You’ve gotta love this forum. Everything is so easy to do. Thanks to whoever set it up
Elvisman, I just want to thank you for taking the time to go through this with me. I can’t tell you how I sometimes long to understand where the problems actually lie between the religions. Sometimes we find there aren’t really very many, mostly false accusations, but no doubt they arise from the practices of those in the Catholic Church who take things too far no doubt. I assure you, the things I think about the catholic church are not made up but am a personal witness to it. Forgive my ignorance on these matters but they must be dealt with regardless of what corner of your religion they lie. At least I would like to be able to tell others, ‘yea, but they don’t all support that practice’
But that in and of itself brings me to another concern. I know the Catholic Church claims that they are all united as one, but, hardly are they united in mind and heart in many aspects. Take the devotions for example. You say that salvation is only through Jesus but as it stands, one does not even need to approach Jesus at all, only His mother and they can obtain anything they ask of her. There are many devotion rules that say ‘devote yourself’ to praying her rosary. I’m using terms that I have read. If you make me recite where, I will but I don’t think it’s necessary. I have to wonder if many Catholics are not even aware of the degree of division that exists in their own religion? If we separated the catholics accordingly, how many denominations would there be then? I imagine probably only two. Those who adhere to the core rules of the church and those who adhere more to the devotions of the church.
Another thought that I can’t shake is…how can the Church embrace such ardent devotions?
They are falling down before the Lamb (Jesus) with the prayers of the saints. you don’t call that intercessory??
The elders fell down before the feet of the lamb with the prayers of the saints.
you said: When did I say that? I said that those who are in HEAVEN have been made righteous.
aghh! I’ll have to repost your exact quote after this, cause I don’t know how to go back without losing what I’m doing.
For now I’ll just ask…do you believe there were saints before they died? If so, what made them a saint before they were made perfect?
**you said: ** You’re kidding, right?
Trust me when I say I’m not here to waste your time. I was not kidding.
you said: What does he say to the church of Philadelphia?? He praises them for their faithfulness. ALL of these Churches in Revelation are Parishes or diocese of the Catholic Church. All but one of them are being scolded. Remember that these were not ALL of the parishes at the time - these were but 7 of them. It doesn’t mean that the entire Church was corrupt. It means that there were some Parishes that weren’t being faithful - like today.
I’m reciting what Christ is saying about the corruption in His Church. If indeed you believe that you belong to the true church, then these scriptures are for your churches throughout the world.
This is not the unity that I hear proclaimed within the Catholic Church. Who will begin to speak out against the sins of Christs Church? Certainly not the protestants, for we are merely rebellious pagans.
And indeed there are, for Christ would have not said as much. From my discussions with you I have discovered a very relieving thing. That at the core of the catholic religion is Christ. Christ is pleased with this. But who will look and say what He is not pleased with?
The church is in trouble friend. And when you read in revelation what things Christ has against the majority, you’ll begin to open your heart to helping her change her ways.
I for one, would love to join my brothers in the church that belongs to Christ, but I cannot belong to a body whose head is not Christ even though they confess with their mouth He is, but their deeds say otherwise.
I had said: Isn’t it plain in scripture what ‘the church’ is? Is it not the people that belong to Christ?
Christ isn’t the Church, the people are, and He is the head of it. They belong to Him, they are His church. The people are the church, they make up the body of Christ and He is the head. Do I need to recite scriptures for this? Although I think I have before but it’s been a while ago now.
then you said: Read Acts 9:4-5. What does Jesus say to Saul, who was persecuting the CHURCH:
He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
He said, “Who are you, sir?” The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
Jesus didn’t say “Why are you persecuting the Church” - he said “ME”.
I believe your friend said it well. The body and the head are one. The members of the church are the body, and Christ is the head. They cannot exist without the other. But what did Christ say about that part of the church that isn’t in obedience to His word fully? He will spit them out of his mouth. Out of the body. Out of His church. My point is, the scriptures make it plain that the church is in trouble and needs to repent. shouldn’t we be trying to p(name removed by moderator)oint this sin and work towards helping them to repent before it’s too late?