The Gospel

[Hiskid1973]

I am just curious of how a Catholic would describe sharing the gospel message to someone…I saw in another thread where a protestant would come and they would share the gospel message…When I, as just a christian share His plan of redemption…I use verses from John, Romans, Hebrews ect…It’s a message of sin and it effects and what Christ did to allow entrance to be in heaven with Him…Now I know we have an obvious differance on how we see His church…But isn’t the message the same…Don’t you use the same verses when your witness to others…We need to be prepared to share the Hope that lies within us, in season and out…He even has a crown just for people who do this… Thanks …May the Lord bless you and may we learn from one another…

 

[Carlan]

I am just curious of how a Catholic would describe sharing the gospel message to someone…I saw in another thread where a protestant would come and they would share the gospel message…When I, as just a christian share His plan of redemption…I use verses from John, Romans, Hebrews ect…It’s a message of sin and it effects and what Christ did to allow entrance to be in heaven with Him…Now I know we have an obvious difference on how we see His church…But isn’t the message the same…Don’t you use the same verses when your witness to others…We need to be prepared to share the Hope that lies within us, in season and out…He even has a crown just for people who do this… Thanks …May the Lord bless you and may we learn from one another…

Hello , K,
Yes, well the Catholic Church shares the Gospel through the Church.
we the Church are one with Jesus Christ his body. His Bride. The Church is not just Jesus and me. Do you not see that? We are one with him , his Church. He wanted his Truth taught through his Church.
The Church provided the New Testament for us which teaches. However it does not stand alone to be interpreted by how we as individuals are to believe. It is part of what was given along with Tradition and the teaching authority of his Church, the Magisterium, the Apostles and after their deaths, their followers the Bishops ,Priests, deacons with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

For those who believe that the Bible alone is all that you need and that you do not believe in early Tradition or a teaching authority I give you what the last chapter of John says.

Jn:21, 25 There are many other things that Jesus did, yet if they were all written down in detail, I doubt there would be room enough in the entire world to hold the books to record them.God bless you and this thread.Carlan

ps. If you would like to read about the early Church and Tradition. The book I like to suggest is, ‘Four Witnesses’, by Rod Bennett. An easy read. C

 

[Hiskid1973]

Thanks bro…I thought you would be a little more specific on how you share God’s plan of redemption with those around you…We search the scripture for in them we find eternal life…Who do you feel God will reward with the “soul winners” crown? So you just tell people they must become a Catholic to be born anew or they have to come to your church to get born anew…I’m not trying to be smart, just trying to see your side…I had a pretty radical conversion experience that that happened just like I read in the scriptures that why I do it just like them…They just went out into the highways and by ways…Guess I’ll find out at the I Cor 3 judgment if I did it wrong…But it sure worked well for me…

 

[crazzeto]

Forumlating how to share the gosple message with those around you can be an interesting process, requiring understanding the individual you’re talking to. For instance, right now I have an agnostic friend whom I’ve been working with, and hoping (praying for) for a while. Just recently they started talking about being interested in looking for a church, not any kind in specific, just finding a church. Truth be told, what’s motivating them primarly is the community aspect rather than a faith aspect, which makes sense because they still don’t understand faith at all. Unfortunetly (though good actually) she doesn’t want to actually go to one, because she does understand the concept of being honest. She doesnt’ want to be there, if she doesn’t beleive.

So… I’ve got an agnostic, who doesn’t understand faith because her parents not only never formed her, but honestly I think they actually taught athism to their kids, but wants to go to a church for the community aspect, but at the same time just can’t hear the spirit calling her. So what do you do? Right now I’m trying to find different books to offer perspective on the subject, and seeing how she responds.

In the end, I think (or certainly hope) God is working on his own means. She became really super interested in being an EMS responder. She’s really not that kind of personality honestly, I don’t know where the idea got in her head. It’s a high stakes career which demands confidence and the ability to make a choice, go with it and just live with it no matter what. She really can’t do that, but whatever. My guess, hope is that God is trying to lead her into a situation where she’ll be forced to confront spirituality.

So anyway, for the time being I’m looking for books that might help her recognize God when the spirit presents it’s self (already have her on Fulton Sheen’s Life is Worth Living, I want her to read Mere Christianity, and I am at appropriate moments offering some scripture), and trusting that when God is ready to send the spirit he will. Oh yes, I’m also adding her to all my rosary prayers, and well. Prayers in general.

