Was considering the Catholic Church

[kalt]

Tell me what are you relying on to get you to heaven?

God, as all Catholics do.

 

[kalt]

“Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I** will shew thee my faith by my works**” James 2:18.
James 2:24 doesn’t mean that works justify us with God.
Man say’s, ‘‘show me the reality of your faith.’’ The only way to do this is by good works.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
Christ is the only way, he did it all.
Good works are to back up a persons testemony, to show they are really saved.
If you are relying on your good works and not wholly on Christ, you will fail.
When people rely on works to save them, they are saying what Jesus Christ did was not enough, but it was and is enough.

So good works are a kind of bragadocio? These works are about the show?

Or are they are to prove to God that you are a believer? Hasn’t God already decided that you are, and that’s why you think (but are mistaken) that your are once saved and always saved?

Or are all these good works really just to show others that you are saved?

And what about when you fall into sin? What does that show to others? When someone who seemed to be saved (by looking at their works) commits a horrible sin, what are others supposed to believe of the supposedly saved one? That they are saved, so the sin doesn’t really count? That saved people may still commit horrible sins, so you really can’t tell who is or isn’t saved by looking at their works?

What is all of this good works evidence supposed to prove? And to whom?

God’s work was enough to redeem the whole world. That doesn’t mean you get to sin at will and be saved. Believe it or not, God, even after you believe, expects you to behave yourself. And not just for show.

 

[Little_Dove]

My hope is in Christ alone.
Mass is sinful and Christ died ONCE for all.
The sabbath is and always will be a Saturday.
Sunday is the first day of the week and is when the Bible tells Christians to break bread and remember the Lord, our sabbath rest is now in Christ.
I dont want to hurt your feelings, but I have to tell the truth of God’s word.

Thank you for being charitable and thinking about my feelings…I appreciate that! I know that you are on this site because you are anxious about saving souls for Christ. And I appreciate that too!
I am just cautioning you that just because you believe something to be true, does not make it objectively true. So when you state that Mass is sinful, because that is what you believe, it does not make that belief objectively true. As a matter of fact, the very opposite is true. The Holy Mass, because it is a participation in the one and only sacrifice of Jesus, is the source and summit of all graces. It is the source of all Christian life. Even though you are not aware of it, and at this present time in your faith journey, repudiate it, it is the very source of your Christian life. As you must tell me the truth as you see it, I must tell you the truth as God’s Church teaches it.

We as Catholics believe that Jesus died ONCE, for all. We believe that when we assist at mass, we participate in that Once for All Sacrifice. That is why Sunday mass is essential to us. Actually, if you were Catholic, it would be to you too. But you are not. I am a Catholic, and I am informing you, this is what we believe.

I am a practicing Catholic, as are many others on this site. Respectfully, obviously, you are not. So please do not misrepresent the Catholic Faith to others. You should speak of what your faith is, and what you know, and let the practicing Catholics, who know what their faith teaches, speak of what they know.

God Bless you!
To Jesus, through Mary

 

[OneTrueCathApos]

I so agree with you. It makes me kind of ashamed to be Catholic. My brother-in-law is Lutheran and my son is Evangelical and they are the ones who got me to read the Bible, and to go back to my roots as a Catholic. Although I love the Catholic church, and the services and the beauty of it, I think some Catholics on this forum are kind of MEAN.

Catholics are steadfast in their faith. If you mistake that for meanness, then I’m sorry, as we know who established our church and we know the history of our church and explaining the same thing over and over without others getting it is very frustrating for us.

 

[Bill_Pick]

I have been following along in this blog to see if I should turn to the Catholic Church. But after reading how some of the Catholics are on this blog , I am now not so sure.

I have been going to Church of Christ Church, not Universal, just COC and have been disappointed on how smug they can be towards others Faiths. They think that they are the only ones going to heaven and that the rest of the world is going to hell. I felt that they were a tad judgmental and just did not seem right to me.

But now I see that there are Catholics here on this blog that are the same way. I tend to lean more towards the Lutherans, Baptists, on this blog. They tend to be kind hearted and knowledgable. I for one think that reading the Bible is very important.

The Bible I have is a Catholic Bible, New American Bible, picked out for me by Monsignor Gerald Lefebve. He is the family Priest since I was 10yrs of age.

