3 Fundamental ways the non-Catholic communities depart from the Church of the Holy Bible

How non-Catholics are compelled to use and embrace an unbiblical and antibiblical definition and concept of Christ's Church.

3 Fundamental ways the non-Catholic communities depart from the Church of the Holy Bible
As shown below, Catholic theology and the "Case for the Catholic Faith" comprises the verses not taught in non-Catholic circles nor underlined in their Bibles.

 

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Email: INRI33AD@aol.com

Christian Reader, after 10+ years of communicating with non-Catholics, I have come to the conclusion that non-Catholics and especially Protestants, misunderstand or misconstrue 70% of what the Catholic Faith actually teaches or why they believe it. But this is only part of the reason they reject it. The main reason is the non-Catholic's unhistorical and unbiblical understanding of what Christ's Church is compared to how the Holy Bible speaks of it.

Many well-meaning Protestants reject Catholic theology because they simply do not have a good grounding in Christian history or the Catholic Catechism
Many of these well-meaning folks, unfortunately, have sat under the teachings of less-than-careful Bible-church preachers and pastors who approach Catholicism with a cluster of flawed presumptions and distortions that make even a charitable reading of the Catechism almost impossible. (1)

I preface this letter with one request, whatever ever you believe the Catholic Faith to teach or embrace, I promise you most likely 70% of your understanding is incorrect. With this in mind, please do not reject Catholic theology outright, for what you are rejecting is not what the Catholic Faith actually teaches. I just want to believe as the Apostles taught Christ's early Church, no matter where it leads me and no matter what it costs me. I hope you feel the same way. I will attempt to present to you many verses not underlined in your Bible in hopes that you understand the differences between the Biblical understanding of Christ's Church and that practiced by the non-Catholic. My goal is this endeavor is to fulfill the commandment of our Lord Jesus Christ that all Christians believe in unison, that they all believe His One Gospel, his One Faith. Just as the Holy Bible tells us rather than 1000s conflicting of "Statements of Faith."

"There is One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, One God." ( Eph 4:4)

“Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10 

This document will contrast the Holy Bible and first century Christianity with modern Protestantism and the modern Protestant. It will demonstrate the inequities of modern ideas on the "Church of God" as compared to the writings of Christ's Church in the Sacred Scriptures in hopes that the reader will embrace the teaching of Scripture as they pertain to Christ's Church. I would encourage the reader to also visit the "3 Questions for My Pastor" page (http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/formypastor.html) to see if what your pastor tells you is "Biblical" was taught by the first Protestants in the 16th century much less the Apostles in the 1st century.

Hebrews 13:8-9 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings."

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    The non-Catholics understanding of "a church" departs

    from historical Christianity and the Holy Bible in 3 fundamental ways:

     

    1.The 1st way the non-Catholics understanding of Christ’s Church departs from the Holy Bible. The Protestant "World/Secular View" of a church is that it is NOT a "divine institution" and it does NOT have the power to "Bind and Loose" Matt 16:16-19 (to declare and define doctrine infallibly). The Protestant world view of Christ's Church holds that it does NOT speak infallibly on matters of faith or morals. In fact, contrary to the Sacred Scriptures, the Protestant's churches nor Christ's Church has any binding authority at all, and if one disagrees with one's church, one can only "church shop" for another church, or start one of his own. (Try doing that in 1st century Christianity). This "World/Secular View" of Christ's Church parallels the "World/Secular View" of the Holy Bible. (Click here)

    2. The Second Way the non-Catholic's concept of a "church" differs from Apostolic teachings and the Holy Bible is in their acceptance of multiple gospels/salvation messages or "statements of faith." This open acceptance of a plurality of "gospels" is in dire contradiction to the teachings of the Holy Scriptures of one, and only one faith. (Click here)

