Protestant verses Catholic Evangelization Question

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Hi,

I am wondering how do we as Catholic evangelize.

I know that evangelical Protestants tell people to believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, the sinners prayer, and then they baptize people after a profession of faith, but that baptism isn’t necessary, but an “outward sign of inward faith”, which is really what grace is an “outward sign of inward faith” as I think both Catholics and Protestants see grace? I know the Catholic sacraments are a means to receiving grace.

Catholics don’t tell people to pray the sinners prayer, but also don’t just baptize people right away either, but tell them to go to RCIA. I know that we enter into union with the Church through baptism and full communion at the receiving of the other sacraments, as far as I am aware.

So, it is wrong to tell people to place their faith in Jesus Christ for removal of their sins, knowing that baptism removes original sin and FAITH? and REPENTANCE? removes personal / actual sins?, such as telling them to pray a sinners prayer, prior to RCIA. WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD THE CCC SAYS:
848 "Although in ways known to himself God can lead those who, through no fault of their own, are ignorant of the Gospel, to that faith without which it is impossible to please him, the Church still has the obligation and also the sacred right to evangelize all men."338
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What is the proper systematic method to evangelize people? I am not what types of arguments or discussions to have to lead a person to receive Jesus Christ in their hearts, but when a person is ready to receive Jesus. Just say go to RCIA?

Some people might just tell non-Catholic Christians who are reverting back to Christianity to go back to their bible Church if not ready to become Catholic. Is that okay?

Thank you and God Bless You,
Brian
 
GodHeals said:
Hi,

I am wondering how do we as Catholic evangelize.

I know that evangelical Protestants tell people to believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, the sinners prayer, and then they baptize people after a profession of faith, but that baptism isn’t necessary, but an “outward sign of inward faith”, which is really what grace is an “outward sign of inward faith” as I think both Catholics and Protestants see grace? I know the Catholic sacraments are a means to receiving grace.

Catholics don’t tell people to pray the sinners prayer, but also don’t just baptize people right away either, but tell them to go to RCIA. I know that we enter into union with the Church through baptism and full communion at the receiving of the other sacraments, as far as I am aware.

So, it is wrong to tell people to place their faith in Jesus Christ for removal of their sins, knowing that baptism removes original sin and FAITH? and REPENTANCE? removes personal / actual sins?, such as telling them to pray a sinners prayer, prior to RCIA. WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD THE CCC SAYS:

What is the proper systematic method to evangelize people? I am not what types of arguments or discussions to have to lead a person to receive Jesus Christ in their hearts, but when a person is ready to receive Jesus. Just say go to RCIA?

Some people might just tell non-Catholic Christians who are reverting back to Christianity to go back to their bible Church if not ready to become Catholic. Is that okay?

Thank you and God Bless You,
Brian
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Brian, good question. But a big one.

RCIA is but the first sep, but it really is the first step.

Catholics believe that formation is a lifetime process…we are always being perfected in the image of Christ. RCIA can’t possibly do that…and in fact RCIA should emphasize that formation…systematic formation should continue for life.

The types of formation are generally considered to be the following.

Human formation…training and practice in the human virtues…patience, fortitude, our spirit of generosity, humility, etc.

Doctrinal formation…knowledge of God, and His church. Doctrine, dogma, deep understanding of the creed, what the Church teaches on bioethics, etc.

Spiritual formation…how to pray, how to confess well, how to form resolutions, how to read Scripture, how to struggle toward holiness, how to maintain a presence of God, how to develop an interior life with God, etc.

Apostolic formation: how to help others come closer to God, how to defend the Faith, how to be a good friend, how to develop habits of charity, etc.

But RCIA is the first step, in my opinion.
 
I think the first step is to be a friend. We don’t go door-to-door or stand on street corners passing out tracts. But we can be a friend. We have have been friends with people who asked us questions about our faith. Those friendships & questions have, as far as we know, led to one person returning to the Church, another converting with some of his children (wife is still on the fence), and more than a few (including my parents) deciding that Catholics are Christians after all! (A year or so before my dad died, he had a small crucifix tacked to his desk. And he had been brought up to believe that Catholics are hell-bound & anything Catholic was anathema!)

There are several Protestants who have become interested in learning more about our Catholic faith by talking with my husband (he’ll talk to anybody about it). They may one day become Catholic.

So - be a friend, don’t be shy about talking about your faith, and know - deep down know - what the Church teaches.
 
Bonnie said:
I think the first step is to be a friend. We don’t go door-to-door or stand on street corners passing out tracts. But we can be a friend. We have have been friends with people who asked us questions about our faith. Those friendships & questions have, as far as we know, led to one person returning to the Church, another converting with some of his children (wife is still on the fence), and more than a few (including my parents) deciding that Catholics are Christians after all! (A year or so before my dad died, he had a small crucifix tacked to his desk. And he had been brought up to believe that Catholics are hell-bound & anything Catholic was anathema!)

There are several Protestants who have become interested in learning more about our Catholic faith by talking with my husband (he’ll talk to anybody about it). They may one day become Catholic.

