September 26, 2005
"I Believe In Life Everlasting": The Catholic Church's Teaching on the Last Things
Due to recent comments made on this blog, I felt it necessary to lay out in clear detail exactly what the Catholic Church teaches in reference to death, the particular judgment, heaven, purgatory, hell, and the final judgment. Some of you have attempted to claim that after death we are all simply asleep until Christ's Second Coming and the Final Judgment, knowing nothing and being unable to praise and worship Jesus Christ. Sacred Scripture and the writings of Christians down through the ages clearly disproves this false belief. The following is from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (the footnote numbers throughout the text can be referenced at the bottom of the article):
ARTICLE 12
"I BELIEVE IN LIFE EVERLASTING"1020 The Christian who unites his own death to that of Jesus views it as a step towards him and an entrance into everlasting life. When the Church for the last time speaks Christ's words of pardon and absolution over the dying Christian, seals him for the last time with a strengthening anointing, and gives him Christ in viaticum as nourishment for the journey, she speaks with gentle assurance:
Go forth, Christian soul, from this world
in the name of God the almighty Father,
who created you,
in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God,
who suffered for you,
in the name of the Holy Spirit,
who was poured out upon you.
Go forth, faithful Christian!
May you live in peace this day,
may your home be with God in Zion,
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with Joseph, and all the angels and saints. . . .May you return to [your Creator]
who formed you from the dust of the earth.
May holy Mary, the angels, and all the saints
come to meet you as you go forth from this life. . . .
May you see your Redeemer face to face. 591
I. THE PARTICULAR JUDGMENT1021 Death puts an end to human life as the time open to either accepting or rejecting the divine grace manifested in Christ.592 The New Testament speaks of judgment primarily in its aspect of the final encounter with Christ in his second coming, but also repeatedly affirms that each will be rewarded immediately after death in accordance with his works and faith. The parable of the poor man Lazarus and the words of Christ on the cross to the good thief, as well as other New Testament texts speak of a final destiny of the soul--a destiny which can be different for some and for others.593
1022 Each man receives his eternal retribution in his immortal soul at the very moment of his death, in a particular judgment that refers his life to Christ: either entrance into the blessedness of heaven-through a purification594 or immediately,595 -- or immediate and everlasting damnation.596
At the evening of life, we shall be judged on our love.597
II. HEAVEN
1023 Those who die in God's grace and friendship and are perfectly purified live for ever with Christ. They are like God for ever, for they "see him as he is," face to face:598
By virtue of our apostolic authority, we define the following: According to the general disposition of God, the souls of all the saints . . . and other faithful who died after receiving Christ's holy Baptism (provided they were not in need of purification when they died, . . . or, if they then did need or will need some purification, when they have been purified after death, . . .) already before they take up their bodies again and before the general judgment - and this since the Ascension of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ into heaven - have been, are and will be in heaven, in the heavenly Kingdom and celestial paradise with Christ, joined to the company of the holy angels. Since the Passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, these souls have seen and do see the divine essence with an intuitive vision, and even face to face, without the mediation of any creature.599
1024 This perfect life with the Most Holy Trinity - this communion of life and love with the Trinity, with the Virgin Mary, the angels and all the blessed - is called "heaven." Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness.
1025 To live in heaven is "to be with Christ." The elect live "in Christ,"600 but they retain, or rather find, their true identity, their own name.601
For life is to be with Christ; where Christ is, there is life, there is the kingdom.602
1026 By his death and Resurrection, Jesus Christ has "opened" heaven to us. The life of the blessed consists in the full and perfect possession of the fruits of the redemption accomplished by Christ. He makes partners in his heavenly glorification those who have believed in him and remained faithful to his will. Heaven is the blessed community of all who are perfectly incorporated into Christ.
