Protestants, how can this be possible?

  • Thread starter Thread starter PJM
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
John6:52
At this the Jews quarreled among themselves saying, How can he give us his flesh to eat? There upon Jesus said to them
Let me solemnly assure you, if you do not eat the flesh f the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you He who feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has life eternal and I will raise him up on the last day.’’
Only Catholics go to heaven?
This of course was a very difficult statement for the people of the past as it is for us today. As a result it is interpreted in different ways. Jesus added that what He is talking about is Spirit as the flesh profits nothing.

I am a Quaker so we do not even have communion symbolically as other Protestants do. I feel however the Spirit of God in me and joy of eternal life. I see Jesus in everyone I meet and serve Him there. I enjoy having true Spiritual friends of all denominations. In fact today I am going to an event in about two hours that is run by a very very Spiritual Catholic lady whom I have total respect for. What the Catholics believe about communion may be true however it is not for me to say. All I know is that it is not necessary for everyone to adhere to the Catholic interpretation of communion to be one with God.
 
Every man and woman are born with the faith of God in their hearts and souls. It is possible to be very good people. What are you missing; The God that lives in you wnats to come into your body and soul in communion, He has given you the beatitudes and the sacraments to bring you closer to Him. The rules of the Roman Catholic Church areeasy stepping stones to happiness in love with our creator, look what you arre missing!!!:):):):):)🙂
If that was the case the Holy Spirit would draw Protestants to what you mention above. Many are not drawn to that as they feel one with God without it. They are not missing anything.

I am not saying that the sacraments have no place. They may very well help the faith of many and in thoses cases excellent. They are not a help to everyone however so these people do not need them.
 
Sorry …but, keep Seeking the Truth in scriptures and read some early Christian history, and hopefully you will find the Catholic Church.

Right now, you could easily be Mormon, JW, Islamic, Jewish, Buddist, Loadicean, etc.
Secularism is not what Christ and the Apostolic Church taught.
Jesus taught us to love one another. By loving one another the world will know that we are His. Perhaps I could be anything. He who serves God with all his stength, heart and soul and understanding is doing what God asks and is thus a servant of God. He who serves God has love as God is love.
 
Justy,
Like I said earlier, I don’t wish to get into a lengthy debate on the issues, but I do feel the need to point out a couple of things.
  1. Please don’t place your responses inside my quote. As you can see, nothing comes forward and it is a hassle for me or anyone else to untangle is to respond.
  2. In your first response, you misinterpreted what I said, which was 'Most" Protestants. You translated this into “All”.
  3. You say that the Bible “speaks of the Church. It doesn’t say that it is exclusively one institution”. Pray tell, then, when Jesus Prayed that His followers “Be One as He and the Father are One”, and when St Paul exhorted in his letters for the faithful to be "Of One Mind’, and when Jesus told us to take our disagreements to the Church, just how many “Institutions” (with different doctrines) was He talking about?
Honesly ask yourself this question.
If any of the Early Biblical “Church communities” founded by Paul had told Paul that they had discerned a different meaning from scripture on some point of doctrine, and they were going with their own interpretation because they just knew he was wrong, what do you think Paul’s reaction would be??
If, after the Council of Jerusalem sent their letter to Antioch, the Judaizers rejected the letter and started meeting on their own, what do you think Paul’s reaction would be?

The Idea of the "Church’ being multiple, unconnected, and doctrinally diverse communities flies in the very face of what is written in The Bible.

I know you will disagree with this which is why, when we have these kinds of discussions, I invite the other person(s) to join with me in obeying Christ’s command in Mt 18:15-18. Let us go and, “Tell it to The Church”, so that we may get a difinitive answer and maintain the Christian unity that Christ Prayed so earnestly for.

Peace
James
I believe that Jesus made one Spiritual church. It is not a church of this world it is the Kingdom of God. Any can join this Kingdom. To join this Kingdom one must serve the King. This Kingdom is heaven on earth and heaven in the afterlife. People in this Kingdom come from all denominations, countries and races. It is the true church. These people have some differences in interpreting some things however they all know that obeying God and love are the most important things.

Jesus built one church and the gates of hell can never split it. Nobody has and nobody every will.
 
