Testimony

[1Tim115]

I found the following testimony interesting and thought I would share with others...

My wife and I had no say in our choice of religion. Our parents imposed their own belief system on us as kids. Subsequently, we were baptized as infants into the Roman Catholic Church; forced to attend catechism, and went on to complete First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Because of my parents financial situation, and problems associated with transportation, I did only one year in parochial high school. My spouse went to parochial schools for twelve years. I have an older brother (whom I have neither seen nor heard from since 1961) who entered the priesthood, and my wife's older sister was a nun for a few years.

I was loyal to Rome and its teachings up until I was a little over 24 years old; and then with the help of a Baptist minister in 1968; the Holy Bible opened my eyes to some reality checks; and one of those checks is that Rome does not always agree with the Holy Bible; nor does it always agree with the Christ of the New Testament.

I was faced with a grim decision: do I stifle my own better judgment, marginalize the Bible and the Christ of the New Testament, and follow Rome without question; or do I yield to my own better judgment and marginalize Rome in favor of following the Bible and the Christ of the New Testament? I chose to marginalize Rome. That was over 42 years ago as of the date of this introduction, and in all that time I have not had one single pang of conscience nor feelings of regret for my decision. In point of fact, the more I studied the Bible, and the more I studied the testimony of the New Testament's Christ; the more disillusioned I became with Rome.

...it isn't from anyone I know.

 

[Dr. Walter]

I found the following testimony interesting and thought I would share with others...


...it isn't from anyone I know.

Great testimony of a Roman Catholic coming to see that the Bible and Rome are not friends.

 

[Priscilla Ann]

Great testimony of a Roman Catholic coming to see that the Bible and Rome are not friends.

Everytime I read a testimony like this from a former Catholic, it touches my heart so deeply. I was a Catholic for 38 years before I read the bible for myself and began to understand that Catholic teaching does not agree with God's Word; I left Catholicism in 1997. Once my eyes were opened, I could never go back to the bondage of the Catholic Church.

Priscilla Ann

 

[Dr. Walter]

Everytime I read a testimony like this from a former Catholic, it touches my heart so deeply. I was a Catholic for 38 years before I read the bible for myself and began to understand that Catholic teaching does not agree with God's Word; I left Catholicism in 1997. Once my eyes were opened, I could never go back to the bondage of the Catholic Church.

Priscilla Ann

Another great testimony of God's saving grace to one who had been in bondage for 38 years.

 

[Alive in Christ]

I too was trapped in the tenticles and lies of Catholicism...for 24 years.

However, God providentially caused real christians to start coming my way, and sharing the truth of the scriptures with me.

The Holy Spirit began His convicting work, and in due time I responded to the TRUE gospel, and was TRULY born of the Spirit.

Let God be praised forever more.

 

[quantumfaith]

Not saying this to be acrimonius in any way, but there also many people who have left various protestant faiths and "in their words" have returned home to Catholicism. I am unashamedly a protestant and will always be so.
My request, humbly, is not to turn this thread into another catholic bashing soap box. It happens with too great a frequency. They too, catholics, are brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

[Dr. Walter]

They too, catholics, are brothers and sisters in Christ.

Not if they believe in the Catholic doctrine of salvation!!!! No human being can believe in Roman Catholic gospel and be saved. There is but "ONE GOSPEL" and "ONE WAY" and all others are "ACCURSED" and the Reformation Gospel and the Roman Gospel cannot be the same gospel, so either they are both wrong or one is wrong. They cannot be both wrong because they are in direct contrast to each other.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Not saying this to be acrimonius in any way, but there also many people who have left various protestant faiths and "in their words" have returned home to Catholicism. I am unashamedly a protestant and will always be so.
My request, humbly, is not to turn this thread into another catholic bashing soap box. It happens with too great a frequency. They too, catholics, are brothers and sisters in Christ.

Well now, strap yourself in....

 

[Alive in Christ]

quantumfaith....

My request, humbly, is not to turn this thread into another catholic bashing soap box. It happens with too great a frequency. They too, catholics, are brothers and sisters in Christ.

No, they are not.

They hold to a false gosple and cling to pure heresy. They are lost people. They need new life through the indwelling Christ.

Oh, there might be an occasional Catholic who has somehow accidently stumbled upon saving faith.

But the vast majority are utterly lost, clinging to a false gospel, and being blind to the true gosple.