I also have a NIV bible and King James. The only difference is that my Catholic Bible has more books. But the books that my NIV has says the same thing that my NAB says.

I also have the New Living Translation which I enjoy reading also…

I wish this blog was more interested in sharing Bible Studies instead of debating on who’s Church was here first. I always thought Church meant people that were Christians.

Thanks for reading this

Confused Lura

scooter, This church of Christ You are going to does it say it is the church Jesus built…Have a good weekend and looking for your answer,Peace

 

[scooter469]

scooter, This church of Christ You are going to does it say it is the church Jesus built…Have a good weekend and looking for your answer,Peace

Yes sir. That is what they say… They also don’t believe in musical instruments in their services. they say it is an abomination. They are always quoting from the book of Acts and say that Jesus never used musical instruments while he was with the desciples.

They believe that any other than their church will not make it to heaven.

I want to go to heaven with all my heart, so now I am getting more confused than ever. They are really nice people and they love to have fellowship dinners on the first Sunday of each month.

I know that the Catholic Church has and always has been here first, but they tell me that their church started with the desciples.

God Bless
scooter

 

[OneTrueCathApos]

Yes sir. That is what they say… They also don’t believe in musical instruments in their services. they say it is an abomination. They are always quoting from the book of Acts and say that Jesus never used musical instruments while he was with the desciples.

They believe that any other than their church will not make it to heaven.

I want to go to heaven with all my heart, so now I am getting more confused than ever. They are really nice people and they love to have fellowship dinners on the first Sunday of each month.

I know that the Catholic Church has and always has been here first, but they tell me that their church started with the desciples.

God Bless
scooter

It shouldn’t matter what they say, it is what Christ said and the Catholic church is from Christ. Fellowship dinners would be at the bottom of my list.

 

[kalt]

Yes sir. That is what they say… They also don’t believe in musical instruments in their services. they say it is an abomination. They are always quoting from the book of Acts and say that Jesus never used musical instruments while he was with the desciples.

They believe that any other than their church will not make it to heaven.

I want to go to heaven with all my heart, so now I am getting more confused than ever. They are really nice people and they love to have fellowship dinners on the first Sunday of each month.

I know that the Catholic Church has and always has been here first, but they tell me that their church started with the desciples.

God Bless
scooter

Fellowship dinners sound like a great idea, and it’s certainly not contray to Catholic teaching.

If you know that the Catholic Church is the Church that Jesus founded, and what you would miss about the COC is the social life, why not start similar social programs in your new Catholic parish?

From what I’ve seen of people who believe that only “their” people will go to Heaven, they aren’t really that nice. They’re super nice to those who agree with them, but they turn on those who leave the flock. So how nice are they, really? People are only as nice as they are to the people they consider their enemies. If those people can’t be nice to Catholics, they aren’t nice.

Maybe your church group is different, though, and they will allow you to attend dinners after you’ve become Catholic, and welcome you as if you had never left the church.

Can you afford to stay in a church because the people their threaten you with Hell if you leave? And who are they to say who will and won’t go to Heaven? On what authority are they basing their teaching?

The Catholic Church doesn’t teach that we know who will and won’t go to Heaven.

I think you should choose a church based on truth, not based on which church has the best social schedule.

 

[deb1]

Tell me what are you relying on to get you to heaven?

God, of course.

 

[Good_Fella]

I so agree with you. It makes me kind of ashamed to be Catholic. My brother-in-law is Lutheran and my son is Evangelical and they are the ones who got me to read the Bible, and to go back to my roots as a Catholic. Although I love the Catholic church, and the services and the beauty of it, I think some Catholics on this forum are kind of MEAN.

As well as some non-Catholics.

 

[deb1]

Yes sir. That is what they say… They also don’t believe in musical instruments in their services. they say it is an abomination. They are always quoting from the book of Acts and say that Jesus never used musical instruments while he was with the desciples.

They believe that any other than their church will not make it to heaven.

I want to go to heaven with all my heart, so now I am getting more confused than ever. They are really nice people and they love to have fellowship dinners on the first Sunday of each month.

I know that the Catholic Church has and always has been here first, but they tell me that their church started with the desciples.

God Bless
scooter

I just ordered the first of a series of histories by Warren H. Church(I might have his name wrong) He gives a Catholic version of history and after having always heard a negative view of history and Catholics, I wanted a more Catholic history. I am also reading Belloc on the reformation.

