Jesus & His Church are One
Response to comment [from a Catholic]: "You're projecting again..."
Imitation is the highest form of flattery.
"Just another anti-Catholic troll. (See Post #19)..."
I can't be that bad
or you wouldn't imitate me (Ga
5:9).
"...[L]ets 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 Lords 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?
See:
What was the first / original church? Is the original / first church the true
church? Is the church that is the oldest necessarily the most right ...
Recommended Reading:
Is Rome the True Church?: A Consideration of the Roman Catholic Claim
by Norman L. Geisler
"If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come
to believe it." ~ Joseph Goebbels
Eph 4:14
Be
yourself.
Everyone else is taken.
[Does higher education make a saint?] CabinetMaker quote: "Do you use light bulbs?"] "Sure...but I wouldn't take theology lessons from Thomas Edison."
Jesus chose average men. Do you believe an average person can follow the Lord?
Matt. 10:1; 20:17; Acts
9:26; 14:20; 21:4
"Am I not turtley enough for the turtle club." ~ Pistachio Disguisey, The Master
of Disguise
[Do you believe an average person can follow the Lord? Matt. 10:1; 20:17; Acts 9:26; 14:20; 21:4] "Sure, as long as they heed and follow the authoritative teachings of the historic Church's ordained leaders, the bishops..."
Works are
insufficient for salvation ( Psa.
49:7, 8; Psa.
127:1, 2; Eccl.
1:14; Isa.
43:26; Isa.
57:12; Isa.
64:6; Ezek.
7:19; Ezek.
33:1219; Dan.
9:18; Matt.
5:20; Luke
17:710; Luke
18:914; Acts
13:39; Rom.
3:2031; Rom.
4:18 vs. 922.; Rom.
8:3; Rom.
9:16, 31, 32; Rom.
11:6; 1
Cor. 13:13; Gal.
2:16, 19, 21; Gal.
3:1012, 21 vs. 129.; Gal.
4:911; Gal.
5:2, 4, 6, 18; Gal.
6:15; Eph.
2:8, 9; Phil.
3:39; Col.
2:2023; 2
Tim. 1:9; Tit.
3:4, 5; Heb.
4:310; Heb.
6:1, 2; Heb.
9:114; Jas.
2:10, 11). Swanson, James ; Nave, Orville:
New Nave's. Oak Harbor : Logos Research Systems, 1994
You are a modern-day Pharisee.
See:
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican
"Most people are like peacocks strutting to hell. They think they are too good
to be damned."
~
Adrian Rogers
[The
Forgiveness of Our Sins Psalm 103:1-5 In Touch Magazine July, 2010] "Over the
years I have heard Christians say, "I think I have committed the unpardonable
sin." Their body language showed the tremendous burden of guilt they carried.
Perhaps this describes you or another believer close to you.
* Based on the authority of Scripture, I can tell you without reservation that
God loves you, and He's forgiven everyone who has trusted Christ as Savior. The
Bible says: Jesus' blood paid our sin debt in full, and He obtained our fell
pardon (Matt. 26:28). Every sin--without exception--is covered (Col. 2:13-14).
* Forgiveness is given to everyone who believes in Jesus (Acts 10:43) and
remains available to all believers (1 John 1:9).
* Our pardon for sin is based on the riches of our Father's grace, which always
exceeds the offense (Eph. 1:7; Rom. 5:20).
* God doesn't count past, present, or future transgressions against us (2 Cor.
5:19).
To reconcile us to Himself, God sent His Son to die in our place. He accepted
Christ's sacrifice as payment-in-full for our transgressions. Forgiveness is
solely on the bases of our relationship with Jesus, not on our behavior. Because
of our faith in Christ's completed work on the cross, we can be assured that we
have received and will continue to receive His divine mercy...
...Scripture reassures us that there's no sin beyond the scope of God's pardon.
This isn't a license to sin (Rom. 6:1-2). Rather, it should produce in us a
passion for holiness. If you are struggling to accept God's forgiveness, read
over these verses and be thankful for such a great gift."
Response to comment [from a Catholic]: [Links to Catholic teachings] "Whoever does needs to account for the following information..."
You need to account for the word of God (1
Cor. 2:4,
13,
2 Cor 4:2,
Re 22:18-19).
[The Role of Repentance in the Salvation of Sinners Proclaiming the Gospel
Ministries] "Followers of Jesus Christ are familiar with the word "repentance"
but many are unsure of its biblical meaning or its role in the salvation of
sinners. Some would argue passionately that it must be coupled with faith as the
only saving response to the Gospel. Others say that repentance is not necessary
for the salvation of sinners, only faith (2
Tim 2:25). Consider the importance of
repentance in the ministry of our Lord Jesus. The very first word of His very
first sermon was "repent" (Mat.
