things that Catholics believe that aren’t in the Protestant Bible, but are believed by tradition, I don’t understand and do not believe at all. Anyway, I believe most of the things I’ve been taught in the Baptist Church, but I feel there is other knowledge of other denominations that seem true, but I find no evidence of them in the Bible. I also don’t understand where the Bible says it’s not the only thing we need for salvation & knowing how to live. There are things I agree with in both Churches and things I disagree with, and I can’t believe in bits and pieces of a Church if I ever choose to become a part of that Church. I don’t really know what to do besides pray, but I don’t really know how God will answer me. Anyway, does anyone have any advice? :thankyou: :ehh:

 

[Wesley7]

Anyway, does anyone have any advice?

Regular study of scriptures is what the Church Fathers commended. The Dogmas, however are formed by the wisdom of the Church that intreprets the scriptures in form of liturgical books.

(private reading) is not the same as reading from the liturgical book.

A Protestant is still encourage to the scriptures but many different (name removed by moderator)retations led to many different denominations/sects.

The scriptures are meant to be understood in context of the Divine Liturgy.

god bless, . .

 

[Georgia]

I too grew up in a Baptist church, though not Southern Baptist. We leaned far more into Fundamentalism that is found in SBC churches, but I hope I can help.

Many of the dogmas of the Church are indeed in the Bible, but are harder so see when you look through the prism of my earlier beliefs. You could be experiencing the same thing.

There are many people far more able to give chapter and verse than I, but all the major differences in Catholic beliefs are based on things that can be found in the Bible.

Take, for example, Real Presence. Baptist churches take the communion service as a symbol. However, look at the first time Our Lord mentioned what He would establish. People questioned how He could offer His flesh and His blood. When they didn’t believe, they walked away. Jesus did not go after them, explaining that it was merely a symbol. If it was not a symbol, what was it? That drives straight to the heart of the Mass. Then there are the warnings that receiving unworthily is making one guilty of the Body and Blood of Christ. If it is only a symbol, how does it make one guilty?

Do some independent reading and study. See what the earliest Christians believed, the ones around at the time of the first believers.

 

[GratefulFred]

I’ve been raised Southern Baptist & am fascinated with learning about religion. I’ve been studying Christian denominations a lot recently, and I’ve become very intrigued with the Catholic Church. Many of the Catholic beliefs that do not match up to the Baptist beliefs, I kind of do believe, but with things like Limbo, Purgatory, and other things that Catholics believe that aren’t in the Protestant Bible, but are believed by tradition, I don’t understand and do not believe at all. Anyway, I believe most of the things I’ve been taught in the Baptist Church, but I feel there is other knowledge of other denominations that seem true, but I find no evidence of them in the Bible. I also don’t understand where the Bible says it’s not the only thing we need for salvation & knowing how to live. There are things I agree with in both Churches and things I disagree with, and I can’t believe in bits and pieces of a Church if I ever choose to become a part of that Church. I don’t really know what to do besides pray, but I don’t really know how God will answer me. Anyway, does anyone have any advice? :thankyou: :ehh:

First, Happy New Year and Welcome to the Forums. Second, I congratulate you for your sincere wanting to know more to be able to more fully develop your relationship with God.

Some short thoughts that should help you think things through:

1. Until the early 1500’s there was one Bible. Luther was the first to exclude books that did not fit his perceptions. He also took license with translating certain passages again to fit his perceptions.The Church and Emperor rejected his ideas, but some who were against both the Emperor and Church supported Luther. The King James Bible was very well organized, but the goal was to ensure the KJV more strongly supported the role of King. Throughout all history the issue has been who has the stronger position - King or Church? The better Bibles are those that adhere to the ORIGINAL Bible that was set in the 300s.
2. Authority: Matthew 16:15-19: And I tell you, you are Peter (Petros), and on this rock (petra) I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Any Christian Church should clearly show it properly received Christ’s authority given to St Peter and HANDED DOWN. The protesters and reformers of the 1500’s did not reform the Church but rather broke away, and on their own authority - not Christ’s - established their churches. These Christian Churches may be well meaning but they lack the FULLNESS of Christ.
3. Bible alone: There are a number of passages that tell us there is more than the Bible. Mark 4:33: With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

John 14:25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

It is not possible to lay out all we need to consider in a Forum post, but perhaps the above can start you in a good direction.

