Is Catholicism Christian? Are Catholics Saved?
- Thread starter MessageOfTheCross
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Inquistor,
It is really pointless to discuss the errors of the Catholic Church with committed Catholics who are also apologists for their false Christianity. Indeed it is a sheer waste of time and effort.
On the other hand, if you can handle the truth, then that is another matter. So you want PROOF that Purgatory is PURE FANTASY? Why don't you invest in a copy of Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (KJV) and go through all the "P's". You will simply discover that there is no such word in the whole Bible.
In fact there is no such concept in the Bible. There is Sheol-Hades, Gehenna- the Lake of Fire, and Tartarus -- the prison of the evil angels from the time of Noah. Even the Eastern Orthodox Church does not buy this Purgatory nonsense.
"...Eastern Orthodox Bishop Kallistos Ware acknowledges several schools of thought among the Eastern Orthodox on the topic of purification after death...he writes that 'Today most if not all Orthodox theologians reject the idea of Purgatory, at least in [Roman Catholic] form.' "
http://www.religioustolerance.org/purgatory6.htm
It is really pointless to discuss the errors of the Catholic Church with committed Catholics who are also apologists for their false Christianity. Indeed it is a sheer waste of time and effort.
On the other hand, if you can handle the truth, then that is another matter. So you want PROOF that Purgatory is PURE FANTASY? Why don't you invest in a copy of Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (KJV) and go through all the "P's". You will simply discover that there is no such word in the whole Bible.
In fact there is no such concept in the Bible. There is Sheol-Hades, Gehenna- the Lake of Fire, and Tartarus -- the prison of the evil angels from the time of Noah. Even the Eastern Orthodox Church does not buy this Purgatory nonsense.
"...Eastern Orthodox Bishop Kallistos Ware acknowledges several schools of thought among the Eastern Orthodox on the topic of purification after death...he writes that 'Today most if not all Orthodox theologians reject the idea of Purgatory, at least in [Roman Catholic] form.' "
http://www.religioustolerance.org/purgatory6.htm
The Great Commission
MarK 16:14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15 And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.
These are the last words spoken to his discipiles before he ascended to heaven. I believe that the only churches that practice what they were commissioned to do here are found in the southern Apallations.
Just thought I'd let you know where I stand on the first church.
MarK 16:14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15 And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.
These are the last words spoken to his discipiles before he ascended to heaven. I believe that the only churches that practice what they were commissioned to do here are found in the southern Apallations.
Just thought I'd let you know where I stand on the first church.
It usually takes a lot to get me confused ... but I must admit that I am confused right now! I think most Christians believe that there is no escape from the fires of hell ... right? So if that is, in fact the case, and there is no purgatory, can you please explain the entirety of the following verse?
1 Corinthians 3:15 - If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/3-15.htm
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People can be eternally saved separate from what they are taught from a denomination like Catholicism. So you will get plenty of saved Catholics.
Also, Catholic teaching does have some of the same beliefs about who God is..what the trinity is and would probably even have being saved by faith in Christ.
But there is a difference between being saved.. and then actually following God's Word. I wouldn't call Catholicsm as following God's Word.
The rituals and ceremonies and the way they venerate saints and Mary just isn't real Christianity.
Also, Catholic teaching does have some of the same beliefs about who God is..what the trinity is and would probably even have being saved by faith in Christ.
But there is a difference between being saved.. and then actually following God's Word. I wouldn't call Catholicsm as following God's Word.
The rituals and ceremonies and the way they venerate saints and Mary just isn't real Christianity.
Following Gods word ... such as this scripture? How many modern denominations follow this scripture TODAY?
Matthew 19:9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery."
I agree with you that most protestant religions are spin-offs of the Great Whore. The trouble is they took many of the RCC teachings with them when they left. Many pray to Mary and the dead saints without regarding the "familiar spirits" ban. They are praying to people that are asleep (See Hebrews 11.)
Does it seem to you like the dead are ASLEEP in this scripture?
23In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side. 24So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on meand send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water andcool my tongue. For I am in agony in this fire.’ 25But Abraham answered, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things. But now he is comforted here, while you are left to suffer.…