4:17). He later declared that He had come to
call sinners to repentance (Luke
5:32). His last sermon to His apostles before
ascending into heaven, included a command to preach repentance for the
forgiveness of sins (Luke
24:47). This leaves no doubt to the Savior's
position on repentance..."Sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a
repentance without regret, leading to salvation (2
Cor. 7:10)." Full text:
The Role of Repentance in the Salvation of Sinners
[You need to account for the word of God (1 Cor. 2:4, 13, 2 Cor 4:2, Re 22:18-19).] "Already have."
You reject the gospel (Ro
1:16,
Ac 20:32).
"Roman Catholicism vs. historical, biblical Christianity: "We have different
authorities, we believe different gospels, we worship different Christs, we are
led by different spirits and we are on different paths to eternity. Compare this
with the unity the apostle Paul described with those who are in one body and one
......Spirit, with one hope; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, on God and Father
of all who is over all and through all and in all (Eph
4:4-6)..." Full text:
No Idolatry and False Teaching
[Repentance Defined Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries] "The Greek-English
Lexicon of the New Testament provides an excellent definition of the common
Greek word "metanoia" used for repentance in the New Testament. It means "to
change one's way of life as the result of a complete change of thought and
attitude with regard to sin and righteousness." We find in its meaning a
conviction that produces action. Such a change is profoundly noted by Paul's
description of the Thessalonians: "You turned to God from idols to serve a
living and true God" (1
Thes. 1:9). These saints displayed three
elements of repentance: a turning from sinful behavior, a turning to God and a
desire to serve Him. It is impossible to turn to God without turning away from
sin. People who continue to live in habitual sin and think they are saved must
be warned that Jesus saves us from our sin, not in our sin.
One of the most gifted preachers of the 17th century, Thomas Watson, defined
repentance as a "grace of Gods Spirit, which enables a sinner to be inwardly
humbled and visibly reformed." Repentance moves a man to recognize the
wickedness of his sin which produces godly sorrow and a broken and contrite
heart (Psalm
51:17). Convicted by the Holy Spirit, the
sinner acknowledges his sinful nature, confesses his sins and makes a heartfelt
plea for God's forgiveness (Psalm
51:1-4;
1 John 1:9;
Luke 18:13;
Prov. 28:13). Scripture
says that a truly repentant person hates the sin he once loved and is ashamed of
it (Ezekiel
36:31;
Rom. 6:21). He forsakes
his wicked ways and turns to God (Isa.
55:7;
Acts 26:20). Repentance
produces a genuine desire to be victorious over sin and a longing for the day he
will be forever delivered from it (1
John 3:3)..." Full text:
Repentance Defined
Response to
comment [from a Christian]: "1
Timothy 2:5 states, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and
men, the man Christ Jesus;".
"1 Timothy 2:5 states, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and
men, the man Christ Jesus;". That single verse makes it clear that there
is not supposed to be some earthy intercessor, some pope, and that no such
figure is necessary for salvation..."
That's right.
No
priest can forgive a man for his sins.
We approach the throne of grace
to be forgiven for sins (Heb
4:16).
See:
No
Mediator
Response to comment [from a Catholic]: "The historic Catholic Church..."
False premise
What
was the first / original church? Is the original / first church the true church?
Is the church that is the oldest necessarily the most right ...
Vid.
Catholicism vs Christianity by Mike Gendron
Recommended Reading:
Is Rome the True Church?: A Consideration of the Roman Catholic Claim
by Norman L. Geisler
"...has believed, preserved, and taught the Gospel for two millennia now."
You (Ga
1:8) reject (Isa
53:1;
Ro 10:15,16)
the gospel of grace (Ac
14:3;
20:32,
Eph 3:2)
for a gospel of works (Jude
11).
Yours is a false gospel (2
Co 4:3).
Oopsie (2
Th 1:8,9).
See:
Works vs Faith
What
was the first / original church? Is the original / first church the true church?
Is the church that is the oldest necessarily the most right ...
Vid.
Catholicism vs Christianity by Mike Gendron
Recommended Reading:
Is Rome the True Church?: A Consideration of the Roman Catholic Claim
by Norman L. Geisler
[Repentance Produces Change Proclaiming the Gospel
Ministries]: "Repentance produces not only a change in mind, but it also leads
to a changed heart and life (Isa.
