ReformedBaptist
Well-Known Member
Anyone know? Yes, I know...and don't google...guess.
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What is the largest Church in America?
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SaggyWoman
Active Member
Ummmmmm, in the big picture, does it really matter?
ReformedBaptist
Well-Known Member
Yes. It may shape our outreaches.
Dr. Walter
New Member
Just guessing, I believe it is the church in Texas where Joel Osteen pastors. I understand they run 33,000 per Sunday service.
ReformedBaptist
Well-Known Member
The largest church in America is Roman Catholicism. They have some 68 million members and represent 22%. One may argue that Protestant and Evangelical churches outnumber that, but this is looking at one group per se.
If Roman Catholicism as opposed to biblical Christianity is the largest religion in the USA, then why are there not more outreaches and evangelism work for Catholics?
If Roman Catholicism as opposed to biblical Christianity is the largest religion in the USA, then why are there not more outreaches and evangelism work for Catholics?
Dr. Walter
New Member
Sorry, didn't know you were using the term "church' in a denominational sense. Thought you were asking about a particular "church" in the Biblical sense of a "congregation" that actually assembles.
Because Roman Catholicism IS biblical Christianity. We don't need your proselytizing, thank you.
ReformedBaptist
Well-Known Member
haha, well we who are born from above are commanded by God to preach the Gospel. And Roman Catholics very much need Jesus. They need to know the grace of God in truth.
Roman Catholicism is false Christianity. There is not much of anything biblical about it. There is much to be learned by the history of the Reformation from before Luther's time and after.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ and who He is, cannot be seen in the papacy or its teaching. It is literally robbing millions of people from true salvation that is in Christ alone.
No Lori, we will share the Gospel also with Roman Catholics.
Probably the one that feeds & clothes most of the homeless & destitute & disenfranchised also.
Where do the Muslims rank in size in the USA?
Where do the Muslims rank in size in the USA?
Two J.W.'s came to my door. The first question I asked them (other than, are you J.W.'s), is "Are you born again?" They answered, "No." I quoted to them John 3:3, and told them that they needed to be born again in order to enter the kingdom of God, as Jesus emphasized. One could tell that they were really not interested in entering into the Kingdom as those positions were already filled by the 144,000 that had preceded them. They could only hope for a place that would be satisfactory.
I ask a Roman Catholic, "Have you been born again?" They say, "Yes." I ask when were you born again?" They answer, "When I was baptized." Of course the Bible says nothing of infant baptism. It in itself is a heresy. The new birth is not baptism, has nothing to do with baptism or works of any kind, and baptism is a work. Thus the RCC has a salvation of works, another parallel with Hinduism or any other religion trying to work their way to heaven. Hindus believe in the new birth also. That is what Nicodemus was probably referring to. It is more commonly called reincarnation. It is another birth.
Both the J.W.'s, the RCC, and the Hindus have no idea what it means to be born again, something very essential if one wants to go to heaven; if one want to have eternal life; if one wants to have forgiveness of sins. This is the crux of salvation. The new birth is no doubt the most important doctrine of the Bible, and the RCC knows nothing of it. How then can they be saved?
Last time I checked it was Willow Creek Community Church near Chicago.
Biggest church in the U.S.: The Catholic Church, with 63.4 million adherents
Fastest-growing denomination: Evangelical Christianity
Fastest-shrinking: Protestant
Estimated number of Muslims in the United States: Between 3 million and 6 million
Average percent of American mosque-goers who are converts: 30
Percent of these American Muslim converts who are white: 27
Most common age of all conversions: Between 20 and 29
Number one reason people convert: Marriage
Number two reason: Spiritual dissatisfaction
Number three reason: Friends in different church
Fastest-growing denomination: Evangelical Christianity
Fastest-shrinking: Protestant
Estimated number of Muslims in the United States: Between 3 million and 6 million
Average percent of American mosque-goers who are converts: 30
Percent of these American Muslim converts who are white: 27
Most common age of all conversions: Between 20 and 29
Number one reason people convert: Marriage
Number two reason: Spiritual dissatisfaction
Number three reason: Friends in different church
Well, you need to add Lutherans and many others Christian denominations to the list then. Catholics are not the only Christians who believe Jesus was speaking of baptism when he said 'you must be born by water and the Spirit'.
Regardless, if what is necessary for salvation is repentance and faith in Christ Atonement, then most of the Catholics I know sure seem to have met the criteria. What matters,if a person is truly born again or if a person has YOUR understanding of what Jesus meant by being born again? Of course the answers is: actually being born again.
I would concentrate on outreach to the lost if I were you.
Regardless, if what is necessary for salvation is repentance and faith in Christ Atonement, then most of the Catholics I know sure seem to have met the criteria. What matters,if a person is truly born again or if a person has YOUR understanding of what Jesus meant by being born again? Of course the answers is: actually being born again.
I would concentrate on outreach to the lost if I were you.
When I first met my wife to Be's family & we started discussed wedding plans, they were all animent that we be married in their Reformed Church & rejected any suggestion of having it performed by a Catholic Priest. So I asked the mother who's family is all from Scotland if in fact they were born again. Her response was....."Ahhh no dear we are Reformed" LOL!!! Perhaps you should 1st target those who claim to be Protestant's.
What is the largest Church? It cannot be the Christian Church, "for many are called" = are the Church, are 'the Called'; "but few are chosen" = are those whom "God knows, are His." "Where two or three gather in My Name, I-AM with you". That is the ONLY real and true Christian Church. A Church known by or for its size necessarily is an apostate 'Church', without exception. "You will know them by their fruits" and if their fruits are foliage merely - quantity - it's surest sign it is not the Church of Christ's Own.
Where is the Suffering of Christ partaken in? THERE, is the 'largest Church' because it will always be the ONLY Church.
Where is the Suffering of Christ partaken in? THERE, is the 'largest Church' because it will always be the ONLY Church.
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GE:
If you want to see the true Reformed stand on the Re-Birth, read the works of John Calvin and Lloyd Jones.
Lloyd Jones is my favorite....studied him for years. Reading "JOY UNSPEAKABLE" right now....Calvin, not so much.
There are many in the Reformed that are not saved. I am not in the Reformed Church at all, nor am well acquainted with it. I don't consider myself a Protestant. That being said, there are Baptists that are not saved either. But we do preach the gospel. The gospel is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone--something that the RCC does not believe. If they believe not the gospel how can they be saved?
This is a argument that goes on & on & on ..... Catholics consider themselves saved by their own belief & interpretations. They generally resent non-catholics trying to convince them otherwise just as you would resent a JW or a Mormon telling you that you aren't whatever the heck they are. You aren't going to convince anyone who views you as a pest so stop trying. If the Holy Spirit gets to them & convicts them then fine, you are put there to help guide but brothers proselytizing to a Catholic who has a deep commitment to his or her religion is pointless.
My authority is the Word of God.
The J.W's authority is the writing of Charles Taze Russel.
The Mormon's authority is the Book of Mormon plus a couple of other writings.
The Catholic's authority is Tradition and the Catechism and/or the magesterium.
Let me ask you, what is your authority?
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