I was having a conversation with a somewhat friend of mine (who is a self proclaimed know it all) about the Baptism of my newest boy. He said “So your Catholic? You know that wont get you saved. The only way to be saved is to have Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior.” My reply was “You know that the Bible never uses that phrase. Not to say it is not somewhat scriptural but I dont believe it is in there anywhere.” I dont remember ever reading this in the NT am I wrong on this?
I said you know how the Trinity is no where stated in the Bible and he said “Whats the Trinity?” so I ended the conversation. That said I am no a Biblcal scholor but I am trying to learn more day by day…
My problem with the statement is the “MY” part… It seem to be making Jesus belong to me as where we are HIS sheep and belong to him… Does this make since?
This is not saying that you should not have a personal relationship…
Any help would be appreciated
Peace,
DLG
I’ve had similar conversations with a friend of mine who is ‘born again.’
Firstly, there is a lot myth out there concerning Catholic belief. Some Protestants seem to have the idea that Catholics see baptism as some kind of voodoo charm that prevents their child from going to Hell. Unfortunately, some Catholics add fuel to the fire by having their children admitted to the sacraments yet don’t practice.
Jesus quite clearly stated that baptism was not a recommendation but a necessity. His last words recorded by Matthew were to make disciples and **baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. ** In his conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus quite clearly said you cannot enter heaven unless you are baptized by water and spirit. John the Baptist also preached that Jesus would
baptize with fire (Pentecost). At the beginning of the book of Acts it states that those who heard Peter’s words repented
and were baptized. The book of Acts further records how Cornelius
and his household were baptized and received the Holy Spirit. The Ethiopian eunuch said,
what prevents me from being baptized when he heard the Gospel from Philip the Evangelizer. I could go on but I think these examples make the point.
What Protestants and Catholics dispute is the meaning of baptism, and some Protestant denominations - for example: Pentecostal, Brethren, Evangelical Christians, do not believe baptism is a sacrament but an outward sign of inner conversion, and place less emphasis on baptism than a personal relationship with Jesus. In addition, Catholics place greater emphasis on community than some Protestant denominations were greater emphasis is place on the faith of the individual. This is why some Protestants think Catholics don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus and this maybe were you’re friend is coming from.
It is important to explain the true meaning of baptism. Baptism is entry into a personal relationship with Jesus. However, as Catholics we also believe it is entry into the faith community were faith is shared and nurtured. I would also say that belief in Jesus as our personal Saviour is only the beginning. Accepting Jesus is our personal Saviour requires a response - one way we respond is through baptism which I outlined above. James also says that belief is not enough because ‘even the demons believe and shudder,’ and that faith without works is dead. Jesus states that many will say to him ‘Lord, Lord’ yet he will say he does not know them because - ‘I was naked and you did not clothe me, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was prison and you did not visit me …’ I’m sure you’re familiar with the scripture.
Therefore, no one thing earns us salvation and belief in Jesus as our Saviour is only the first step on the road to salvation.
uch:
The way my wife and lI ook at it is we have a loved one in Heaven constantly praying for us and our other children