  • Nothing is wrong. - Look around you.
  • Everything is okay and is working along God’s will. - God allows evil so that a greater good may come from it. So yes, it will be ok IF we are truly doing God’s will. This world is ruled by the prince of this world. God being the good Father He is, gave us countless denominations to choose from to deal with the ‘prince of this world’? Do you really think He would make it that hard when something like oh - salvation of our souls - is at stake?
  • There is only one truth. - Clean this up a bit and capitalize and you got it. Truth - there is only one Truth. His name is Jesus. Just like there is only one Way. And one Life. But countless churches. Odd.
  • The true church is a spiritual one. - Yes - but also visible. Battle worn and repentant humans need to see where God built it. Just like in the Old Testament God gave explicit details in building the Temple. The altar of sacrifice was built according to the Father’s blueprint. Does God change? Why would a good Father change it up and get all generic and leave man to the wolves while this repentant soul blindly searches for a ‘spiritual’ church? A better definition of the True Church - One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic.
  • It is made of the people who obey God. They are the one’s that love. - The Church is made of sinners trying to obey God realizing they need Jesus and through their study, has found that the fullness of Truth is in the Catholic Church instituted by this Jesus Himself. True love for another is doing everything a person can to get their brothers and sisters to heaven.
  • It does not matter if they are in different denominations. There is always a unity with people who love. - Yes it does matter or the High Priestly Prayer of God Himself, Christ - in John 17 - was all prayed in vain. God is Love. Perfect Love. In the Trinity - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are 3 different persons loving us with One Love. The Love of God. The unity is found in how we come to know God, love God, and serve God - in COMMunion with one another. The unity Christ prayed for so that the world may know that the Father sent Him. How well has this multi headed church done in letting the world know that the Father sent Christ? Wanna take the world by storm and change it forever? We should try assisting God the Father in answering His Son’s prayer in John 17.
  • Lots of denominations is good - Then why did Christ pray for one? Why did St. Paul say to be of one mind? There was only one denomination in St. Paul’s time. He preached oneness of mind in his day to prevent Luthers, Zwinglis, Calvins, from dividing the fledgling Church that existed then. This oneness lasted for 1500 years until someone thought it was a good to have lots of denominations. That someone was the devil inspiring men in the Church to divide it because of the evil actions of a few within the Church.
  • If gives people more of a choice on how they want to serve God and find God. - Kind of flies in the face of Jesus being the one Way, one Truth, and one Life. God the Father is logical and would only give one Church for his children to serve and find Him. He knows we have it hard enough down here in this world we are called to be in but not of. I think any earthly father would make it simpler when it comes to matters of life or death.
  • It is a strengthening of Christianity. No - it’s a weakening of Christianity - divisions in God’s family weakens the Roman Catholic Church and all Protestant churches. The ‘world’ does NOT clearly know that the Father sent Christ clearly because it has been weakened by division.
  • There is no need for concern. - Yes there is. I am concerned that we are breaking Our Father’s heart. You think God the Father wants to see His family all divided? What good father on earth would hold a Sunday dinner and really want to see his children all eating at different tables because they couldn’t get along? The Father in Heaven is not just a good father. He’s perfect. And we waste time and break His perfect heart because of obstinancy, pig-headed-ness, and stubborness. He really does want us to be one. Christ prayed for it - did I mention John 17? 🙂
  • Unity in the Spirit is always there across racial, national, religious and denominational lines. Martin Luther King Jr. - The “I have a dream” speech was written then because he was delusional. We have Republicans and Democrats, Libertarians and Green Party, Communists and Socialists, the list goes on. Religious and denominational lines are countless because of DISunity in the Spirit. The thing that controls this world knows the truth of the saying “strength in numbers”. Therefore, the prince of this world does everything he can to destroy the One Church instituted by the One Christ sent by the One Father for His Children. The prince of this world made some headway around 500 years ago.
Look - it isn’t rocket science. Think of it as if you were a father watching your children divided because they couldn’t get along. You didn’t intend for them to be that way. You wanted them to be a happy family. However, some of them didn’t listen to you well enough. They didn’t do what you said to do or they wouldn’t follow the directions you gave their brother to tell the rest of the family - just because that brother said it. You pray that one day they will all be united. Any good father would.

