So why do you all take the popes word for how scripture is inturpreted?
Are you saying just because one disagrees with you its anti?
I don’t feel you refuted any of my positions,all you did was try an tell me what scripture meant by your understanding of it,to which I totally disagree with.
Im here on this site on my own,expressing my views,which are different than all of yours,as I expected for I am on a Catholic site,let me extend an invatation to the site where I am a regular member, Im not asking you to join,just check it out.
christianityboard.com/
Im a Holy Spirit filled, God fearing Christian,denomanalized by no group,my Church is the body of Christ with its many membered body of believers with Christ as the head with no one member greater than the other.
Brings me to my next question,if one is not a member of the Catholic Church is that person in danger of going to hell?
Bless you for your faith and defense of Christ. In this world, that is increasingly important as the evil one draws ever closer.
However, Christ founded one church, correct? He did not make little communities and leave it go. That would ensure that the faith died, as it would have no leader, and arguing and bickering would cause it all to fall apart. One church. A point to remember.
Christ’s faith is one of obedience, as in “Keep my commandments”. This means that we must submit to Christ, as well as the church He alone founded. Since He knows everything, he knew what the early church would look like. He knew what it would grow into. It had to cover the entire earth - all races, languages, nations, times and places. That is why, in the first century, it was known as the universal church. It remains that. One church.
If you show where our Holy Father has erred on matters of faith and morals, you will have a strong argument. We’re not talking about the actions of past leaders, all of whom have been sinners, as is Benedict XVI. Faith and morals. The Catholic church is the “go to” source for moral issues, as I doubt many of the thousands of Protestant denominations can produce the evidence of having the authority to make these extremely difficult decisions on morality - what with cloning, embryonic stem cell research, etc. It was only the Catholic church that held fast, and still does on contraception. All other churches began to cave in during the 1930s. The One church held fast.
Christ’s church had to have absolute authority, not only because it was lead by the Holy Spirit, but because it had to exist forever, until His Blessed return. Look at it this way: where you work, there is a mission statement, right? Now, does the boss tell everyone to read it and do their own thing? Or, is the boss in charge to see that everyone is kept on the same page? Thus it is with the One church. We have a leader, who is guided by the Holy Spirit, to keep us focused on Christ, to keep us together, as One church.
You disagree because your interpretation of scripture is to your liking. Well, we accept the interpretation that is to God’s liking, even though we disagree and personally differ. We submit, out of love of Christ, as should all Christians. Christ was the Authority when He walked with us. He knew that someone had to be in charge after He ascended, or His church, His One church, would fall apart. The Catholic church is the oldest organization in the world. Coincidence? No! It does not change because it cannot change - and is roundly criticized for being “out of step”, “behind the times”, etc. But, the Lord’s truth does not change. It is as stone, and so should His One church be.
Oh, yeah! Jesus Christ will be with us until the end of the age, correct? How? He sent the Holy Spirit, but Christ is not the Holy Spirit. So, how does He remain with us? The Eucharist. That is the only reason to be Christian. The Eucharist, as celebrated by the twelve, Paul, the early church fathers, and every generation since, IS Christ. Our spiritual food. We “commune” withHim. We carry Him within us! Amazing! Catholics, Orthodox and some others know this. We absolutely love Christ. We are so in love with Him that we spend time with Him, in His physical presence, during mass and at Adoration. He refreshes and sustains us.
You are a true brother in Christ, and we salute you. Especially your fervor for the Lord. However, Jesus Christ founded One church. We obey His command, we deny ourselves, we take up our cross daily. We try, hard as we might, to follow. So much of what you “know” about Christ’s one church is misinformation or incomplete. If you truly, to the depth of your soul, knew what Christ’s one church was, you would inquire as to how you might be one with all believers in the world. It is not by making a church that you agree with, it is by repenting and making yourself agree with the Lord.
That is what we have done. Please, keep asking questions, but with a mind that is open to a much more ancient faith. It is much different (yet much the same) as yours, due to this very fact of antiquity.
Now, I have gone on perhaps too long. But even one soul is not too great a price to pay, for our Lord paid a tremendous price for us. We extend the hand of brotherly love to you. All we ask is that you listen and see the reason behind the One church.
Christ’s peace always be with you.