 

[Hiskid1973]

Thanks bro…That’s what I’m looking …We carry His light…I believe God ordains who comes in our path and that nothing is just an accident…The worse this world gets people are looking for hope and an answer for life…Lord, open her eyes to Your redemptive plan. Bless my brother with the wisdom he needs…

 

[crazzeto]

Thanks for your comment and prayer, it’s much needed.

 

[Carlan]

Thanks bro…I thought you would be a little more specific on how you share God’s plan of redemption with those around you…We search the scripture for in them we find eternal life…Who do you feel God will reward with the “soul winners” crown? So you just tell people they must become a Catholic to be born anew or they have to come to your church to get born anew…I’m not trying to be smart, just trying to see your side…I had a pretty radical conversion experience that that happened just like I read in the scriptures that why I do it just like them…They just went out into the highways and by ways…Guess I’ll find out at the I Cor 3 judgment if I did it wrong…But it sure worked well for me…

you know whan I first ran across your posts, I did believe you were just trying to see “Our Side” Remember? Learn about Catholism. It is a Catholic forum. I think the Catholic Apologists in these threads have done very well in presenting what Christ has taught us. For the most part, it seems to me anyway, you have not accepted or acknowledged much of what has been posted. You seem to be inclined to put in a provoking short line or two here and there. Sorry,but I must say as far as I am concerned they don’t go over very well. I have come to think that you came to CA with a closed mind. Just my opinion.
God bless us all and G’day to you K .Carlan

 

[Hiskid1973]

Sorry,but I must say as far as I am concerned they don’t go over very well. I have come to think that you came to CA with a closed mind. Just my opinion.
God bless us all and G’day to you K .Carlan

I came to learn more about why my Catholic brethren believe as they do…I came to encourage others deeper in their faith walk…I do that by the scriptures that God has used to mature me in my walk…But you are right, I don’t have an interest to become Catholic…Have you seen me bad mouth or put down my brothers and sister of the Catholic faith who come here…In fact I have gotten very nice comments from Catholic and others here and another christian forum I belong to…I appreciate your comment and honest…And if I have more telling me that I hinder their walk I will gladly find another forum…Peace to you also…

 

[Carlan]

I came to learn more about why my Catholic brethren believe as they do…I came to encourage others deeper in their faith walk…I do that by the scriptures that God has used to mature me in my walk…But you are right, I don’t have an interest to become Catholic…Have you seen me bad mouth or put down my brothers and sister of the Catholic faith who come here…In fact I have gotten very nice comments from Catholic and others here and another christian forum I belong to…I appreciate your comment and honest…And if I have more telling me that I hinder their walk I will gladly find another forum…Peace to you also…

Fair Enough! and the same back to you,Carlan.

 

[Carlan]

Thanks bro…I thought you would be a little more specific on how you share God’s plan of redemption with those around you

Actually , I witness to the people in my life and those around me by trying to live the Gospel by keeping his commandments.

So you just tell people they must become a Catholic to be born anew or they have to come to your church to get born anew…I’m not trying to be smart, just trying to see your side

If a discussion about faith comes about, I usually state simply what I believe. Depending on the company, it usually goes something like this.

God provides all it takes for us, through Jesus and his Apostolic Church to become pure of heart,which is what it take to be with him forever in heaven. Through Christ’s Church I am endowed with the full truth through His sacraments.
Baptism, reconciliation, Eucharist… I am moved by actual grace to accept In faith and love my redemption through the Blood of Christ on the cross. I am justified,made clean of sin, all sin cleaned out not just covered over,( this happens at Baptism) and at this time we are given sanctifying grace by the power of the Holy Spirit so as to grow in holiness.It is a life long process. I would also strongly suggest thoroughly pondering John 6:50-69 also Jn:19-23.
If by my witness they become interested in the faith I would try to steer them in the right direction. God bless you with his light and peace Sister. Carlan

 

[Hiskid1973]

Actually , I witness to the people in my life and those around me by trying to live the Gospel by keeping his commandments.

If a discussion about faith comes about, I usually state simply what I believe. Depending on the company, it usually goes something like this.