God bless,
luke1_28
You want everyone to go to the same building on Sunday. I could be wrong but I do not think this is a priority with Jesus. We can go to different buildings and still be one in the Spirit. You want everyone to interpret things and think exactly like you. People are different. They have different insights to different things, different strengths. As long as people do their best it is okay that there is a variation of opinion and thought. We can still all be one in the Spirit.
Martin Luther King was not delusional. God showed him the promised land.
 
Jesus taught us to love one another. By loving one another the world will know that we are His. Perhaps I could be anything. He who serves God with all his stength, heart and soul and understanding is doing what God asks and is thus a servant of God. He who serves God has love as God is love.
maybe it is not us who decides what is good before God but it is God who decides what is good before His eyes.

REV.
18 "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 "I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and beguiling my servants to practice immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her immorality.

i am not saying you eat meat sacrificed to idols. i am just point out to you an example of how one can think they are doing good but yet not pleasing to God at all.
 
You want everyone to go to the same building on Sunday. I could be wrong but I do not think this is a priority with Jesus. We can go to different buildings and still be one in the Spirit. You want everyone to interpret things and think exactly like you. People are different. They have different insights to different things, different strengths. As long as people do their best it is okay that there is a variation of opinion and thought. We can still all be one in the Spirit.
Martin Luther King was not delusional. God showed him the promised land.
do you know what it means to be one? explain please.
 
I believe that Jesus made one Spiritual church. It is not a church of this world it is the Kingdom of God. Any can join this Kingdom. To join this Kingdom one must serve the King. This Kingdom is heaven on earth and heaven in the afterlife. People in this Kingdom come from all denominations, countries and races. It is the true church. These people have some differences in interpreting some things however they all know that obeying God and love are the most important things.

Jesus built one church and the gates of hell can never split it. Nobody has and nobody every will.
so, you dont care who teaches what about Christ, am i right? have you ever read about the Great Heresies? perhaps you should. it will give you some perspective on what they tought back in those days and who was fighting to keep the True Teachings of our Lord.
 
=Follow Yeshua;5687150]Well there are endless numbers of Catholic people who are heretical because I would say over 90% of them have never read the CCC.
How’s that for unity?
***Friend your reply is completely uninformed. While reading the CCC is a good idea *****
 
=brb2;5688616]The Catholic Church of Christ offers you a Saturday Mass …🙂 and everything else you need to satisfy your picky needs.
***My dear friend in Christ,

Have you ever considered that when you point one fingure at me [the CC] you are pointing three back at yourself:)

Again I invite toy to a frank and candid discussion of issues, not mere poisoned opinions.

If you want to discuss, then lets be civil and discuss. Even Yahweh would agree with this proposition.👍

Love and prayers,***
 
Is it difficult to deny truth?

Originally Posted by Roy5
Sorry. Perhaps it’s my Protestant bias. Perhaps it’s my sense of propriety. Perhaps it’s my tendency to view Jesus as speaking in metaphors like “I am the door.” Perhaps it’s because the whole concept of eating flesh and blood seems pagan, gross, and contradictory to basic ethics. But the whole notion that in communion we are eating the body and blood of Christ simply is unbelievable.

***The factual evidence for this Dogma is both Biblically and historically overwhelming.
Please note that all 4 Gospel writers speak if it as does St. Paul. This is a rarely found in the Bible. READ: Mt. 26:26-28, Mk.14:22-24, Lk. 22:19-21 John all of Chapter 6***

*, but especially the quotes I shall pull and print for you. Please notice the absolute lack of metaphorical or parable language. Indeed we see very specific language, so clear that one must be willing to deny the truth of the message, or be considered dishonest and insincere. Paul in 1 Cor. 11:23-26. Also note Paul

Let’s began with Paul 1 Cor. 11:27 27 "Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner [meaning either in serious sin or unbelieving] will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself /I] This is clearly not a metaphor ! And Paul can’t be talking about the staples of bread and wine. How can eating JUST FOOD "profane the Body and Blood of Christ?"

