Featured Catholicism is not compatible with Christianity

The Bible teaches doctrine. The Bible defines who Christ is. If Christ is not the Christ of the Bible, for example, then He is not Christ at all. If salvation is not what the Bible teaches then it is not salvation at all.
Paul warned:
Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
--If one is preaching the wrong gospel, Paul says "let him be accursed." Why? He is directing people to hell and not to heaven.

I know for sure if I were to die tonight that I would go to heaven. I know that beyond any shadow of a doubt. And no, I am not wrong. I know because I don't have a religion; I don't have a denomination, etc. but rather I have a relationship with Christ. He gave me eternal life and forgiveness of sins more than 40 years ago when I trusted him. At that time all my sins were forgiven: past, present and future.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,

1 John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
--I have the Son; ergo I have life and life eternal.

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
--I know I have eternal life.
I am truly sorry for those who have not this assurance.

 

Actually it is defined by our denominations.

Jehovah's Witnesses claim to be Christian and follow heterodox teachings and believe they are assisting salvation by works. They do not believe in the deity of Christ and so He is on a much lower plain than what Scriptures reveal.

I cannot say this is vastly different than Catholicism, and is the same thing in principle, in many ways the same. RC has placed Mary as Co-Redemptrix and Co-Mediatrix, yet Jesus need not her assistance in any fashion, yet this is taught and believed in this system.

Traditions (man made precepts, Col. 2:21) are placed above the Word (Representative of Christ; John 1:1ff) so in that Christ is yet again supplanted by her teachings.

There is also the polytheistic adoption into RCC from formerly pagan religions, popularized into the many Saints for many differing situations. These are sought, prayed to, believed in, made into images, worshiped. Christ is supplanted by this as well.

Mormons also claim being Christian. This sect is not Christian at all.

Denominations are known by what they teach and the dividing point is how they treat Christ and where they place Him. Is He Lord above all, the only Redeemer, exalted above all else, or are their helps added, other mediators, erroneous doctrines that mitigate His office? Is He subservient to systems, traditions, Mary or any other? No, frankly He is not worshiped above all in any of these aforementioned three systems.

[qoute]If you claim to have been saved then you are wrong. [/quote]

I'm saved. I'm being saved. Saved is literally 'rescued from impending danger' which Christ alone accomplished and in which Person alone we who are saved rest once and for all time. Note 1 Cor. 15:2, Romans 10:13; Ephesians 2:8-10; Colossians1:21ff, Ephesians 1; Acts 4:12 and there are many more.

Fellowship not 'maintenance of salvation', it is the Christian walk; 1 John 1:8ff. Jesus finished that, eternal salvation, Himself by one offering for all time; Hebrews 10:14; John 10:27ff. He needs no assistance. To believe we are assisting Him is to not rest fully on His work alone and is another gospel; Galatians in its entirety and especially Gal. 1:8-10.

Sometimes one has to 'read between the lines' in order that the same can determine that which is false, and cling to that which is true; Hebrews 5:11-14; 1 John 4:1; 2 John.

 

Perhaps because the author of this thread desired to discuss this with Baptists only?

Since it is a topic on Catholics must it be forced into all other denominations so they can all give input if the desires of the author were to discuss this with those of like faith?

Baptists have all along spoken of these non-Baptist topics in Baptist Forums out of their desire to do so. They also reserved the privilege, if so desired, to place it in 'all other denominations' forums at will.

 

Agreed about this being placed here since your desire was to speak of this with fellow Baptists.

 

Right. Justification is rendered once upon the elect of God and is eternally determined.

Sanctification is an ongoing process.

Believing that a person can add anything to justification, that it is dependent upon self to maintain or make continuation thereof, to depend upon the work of the unbiblical office of priest (via sacerdotalism), or any such other, at any point in time is a damnable doctrine and denies the finished work and sufficiency of Christ.

 

The Catholics have never rescinded the anathemas that were proclaimed at the Council of Trent.
If any here believe in sola fide, that a man is justified by faith alone, he comes under the wrath of the RCC. To them this is a heretical doctrine. Theirs is a false gospel, a gospel of works. This nullifies grace and faith.
The Bible clearly teaches that salvation is by grace through faith. That faith is by faith and faith alone. This the Catholic's deny.
The Bible clearly teaches that we are justified by faith and therefore have peace with God.
That faith is faith alone. This the Catholics deny.

 

Not to interrupt your heated and very interesting discussion, but what are your thoughts on this?

My friend A, has this Catholic friend, B. Friend A strongly believes that despite B's affiliation with the Catholic Church, B is actually Christian in the real sense and will be saved.

A observes in B a deep personal relationship with Christ. Curiously, while Mary is indeed a big personality in the Catholic teaching, B just doesn't have the inkling to pray to her and use Mary as a go-between her and Jesus. Also, she doesn't do what fellow Catholics do (such as pray to Catholic Saints). My friend says that she sees in B someone who truly walks in the Spirit. When asked, why she doesn't do what most Catholics do, B just shrugged the question saying that she really doesn't know, but that what's important to her is her devotion to Christ, and Christ alone.

Anyway, my friend went on saying that no matter which denomination one belongs to, when one reads the Bible as her friend does religiously, and follows the teachings of Jesus, God will truly have a way of touching the person's heart. So, regardless of her friend's membership with the RCC, the truth of God's word still led her to the right path. (Except the part on separating from RCC).

Anyway, just sharing and wondering also.

 

You said:
"B is actually Christian in the real sense and will be saved".
Either she is saved or not. If not, she is not a "Christian in the real sense."

What does A observe that indicates "a real relationship with Christ." That is personal and between God and the other person. Devotion, sincerity, and religion are all nice to have but they are outward appearances. God judges the heart. Man can only see what is on the outside.
A person can be sincere, but sincerely wrong.

Denomination or for lack of a better word, "affiliation" is important. There is nothing to be gained in the RCC, but false teaching. A true believer will recognize this. After I was saved I stayed in the Catholic Church for a short period of time, but simply by reading the Bible I was convicted that the teachings of the RCC and the Bible did not harmonize. I wasn't going to any church at that time. I wasn't being influenced by the teachings of another. But I knew I had to make a break with the Catholic Church. And I did.

How can two walk together lest they be agreed.

 

That is true. We all have faith. It is the object of our faith that is important. I have been teaching that for years. It is good to hear it from someone else. If the object of one's faith is not Christ and his saving work on the cross there is no salvation. I certainly agree with you.

 

Faith is evidence of conversion, a gift from God and not the cause of our justification whatsoever.

 

The red above (mine) is salvation by works and is purely subjective.

 

There is no scripture that validates the above. Nowhere does scripture teach that faith is a gift to the unregenerate. This is purely a Calvinistic philosophy with no Scriptural backing whatsoever. If it had any support they would have to provide it, but none can be given.