Perhaps you can read some of the early Church fathers. I understand that they are very Catholic also.

Being Catholic means that you have to constantly learn about history, faith and the Bible. Catholics get mocked by the media, the secular world and even other Christians. You have to be knowledgable about many issues to withstand this attacks.

 

[scooter469]

It shouldn’t matter what they say, it is what Christ said and the Catholic church is from Christ. Fellowship dinners would be at the bottom of my list.

I understand this and I have not been going to their church anymore. My husband still does because of the family feel he gets. I don’t chose to go for their so called eating meeting. I have told them time and time again that I am not here to socialize. I want spiritual food.

So, I am in limbo right now. I got upset with them when they started talking about catholic and baptist churches on how they don’t agree with

Here lately I have been getting more fed with reading biblical materials

 

[DJgang]

I understand this and I have not been going to their church anymore. My husband still does because of the family feel he gets. I don’t chose to go for their so called eating meeting. I have told them time and time again that I am not here to socialize. I want spiritual food.

So, I am in limbo right now. I got upset with them when they started talking about catholic and baptist churches on how they don’t agree with

Here lately I have been getting more fed with reading biblical materials

Keep reading the bible. My friend, it took me four years to convert to Catholicism. I’ve been in every church and I’ve even denied Christ. Take your time. Unite your heart with Jesus on the Cross. Talk to him and tell him your pain. Let Jesus and the Holy Spirit feed your soul right now and don’t look to other humans, other people to feed you right now.

Might I suggest and don’t be disturbed … that you start praying the Rosary. It’s a great mediation on the stories of the gospel, the life of our Lord, if you just want to stick to the sorrowful mysteries, just do that.

Stay away from this forum. (non-Catholic) and don’t make any rash decision on what you are going to be right now … as Marcus Grodi told me personally (yes, I got to meet him and he’s an awesome man!) it’s all in God’s time … conversation is a life time …

You are in my prayers dear!

God bless, Dana

 

[scooter469]

Fellowship dinners sound like a great idea, and it’s certainly not contray to Catholic teaching.

If you know that the Catholic Church is the Church that Jesus founded, and what you would miss about the COC is the social life, why not start similar social programs in your new Catholic parish?

From what I’ve seen of people who believe that only “their” people will go to Heaven, they aren’t really that nice. They’re super nice to those who agree with them, but they turn on those who leave the flock. So how nice are they, really? People are only as nice as they are to the people they consider their enemies. If those people can’t be nice to Catholics, they aren’t nice.

I agree with you on this one. I did stop going and when I would see the elder he pretty much shrugged me. So, I agree with you totally. Not nice at all… Not Christian like. But hubby still goes.

Maybe your church group is different, though, and they will allow you to attend dinners after you’ve become Catholic, and welcome you as if you had never left the church.

They would let me, but i would get the cold shoulder. They have already proved that

Can you afford to stay in a church because the people their threaten you with Hell if you leave? And who are they to say who will and won’t go to Heaven? On what authority are they basing their teaching?

I heard from them all the time that they are the ones who have the truth and they throw out scriptures left and right. But I still don’t want to go back to their church…I am just not a history buff to debate with them.

The Catholic Church doesn’t teach that we know who will and won’t go to Heaven.

My mother is a very devoted Catholic and she does not do that to me.

I think you should choose a church based on truth, not based on which church has the best social schedule.

I agree, and that is all I am trying to do. Trying to find the TRUTH

 

[scooter469]

Keep reading the bible. My friend, it took me four years to convert to Catholicism. I’ve been in every church and I’ve even denied Christ. Take your time. Unite your heart with Jesus on the Cross. Talk to him and tell him your pain. Let Jesus and the Holy Spirit feed your soul right now and don’t look to other humans, other people to feed you right now.

Might I suggest and don’t be disturbed … that you start praying the Rosary. It’s a great mediation on the stories of the gospel, the life of our Lord, if you just want to stick to the sorrowful mysteries, just do that.

Stay away from this forum. (non-Catholic) and don’t make any rash decision on what you are going to be right now … as Marcus Grodi told me personally (yes, I got to meet him and he’s an awesome man!) it’s all in God’s time … conversation is a life time …

You are in my prayers dear!