Continue to pray for an increase in Wisdom, Understanding, and Faith.

 

[Mirza19]

I’ve been raised Southern Baptist & am fascinated with learning about religion. I’ve been studying Christian denominations a lot recently, and I’ve become very intrigued with the Catholic Church. Many of the Catholic beliefs that do not match up to the Baptist beliefs, I kind of do believe, but with things like Limbo, Purgatory, and other things that Catholics believe that aren’t in the Protestant Bible, but are believed by tradition, I don’t understand and do not believe at all. Anyway, I believe most of the things I’ve been taught in the Baptist Church, but I feel there is other knowledge of other denominations that seem true, but I find no evidence of them in the Bible. I also don’t understand where the Bible says it’s not the only thing we need for salvation & knowing how to live. There are things I agree with in both Churches and things I disagree with, and I can’t believe in bits and pieces of a Church if I ever choose to become a part of that Church. I don’t really know what to do besides pray, but I don’t really know how God will answer me. Anyway, does anyone have any advice? :thankyou: :ehh:

You have to realize that you’re still looking at things from your Protestant upbringing. You can’t allow that to color your thinking, otherwise you’ll read all of those opinions into history, texts, etc.

Allow facts to shape your opinions; don’t allow your opinions to “sift through facts” and only look for what supports your opinion. Admitting that any belief you hold could potentially be wrong is the first step to an independent mind, which is the first step on the process toward arriving at truth. Don’t think "well, I believe this, so this must be true, so this must be wrong, " but think “I recognize my beliefs could be wrong, so I’ll approach everything openly, and rely upon logic and fact to conclude what I will believe.”

Religious assertions are conceptual assertions and therefore bound by the rules of logic. Only after examining religious assertions through a rational lens will you be able to arrive at what’s closest to the absolute truth.

 

[komeeks18]

@Wesley: Because I’m not of the Church, and haven’t learned much of the basics, I don’t truly understand what you’re saying. I don’t even know what liturgy means. I know that probably makes me sound stupid, but I’ve never learned of these details in the Baptist Church. The Catholic Church is kind of complicated to people outside of it when they start to try and learn about it, because you have to learn completely new things.

@Georgia: I’m glad we could relate! Thanks so much! I’ll research more!

@GratefulFred: Happy New Year to you, too! And thanks for the nice welcoming & the support of me wanting to learn more! I never knew that about the original Bible, so thanks for that! I’ve never read those verses in Matthew, so I never knew about that, I feel like I’ve been kind of blind, because I don’t have all of this knowledge of everything like Catholics do. Thank you for your direction, I greatly appreciate it!

@Mirza19: I’m trying to be very open-minded, and it’s not really that I can’t understand some things, because I’ve been taught to not believe it, but because I don’t know actually understand it because I’ve never learned of it, and don’t understand what it means. I’m definitely researching, and not letting my upbringing affect it, but for the things I don’t believe or haven’t been taught, I do want some sort of evidence or backing up. Thanks.

 

[DJK100]

Hi Komeeks,

Welcome to the forums and I hope you enjoy your learning about Catholicism. For me the more I learn about it the more it really makes sense. As to some of your questions regarding purgatory please read these short tracts to get you started…

catholic.com/magazine/articles/is-purgatory-a-catholic-invention-no-way
catholic.com/tracts/the-roots-of-purgatory

A good place to start learning about why catholics believe the way they do is this website. I would spend some time searching the Catholic Answers tracts to help answer some of your questions – and you will see Catholicism is quite biblical and every doctrine we are obliged to believe in is at least implicitly stated in the bible.