55:7). Intellectually, repentance sees sin as
an affront to our holy God and Creator. The sinner understands that his sin has
separated him from God and caused enmity with God. God's Word instructs him to
turn to Christ as his only hope. No one can cling to their sin and to Christ
because "the mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit
is life" (Rom.
8:6).
Emotionally, repentance is accompanied by sorrow because sin has greatly
offended our loving and gracious God. This sorrow, in and of itself, is not
repentance because people can have sorrow and not repent. Judas is an example of
one who felt great remorse but did not repent (Mat.
27:3). When repentance is produced from godly
sorrow, according to the will of God, it leads to salvation (2
Cor. 7:10). God's kindness is meant to lead
sinners to repentance, but a stubborn and unrepentant heart stores up His wrath
for the day of judgment (Rom.
2:4-5).
Volitionally, repentance produces a transformation of the will which will be
evidenced by a change in direction and purpose (Rom.
6:6;
12:2). The change in
behavior is not repentance; it is the fruit that repentance brings forth. The
Lord Jesus gave an example of this fruit when "the men of Nineveh repented at
the preaching of Jonah" (Mt.
12:41). After Jonah preached, the Ninevites'
king issued this proclamation: "'Let everyone call urgently on God...so that we
will not perish.' When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil
ways, He had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction He had
threatened" (Jonah
3:8b-10). According to Jesus, who is our
ultimate authority for faith, their repentance produced fruit; they turned from
evil ways.
Whenever God grants repentance, a vivid contrast is observed between the life
that was once dominated by the power of darkness and the new life in Christ
Jesus (Col.
1:13;
Titus 3:3-7;
1 Pet. 4:1-4). The law is
a tutor to bring men to Christ through repentance and faith (Gal.
3:24). Each conversion will be vindicated by
works of repentance and obedience (Acts
26:20;
Rom. 6:17). God saves us
the way we are, but He never leaves us the way we were (1
Thes. 4:3). Those whom God loves, He reproves
and disciplines to bring them to repentance (Rev.
3:19). Salvation is not just from the
punishment of sin, but also from the power of sin. Those who are saved through
Christ will turn from sin to be saved from it. This can only be done in the
power of the Holy Spirit who converts slaves of unrighteousness to slaves of
righteousness (Rom.
6:16-18)..." Full text:
Repentance Produces Change
Response to comment [from other]: "Watching the Catholic church try to assert its Medieval misery in the modern world is like watching Quasimodo trying to disco dance. It's both pathetic and strangely chilling all at once."
Roman Catholics have more in common with
Muslims than they do with
historical, biblical Christians--prayer beads for example (Mt
6:7).
See:
No Praying the Rosary
One World Government/Religion
[Repentance and Faith Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries] "It has often been said
that repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin: distinctively
different yet inseparable. They are both sovereignly granted by God at the
moment of conversion (Acts
11:18;
Eph. 2:8-9;
Phil. 1:29). Once
received, these divine gifts continue to be manifested throughout the life of
believers (Rom.
12:1-2;
Heb. 12:1-2). It is
biblically inconsistent and theologically problematic to suppose that anyone
could believe in the Lord Jesus yet not repent. After all, repentance includes
turning from unbelief to belief in the Lord Jesus (Mat.
21:32). Genuine saving faith is always
accompanied by repentance. Paul testified to both Jews and Gentiles of
"repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts
20:21). Faith that is not grounded in
repentance is not genuine God-given faith. Those who refuse to repent should
fear God's wrath in the day of judgment (Mat.
11:20-24)..." Full text:
Repentance and Faith
Response to comment [from a Catholic]: "Interceding for the salvation of others before God assumes that such prayers can ultimately result in the salvation of the lost."
Justification is an act of God
not your priest
(Isa
50:8;
Ro 8:33).
Your priest has nothing to offer men (Job
9:2,3,20;
25:4;
Ps 130:3;
143:2;
Ro 3:20;
9:31,32).
[Repentance is a Divine Command Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries] "Paul wrote:
"God...commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on
which He will judge the world in righteousness" (Acts
17:30-31). Speaking through the prophet Isaiah,
our Lord commanded, "Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I
am God, and there is no other" (Isaiah
45:22). Our Lord began His earthy ministry with
the command: "Repent and believe the Gospel" (Mark
1:15). He also commanded the churches at
Ephesus, Sardis and Pergamum to repent (Rev.
2:5;16;
3:3). Sinners are
commanded to turn from sin to the Savior to escape the coming judgment.