 

[Priscilla Ann]

Not saying this to be acrimonius in any way, but there also many people who have left various protestant faiths and "in their words" have returned home to Catholicism. I am unashamedly a protestant and will always be so.
My request, humbly, is not to turn this thread into another catholic bashing soap box. It happens with too great a frequency. They too, catholics, are brothers and sisters in Christ.

I understand what you are saying. I have many dear family members, including my parents, who are Catholic. They follow God as best they can according to what they understand about God. We have a mutal respect for each other and focus on the things of God that we do have in common.

In spite of the fact that I disagree with much of Catholic teaching, I did not come here to bash Catholicism; however, I know that my primary authority must be the Word of God -- not the traditions of men.

 

[Priscilla Ann]

Not if they believe in the Catholic doctrine of salvation!!!! No human being can believe in Roman Catholic gospel and be saved. There is but "ONE GOSPEL" and "ONE WAY" and all others are "ACCURSED" and the Reformation Gospel and the Roman Gospel cannot be the same gospel, so either they are both wrong or one is wrong. They cannot be both wrong because they are in direct contrast to each other.

I pray every day that my Catholic parents, who are now elderly, will come to fully understand what the bible says about salvation. While we share some beliefs in common, one of the tragedies of Catholicism is that they can never know if they have been good enough to be saved... They strive to be holy, not understanding that when we confess our sins, Jesus purifies us from ALL unrighteousness.
(1 John 1:9)

 

[quantumfaith]

I understand what you are saying. I have many dear family members, including my parents, who are Catholic. They follow God as best they can according to what they understand about God. We have a mutal respect for each other and focus on the things of God that we do have in common.

In spite of the fact that I disagree with much of Catholic teaching, I did not come here to bash Catholicism; however, I know that my primary authority must be the Word of God -- not the traditions of men.

Thank you Priscilla for you kindness and gentleness. In truth, doctrinally I do not side with much in catholicism, but I will not assume an arrogant know it all posture in the manner that some express here in BB land.

 

[Priscilla Ann]

Thank you Priscilla for you kindness and gentleness. In truth, doctrinally I do not side with much in catholicism, but I will not assume an arrogant know it all posture in the manner that some express here in BB land.

Unfortunately, that "arrogant know-it-all posture" is something that we are all guilty of from time to time - Catholics and non-Catholics alike. There are some non-Catholics who would say that my mother is not saved because she is still Catholic. Likewise, I have been told by some Catholics that I have endangered my salvation by leaving the "One True Church". My wonderful mother did teach me that discussing issues of faith will evoke passionate feelings; and when we disaagree, we need to weigh our words carefully before we speak. Mom and I still disagree on some matters, but we love and respect each other.

 

[quantumfaith]

Unfortunately, that "arrogant know-it-all posture" is something that we are all guilty of from time to time - Catholics and non-Catholics alike. There are some non-Catholics who would say that my mother is not saved because she is still Catholic. Likewise, I have been told by some Catholics that I have endangered my salvation by leaving the "One True Church". My wonderful mother did teach me that discussing issues of faith will evoke passionate feelings; and when we disaagree, we need to weigh our words carefully before we speak. Mom and I still disagree on some matters, but we love and respect each other.

:thumbs::smilewinkgrin:

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I pray every day that my Catholic parents, who are now elderly, will come to fully understand what the bible says about salvation. While we share some beliefs in common, one of the tragedies of Catholicism is that they can never know if they have been good enough to be saved... They strive to be holy, not understanding that when we confess our sins, Jesus purifies us from ALL unrighteousness.
(1 John 1:9)

They do that too, through Confession and/or an Act of Contrition.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Unfortunately, that "arrogant know-it-all posture" is something that we are all guilty of from time to time - Catholics and non-Catholics alike. There are some non-Catholics who would say that my mother is not saved because she is still Catholic. Likewise, I have been told by some Catholics that I have endangered my salvation by leaving the "One True Church". My wonderful mother did teach me that discussing issues of faith will evoke passionate feelings; and when we disaagree, we need to weigh our words carefully before we speak. Mom and I still disagree on some matters, but we love and respect each other.