1027 This mystery of blessed communion with God and all who are in Christ is beyond all understanding and description. Scripture speaks of it in images: life, light, peace, wedding feast, wine of the kingdom, the Father's house, the heavenly Jerusalem, paradise: "no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him."603
1028 Because of his transcendence, God cannot be seen as he is, unless he himself opens up his mystery to man's immediate contemplation and gives him the capacity for it. The Church calls this contemplation of God in his heavenly glory "the beatific vision":
How great will your glory and happiness be, to be allowed to see God, to be honored with sharing the joy of salvation and eternal light with Christ your Lord and God, . . . to delight in the joy of immortality in the Kingdom of heaven with the righteous and God's friends.604
1029 In the glory of heaven the blessed continue joyfully to fulfill God's will in relation to other men and to all creation. Already they reign with Christ; with him "they shall reign for ever and ever."605
III. THE FINAL PURIFICATION, OR PURGATORY
1030 All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.
1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.606 The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:607
As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.608
1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin."609 From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.610 The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead:
Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.611
IV. HELL
1033 We cannot be united with God unless we freely choose to love him. But we cannot love God if we sin gravely against him, against our neighbor or against ourselves: "He who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."612 Our Lord warns us that we shall be separated from him if we fail to meet the serious needs of the poor and the little ones who are his brethren.613 To die in mortal sin without repenting and accepting God's merciful love means remaining separated from him for ever by our own free choice. This state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed is called "hell."
1034 Jesus often speaks of "Gehenna" of "the unquenchable fire" reserved for those who to the end of their lives refuse to believe and be converted, where both soul and body can be lost.614 Jesus solemnly proclaims that he "will send his angels, and they will gather . . . all evil doers, and throw them into the furnace of fire,"615 and that he will pronounce the condemnation: "Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire!"616
1035 The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity. Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, "eternal fire."617 The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs.
1036 The affirmations of Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Church on the subject of hell are a call to the responsibility incumbent upon man to make use of his freedom in view of his eternal destiny. They are at the same time an urgent call to conversion: "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few."618
Since we know neither the day nor the hour, we should follow the advice of the Lord and watch constantly so that, when the single course of our earthly life is completed, we may merit to enter with him into the marriage feast and be numbered among the blessed, and not, like the wicked and slothful servants, be ordered to depart into the eternal fire, into the outer darkness where "men will weep and gnash their teeth."619
1037 God predestines no one to go to hell;620 for this, a willful turning away from God (a mortal sin) is necessary, and persistence in it until the end. In the Eucharistic liturgy and in the daily prayers of her faithful, the Church implores the mercy of God, who does not want "any to perish, but all to come to repentance":621
Father, accept this offering
from your whole family.
Grant us your peace in this life,
save us from final damnation,
and count us among those you have chosen.622V. THE LAST JUDGMENT
1038 The resurrection of all the dead, "of both the just and the unjust,"623 will precede the Last Judgment. This will be "the hour when all who are in the tombs will hear [the Son of man's] voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment."624 Then Christ will come "in his glory, and all the angels with him. . . . Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. . . . And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."625
1039 In the presence of Christ, who is Truth itself, the truth of each man's relationship with God will be laid bare.626 The Last Judgment will reveal even to its furthest consequences the good each person has done or failed to do during his earthly life:
All that the wicked do is recorded, and they do not know. When "our God comes, he does not keep silence.". . . he will turn towards those at his left hand: . . . "I placed my poor little ones on earth for you. I as their head was seated in heaven at the right hand of my Father - but on earth my members were suffering, my members on earth were in need. If you gave anything to my members, what you gave would reach their Head. Would that you had known that my little ones were in need when I placed them on earth for you and appointed them your stewards to bring your good works into my treasury. But you have placed nothing in their hands; therefore you have found nothing in my presence."627
1040 The Last Judgment will come when Christ returns in glory. Only the Father knows the day and the hour; only he determines the moment of its coming. Then through his Son Jesus Christ he will pronounce the final word on all history. We shall know the ultimate meaning of the whole work of creation and of the entire economy of salvation and understand the marvelous ways by which his Providence led everything towards its final end. The Last Judgment will reveal that God's justice triumphs over all the injustices committed by his creatures and that God's love is stronger than death.628
1041 The message of the Last Judgment calls men to conversion while God is still giving them "the acceptable time, . . . the day of salvation."629 It inspires a holy fear of God and commits them to the justice of the Kingdom of God. It proclaims the "blessed hope" of the Lord's return, when he will come "to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at in all who have believed."630
----------------------------------------------------------------------591 OCF, Prayer of Commendation.
