Are Protestants ready to receive the Pope into the Body of Christ if he repents of his wrong doctrine?

Question

If the pope sees the light, and has a true conversion are you willing to forgive him his condemnation of all Protestants? What about the people that have been led astray for centuries? This pope can not repent for the ones before him, but how infallible are these guys when he can go back to Vatican II and say the popes were too liberal in their translation? The big claim to being the "Only Real Church" is from from one misinterpreted quote to Peter. Peter did not were funny hats, have people kissing his ring and take a vow of poverty, then live in decadent wealth with servants to wait upon his every whim. I know plenty of born again Catholics that will be in Heaven, but they don't really pay that much attention to the pope and when they have a serious question or want to know where something is in the bible, they call a Protestant. May God forgive the leaders of this House of Lies.

It is amazing that you think I believe my church is the "only" Church. I did not mention any denomination, and in fact go to a bible believing non-denominational church. Paul gave plenty of instructions on not tolerating false prophets and told Christians to rightly judge the Body. He in fact told us to judge matters in the House of God, and that we will judge angels. Read up before you pull out that double edged sword. It would also help if you read up on the Catholic Statement of Faith. Your "unbroken" line from Peter looks very unGodly when you look at your popes. Look up the "House of Borgia" on wikipedea. Common sense and a few minutes of bible study will show that God did not leave any one man to be the Christ on Earth, and that all that confess Jesus as Lord and believe in their hearts are saved. Romans 10:9-10. RCC conception of a God so small that He can be trapped in a wafer, or stored in a box is too small for me. Go back to Latin, since you can't understand English. Awake!

Many of you are making my point by saying only God can determine a person's state of salvation. The pope [ not any more qualified than any man] reinterated that All Protestants are going to hell, and in fact most Catholics as well. I am secure in my relationship and am simply contending for the truth as given to us in canonized scripture as some seem not willing to study to show themselves approved. "Call no man Father and beware of those forbidding marriage" comes to mind. I pray for the pope. Why did he pick this particular time in history to make a point to cause more division with Christians. The terrorists must love this.

Answer 1

This is not a likely scenario.

Yes

Too much ritual, symbolism, wrong worship, displaced authority, abuse, and just plain ERROR in the Catholic religion.

Me mom and her entire Italian family were all Catholic. None of them ever said a word to me of the Saving Grace of Jesus Christ.

dave

Answer 2

Good factor: Since the Catholic Apostles and Fathers have been a lot nearer in time to the gospel parties, they most likely had greater capabilities of the ones parties and of the language and customs of the technology. In addition, that they had recourse to the oral traditions that predated the written gospels and that deliver principal historical past capabilities for know-how them. John makes this factor on the finish of his gospel 21:25): "Jesus did many different matters as good. If each one in every of them have been written down, I feel that even the entire international could no longer have room for the books that could be written." This signifies that we'd like modern day bills to completely have an understanding of Jesus' phrases and movements. Protestants who disregard Catholic doctrines declare to take action at the groundwork of the Bible, however that still offers a crisis. They do not appear to have an understanding of the the New Testament was once commissioned, decided on, and canonized by way of the Catholic-Orthodox Christians of Jesus' customary church. It does not make feel that individuals who issued the New Testament don't have an understanding of it, and that the ones studying their texts 15-20 centuries later obtained it proper. Cheers, Bruce

Answer 3

Why wouldn't we? The Pope is no more special than anybody else on the planet and God is no respecter of persons. People who have done worse than the Pope have found salvation.

That being said there are saved and unsaved in EVERY church on the planet, both Protestant and Catholic. No one church or denomination has a corner on salvation or the truth.

Answer 4

"I know plenty of born-again Catholics that will be in Heaven"

So now you're God judging who's going to heaven?

Not only that, but you're mistaken. The Pope didn't say the Second Vatican Council was too liberal in their interpretation. He said liberals interpreted the Second Vatican Council wrongly. Honey you actually believe Jesus would bless any other Churches then the One, and only? Jesus started One Church that's why it's the true Church, not 10000 different denominations. Lol yeah like I need a Protestant to interpret the Bible for me.