The real question is not “Can God do this? Of course God can. God can do anything GOOD. The better question is why would God want to?

Jn. Chapter 6 1: 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a multitude was coming to him, Jesus said to Philip, “How are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” … One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are they among so many?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” …so the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten” [Note fish, even today a sign of Jesus, Bread like OT Manna, and 12 = the 12 tribes which means us today!]
  1. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves .Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you
31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’" Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world.” 35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.

41The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, “I am the bread, which came down from heaven.” They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 47 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread, which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh."

52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. .

60Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?”… 63 It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you that do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

66After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him. Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

Note: This is in the setting of the Passover meal,[See Exo.12:21-27]. God specified 1. A male lamb 2. Unblemished 3. A bread offering 4. A wine offering. [Lev. 23: 5-13, John 1:29 & 36, 1 Pet.1:19.]

In John 1 and 1 Peter Jesus is identified specifically as this lamb. NOTE: In order to effect a sacrifice there MUST BE a shedding of Blood![This is fulfilled by Jesus on the Cross.]

**
 
Statistics show the number of Protestant secs at well in excess of 30,000!

I am befuddled, confused, bewildered how this can be a fact [a rapidly growing fact] and yet it does not seem to register with non-Catholics that something is obviously wrong.

I am very sincere in not being able to comprehend the lack of concern that seems to indicate that this is fine, it’s somehow God’s Will. There can only be ONE truth on any particular issue. So how can this be:shrug:

I do not mean this as a disparagement of any type. I simply am confounded that this does not raise a “red flag” and questions? Can you enlighten me?

I have been faithfully answeing your questions for more more than a year. Help me out here:rolleyes:

Love and prayers,
Pat
I am too very concerned about modern day Protestantism and apostasy of Christendom. However, in every generation of redemptive history, God always has his remnant (invisible church - those whom He predestined) which He saves for His own glory and His own good pleasure. This verse will give you insight in regards to apostasy found in all branches of Christendom. I believe in all Catholic, Protestant, Anglican, and other Christian churches, you will find true children of God and apostates, or sheeps and goats within all our churches.

The Remnant of Israel

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. - Rom 11
 
I am too very concerned about modern day Protestantism and apostasy of Christendom. However, in every generation of redemptive history, God always has his remnant (invisible church - those whom He predestined) which He saves for His own glory and His own good pleasure. This verse will give you insight in regards to apostasy found in all branches of Christendom. I believe in all Catholic, Protestant, Anglican, and other Christian churches, you will find true children of God and apostates, or sheeps and goats within all our churches.

The Remnant of Israel

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. - Rom 11
yes, it is by the Grace of God that we are saved. that does not mean that God forces people to accept His Grace. God teaches us about what He wants us to do. you have the choice to do it or to reject it. it is your choice. FREE WILL. the Beatitudes, love the neighbor, take care of the poor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick, believe the Sacraments given to us by Christ. listen to the Successors of the Apostles for they give an account of your souls. God is against the rebellious people who think they can believe what ever they want to about God.
 
=2nd Adam-I am too very concerned about modern day Protestantism and apostasy of Christendom. However, in every generation of redemptive history, God always has his remnant (invisible church - those whom He predestined) which He saves for His own glory and His own good pleasure. This verse will give you insight in regards to apostasy found in all branches of Christendom. I believe in all Catholic, Protestant, Anglican, and other Christian churches, you will find true children of God and apostates, or sheeps and goats within all our churches.
The Remnant of Israel
I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. - Rom 11
***My dear friend Adam, thanks for responding to my OPQ.

However if your God is mean, evil and bad enough to “predestine people” we can’t possibly be serving the same God:shrug:

You see Adam our God is Good, Just, Fair, and Loving everyone. Therefore as the giver of life and death, the presenter of “good gifts” ***

Lk. 12: "24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass which is alive in the field today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O men of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be of anxious mind. For all the nations of the world seek these things; and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things shall be yours as well.

