Featured Witnessing to Catholics

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It depends on which book of religious dogma one follows. If the Vatican has usurped authority, so do those who came out of her. True Baptists have never been part of the Protestant Reformation of the Catholic church or the Vatican. In fact bitter persecution has been their lot--like Jesus said. He has kept His Bride through the gates of Hell and continues to do so.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Bro. James

 

We Baptists are part of the true Chuch of Christ, His Body and bride!

 

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Having established the notion that there may be a false church, how does one maintain purity of communion using an open communion policy? At the local, closed, level we have a better idea of a member's spiritual condition. Open communion makes such a determination impossible. Church discipline is still a valid requirement. Such is not possible in a Universal Church.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Bro. James

 

Reformed Baptist Timothy George:

Our Francis, Too: Why We Can Enthusiastically Join Arms with the Catholic Leader

"Francis appears now as the pastor, a shepherd who knows and loves his sheep and wants to lead them in love and humility. The new Franciscan moment is the season of the shepherd. Catholics and evangelicals are the two largest faith communities in the body of Christ. Without forgetting the deep differences that divide us, now as never before we are called to stand and work together for the cause of Christ in a broken world. We can make a start by praying with Saint Francis: Most High, Glorious God, bring light to the darkness of my heart. Give me right faith, certain hope, and perfect charity, insight and wisdom, so I can always observe your holy and true command. Amen."

 

Same as a closed one, as we still ask them to be saved and walking with Christ!

 

Do they hold to the real Gospel, or still the Catholic one?

 

So how do you know that the ones doing the disipline are doing it correctly? I'm in mind of a pastor (who did not follow the Gospel when it came to the
christian household use discipline to bend a very good man to his own will vs the Gospel). The man was thrown out of the church so he just found a church that does not act unscripturely.

 

I will add this as well. "Francis challenged the church of his day—not by conforming to the standards of the world but by returning to the pattern of Jesus, the one who did not seek status but humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on the cross (Phil. 2:5–11)."

 

Did he embrace the true Gospel though?

 

Oh absolutely.... and some of the Franciscans that live a life in emulation to Christ are there as well. If you were to attach them to the traditional catholic church, they would probably laugh. But they are trying to transform the RCC from the inside.....now that will cause disunity right.....but as one guy told me , "Where you see disunity, distrust it. OH NO, NO, NO. Where you see disunity, lay down your life until there is unity." What else would the cross be? What else will redeem the broken world?

 

I've been meaning to read this book by A.T. Pierson, Spurgeon's friend and successor at the Tabernacle in the early 1890s. Perhaps it would be of interest:

Catharine of Siena: An Ancient Lay Preacher by Arthur T. Pierson, 1898

 

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The teaching is that the unrepentant church member is to be shunned--put out of the fellowship, not only for their benefit, but also for the purity of The Church.

No, this is not an inquisition.

A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Bro. James

 

Can the pastor then be defrocked?

 

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Yes, Sir--sent packing without a stipend or recommendation. This does not apply to tele-evangelists, even though many of them have been arrested and prosecuted.

The New Testament Church has her own discipline which is not vested in one person or a board.

Of course, this is all meaningless in a Universal Church.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Bro. James

 

There are local NT churches, which are part of the Universal Church!

 

Are they emulting Jesus in the sense of doing good to others due to them being saved, or in order to get saved?

 

They are emulating Jesus because they love him. They already are saved and living in the kingdom. They are obligated to spread the love & teach Jesus because they fervently believe the gospel teaches it.