Answer 5

The question is not whether or not we Protestants will be ready to forgive the Pope and receive him into the Body of Christ. The question is whether or not GOD will accept him into the Body of Christ. None of us is qualified to forgive or to accept into the Body of Christ. That is up to God, not us.

Answer 6

Isn't there something in the Bible about a house divided against itself cannot stand? Perhaps Christians in whatever manifestation should heed this rather than argue amongst themselves about whose interpretation of their religion is right. It might just make their religion a tad more believable - at least, those of us who do not believe would have a clear idea of what they believe!

Answer 7

Boasting will incite Jehovah to punish and cut off one's inheritance to the kingdom.

Only those Gentiles that obey Jehovah have been shown mercy and have been properly "grafted" into the olive tree, amongst the obedient branches of the Jews, the chosen ones of Abraham. Paul warns that it is not good to be boastful of one's occupation in the olive tree, for Jehovah can still cut off those that remain disobedient, Gentiles especially since they do not comprise of the root but only wild crafted branches grafted into the olive tree.

Romans 11

Answer 8

It's not up to the Protestants to decide who comes into the Body of Christ. It's up to Christ. There are many people in the Body of Christ who are not "accepted" by their brethren (very sad, I know) yet are still accepted by God.

Who cares if they accept him? It should only matter that Christ is willing to.

Answer 9

I believe the Pope, like any, would be received with forgiveness and grace.

I've read the responses to this question, and I believe that if we are truly in Christ, how can we be divided? If we are truly in Christ, (in my opinion), how can we consider denominational interpretation of scripture to be gospel over the real gospel? If we are truly in Christ - why accept that God is finite? None of us knows the full will of God. All of us fall short - all are unrighteous "there are none righteous - no not one", and that includes Catholics as well as everyone else of every denomination under the sun.
Yet what is it that binds us together?
I believe with all my heart:

1 Corinthians 12:12
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.

and ANY other verse referring to the body of Christ is in reference to those who believe on Him, ask for forgiveness of sins, and repent to be received by grace to be be forgiven of sins and inherit the full kingdom of God. Period.

The Gospel could not be more simple than that. What a concept! Savation by grace alone. And yet not without cost. Belief in a Holy God who wills that we believe on Him, rely on Him, glorify Him... is the small price we pay to receive this grace.

I believe that this verse
Matthew 16:18
And I tell you that you are Peter, [Peter means rock.] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades [Or hell] will not overcome it. [Or not prove stronger than it]

is in reference to Peter's confession that Jesus is the Christ - God incarnate. It's the confession that is the foundation for the Church. It's the confession on which Jesus will build His church. "Peter" was not being singled out as a leader... his confession was being emphasized as the foundation of the new Covenant in Christ... or Christ Himself as the Rock. "Jesus is the ROCK of my salvation"

2 Samuel 22:3
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn [ Horn here symbolizes strength. ] of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior— from violent men you save me.


Psalm 18:2
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn [ Horn here symbolizes strength. ] of my salvation, my stronghold.


Psalm 62:2 AND 6 (it's actually repeated!)
He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

Psalm 62:7
My salvation and my honor depend on God, He is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Psalm 95:1
Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Peter submitted to God to be used as a means to an end. He brought the people to the full Gospel of peace, he did what he was called to do. And he preached that the body of Christ - the Church - was for everyone. The church isn't "named" - it's GIVEN.

We all have our part in the body of Christ. None is greater than the rest. All are welcomed into the house of the Lord. All who repent and ask forgiveness are saved by grace.
I refuse to put God in a Catholic box, or a Pentacostal box, or even a Jewish box or any other box.
My God is bigger than that.

blessings :)

Answer 10

In answer to your question, yes it would be great to see the reigning pope turn away from the error that has been promoted over the centuries.. to thos ecatholics here, please know that GOD is the ONE whom we worship..so please make sure in all you do that is true. I would like to add to the question, that this reminds me of Saul's conversion.. His name was changed and he had to have intervention from GOD to receive assistance after his conversion..so for the pope it would be the same I would imagine..let's not be bitter over these differences..let us love one another according to the example in THE WORD OF GOD, and be in one accord in one place, to receive THE HOLY SPIRIT..