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[Can Born-Again Christians Remain in the Roman Catholic Church? Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries] "This is a question that comes up often as we minister to people in the Catholic religion. Our first response is to ask, "Why would anyone want to stay in a religion that deceives people about where they will spend eternity?" When a Roman Catholic hears the true Gospel revealed in Scripture, he/she must repent (change their mind) concerning the false gospel that they were embracing in order to believe the truth. So there must be a recognition that the Catholic religion was leading them down the broad road to destruction. They must change their faith to get on the narrow road that leads to eternal life.

Secondly, born-again Christians must recognize that they are accursed by the Roman Catholic Church by its many anathemas. "If anyone says that baptism is ...not necessary for salvation, let them be anathema" (Council of Trent, Session 7). Another one states, "If any one says, that, after the grace of Justification has been received, to every penitent sinner the guilt is remitted, and the debt of eternal punishment is blotted out in such wise, that there remains not any debt of temporal punishment to be discharged either in this world, or in the next in Purgatory, before the entrance to the kingdom of heaven can be opened to him; let him be anathema" (Council of Trent, Session 6).

Still another anathema states, "If anyone denies that in the sacrament of the most holy Eucharist, the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really and substantially contained...let them be anathema (Council of Trent, Session 12). Regarding the Mass, "If anyone says that the sacrifice of the Mass... is not a propitiatory sacrifice...offered for the living and the dead, for sins, punishments, satisfaction and other necessities, let them be anathema" (Trent, Session 12). Why would anyone want to remain in a church that curses him or her?

Born-again Christians are called to walk according to the truth and worship God in Spirit and Truth. This is impossible to do in the Roman Catholic religion. Christians must turn away from every falsehood and embrace the doctrines of Christ. No one can honor God by remaining in fellowship with a religion that embraces so many false doctrines..."

Full text: Can Born-Again Christians Remain in the Roman Catholic Church?

Response to comment [from a Christian]: "Christians are called to worship God in Spirit and in truth, John 4:23, 24. Catholicism is a false religion."

"It is the work of the Holy Spirit to teach us truth. If you do not have the truth you do not have the Holy Spirit. John 16:13, 14."

Response to comment [from an atheist]: "How many people do you believe actually "have the Holy Spirit" in relation to those who do not? A rough percentage will do, but I suspect the number is actually quite small..."

The clever devil

knows a thing or two (Jas 2:19).

Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it (Mt 7:14).

Response to comment [from a Catholic]: "...[H]ow would you describe a 'born again' Catholic?"

Response to comment [from a Catholic]: "Baltimore Catechism: [T]hose who through their own grave fault do not know that the Catholic Church is the true Church or, knowing it, refuse to join it, cannot be saved."

He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me [Luke 10:10–16].

"Our Lord solemnly speaks of the seriousness of rejecting His messengers—to reject them was to reject Him."
McGee, J. Vernon: Thru the Bible Commentary. electronic ed. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1981, S. 4:291

Don't reject his word (Jn 1:1).

Truth is found in God's word (Da 10:21; Jn 17:17) not your church (1 Tim. 6:3–5). Your church contradicts God's word. Obey God not man (Ac 5:29).

Response to comment [from a Christian]: [How many people do you believe actually "have the Holy Spirit" in relation to those who do not? A rough percentage will do, but I suspect the number is actually quite small...] "Some atheists do, seeing they may have gotten born again before they decided to become atheists."

Response to comment [from a Christian]: "Those who are satisfied with what they are being taught will remain. Those who continue to hunger and thirst for righteousness and really want to get involved with the things of God will have to seek elsewhere.

There is enough truth in the RCC to satisfy some, but those who appetites for truth have been whetted by hearing and reading scripture for themselves will definitely want more.

Maybe we need to ask if they will have the courage to seek out more?"

They mix truth with error (Ga 5:9).

"If you get it wrong about Jesus. It doesn't matter what you get right." ~ Gino Geraci Rev. 3:14–22

"You are not brought upon this world to get it!"

