Is Catholicism Christian? Are Catholics Saved?

[Bladerunner]

I once quoted Ephesians 2:8,9 to a Roman Catholic and clarified that we are saved by grace through faith, not works and the Roman Catholic responded by saying, "I know that." Then after we discussed it a little deeper, it turns out the Roman Catholic misinterpreted Ephesians 2:8,9 as such: Saved by grace through faith "infused" with works, just not by specific works of the law. Saved through faith + "these" works (good works) just not "those" works (merely limited, specific works of the law) is not what Paul was saying. He meant works in general.

I discovered the ROOT of the problem of the Roman Catholic misinterpretation. That Roman Catholic also made this statement:

We ARE saved by faith - as long as you properly define "Faith".Faith is NOT simply "believing". Faith INCLUDES: Being baptized, eating His body and drinking His blood/partaking the Lord's Supper during Mass, works of mercy and charity, obeying his commandments, doing the will of the Father etc..

His argument about faith being "defined as" and INCLUDES these works above is just sugar coated double talk and equates to salvation through faith (his version of faith) + works. Roman Catholics seem to think by not teaching that justification comes through perfect obedience to the law that they are not teaching salvation by works, yet they still claim that we are saved by accomplishing this check list of works above. It's all just Roman Catholic smoke and mirrors.

Why the Catholic Church believes as it does has been progressing for around 320 AD when Emperor Constantine married the Church and the State....

Yes, their Ammillennialism goes back that far. If you wish we can get into it a little deeper. Does that bring up any ideas about the seven Churches....Pergamos means Compromised or Married.

Have a great day....

Blade

 

[Jackson123]

"Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged". It always helps me to read the Sermon on the Mount.

To say Hindu is not Christian is not judge, to say Muslim is not Christian is telling the truth. To say catholic is not Christian is honest.

to say catholic is Christian is a lie.

 

[ScottishOkie]

1 Timothy 2:5 - For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Psalms 148:13 - Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory [is] above the earth and heaven.
Acts 4:12 - Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
[h=3]Exodus Chapter 20[/h]
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth:
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;

 

[Jackson123]

No doubt the RCC has some noticeable heresies, but just dropping out of it does not guarantee salvation. Some protestant churches have a "perfect" theology, but they lack spirituality -- their preachers sound like lawyers teaching civil code.

Some five years ago I talked hours with a Catholic deacon who sat next to me on a plane and we shared what we have in common: the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, the transforming grace of our God, our need for holiness, etc.

I told him about my recent thyroid cancer surgery and the high risk of metastasis. He said, from the bottom of his heart: "Tonight I will, together with members of my church, pray for you". I felt he was earnest about that and I really believed their prayer would make a difference.

A few months ago my doctor said: "I was sure your cancer would recur in less than 3 years because the tumor was too big, but now the chances of metastasis are less than 1%". I feel in my heart that the prayer of those Catholics made a difference.

healing may come from the Lord, but it may come from the dark spirit. My dad was own small convenient store, his helper son was have a problem with tonsillitis, he brought his son to the doctor, and the doctor suggested for surgery. His neighbors told him about a new comer from Sunda, West Java a good witch doctor, so he brought his son there. This witch doctor use a spoon and say his mantras, and took his tonsil use spoon, it's done in 2 minute. No bleeding. Demon has a power.