Tragically, the call to repentance is the critical truth that is most often left
out of Gospel preaching and evangelism. Yet Luke's account of the Great
Commission includes a mandate to preach repentance (Luke
24:47)..." Full text:
Repentance is a Divine Command
"Jesus is found...in His word (Bible and authentic traditional teachings), where two or more are gathered in His name, in the least of these, especially in the Eucharist, within the believer, in His Church (the Body of Christ)... "
"You have diarrhea of the mouth and constipation of the
brain."
~ Unknown 2 Cor 13:15
[The Importance of Repentance Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries] "In Peter's
first two sermons he commanded his listeners to repent for the forgiveness and
expiation of their sins (Acts 2:38; 3:19). On another occasion, when Simon the
magician sinned by trying to buy God's power with his money, Peter called him to
"repent from his wickedness" (Acts 8:22). Peter also taught that repentance is
necessary for salvation: "The Lord...is patient with you, not wanting anyone to
perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Pet. 3:9). This beautiful insight
into the long-suffering and compassionate nature of God shows the importance of
repentance. Our Lord gave specific instructions to the apostles on how to
evangelize and then sent them out into the world preaching "men should repent"
(Mark 6:12). Repentance is a foundational Christian principle as witnessed by
the exhortation: "go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of
repentance" (Heb. 6:1). The Christian faith is built on the very foundation of
repentance. When Catholics are confronted with the pure Gospel of grace, they
must repent of their "gospel" of works-righteousness. When Mormons are presented
with the eternal, uncreated Jesus of Scripture, they must repent of their false
Jesus. No one can enter heaven clinging to a false Christ or a false gospel
(John 8:24)..." Full text:
The Importance of Repentance
Response to comment [from a Catholic]: Bucksplasher quote: "Jesus is found...in His word (Bible and authentic traditional teachings), where two or more are gathered in His name, in the least of these, especially in the Eucharist..." 2 Cor 13:15] "Pot, meet Kettle."
He is
incoherent (1 Ti 1:6-7). Of course you support him (1 Ti 6:3-5).
[Repentance Denied Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries] "Those who argue that
repentance is not necessary for salvation defend their position by saying
repentance is not found in the Gospel of John. However, the call to repentance
is unmistakably given in John's Gospel. Jesus declared to the lame man whom He
healed, "do not sin anymore" (John 5:14). To the woman caught in adultery, he
commanded her "go and sin no more" (John 8:11). Jesus told them both to turn
from their sin which, clearly, is an explicit call to repentance.
Others argue that repentance is not necessary for salvation because it is a
work. They accuse those who preach repentance are guilty of teaching works
salvation. Yet, genuine repentance is not an attempt for a sinner to get right
with God; it is granted as a gift of God at the moment of conversion. The change
of behavior and turning from sin are fruits of repentance, just as good works
are fruits of saving faith (Eph. 2:8-10). These changes occur after conversion,
after the second birth and after the Holy Spirit empowers the new creature to
live in obedience to his or her new Master..." Full text:
Repentance Denied
[ He is incoherent (1 Ti 1:6-7).] Pot, meet Kettle.
Must be a cannibal thing (2
Ti 1:7,
2 Ti 3:7).
"...[W]rong again...Try again..."
[Repentance Examined Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries] "It would do us all good
to examine ourselves to see if there has been genuine repentance in our lives.
Are we being transformed by the renewing of our mind? Have our hearts found new
affections in the beauty and majesty of Jesus? Does Christ have first place in
our hearts? Do we desire to please God and be conformed to His will? Does our
reverence for God affect our attitude about sin? Do our sins bring godly sorrow
to our hearts? Has our body been consecrated to the service of God? Let us all
glorify Jesus by becoming more faithful to His great commission..." Full text:
Repentance Examined
"What Does Repentance Look Like?
Reflects on personal sin (Luke
18:13;
1 John 1:9)
Recognizes divine wrath (Eph.
5:6-11;
2 Thes. 1:8-9)
Relies on the Spirits conviction and power to turn from sin (John
16:8-11;
Rom. 8:13)
Reveals a spiritual transformation
(Gal.
5:17-25;
Rom. 6:17-18)
Resists the devil (James
4:7;
Eph. 4:27)
Rejects religious rituals (Phil.
3:3-9)
Renounces religious heritage (Luke
3:8;
Gal. 3:26-29)
Remains in life of believers (Rom.
12:1-2;
Heb. 12:1-2)
Rejoices in the truth (2
Tim. 2:25-26)..."Repent and turn to God,
performing deeds in keeping with their repentance" (Acts
26:20)..."Full text:
What Does Repentance Look Like?