    3. The 3rd Way the non-Catholic's view of a church departs from the historical teachings of the Apostles and that of the Holy Bible is in the belief that "The Church," the "Bride of Christ," Christ’s own “Body” is NOT protected by the Holy Spirit from teaching error in matters of faith or morals." This is believed by the non-Catholic because that is the way it is in their current church, where they are free to discount the teachings of their pastor and his/her "Statement of Faith." For in the non-Catholic churches, nothing is “Binding” and no church has any authority over him whatsoever. These modern beliefs are in gross contradiction to the teachings of the Apostles and the Sacred Scriptures and even the Protestant's own reformers in the 16th century. (Click here) "And he is the head of the body, the church" Colossians 1:18 (Also Colossians 1:24, Eph 1:22)

     

    Non-Catholic churches embrace their current theologies because unknowingly, they are forced to accept the unbiblical "Bible Only" theory (Sola Scriptura) as true. It is unbiblical because nowhere in the Bible does the Bible teach the "SOLA" or the "Only" in this Renaissance era idea. Nowhere implied or otherwise. Many pastors quote 2 Tim 3:15-16 as a teaching of Sola Scriptura or Bible Only. But as one reads the text, the "SOLA or the ONLY" is not taught or even alluded to. It says Scripture is "profitable and useful" but that is stating the obvious, of course Scripture is profitable and useful. The text does not teach what the non-Catholic would like the passage to teach. The "Bible ONLY" idea is ironically "unbiblical and antibiblical" and it doesn't even predate the middle ages much less have its roots in the Apostolic era. See: Is Sola Scriptura Biblical? Where does the Bible teach the "Sola or the Only" in Bible Only? http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/ss.html Yet non-Catholics accept this idea because they have been taught to reject the teaching authority of Christ's Church. For they have been presented with an unhistorical, unbiblical and even anti-Biblical understanding of Christ's Church: what it is, what it's for, why Christ commissioned it and how its job is to spread the Gospel of Christ and keep his fold from drifting into heresy or preaching "other gospels."

    Galatians 1:8-9 "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!"

    As shown below, Catholic theology comprises the verses not taught in Protestant circles or underlined in the
    non-Catholic's Bible.

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    What is the non-Catholic understanding of "a church"?

    The non-Catholic's church is a gathering place, a building or space which provides religious services for its believers based on the pastor's personal and distinct interpretation of the Holy Bible in this modern era. Whether non-Catholics realize it or not, their church is an institution in itself because it is purposely set up with a defined hierarchy (Senior Pastor, associate/assistant pastors, elders, staff, choir, volunteers, parishioners, security, maintenance, etc.) that provide spiritual guidance and functionality for the institution. These institutional qualities are Biblical and they also resemble the early Church. Except the Apostles and the early Church's hierarchy ordained it's future clergy through a distinct ordination of "laying on of hands" (1 Tim. 5:32, 1 Tim. 4:14), and gave three offices of ordination: Bishop, Priest and Deacon which are absent in most all modern non-Catholic churches.

    Bishops (episcopoi) (1 Tim. 5:19-22; 2 Tim. 4:5; Titus 1:5).
    Priests (presbuteroi) (1 Tim. 5:17; Jas. 5:14-15).
    Deacons (diakonoi) (Acts 6:1-6).

    No Protestant church can trace the ordination orders of its clergy before the 16th century (and contrary to the Holy Bible, most do not even have an ordination of its clergy). Yet every Catholic Bishop, Priest and Deacon, by a lineage of "laying on of hands" can do this by name back 2000 years to a specific Apostle. The Holy Bible tells us that this and only this makes the ordination orders of a church's clergy valid, Biblical and Apostolic.
    See: Click here: Bishop, Priest, and Deacon in the Holy Bible and in Christ's early Church http://www.catholic.com/library/Bishop_Priest_and_Deacon.asp

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    Christian Reader: ask yourself the following questions about your current church and what the Holy Bible says or does not say:

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    The non-Catholics understanding of a church departs

    from historical Christianity and the Holy Bible in 3 fundamental ways:

    The 1st way the Protestants understanding of Christ’s Church departs from the Holy Bible:

    The Protestant and Catholic views of a church or "The Church" can be compared to the two views of the Holy Bible. One is a "World View" and one is a "Christian View."

