CATHOLICISM
I have several disagreements with the teachings of the Catholic Church, and said disagreements are based on Scriptures found in my KJV.
FIRST:
I do believe there are many, many good people who are part of the Catholic Church. I believe they love God and are worshiping Him in the way they were raised. Almost all believers were born into and raised in a family unit that belonged to one Church Group or another. And, the teachings of that Group is usually what they come to accept as Biblical Truth. Yes, there are cases where one or more grew to question what their particular Group taught, and may well have joined a different Church Group that had a better agreement of Scripture with.
There are many, many "former Catholics," just as there are those who left various Protestant Churches/Denominations for one reason or another. And, yes, I have disagreements with the teachings of various Protestant Churches/Denominations; but this Article concerns my disagreements with Catholic teachings......
1) Infant baptism. The Catholic Church "baptizes" an infant child soon after their birth. This "baptism" is said to be "unto thier salvation" and becoming followers of Jesus.
However, Scripture from all of the Gospels, and from many of the Epistles of the Apostles, as well as the Book of Acts, refute this practice.
The very first Sermon Jesus preached was "Repent..." (found in the 4th Chapter of Matthew) As well, Jesus Himslef taught about how a person comes unto salvation in many, many Scriptures. The best known and most quoteed being John 3:16. Throughout His Ministry, Jesus spoke of Him being the way to salvaiton, and those who called upon His name would be saved.
An infant child, which can neiter read, write, or even speak, could not possibly have the ability to recognize that they were living a sinful life, and in need of the saving grace of God through the blood of Jesus the Christ, and therefore make the decision to "repent." In fact, the newborn child has nothing to repent of! They are innocent in the eyes of God, and will not be judged in any way should they die.
Given this, it is my opinion that, sadly, people who were baptized by the Catholic Church in such a way are not Christians. They have not been saved by the washing of the blood of Jesus. This is a truly sad thing considering the millions and millions of people who are in such a position.
If, at some point in their later years, they recognize that they are in need of "repenting" and receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit unto salvation, then they are surely part of the Christian Church at that level. (however, their future actions may cause problems for them)
Jesus Himself gave us the example of water baptism we should follow. And, I believe that water baptism is the 1st act of obedience to Jesus a new believer should do. Jesus directly gave His Church 3 Doctrines (my Church believes/teaches), their being Water Baptism, Communion and Feet Washing. In each case, Jesus provided us with an example we should follow...........The "infant baptism" of the Catholic Church does not follow the Gospel of Jesus.
I have several disagreements with the teachings of the Catholic Church, and said disagreements are based on Scriptures found in my KJV.
FIRST:
I do believe there are many, many good people who are part of the Catholic Church. I believe they love God and are worshiping Him in the way they were raised. Almost all believers were born into and raised in a family unit that belonged to one Church Group or another. And, the teachings of that Group is usually what they come to accept as Biblical Truth. Yes, there are cases where one or more grew to question what their particular Group taught, and may well have joined a different Church Group that had a better agreement of Scripture with.
There are many, many "former Catholics," just as there are those who left various Protestant Churches/Denominations for one reason or another. And, yes, I have disagreements with the teachings of various Protestant Churches/Denominations; but this Article concerns my disagreements with Catholic teachings......
1) Infant baptism. The Catholic Church "baptizes" an infant child soon after their birth. This "baptism" is said to be "unto thier salvation" and becoming followers of Jesus.
However, Scripture from all of the Gospels, and from many of the Epistles of the Apostles, as well as the Book of Acts, refute this practice.
The very first Sermon Jesus preached was "Repent..." (found in the 4th Chapter of Matthew) As well, Jesus Himslef taught about how a person comes unto salvation in many, many Scriptures. The best known and most quoteed being John 3:16. Throughout His Ministry, Jesus spoke of Him being the way to salvaiton, and those who called upon His name would be saved.
An infant child, which can neiter read, write, or even speak, could not possibly have the ability to recognize that they were living a sinful life, and in need of the saving grace of God through the blood of Jesus the Christ, and therefore make the decision to "repent." In fact, the newborn child has nothing to repent of! They are innocent in the eyes of God, and will not be judged in any way should they die.
Given this, it is my opinion that, sadly, people who were baptized by the Catholic Church in such a way are not Christians. They have not been saved by the washing of the blood of Jesus. This is a truly sad thing considering the millions and millions of people who are in such a position.
If, at some point in their later years, they recognize that they are in need of "repenting" and receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit unto salvation, then they are surely part of the Christian Church at that level. (however, their future actions may cause problems for them)
Jesus Himself gave us the example of water baptism we should follow. And, I believe that water baptism is the 1st act of obedience to Jesus a new believer should do. Jesus directly gave His Church 3 Doctrines (my Church believes/teaches), their being Water Baptism, Communion and Feet Washing. In each case, Jesus provided us with an example we should follow...........The "infant baptism" of the Catholic Church does not follow the Gospel of Jesus.