Holy Spirit is the only thing and the BEST thing you can have.

 

I am not turning my back on others. I have favorite authors John Eldridge, John MacArthur who have focused my thoughts on issues and topics. I too reasonly finished the Mary in the New Testament book.

 

I just know that I and you don't need someone to be a go-between. God may someone my way to help me understand but he has not setup a system that requires one.

 

I love the Catholic religion for the humanity issues they help in and their conversion of so many to Christianity. I disagree with many of their requirements as things that are not Scripture based.

 

As much as I respect your opinion, I hardly think you can tell me what I need to understand what God wants of me. I'm 100% sure I'd be lost without the guidance of the Church in helping me interpret Scripture. As much as we all disagree here on this passage vs. that passage, I am sure you can understand why I turn to those with a higher knowledge to help me understand the contradictory parts of the Bible, as well as the concept of the Vengeful God versus the Forgiving God, for example.

 

You love the Catholics for what they do for others. And the Catholics assist SO many more than just Christians....and DEFINITELY more than just Catholics. So, we're OK to have around.as long as we don't quit assisting, just keep as long as we keep our distance with what we believe. This is nothing new.

Could I be wrong on that? Of course I could, I don't know you nor do I know your heart and faith. I am just saying how it is coming across to me, and likely to rockmom as well.

 

I understand that you do not know me. I went to a Catholic grade school and high school. I stopped going to mass in college, b/c I didn't believe what the Catholic church had to preach. I found it hard to swallow that a person is a basic outcast in the church if they do not get a proper anullment to their marriage. If a person does everything right, but has sex before marriage and dies, they go to purgatory, if not hell. I don't grasp that. I guess the real problem came with not allowing married couple to use protection. It's great if you can afford to have 7+ kids, but who can now? In the end, I went back to the church b/c I believed that it was right. I understood that to be morally right required sacrifice. I understand why the church requires its members to marry only once. I get all of it. Some of it I do not completely agree with, some I do. However, that's not where I'm asking for change.

A go-between can be a teacher. A go-between is anyone who helps another understand something from someone/somewhere else.

I kinda get what you're saying, but you have to come up with a different term than go-between. It dosen't fit what you're saying. "Ambassador" really seems to fit.

As much as I respect your opinion, I hardly think you can tell me what I need to understand what God wants of me. I'm 100% sure I'd be lost without the guidance of the Church in helping me interpret Scripture. As much as we all disagree here on this passage vs. that passage, I am sure you can understand why I turn to those with a higher knowledge to help me understand the contradictory parts of the Bible, as well as the concept of the Vengeful God versus the Forgiving God, for example.

 

You love the Catholics for what they do for others. And the Catholics assist SO many more than just Christians....and DEFINITELY more than just Catholics. So, we're OK to have around.as long as we don't quit assisting, just keep as long as we keep our distance with what we believe. This is nothing new.

LBBC could not. The Holy Spirit would be the one telling you that through many different ways.

 

And if those with "higher knowledge" give you an understanding, that "higher knowledge" came from one of two sources. The Holy Spirit or the Father of all Lies. And that is why I believe you have to use the Scriptures to interpret anything that is said or taught to you.

 

As for the bolded, I am 100% sure and confident that if the Holy Spirit wanted to speak to you through individual study and prayer on what RM is to do with RM's life, you would clearly hear that message. I have fully confidence that the Holy Spirit can and will do whatever God wants the Holy Spirit to do.

 

As in all denominations, I believe the Catholic church struggles when they begin to make man-made and not Scripturally decisions. I think the fallings of the priests and the sex-scandals are no different than the scandals and sex issues that go on in the non-Catholic, Christian ministries. Human beings with human failings who listened to intently to the lies of Satan. Unfortunately, I think the Catholic Church has setup a system that puts added and unnecessary strain on their followers.

 

And as the most visual worldwide church, when the Anti-Christ returns, I would expect and hope that they are in the forefront of fighting it.

LBBC could not. The Holy Spirit would be the one telling you that through many different ways.

 

And if those with "higher knowledge" give you an understanding, that "higher knowledge" came from one of two sources. The Holy Spirit or the Father of all Lies. And that is why I believe you have to use the Scriptures to interpret anything that is said or taught to you.

 

As for the bolded, I am 100% sure and confident that if the Holy Spirit wanted to speak to you through individual study and prayer on what RM is to do with RM's life, you would clearly hear that message. I have fully confidence that the Holy Spirit can and will do whatever God wants the Holy Spirit to do.

 

As in all denominations, I believe the Catholic church struggles when they begin to make man-made and not Scripturally decisions. I think the fallings of the priests and the sex-scandals are no different than the scandals and sex issues that go on in the non-Catholic, Christian ministries. Human beings with human failings who listened to intently to the lies of Satan. Unfortunately, I think the Catholic Church has setup a system that puts added and unnecessary strain on their followers.

 

And as the most visual worldwide church, when the Anti-Christ returns, I would expect and hope that they are in the forefront of fighting it.

 

I would hope they'd be raptured away before that...:sssh:

I would hope they'd be raptured away before that...:sssh:

Well that is a whole nother thread on whether there will be a rapture and even who would be called up first. Jesus once said that separate the wheat from the weeds with the weeds be picked first and burnt.

Well that is a whole nother thread on whether there will be a rapture and even who would be called up first. Jesus once said that separate the wheat from the weeds with the weeds be picked first and burnt.