Lo Pan ~ Big Trouble in Little China

Get this: Jesus loves you (Jn 3:16). Jesus is willing to save you (2 Pe 3:9). Repent (Eze 18:30-32; Ac 17:30). Believe (Mk 9:23).

"Paul now urges attitudes which express love and maintain unity (4:1–3). He reminds the Ephesians of all that binds Christians together (vv. 4–5). This unity is essential, for God has provided His church with gifted persons (vv. 6–10) who are to equip God’s people for those “works of service” which enable the body to mature and to build itself up in love. Such growth demands that each part does its own work and so contribute to the whole (vv. 11–16).

Here Paul’s letter takes a new tack. The church is the body of Christ. As such it is His representative in the world. We are to reject all that corrupts and “be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (vv. 17–24). To accomplish this we must maintain intimate relationships within the church fellowship (vv. 25–28). We must rid ourselves of hostility, in favor of treating one another as God treats us in Christ (vv. 29–32).

Key verse. 4:24: Our goal.

Personal application. Growth takes place in fellowship.

Key concepts. Body 1 Corinthians 12. Baptism Romans 6. Satan Satan, Luke 4. Mature Hebrews 5. Transformation 2 Corinthians 3. Truth 1 Timothy 4, John 8. Righteousness Romans, Philippians 3. Redemption Galatians 3-4."
Richards, Larry: The Bible Reader's Companion. Wheaton, Ill. : Victor Books, 1991, S. 800

"This first “if” is not casting a doubt over the Roman believers’ salvation. They are saved. Let me give you a literal translation: “But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit since the Spirit of God really dwells in you.” That is the real test. But if anyone has “not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” The true mark of a born-again believer and a genuine Christian is that he is indwelt by the Spirit of God. Even Paul could say to the carnal Corinthians: “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (1 Cor. 6:19). When Paul went to Ephesus the first time, he missed something; he missed the distinguishing mark of the believer. So he asked, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They didn’t even know what he was talking about. So he asked them, “… Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism” (Acts 19:3). Well, John’s baptism was unto repentance; it was not to faith in Jesus Christ. So he preached Christ to them. Then they received Him and were baptized in His name (see Acts 19:5). A believer is a new creation. Do you love Him? Do you want to serve Him? Are these things uppermost in your mind and heart? Or are you in rebellion against God?"

McGee, J. Vernon: Thru the Bible Commentary. electronic ed. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1981, S. 4:699

"At least the Pope keeps the Cat'liks closer to biblical context than your hubris keeps you."

Response to comment [from other]: "This kind of "Christianity" is as despicable as atheism."

Response to comment [from a Catholic]: "Contrary to your (and McGee's) assumptions, Jesus is speaking specifically to the chosen and appointed leaders of his historic church..."

The scriptures are intended for the of all men (Ro 16:26). Would you kill believers those who shared the word of God with others as

your predecessors did?

See:

Reformation Time Line

When I speak from the word of God

I speak with the authority of any apostle or prophet (Rogers). Lu 16:29,31, Pr 6:23; 2 Pe 1:19, 2 Ti 3:15-17.

Response to comment [from a Catholic]: "...[I]n Luke 10:16, Jesus is not speaking to "every believer," but specifically to the chosen and appointed leaders (Magisterium) of his historic Church."

False premise.

"...[L]et’s examine the Roman Catholic claim that it is the “first church.” Nowhere in the New Testament will you find the “one true church” doing any of the following: praying to Mary, praying to the saints, venerating Mary, submitting to a pope, having a select priesthood, baptizing an infant, observing the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper as sacraments, or passing on apostolic authority to successors of the apostles. All of these are core elements of the Roman Catholic faith. If most of the core elements of the Roman Catholic Church were not practiced by the New Testament Church (the first church and one true church), how then can the Roman Catholic Church be the first church?" Full text: What was the first / original church? Is the original / first church the true church?

Scripture is intended for the use of all men (Ro 16:26).