So - be a friend, don’t be shy about talking about your faith, and know - deep down know - what the Church teaches.
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👍

:clapping::clapping::clapping:

And that’s where this can begin…
Bless you!
I wish you had been my friend, to make me jump the fence!!!
 
I think what St. Paul once said applies today as it did when he first said it. It went something like this; Paul plants, Apollo waters, and God brings forth the fruit.

We are always in a situation of planting or watering and we may never see the good fruit which will eventually spring from that. That is where we need to be completely selfless and expect to see nothing from our efforts but simply do it for the love of Jesus.

Wasn’t it Jesus who said that some reap what others have already planted?

And the important part is God making it happen, which means we must pray for them, which in turn means we are contented to see nothing from our work, but leave it in the hands of God that he will answer our prayer and some day bring our work to fruition.

It dosen’t have to be a big long hard prayer. It just has to be a simple genuine loving prayer from our heart for that person, even a stranger. A little prayer but said faithfully every day.

I also believe the other half of this is again what St. Paul said, that is, about our being ready to answer anyone who asks us a question about our faith. At least to know where to find the answer and get back with them. In this case prayer is not going to answer their question.

But evangelization starts in our own home, the catholic church, among catholics who have let their faith go down hill. Again encouragement and especially constant prayer. One of the ways Mary provided to help us to do this is the miraculous medal and the green scapular.

Just some thoughts.​

“O may we all one bread, one body be, through this blest Sacrament of Unity.” (hymn)
 
fred_conty said:
I think what St. Paul once said applies today as it did when he first said it. It went something like this; Paul plants, Apollo waters, and God brings forth the fruit.

We are always in a situation of planting or watering and we may never see the good fruit which will eventually spring from that. That is where we need to be completely selfless and expect to see nothing from our efforts but simply do it for the love of Jesus.

Wasn’t it Jesus who said that some reap what others have already planted?

And the important part is God making it happen, which means we must pray for them, which in turn means we are contented to see nothing from our work, but leave it in the hands of God that he will answer our prayer and some day bring our work to fruition.

It dosen’t have to be a big long hard prayer. It just has to be a simple genuine loving prayer from our heart for that person, even a stranger. A little prayer but said faithfully every day.

I also believe the other half of this is again what St. Paul said, that is, about our being ready to answer anyone who asks us a question about our faith. At least to know where to find the answer and get back with them. In this case prayer is not going to answer their question.

But evangelization starts in our own home, the catholic church, among catholics who have let their faith go down hill. Again encouragement and especially constant prayer. One of the ways Mary provided to help us to do this is the miraculous medal and the green scapular.

Just some thoughts.​

“O may we all one bread, one body be, through this blest Sacrament of Unity.” (hymn)
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I think I recall Peter:
1 Peter 3:15
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but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence;
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Thanks for your encouragement!
Brian
 
Thank you for all of the posts. I realize that formation is lifelong, but I am more interested in the very begging stages of the process and how to lead a person in the right direction.

Is it wrong that we should tell people to believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior? Although, this isn’t necessary as far as I understand, such is baptism and being in the state of grace, for our salvation.

I think it is a very good thing that we do renounce Satan and receive Jesus Christ into our hearts as Lord and Savior and choose to live for Him everyday and when we say the creed, mean it, and partake in all of the sacraments regularly.

I am not so much asking about once saved always saved.

I am asking more of a systematic way of a person receiving Jesus Christ into their heart and life even prior to RCIA and baptism and maybe even receiving the Holy Spirit prior to baptism, not sure if this would be possible as a* baptism of desire *if someone is thinking about being baptized non-Catholic or Catholic.

If evangelizing online, people say TRUST JESUS CHRIST AND RECEIVE HIM AS LORD AND SAVIOR. Catholics cannot baptize anyone through the internet, so maybe the next best thing is to tell people to trust Jesus Christ for their salvation? Even though it isn’t necessary, but something good to do? But this situation can be the same even in person.

Thanks for the discussion.
 
The problem is: the church doesn’t always tell Catholics how do go about evangelizing in any meaningful way. They skirt around the topic or use cliches. I wondered how to do this myself and searched high and low until I found a book entitled: Catholic Evangelization: practical ways of spreading the Gospel and building up the Body of Christ. Its author is a writer named Christopher MacDonald.
I’ve heard and read the question (how does a Catholic evangelize) so often that I had to finally respond to it. But if your serious and really want to know how, the above mentioned author wrote the book on it!

God Bless,

Donna
 
donnmil said:
The problem is: the church doesn’t always tell Catholics how do go about evangelizing in any meaningful way. They skirt around the topic or use cliches. I wondered how to do this myself and searched high and low until I found a book entitled: Catholic Evangelization: practical ways of spreading the Gospel and building up the Body of Christ. Its author is a writer named Christopher MacDonald.
I’ve heard and read the question (how does a Catholic evangelize) so often that I had to finally respond to it. But if your serious and really want to know how, the above mentioned author wrote the book on it!

God Bless,

Donna
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Thank you for the idea in getting this book. Maybe I will look for other books on the subject. This one seems to be online only. Please let me know if you have any other ideas. God Bless You!
 