    The same perspectives exist when Catholics and non-Catholics speak of "a church" verse "The Church".

    Matt 16:16-19 . "And I say that thou art Peter, and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it, I give you the keys to kingdom of Heaven, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven and what ever you loosen on earth will be loosened in Heaven."

    Mt 18:17-18 "If he refuse's to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

    Conversely, the Protestant view of a church is that it is NOT a "divine institution" and it does NOT have the power to "Bind and Loose" (to declare and define doctrine infallibly) and it does NOT speak infallibly on matters of faith or morals. In fact, contrary to the Holy Bible, the Protestant's church nor Christ's Church has any binding authority at all, and again, if one disagrees with one's church, one can only "church shop" for another church, or start one of his own. (Try doing that in 1st century Christianity and your would be automatically outside Christ's Universal Church).

    "And he is the head of the body, the church" Colossians 1:18 (Also Colossians 1:18, Eph 1:22)

    Galatians 1:8-9 "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!"
    "There is One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, One God." ( Eph 4:4)
    Mt 18:17-18 "If he refuse's to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

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    2. THE SECOND WAY the non-Catholic's concept of "a church" differs from Apostolic teachings and the Holy Bible is in their acceptance of multiple gospels/salvation messages or "statements of faith." This open acceptance of a plurality of "gospels" is in dire contradiction to the teachings of the Holy Scriptures of one, and only one faith.

    Galatians 1:8-9 "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!"
    "There is One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, One God." ( Eph 4:4)

    The Holy Bible teaches there is One Faith-One Gospel, which is embraced by Christ's Universal Church started in 33AD. This One Faith is derived from the teachings of Christ's Apostles and delineated in the Catechism of the Catholic Faith at: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm and is used by over 1 Billion Catholics worldwide. It was the only Christian faith for the first 1000+ years of Christianity. The first Protestant faith was created in 1517 by Martin Luther: the first Protestant. See: The Authors and Origins of the Protestant Theologies at: http://www.angelfire.cohm/home/protestantchallenges/dates.html

    In the 1st century, the Church was called the "Universal Church," the One Church. The Greek word for Universal is "catholic." As early as 110AD we find written evidence of Christ's Universal Church being called the Catholic Church. Ignatius of Antioch was a disciple of St. John the Apostle and wrote in 110AD:

    "Wherever the bishop appears, let the people be there; just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church" (St. Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Smyrneans 8:2 [A.D. 110]).

    Click here: The Great Heresies in Christian History http://www.catholic.com/library/Great_Heresies.asp

    Click here: "Who is the Bride of Christ? What does the Holy Bible say? http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/bride.html

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    3. The 3rd Way the non-Catholic's view of a church departs from the historical teachings of the Apostles and that of the Holy Bible is in the belief that "The Church," the "Bride of Christ," Christ’s own “Body” is NOT protected by the Holy Spirit from teaching error in matters of faith or morals." This is believed by the non-Catholic because that is the way it is in their current church, where they are free to discount the teachings of their pastor and his "Statement of Faith." For in the non-Catholic churches, nothing is “Binding” and no church has any authority over him whatsoever. These modern beliefs are in gross contradiction to the teachings of the Apostles and the Sacred Scriptures and even their own reformers in the 16th century.

    =>The Catholic Faith, Christ's Holy Church, His Body-His Bride, cannot error in matters of faith or morals. Just as the Holy Spirit protects the Holy Bible from error. The same Holy Spirit protects Christ's Holy Church. Christ himself proclaimed this when he stated “the Gates of Hell” will never prevail against his Church.
    "And I say that thou art Peter, and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it, I give you the keys to kingdom of Heaven, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven and what ever you loosen on earth will be loosened in Heaven." Matt 16:16-19. Or do non-Catholics contend (contrary to the Sacred Scriptures) that the "Gates of Hell" DID prevail over Christ’s Church and that in itself justifies the 1000s of Protestant theologies?