"One of the first lessons we must learn in reading the Bible is to distinguish between that which is written to us and that which is written for us. Not all the Bible is directed to us, but all the Bible is for us." ~ J. Vernon McGee 2 Ti 3:16 Have You Crossed Over Jordan? by Dr. J. Vernon McGee

"Jesus Christ gave the keys of the kingdom to Peter alone (Mt. 16:19; cf. Is. 22:22)..."

Not so. Peter was given no special authority above the other apostles (Mt 16:19; 18:18; 2 Co 11:5).

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven [Matt. 16:19].

"What are the keys of the kingdom of heaven? Were they given only to Simon Peter? No, Jesus gives them to those who make the same confession made by Peter, those who know Christ as Savior. If you are a child of God, you have the keys as well as any person has the keys. The keys were the badge of authority of the office of the scribes who interpreted the Scriptures to the people (see Neh. 8:2–8). Every Christian today has the Scriptures and, therefore, the keys. If we withhold the Word, we “bind on earth”; if we give the Word, we “loose on earth.” No man or individual church has the keys—to the exclusion of all other believers. We have a responsibility today to give out the gospel because it is the only thing that can save people. This is a tremendous revelation. Who is sufficient for these things? You and I have a responsibility that is awesome indeed!"
McGee, J. Vernon: Thru the Bible Commentary. electronic ed. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1981, S. 4:92-93

If you had to have a Pope, why wouldn't you choose Paul who went to the gentiles rather than Peter went to the Jews (Ga 2:7)? Cruciform--not a Jew.

...crickets...

And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open [Isa. 22:22].

"This verse reminds us of the words of Christ in the New Testament: “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth” (Rev. 3:7). How wonderful it is, my friend, to place our lives in the hands of Him who is able to close or open any door!"
McGee, J. Vernon: Thru the Bible Commentary. electronic ed. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1981, S. 3:249

See:

A Scriptural Response to: Biblical Evidence or Catholics St. Joseph Communication

Response to comment [from other]: "Serpentdove is to be pitied....bigotry, fanaticism, superstition, intolerance..."

You forgot sexist

, xenophobic

, homophobic

, Islamophobic

, racist

(Prager)..."

Response to comment [from a "Christian"]: "The Church is to prepare the people for works of service..."

What do you mean by "the church"?

For the Christian, Christ is the head of his church.

Cruciform rejects this.

SD: [Christ is the head of his church….The statement is true or it is false.]

Cruciform: "It's false..." link

Have we met?

Response to comment [from a Christian]: " I have yet to see a single catholic exhibit fruits of the spirit. [A]ll they exhibit is strict obedience to their church."

God hates externalism and false religion. Meaningless ceremonies are offensive to God (Isa 58:3, Isa 1:10). He wants a commitment from our hearts. They have to have a lot of ritual

because without it, they have nothing.

There is no such thing as a sacrament (doing something to earn God's grace). Ferguson.

See:

Life of Jesus Volume 1: Jesus Tests and Builds Faith Pt 4b by Darrell Ferguson

Cults and 'isms claim that

their way

is the only way.

The Bible says

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (Jn 14:6).

We are saved by grace alone (Eph 2:8-9) through faith alone (Eph 1:13; 2 Ti 1:10) in Christ alone (Isa 45:21,22; 59:16; Ac 4:12). Roman Catholics deny this (Jude 1:11).

[What Does It Mean to Be Saved? Pro-Gospel Ministries] "According to Roman Catholic Dr. Jeff Mirus of CatholicCulture.org, salvation is not by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He wrote: "Catholics have traditionally regarded salvation as coming through the Church, and sometime believe that those who have not become formal members of the Church cannot be saved." Dr. Mirus continues: "The most important confusion in all this is that when the New Testament refers to the path to life, it is often referring not to heaven but to the Church; and when it talks about "salvation" or being "saved", it can either refer to entering the Church or gaining heaven (CatholicCulture.org, 9/1/11)." Full text: What Does It Mean to Be Saved?

Response to comment [from a Christian]: "...'Yea, if a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.' ~James, half-brother of Jesus and Jude."

Response to comment [from a Catholic]: [Mary wasn't a "perpetual virgin"] "Of course she was..."

