An interesting question I received, can Catholics be our brothers and sisters in Christ?
MY RESPONSE: Here's the truth of the matter, the same question can be asked across the board. There's as much apostasy in the protestant institutions as there is in other institutions. "Constantinean Christianity" (mixture/idolatry) is not pleasing to the Lord. Period. He wants, and may I add, deserves the entirety of our hearts not our empty religion. We must be born again according to the Scripture. “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (Jn. 3:3)
"For man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." (1 Sam. 16:10) YAHWEH knows who are His. May we take an inventory of our souls to know we can have confidence if we have an authentic relationship with Christ. "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings..." (Phil 3:10)
"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Lk. 7:22-23)
May we all examine ourselves to see if we are in THE FAITH. Believers who BELIEVE.
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This is original content from the writings of Jeffrey Parrott. To find out more about Acts In Motion go to: http://www.actsinmotion.com.
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I've heard Roman Catholics say that Protestants are heretics and therefore not Christian, and l've heard Protestants say that Catholics are pagans and hence, not Christian. I don't belong to any denomination, I belong to Christ and anyone who has received Him, regardless of what church they attend, or even if they attend no physical church at all, is a brother or sister in Him.
I think your post expresses this very well. I look forward to the day when denominational infighting comes to an end.
Here's what the Apostle Paul had to say on this subject;
1 Corinthians 1:10-17 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
@eyeofthestorm I used to share your sentiments exactly. This philosophy is comforting and warm. It is non offensive and seems unifying on the surface. Over time, however, I began to realize that it negates the need for dialog. If all that is needed to preserve unity in the church is to believe in Jesus and follow the bible, then there's nothing left to talk about. If there's nothing left to talk about, then there's no reason to address the paradox inherent to this idea. Which is the fact that the bible doesn't teach that belief in Jesus and following the bible are all that matter.
I write this as an invitation to step back from your comfort zone and start asking the hard questions. A good starting point would be to take a closer look at the same verse you quoted above (1 Corinthians 1:10-17). Now ask yourself at exactly which point in your life did you decide that adopting the nondenominational label was anything other than divisive by its very nature. Then start seeking sermons from nondenominational pastors not associated with yours. Then ask yourself if they all "speak the same thing" and/or are "perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." If you don't shy away from the answers that you don't like, you will greatly benefit later on.
I speak from experience for your benefit and all who may read this. No trolling going on here. Peace be with you!
Well said. Upvote, love that passage! Yes and amen.
So much confusion with all these religions out there. When God meant it to be so clean and clear, only trough Christ´s works, and only receive by faith what he really did. 1. We are all sinners 2. Christ died for us 3. We need his forgiveness it´s as easy as 1,2,3 or A,B,C. Why do people have a hard time understanding and why we as christians sometimes complicate things and don´t just preach the good news. Thanks for sharing, great thoughts and verses.
Amen. ABC's man. The longer I been at this, over 30 years, the simpler it needs to be. JUST CHRIST! He is the narrow road, He is the door, He is the bread of life, He is my life. I'm gonna get excited! I love Him SOOOOO much. He came after me in the gutter of my darkness and lavished me with His loving-kindness. Clean. forgiven. Free. Empowered.
Thank you for your reply, be encouraged in the Lord my friend.
Thank you for sharing and showing so great joy in the Lord. That is contagious! :) Keep enjoying His presence!
Amen!
Yes actually your bible belonged to the catholic first. You adapted it to your version during the reformation, so in essence you could be considered "daughter harolts of the mother whore"
Building a religion upon a faulty foundation is really a bad idea...
I agree, that's why I don't belong to any denomination, man made religion or corrupt body politic. No system or man lays claim to me–I am Christ's alone and my fidelity is to Him alone. I do believe in humility having good will towards all men. It is not prudent to have bitterness in ones heart due to the corruption and carnality all around us. I choose to focus on being part of the solution and not propagating the problem. Christ's heart was, "Forgive them for they know not what they do." I will put my virtue into the message of the gospel of the Kingdom of God. Blessings my friend, join me in being part of the answer.
Yes you do belong to a denomination. Your denomination was created by you, and you are a man/woman. You are also a sinner like the rest of us and share our fallen (corrupt) nature. So in reality, you belong to your own denomination that you created from your personal bible interpretations. Therefore you most certainly do belong to a man made religion where you alone hold doctrinal authority and the corrupt body politic is consists entirely of you.
I've been there. It eventually gets real lonely my friend.