I am of the same mind here:thumbs:

Two issues that bother me though. The Catholic believes in degrees of sin like (Mortal & Veiniel .. sic). This isn't biblical IE, there are no sin categories because sin is sin. Also that Act of Contrition gets you into heaven according to Catholics & to me as a Non-Catholic that is whats called "Easy Believism". Those were two of the primary issues that distressed me & made me finally break my ties with being Catholic.

I'm positive you've already had that discussion with them & if you haven't then you will do it with a loving & compassionate heart.

Jesus is Lord

 

[Dr. Walter]

Unfortunately, that "arrogant know-it-all posture" is something that we are all guilty of from time to time - Catholics and non-Catholics alike. There are some non-Catholics who would say that my mother is not saved because she is still Catholic. Likewise, I have been told by some Catholics that I have endangered my salvation by leaving the "One True Church". My wonderful mother did teach me that discussing issues of faith will evoke passionate feelings; and when we disaagree, we need to weigh our words carefully before we speak. Mom and I still disagree on some matters, but we love and respect each other.

It is not a matter of arrogance to simply state what the scriptures state. The scriptures deny there is more than one true WAY to heaven (Jn. 14:6) and the Scriptures deny there is more than one true GOSPEL of salvation (Gal. 1:6-9).

It takes little common sense to know that the plan of salvation taught by Rome is not the gospel taught by Baptists. The Catholic gospel, the Catholic salvation begins with baptism and is inseparable from baptism in its entirety:

"Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, teh gateway to life in the Spirit (vitai spiritaulis ianua) and the door which gives access to other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers inher mission: 'Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word." - 1213 - Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church

Here is the thing. Rome has had centuries to refine its works gospel and all other denominations that teach a works gospel are inconsistent or they would be Catholics. Demonstrate Rome's gospel of salvation is wrong and you demonstrate all other denominations teaching works salvation are wrong. And they are wrong and no one can be saved by this baptismal regeneration gospel (I Cor. 1:17-18).

This is not a statement of arrogance, this is a statement of fact and in defense of the glory of Jesus Christ and His gospel (Rom. 3:24-26).

 

[quantumfaith]

It is not a matter of arrogance to simply state what the scriptures state. The scriptures deny there is more than one true WAY to heaven (Jn. 14:6) and the Scriptures deny there is more than one true GOSPEL of salvation (Gal. 1:6-9).

It takes little common sense to know that the plan of salvation taught by Rome is not the gospel taught by Baptists. The Catholic gospel, the Catholic salvation begins with baptism and is inseparable from baptism in its entirety:

"Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, teh gateway to life in the Spirit (vitai spiritaulis ianua) and the door which gives access to other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers inher mission: 'Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word." - 1213 - Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church

Here is the thing. Rome has had centuries to refine its works gospel and all other denominations that teach a works gospel are inconsistent or they would be Catholics. Demonstrate Rome's gospel of salvation is wrong and you demonstrate all other denominations teaching works salvation are wrong. And they are wrong and no one can be saved by this baptismal regeneration gospel (I Cor. 1:17-18).

This is not a statement of arrogance, this is a statement of fact and in defense of the glory of Jesus Christ and His gospel (Rom. 3:24-26).

DW: Competent catholic theologians can argue with you over many details and doctrinal positions, and yes YOUR attitude often comes across as theologically "snooty".

 

[Dr. Walter]

DW: Competent catholic theologians can argue with you over many details and doctrinal positions, and yes YOUR attitude often comes across as theologically "snooty".

Competent Catholic theologions cannot deny black and white and there is nothing ambiguous in this Catechismal statement. There is no way that you, Catholic Theologions can harmonize this statement with the gospel preached by evangelical's - Impossible!

"Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitai spiritaulis ianua) and the door which gives access to other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers inher mission: 'Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word." - 1213 - Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church


Try to harmonize the above catachismal statement with the evangelical statement

"We are justified by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone without works. Baptism is not a sacrament but a symbol which conveys no saving grace whatsoever but is the first outward act of obedience as a public expression of faith in gospel of Jesus Christ."

You cannot harmonize these two statements of faith as they are irreconcialable by any and all theologions.

 

[Alive in Christ]

Quantumfaith....

In truth, doctrinally I do not side with much in catholicism, but I will not assume an arrogant know it all posture in the manner that some express here in BB land.

Would you consider me to be arrogant if I told you that you better stop walking across a busy street without looking both ways 1st?

Would I be arrogant in doing that, or would I be showing my great concern for your welfare?