 

I know...I just felt like lightening the mood a little...:thumb:

As much as I respect your opinion, I hardly think you can tell me what I need to understand what God wants of me. I'm 100% sure I'd be lost without the guidance of the Church in helping me interpret Scripture. As much as we all disagree here on this passage vs. that passage, I am sure you can understand why I turn to those with a higher knowledge to help me understand the contradictory parts of the Bible, as well as the concept of the Vengeful God versus the Forgiving God, for example.

 

You love the Catholics for what they do for others. And the Catholics assist SO many more than just Christians....and DEFINITELY more than just Catholics. So, we're OK to have around.as long as we don't quit assisting, just keep as long as we keep our distance with what we believe. This is nothing new.

At first, I was going to let the bolded pass but then decided to mention it. On BGP, we have discussed and debated many Christian beliefs. For the most part, Catholicism has gotten a soft touch. I see this thread than nothing but a discussion of the Catholic faith and it's beliefs as has been done numerous times about other posters thoughts and faith.

 

I have been called out many times for my beliefs. It does one of two things. It strengthens them or calls them to my attention when I cannot adequately defend them.

 

If something in this thread is nagging at a Catholic than it seems logical that there must be something in that point that you are bothered with. No different than the other Christian but non-Catholics on here have had to do many, many times.

 

Let me add that our discussions about the Catholic church has been truly enlightening and educational to me. I have learned more and have a better understanding of the Catholic church and it's practices than I did before. Some things concerning the Catholic Church I have soften my understanding and positioning of because of my newfound knowledge of them. I will readily admit I appreciate what they do for the God's kingdom more than I ever have before. I do not think though they are the ONLY Christian inhabitants in God's kingdom. Nor do I think Baptists are. Nor whatever denomination or non-denomination Christian a person may be. But I will readily claim that they had best be a Christian according to what Scripture indicates.

Peter was not a go-between. That's like saying my high school civics teacher is a go-between from myself to my congressman. Peter was a teacher, not some type of God antenna. The Bible makes it quite clear that we need no intermediary. Yet the Holy Spirit will intercede for us in those times that we can only cry out in anguish and not know for what to pray. Christ came to earth to end the role of the priest to serve as a go-between.

 

:thumb: :thumb:

A go-between can be a teacher. A go-between is anyone who helps another understand something from someone/somewhere else.

 

As to your last statment, BRAVO! More power to you! I, on the otherhand, DO need someone to help me understand. I guess that's why I value my Catholicism so highly, and you scorn Catholicism so vocally.

 

We shouldn't need somebody to help us understand what it takes to be saved, I can't remember the verse but the bible seems to state that what we NEED to know is simple to understand. I do know the bible states, "Study to show thyself approved, a workman needeth not be ashamed......". The more difficult things like supposed contradictions and things of that nature can be dealt with in bible study, not in a worship setting, or even from one person.

We shouldn't need somebody to help us understand what it takes to be saved, I can't remember the verse but the bible seems to state that what we NEED to know is simple to understand. I do know the bible states, "Study to show thyself approved, a workman needeth not be ashamed......". The more difficult things like supposed contradictions and things of that nature can be dealt with in bible study, not in a worship setting, or even from one person.

Couldn't disagree with you more.

 

Acts 8:30-31 (New International Version)

 

30Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.

31"How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

We shouldn't need somebody to help us understand what it takes to be saved, I can't remember the verse but the bible seems to state that what we NEED to know is simple to understand. I do know the bible states, "Study to show thyself approved, a workman needeth not be ashamed......". The more difficult things like supposed contradictions and things of that nature can be dealt with in bible study, not in a worship setting, or even from one person.

 

 

I assume you belong to some sort of church. Now, whether that is denominational or not, why do you belong to a church. If all you need to know is in the Bible, and you need no one to help you understand the Bible, why do you belong to a church? Following that, why does your church have a ministor, or pastor, or whatever you call him within your organization? What role does he serve?

I assume you belong to some sort of church. Now, whether that is denominational or not, why do you belong to a church. If all you need to know is in the Bible, and you need no one to help you understand the Bible, why do you belong to a church? Following that, why does your church have a ministor, or pastor, or whatever you call him within your organization? What role does he serve?

To follow that train of thought, if only those who read the Bible on their own get saved, Heaven's going to be pretty empty.

Couldn't disagree with you more.

 

Acts 8:30-31 (New International Version)

 

30Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.

31"How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

 

I think I actually agree with you, maybe I didn't say it quite right. I do believe you have to HEAR the word first. I am just saying that the steps of salvation are very simple and don't require an intense study to understand.

I assume you belong to some sort of church. Now, whether that is denominational or not, why do you belong to a church. If all you need to know is in the Bible, and you need no one to help you understand the Bible, why do you belong to a church? Following that, why does your church have a ministor, or pastor, or whatever you call him within your organization? What role does he serve?

 

I am not saying I don't need any help, I belong to the church because it is described in the scriptures as so as well as bible study. I am saying I don't need ONE persons help, but the help of many, which is one of the primary reasons Christ laid out the church the way it is. We don't put our minister on a pedastal or give any reverence to him, he is just another teacher as I and others who teach in the church on Sunday mornings or Wednesday afternoons. Do you take what your priest says as gospel and not go home and study it for yourself?