    =>Christ's last words on earth were a commandment to His Church to teach all nations and that he would be with His Church "until the end of the world." Since the Apostles would not live forever this promise was to his Holy Church, the Church Hell can never prevail against:
    "Teach them to observe all I have taught you and behold I am with you always until the end of the world" Matt 28:20.
    Is it the contention of the non-Catholic that Christ is NOT with his Church “until the end of the world” and that necessitates the rejection of the Church of Christ?

    =>The Holy Bible, the inspired Word of God calls his Bride-His Church, the "Pillar and foundation of Truth."
    "The Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth" 1 Tim 3:15."
    The Holy Bible does not call the only Christian Faith in the first 1000+ years of Christianity the "the pillar and foundation of lies" or "The Apostate Church of the Living God." No it is called the " pillar and foundation of truth" and Our Lord said he would send his Spirit to guide it to ALL truth.

    =>Christ said he would send the "the spirit of truth to guide you into all the truth" (John 16:13) for his Church to "Teach all nations" (Matt 28:20)

    =>In Matt 18:17 Christ commands his followers to "hear his Church." Why would non-Catholics reject the Church Christ himself started if Christ tells us to hear this very Church? And *what* verse in the "soon to be written" New Testament instructs Christians to "no longer hear" Christ's Church or that it is optional or that it has no authority?

    Mt 18:17-18 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

    => Christ calls his Church, his Body, his Bride. (Ephesians 5:32) Since Christ is Holy his Body is Holy. To reject His Church is to reject the very Body of Christ.
    "And he is the head of the body, the church" Colossians 1:18 and
    "Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church." Colossians 1:24

    =>And Christ gave authority to his Church by giving His Chief Apostle, St Peter, the "Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven with power to Bind and Loose." Non-Catholics disavow all authority given to Christ's Church. They disavow its power to "Bind and Loose" (to infallibly declare doctrine) and they disavow Christ's promise to protect his Church from doctrinal error against the "Gates of hell" themselves . (Matt 16:16-19) If non-Catholics believe what the Bible teaches in (Matt 16:16-19) why do they protest against reject the Church Christ created? The Church that he promised would prevail against the "Gates of Hell." Why would any sober Christian reject the "Body of Christ?" "And he is the head of the body, the church" Colossians 1:18 (Also Colossians 1:18, Eph 1:22)

    =>Since the Church is HIS Body, when you hear his Church, you hear Christ, and when you reject his Church you reject Christ. "He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me" (Luke 10:16).

    =>Christ said he would send: "the spirit of truth to guide you into all the truth" (John 16:13). He was not speaking of anyone and everyone to believe anything and everything they wanted; he was speaking to his Church. Clearly Holy Scripture is replete with Christ himself giving direct commands of authority for his Church and he charges all Christians to "Hear this Church," (Matt 18:17) the "Church of the Living God, the Pillar and Foundation of Truth." (1 Tim 3:15) Either this Apostolic Church is the "pillar and foundation of Truth" or it isn't? Either he sent "the spirit of truth to guide you into all the truth" (John 16:13) or he didn't. Do we believe what the Holy Bible says? Or are we more interested in remaining in a certain denomination/nondenomination or belief system? Either we believe the Holy words of Scripture or we don't. Either we "hear his Church" or we reject it. "He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me" (Luke 10:16).

    ? Where does the Holy Bible instruct or permit non-Catholics to ignore, reject or disavow Christ’s Church? What verse gives Protestantism its mandate to “protest” the "The church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth" 1 Tim 3:15 and start new churches with new theologies and gospels unheard of before the Renaissance era? "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings." Hebrews 13:8-9 Christ’s Gospel does not change over time. How did it change for your pastor?

