or a just a man who founded it? Remember that Jesus is God in the flesh. So don't you think that it would matter if He did establish a Church and wouldn't you want to make sure that you are a member of that Church if you call yourself a Christian?
2006-07-02 18:43:04 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yeah, I go to the church of the Nazarene, which is a relative new kid on the block going back only a few decades. That is the one thing I always feel uneasy about.
2006-07-02 18:48:31 · answer #1 · answered by Singlemomof10 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Do you think that making an assertion more often makes it more truthful? All churches, including the Catholic Church have been corrupted by the time and space that separate us from Jesus.
It is important to understand that all of the teachings of the Catholic church are not based on the Bible. One of decisions made at the Vatican II council was that Catholic tradition had the same authority as scripture. The result are some Catholic teachings that are not contained in scripture, such as the immaculate conception of Mary. Others seem to contradict some scripture. For example consider the following passage from 1 Timothy Chapter 4:
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will renounce the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by God’s word and by prayer.
That scripture would seem to contradict the Catholic teaching that priests must be celebit.
Most protestants believe in something called Solo Scriptura, which means that the Bible and only the Bible forms the basis of faith. There is no room for tradition. There is also no room for a single person, in this case the Pope, to have the ability to define a new doctrine completely on his own.
I am not trying to be critical here. Personally, I do not have an issue with the Catholic church. But you have to understand that it is a fact, acknowledged by the Church, that all Catholic teachings are not based on scripture, and that is why some Christians do not accept their teachings.
2006-07-03 01:47:58 · answer #2 · answered by MacDeac 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know why they say that. You would think they would like a Church founded by God and following God's principles like the Catholic Church and not some man-made church that leads people away from the truth of the Lord.
2006-07-03 14:43:30 · answer #3 · answered by Candice H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The way I have always believed is that when the Bible says that Jesus established a church, it was referring to the people who followed him, the "body of Christ", not to any building. So therefore any follower of God and the Bible is already a member of that church.
2006-07-03 01:49:01 · answer #4 · answered by Crys H. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seekthetruth, I'm happy for you that you prefer the Roman Catholic Church. But for me, I need to be in a church where I can grow in my relationship with God. I've tried Roman Catholic churches and am not comfortable in praying memorized prayers or the rituals of that church. They have no meaning for me in my relationship with Jesus.
2006-07-03 01:55:27 · answer #5 · answered by Searcher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have more than one question going on here! (1) Absolutely,..it would & does matter to God about the foundations of a "church". (2) It most definitely would matter to the "man" whom ever he was? that began the "church" whichever church your speaking about?..for various reasons...some of those would include monetary gain, prestege, deception, etc. (3) If your refering the the Lord's "Church" ..it is actually a relationship that Christ wants from the individuals..not a "religious" creed.
2006-07-03 01:53:51 · answer #6 · answered by maranatha132 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus never founded a church in the first place and second he said that he was god's son like we are all god's children
2006-07-03 01:46:36 · answer #7 · answered by sssspy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
But the church changes. Martin Luther saw this. In his time, the Catholic church was selling forgiveness for MONEY! Jesus preached that forgiveness was free for the asking. Doesn't line up.
2006-07-03 01:46:09 · answer #8 · answered by strausseman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mat 16:18 And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church,
- looks like he founded his church
- looks like Peter was selected to lead it
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
- looks like God promised to protect his church from evil and from teaching the wrong stuff, knowing full well that lots of church men would become corrupt.
Mat 16:19 And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
- looks like Jesus gave Peter (and his successors wide ranging authority to govern the church.
And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.
- looks like God agreed to ratify everything the pope decrees.
Those who fail to understand the real power of God are easily led astray by false teachers.
Jesus founded only one church, the Catholic church, which still saves souls and still teaches God's whole truth, without error.
Since the Catholic church was the ONLY church in existence for the first 1500 years of Christianity, it MUST BE the true church.
No other person or group has the authority from God to start their own church, make their own rules, or change the bible to suit their own particular preferences.
If God isn't happy with the Catholic church, he can destroy it in an instant. If he's not happy with the pope, God can fire him.
When people (especially people like Martin Luther) break away and do their own thing, instead of staying with the true church and working to eliminate human corruption, all they do is make Satan's job of ruining souls, much, much easier.
It's people who have problems with corruption and evil ... not the supernatural, God ordained institution which is the holy Catholic Church, which has Jesus for its' head, all the faithful for its' body, and the Holy Spirit as it's advocate.
28:16 And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
Mat 28:17 And seeing him they adored: but some doubted.
Mat 28:18 And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19 Going therefore, teach ye all nations: baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.
Regarding the matter of indulgences: An indulgence does not have the power to forgive sins, or to release any soul fom hell. While there was some abuse that occurred with illicit sales of indulgences, an indulgence has the power only to secure early release for a soul in Purgatory, who is already guranteed heaven. Protestants don't generally even believe in Purgatory, so what's the big deal about indulgences?
2006-07-03 03:17:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if that church were still following God's principals.
"To the law and to the testimony. If they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them." Isaiah 8:20
2006-07-03 01:45:58 · answer #10 · answered by Einsteinetta 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