592 Cf. 2 Tim 1:9-10.
593 Cf. Lk 16:22; 23:43; Mt 16:26; 2 Cor 5:8; Phil 1:23; Heb 9:27; 12:23.
594 Cf. Council of Lyons II (1274 A.D.):DS 857-858; Council of Florence (1439):DS 1304- 1306; Council of Trent (1563 A.D.):DS 1820.
595 Cf. Benedict XII, Benedictus Deus (1336 A.D.):DS 1000-1001; John XXII, Ne super his (1334 A.D.):DS 990.
596 Cf. Benedict XII, Benedictus Deus (1336 A.D.):DS 1002.
597 St. John of the Cross (1542-1591 A.D.), Dichos 64.
598 1 Jn 3:2; cf. 1 Cor 13:12; Rev 22:4.
599 Benedict XII, Benedictus Deus (1336 A.D.):DS 1000; cf. LG 49.
600 Phil 1:23; cf. Jn 14:3; 1 Thess 4:17.
601 Cf. Rev 2:17.
602 St. Ambrose (333-397 A.D.), In Luc.,10,121:PL 15 1834A.
603 1 Cor 2:9.
604 St. Cyprian (200/210-258 A.D.), Ep. 58,10,1:CSEL 3/2,665.
605 Rev 22:5; cf. Mt 25:21,23.
606 Cf. Council of Florence (1439 A.D.):DS 1304; Council of Trent (1563 A.D.):DS 1820; (1547 A.D.):1580; see also Benedict XII, Benedictus Deus (1336 A.D.):DS 1000.
607 Cf. 1 Cor 3:15; 1 Pet 1:7.
608 St. Gregory the Great (540-604 A.D.), Dial. 4,39:PL 77,396; cf. Mt 12:31.
609 2 Macc 12:46.
610 Cf. Council of Lyons II (1274 A.D.):DS 856.
611 St. John Chrysostom (344/354-407 A.D.), Hom. in 1 Cor. 41,5:PG 61,361; cf. Job 1:5.
612 1 Jn 3:14-15.
613 Cf. Mt 25:31-46.
614 Cf. Mt 5:22,29; 10:28; 13:42,50; Mk 9:43-48.
615 Mt 13:41-42.
616 Mt 25:41.
617 Cf. DS 76; 409; 411; 801; 858; 1002; 1351; 1575; Paul VI, CPG § 12.
618 Mt 7:13-14.
619 LG 48 § 3; Mt 22:13; cf. Heb 9:27; Mt 25:13,26,30,31-46.
620 Cf. Council of Orange II (529 A.D.):DS 397; Council of Trent (1547 A.D.):1567.
621 2 Pet 3:9.
622 Roman Missal, EP I (Roman Canon) 88.
623 Acts 24:15.
624 Jn 5:28-29.
625 Mt 25:31,32,46.
626 Cf. Jn 12:49.
627 St. Augustine (354-430 A.D.), Sermo 18, 4:PL 38,130-131; cf. Ps 50:3.
628 Cf. Song 8:6.
629 2 Cor 6:2.
630 Titus 2:13; 2 Thess 1:10.
In Christ,
Joe
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Joe, a few things to add (correct me if I am wrong)
At the last judgement:
1. the souls in purgatory, heaven, and hell all receive new bodies (resurrection of the just and the wicked) - with the exception of those such as Jesus and Mary (and possibly Moses, Elijah, and Enoch) who have already received their new bodies.
2. All the souls in purgatory who have not yet entered heaven join the Saints in Heaven - their purification is complete.
In some sense, Protestant Eschatology is correct in saying that no one goes to purgatory after the LAST judgement and that prayer for the dead is no longer of any use after the LAST judgement.
Posted by: Broken Record at September 26, 2005 02:35 PMOther matters which may be worth highlighting (though I too am happy to be corrected if my understanding of the Catholic doctrine is faulty):
It has not been defined formally, but most theologians speak of purgatory as a "state of being" rather than a "place". Similarly, it is inaccurate to think of purgatory as having "time".
Peace.
Posted by: fidens at September 26, 2005 07:51 PMHello Joe,
Do you think it possible that not one single human soul will ever end up in hell?
