I'm starting to believe my friend!

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RomanRyan1088

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Hello all. For those who don’t know, I posted a thread on this website called " Any Church OK". And i got to say after thinking about it, i believe any church is ok. All God wanted us to do is worship and praise him. All he wanted the people in the old testament to do was believe he was the only God. He never said, “You must be JEWISH” Im starting to believe if you have love for God, the your alright.Whats wrong with this theory. Oh and another thing, my friend said that when Jesus gave the keys to peter, and said " The gates of hell shall not pervail against it", he didn’t mean the CATHOLIC church, he was talking about Christianity in general, and i got to say, it makes sence. Am I wrong to believe this, please i don’t think this is right, but i feel like i have been wrong for a long time. .
 
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RomanRyan1088:
Hello all. For those who don’t know, I posted a thread on this website called " Any Church OK". And i got to say after thinking about it, i believe any church is ok. All God wanted us to do is worship and praise him. All he wanted the people in the old testament to do was believe he was the only God. He never said, “You must be JEWISH” Im starting to believe if you have love for God, the your alright.Whats wrong with this theory.
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The problem with the theory is that to embrace it one must believe that any “truth” is OK since different churches preach conflicting and contradictory versions of the “truth”. Since Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8), how is this possible? If it’s not, where does your theory go from here?
Oh and another thing, my friend said that when Jesus gave the keys to peter, and said " The gates of hell shall not pervail against it", he didn’t mean the CATHOLIC church, he was talking about Christianity in general, and i got to say, it makes sence. Am I wrong to believe this, please i don’t think this is right, but i feel like i have been wrong for a long time.
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At the time that Jesus spoke those words there was no “Christianity in general”. ALL Christians were of one heart and mind. There were no conflicting and contradictory doctrines all being preached as truth. Again, if Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever how is it possible that he’s referring to “Christianity in general” regardless of the doctrine that’s being preached as “truth”?

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I’m sorry you feel this way Roman. There is so much in your post that it would be impossible to cover all the ground you are slipping on so let me touch on one point.

There is no scriptural basis for saying that all God wants is for us to praise and worship him. He most certainly wants more than that. From Scripture alone it becomes clear that he wants us to be Baptized, to feed the hungry, care for the sick, be willing to suffer for him gladly, and listen to the leaders he appointed over us. If your friend is trying to convince you that Christianity is all about feeling good and listening to contemporary christian music while waving your hands in the air, then they are sadly mistaken. That path leads to sorrow, frustration, and a sense of futility as you begin to realize God actually wants you to DO something with the life he gave you.

I’m sure you are familiar with Christ’s commission to Simon and how he came to be the first Bishop. If you are not aware of how this dogma came to be, I’ll be happy to talk about it with you as well.

Please be careful. It sounds to me like you have been given a perfect opportunity by God to share our Faith with your friend, not the other way around. Your friend seems to be selling Protestantism as easier and less intrusive. Remember that the gate to Heaven is narrow; reaching Heaven takes effort. Don’t look for the easy way out at the expense of everything.
 
It was to the Catholic Church, under Peter, that Jesus created. Any church is not okay because there is no unity in doctrine and no agreement on even the most basic of Jesus’ teachings. There can not be more than one version of the Truth.

*Eph 4:3 Careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:4 One body and one Spirit: as you are called in one hope of your calling.
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism.
Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all. *
 
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Catholic4aReasn:
Jesus said, I am the Way,the TRUTH, and the Life.There only can be one truth,and His name is JESUS CHRIST 👍
 
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RomanRyan1088:
Hello all. For those who don’t know, I posted a thread on this website called " Any Church OK". And i got to say after thinking about it, i believe any church is ok. All God wanted us to do is worship and praise him. All he wanted the people in the old testament to do was believe he was the only God. He never said, “You must be JEWISH” Im starting to believe if you have love for God, the your alright.Whats wrong with this theory. Oh and another thing, my friend said that when Jesus gave the keys to peter, and said " The gates of hell shall not pervail against it", he didn’t mean the CATHOLIC church, he was talking about Christianity in general, and i got to say, it makes sence. Am I wrong to believe this, please i don’t think this is right, but i feel like i have been wrong for a long time. .
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My friend the answers you seek are contained in scripture, and in the writings of the church fathers, and in the tradition of The Catholic Church… If you reading the bible, (the New Testament) which is the same by in large throughout christianity, these collection of books were written, complied, declared and protected from error by The Catholic Church… Who better to intrepret The New Testament for you than it’s author… If you research the early church fathers, you will see that there is no doubt in their mind as to which church lies the full deposit of faith…

That being said, you have a computer and i’m sure the ability to find, read and discover the answers to all your questions… I wish you success in your search for truth… 👍
 
Are you talking about Baptism by Desire. That even thought the Catholic Church is Truth, that is a person doesn’t have the oppotunity to experience Catholicism that God would see that he tried to persue the Truth to the best of his capabilities.

