G
dscherck:
I agree that honor is due to Mary, as she was the one woman picked out of all the women in Israel. Not only that but she was one of the few people of the Bible who embraced the call of God on her life without stumbling in unbelief. Many of the people in the Bible did not initially believe right away like she did. Because of Jewish culture, she also went through life being called the "mother of the illegitimate child" for most of her life, and was still able to live as God intended and without offense.
I think the big issue between Protestants and Catholics is that Catholics pray to Mary. There does not seem to be any Biblical support for praying to anyone except God(Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit). When a Protestant walks into a Catholic mass and people are praying to Mary or one of the saints, it is bothersome enough that many can't stay for the whole service.
Protestants do have a lot of reverence for the Bible and this one point seems to cross the line for us. I love hanging around Catholics, and believe that many Catholics are saved and are going to heaven because they have relationship with and have put their faith in Jesus. I have also seen God healing people and the Holy Spirit moving mightily in many Catholic charismatic meetings. It is just that the theological differences are just so different, some of which the Protestant church considers heretical.
I was baptized a Catholic when I was really young, but later received Jesus into my life by my own decision when I was in college at a non-denominational evangelical church. If I had chosen to remain a Catholic, would God still have pursued me and drawn me to Him? Of course. But I believe, God guided me down this path and had me read the Bible for myself. Once I read it, I saw what I consider to be valid points that go against some of the traditions of the Catholic church.
Do I think all Catholics should become Protestant? Of course not. I know that many Catholics are part of the Catholic church because it is the will of God for their life. The Catholic church needs future influences and leaders just as any other church needs them. I believe that God is definitely moving in the Catholic church and that He is raising up future influencers and leaders that will move the church into everything He intended the Church to be.
I agree that honor is due to Mary, as she was the one woman picked out of all the women in Israel. Not only that but she was one of the few people of the Bible who embraced the call of God on her life without stumbling in unbelief. Many of the people in the Bible did not initially believe right away like she did. Because of Jewish culture, she also went through life being called the "mother of the illegitimate child" for most of her life, and was still able to live as God intended and without offense.
I think the big issue between Protestants and Catholics is that Catholics pray to Mary. There does not seem to be any Biblical support for praying to anyone except God(Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit). When a Protestant walks into a Catholic mass and people are praying to Mary or one of the saints, it is bothersome enough that many can't stay for the whole service.
Protestants do have a lot of reverence for the Bible and this one point seems to cross the line for us. I love hanging around Catholics, and believe that many Catholics are saved and are going to heaven because they have relationship with and have put their faith in Jesus. I have also seen God healing people and the Holy Spirit moving mightily in many Catholic charismatic meetings. It is just that the theological differences are just so different, some of which the Protestant church considers heretical.
I was baptized a Catholic when I was really young, but later received Jesus into my life by my own decision when I was in college at a non-denominational evangelical church. If I had chosen to remain a Catholic, would God still have pursued me and drawn me to Him? Of course. But I believe, God guided me down this path and had me read the Bible for myself. Once I read it, I saw what I consider to be valid points that go against some of the traditions of the Catholic church.
Do I think all Catholics should become Protestant? Of course not. I know that many Catholics are part of the Catholic church because it is the will of God for their life. The Catholic church needs future influences and leaders just as any other church needs them. I believe that God is definitely moving in the Catholic church and that He is raising up future influencers and leaders that will move the church into everything He intended the Church to be.
19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. 25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Thyatira means "continuing sacrifice"
This is what Catholicism does with the mass. The sacrifice of Christ never ends.