Edward_H said:
Brian, good question. But a big one.

RCIA is but the first sep, but it really is the first step.

Catholics believe that formation is a lifetime process…we are always being perfected in the image of Christ. RCIA can’t possibly do that…and in fact RCIA should emphasize that formation…systematic formation should continue for life.

The types of formation are generally considered to be the following.

Human formation…training and practice in the human virtues…patience, fortitude, our spirit of generosity, humility, etc.

Doctrinal formation…knowledge of God, and His church. Doctrine, dogma, deep understanding of the creed, what the Church teaches on bioethics, etc.

Spiritual formation…how to pray, how to confess well, how to form resolutions, how to read Scripture, how to struggle toward holiness, how to maintain a presence of God, how to develop an interior life with God, etc.

Apostolic formation: how to help others come closer to God, how to defend the Faith, how to be a good friend, how to develop habits of charity, etc.

But RCIA is the first step, in my opinion.
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Good insights, Thank you!
 
Bonnie said:
I think the first step is to be a friend. We don’t go door-to-door or stand on street corners passing out tracts. But we can be a friend. We have have been friends with people who asked us questions about our faith. Those friendships & questions have, as far as we know, led to one person returning to the Church, another converting with some of his children (wife is still on the fence), and more than a few (including my parents) deciding that Catholics are Christians after all! (A year or so before my dad died, he had a small crucifix tacked to his desk. And he had been brought up to believe that Catholics are hell-bound & anything Catholic was anathema!)

There are several Protestants who have become interested in learning more about our Catholic faith by talking with my husband (he’ll talk to anybody about it). They may one day become Catholic.

So - be a friend, don’t be shy about talking about your faith, and know - deep down know - what the Church teaches.
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Thank you, God Bless You! : )
 
You would forego buying this book because it is only available in electronic format? That’s silly.
 
One of the many tragic results of our inaction and failure to evangelize is the Boston Marathon bombings. In the absence of the Truth, evil will prevail. If we are going to let the people in our country who hate us, we darn well better evangelize them.
We can continue to talk about evangelizing without any action, or we can decide to act. Preaching to the choir will work to strengthen our own faith, but what about all the people that we are responsible to deliver the word of God to?
We are at another critical time in history - will we respond appropriately?
I am not a prophet but I can guarantee that some Christian countries will become Islamic states. It has happened in the past and will continue to happen unless we (with the help of the Holy Spirit) work to convert others. This is our mandate; this is our obligation.
If we truly love our neighour (and I mean all our neighbours), we will certainly want to point them in the direction of how to obtain eternal life!
 
GodHeals said:
Hi,

I am wondering how do we as Catholic evangelize.

I know that evangelical Protestants tell people to believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, the sinners prayer, and then they baptize people after a profession of faith, but that baptism isn’t necessary, but an “outward sign of inward faith”, which is really what grace is an “outward sign of inward faith” as I think both Catholics and Protestants see grace? I know the Catholic sacraments are a means to receiving grace.

Catholics don’t tell people to pray the sinners prayer, but also don’t just baptize people right away either, but tell them to go to RCIA. I know that we enter into union with the Church through baptism and full communion at the receiving of the other sacraments, as far as I am aware.

So, it is wrong to tell people to place their faith in Jesus Christ for removal of their sins, knowing that baptism removes original sin and FAITH? and REPENTANCE? removes personal / actual sins?, such as telling them to pray a sinners prayer, prior to RCIA. WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD THE CCC SAYS:

What is the proper systematic method to evangelize people? I am not what types of arguments or discussions to have to lead a person to receive Jesus Christ in their hearts, but when a person is ready to receive Jesus. Just say go to RCIA?

Some people might just tell non-Catholic Christians who are reverting back to Christianity to go back to their bible Church if not ready to become Catholic. Is that okay?

Thank you and God Bless You,
Brian
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I would tell you to learn Church history.

Many people, both Catholics and protestants, have little idea about the history of Christianity and the Catholic Church. We are the only Church founded by Jesus Christ Himself. We are not just another denomination as so many people wrongly believe, we are the Church with the fullness of Christianity here since the beginning. We, and we alone, were Christianity until the reformation fragmented Christianity in the late 1500’s.We have unbroken apostolic succession. We fought for, and saved, Christianity and evangelized the world alone for nearly 1600 years. The Catholic Church wrote, put together and gave the world the Bible to confirm what the Church was already teaching and doing. We believe in Sacred Tradition. We have the sacred art, music and architecture that aids us in our walk to God and that gives so much to His greater glory and most important, we have the Eucharist, the true body and blood of Jesus Christ, which is the gift that He left so He could be with us always and forever.

Those facts are indisputable and just the tip of the iceberg. The Church has an incredible history, and if you know it, you can certainly get somebodies attention, because as I said, so many have no idea…😦
 
donnmil said:
You would forego buying this book because it is only available in electronic format? That’s silly.
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Some of us don’t have the ability to download books or even large articles - slow dial up, old computer.
 
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