I don't know what Catholics think about this...

[turboEDvo]

Rebaptism is sooooo not down. Once you are baptized Catholic, then you are baptized Catholic. It’s like saying, “I’ve been born, but hey mom, would you mind giving birth to me again.” That’s just not how things work!

Eamon

 

[Tietjen]

Hugh Betcha:

OK, so I got a letter from my church today. Basically it says that they are moving away from the EPC (Evangelical Presbyterian Church) for the following reasons:

1. They want the ability to re-baptize folks who already have been; ie someone who renews thier faith and wants another baptism. Currently they are not allowed to do so.
2. They want non-EPC ordained pastors to be allowed to serve the Lord’s supper.

Does this bother you as much as me?! It almost seems like they are saying “well we want to do what WE want, so we will find some other denomination (or none at all) that will let us”. This is really, really on my nerves. It feels like I don’t have a church anymore! What do you guys (and gals) think?

We are more used to it I think. For us, the main split started in the 16th century. Now I am simply saddened and yet fascinated by how quickly the branches are continuing to split off one another. What’s the number of denominations at now? 33,000 or something? Yet, they are all still claiming to be inspired by the Holy Spirit. Amazing, simply amazing.
smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_3_1v.gif

 

[Tietjen]

Hugh Betcha:

I know! It hit me all wrong too! I really feel like I have lost my church. I have been looking into converting to Catholic (my fiancee is Catholic) and I don’t know if this is God’s way of showing me the way, or what. All who read this please pray for me, I am really wandering right now. It was confusing enough when I began to find out about Catholics and questioning being a protestant. Now this. My faith is intact, I just really want God to guide me in this.

My prayers are with you. You should do some serious praying as well. I’m very sure that you will know in the end what is needing to be done.
God bless.

 

[Tietjen]

Hugh Betcha:

I thought about the Rosary, but don’t know what/how to pray or even if I am allowed to. Can you pray what you want, or does it have to be the set prayers? And what is a novena? I just don’t want to mess up and be excommunicated; particularly since I haven’t been communicated yet!

ROFL - Just keep it simple for now. Pray to God for guidence. Once you have that guidence, move in the direction He wants you to. Since I am sure that in the end you’ll be coming home to the Church, maybe talk to a Priest and be sure to ask about RCIA.

 

[Tietjen]

Hugh Betcha:

Here’s a link to the letter sent to the congregation in PDF format:

foresthill.org/update.htm

Not that you REALLY think I’m lying but thought you all may like to read it.

I didn’t think you were lying. In fact, I just finished writing Pastor Chadwick this email:

Dear Pastor Chadwick,

I am not a member of your Church however; I have recently heard that Foresthill would be separating itself from the EPC. I am very curious as to why this would happen. I read the Congregational Letter dated April 3, 2005 and find myself continuing to be mystified. At one time, Foresthill certainly felt it was in union with the Holy Spirit, yet now it feels that the Spirit has changed direction and is calling for your Church to secede? Did the EPC change? Did the Spirit change? Or did Foresthill change? I mean no disrespect, I’m simply curious. Some, at Foresthill, feel as though you are abandoning the doctrines that they grew up with and now find themselves questioning their entire concept of religion. If religious truths can be changed to suit man, how will other men know what truths come from God?

I’ll let you know what his reply is should he respond.

 

[Hugh_Betcha]

Tietjen:

I didn’t think you were lying. In fact, I just finished writing Pastor Chadwick this email:

I’ll let you know what his reply is should he respond.

Definately let me know; I know he will respond.

 

[Tietjen]

Hugh Betcha:

Definately let me know; I know he will respond.

Not much of a response and in fact Pastor Chadwick actually forwarded my email to Christina Wilking who responded with this:

We are doctrinally sound and pure. We have a disagreement over baptism that has shown some other differences in how we do ministry in the years to come. Please tell your friends, if they are members or regular attendees, to come a week from Sunday where I will address the issue.
God is still very much alive here. Jesus is being glorified, of that I can assure you.

DC

So, there you have it. Maybe she will address my question as to who changed their doctrine of baptism (the Holy Spirit, the EPC, or Forresthill) at the meeting. In the email, Ms. Wilking’s opening sentence says, “We are doctrinally sound and pure.” I have to wonder what she means by that. Whose doctrine is she using to claim such a thing? The EPC’s? The Catholic Church’s? I think not. Instead, they are simply making up their own doctrine as they go along. Just as so many other churches have done in the past and are doomed to continue doing in the future. If I write on paper that Homosexuality is not a sin (this is just an example), does that make it “doctrinally sound and pure?” This seems to be what Foresthill is doing on the issue of multiple baptisms. Anyway, that’s just my thoughts. I wish you well and will be praying that you take this as a sign that it’s time to come Home.
God bless.

 

[Hugh_Betcha]

Thanks for letting me know what the response was. I agree with you that they are making things up as they go along. While I don’t doubt that they THINK they are doing the right thing, I just cannot reconcile this in my mind. Just makes me wonder if everthing is subject to change based on what someone “feels” is right. I’m leaning heavily towards becoming Catholic; I feel totally lost right now. I basically have no church to call home and don’t feel like shopping around to find a new one that will change with the wind. That’s the main thing that’s got me thinking about Catholicism - that it is now and always has been the same.

 

[Ignatius]

Hugh Betcha:

OK, so I got a letter from my church today. Basically it says that they are moving away from the EPC (Evangelical Presbyterian Church) for the following reasons:

1. They want the ability to re-baptize folks who already have been; ie someone who renews thier faith and wants another baptism. Currently they are not allowed to do so.
2. They want non-EPC ordained pastors to be allowed to serve the Lord’s supper.

Does this bother you as much as me?! It almost seems like they are saying “well we want to do what WE want, so we will find some other denomination (or none at all) that will let us”. This is really, really on my nerves. It feels like I don’t have a church anymore! What do you guys (and gals) think?

What’s new; this is the legacy of the reformation. That’s exactly the same kind of thing that started it. You are welcome to come home the the Catholic Church.

God Bless.