Are catholics Christian?

[Praus]

Well said! Reminds me of James 4:11-12 --Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one law giver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV)

 

[Crazyteen]

Catholics worship christ, so they are christian.

You cant just throw all catolics in the same pot.
Here in Southamerica is %90 catholic.
but there is still this feeling of idolitry, and many catholics here are still very supersticious about the "incan junk"
for instance, my buddy sets up these statues of incan entities and he is catholic, and i asked him why he sets them up, and he says its "good luck". Im kind of sad about this.
Im afraid if I take the statues down he will think im trying to curse him or something.
lots of supersticion here.

 

[Shinji]

Yes, in fact Catholics are the original Christians (and if it weren't for a Catholic Church decision on what is canon and what is not, there wouldn't be a bible). Every other church can be traced back to splitting off from the Catholic Church, or off a group that split off it. So unless Jesus was wrong and the gates of hell did prevail against the apostolic church he established while on earth, the Catholic Church is indeed Christian, and its faithful members Christians.

 

[RachelBibleStudent]

Yes, in fact Catholics are the original Christians (and if it weren't for a Catholic Church decision on what is canon and what is not, there wouldn't be a bible). Every other church can be traced back to splitting off from the Catholic Church, or off a group that split off it. So unless Jesus was wrong and the gates of hell did prevail against the apostolic church he established while on earth, the Catholic Church is indeed Christian, and its faithful members Christians.

the claim that the roman catholic church was responsible for determining the biblical canon is not supported by history...
the claim that every other church split off from the roman catholic church is just an expression of rome centric bias...
and what jesus said about the gates of hell not prevailing against the church has nothing to do with false doctrine getting into the church...

 

[Kerry]

Any denomination that places their focus somewhere else than the cross of Christ. Is not christian. Catholics place their faith in works and pray to Mary and other so called saints. That clearly is not bible. 7 dayers claim that Michael is Jesus, which denies His deity. That is clearly not bible. Inner circles of mormons worship Jehovah and Rah and some other one I can't remember. Jehovah's witness deny the deity of Jesus. These are not christian and any other that I didn't mention that does not focus on the cross. The Bible does.

 

[Imperfect]

This isn't logical.

catholics ARE christian.. just not the christian that is textbook, or proper. like he said, they do things their way.

what makes them christian? they believe Christ (thats where the term 'christ'ian came from), thats what makes them a christian faith based religion.

 

[maryannar]

I want to praise God for allowing ANY of us the joy of a relationship with Him for ever and ever as long as we call upon His name, repent, and accept His gift of grace. Who or what we were doesn't matter, just as it didn't to Paul. Remember, he said he called his life and everything he did prior to meeting Christ just "rubbish" (or dung, as he said). So I"m thinkin' if we're worried about which denomination someone is then we're worried about the wrong thing. Jesus is coming back for His bride, not His bride"s". Thank you, Father!

 

[Imperfect]

actually if you study church history you will find that your post was completely -wrong-

the roman catholic church's claim of being the original christian church is not supported by any legitimate historical arguments...they can't even prove a single one of their lines of 'apostolic succession'...

but most roman catholics don't know church history...if they did they would stop being roman catholic...

i honestly dont know church history. i never took interest in it. theres too much to learn in the Bible for me to study the church history. not to come off as rude, but God didnt tell me i have to learn the history of the Church for me to get into heaven.

 

[secularhermit]

Well, there are better Catholic Christians than me (and worse too). I am NOBODY to say who is who and who are or aren´t: That´s God and Jesus´business. I can say they have too many human traditions and doctrines as Jews, as evangelicals and THEIR BEHAVIOUR, the fruit of their believing is what counts, so I could say that counts for God and for me.

 

[secularhermit]

@Sinji

The "original" Christians were jewish, as I read on the Bible. Those who can boast on the adjective were from Antioquia... I do not dare to name myself aloud a "Christian" just to the moment I check I healed people or any work of God. Meanwhile I will use it "identify" me as one who likes to follow Christ´s teaching and the Old Testament (which is better than the "New" testament)

 

[Tintin]

Some Catholics are Christian, some aren't. Same goes for all Christian denominations or non-denominations.