To do this scroll to the top click on Catholic.com and then in the search bar search for a topic you want to know more on. More often than not you will find a good resource or at least a response to you question that is really very logical.

Hope this helps.

P.S. Limbo is not an infallibly defined Doctrine of the church and as such Catholics are not obliged to believe in it.

 

[JRKH]

I’ve been raised Southern Baptist & am fascinated with learning about religion. I’ve been studying Christian denominations a lot recently, and I’ve become very intrigued with the Catholic Church.

Welcome to the Boards. You have come to an excellent source of information.

Many of the Catholic beliefs that do not match up to the Baptist beliefs, I kind of do believe, but with things like Limbo, Purgatory, and other things that Catholics believe that aren’t in the Protestant Bible, but are believed by tradition, I don’t understand and do not believe at all.

Actually most of the Church’s teachings are found in or extrapolated from the Bible. I’m no expert, but if you do a search on the various items you have questions on, I’m sure you’ll find threads where these things have already been discussed.
As a note - Limbo is not a Catholic Doctrinal teaching. It has been, for a long time, a pious belief and understanding of God’s mercy but is not a doctrinal teaching of the Church.

Anyway, I believe most of the things I’ve been taught in the Baptist Church, but I feel there is other knowledge of other denominations that seem true, but I find no evidence of them in the Bible.

THIS SITE might help you some in providing references from Scripture and from the Early Church Father’s on many of the items you might have questions on. Look on the left side for a list of various topics (you might have to scroll down a bit to get to it.

I also don’t understand where the Bible says it’s not the only thing we need for salvation & knowing how to live.

The Bible does not say either way, specifically…BUT, the Bible does speak to the relationship between “Church” and “Scripture” and you will find that they interconnect.
For example. The NT speaks strongly of Unity, of being One, of agreeing with one another etc. Jesus instructs us to take difficult matters to “The Church” and to “Listen to the Church” (Mt 18:15-18) which is the pillar and bulwark of Truth.
It says that all Scripture is useful for teaching - But who is responsible for teaching? The Church - the Pillar and Bulwark of Truth (1 Tim 3:15) - the one to whom we are to listen…and the one, "…that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose which he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord…" (Eph 3:10-11)
See how this hangs together? Church and Scripture are inseparable.

And consider how the Bible that you hold came to be…It was through the offices of the Catholic Church. It was assembled, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, by the Bishops of the Church around 400 AD.

There are things I agree with in both Churches and things I disagree with, and I can’t believe in bits and pieces of a Church if I ever choose to become a part of that Church. I don’t really know what to do besides pray, but I don’t really know how God will answer me. Anyway, does anyone have any advice? :thankyou: :ehh:

Keep praying and keep asking questions. There are many good people here to help.

Has anyone pointed you to the online Catechism yet? If not, take a look HERE. Go to the Bottom of the page and use the search function to look up specific references.

I hope some of this helps.

Peace
James

 

[komeeks18]

@DJK100: I’m beginning to see the evidence in Purgatory as I see the evidence in the Apocrypha Old Testament in the Catholic Bible. Thank you for those links. This website and the people on this forum are great, and have helped me greatly! And I’m glad Catholics aren’t required to believe in Limbo, because that was one thing I just didn’t get, and didn’t see any evidence in, ever since I read the book ‘Heaven is For Real’ by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent . I recommend this inspiring book for any Christian-whether Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, it doesn’t matter, because it shows God’s mercy on children, and just the joyous things to look to in Heaven!

 

[komeeks18]

@JRKH: Thank you for all of the info you’ve shared with me! I’m definitely going to read the Catechism, no matter how long it takes me, haha.

 

[JRKH]

@JRKH: Thank you for all of the info you’ve shared with me! I’m definitely going to read the Catechism, no matter how long it takes me, haha.

Then you’ll be ahead of me - I still haven’t read it all.

