The Bible severely warns us not 2 trust humans, not even ourselves, clergy/churches/scholars (Jer 10:2-5,23; Is 2:22; Job 12:11; Prov 14:12; Acts 17:11). So carefully think over what I say. Dont just believe or dismiss what I write. It might save u from making the same mistake many made, getting caught up in religious beliefs having nothing 2 do with knowing God (poisoned tree/its fruit).
Rituals hv no meaning under the NT Covenant. Hebrew rituals were by instruction of God (b/c of bondage 2 sin) the best 1 could do under God’s Law (None in NT). Other religions (even many Christian) either copied or invented rituals (the best humans could invent within limits of being human). Jesus’ perfect sacrifice canceled the need 4 all rituals/priests (doing them calls God a liar as it makes it appear Jesus failed His mission – Jesus is the only Priest now). The closest thing 2 a ritual is Communion but its not 2 b treated as a ritual as its 2 b treated most seriously (not Jesus’ actual body/blood – Cc belief).
Many dont know the diff. btwn a ritual done as a ritual & genuine "remembrance" – not possible without knowing Jesus’ actual Biblical instructions – absent in Cc teachings (the Cc didnt write any of the NT [not a Cc text - NT was written by 1rst century Apostles {NT Gospels/letters preserved the truth 4 all ppl not the Cc}, full Cc possession was not until 4th century] which contradicts their claims. Jesus is about being 1 in Spirit & truth not rituals – God allowed them 2 produce the Bible despite their wrong teachings like He allowed Romans 2 fulfill prophecy without their knowledge [happening again today). A teaching can hv a truth but the action taken is superficial - The Cc/others, like the Pharisees, know how 2 clean the outside of the cup but dont understand how the inside is 2 b cleaned with respect 2 Jesus' actual message. The fact that the Cc/other religions hv an altar @ the center of their practices is 1 clue of their being about rituals not the truth.
Problem is theres many religions/subset varieties. 1 day I realized they cant all b right (i.e. theres 1 Bible, why so many interpretations? - II Pet 1:**19-21). Most religions came thru ppl who thought up things 4 a God they/others liked. Some realized religion could b good 2 control the masses & 4 other agendas - but, religion cant teach u much about God (they cant teach what they dont know). Who knows more about a house the Builder or he who moves in later?
4 Christians, trouble began when the Apostles/disciples were killed off or died during the 1rst century (Christianity was illegal @ that time). Over the next century others, whom either didnt know Jesus or were less informed than Jesus' 1rst generation of believers &/or (un)intentionally added in their own ideas/agendas, replaced the original believers. By the time the Cc religion became a "state - Jn 18:36" recognized, organized religion in Constantine's reign (about AD 325), most of what Jesus taught & original Apostles practiced were no longer present.
The Cc mixed in Pagan religious practices 2 please & draw in ppl, thus, creating a new religion they labeled "Christian/Catholic". The Cc's, like other religions' agendas (some mayve been well-intentioned), was mostly 2 control masses & 2 influence politics (II Tim 2:*4; I Jn 2:*15-17; Col 2:*8; Jer 10:*2-5). The Cc claims they didnt give out Bibles 4 over a century b/c ppl couldnt read so why didnt they teach ppl 2 read?
God & Jesus hv never been about pleasing man. In fact, the Cc, RCc & Oc made religions just like the Pharisees, which Jesus flat out stated was an abomination b/c they were about pleasing man not God (Mt 23:15; LK 16:15). Even when Protestants/others split off from the Cc they kept the same wrong Cc format.
Even tho these churches got rid of some of the Cc nonsense they still didnt know much about Jesus (most skipped over Biblical instructions 4 various agendas) nor did they go 2 the Bible 2 find out all Jesus' instructions [a huge mistake, as they're fulfilling prophecies against their practices (Amos 8:*11; Jr 12:*10: Is 5:*9 (large houses r churches - Mt 24:*1-2); Hos 4:*6: Mk 7:1-23 (John 3:*3,5 & Ez 36:24-27,*26); Lk 16:**15 (see Rv 21:27; Jr 10:**2-5; Is 1:*11-15)].
