It’s a rather long argument whether Catholics are Christians or the reverse.
The Question should really be , “Is your local church Orthodox in the New Testament”.
Many denominations fail the orthodoxy test.
Here are a few examples:
Mark 16:15-16
15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
A professed believer is saved and should submit him or herself for Baptism.
Churches who practice infant baptism ignore this. An infant cannot believe or repent but is also guilty of nothing. They must grow up and be instructed in the faith and then submit themselves for baptism (see the Ethiopian in Acts 8:27). A baptized believer will receive the Holy Ghost (be born again). Some churches don’t teach this.
John 10
27 My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand.[c] 30 The Father and I are one.”
A true believer cannot be lost to the Lord. This is controversial in churches today.
Romans 10:9
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
A declared Christian is saved. The Holy Spirit dwells in those Born Again.
The Thief on the cross next to Jesus, Luke 23.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
No human work or ritual can save, only acceptance by faith of God’s grace.
A believer confesses his or her faith publicly and repents of all sin.
2Tim3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for proof, for correction, of instruction in righteousness.
Many churches today hold their teaching or tradition above scripture and refuse correction.
Revelation 9:20
And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:
Why are some churches today filled with statues? Some with kneelers in front of them.
You wouldn’t see a statue in a Jewish Temple. Some say that they are just Art but what do you think the OT saints would say about them? Relics and Charms are also pagan.
There are plenty of good arguments on this subject on the internet. The Catholic Answers website has their arguments. Enjoy the research.
God Bless