Jeanette
Posted by: Jeanette at October 27, 2005 10:53 PMJeanette,
Is it possible? Sure, for all things are possible with God.
The likelihood of that happening though is another matter. Keep in mind no one spoke more about hell then Jesus. I don't think He did this only to scare us. His love is a gift, we have free will. Therefore we can reject God. While we cannot say specifically that any one person is hell, we can say that Jesus makes multiple references to the Final Judgment where there will be those on His right and those on His left....
In Christ,
Joe
Dear Joe:
Yes you right, nothing is impossible for God. Its possible that no one will go to hell. But in order for that happen everyone of us must believe in God and recieve him as our lord and saviour and follow his word. I really dont know if anybody is in hell, but the Bible and jesus said multiple times whats going to happend if we dont follow him. And i think many people who has pass on who did recieve him as their lord and did not follow his word and rapidy sin everyday then there are in Hell. I will not expect them to be in heaven, but thats not my call to make anyway.
God Bless
Ramon
Ramon,
Agreed...we must believe in God and follow his commands, thus the need for faith AND works. One thing though...where does Jesus state that we must receive Him as our "Lord and Savior?" I agree with you that He is our Lord and our Savior but where does this "receiving" or "accepting" come from? Just curious...
In Christ,
Joe
Dear Joe:
You asked ".where does Jesus state that we must receive Him as our "Lord and Savior?" I agree with you that He is our Lord and our Savior but where does this "receiving" or "accepting" come from? Just curious..."
Joe would you agree with me that not everyone want to worship God or believe in him? Now Asking Jesus to be our Lord and our Savior, that must be our decision wither or not we want to follow him. You and I already made that decision. It like a little Prayer that a person who's either New to the walk of God or those who have left the church. It ask God to come to their lives and guide them. And ask God to Forgive there Pass sins, since they are like Born-again (Note: Not Baptise)and they will follow him. A pass sinner who want to follow christ must first accept God into their lives since God was not within there hearts (since they commit sins, did not follow christ, therefore they was walking with sin).
O and Joe would you answer me this question that i always curious. You know when we go to heaven either when we died or when Christ comes again, do you suppose we would have supernatural powers since we will be in heaven and no longer be a mortal man?
God Bless
Ramon
Ramon,
In terms of "supernatural" powers, I'm not sure what you mean by this. What specific powers are you speaking of?
I understand what you are saying about our decision to follow Christ, but where in Scripture does Jesus or the writers of the books/letters of the New Testament state that we must "accept" or "receive" Jesus as our Lord and Saviour?
Is this something that your church says is necessary? If so, I am sure that they have some "biblical" reference that this is based on.
In Christ,
Joe
Dear Joe:
Really anything, like any Supernatural Powers, like flying and stuff that a human cannot do.
Joe is our decision to follow christ or not. Jesus gave us free-will and by that i mean we must first decide wither or not we want to follow christ or not. Salvation is simple, but it is not cheap. It cost Jesus Christ everything so that salvation could be offered to us freely. God has made His salvation available on the basis of a personal faith which even a child can exercise. Everyone is reduced to the same level in the eyes of God, and all must come to Him on the same terms (Romans 3:9,10; Galatians 3:22)
You must accept His gift of salvation. "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.... For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:9,13). The first message that Jesus preached was, "Repent ye, and believe the gospel." (Mark 1:15). "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." (Proverbs 28:13)
Its not a force to worship, we do it because we want. God gave us free-will to chose whatever we want. We must personal accept him to our lives since we have been a sinner.
A sample prayer of this special prayer is as follow. I got this from the internet:
Lord Jesus, I confess with my mouth that you alone are the Lord: and I believe in my heart that you died in my place on the cross and shed your blood for my sins and for the sins of the world, and that you rose from the dead to give me everlasting life, and that you are alive forever more. I believe that you are the way, the truth and the life, and that there is no other way to heaven. I believe that whosoever calls on your name shall be saved. I know that I am a lost sinner; I confess my sins to you, Oh God, and I forsake them. I accept Jesus Christ's shed blood and death as my sin sacrifice. I ask you to come into my heart right now and make me a new creature in your image. By faith I receive your word, and I ask you to lead me by your Spirit into all truth from this day onward.