 

[ChuckNorrisJr]

I grew up in a highly religious catholic family. I've had discussions with my priest about the whole praying to Mary issue. The catholic church teaches that God did not give her original sin for being human like everyone else in the world because the mother of God was to be perfect and without sin. When catholics pray to Mary we are praying for her to ask Jesus to help them. This idea goes to saints as well where you pray to a saint to ask God for help, it's not praying to the saint themselves for help but more like asking them to put in a good word for you with God. That's how it's always been explained to me throughout life at least...

 

[watcher2013]

I grew up in a highly religious catholic family. I've had discussions with my priest about the whole praying to Mary issue. The catholic church teaches that God did not give her original sin for being human like everyone else in the world because the mother of God was to be perfect and without sin. When catholics pray to Mary we are praying for her to ask Jesus to help them. This idea goes to saints as well where you pray to a saint to ask God for help, it's not praying to the saint themselves for help but more like asking them to put in a good word for you with God. That's how it's always been explained to me throughout life at least...

Praying to saints... Here what paul experienced

[Act 14:8-15] KJV And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: %v 9% The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, %v 10% Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. %v 11% And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. %v 12% And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. %v 13% Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. %v 14% Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, %v 15% And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

i would like to relate this to the push of catholic church to the sainthood of JP2. What happens after it? the miracle of JP2, would the devoted catholics offer prayers? Make a feast like what they did in Lycaonia?

As said, catholics may say they believed in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, but do they really believed in the True God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The God who does not dwell in things made with hands.
If you are catholics, check yourself, Do You really believe in the True God who does not dwell in things made with hands?
And if you are still bowing your knees and giving reverence to things made with hands, then that only means you are worshipping false gods. REPENT and TuRN AWAY, throw your Idols and start believing the True God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who sent His Son Jesus.

 

[duewell]

are catholics christian?, i wonder if christians are christians? lots of lawyers practicing to go before the judge. sure hope they got a witness.

duewell
mark 4 v 11-13

 

[danschance]

i honestly dont know church history. i never took interest in it. theres too much to learn in the Bible for me to study the church history. not to come off as rude, but God didnt tell me i have to learn the history of the Church for me to get into heaven.

Not to come off as rude, but God never told you to learn how to drive, operate a computer, how to read, brush your teeth or comb your hair for you to go to heaven either. Your argument sounds very silly when put this way, right? I don't appreciate they way you answered "rachelbiblestudent" and I hope you can show her and all other ladies the respect they deserve, next time and have a nice day.

 

[7seven7]

I really couldn't care less for all these attacks and accusations and rubbishing of the Catholic Church. I keep hearing that "if Catholics knew the truth about that RCC then they wouldn't be a part of it". Well I'm telling ya that none of you know the full truth about the RCC. And like I've said before, it never ceases to amaze me how EVERYBODY attacks the Catholic Church. From muslims, to athiests, along with our brother and sister Protestants. Think about it. You all hold the same common denominator as Islam and Athiesm, not to mention Satanism, in the way that you all attack the Catholic Church so much. You spend so much time and energy doing it. And don't give me that rubbish that you're telling us for our sake. 90% of the time you guys and girls are talking spitefully and trying to get a reaction out of us, or starting threads like this one lol. Our faith, like your's, IS based on Christ. It starts and ends with Christ as our Lord and Redeemer. If you think otherwise, THEN YOUR PREACHERS HAVE MISLED YOU AGAIN FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF HATING CATHOLICS AND THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH!! Wake up! lol I will always love you and pour water on you if i see you on fire in the street. God bless!