Thank You
God Bless You

God bless, Dana

 

[JLFuller]

I have been following along in this blog to see if I should turn to the Catholic Church. But after reading how some of the Catholics are on this blog , I am now not so sure.

I have been going to Church of Christ Church, not Universal, just COC and have been disappointed on how smug they can be towards others Faiths. They think that they are the only ones going to heaven and that the rest of the world is going to hell. I felt that they were a tad judgmental and just did not seem right to me.

But now I see that there are Catholics here on this blog that are the same way. I tend to lean more towards the Lutherans, Baptists, on this blog. They tend to be kind hearted and knowledgable. I for one think that reading the Bible is very important.

The Bible I have is a Catholic Bible, New American Bible, picked out for me by Monsignor Gerald Lefebve. He is the family Priest since I was 10yrs of age.

I also have a NIV bible and King James. The only difference is that my Catholic Bible has more books. But the books that my NIV has says the same thing that my NAB says.

I also have the New Living Translation which I enjoy reading also…

I wish this blog was more interested in sharing Bible Studies instead of debating on who’s Church was here first. I always thought Church meant people that were Christians.

Thanks for reading this

Confused Lura

Lura
Ask God in sincere earnest prayer for guidance. Get the sure confirmation from the Holy Ghost. It may take a bit of time but have faith that God will tell you. Just ask and believe. Do you remember James’ admonition? James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

 

[Bill_Pick]

Yes sir. That is what they say… They also don’t believe in musical instruments in their services. they say it is an abomination. They are always quoting from the book of Acts and say that Jesus never used musical instruments while he was with the desciples.

They believe that any other than their church will not make it to heaven.

I want to go to heaven with all my heart, so now I am getting more confused than ever. They are really nice people and they love to have fellowship dinners on the first Sunday of each month.

I know that the Catholic Church has and always has been here first, but they tell me that their church started with the desciples.

God Bless
scooter

My son was married in that church and they have a TV church here the more I hear of them the more I think of it as a cult,the Tv church pick one denomination a week and just bash it Cathloic,Baptist, Luthern I use to watch it for laughs…I<m not shure but I do not think they believe in the Trinity I may be wrong I also think I ask if we had any on this board to see all they believe but never got a answer,if I remember they say it was started in 70ad. and is the Church Jesus build and we all know that is wrong… they also use Rom 16:16 to say its the church. this argument is easily to dismiss its just a geographical reference to local congregations. WATCH out for this group

 

[scooter469]

My son was married in that church and they have a TV church here the more I hear of them the more I think of it as a cult,the Tv church pick one denomination a week and just bash it Cathloic,Baptist, Luthern I use to watch it for laughs…I<m not shure but I do not think they believe in the Trinity I may be wrong I also think I ask if we had any on this board to see all they believe but never got a answer,if I remember they say it was started in 70ad. and is the Church Jesus build and we all know that is wrong… they also use Rom 16:16 to say its the church. this argument is easily to dismiss its just a geographical reference to local congregations. WATCH out for this group

I have been watching and don’t like what i have seen. I even told them very boldly one Sunday that I felt like I was amongst Wolves with sheep clothing.

I have told them that I don’t feel the Holy Spirit within their services. I have told them that I believe with all my heart Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

They said that they are going to have a bible study on what the Holy Spirit is. That made me feel uncomfortable. I asked them why? Why would we need a bible study on that. It just does not feel right to me.

I told them that I get more feel of the Holy Spirit at the Baptist church. I have been very bold with them on all of this but they still will not leave me alone. But of course if my hubby would stop going then maybe they would.

They are real nice and loving when you are agreeing with them but once I started bucking and quit going they are the most judgmental humans i have ever met. Not all of them but for sure the elder. The elder tells the preacher what to preach. Why doesn’t the elder just get up and do it himself.

I know you can tell that i am a tad pisst at them but my hubby is not helping. He likes them and I know that he only goes for the fellowship dinners and socializing part. Not me

I want my Spirit to feel like it has been filled. I am also guilty of crying if my heart is being touched in a spiritual way. If that makes any sense.

Thank You

 

[Bill_Pick]

I have been watching and don’t like what i have seen. I even told them very boldly one Sunday that I felt like I was amongst Wolves with sheep clothing.