2 Major Cc lies:
1. The CC claims 2 b the 1rst church & since they r the longest existing church, they r the only "official" church. Jesus’ Apostles never named their church catholic (not in the Bible nor in line with God’s message that never changes) nor did they ever practice Cc religious rituals. There was nearly a 250 yr gap btwn Jesus’ original Apostle’s church & the start of the official Cc – there4, the Cc was never a part of or the true 1rst Christian Church (Neither a label, title, name, its history, # of members, amount of time it existed or claims made about them means anything (u can call anything anything). Its whats practiced that makes them either the whole truth or a lie. A dictionary def. doesnt necessarily encompass God’s full definition/usage of a word (or His exceptions thereof). I.e. Jesus & Biblical prophets were never muslims no matter what Islam claims & the Cc’s claim of veneration of saints/Mary is a form of idolitry no matter what they claim (calling a dog god doesnt make it God).
2. Peter was never a pope nor was he/other Apostles ever members of the Cc (not in the Bible = no apostolic succession) the use of the word pope is a Cc invention – the Bible instructs us not 2 go beyond whats written (I Cor 4:6; Rv 22:18-19 – Cc so-called *oral* teaching isnt in the Bible). Peter was never a bishop of the Cc (he died nearly 250 yrs b4 the Cc became a church). Peter wouldnt call himself a pope or b a member of the Cc b/c calling 1self "holy" Father & other Cc teachings r abominations (combo of rituals/false priesthoods – Paul meant he was like a father not a holy Cc father). Even the devil knows Jesus is the Son of God so 1 would b wise not 2 trust any church ahead of whats in the Bible. Calling urself a Christian/saying u believe in Jesus doesnt make it true – recital of words means nothing (Mat 23:2 says do what they say not what they do [they were under Pharisee rulers] – now we know Pharisee practices r wrong so we follow Jesus’ Biblical teachings [u can leave the Cc - Luke 10:16 - He who rejects Jesus/His Biblical teachings rejects Christ - if a person/church isnt listening 2 Jesus then we dont listen 2 them]).
More Cc wrongs:
Mass (not in the Bible) is full of non-biblical rituals, Statues (God isnt in2 dead things – non-living things can’t help or save any1 – praying 2/using them r abominations), the Rosary & beads, mother Mary (virgin 2 Jesus’ birth) as interceder (Jesus is the only way 2 God – not His Apostles/disciples – Jn 14:6; 5:39; 10:1,7; Acts 4:12; IS 1 – Mary was a sinner & had children after Jesus – Mt 12:46-50), candles, incense, the cross (its a symbol of the curse rather than Jesus & 4 the same reasoning against statues), making the sign of the cross, holy water, stations of the cross, the pope’s/other leader’s garb they wear, confirmation, trinity, the Cc creed/other documents, raising ppl (especially dead ppl) 2 the status of "saint" (only God/Jesus hv such authority), nuns, monks, purgatory, catechism, devotionals, sacraments, holy eucharist, penance, traditional/repetitive type prayers & other things they do rnt in the Bible – cancels any truth they know.
Religion is built on what man likes, not on Jesus’ instructions. The result is few will b saved thru most of them (u cant save urself by ur own initiative nor will good deeds save u – theres no good in any man – Rom 1:23). 1 must b very careful not 2 get sucked in or going 2 various denominations (especially if u dont hv a good handle on whats actually written in the Bible) as it’ll add 2 ur confusion.
B/c religions made many fatal mistakes doesnt mean God doesnt know what He’s doing. Many missed this: Jesus is the only 1 in history who said no1 can find our real God except thru Jesus (Jn 14:6; 5:39; 10:1,7; Acts 4:11). This means "the" truth was complete & finished thru what Jesus did. So, all so-called new teaching/other religious beliefs r invalid & cant lead u 2 God. The truth is either the whole truth or its a lie. Either Jesus told the whole truth or He’s a false prophet, among many, whom should b disregarded. It would also mean God must not exist either (He either knows what He’s doing or He cant b God).
