Protestants, why is it that........?

Question

...when you ask your Christian friends to pray for you, you don't think that interferes with Christ's mediatorship; But when Catholics ask their Christian friends in heaven to pray them, you all of a sudden say THAT interferes with Christ's mediatorship?

I invite people to read this information for scriptureal support:
http://www.catholic.com/library/Praying_to_the_Saints.asp

To "Peasoup": Please read this:
http://www.catholic.com/library/Pillar.asp

PS: That avatar is a picture of the REAL Catholic Crusader riding the Amtrak to work

To "William D": Here:
http://www.catholic.com/library/Praying_to_the_Saints.asp

To "Blessed3x": If it were a 2-way communication, you would be correct, but in Hebrews 12: 22-24 it says that as we approach God, Jesus and the angels, we also approach "the spirits of righteous men made perfect". In other words, THE SAINTS

Answer 1

Excellent point. Both Catholic and Protestant Christians ask other Christians to pray for them. But only Catholics believe Jesus when he says, "He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive" (Luke 20:38).

The question is not why Catholics ask the saints to pray for them. The question is, why do Protestants have so little faith in the resurrection?

Cheers,
Bruce

Answer 2

You mean intercessors?

You may be talking apples and oranges.

One deals in the here and now... the other deals with beings in the heavenlies. Remember that God is a jealous god and He doesn't like any form of worship to anyone but himself.

When an intercessor prays with or for another, they are still on the earthly plane petitioning the Heavenly Father to consider their request. Not all prayers get answered in the manner anticipated but they do get heard.

Answer 3

I bet in the event you cross during which denomination of church you attend, so much Christians are Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant. I do not suppose many centered church buildings fall external of that umbrella (despite the fact that a few name themselves non-denominational) Personally, I allow Jesus educate me, and a few matters I've found out do not accept as true with both Catholic/Protestant dogma. The Bible is plenty extra complicated than the ordinary individual realizes. Therefore, I recall myself non-denominational. I'd alternatively cross to a church that used to be educating the Word proper, than cross to a church given that it used to be of a distinct denomination... As a long way as Protestants cross, there have additionally quite been many "one-offs" in latest years, so can one quite categorize them as "protesting" Catholicism?

Answer 4

http://www.scripturecatholic.com/saints.html

more scriptural proofs of the communion of saints.

what always baffles me is how protestants take our catholic book, take books out of it and then tell us we are intrepreting it wrong despite the fact we have taught the same truths and doctrines for 2000 years.
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/
look under the church fathers section on the top to see how catholic the early christians were.

truth is the catholic church that christ established is just like christ
the same yesterday today and forever.

protestants run the risk of not believing in the authentic jesus christ of the bible by not belonging to his church. for example many so called christians deny the trintity,the need for baptism and even the divinity and human nature of jesus christ!!!!!!!! the church came before the bible and the best evidence we have to know what the early christians believed come from the didache(did-a-k) and the writings of the early church fathers,you can find them at the link provided above. for those that don't know the didache(did-a-k) is believed to be the earliest christian document,preceeding the bible, it is the teaching of the 12(apostles). god bless.

for what catholics believe try this link
http://www.scripturecatholic.com/

Answer 5

I wonder why Jesus would offer the story of the rich man in Hades asking Abraham to send Lazarus to provide water to him while he was in torment in the afterlife, if there was no communication between those who are no longer alive on earth. Abraham had to communicate the harsh fact that no one could help him and also that no one could influence his living kin to change their ways, because they wouldn't believe someone who had returned from the dead. Through this story, Christ indicated that there was a communication going on with those who had died.

When Jesus was on the cross, bystanders remarked that he was calling upon Elijah, and they waited to see if Elijah would save him. Does this not indicate a Hebrew belief in calling upon holy men who had passed from their current life? Did not Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus during the transfiguration on the mountaintop? Did not the disciples offer to make tents for them?

If it is okay to ask for prayer from those you can see in this world, then it is equally acceptable to ask for prayers from those who are one with Christ in glory . This does not diminish the mediatorship of Christ, but acknowledges it. He is God of the living, both those who have passed from this place of trial and longsuffering to those who have entered into their heavenly inheritance.

Answer 6

That's one thing I've never understood either. As a protestant, I have yet to hear a convincing argument for the "protestant point of view". I think the Anglicans/Episcopalians have the best take on it: if it works for you, great; if not, not.

Peace to you.

Answer 7

Because the Bible strictly prohibits communicating with the spirits of the departed, and also when I pray together with friend on earth, I am agreeing in prayer with them. Christ said that when two ON EARTH agree in prayer He would be with them and answer their prayers, he never said when one on Earth agrees with one in the hereafter. Also, if it was necessary to include the Saints in our prayers, Christ would have told us so.

Your quote from Hebrews still never says that praying to saint is necessary, just that as we approach God we are approacing the hosts of Heave which surrounds Him. Even if I can not show that it is a sin to pray to Saints, I still know that it is not necessary. Christ has made the way for us to approach the throne of grace, we don't NEED anyone to go for us. If I have the right to go right into the presence of Christ Himself, why would I want to send someone else in my place? I love Him with my whole heart and want to see Him face to face, why would I choose to put someone else in between myself and my Lord?

And perhaps if you went directly to Him, you'd find that prayer is a two way communication.

Answer 8

Well your worshipfulness Protestants believe only Jesus Christ is the mediator between man and God. Catholics believe others are qualified to be mediators between their relationship and God, besides Jesus Christ.

Answer 9

Show me the scripture that supports asking saints who have departed to pray or do anything for you and I will agree that your practice is correct.

Answer 10

dont interfere with christs mediatorship is my motto