So what is Peter doing at the Pearly Gates (of heaven I presume) when he has the keys to the Kingdom?

[mark_a]

How could it be a “Baptist” thing when from my research Baptists don’t believe in the saints?

I don’t think Baptists doubt there are saints, they do not believe that folks like you and me can ask Saints in heaven to pray for us.

I have also had a question, maybe someone here can help me. I have been reading my bible alot lately and the more I read the more questions I have. I know the church believes that Peter is the “founder” of the church. But in the bible it is Paul that brings the word to Rome and the gentiles. He also wrote more books of the bible than peter. Doesn’t Paul seem to be more of the founder of the church than Peter? Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Please allow me to welcome you in case you haven’t been welcomed here yet.

Catholics believe Peter (and his successors) was given authority over the Church by Jesus. Its really not a competition.

The fact that Jesus gave Peter authority is generally not doubted by Catholics or Orthodox, its the amount of authority that causes problems.

The tracts here on this site are great: catholic.com/

And here are more good (and free!!) cd’s and mp3’s: biblechristiansociety.com/

And the radio archives are awesome! catholic.com/radio.asp

I don’t want to overwhelm you with links, but feel free to ask for more.

Again, welcome!

 

[peary1]

This sounds like saved by works… This is not the Catholic teaching at all. We MUST do works, but NOT to earn our salvation… That is why Christ came, to allow us to be made whole with God again. (and to provide one heck of an example!).

We have been imparted Grace from God, and, its up to each one of us to respond to that Grace. Let’s hope most of us choose to except it.

Teak

Teak -
On the last day we will be judged by works of omission, not our Faith.

 

[NoelFitz]

Disciple123

You wrote:

I have been reading my bible alot lately and the more I read the more questions I have. I know the church believes that Peter is the “founder” of the church. But in the bible it is Paul that brings the word to Rome and the gentiles.

You say the more you read the Bible the more questions you have. That is a very healthy position. If one reads carefully one has questons, if one skims the surface one does not.

However I think I would slightly disagree with you.

I consider Jesus Christ is the founder of the Church:

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.
The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version, 1 Co 3:11 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989).

I also disagree with you when you wrote:

But in the bible it is Paul that brings the word to Rome and the gentiles

.

Paul did not bring the word to Rome.

He admits this himself.

I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as I have among the rest of the Gentiles.
The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version, Ro 1:13 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989).

 

[teak421]

Teak -
On the last day we will be judged by works of omission, not our Faith.

So, if I am baptized and gone to confession regularly there is still a chance I can not enter heaven (even after purguorty)?

teak

 

[LilyM]

Paul did not bring the word to Rome.

He admits this himself.

Good point - Paul’s letters were to already-established churches (at least those that weren’t to individuals). Same with Romans, as is obvious from Romans 1:

" 7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. "

It is easy to see that his other epistles were written to churches that he had either established himself or at least personally visited. And yet Paul had not, as NoelFitz has stated, yet arrived in Rome, as he makes clear … so who founded the church in Rome then?

 

[LilyM]

So, if I am baptized and gone to confession regularly there is still a chance I can not enter heaven (even after purguorty)?

teak

Humans are very prone to sin - doesn’t Proverbs talk about the just man falling seven times a day?

Certainly every second of life presents fresh opportunities to sin, and you can sin (and sin mortally) in between confession and death, in which case if you don’t at least interiorly repent you loses your salvation. If you loses your salvation, of course, there’s no question of purgatory, you would go direct to Hell.

St Paul puts it this way - “I chastise my body, and bring it into subjection: lest perhaps, when I have preached to others, I myself should become a castaway.” 1 Cor 9:27.

So clearly no-one is immune from the possibility of losing salvation whilever life lasts.

 

[po18guy]

That is what is causing my questions. Since Paul brought the good news to the gentiles, why isnt he considered the founder of a church of gentiles? I know Jesus said “on this rock…” But paul brought the message to Rome and that is where the church was started, right??

Acts 15:7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.”

So, as Paul is often given much, if not all of the credit, Peter clearly was also involved in spreading the Gospel to the gentiles (nations). This we know he did from Antioch in Turkey, as well as other locations, ending up in Rome.

As an aside, a pilot friend who just retired from the air force was able to visit Antioch on a stop in Turkey during one of his missions. Local guides showed him and three others the location where Peter baptized and taught the Gospel. Amazingly, the “church” in Antioch was a large, hollow, almost hidden cave that must be climbed into. It is difficult to describe, but the Lord clearly intended this unique place to be used for His purposes. There is spring water inside that still runs.

My friend, and his three air force companions (all Catholic without knowing it!) got to climb in. What a rush, crossing yourself from the same spring that Peter baptized with! It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to visit and he took advantage of it. I am not envious. I am not envious. I am not envious…

Christ’s peace.

 

[NoelFitz]

LilyM

Thank you for your post. However I disagree with you a little.

You wrote:

Good point - Paul’s letters were to already-established churches (at least those that weren’t to individuals). Same with Romans, as is obvious from Romans 1:

I would suggest that Paul’s Letters, in general, were to Churches he founded, e.g. Philippi, Thessalonica and Corinth. The Letter to the Romans is an exception.

 

[NoelFitz]

LilyM
In a previous post you wrote:

It is easy to see that his other epistles were written to churches that he had either established himself or at least personally visited

So, sorry for my previous post.

We are in full agreement.

 

[disciple123]

Thank you all for your thought through answers to my questions. I guess becase Paul wrote so many books in the bible I assumed he helped start the word at all of them also.

Just as a simple note, I did know that Jesus was the founder of the church(of course). I should have worded it differently. What I meant was that they spread the good news.

Thank you all again, I am sure I will have more questions as I make my way through the bible and it is nice to know I have somewhere to go with my questions.

 

[peary1]

Most Protestants I know would prefer to just ignore the saints.

I know. the Church worked over a thousand years to get rid of the pagan holidays and supplant them with Christian celebrations. The protestants rejected All Saints Day which once again led the way to Halloween. We have the protestants to thank for it.