TORN between Catholicism and Protestantism. Need help please

[latingirl]

You’re a Catholic waiting to happen; it’s already happened, truth be known. Study history, listen to all sides objectively, giving everyone a fair shake. You’ll end up Catholic.

Yeah studying history will really do it. For me personally, it was studying the Bible but my goodness did history reinforce everything I was taught in RCIA.

 

[latingirl]

John chapter 6 is very profound and is the single chapter and verse that began my original search for the truth. Jesus goes on to call it “true food and true drink”. This profound scripture is where it all started for me. Thanks for sharing!
Bill

Yes I remember proudly asking my friend “Why do Catholics believe they are eating and drinking Jesus? Where is that in the Bible” And when he showed me those verses, ones which were fairly glossed over back at my Evangelical Church, my jaw dropped. I was like “Oh my god its in there!!” The same thing for the papacy too. Jesus really is awesome at using little (and big things) to draw us closer and closer to Him.

 

[JRKH]

James, This really helps a lot! I needed this. Some of the churches I visited that focused on “gifts” mainly focused on tongues as a mark of salvation which I knew right off was wrong. I can see that without the authority of the Church (Catholic), where beliefs like this go unchecked.

I’m glad it was of help.
A most wonderful thing that happened to me as I was coming home to the Church was discovering that the Catholic church (along with the EO) is actually the MOST biblical of all the Church models. That the grant of authority is right there in Scripture both in instruction (Mt 18:15-18) and in application (Acts 15).
Add to these various pleas by Christ and Paul and Peter that we be “One” - in agreement, without dissension, praising with one voice, one as Jesus and the Father are one…
Add to this passages like the Church is the pillar and bulwark of Truth (1 Tim 3:15) and “that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers…” (Eph 3:8-12)

As one reads though the NT it becomes increasingly clear that the “Protestant model” (independent, invisible, non-authoritative body, Sola Scriptura) which claims to be truly biblical is actually nothing of the sort.

Historically this is confirmed by the fact that neither of the ancient Christian Churches (RC or EO) had ever taught such things. The Early Church writings; the councilior development of the Bible canon, various doctrines etc; the hierarchical structure of deacons, clergy, bishops etc…ALL evident in early writings and throughout the pre-reformation history of the Church fairly destroys the protestant model.

Then - as you yourself have very nicely pointed out - there is all the confusion among the various protestant belief systems. ALL supposedly based on “Sola Scriptura”…

Ah well - I see I am rambling again…But I do love sharing this stuff.

Peace
James

 

[pablope]

James, This really helps a lot! I needed this. Some of the churches I visited that focused on “gifts” mainly focused on tongues as a mark of salvation which I knew right off was wrong. ** I can see that without the authority of the Church (Catholic), where beliefs like this go unchecked.**

How very insightful of you, Bill. I will share with you one passage where the CC uses as a test for these things to not go unchecked:

1John 4…6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit[a] of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

Who is the “us” in this passage today?

 

[King_Lazy]

Jesus said, “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:14)

Many Protestants are faithful Christians, and God’s promise applies to them too.

You may be interested in this Pentecostal minister’s conversion story. It’s in 5 parts. I thought it might be relevant to you because he too has seen miracles in his church when he was a Protestant.

Alex Jones’ conversion part 1

 

[thewanderer]

Just thought I’d throw this out there. All Protestant denominations have some truth to them, after all, they do believe in Christ and the Bible. Because of that I don’t find it at all surprising that you have seen wonderful transformations in various individuals lives even in a Protestant denomination. To the extent that they have the Truth, it can really help hang a person, andthis kind of change can even lead them on to realize where the fullness of Truth resides. Think about it, especially if someone has never had real contact with Catholics, but they read the bible, believe in Christ, and pray constantly that they might become Christlike and closer to Christ. Is God going to refuse such a prayer simply because it came from a protestant instead of a Catholic? Instead it is an opportunity for sub a person to be moved closer to the fullness of Truth.

I hope thinking about it like this helps!

 

[clmowry]

I’ve seen the power of God first hand in my own life several times (Thank you God for your mercy and grace!).

I’ve always looked at this in the light of the following:

Mark 9:38-41

38John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” 39Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. 40For whoever is not against us is for us. 41Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.

Now this doesn’t imply that those involved wouldn’t have been better off joining with Jesus and His disciples, does it?

Similarly, just because God works with those outside of His Churh who seek Him with a sincere heart, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t seek to be in His Church.

Chuck