Jesus couldnt hv done nor said what He did unless He fully knew the entire OT (NT didnt exist @ the time of Jesus – the only way Jesus couldve known the whole OT is if God sent Him). The Apostles couldnt write the NT unless Jesus allowed them 2 know & remember His purpose (Lk 24:25-27,45). Only God could cause it.
No matter how much well-meaning ppl (religious or not) read the Bible they cant find Jesus without going 2 Him thru His Biblical instructions (Jn 5:39; 10:1,7; 3:3,5). God outsmarted man – the Bible is the only 1 that cant b properly understood without Jesus (Jn 14:6; II Cor 3:14, Is 29:11-12 – If Jewish ppl cant pierce the veil over the OT without Jesus then all gentiles cant). Its why theres many interpretations & many thinking its fairy tales (Jesus came with the sword of division).
voyc4rmwldrns
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The Holy One of Israel, Jesus Christ, God’s Holy Spirit, the Bible, careful research & observation & personal experience provided by the Most High – He who has the Son has the Father also but he who doesnt hv the Son doesnt know the Father either – it shall b sheer terror 2 understand the real message – God doesnt respect any man or his religions. It comes down 2 do u want 2 know who our real God is? Theres many ways that seem right 2 man but its end = death (theres only 1 path [not many] 2 God & thats thru Jesus). Biblical knowledge in & of itself wont save u. Borrowing true knowledge from others wont help u – if u hv a good meal poisoned with arsenic adding better quality food (patching it) wont cure the problem but it may prolong ur inevitable death but it’ll b death nevertheless – its still part of the poisoned tree. Its useless 2 try 2 patch a tire thats full of holes.
Whoever seeks Jesus Christ with all his heart & soul will find God & His real Kingdom (u shall know the truth & it’ll set u free). But why should God want u 2 live with Him 4ever if u dont want 2 know Him His way (reason 4 free will – Jn 1:12-13)? The truth of God remains 4ever unchanged while things of a man dies with him, including his religions/gods made in his image.
On 1 hand, God hates us b/c of our sins – neither being a good person as judged by men or religion can save u. On the other hand, God loves us dearly enough 2 send His Son 2 die 4 our sins – so that thru Jesus our sins could b 4given if we sincerely turn 2 Him – Theres eternal hope only in the real Jesus Christ & His Bible.
***If Jesus came from God as His only Son as stated in the Bible then the Quran (doesnt agree with the Bible), the Book of Mormon (BOM) [no such thing as "another testament"], JWs (rewrote some Bible verses – New World Translation) & other religions r wrong about Jesus b/c they demote Jesus 2 just a prophet or good man (1 way or another). If Jesus Christ isnt God’s Son (false prophet) then the Bible & all others r wrong. We cant hv it 2 ways. Theres only 1 Jesus & there can only b 1 true Gospel (II Cor 11:4; Gal 1:6,9; I Tm 6:3). If Jesus is whom He says He is then Muhammad (muslim = follower of Islam), Joseph Smith (Mormon = Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints – LDS), Jehovah’s Witnesses (JWs = Watchtower, Awake), most Catholics, many Protestants, Ellen White (7th Day Adventists), Mary Baker (Christian Scientists), the moonies (Unification church – Rev Moon), Church of Scientology (Dyanetics – L Ron Hubbard), Buddhism, Hinduism & others presenting other teachings/practices r the false prophets & teachers & should b disregarded. But I can assure u the truth is in the Bible (where Jesus was coming from in everything He did & said).
Many (see above par.) claim they believe Jesus is the Son of God (even the devil knows who Jesus is) but having read the entire Bible, some parts many times, I state with authority that those listed above dont know God or Jesus. If ur foundation of teaching is wrong it cancels out all ur other claims = a house built upon sand. Jesus wasnt speaking out of 2 let alone 1000s of the sides of His mouth.
