Compare you definitions with those given in a Roman catechism. Roman Catholics might readily agree that we must be saved by grace. But if you know what they mean by the term "grace," you will see that they do not agree at all! Their church teaches that this grace is stored in a heavenly container and flows into the souls of the faithful through the sacraments of the Roman church.
They believe that no salvation is possible, unless dispensed by a Roman priest! You could tell the Catholic that you have studied Catholic doctrine, and because of what you have learned, you could never become a Roman Catholic. This may often result in a question which will open the door to presenting Bible truth. You will seldom win a Roman Catholic to Christ the first time you talk. He will need time to think about the new things you tell him. At times, he may be angry as he sees that his church has lied to him.
Be prepared to watch and listen, and know when to stop and continue another time. Jerome, who said: "Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ. If additional help is needed in this area, by prepared to share!! Timothy Point out that Timothy knew the Scriptures from his youth, and that all apostolic believers had this kind of knowledge. The Catholic can never be persuaded to trust in the Gospel of Scriptures until he first abandons the false gospel of works taught by Rome.
He will not open his heart to saving faith until you destroy his trust in his priest, his "infallible" pope, and Mary as his mediator. Basic Roman Catholic doctrines have been certified by "infallible" popes. Once you prove even one or two of these wrong by Scripture, he will have doubts about whether or not the pope is right on the rest.
While a contentious spirit is certainly to be avoided, even the apostles often had to use controversy in evangelism, and rejoiced in it see Acts Martin Luther certainly caused controversy with his 95 theses, launching a Reformation that led millions to Christ!
Always remember that controversy must not be allowed to decay into a quarrel, where your goal of helping the Catholic escape from bondage is forgotten. Once you have cut the Catholic adrift from his former trust in his priest and Romish system, you must make the true Gospel clear to him. Our thanks to Wilson Ewin for the following simple explanation which could be easily marked in the margins of your Bible:. Even if he cannot remember everything you say, the Catholic will remember that you answered his objections from Scripture.
For example, the Pope decides what the Bible teaches, where the Bible is silent, the Pope has authority. In the church of Christ the base of our authority is the Bible and only the Bible. For example, each congregation has its own individual structure of leadership: Evangelists appoint elders where there are none The congregation selects deacons The elders ordain evangelists In congregations where there are already elders in place, new elders are appointed based on their qualification and the approval of the existing leadership The fact that we say that we're based only on the Bible may seem self-righteous if we don't qualify this with the idea that we use only the Bible as our attempt to practice New Testament Christianity.
Reluctance to "Study" the Bible The primary goal in sharing your faith with a Roman Catholic is to get them to read the Bible for themselves. This is difficult for several reasons: Roman Catholics think that it is not possible for an ordinary person to understand and handle God's word. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Here is another reason why they don't get into the Word: They're afraid of leaving the "Mother Church" Catholicism is tied into culture and nurtured from birth.
Bible Reading with a Roman Catholic If through careful conversation to explain the differences between Roman Catholics and the church of Christ you manage to create a dialogue with a Catholic person, then you're first invitation should be to read the Bible with you.
And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
Related Items. In this lesson, Mike will review the beliefs of the 11 major world religions concerning salvation and compare these with the teachings of Christianity on this important subject. Prime 42 min. In this lesson, Mike explains the history and attitude behind the most asked question for members of the Church of Christ, 'why do you think you're the only ones going to heaven? Prime 44 min. This opening session examines the core activity of public worship - communication with God, and how this essential component can be enhanced by learning the language of communication with God.
Prime 40 min. Mike drills down into the Word and lays out what the New Testament actually says concerning the possibility of a Christian losing their salvation, once having been saved. Hebrews Prime 41 min. This lesson examines the various theories put forth to explain the identity of the "Man of Lawlessness" Paul refers to in this epistle.
II Thessalonians In this first lesson, Mike will briefly review the history of thought concerning the King and the Kingdom, from the Old Testament prophets to New Testament times. Prime 47 min. Mike answers questions concerning which baptism is the one true baptism found in the Bible, and when forgiveness is applied. How Christians can influence the spiritual tone of their surroundings and their need to do so. Matthew Prime 21 min. In this lesson, Mike answers the most asked questions about the Churches of Christ and how it is different from other churches claiming Jesus as Lord.
Prime 35 min. Many people come away from public worship unfulfilled but not knowing why. This lesson will explain what the Bible says we should receive from our worship in Spirit and Truth.
Want to be notified whenever new material is added? Help us continue producing more biblical content. Excellent resources for Bible class teachers, preachers and students. Francis is pleading with us to give up violence, give up hatred, and to love even our enemies. It's difficult; many people would say it's impossible, but Jesus did it.
His first disciples did it. They gave up war and violence and killing and really learned to love even their enemies. Francis is showing us that it's possible.
He puts his life at risk showing that I'm love, rather than hate; I would rather be killed than kill. It's amazing. Now that's the kind of witness that, ultimately, Jesus is asking of us, that we at least pray that we can have that spirit of forgiveness and love, even for our enemies.
That's the only way that will end the violence in our world, end the violence within our own country, give up our guns and killing one another -- only if we follow Jesus. It can't happen all at once. We have to struggle to even commit ourselves to follow that path. But it is the path of Jesus and it is the path that we must go, we say, if we want to be disciples of Jesus, followers of him, if we want to be witnesses to what he taught, who he was, what he is.
So as we celebrate this sacrament of confirmation this afternoon, I hope that all of us -- candidates, first of all -- pray that God will fill your heart with the spirit of Jesus, that spirit of love. Pray that you have that spirit.
But all the rest of us too -- we're confirmed disciples of Jesus. All of us are called to be witnesses, to follow what Francis is showing us, which is to follow then, the way of Jesus. As we celebrate this sacrament, I urge all of us here today to pray with great fervor that the Holy Spirit will come down upon these young people especially today, but upon all of us that as we leave the church today, we will have a deeper commitment, a deeper conviction about what it means to be a witness to Jesus and a determination to try to change our lives so that we truly act as witnesses to Jesus, to his way of love, that will finally bring peace into our hearts, into our homes, into our country, and into our world.
When all of us are this kind of disciple of Jesus, then the Holy Spirit will be truly active in our world and transform it so that there will be the new heaven and the new earth where everyone will be able to live according to the way God intends, with a fullness of life and peace and joy. The Holy Spirit, through us, will bring this fullness of life to each of us and to our world.
Philomena Parish, Detroit, Mich. Sign up here to receive an email alert when the latest homily is posted. Send your thoughts and reactions to Letters to the Editor. Learn more here. Join now. Blog The Peace Pulpit. All of us are called to be witnesses Apr 28, Bishop Gumbleton's homily for April 24, Join the Conversation Send your thoughts and reactions to Letters to the Editor. Enter your email address to receive free newsletters from NCR.
Email address. Parish All of us are called to be witnesses. Franciscan says her vocation put her on path to 'peace, joy, happiness' Nov 11, Failure to protect creation will mean facing 'God's judgment,' Pope Francis says Nov 11,
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