God Bless
Ramon
Ramon,
First, initially we won't have bodies in heaven, at least not until the resurrection of the body on the Last Day, so all of those physical things that humans can't do aren't really applicable...like flying.
Secondly, I really don't think we are going to be so much preoccupied with what we can or can't do but rather with Almighty God.
Ramon, in reference to your last comment I would point you to Matthew 7:21...you know, "not every one who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven..." You get my point. Accepting Jesus is an everyday thing... The reason I was asking you about this was that this idea is a typically Protestant, you know..."accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior." This is often associated with a "one time" event, then "you" are saved. The Catholic Church, on the other hand, encourages the Catholic faithful to realize that faith must work through love, strengthened and originating in the grace of Christ, and that this living according to Christ's will entails a daily acceptance of Christ.
It is a nice prayer though...
In Christ,
Joe
Dear Joe:
You said "Ramon, in reference to your last comment I would point you to Matthew 7:21...you know, "not every one who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven..." You get my point"
I get your point, but we dont teach that when we pray that prayer we are Saved, and WE WILL GO TO HEAVEN. Rather we teach in order to go to heaven we must follow his footsteps, obey his word (ETC). We dont teach that praying that prayer, we will go to heaven even if we sin. This Prayer is only done when we want to leave our old world (full of sin) and enter a new life with christ. For people who are new to the walk of christ this is the first prayer they do. And we know that we can lose our salvation if we sin, we dont teach that praying that prayer we are completly Saved. It takes more than a prayer to be saved for life. Just to give you some info about that. For somebody who did not follow christ, do you think they accept him everyday? We believe that once a person has decided to leave his own self, they will accept Jesus Christ as there personal savior through this prayer, this prayer dont tells us we are save and we can do what ever we want.
You said "Secondly, I really don't think we are going to be so much preoccupied with what we can or can't do but rather with Almighty God."
I guess you right.
Dear Joe:
Just need to do a correction.
We believe that once a person has decided to leave his own self, they will accept Jesus Christ as there personal savior through this prayer, this prayer dont tells us we are save and we can do what ever we want.
Is we believe that once a person has decided to leave his old self (the sinfull part)they will accept Jesus Christ as there personal savior through this prayer, this prayer dont tells us we are save and we can do what ever we want.
God Bless
Ramon
Ramon, I like very much the "sinner's prayer" that you posted. Someone pointed out that it resembles very much the "act of contrition" that Catholics pray.
My God, I am sorry for having offended you and I detest all my sins because of your just punishments but most of all because they offend you my God who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to sin no more and avoid the near occasion of sin.
By the way, I noticed that your scripture references in responses talked much about faith, trust, repentance, obedience, following him, and confession. Nothing yet about "accepting" or "receiving" Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Posted by: Broken Record at November 19, 2005 10:46 PMDear Broken Record:
There are a few.
"For if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." —Romans 10:9
We see confess, which means profess or talk out loud. If we talk out loud (to accept jesus christ) we are saved, however it does not mean we WILL GO TO HEAVEN because sin will always be there but with christ help we can overcome it.
On the contrary, salvation is an appeal to God for cleansing from sin, forgiveness, and repentance so that we might not sin. This appeal is a heartfelt confession of our hopelessness before God and an acceptance of Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf. It is simultaneous with sincere repentance which is a turning from sin, not to it.
To receive Jesus in our hearts mean we have first acknowledged that we are sinners and that we are incapable of saving ourselves or of appeasing God in any way. We acknowledge before God that we are helpless and worthy of damnation. But with this, we also acknowledge that Jesus is the one who paid the penalty for our sins. We realize that there is no possible way that we can make things right with God by our own works. When we accept Jesus as our Savior we are accepting the call to repentance from sin. God then calls us His children: "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name," (John 1:12).
Accepting Jesus into out lives so that we can be saved is a choice. By Claiming to accept Jesus as Lord without obeying Him is like claiming you are sitting in a pew and standing in a parking lot at the same time. It is a self contradiction. One must understand whats he actually doing when he accept jesus christ as savior, is not Magic words or a joke.