God provides all it takes for us, through Jesus and his Apostolic Church to become pure of heart,which is what it take to be with him forever in heaven. Through Christ’s Church I am endowed with the full truth through His sacraments.
Baptism, reconciliation, Eucharist… I am moved by actual grace to accept In faith and love my redemption through the Blood of Christ on the cross. I am justified,made clean of sin, all sin cleaned out not just covered over,( this happens at Baptism) and at this time we are given sanctifying grace by the power of the Holy Spirit so as to grow in holiness.It is a life long process. I would also strongly suggest thoroughly pondering John 6:50-69 also Jn:19-23.
If by my witness they become interested in the faith I would try to steer them in the right direction. God bless you with his light and peace Sister. Carlan

Thanks Sis for more (name removed by moderator)ut…Yes it is important to live it…That’s why they ask what the hope that lies within you…I appreciate your passion for our Lord…Sorry about the “bro” again…I just see “Carlan” … Male…Maybe its from my pre christian george carlin days(Lord open his eyes)…How about " Fragrance4Christ" makes me think female……Hey remember not all prot. discount His presence in communion…We just don’t get into the trans and sub sides of it…Remember this is a faith walk…We believe by faith and not see and taste…Not sure what you wanted me to see in 19:23…peace to you…Kim

 

[Carlan]

Not sure what you wanted me to see in 19:23…peace to you…Kim

Sorry, my mistake, the scripture is Jn20:19-23.
This is about the doctrine of Reconciliation or confession-forgiveness-penance.
Jesus gave his disciples the power to forgive sins. He conferred the power by
breathing on them. The only other time God breathed on anyone was when he breathed life
into the first person(Gn 2:7) .
Can you think about these symbols and how they show the awesome power given to the Apostles. Jesus gives them the authority to forgive,
and** not to forgive**. This means the Priest has to hear the sins in order to
know when to forgive them or hold them bound.

Protestants will say they confess to God and that Catholics only confess to Priests.
That is wrong. Catholics only confess to God.
They do it directly as well as through his ministers because that is what God requires,
as it is clearly taught in Scripture.

St Paul,( 2Cor 5:17-20 )explains how the Apostles are ambassadors of Christ’s work
of reconciliation.This means that they share in the ministry of Christ and forgive sins in
His name. The Priest acts in the Person of Christ. Priests are ordained(Sacrament of Holy Orders)

Also James:13-16 ) The sins of the sick are forgiven in this Sacrament of Anointing.
He specifies that the priests must be called, they had a power the ordinary Christian
did not , the power to forgive sins.

I would go on and I will if you wish, but I tend to get too wordy in my posts and I don’t like
to ,so I will just leave it at that. God bless, Carlan

 

[Hiskid1973]

Thanks for clearing that up…Yes I know we could go round and round one, who were the original apostles and their teachings compared to the teachings from after they died…Who are His disciples. How much power and authority the 70 walked in…Was it Just peter that was given the keys when the gospel spread…Who are His ambassadors and who can spread the gospel…The authority of my bishops and pastor…We both know the drill and the scriptures.Both pretty set in our ways unless the Holy Spirit changes us…Looking fwd to when I can see Him face to face and see through the glass clearly…Guess then finally we will know what went on in the beginning…I guess our focus should be the lost around us rather than squabbling between us of who’s right…Peace to you my dear SISTER in Christ as those around you are aware of His fragrance…

No offense given and hope none is taken but if I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to chose between Orthodox and Catholic. I would chose Orthodox as it operates closer to the way I see in the scriptures…

 

[Carlan]

No offense given and hope none is taken but if I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to chose between Orthodox and Catholic. I would chose Orthodox as it operates closer to the way I see in the scriptures…

I’m curious that you say that. Orthodox would be a great choice actually, As far as faith and morals are concerned both Churches are aligned ,and the way I understand it , at moment, the Hierarchy is working on unity. Jesus’ hope is unity for all his flock. The Church prays daily for it.:thumbsup:Carlan

 

[jmcrae]

I am just curious of how a Catholic would describe sharing the gospel message to someone…I saw in another thread where a protestant would come and they would share the gospel message…When I, as just a christian share His plan of redemption…I use verses from John, Romans, Hebrews ect…It’s a message of sin and it effects and what Christ did to allow entrance to be in heaven with Him…Now I know we have an obvious differance on how we see His church…But isn’t the message the same…Don’t you use the same verses when your witness to others…We need to be prepared to share the Hope that lies within us, in season and out…He even has a crown just for people who do this… Thanks …May the Lord bless you and may we learn from one another…

I would invite them to come to Mass and let them hear the Lord speak for Himself.

If they showed an interest in coming regularly to Mass, I would invite them to consider joining the RCIA, to become a Catholic.

I usually don’t go after people - I usually let them come to me. I have led a number of different kinds of groups, including RCIA Inquiry, Youth Group, Bible studies, and so on, where people can come together and talk about Jesus. It’s always interesting to me, to see the kinds of people that the Lord draws into these groups.