Rising Protestant tide sweeps Catholic Brazil

[GKC]

Hi Jim

Always :extrahappy: to say howdy

Likewise, Pardner.

GKC

 

[Grace_Seeker]

With respect to the comments and article you reference from Grace Seeker forums.catholic-questions.org/images/buttons_cad/viewpost.gif Jesus is talking about the gentiles when he speaks of “other sheep not in this fold”.

Many Protestant Christians take Jesus reference as meaning

• all Churches are equal.
• or else the sheep that do not belong to “this fold” are separated brothers and sisters of the Catholic Church, i.e. Protestants. Suggesting a split was already there between Christians.
  The context speaks otherwise. In His own Words, Jesus affirmed, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” [Mt. 15:24]

Later, Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, [emphasis mine],

“It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you [The Jews]. Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we are now turning to the Gentiles [the sheep not of this fold that Jesus was speaking of]. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord; and as many as had been destined for eternal life became believers." [Acts 13:46-8]

It goes without saying they came into the One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church.

Grateful4mercy was not referencing the John 10 passage from me; she was sharing it with me. And as far is how it is interpreted, I have never heard a protestant pastor mention it as having anything to do with any church. Such a statement would be ludicrous in the time of Christ.

As to the way this particular protestant reads the passage, I’ll just share with you what I posted on another forum:

The question was posed by another poster:

Posted by tomtom(name removed by moderator)
Is there any type of religious text about another planet with life on it? Or any text saying that this is the only one. I am just wondering what the ramifications to religion would be if there were life on another planet.

I responded:

According to the Gospel of John, Jesus once told his disciples, “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” (John 10:16)

I’ve understood this to mean that Jesus’ ministry was not just to Jews, but while he lived his life in Israel, ultimately his message and gift of salvation was intended to extend to the entire world.

However, the Mormons have always tried to say this was a reference to Jesus going to visit the Indians in the Americas. I suppose that, by the same argument, one could try to say that this was a reference to other planets.

I am sure that Grateful4mercy was entirely aware of the interpretation of the verse to refer to Gentiles. However, in showing true catholic spirit he/she was using the parable as a way of welcoming me.

Then there are others who have to protest anything that does not fit their particular narrow view of the world and how to use scripture. In that regard you sound a lot like a German priest I once heard about.

 

[Grateful4mercy]

I am sure that Grateful4mercy was entirely aware of the interpretation of the verse to refer to Gentiles. However, in showing true catholic spirit he/she was using the parable as a way of welcoming me.

Then there are others who have to protest anything that does not fit their particular narrow view of the world and how to use scripture. In that regard you sound a lot like a German priest I once heard about.

Right on the money

I 100% agree that Jesus was speaking of the Gentiles, but what was the implication of him saying that to the 12? I take it as saying NOBODY has sole ownership of Jesus’ Salvation, not the chosen people (the Jews), not his disciples, not even the Apostles. Only Jesus could be the Shepard of his flock and only he could know them by name. This is the EXACT sort of thinking He came to put an end to. The Pharisees and Sadducee’s tight hold on salvation that would exclude those most in need of it. I hate to hear that sort of thing being belched out from members of my own church. If the reformation was not willed by God would it still exist? We are being, in my view, punished for our arrogance! Only the humility that Jesus taught us will re-unite us.

One God. One Church. Pray for unity with all your might. If we can’t get along on earth how can we expect the privilege of being together in Heaven?

(p.s. I’m a dude )

 

[mark_a]

So, I will respect your wishes and . . . .ask that you respect my wishes and call me a catholic Christian (not a non-Catholic).

This is so confusing!!

We have Christians that want to be called catholic Christian.

And Catholics who depise the term Catholic Christian.

Things were so much easier when everyone except Catholics hated the word “catholic”.