I became a Christian 3 days ago, and I might want to become a Catholic. According to Catholics, am I a Christian yet, or not until I go through with a Catholic conversion?
2006-09-21 15:59:33 · 19 answers · asked by Developing Love 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
People, I know that Catholics are Christians! I'm asking if I'm a Christian according to Catholics, since I haven't had a chance to become a Catholic yet.
2006-09-21 16:09:51 · update #1
Congratulations! Welcome to the family.
Yes, Catholics believe you are already a Christian.
If you are interested in joining or just learning more about the Catholic Church, contact your local parish and ask about information about their RCIA Inquiry group.
You can go and ask any questions you want.
This is the first step in RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) but you can stop at any time.
There is no obligation to become a Catholic.
With love and prayers in Christ.
2006-09-21 17:32:48 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Honestly, what or who are you seeking after? To be a Christian, you have to have distinct guidelines. John 3:16 simply says "For God so loves the world that He gave is only begotton Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life". "But God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved". You have to exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to start anywhere. The first thing you must do, is to confess your sins to God; secondly, you have to ask Jesus to come into your life and for Him to be your Lord and Savior and thirdly, make a 180 degree turn around from that sinful life, the things that you used to do, that you know was wrong, try and stop doing them. The Bible tells us that all our good works are like dirty rags, but the death of Jesus on the Cross of Calvery can take away all that we have done when we ask God the Father, not a priest or a minister to forgive use and cleanse us. So you could be a Catholic, a Pentecostal, a Baptist.... whatever, if you don't accept the Lord Jesus Christ into your life, you haven't done a thing. You're still the same sinner you were three days ago. Catholic or any other brand name can't save you, get hooked up with the One who can give you the assurance to life everlasting and has the keys to Heaven. That is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Love, be bless.
2006-09-21 16:20:46 · answer #2 · answered by charmaine f 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Catholic Church is the one true Church created by Jesus Christ. He gave the leadership of his Church to the first Pope and trusted disciple, Peter “The Rock” (The Rock meaning the Church that Jesus established) The Catholic Church is the only church that can legitimately say that there is continuity from the time of Christ. Other Christian denominations were established several hundred years later. If we were to believe other sects, that would mean there was a time line for several hundred years in Christianity where there were no Christians at all.
I have read a lot of insults regarding my Catholic religion, and I do admit that there were mistakes made, but these critics do not realize the good majority it has accomplished. The martyrs who sacrifice their lives for other to live, if it wasn’t for Catholicism western civilization would have not existed. (Not even the Protestants) ).( Banking, Commerce, The Roman Calendar that is used internationally, etc) Europe would have been an Islamic continent if it weren’t for Catholicism. (It’s a fact). Bible thumping pilgrims who sailed to the New World would have been Islamic. Western nations that colonized South America and Asia as well would have been affected, and you could kiss your freedom goodbye since there wouldn’t have been a separation of religion and government. People are so comfortable now these days that they forget to look back at their roots. Its funny how the liberals and the seculars keep on complaining about religion not thinking where they owe their culture from.
2006-09-21 16:14:53 · answer #3 · answered by Kurt 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
The official stand of the Catholic church is that salvation only comes through the Catholic church. In the times we live, when tolerance ( so-called ) too often prevails over truth, this is often denied.
Quote: "The Second Vatican Council's Decree on Ecumenism explains: "For it is through Christ's Catholic Church alone, which is the universal help toward salvation, that the fullness of the means of salvation can be obtained. It was to the apostolic college alone, of which Peter is the head, that we believe that our Lord entrusted all the blessings of the New Covenant, in order to establish on earth the one Body of Christ into which all those should be fully incorporated who belong in any way to the People of God."268
2006-09-21 16:02:55 · answer #4 · answered by raininmyshoe 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Stay away from Catholicism. The teachings of the Catholic Church will only lead you away from God not towards Him.
There isn't too much about the teachings of the Catholic Church that is Biblical. They incorporated the teachings and practices of the Jewish and pagan religions into their doctrine and practices.
Catholism is a religion based on man. The Church saves you, the Church forgives you of your sins, the Church can even decide where you spend your eternity. All this is false. Jesus is everything. He saves you, He forgives you of your sins, and He decides where you spend your eternity. Any Church that says their leader or head takes God's place on this earth is a Church you want to run away from very quickly. The Catholic Church is one of those churches.
For some of the reasons why their teaching are false I suggest you read my response to the yahoo question 'Which is more important to Catholics?" http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AhaND1ArlZ_h8_4XYh..ac_sy6IX?qid=20060627130502AABOLBY
Also, "whynotaskdon" on Yahoo Answers would be a good person to talk with about the Catholic Church. He used to be a Catholic. He no longer is. He will tell you why. This is his web page http://www.toughlove.faithweb.com/
God has a Church that is right for you. Pray and ask God to lead you to that Church.
You can't ever go wrong if you depend on God to lead you and give you direction in life.
2006-09-21 16:49:56 · answer #5 · answered by starone 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If you were baptized with water in the name of teh Father, Son , and Holy Spirit, Catholics consider you a Christian. If you were baptized in this manner and later to decide to become a Catholic, you will not need to be baptized again.
There is a LOT of misinformation in the previous answers regarding the Catholic Church and what Catholics believe. The Catholic Church is VERY biblical. it was the Catholic Church that put together the Bible, in fact.
If you are interested in becoming Catholic, go to your nearby Catholic Church and let them know that you are interested in becoming a Catholic and sign up for RCIA classes.
Contact me if you have any questions about the Catholic Church.
2006-09-22 02:27:13 · answer #6 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
You can go to catholic from anything. Just ask a catholic priest
2015-01-16 07:48:58 · answer #7 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catholics are one of the least inclusive christian sects. By their doctrine, you may very well be a christian, but you are worshiipping incorrectly and it doesn't count. But there is no penalty for your prior religion if you decide to join the catholic church.
2006-09-21 16:03:25 · answer #8 · answered by juicy_wishun 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Catholicism is a religion.
Christianity is a relationship with Christ.
The Catholic church teaches and practices stuff that isn't biblical.
Find a bible believing church.
Read and study the bible.
Ask questions. And check them against the Word of God.
http://www.thebereancall.org/
2006-09-21 16:08:13 · answer #9 · answered by redeemed 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Watch out for Catholics, they believe in a lot of stuff that was never in the Bible. Purgatory for one.
I would pray about it more and visit a few different congregations. Even non-denominational.
2006-09-21 16:05:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