Brother Rob was right in suggesting that we keep things on track. Seeing that we have been slightly diverted i will offer a few responses. I apologize for the delay as I have been on vacation this week.


Hi Peace,

Let me offer the following answers. Thank you for taking the time to read this thread.

20 years old

I have never been a part of a Protestant group. Denominations are not taught in the Bible and are sinful. Matthew 15:13 But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted.

As for the second part of your question...I did for a while. You see, the same verse that condemns Protestant groups condemns the Catholic Church. So for a time I was without God. It was the time I spent in a man made religion- the Catholic Church.

You see Peace, if the Catholic Church was the Church taught in the New Testament then it's teachings and practices would match those of the New Testament. One who studies the error of the Catholic Church will find that their teachings are not found in the pages of scripture. For example

Peace, my friend, please provide BCV for the following:

The papacy...

Holding Up Mary as a source of worship....

Praying to Mary.....

The immaculate conception of Mary...

Mary as co-redemptrix and mediatrix...

Church tradition as being equal with scripture and thus overriding scripture...

Infant baptism and cobnfirmation...

The selling of indulgences....

If the Catholic Church is the Church of the new testament then it will have the same teachings as the Church we read about in Scripture. Please support the above practices of the Catholic Church with book, chapter and verse.

You see my friend, the Bible teaches that scripture is to be the source for all that we do 2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;" Paul makes it clear that the Bible is to be our guide.

Peter confirms this in 2 Peter 1:20-21 "But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is {a matter} of one's own interpretation,for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God."

The apostle Paul goes on to defend the teaching of the first century Church when he says in Galatians 1:6-11 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is {really} not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!

Paul can say these words because the doctrine of the New Testament was not only known but past on to others 2 Timothy 1:13 "Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus."

Yet, if you notice my friend, not one of the catholic doctrines mentioned about can be "passed on" or "held to" because they are not found in the Bible. They are as Paul said. "another gospel".

What I want for you my friend is to come to learn the scriptures and in doing so be obedient to them. That's it! Paul says in Romans 10:17 So faith {comes} from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.


I agree with Brother Robert that all those who are outside of Christ will be lost on the day of judgment. The question then becomes..."How does one get in Christ?" Peace, how does one get in Christ? Please share with us BCV showing how this is done. I believe based on what the Bible teaches (I will wait for your answer before I respond) that Catholics are not "in Christ" so therefore if they do not become obedient to the scriptures and what is required for salvation (again, what is required my friend?) they will be found to be outside of Christ on the great day of judgment.

All we want is to open our Bible and be taught by God's word. That is why we ask for BCV in all that is said and taught. As mentioned above: 2 Timothy 3:16

And this is at the heart of the error in the Catholic Church. They can not support what is taught with the Bible.

yes.... Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16. When God commands something to be done he excludes all else from being done. God's command is that we sing (vocal) and that we make melody in our heart. There are other threads on this site where this issue has been taught.

I hope these answers have helped you. We are here to study with you and hope that you will grow and learn from your time here. By the way you write and some of the questions you have made you appear to me to be a Lay Ecclesial Minister. perhaps serving in the role as a campus minister? What office, if any, do you hold in the Church?

Kindly,
Don

P.S.
You did not address me as a fellow Catholic, why not? I have not been excommunicated by the Holy Father. It may interest you to know that I grew up on the campus of Mount Saint Mary's College. My Uncle was the Dean of student services and my father worked as a painter in the maintenance department. Have you ever made a trip to the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes? It is one of the National Shrines in our Nation. It is literally in the side of a mountain. I also used to attend daily mass at San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio, Texas. They had a weekday mass at Noon every day. They were also one the few places a Catholic could have the Sacrament of Confession everyday.

__________________
Don Gelles,
Preacher, Church of Christ in Hyde Park
Austin, Texas
www.hydeparkcoc.org