 

[homwardbound]

I was a Catholic for 33 years before being saved by grace and come from a long line of Catholics, at least 5 generations that I can trace back. Now I'm a friend of God anointed with His holy spirit and it tells me what God would have me do and guides me, I need no man, tradition of my dad's, or a house built with the hands of men to justify my faith, or teach me anything when it comes to God, but Looking back, I'd definitely say I was a Christian then as I believed in Christ as all Catholics do. I think the majority of Catholics are decent people and of course Christians that believe "God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten son Yahoshua (Jesus) Christ to be a propitiation (atoning sacrifice) for their sins." The problem is that the majority of the people in the RCC are way to trustworthy when it comes to listening to these men,following the examples of their dad's, that they are moved into non-biblical teachings, believing everything the RCC tells them even if it's blatantly false. (Pio, stigmata, Mariam worship,bowing and praying below a statue, the rosary, ect.) These things don't help a Christian grow spiritually or edify them, but blinds and hinders them to the open line they have with God the Father and the LORD our God Yahoshua (Jesus) Christ 24/7. When I shared my testimony of grace with the priest at St. Bonaventure in Huntington beach, Ca, thinking in my head they would embrace me and rejoice in God's mercy towards a sinner like me, he told me that being a Catholic and practicing their theology was the only acceptable way with God and them. He didn't care about the miracle of me receiving the free gift of God. I was instantly a enemy and a protestant....lol. If you don't believe me try and tell them you are seeking God and found Him outside of the RCC, then you will become an enemy and protestant as well no matter how pious or devout you are or were. They wanted me to submit to a house and teaching of men and not to my maker. I could never do that, nor would anyone else with my experience do that.
I love all my brothers and sisters Catholic or not but I have learned the history of the RCC and there is no way now that I would ever go back. Those of you that have left already know where I'm coming from. Yes Catholics are Christian but a lot of their teachings are not.

So are you now a member of any other Church here on earth and follow their ways of worship?

 

[homwardbound]

This isn't logical.

Tell me what makes you, me or anyone else better than anyone else:
[h=3]1 Peter 3:15[/h]Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

[SUP]15 [/SUP]but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:


Does God own the cattle on a thousand hills? Do you really think God plays favorites and see one denomination over the other? Or does God view the Motive(s) of the person that wants to know God?
If you only want to know God, do you think God will reveal himself to you personally? Is this not what God came to do, give us each a personal relationship through the cross.
Where by the death Father through Christ made us:

[h=3]Colossians 1:21-23[/h]Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

[SUP]21 [/SUP]And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled [SUP]22 [/SUP]in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: [SUP]23 [/SUP]if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

Do you think god can't reach into the heart of anyone at any assembly?
Well Father does for those that seek:

"Comfort God by letting God know that you would see God just to dwell in God's Presence. Not for teaching, not for material gain, not even for a message, but for God. The longing of the human heart to be loved for itself is something caught from the Great Divine Heart."

 

[homwardbound]

I do not equate Catholicism with Christianity. I regard it a pagan.

There are many leaders that are pagan and come off as believers and many will have to go away, those that work iniquity for their own gain. For Christ will bring all truth to the table at Judgment day. You are condemning the religion, which Christ did condemn religion. Yet said if they are preaching his name leave them alone. A divided Kingdom can't stand.
Guess what, to all those after their own gain, in using Christ's name, many will come to know Christ through your place of self gain that masquerades as not, and this is for God, to all Denominations I speak this.
Ask God for God's Mercy in your person to God and receive, this Mercy to all from God through Christ at the cross.
It is not a matter of religion. For religion is nothing more than what one does and gains rewards from others for their behavior and is not from God
Matthew 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Matthew 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Matthew 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Matthew 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

This is going on all over the world today, not just in one religion. People are selfish period. That is what flesh is selfish.
And God came in the flesh through Christ to redeem us out of flesh behavior to God's Spirit behavior.
Think about it. Is there any Church here on earth that God approves? When God did this fro us:
[h=3]Hebrews 8[/h]Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

8 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; [SUP]2 [/SUP]a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. [SUP]3 [/SUP]For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. [SUP]4 [/SUP]For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: [SUP]5 [/SUP]who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. [SUP]6 [/SUP]But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

 

[Shinji]

the claim that the roman catholic church was responsible for determining the biblical canon is not supported by history...

Then how was the canon established then?