One of the great things about it is that there are a lot of references to the bible AND to other Church documents that give good explanation of why we believe what we believe…

Peace
James

 

[komeeks18]

@JRKH: Haha! And I definitely want the Bible references, I love evidence, haha!

 

[GratefulFred]

Komeeks18, thank you for your kind response above.

In my view, it is important to understand WHY we remain in our position on any subject, especially our relationship with Christ. We should never be satisified where we are at, but always seek to come closer to Christ in this life so we can be with Him forever in Heaven. Even Catholics should work to improve our relationship with Christ.

Believing that Christ is indeed the Living Son of God and cannot lie, read carefully the report of the Last Supper where Christ gave us Holy Communion that is indeed HIS body and blood so that we can have Christ within us.

Read also the report of Christ’s first appearance to the Apostles after His Resurrection where Christ gave the Apostles the power to forgive sins or not.

These two reports - I use ‘reports’ not stories because we accept them as TRUTH, along with the others in my first post above are, IMO, the most important reasons why I am Catholic. No other Christian church has the fullness of Christ.

Best wishes as you continue your journey to a more fuller relationship with Christ.

 

[komeeks18]

@Grateful Fred: Thank you for all of your help! I definitely want to improve my relationship with Christ, and the Catholic Church seems true in helping with that. With every post that is added to this thread, I’m become more convinced of the validness of the Church. Thank you for your TRUTH.

 

[DJK100]

@DJK100: I’m beginning to see the evidence in Purgatory as I see the evidence in the Apocrypha Old Testament in the Catholic Bible. Thank you for those links. This website and the people on this forum are great, and have helped me greatly! And I’m glad Catholics aren’t required to believe in Limbo, because that was one thing I just didn’t get, and didn’t see any evidence in, ever since I read the book ‘Heaven is For Real’ by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent . I recommend this inspiring book for any Christian-whether Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, it doesn’t matter, because it shows God’s mercy on children, and just the joyous things to look to in Heaven!

Hi Komeeks,

Purgatory is not only seen in the the Old testament but is also seen in the new testament. If you want I can help you seek out the verses to show you. I am glad that you are taking the time to learn about Catholicism, even if it doesn’t end up being for you, I think you will have a greater appreciation for it. Most people who are staunchly anti-Catholic don’t really understand what Catholics truly believe and often frankly misrepresent our faith. I applaude you on taking the mature decision to seek out the truth for yourself.

One place I might suggest you start is what the church teaches on Sacred Tradition and Scripture. It might help you see the Catholic view point in a different light and open your mind up even further. Also, in my opinion, it makes much more sense then Sola Scriptura if you boil right down to it. For instance, most Protestants believe the bible can interpert itself, yet we still have over 30,000 different sects each interperting the bible differently. Obviously, that notion doesn’t make sense because if everyone could interpert the bible through itself then we all should come to the exact same conclusion. But that is not what we see. In addition, if Sola Scriptura were true then why would Protestants even need Pastors to help you understand the bible. Why would they even need to go to a Seminary to learn how to understand and preach the bible?

Sacred Tradition basically says, that the Church is entrusted with the teachings of Jesus as handed down to the Apostles for our edification. God gave his teaches and taught the Apostles the fullness of truth which they safe guard via the Holy Spirit – the third person of the trinity which will not let the church teach error. That doesn’t mean individuals can’t make mistakes but when the Church teaching as a whole on faith and morals what it teaches is guarded by the Holy Spirit from error.

Please read the following link for further information and a start on understanding why Catholics believe in the Sacred Tradition and the Authority of the Church Magisterium…

catholic.com/tracts/scripture-and-tradition

As always if you have any questions or concerns please ask them on this forum. There are many knowledgeable people who are more than willing to help you answer them.

Hope this helps.

 

[JRKH]

@DJK100: I’m beginning to see the evidence in Purgatory as I see the evidence in the Apocrypha Old Testament in the Catholic Bible. Thank you for those links.

