Right. But when the Church comes together in her bishops to define something, then that position becomes definitive. As you follow the history of dogma, you see that definitions arose out of controversy. The Church generally does not nail something down until there is a dispute over an issue that would jeopardize a key element of the faith, such as the doctrine of God.
Well, I’m not a Catholic, but I’m not so ignorant as to suggest that Baptists are even remotely synonymous with the Early Church. The earliest known Christian document, the Didache (Di-da-kee), written ca. AD 50, is traditionally attested as the writings of the Apostles concerning salvation, damnation, and the way a church should be organised, and run. I think the Baptists wouldn’t recognize the Church if they saw it being practiced as it was in the Early Church; that is, the way the Didache lays it out.
A passage for you in regards to listening to your pastor, and by implication the need for an undivided Church: Luke 10:16.
It’s funny…when I considered converting and taking RCIA the priest told me - “yes, we see many Baptists coming to Catholicism”. I’m a life-long Southern Baptist - deeply rooted and knowledgeable about the Baptist faith. Baptists do convert to Catholicism more so than people think. I was ALMOST living proof of that.
Your prfile says you hav eno religion - why would you care?
Yes - still Baptist. I love the liturgy of other denoms, but considering everything me and my family would have to go through isn’t worth it. I mean, none of my kids are baptized. Me and my wife are baptized. We “dedicated” all our children.
Having the fullness of the faith isn’t worth it to you?? Why did you quit RCIA?
But as Pope Benedict XVI explains, it is our duty to submit to the Church, even if we might not personally like a particular teaching.
I could not come to grips with certain dogmas that were incumbent on me to believe. I felt like they were stray doctrines that weren’t necessary for salvation (none that I will go into here).Having the fullness of the faith isn’t worth it to you?? Why did you quit RCIA?
My prayers are with your family…
If the truth isn’t in the Baptist church why are you Baptist?
Receiving the fullness of truth isn’t worth whatever your family would have to go through??
Herein lies the essential difference between Catholicism and Protestantism.
Which Baptist church? The strong one or the weak one? The true one or the false one? The one invented yesterday or the one invented tomorrow? The one that praises the KJV or the one that says it’s bad and uses the NIV? I am so lost in the Baptist confussion…:whacky:
Where in the Bible is that?
I used to think you were a Bible believing Christian opposed to man-made tradition? I admit, I was wrong on that one.
I am sorry that you had to leave Rcia due to your family obligations. Perhaps one day they will want to convert. I am not going to criticize your decision. Having a spouse that would divorce you-I gather that is what you meant- over such spiritual matters must be painful. You will be in my prayers.I could not come to grips with certain dogmas that were incumbent on me to believe. I felt like they were stray doctrines that weren’t necessary for salvation (none that I will go into here).
What’s not worth it is losing my marriage and causing unaltering pain for my children. Families have to make decisions regarding spiritual matters together and we could not come to agreement on some things.
I left RCIA, but with the door always to remain open should things be different. I value the Catholic faith. I just do not/can not agree with it nor follow it. I ended up trusting what I believed the Scriptures teach and upon investigation did not see my salvation at risk.
Thanks for your prayers
God bless…
Having divorced parents and being pulled back and forth is not what I believe God would want for us and our kids.Receiving the fullness of truth isn’t worth whatever your family would have to go through??
In Christ,
Nancy
Yes, that’s very true. I agree with that.Herein lies the essential difference between Catholicism and Protestantism.
In Christ,
Nancy