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    In Conclusion

    Christian reader.
    If you reject Christ's historical Church, (the only Christian Faith that dates back to 33AD), if you reject this Church as the "Pillar and Foundation of Truth" (1 Tim 3:15), what Biblical command or what Biblical basis are you using to justify this? Or is this rejection Unbiblical, and you are simply embracing a "tradition of man" from the Renaissance era. Yes, the Renaissance era philosopher chose to reject Christ's Church to justify his new theology (ies). That unbiblical theology being that the Bible is the SOLE or ONLY infallible rule of faith all by itself, and the Authority that Christ gave his Church as illustrated above does not exist! I.e., the Renaissance era doctrine of "Sola Scriptura" or the "Bible Alone." This idea frees the Protestant to believe *anything he wants* about the Gospel of Christ for there is no one to stop him. Hence the 1000s and 1000s of Protestant denominations and NON denominations present today. Look up the word "church" in your yellow pages for an illustration. Search the Holy Bible, and find just One verse that teaches the “Sola” or the “Bible ONLY” idea, which mandates a rejection of the authority of Christ's Church. A rejection of the one "Bride of Christ." Click here: Is Sola Scriptura or the "Bible Only theory" even Biblical? Where does the Bible teach the "SOLA" in Sola Scriptura? In 1000 AD there was ONE Belief system for all of Christianity, one Christian Church, just as there was in 500 AD and 100 AD and in 33 AD., One Faith, the Universal (Catholic in Greek) Church. The Church Christ started in Matt 16:16-19. Christ's Church, the one "Bride of Christ."

    St. Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch and direct student of St. John the Apostles wrote in 110 AD.
    "Wherever the bishop appears, let the people be there; just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church" (Letter to the Smyrneans 8:2 [A.D. 110]).
    For more quotes on what "Catholic" means and how the Church was called Catholic since the 1st century
    Click here: What "Catholic" Means http://www.catholic.com/library/What_Catholic_Means.asp


    My friend, please reflect on the Biblical verses above in support for the authority of Christ's Church, the authority the Bible speaks of, the authority needed to "Teach all nations" with Christ's blessing for he will be with this Church "Until the end of the World" and the "Gates of Hell will never prevail against it." And contrast this with the absence of *any* verse teaching the SOLA in Sola Scripture. The absence of *any* verse stating or even implying that the Bible by itself is the SOLE or SUPREME infallible rule of faith.

    What else is there, what else has Christ's Infallibly Authority??? The Holy Bible tells us that before the NT Bible was even written, there was: "The church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth" 1 Tim 3:15.

    Christ's Church AND the Bible is the Authority you seek, just as the Holy Bible tells us over and over. For this Church is the institution that actually wrote and preserved the Bible. You may have been taught the opposite for many years, but just because one has believed something for years on end, doesn't mean it's true. I hope you agree. It's what the Bible tells us and what Christianity has taught for 2000 years.
    "So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us." 2 Thessalonians 2:15

    Jesus Christ does not change and neither does his Gospel. That is the reason for his ONE Church, to spread his ONE Gospel. Yet, instead of embracing the teachings of the Apostles as written in the Holy Bible and even embraced by his own Protestant reformers, the modern Protestant will cling to the Unbiblical and Anti-Biblical idea of "many faiths" or the "body of believers" and justify his present church's theology as somehow echoing the true teachings of the Apostles. When the fact is, many of his pastor's “strange teachings” Hebrews 13:8-9 were not even embraced by his own first Protestants in the 16th century. This is the quintessential example of non-Catholics believing what their pastor tells them is "just the Bible" rather than believing what the Apostles taught to include the whole of orthodox Christianity to include the first Protestant reformers. Only when Bible Believing Protestants accept the Bible's example and the teachings of Christ's Church and embrace the Authority he bestowed on it, -- only then will Protestants reject the illogical, unhistorical, unbiblical and even anti-biblical idea of "Bible Alone" and a rejection of Christ's Church for their complete knowledge of Christ's Gospel. Only then will they embrace:
    The church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth" 1 Tim 3:15
    Only then will they come to the fullness of Christ's Gospel. Christ does not change, so how did his Gospel change for your pastor, or the pastor down the street teaching yet another gospel or the pastor across the street from him?