To the Colossians, Paul wrote:
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness (Colossians 2:6-7
You can either accept him and believe in him or reject him and dont believe in him. once we have accepted him we must follow his word, for saying those words we are not complety saved but rather we ask God to come to our lives.
God Bless
Ramon
Ramon, when Catholics confess Jesus as Lord and believe in their hearts that God raised him from the dead, why do evangelical Protestants insist that Catholics have NOT accepted Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior?
Posted by: Broken Record at November 21, 2005 11:33 AMDear Broken record:
The reason why many protestants pastors have claim that Cathoics did not really accept Jesus Christ as there personal lord and savior is because of this. First of all to accept jesus christ as your Personal lord and savior is to accept all of his teachings (orginal) and the apostles orginal teachings. The many unbiblical doctrines and practices in the cathloic church is why this is happening. The cathloic church follows unbiblical traditions and follow men doctrines, how then can you dare say that you accept jesus christ and let follow wrong-doing behaviors of others. By what the cathloic church is teaching (False doctrines) is why many pastors are saying that cathloics did not accept jesus christ as there personal lord and savior.By putting you faith in false doctrines is not accepting Jesus Christ Broken!.
Paul could confidently tell Timothy, “Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:14-15). Why could Paul say that? Because all Scripture is inspired by God; it is authoritative because it is God’s Word, not man’s.
1 Corinthians 4:6
6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, [1] that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.
By going beyond means caliming False doctrines to be true in the eyes of God.
The inspired scriptures are our authoritative source for doctrine and conduct (2 Timothy 3:16-17). They fully equip us "unto every good work" because they are inspired of God (God-breathed). The only way to hear Christ today is through the message preached by His apostles and prophets (Matthew 17:5; Hebrews 1:1-2; Luke 10:16; John 13:20). Any doctines that were not taught in the bible are False doctrines!
The Bible claims inspiration for itself and no other outside of its inspired writers and prophets.
1) All prophets were inspired -- 2 Peter 1:21 "For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit."
2) All scripture is inspired -- 2 Timothy 3:16,17 "Every scripture inspired of God {is} also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work."
3) Prophecy was to be done away with -- 1 Corinthians 13
4) No more additions or subtractions allowed after book of Revelation -- Revelation 22:18,19 "I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book."
The Last one is very good. Why does it say add unto it? Easy if anybody either add anything by written or oral that is not found in the bible that it is false, and they will suffer for what they did.
Jesus made it clear that tradition was not equal to scripture. In Mark 7:3
Jesus' response to the Pharisees and their traditions applies with equal force to the traditions of the Catholic Church today. In Mark 7:6-13
Second, the Bible makes it clear that God's revelation to man was only for the time that the church was initially being built until such a time as the complete will of God was revealed. In 1 Corinthians 13:8-10
Third, it is clear from the scripture that man's authority never has been on equal footing with God. So the cathloic church cannot bear doctrines that they claim are true and equal with the word of God.
This last point is clearly proved through the history of the Catholic Church in the very magisterium that is claimed to be infallible. Time and time again, the Catholic Church contradicts itself over its own doctrines. The aplostles themselves calim doctrines however the doctines was made by inspired teachings not what one said to be true and place it with the aplostles teachings. Paul told Timothy that everything that he needed to know to be a faithful man of God was found in the scriptures ( 2 Timothy 3:15,16).Yes there was authoritative tradition in the first century, but the authority in that "tradition" ended with the apostles and inspired teachers of the first century. The doctrines today in the cathloic church was not inspired by the apostles.That authority was not handed down to uninspired successors who then were able to preach and teach their own traditions and etc. until the present day.
This is best way i can say for myself why many pastors calim cathloics of not really accepted jesus christ.
God Bless
Ramon
Dear Broken Record:
To put it short the main reason i know so far of why Protestans pastors said cathloic's did not really recieve Jesus Christ as there personal savior is because to accept him is to follow his word, and by following False docrtines is not recieving Jesus Christ as your personal lord and savior. Going by the Cathloic Church and its false teachings.
God Bless
Ramon
Dear Ramon
I'm going to ask you to take a little journey back in time. To the time that Jesus walked this earth. Specifically, I'm going to ask you to picture yourself with Jesus' disciples, in that scene described in John 6 verses 25 to 71. I'm going to suggest you read that passage through, just to familiarize yourself with the detail.
