Protestant Christians, if you found out that Jesus founded the Catholic Church would you join that Church?

Question

or would you reject Jesus because of it? Don't forget that Jesus is truly God and one with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

By the way, the Catholic Church is the Church of God.

May God bless you.

The word "catholic" means universal which is what the Church always has been from the beginning. So the name went from simply "The Church" to being known as the Catholic Church.

Ignatius of Antioch (Early Christian Bishop, Martyr, and Catholic Saint)

"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]).

The Martyrdom of Polycarp

"And of the elect, he was one indeed, the wonderful martyr Polycarp, who in our days was an apostolic and prophetic teacher, bishop of the Catholic Church in Smyrna. For every word which came forth from his mouth was fulfilled and will be fulfilled" (Martyrdom of Polycarp 16:2 [A.D. 155]).

Tertullian

"Where was [the heretic] Marcion, that shipmaster of Pontus, the zealous student of Stoicism? Where was Valentinus, the disciple of Platonism? For it is evident that those men lived not so long ago—in the reign of Antonius for the most part—and that they at first were believers in the doctrine of the Catholic Church, in the church of Rome under the episcopate of the blessed Eleutherius, until on account of their ever restless curiosity, with which they even infected the brethren, they were more than once expelled" (Demurrer Against the Heretics 30 [A.D. 200]).

The office of the Pope was established by Jesus when He gave His authority to Peter as the first to hold that office as chief shepherd of the universal Church. Peter then went to Rome and was martyred there.

Answer 1

Yes I did find out, and yes, I did become a Catholic... :) In one church in our area, they had over 100 converts this year to the Faith, we had about 12 alone! God bless them all!

God bless you to :)

Answer 2

Jesus was born, raised, and died a JEW, for Christ's sake.

And if the Catholic Church is the Church of God, I suspect that God is less than pleased with her. The church - ANY church - is a human institution, and like all human institutions, it has its flaws and has made mistakes. Catholics in Rome allowed political and doctinal disputes with churches in the East to balloon into a great schism that exists to this day. The Church has committed horrible acts of violence against (mostly innocent) victims during the Inquisition. The election of a number of immoral popes (Alexander VI is the first to come to mind) betrays the fact that the church hierarchy has at times been not the least bit interested in fulfilling the spiritual needs of its flock. The Church allowed its fixation with material worldliness and the desire for a grand basilica in Rome to split the church yet again during the Protestant Reformation. Most recently, and particularly in the US dioceses, the priest abuse scandals - and the ensuing cover-ups - have greatly damaged the Church's witness to Christians and non-Christians alike.

Having said all that, I DO believe that the Catholic Church is a force for good in the world. I do not pretend that it is perfect or free from error; neither should you. Accept the criticism, but recognize what the Church has done right; I think you can articulate the case well. And instead of wasting your time trying to convince all of us fellow-believers of your position, get out in the world and make disciples of ALL nations - especially those who love to point to arguments among Christians as reason enough to stay away.

Answer 3

No. Because it has strayed too far away from the teachings of Christ. Only God can forgive sins. And only God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are divine. And the seventh day of the week is the Sabbath of the Lord our God. The Catholic church has gone against those things and set up a human being as equal with Christ, claims to be able to forgive sins, and 'changed' the day of worship from Sabbath (7th day) to Sunday (1st day).

Answer 4

To me, it doesn't matter who founded the Catholic Church. There are certain doctrinal beliefs that have been changed in that particular religious body from the original teachings of Christ. The current Catholic church is not the same as it was 2,000 years ago. For that reason, I would not be comfortable converting to catholicism.

But I still believe that Catholics and Protestants can be in heaven!

God bless you too!

Answer 5

If the Catholic church followed the teachings of Jesus and God.... absolutely I'd join.
Maybe at one point they did.
It is more important for me though to do as God says than it matters what denomination I am affiliated with.
One of the things that concerns me about the Catholic church is that they seem to be more concerned with wanting people to be labeled as a Catholic than they are concerned whether or not people love Jesus. It sounds like a lot of human pride to me.
Are there catholics who are going to heaven.... I think so. Is the Catholic church the way to heaven.... no.

Answer 6

Hi Champ,why would your church for so long encourage its members not read the bible,i think you are missing the point,anyone can have a relationship with God,its in the bible.Sorry for being so hard on you,but some of my best freinds call themselves catholic but have absolutely no idea about the bible and God's saving grace.

Answer 7

I don't think Protestants understand that the Catholic Church is the one true Church founded by Jesus Christ and the Apostles.

Answer 8

No, i wont join because it relationship with God thats matter not which denomination. when you die, God wont ask you which denomination are you, God is interested how and what is your relationship with Him. which denomination does not give you salvation, salvation is in Christ Jesus not denomination, it when you believed in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. Jesus is not the founder of the church He is the foundation of the church. the church is the body of Christ. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Faith whould not be based on which church or denomination is the earliest or builded first, but based on the word of God, which is true, faithful and never changing. Human might change their mind and opinion and ways. But the word of God will never change, therefore choose wisely, choose where you want to base your faith on?
the word of God or on denomination.

Nobody comment that your denomination is not the church of God, indeed that is for God to decide, in His word mention that, God knows who is His. so you do not have to worry as long as you abide in His word.

The word of God said everything will fades away (that's mean include denomination) but My words will not fades away.

May God bless you too.

Answer 9

I believe God would not approve of churches. Why can't God be everywhere and around at all times for us? Why must we follow old texts which are recorded by men who are not infallible? Why must we have a spiritual leader when we can live in the spirit of Jesus?

Answer 10

Probably not join it. Nothing that is created stays the same forever, it is being run by fallible humans. I attend a Wesleyan church, but don't agree with everything there, or anywhere else I've been. I attend church, but will probably never become an actual member of one.

Answer 11

I don't mean any dis-respect, but what you are pasting and putting up there isn't Bible, it's Catholic literature. if you want to make a someone to take this seriously, use the Bible to back up your point.

for instance:
Catholic's love repeating the same prayer, over and over.. is this right? well lets see what the Bible says (KJV of course)

Matthew 6:7
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.