Whatever is loosed on earth is loosed in Heaven still must adhere fully 2 the Bible truth, what Jesus taught & 1 must hv right belief in Jesus 4 it 2 mean anything (what the Cc & others dont understand – i.e. Jesus is the only High Priest [God is the only 1 allowed 2 b called "Holy Father" so theres no valid priesthood/rituals after Jesus' resurrection] – when the OT covenant ended [many like the Cc kept the OT format] – NT is about God’s Spirit & the physical relationship with the full Spiritual truth of righteousness [NT reinforces/explains OT & OT shows NT validity] not mechanical type religious rituals/practices & human traditions).
Religion is about a loosely defined generic god (spirit of religion) not what Jesus taught about our real God. He who would b wise gets away from all religion & seeks the 1 who came from God. Many ppl make the mistake of trusting a church "authority" over the Bible (where God & Jesus wrote the actual truth). If u dont know whats actually written in the Bible u cant tell if the church is on or remaining on the right path (Jesus isnt in2 how many or how well u can do rituals).
A church thats very serious about finding the Biblical truth, understands what being Born Anew is about, might b able 2 help u but no1 can save u except Jesus (Jn 3:1-14 – note: Nicodemus was very religious but Jesus flat out told him he had missed the 1rst most important step, that he must b Born Anew or no matter how religious or good he thought he is he couldn’t go 2 Heaven (Jn 3:3,5; Jn 14:6; Acts 4:12). No1 can live without breaking God’s Law = sin – separates us from God (why we need 2 b Born Anew the right way).
Many dont know that God is fully aware many would [un]intentionally twist & pervert His Word so He invented a system in the Bible that will never change (Just like God & Jesus – more visible in word 4 word [with the right amount of the literal method] versions).
Regarding Bibles I recommend the English Standard Version (ESV) as its an easy 2 read but more accurate version than what others will suggest. Its very important 2 understand the most accurate Bibles r those that r word 4 word or a combination of word 4 word + the right amount of literal translation (4 readability). Presently, theres 30+ versions of the Bible (generally popular 1s – many shouldnt b called Bibles). Only a few r translated close 2 whats in the original text. The ESV adheres 2 the word 4 word method while making it easy 2 read (literal method) – the best accurate Bible 4 the younger crowd – but its good 4 parents, children & others 2 b reading the same Bible 4 good communication (get 1 with verse references so u can easily look up related text). Dont get a Catholic Edition b/c they include the Apocrypha or "lost" books that rnt Biblical as they duplicate, dont hv the same foundation/structure, contradict &/or cant b authenticated – relying on anything written in them is a waste & leads 2 paths that rnt Godly nor will u know the real Jesus Christ.
Many well-meaning ppl will suggest using the King James Version (KJV), claiming its the only "authorized" version (authorized by a human king not God). The trouble is that the KJV (& all Old English versions) is in older English (which was good in its day) thats not been spoken 4 over 150 yrs so its obsolete (u almost hv 2 learn a new language, why many stop reading it). Other versions add in their own style/ideas or rewrite sentences obscuring the truth & the power of God such as the AV, ASV, DR, RE, NKJV, NRSV, GNB, CEV, NCV, HCSV, JB, NJB, NIV, NIRV, NLT, Living – Way, Message & Paraphrased (click on my ID & look 4 questions about Bibles & my answers 4 more info).
]]>to put it plainly not a damn thing go learn about your faith
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I have heard from some Catholics that the term "Roman Catholic" is considered slightly offensive. However, I have heard from others that it is not offensive, and some Catholics even refer to themselves by that description.
There are other churches that call themselves "Catholic" but are distinct from the church that is usually considered the Catholic Church (that is, the church led by the pope at the Vatican). The term "Roman Catholic" may be used to distinguish this church from the other separate churches (such as the Old Catholic Church).
~God Bless You~
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Catholic
Rites vary mainly on the tradions around the prayers of the mass, and the administration of sacraments.
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http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/catholic_rites_and_churches.htm
EDIT here is a better article:
]]>An Eastern Catholic is someone that belongs to one of the autonomous Eastern Catholic churches; they are found mostly (you guessed it) east of Rome.
All Catholics are Christians.
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