    "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings." Hebrews 13:8-9

    God Bless you and all you do, Daniel

    “If we sin deliberately after receiving knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains sacrifice for sins 27 but a fearful prospect of judgment and a flaming fire that is going to consume the adversaries”. Hebrews 10: 26

    Please email me with your questions and concerns at: INRI33AD@aol.com

    (1) http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=24119

    14 SOBERING BIBLICAL QUESTIONS
    FOR THE DEVOUT CHRISTIAN
    The Catholic Faith comprises the verses not underlined in your personal Bible nor taught in Protestant seminaries or churches.


    Read the Bible verses not underlined in your Bible.

    “Test everything. Hold on to the good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21


    Suggested reading:

    Catholic Answers: "Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth" A compendium of basic Catholic beliefs and the Biblicism behind these beliefs. http://www.catholic.com/library/pillar.asp

     

    14 Questions for the Earnest Believer:

    1. Are you a Bible Believing Christian? Does your pastor preach " Bible Only?"
    Click Here: 40 Protestant Practices and Doctrines not found in the Holy Bible...
    http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/unbiblical.html

    2. Three Questions your pastor can't answer... http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/formypastor.html

    3. Seven Reasons Christians go to church. Which one is yours? ... http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/forchurch7reasons.html

    4. THE ORIGINS & AUTHORS OF THE PROTESTANT THEOLOGIES.
    Do you know who authored Protestantism's distinctive beliefs and in what century? You might be surprised.
    http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/dates.html


    5. "The 7 Stages of Christian Spiritual Development."
    What stage you are in?...
    http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/7stages.html

    6. Faith Alone (Sola Fide): It is a Catholic position.
    Has your pastor taught you that Catholics must "work their way to Heaven?" Another misunderstanding of Catholic theology.
    http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/faithalone.html

    7. "Who is the Bride of Christ?
    What does the Holy Bible say?
    ...http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/bride.html

    8. Non-Catholics often ask: "WHAT ELSE IS THERE?"
    "What else has Christ's Infallible Authority besides the Holy Scriptures?"
    Read the verses not underlined in your Bible nor taught in your seminaries or present church.
    http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/whatelse.html

    9. Is Sola Scriptura or the "Bible Only theory" even Biblical?
    Where does the Bible teach the "SOLA" in Sola Scriptura?
    Click here to read what the Bible says about God's Word and how it is to be taught...
    http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/ss.html

    10. Did the Bereans "Search the Scriptures" and thereby follow the "Bible Only" theory?
    Many claim they did, but not if you read the whole chapter, i.e., the verses not taught in non-Catholic churches. Read the story again and then decide.
    http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/bereans.html

    11. The 3rd Unanswered Challenge for Non-Catholic Theologies: Is the Catholic Faith Apostolic?
    Name just one Catholic doctrine that isn't. Name one doctrine the early Church believed,,,, that the Catholic Faith *no longer does*. Why can't the Protestant theologies make the same bold claim? http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/3challenge.html

    12. Biblically, did the "official teachings or doctrines" of the Catholic Church become corrupt or apostate? Are there verses in the Holy Scriptures that forbid this? What does the Holy Bible really say about: "The Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth" 1 Tim 3:15? http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/gatesofhell.html

    13. Is Praying to Saints Biblical? Is the "Hail Mary" prayer Biblical? (Read the Verses not underlined in your Pastor's Bible.) http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/saints.html

    14. HOW NON-CATHOLICS ARE COMPELLED TO USE AND EMBRACE AN UNBIBLICAL AND ANTI-BIBLICAL DEFINITION AND CONCEPT OF CHRIST'S CHURCH http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/onchurch.html

