Is a Roman Catholic truly a Christian or should the combination of the words Roman Catholic Christian be considered an oxymoron? This subject has been on my heart for many months, especially since I used to be a practicing Catholic. But also since I personally know and have met so many of them this past year. But please, PLEASE understand my dear family, friends and acquaintances who believe and practice Catholicism, my motive for posting this is out of love; love for you all, but most importantly out of love for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I understand, many of you will still disagree and reject this truth. But if you do, please understand that you are rejecting Gods Word: the absolute and *final* authority. It is NOT considered hateful to examine the claims of *any* church against the Word of God. Below is only a portion of text from a tract from a ministry called, Proclaiming the Gospel. Webster defines an oxymoron as a combination of contradictory words. So if we define Christian as one who believes the Gospel and a Roman Catholic as one who believes the official teachings and traditions of Roman Catholicism, we must conclude that a Roman Catholic Christian is indeed an oxymoron. It is utterly impossible to believe two opposing views simultaneously. Biblical Christianity and Roman Catholicism stand in opposition to one another as seen by the following contrasts. (paragraph numbers, in parentheses, are from the New Catechism of the Catholic Church, San Francisco, California: Ignatius Press, 1994). A Christian believes Scripture has authority over the church. All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). A Roman Catholic is taught its church has authority over Scripture. The manner of interpreting Scripture is ultimately subject to the judgment of the Church which exercises the divinely conferred commission and ministry of watching over and interpreting the Word of God (119). A Christian is born again by the Word of God and the Spirit of God. For you have been born again, not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit (1 Peter 1:23, 3:8). A Roman Catholic is born again BY WATER. The water of baptism truly signifies our birth into the divine life (694). A Christian is saved by Gods *unmerited* grace. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). A Roman Catholic is saved by *meriting* the graces needed for salvation. We can merit for ourselves and for others the graces needed for… the attainment of eternal life (2010). A Christian is saved FOR good works. For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before hand, that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). A Roman Catholic is saved by good works. A treasury of prayers and good works makes it possible for Catholics to attain their own salvation and at the same time cooperate in saving their brothers (1477). In conclusion, it is clear that a Christian, who has believed Gods Word, has the assurance of eternal life. A Roman Catholic, who has rejected Gods Word in favor of the teachings of men, has only a false hope of being saved from Gods wrath. While there may be born-again Christians who worship in The Catholic church, by definition they are no longer Roman Catholics. Eventually the Spirit of Truth will lead them out when they begin discerning truth from error and true worship from idolatry. It is our prayer that God may grant Roman Catholics repentance, leading to the knowledge of the truth, that they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil (2 Timothy 2:25-26). The above quotes were only a portion (since its too long to post!) yet, I strongly encourage you to watch the following video. Soli Deo Gloria!! youtu.be/mfpZr1dc8Dc
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 04:12:08 +0000
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