My problem with any church is ok, that people began to make up God to what they see as fit and that would be ok. People woulnd’t be searching for the Truth, they could go Church shopping. I don’t always see eye to eye with the Church and a I get frustrated, but that only makes me believe more in it that it is truth. It just would be too easy and coninsidental that all of my self interests match up perfectly with the Truth.
 
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renee1258:
My problem with any church is ok, that people began to make up God to what they see as fit and that would be ok. People woulnd’t be searching for the Truth, they could go Church shopping. I don’t always see eye to eye with the Church and a I get frustrated, but that only makes me believe more in it that it is truth. It just would be too easy and coninsidental that all of my self interests match up perfectly with the Truth.
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You’re right. The idea that any church is okay, makes Truth reletive to a person’s desires and opinions.
 
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Charles:
I’m sure you are familiar with Christ’s commission to Simon and how he came to be the first Bishop. If you are not aware of how this dogma came to be, I’ll be happy to talk about it with you as well.

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No im not, do you think you can explain it to me.
 
Take a look at John 17. This is Jesus’ prayer for His disciples.

17:11 “… Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.”

17:20 “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one.”

17:22 “The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they mat be one, as we are one.”

17:23 “I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one…”

Jesus wants his disciples to be one as He and the Father are one. That is completely united. He does the Father’s will, not His own. The Father gives all to Him and He gives it all back to the Father. How can we possibly understand the depth of unity that Jesus is calling us to?

Our Lord built His church upon Peter. The Catholic Church, the only church in existence since Christ died and rose and she’s still here!
 
I’m glad you’re asking questions and thinking things through.
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RomanRyan1088:
No im not, do you think you can explain it to me.
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I’m not sure what Charle’s answer is going to be but here’s my take on Jesus’ commission to Peter. It’s found in John 24.
Joh 21:14 This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to his disciples, after he was risen from the dead.
Joh 21:15 When therefore they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith to him: Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him: Feed my lambs.
Joh 21:16 He saith to him again: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith to him: yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him: Feed my lambs.
Joh 21:17 He said to him the third time: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he had said to him the third time: Lovest thou me? And he said to him: Lord, thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love thee. He said to him: Feed my sheep.
Joh 21:18 Amen, amen, I say to thee, When thou wast younger, thou didst gird thyself and didst walk where thou wouldst. But when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee and lead thee whither thou wouldst not.
Joh 21:19 And this he said, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had said this, he saith to him: Follow me.
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There are many Christian denominations that have fragments of truth in them, although the Catholic Church holds all of these truths and the fullness of Truth given to us by Christ where the keys were given to Peter. It is the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church.

God Bless
 
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RomanRyan1088:
Hello all. For those who don’t know, I posted a thread on this website called " Any Church OK". And i got to say after thinking about it, i believe any church is ok. All God wanted us to do is worship and praise him. All he wanted the people in the old testament to do was believe he was the only God. He never said, “You must be JEWISH” Im starting to believe if you have love for God, the your alright.Whats wrong with this theory. Oh and another thing, my friend said that when Jesus gave the keys to peter, and said " The gates of hell shall not pervail against it", he didn’t mean the CATHOLIC church, he was talking about Christianity in general, and i got to say, it makes sence. Am I wrong to believe this, please i don’t think this is right, but i feel like i have been wrong for a long time. .
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Hello RomanRyan1088, no you are not wrong to believe that.👍 You believe the truth. An example is the statement like when you say this is my house, Jesus said He is the Rock and upon the confession of Peter that He is the Messiah, He will build His church. Matthew 16:16-18 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Something else I noticed is that someone answered and said that the Protestants have so many different beliefs, but that is not true. Most Protestant denominations have all the basic doctrines God has given to us in the Scriptures in common. I can go to a Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Christian Reform excluding all cults. The catholics have so many different beliefs and the majority do not believe they have to obey the pope. (smart thinking on their part)
:banghead: Be aware of any “church” that says they are the only true church because they usually has extra Biblical teaching as well as a misconstrued view of the Bible itself. They also will put their own writings and traditions above the Scriptures. Our salvation is Jesus Christ and His shed blood for our sins, not Jesus +, or the Scriptures +. It is His finished work on the cross and His resurrection and our confession in that work and resurrection that saves us. He promised eternal life to all those who believe in Him.