11 "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, * that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

So our God tells us to “seek His kingdom,” to enter by the narrow gate, to get Baptized [Jn.3:5], to obey his Commandments [Mt.1916-17], and [Mt. 16:24] "Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it"

Adam our God Created us with a mind, intellect and freewill, precisely so that we could use these “God-like” [ours imperfect / God’s Perfect] to to know love and serve Him in this word so we can be with Him in the next. Our God sure is nicer than your God:) So just who is your God Adam, that he would do such an unfair and unjust, completely w/o compassion and love kind of thing:shrug:

***2 Phil. 12:“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” ***

*It’s NOT too late to switch over to our God.

Love and prayers,*
 
Well there are endless numbers of Catholic people who are heretical because I would say over 90% of them have never read the CCC.
And they have no intentions on reading it. Many of them don’t even know what it is if you asked them. They just blindly follow and the RCC loves this notion. Funny thing is that the Bible does not support this at all.
In the eyes of the Catholic church, it’s perfect unity. In God’s eyes, I’ll bet it’s a whole different picture.
 
And they have no intentions on reading it. Many of them don’t even know what it is if you asked them. They just blindly follow and the RCC loves this notion. Funny thing is that the Bible does not support this at all.
My dear friend who that said "love is blind?"
In the eyes of the Catholic church, it’s perfect unity. In God’s eyes, I’ll bet it’s a whole different picture
***Because we care I’m going to try to save you some of that money you seem so eager to loose. Here is additional evidence of the Authority of the CC.

***Authority

Luke 10:16 “He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

Mark 3: 13 “And he went up on the mountain, and called to him those whom he desired; and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve, to be with him, and to be sent out to preach and have authority to cast out demons: Simon whom he surnamed Peter; James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, whom he surnamed Bo-anerges, that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.”

Eph. 2:19 “So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; [singular] in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”

Mt. 28: 18 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”

Mt. 18: 15 "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; [SINGULAR] and if he refuses to listen even to the church, [SINGULAR] let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you [SINGULAR] bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Romans 13: 1 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”******
 
Every man and woman are born with the faith of God in their hearts and souls. It is possible to be very good people. What are you missing; The God that lives in you wnats to come into your body and soul in communion, He has given you the beatitudes and the sacraments to bring you closer to Him. The rules of the Roman Catholic Church areeasy stepping stones to happiness in love with our creator, look what you arre missing!!!:):):):):)🙂
Actually; God wants the heart of the sinner fully trusting and obeying His word. He indwells the man by His Spirit; not be physical and carnal means. He does not condone and actually condemns the eating of human flesh and of drinking blood and would consider this type of communion an abhorrence. There is the truth of God that you cannot bear.

Ge. 9
3 "Every moving thing that is alive shall be food for you; I give all to you, as I gave the green plant. 4 "Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. 5 "Surely I will require your lifeblood; from every beast I will require it. And from every man, from every man’s brother I will require the life of man.
6 "Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed,
For in the image of God; He made man.

God gives mankind the authority to kill and eat all kinds of meats from animals, birds, and fish (Verses 2 & 3). God does not give Noah or anyone permission to eat human flesh. Rather you find a striking and notable contrast in verses 5-6, which mankind is handled very differently than the animals. Why? Mankind was made in the image of God, a characteristic not allocated to animals.

These passages prohibit cannibalism a couple of ways; it does not give mankind permission to eat human flesh. Secondly, God gives specific instruction as to mans relationship to Him, in His image, and makes a clear differentiation between animals and man’s relationship with Him. Therefore, man is to be treated and treated by others in a manner reflecting that distinction. This proscription, coming before the Mosaic Law, was not intended just for Israel, but for all of mankind.

Furthermore, “Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” (John 6:52). Although they didn’t understand the symbolic essence of Jesus’ statement, they distinctly were open and flatly rejected the idea of literally eating His flesh, which they would have consented if the Law permitted cannibalism. Have you ever considered this?

Cannibalism is mentioned several times in Scripture ( Deuteronomy 28:53-57, Leviticus 26:29, 2 Kings 6:28-29, Ezekiel 5:10, Lamentations 2:20, 4:10, & Jeremiah 19:9 ). None of these passages condone it; I encourage all of you to read the dread of it. All these passages, either forecast what will happen if the Israelites abandon God and/or give the fulfillment of the predictions. If the Israelites forsake God and do not repent, God said He would pour out His wrath in such a way that they would be so hungry that even the most caring and affectionate mother would become a cannibal, eating her own children, and keeping it from the other family members, so she would have more to eat.