False Premise Eph 4:14

The Roman Catholic Church is an apostate church (Rev. 3:14–22).

"The most formidable, relentless and deceptive enemy has been Roman Catholicism. It is an apostate, corrupt, heretical, false Christianity, it is a front for the kingdom of Satan. The true church of the Lord Jesus Christ has always understood this." ~ John MacArthur, Grace Community Church Full text: Proclaiming the Gospel Newsletter Vol. 17 No. 4

SD: [Christ is the head of his church….The statement is true or it is false.]

Cruciform: "It's false..." link

Christ is still the head of his church (Eph 1:22; 5:23).

[Mary Is Our Light and The Cause of Our Joy] "The homily of Pope Benedict XVI's Mass on the Feast of the Assumption reaffirmed Roman Catholicism's fascination with "The Virgin Mary." Many of the comments he made are not found in Scripture and rob the Lord Jesus Christ of His glory. The Pope said, "We are gathered to celebrate one of the most loved feasts dedicated to Mary Most Holy: the feast of her Assumption to the glory of heaven in soul and body. On contemplating the Virgin Mary we are given another grace: that of also being able to see our lives in depth. Yes, because our daily existence... receives light from the Mother of God, from her spiritual journey, from her destiny of glory: a journey and an end that can and must become, in some way, our own journey and our own end. The Bible tells us that the true ark of the covenant is the Virgin Mary. God does not dwell in a piece of furniture, God dwells in a person, in a heart: Mary, she who bore in her womb the Eternal Son of God made man, Jesus Our Lord and Savior. The greatness of Mary, Mother of God, full of grace, fully docile to the action of the Holy Spirit, now lives in God's heaven with her whole self, soul and body. It was necessary that she who had housed in her womb the divine Logos, was transformed into the tabernacle of her Son. It was necessary that the Bride that the Father chose, dwell in the nuptial room of heaven. Today the Church sings the immense love of God for this, He chose her as true "ark of the covenant," as she who continues to generate and to give Christ the Savior to humanity, as she who in heaven shares the fullness of glory and enjoys the very happiness of God. Mary is the new ark of the covenant, before whom the heart exults with joy, the Mother of God present in the world, who does not keep to herself this divine presence, but offers it sharing the grace of God. And thus Mary is really the "cause of our joy," the "ark" in which the Savior is really present among us. In this solemnity of the Assumption we look at Mary: She opens us to hope, to a future full of joy and teaches us the way to reach it...Mary, the ark of the covenant that is in the sanctuary of heaven, points out to us with luminous clarity that we are on the way to our true Home, to communion of joy and peace with God. Amen!" Zenit.org, 8/16/11.

"...[T]he Catholic Church insists that Mary is her Son's "co-mediatrix..." Full text: Scripture, Tradition, and Rome, Part 2 by John MacArthur

Response to comment [from a Catholic]: "...[S]ome people aren't really cut out for meaningful discussion when they can't even stay on topic in their own threads..."

"So, back to the original issue: Why on Earth would American-style "born again" Christians even be in the Catholic Church in the first place?"

All of your "good" works are filthy rags (Isa 64:6).

You have never done a good work (Eph. 5:11, Gal. 5:19–21). The only thing you can offer the Lord is your sin.

Response to comment [from a commie]: "...[A]ll religion is of this evil, wicked world!"

God gave the world one religion--Judaism (Matt. 3:8, 9; 5:17–19, 21–44; 9:16, 17).

"Father Help! and he does..."

"Or check into a psycho ward, which ever comes first, huh?"

~ Jack Burton, Big Trouble in Little China

"YES! YHVH gave the world one religion indeed!...For "THY Kingdom" DID "Come"! IS! And ALWAYS WILL BE! Spiritual, Heavenly and Eternal! Yet pagan catholicism and her harlot christian daughters but carry on the legacy of the pharisee's..."Come Out of her, MY people"!...Father Help! and HE does...http://www.theologyonline.com/forums...ad.php?t=76136" [sic]

"Appreciate you letting me know about the link being inop. Edited the posted and repasted the link http://www.theologyonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76136"