Unity in the Body of Christ

[GeorgeWest]

Recently, through a series of events, I have been motivated to reach out to Catholics. I am a spirit-filled Southern Baptist, but more than that, a truth seeker. I believe the Lord is grieved by the brokenness and division of the Body of Christ in America.

I am not talking about some ecumenical movement of “all roads lead to heaven” (which is part of the anti-Christ movement of the last days, I believe we are now entering). But I am talking about the main points of salvation…those who believe in the Virgin birth…who believe that Jesus died on the cross as an atonement for the sin of man, for all who would believe. And, that he rose from the dead, as the first fruit, followed by all who would, repent from sin, believe that He is who He says He is, and confess with their mouths that Jesus is Lord. Beyond that, there is some room for disagreement.

However, that disagreement, should not, MUST NOT, be an excuse to divide the family and never fellowship with one another. What say you?

 

[jlhargus]

To me as a former Protestant it depends on what you mean by must not divide & fellowship.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I pray for the unity of all in Christ and His Church daily. (It’s part of the St. Bridget 12-year prayers, at Prayer #6, the Crucifixion.)

That doesn’t mean I’m going to say one church is the same as another, or stand idly by if somebody disrespects my faith or starts in about “Mary worship” etc.

 

[Maximilian75]

OK, I’m picking up what you’re laying down.

What next?

 

[catholic1seeks]

Hey George and welcome!

It is a sad reality that the Church is divided today, and very much visibly so. From the beginning, the Church faced divisions and divergent teachings, and so had to remain firm in the truth of Christ.

I think one question we have to ask is: How do we know what is “essential”? How do we know what is “room for disagreement”?

One issue that divides the Church is the Eucharist: What does it mean? Over half the Church (Catholics and Orthodox are the two largest Christian families) profess that the Eucharist is substantially Christ’s presence. That the bread and wine truly become the body and blood of Christ. That in John 6, Christ truly meant that unless we partake of his flesh and blood (sacramentally, through communion), we “have no life,” as Christ said.

But many other Christians, mainly from the Protestant tradition, profess a Eucharist that is not the Real Presence. Under this view, Catholics and Orthodox are essentially committing idolatry. But From the Catholic/Orthodox perspective, such Christians are missing out on an essential aspect of the Christian life—and salvation.

Is this not a significant issue? How do we discern what is the true belief?

 

[EricF]

This thread has the potential to be really good. I pray that it remain so, and not de-generate into a trainwreck as many often do. Please everyone let’s make this one an example of good.

 

[Genesis315]

Welcome!

As Catholics we believe that (quoting one of our recent popes) “[t]he unity willed by God can be attained only by the adherence of all to the content of revealed faith in its entirety. In matters of faith, compromise is in contradiction with God who is Truth. In the Body of Christ, the way, and the truth, and the life, who could consider legitimate a reconciliation brought about at the expense of the truth?..A “being together” which betrayed the truth would thus be opposed both to the nature of God who offers his communion and to the need for truth found in the depths of every human heart.”

That being said, it doesn’t mean we can’t acknowledge those fundamental points–and they are very important points!–that we do have in common and which do create a real bond in Christ, to treat each other as brothers in the Lord, and to work together toward the common good (while never forgetting or neglecting the goal of true unity).

As another of our saints (Thomas More) said, expressing his hope in the common defense of Christendom by separated Christians:

“[A]s God hath caused them to agree together in the defence of his name, so shall he graciously bring them to agree together in the truth of his faith. Therefore will I let God work, and leave off contention.”

 

[Reuben_J]

I am a cradle Catholic who has no background in non-Catholic Christians. I would agree with those main points that you listed as statement of truth in that they are correct.

However, beyond that I do not see how those list can provide ways that Christians should live, which we should practice in our lives. I think those things are more important than just a few statement of truth, which anybody can quote and even believe.

God bless.