    Return to Homepage "A Biblical Case for the Catholic Faith" at: http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges"

    There is a case for the Catholic Faith. Perhaps you have just not given it a fair hearing. I can guarantee you that much of what your current pastor "says" Catholics believe, is not what they really believe. Always go to the source. One wouldn't ask the Democrats to comment on Republican ideals, and likewise, it is not fair to ask Protestant Pastors to explain Catholic theology. Ask "knowledgeable" Catholics what they believe or read it yourself on this site or the "Links" at the top of this page. Catholic theology was not invented in the last few hundred years as we find in Protestantism, it is the faith of the Apostles and that of your Christian Fathers for 2000 years.

    It is the "Bride of Christ"

    Click here: How to Become Catholic

    Please let me hear from you.

    God Bless you,
    Daniel

    "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 1 Peter 3:15

    Many Protestant pastors teach their parishioners that Catholic theology is not Apostolic, that it is not the teachings of the Apostles to Christ's early Church. I would offer the following challenge to you to ask your pastor:
    Click here: 3rd Unanswered Challenge for the Protestant Theologies: Is Catholic Theology Apostolic? Name one doctrine that isn't. Name one doctrine the early Church believed, that the Catholic Faith no longer does. http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/3challenge.html



    Please ask your pastor to email me with his answers/objections and please feel free to email me yourself with your questions, objections or comments.
    And please, ask your pastor the 3 Questions about his theology. And test his response as the Holy Bible commands.

    “Test everything. Hold on to the good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

    mail to: INRI33AD@aol.com


    Ignatius of Antioch, 110 A.D.
    (Bishop of Antioch and student of St John the Apostle):


    "Let no one do anything of concern to the Church without the bishop. Let that be considered a valid Eucharist which is celebrated by the bishop or by one whom he ordains [i.e., a presbyter]. Wherever the bishop appears, let the people be there; just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church" (Letter to the Smyrneans 8:2 [A.D. 110]).

    This and many other quotes from your Church Fathers can be found at the following link:
    Click here for the teachings of the Students of the Apostles on the following subjects: http://www.catholic.com/library/fathers_know_best.asp

    Below are the very words of our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture not underlined in your Bible on many subjects to include:
    What "Catholic" Means & how from the 1st century the Church was called Catholic:
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Mortal Sin and the Ability to lose one's Salvation,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Baptizing Babies,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on The Real Presence Of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on The evil in Abortion,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on The Existence of Purgatory in Scripture
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on The Antichrist,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Peter the Rock on which the Church was founded,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Apostolic Succession in the Church,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Praying to the Saints,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on the role of Apostolic Tradition in the Word of God,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on The Salvation of Non-Catholics,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on The Sacrifice of the Mass,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on The Necessity of Baptism,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Astrology,

    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on the evil of Birth Control,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on The Authority of the Pope in the Church,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Baptismal Grace and what it does,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Bishops Priests Deacons in Scripture,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Born Again in Baptism,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Confession and Confirmation,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Mary: "Full of Grace",
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Creation and Genesis,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Creation Out of Nothing,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on the Divinity of Christ,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Divorce & Remarriage,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Do Miracles Still Happen?,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Does God Have a Body?
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on the Eternal Son ship of Christ,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Filioque,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on God in Three Persons,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Hell,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Homosexuality,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Mary: Ever Virgin Mary,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Merit and Reward,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on The Old Testament Canon,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on One God or Many?,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Peter's Successors,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Peter in Rome,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on the Primacy of Peter,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Private Revelation, Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Reincarnation,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Resurrection of the Body,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Sabbath or Sunday?
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on The Trinity,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Trinitarian Baptism,
    Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Women and the Priesthood

    *Any reference to the phrase "non-Catholics" excludes the Eastern Orthodox Churches

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    Please email me with your questions, objections or comments.

    Email: INRI33AD@aol.com