Also the apostles taught that the Scripture that was already written in New Testament times was on par with the Old Testament. Here is the proof. 2 Peter 3:13-18 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. **And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.**Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Praise the LORD! :clapping: and all God’s children say…

:amen: and :amen:
 
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Luke24:
Something else I noticed is that someone answered and said that the Protestants have so many different beliefs, but that is not true. Most Protestant denominations have all the basic doctrines God has given to us in the Scriptures in common. I can go to a Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Christian Reform excluding all cults. The catholics have so many different beliefs and the majority do not believe they have to obey the pope. (smart thinking on their part)
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Really? Do all protestants beleive in true Calvinistic predestination? What about Baptism, is it a sign only or is there something more? Lutherins baptise infants, as do Anglicans, what about Baptists? What about the Trinity? There are the Jesus only folks. What about music in the church? What about homosexuality as a sin? Those are basic things that Protestants do not agree on.

As far as Catholics who do not follow the teachings of the Church, they are wrong.
 
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RomanRyan1088:
Oh and another thing, my friend said that when Jesus gave the keys to peter, and said " The gates of hell shall not pervail against it", he didn’t mean the CATHOLIC church, he was talking about Christianity in general, and i got to say, it makes sence.
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Matthew 16:18
You are Peter (rock) and upon this rock, I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it*
it = Church
Peter = (Petros (greek) = Rock)…i.e. the rock upon which the Church is built is Peter.

Karl Keating does a great apologetic on this very site about this subject.
catholic.com/library/Peter_the_Rock.asp

The Church fathers, had a lot ot say about this verse as well regarding Peter as the foundational rock of the Church. Of course, we can take their word for it, or we can just go with the interpretation that surfaced over a millenium later by the reformers.
 
Luke24,

Since the Catholic church has taught from these “extra biblical” sources since Pentecost, (Remember there was no Bible for a while ), so where was the Christian church before 1500AD? Where was the Christian Church before 400 AD? 100ad?
 
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Luke24:
Something else I noticed is that someone answered and said that the Protestants have so many different beliefs, but that is not true. Most Protestant denominations have all the basic doctrines God has given to us in the Scriptures in common. I can go to a Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Christian Reform excluding all cults.
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No two Protestant denominations teach identical doctrine. If they did they would’ve had no reason to break away. Sure, you CAN go to a Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, etc…but you’ll receive a different “truth” in each place.
The catholics have so many different beliefs and the majority do not believe they have to obey the pope. (smart thinking on their part)
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What matters is what the Church herself teaches. Individuals straying from the truth has no bearing on the truth itself. It’s this “every believer for himself” philosophy that has shredded the Body of Christ.
Be aware of any “church” that says they are the only
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true church
How many churches do you believe there are? Wouldn’t the Church that Jesus established KNOW that she was the Church that Jesus established? I’d be wary of any church that did not see itself qualified to make that claim.
because they usually has extra Biblical teaching as well as a misconstrued view of the Bible itself.
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ALL Christian sects have extra-biblical teachings…no exceptions.
They also will put their own writings and traditions above the Scriptures.
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Aren’t the Mormons the only one who believe their writings are Scripture?
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Luke24:
The catholics have so many different beliefs and the majority do not believe they have to obey the pope. (smart thinking on their part)
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With all due respect, the catholics do not have “so many different beliefs” as you say. If you are going to make a statement, please make sure it is accurate!
 
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Luke24:
Be aware of any “church” that says they are the only true church because they usually has extra Biblical teaching as well as a misconstrued view of the Bible itself. They also will put their own writings and traditions above the Scriptures. Our salvation is Jesus Christ and His shed blood for our sins, not Jesus +, or the Scriptures +. It is His finished work on the cross and His resurrection and our confession in that work and resurrection that saves us. He promised eternal life to all those who believe in Him.
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Granted, you discard the traditional view of Matthew 16:18, but that is to be expected. I won’t really try to debate you, because you can just look on this site to find out exactly what the Church has said about this verse for the last 2000 years.
catholic.com/library/Peter_the_Rock.asp
catholic.com/library/Peter_Primacy.asp

Which part of your post do you think the Catholic Church does not embrace? The Catholic Church has been around for about 2000 years, and it, the universal Christian Church, is the only true Church. All other Churches are offshoots, but still separated brethren in an imperfect communion, and still part of the Catholic Church in that sense.
 
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