I have told them that I don’t feel the Holy Spirit within their services. I have told them that I believe with all my heart Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

They said that they are going to have a bible study on what the Holy Spirit is. That made me feel uncomfortable. I asked them why? Why would we need a bible study on that. It just does not feel right to me.

I told them that I get more feel of the Holy Spirit at the Baptist church. I have been very bold with them on all of this but they still will not leave me alone. But of course if my hubby would stop going then maybe they would.

They are real nice and loving when you are agreeing with them but once I started bucking and quit going they are the most judgmental humans i have ever met. Not all of them but for sure the elder. The elder tells the preacher what to preach. Why doesn’t the elder just get up and do it himself.

I know you can tell that i am a tad pisst at them but my hubby is not helping. He likes them and I know that he only goes for the fellowship dinners and socializing part. Not me

I want my Spirit to feel like it has been filled. I am also guilty of crying if my heart is being touched in a spiritual way. If that makes any sense.

Thank You

scooter, My heart goes out to you,just keep praying and I will keep you in my prays keep your hear up and may Our Lord bless you and your husband, but stay awayd from this group you may not find it convincing but many have. and BTW They note that when a husband takes a bride she acquires his surname , Since the Church is called ,especially by Cathloic,the bride of Christ,they argue that the true Church,s name will be the Church of Christ,please Christ is a title not a name to be right it must be the Church of Jesus…keep in touch and let us know how it is going,bless You

 

[distracted]

I have been following along in this blog to see if I should turn to the Catholic Church. But after reading how some of the Catholics are on this blog , I am now not so sure.

all humans are evil… selfish, sometimes cold, etc… The Church is not an organization designed primarily for socializing. It is established on Earth to show people the way to God… through Jesus Christ… I understand that a Church should have “loving” people in it (define: loving, though ), but, well, we must separate sin from sinner and sinner from Church… Nobody practices every single thing Jesus commanded us to… which, by the way, is why there is Purgatory… for those who try…

I have been going to Church of Christ Church, not Universal, just COC and have been disappointed on how smug they can be towards others Faiths. They think that they are the only ones going to heaven and that the rest of the world is going to hell. I felt that they were a tad judgmental and just did not seem right to me.

a “tad”??? hmm… I’d say that is very judgmental, but on the other hand, they are closer to the truth than other denoms… because some people seem to think, for example, that virtually everyone is going to Heaven, when Jesus said the opposite… He said there are few who find their way to that narrow road leading to eternal life (Mt 7:13, Lk 13:24…)

But now I see that there are Catholics here on this blog that are the same way. I tend to lean more towards the Lutherans, Baptists, on this blog. They tend to be kind hearted and knowledgable. I for one think that reading the Bible is very important.

catholics hear 1 psg from the Old and 1 or 2 from the New Testament every day except Monday(priest’s day off)… some Churches even have Mass on Monday… Cathedrals… Also, sometimes Catholics just don’t SEEM friendly because they are more focused on Christ (or definitely SHOULD be) than they are humans… There is already too much focus on humans in this world (Angie & Brad, etc… ). When i go to Church, i want to focus on God…(which is why i hate some of the vat II changes… ). Besides, Humans don’t need me to focus on them… they need Jesus… As you know, humans cannot save us… Wehn we die we can’t take our friends, family, etc… we will only (hopefully) have Jesus…

I wish this blog was more interested in sharing Bible Studies instead of debating on who’s Church was here first.

I post the daily/Sun Mass readings every day and very few people (on Non-Catholic forum) go there or if they do, they rarely respond… so don’t tell me this Catholic is not interested in the Bible… If a person attends daily/Sun Mass for 3 yrs straight s/he will hear the entire Bible…

I always thought Church meant people that were Christians.

Thanks for reading this

Confused Lura

I have felt this way… still do on occassion… but i just try to focus on Christ… it’s not always easy because people (Christians) ARE JEsus… as per Mt 25:31… so whatever they do to us feels like (and IS) being done to us by Christ… in a very real sense… I know that may sound weird but i feel it to be true…

I’ve found the best way to be focused on Christ is to spend time with Him at the Blessed Sacrament… in total silence… Have you heard of that? Have you ever done it?

it would be nice to know a little of your spiritual background… (haven’t gone through all the posts yet)…