If cannibalism was not a big deal, why would this be depicted as the ultimate in despair and degradation?

The contemplation of families becoming cannibals among themselves is disparaging as it should be; a wretched and terrible thing. Such treatment of mankind is in stark contrast with how dead bodies of honorable or innocent persons are treated in Scripture.

How much more would God be offended by people, who knowingly commit such an offense against His Son? They are guilty in the same participation of the the shedding of the flesh and blood of the Christ on the cross.

Although there exists no explicit command against cannibalism that one can point to in Scripture; from the very beginning ( Genesis 1:26-27 ), God made it clear that mankind was distinct from animal-kind, being made in His image. As early as Noah’s day, God that man was to be valued in a manner above that of animals. God gave permission to eat a wide variety of meats, He never gave man permission to eat other people.
 
There seems to be an idea here that without the Catholic church a person cannot know the will of God. This is not true. God is with all of us and we can follow him with or without a church. The Holy Spirit is every person’s highest authority.
Then how is it that we have Protestants who don’t believe in the Trinity, Protestants who worship on Saturdays instead of on Sundays, Protestants who deny that Mary is the Mother of God, Protestants who say that the Eucharist is only a symbol, or that baptism is only for adults?

Is the Holy Spirit a spirit of confusion and contradiction? But if they were all hearing the Holy Spirit, then they would all believe the same things.
We all know this voice. This voice is the complete package. It tells us that love is the most important thing. All of us nomatter what we call ourselves were made by God to love everyone even people we don’t like. This is the true chruch and it runs in all denominations.
Even atheists can seek the good for those they don’t like very well - which is what it means to love our neighbors. The call to love our neighbor as ourselves is a universal command to all of humanity; it is not distinct to Christians only. (In fact, every form of religion has some form of this commandment among its basic precepts - even the Hindus say, “Do as ye would be done by.”)
 
GottaGo12345678-Actually; God wants the heart of the sinner fully trusting and obeying His word. He indwells the man by His Spirit; not be physical and carnal means. He does not condone and actually condemns the eating of human flesh and of drinking blood and would consider this type of communion an abhorrence. There is the truth of God that you cannot bear. [/QUOTE said:
Either you don’t know what the Bible says, or you know more and according to yourself definately know better than God. Which is it. God wants you to obey His word? 🤷

Mt. 26:26-28, Mk. 14:22-24, Lk.22:19-24, John 6:52 - 67 and St. Paul 1 Cor. 11:23-28. It’s in Gods Word by five different authors! And you can still ignore it.😊:eek:
Gen. 9
3 "Every moving thing that is alive shall be food for you; I give all to you, as I gave the green plant. 4 "Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.
5 "Surely I will require your lifeblood; from every beast I will require it. And from every man, from every man’s brother I will require the life of man.
6 "Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed,
For in the image of God; He made man.

God gives mankind the authority to kill and eat all kinds of meats from animals, birds, and fish (Verses 2 & 3). God does not give Noah or anyone permission to eat human flesh. Rather you find a striking and notable contrast in verses 5-6, which mankind is handled very differently than the animals. Why? Mankind was made in the image of God, a characteristic not allocated to animals

These passages prohibit cannibalism a couple of ways; it does not give mankind permission to eat human flesh. Secondly, God gives specific instruction as to mans relationship to Him, in His image, and makes a clear differentiation between animals and man’s relationship with Him. Therefore, man is to be treated and treated by others in a manner reflecting that distinction. This proscription, coming before the Mosaic Law, was not intended just for Israel, but for all of mankind…

*Gen. 1: 28: "And God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”/*COLOR]

Gen. 9: 3 "Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you; and as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything. Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood."

Exo. 16: "And Moses said, "When the LORD gives you in the evening flesh to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the LORD has heard your murmurings which you murmur against him–what are we? Your murmurings are not against us but against the LORD."