For informational purposes…not a complaint…
Just wanted to comment on the reference to the “Apocrypha”. Catholics do not define the books in this way. These books, if they are defined at all are referred to as the Deuterocanonical books, or the books of the “second canon” and have been a part of the Christian Bible from the time the canon was first assembled ca 400 AD.
Like I say - this is not a complaint of your terminology, rather it is simply an offer of information.

I am glad that we are being of service to you.

Peace
James

[/QUOTE]

 

[pablope]

I’ve been raised Southern Baptist & am fascinated with learning about religion. I’ve been studying Christian denominations a lot recently, and I’ve become very intrigued with the Catholic Church.

 

[onenow1]

I’ve been raised Southern Baptist & am fascinated with learning about religion. I’ve been studying Christian denominations a lot recently, and I’ve become very intrigued with the Catholic Church. Many of the Catholic beliefs that do not match up to the Baptist beliefs, I kind of do believe, but with things like Limbo, Purgatory, and other things that Catholics believe that aren’t in the Protestant Bible, but are believed by tradition, I don’t understand and do not believe at all. Anyway, I believe most of the things I’ve been taught in the Baptist Church, but I feel there is other knowledge of other denominations that seem true, but I find no evidence of them in the Bible. I also don’t understand where the Bible says it’s not the only thing we need for salvation & knowing how to live. There are things I agree with in both Churches and things I disagree with, and I can’t believe in bits and pieces of a Church if I ever choose to become a part of that Church. I don’t really know what to do besides pray, but I don’t really know how God will answer me. Anyway, does anyone have any advice? :thankyou: :ehh:

Hi and welcome Komeeks !

Your prayers are the most important ! This CAF has much to offer in your research and has much of what you seek in truth. This site is also good.>catholicscomehome.org/

God Bless
onenow1

 

[Anna_Scott]

I’ve been raised Southern Baptist & am fascinated with learning about religion. I’ve been studying Christian denominations a lot recently, and I’ve become very intrigued with the Catholic Church. . . .

komeeks18,

It might be a good idea to start a thread for one issue at a time. There are great Catholics here who can help you through each issue.

I was raised in the SBC also. There are 7 Sacraments in Catholicism, which include—

The Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist [Eucharist, from Greek εὐχαριστία (eucharistia)]—also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, and the Lord’s Supper.

Baptism for the forgiveness of sins, which includes infant Baptism. The SBC does not believe in infant Baptism and denies that any graces are imparted during Baptism–they see Baptism (and the Eucharist) as purely symbolic—which ironically goes against Holy Scripture. The SBC also attaches belief in the security of the believer to Baptism. Catholics and Anglo Catholics would not presume to judge their own souls. We live in the Hope of the Resurrection without the once-saved, always-saved belief.

This is a good link for an overview of the 7 Sacraments: americancatholic.org/features/special/default.aspx?id=29

Also, there is no insistence that the creation account in Genesis is literal—a very big issue for many Southern Baptists.

Catholic beliefs about the Blessed Virgin Mary are very different from the SBC. Catholics believe in the Immaculate Conception, Mary’s Perpetual Virginity, the Assumption, and Mary’s intercession for us. Anglo Catholics, such as myself, believe in all of these, except the Immaculate Conception.

Catholics also seek intercession from the departed Saints.

Catholics must submit religious mind and will to the Roman Pontiff (Pope.) Scripture and Tradition are understood through the Magisterium. While I have a great deal of respect for the Catholic faith; this belief is the major issue that has kept me from converting to Catholicism—time may change that.

Anyway, I would pick one of these issues and start a thread on that one issue. Catholics will walk you through it and provide many wonderful resources–many great resources have already been posted.

Welcome to CAF and I pray God’s Peace be with you on your journey,
Anna

 

[komeeks18]

@DJK100: I’ll check out that link, thanks!

@JRKH: Yes, I knew Catholics didn’t call them the Apocrypha, but I couldn’t remember what they called them, because I had previously read it somewhere! Thanks!

@pablope: Thanks, I’m going to go to read the info on both of the links!

@onenow1: Thank you!