Tag Archives: Catholic

Christian

Origin

In the last few weeks I’ve heard Church of Christ preachers speak about the origins of the Church. Both mentioning the Catholic’s tracing of position as the true Church from Peter as the first Pope and Christ’s statement in Matthew 16:18. Both disputing the above and claiming the Church of Christ as the only one true Church with origin in Acts.

While I suppose it is not uncommon for denominations to claim they are the one true Church with authority from Christ, I don’t believe either of the above positions is accurate. I believe the true Church can be found in Mark 3:34-35 KJV. And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! [35] For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

I’m not sure if Peter was actually the first Pope or not, but the Catholic church has played a crucial role in the development and spread of Christianity around the world. Meanwhile, the Church of Christ irregardless of their claims was created after the Protestant Reformation in the United States of America.

Looking at doctrine from the Catholic Church and the Church of Christ it is evident some of their beliefs and teachings are right while some are simply wrong. I’m not going to get into that here, but I feel safe in saying there is no denomination following the Word of God perfectly.

Hence the Church in my opinion will come from various denominations. It will be composed of those who do the will of God and keep his Commandments. These are those that read the Holy Bible. They learn of God himself and will not be led astray by commandments and doctrine of men.

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Christian

Bones

I have two more bones to pick with the Catholic Church.

Those are:

Calling men Father. Matthew 23:9 KJV
And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

Penance. No where in the Bible does it tell us to do penance for sin or that penance is even accepted by the Lord. It does however tell us to confess. 1 John 1:9 KJV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

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Christian

Change for Ten

I want you to understand my criticisms come from my own Christian walk. As I share them, my hope is they may evoke change, if not on a denominational scale, at least in you the reader.

Over the years I have had some interest in the Catholic Church. I am still looking for a congregation or denomination that I am completely happy attending.

Yet, there are several points on which I disagree with the Catholic Church besides transubstantiation. I do not believe men should pray to Mary or to Angels. Acts 4:12. I do not think priests should be forbidden to marry. 1 Timothy 4:1-3.

On top of these things, which may be obvious to those with a cursory interest in the Catholic Church, they have changed the Ten Commandments. They remove the commandment to not make any graven image nor bow down to them. They then separate the Tenth Commandment, thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s wife or goods into two commands in order to complete the Ten. The Catholic Ten Commandments, I found in Outlines of the Catholic Faith p.51, 52. I do not know if they have actually changed the wording in the Holy Bible, but as Catholics believe much in crucifixes, images, and statuary I am not overly surprised by this brazen and impermissible change.

I hope Catholics will be baptized properly by immersion in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. It is my hope that the saved will come from many denominations. They will be those that realize the errors of their own denomination and follow God’s Word not the teachings and perversions of men.

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Christian, Inspirational

A Covering

On the SALSA channel I saw someone speaking about people needing a covering. He said he needed to know a person’s covering, who their preacher or pastor was.

I don’t know if this is an Hispanic thing or a left over from the influence of the Catholic Church. I tell you a fact. Your preacher or pastor is not your covering. His primary job is to teach the Word of God including the Law.

1 Timothy 2:5 KJV For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

No one should stand between you and God.

Now if we are talking literal covering. Men should not cover their heads when they pray. 1 Corinthians 11:4. When women pray, they should cover their heads – a simple scarf works. 1 Corinthians 11:5-6.

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Christian, Inspirational

Hurdles

I have had a few conversations recently that disturbed me. One was that all Catholics are going to Hell. The other was that unless you’re Church of Christ you’re unrighteous.

My viewpoint is that God’s chosen, Christ’s Bride will be taken from among various denominations. These chosen are people that learn the Word and follow it. Nonetheless there are people attending certain denominations which have greater hurdles to overcome to be among those going to Heaven.

Catholics – The greatest challenge is proper baptism. Sprinkling water on babies or baptizing children with no understanding does nothing. Children must be able to understand who Jesus is. Repenting of their sins requires knowledge of sin. Proper baptism is confession of Jesus as Christ, repentance of sin, and being completely immersed in water, or baptized, by another in the name of Jesus or in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Another concern is praying to Saints and Angels instead of Jesus only. Confession is appropriate, but penance in the form of repeating prayers is not scriptural.

Church of Christ – Believing in the power of God and discerning the law of Jesus. They misinterpret 1 Corinthians 13:10 to mean an end of miracles. They cannot read New Testament commands such as those found in Corinthians. Additionally, they do not understand the Lord’s Prayer, nor can they see that all the Ten Commandments are still to be followed.

Baptist – Again baptism is an issue. From my understanding they consider it a public profession of Christ. It is more than that. It is being baptized into the family of Christ and being forgiven of previous sins by his blood. They also do not offer the Lord’s Supper every Sunday.

Mormon – I am convinced there are decent Mormons, but they face a large hurdle. They follow a false prophet and a false book. I think to obtain salvation their best course would be to leave the Mormon Church.

I realize there are many more denominations, but one of the hurdles listed above probably applies.  It bothers me greatly that one denomination or preacher should say to all others – we are going to Heaven and everyone else is going to Hell. Take a good long look in the mirror. To those that have shall be given more. To those that have not, even what they think they have shall be taken away.

I do not know if people with partial deafness can make it to Heaven. Remember 1 John 1:9. It is the only opportunity for forgiveness after receiving water baptism. When you find the strength correct others with the Word. Hearing comes by the Word of God. If they do not listen, you did your part and yet remains James 5:20!

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