Here is how Protestant Matt. Henry explains it "Gen. 9 v.3. A grant of maintenance and subsistence: Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you, v. 3. Hitherto, most think, man had been confined to feed only upon the products of the earth, fruits, herbs, and roots, and all sorts of corn and milk; so was the first grant, ch. 1:29. But the flood having perhaps washed away much of the virtue of the earth, and so rendered its fruits less pleasing and less nourishing, God now enlarged the grant, and allowed man to eat flesh, which perhaps man himself never thought of, till now that God directed him to it, nor had any more desire to than a sheep has to suck blood like a wolf. But now man is allowed to feed upon flesh, as freely and safely as upon the green herb. Now here see, (1.) That God is a good master, and provides, not only that we may live, but that we may live comfortably, in his service; not for necessity only, but for delight."
Furthermore, “Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” (John 6:52). Although they didn’t understand the symbolic essence of Jesus’ statement, they distinctly were open and flatly rejected the idea of literally eating His flesh, which they would have consented if the Law permitted cannibalism. Have you ever considered this?
Because like you they heard but did not comprehend that Christ was talking about His after death RISEN and GLORIFIED BODY. That is why Jesus then asked His Apostles in v. 62 “do you wish to leave me also?” He did try to win the mistaken back!

[Cannibalism is mentioned several times in Scripture ( Deuteronomy 28:53-57, Leviticus 26:29, 2 Kings 6:28-29, Ezekiel 5:10, Lamentations 2:20, 4:10, & Jeremiah 19:9 ). None of these passages condone it.]

***Nor do Catholics or the CC.:***thumbsup:

CCC ***1413 By the consecration the transubstantiation of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ is brought about. Under the consecrated species of bread and wine Christ himself, living and glorious, is present in a true, real, and substantial manner: his Body and his Blood, with his soul and his divinity ***(cf. Council of Trent: DS 1640; 1651).
How much more would God be offended by people, who knowingly commit such an offense against His Son? They are guilty in the same participation of the the shedding of the flesh and blood of the Christ on the cross.
Oh, I don’t know? Perhaps no more than those to don’t take God at His word?

Good try. But no sale. God can do anything Good, and receiving Chrsit in Holy Communion is the greatest good on planet earth.😃

Love and prayers,
 
I’ve heard that the 30,000 number is… slightly inflated, to say the least. Apparantly, if you were to use the same method in counting Catholic churches, one woudl end up wiht several hundred Catholic “denominations”.

Regardless of this, PJM’s point would seem to stand. How can so many different groups have sprouted from the Protestant Reformation, none of them agreeing on much except that Rome is bad?

Short answer: many many many reasons. Some are established, or were: the Church **of **Scotland is the established Church of that country; so the Anglican Church in Scotland is not called the Church of, but the Church in, Scotland. In England, the established religion is that of the Church of England.​

  1. Many groups have different names from others, but are in full communion with them. The Anglican Church in Spain has a different name from that in Fiji or Scotland - but they are all member-Churches of the Anglican Communion. The Episcopalian Church **in **Scotland is not the same body as the Church **of **Scotland, which is Presbyterian.
  2. The Roman understanding of Church unity cannot be applied without further ado to all other Church structures: so it does not follow that because all Catholics must be in communion with Rome, all Anglicans must be in communion with Canterbury. To be Anglican and not in communion with Canterbury may be a pity - it is not a contradiction (whether an onlooker thinks it should be, is beside the point).
So counting up bodies called “Church of X” or “Church in Y” is a very unreliable index to how many Churches there are. It ignores far too much, & takes far too much for granted. 😦

Churches have more important things to do than vilify Rome all the time. Why is it so difficult to realise this ? Do Catholics spend their days making Acts of Hate towards Protestant or Orthodox Churches ? Of course not 🙂 Then why the idea that other Churches order their lives by doing so towards the CC ?
Yeah, sure, I’m still drawing with a broad brush, but… 🤷

To quote Abp. Sheen: “The truth is the truth even if nobody believes it, and a lie is still a lie, even if everybody believes it.”​

That figure of 30,000 may not be a lie - the word “lie” implies an intent to deceive - but it is false. And it is a sin to repeat as true what is not true; & it is a sin to repeat as true what one strongly suspects may not be true.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top