Ramon, imagine you are there, with Peter and all the disciples, listening to Jesus.
Ramon, read the following verses again, and think carefully about them, because I will ask you just one question at the end.
v 51: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
v 52: Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us us his flesh to eat?"
v 53: Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.
v 54: Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
v 55: For my flesh is real food, and my blood is real drink.
v 56: Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.
v 57: Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.
v 58: This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna in the desert and died, but he who eats this bread will live forever."
v 59: He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
v 60: On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"
v 61: Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you?
v 62: What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before!
v 63: The spirit gives life, the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
v 64: Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the begining which of them did not believe and who would betray him.
v 65: He went on to say, This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."
v 66: From this time, many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
Ramon, now continue to picture yourself with the disciples, listening to Jesus teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. When Jesus is finished, there's a hushed silence. Then you hear many of his disciples starting to talk among themselves. Some are shaking their heads. So you can see that they don't accept what Jesus has just taught. The talking gets louder. People are starting to get angry. The disciple next to you turns and walks out of the synagogue, leaving Jesus. And you see many others doing the same.
What's going through your mind, in that synagogue at Capernaum, Ramon? Are you thinking, this is not an easy teaching. Perhaps you think of leaving, too. Then, Jesus speaks again:
v 67: "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.
v 68: Simon Peter answered him. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."
Ramon, do you see yourself being guided by the example of Peter and the other Apostles, accepting this teaching of Jesus, like they do, even if you don't fully understand it, believing that Jesus will explain it in due course? Do you find yourself agreeing with Peter, when he says: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know you are the Holy One of God"?
Do you see yourself staying with Jesus, like Peter and the other Apostles?
Ramon, you can come back to the present now.
Whether or not you are aware of it, the Catholic Church has always accepted this teaching of Jesus. Exactly as it is recorded in the John's Gospel. The only way Peter and the Apostles could have accepted it. At face value. Not "figuratively". Not "symbolically". Not any other way.
In effect, Catholics "remained with Peter and the other Apostles" that day. And, through the Mass, continue to be able to "eat the Body of Christ and drink His Blood", just as they have done from the Last Supper onwards.
So, Ramon, going back to that synagogue in Capernaum, my question to you, is:
Would you have acccepted Jesus' teaching, "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day" to mean exactly what He said, and stayed with Him, like Peter and the other Apostles did?
Yours in Christ
Brian
Ramon, I am praying for you while I "post" this. I ask that you will pray for me, too.
Posted by: Brian at November 27, 2005 08:27 AMDear Brian:
You said "Ramon, do you see yourself being guided by the example of Peter and the other Apostles, accepting this teaching of Jesus, like they do, even if you don't fully understand it, believing that Jesus will explain it in due course? Do you find yourself agreeing with Peter, when he says: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know you are the Holy One of God"?
Do you see yourself staying with Jesus, like Peter and the other Apostles?"
I would accept Jesus Teaching even though at first i may have question's or do not fully understand the all concept of it. I will follow Christ all the way wither or not i fully understand what he saying, for i know in future time i will gain the understanding of it through the Holy Spirit. Of course Brain i dont believe that Jesus told them that when he died on the cross to eat his flesh and cut his body and drink his blood. But rather through the Last supper, The bread meaning his Body and the wine or berry juice meaning his blood. If i did answer everything you ask me clearly just tell me and i would try to Explain it again.
And Thank-you my brother for praying for me and i would do the same and pray for you. I keep you in my thoughts and prayer Brain. May God bless you and that you continue to walk in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God Bless
Ramon
Dear Ramon
Thank you for your prompt response, and for your prayers. Thank you, too, for accompanying me on my journey. For it is a journey we must all make, to eternal life. Which is why that passage in John 6 is so important. And why your response to my question means that we are walking together.
But, allow me to share something of what I believe in, because, judging from your response, we are very close to agreement on this.
I truly believe the words that Jesus spoke in John 6. What is particularly relevant for me, at this time, is v 54: "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day".
As I understand it, Ramon, one of your strongest desires is to maintain your close relationship with Jesus, your personal Lord and Saviour. This, too, is one of my strongest desires. Which is why I regularly eat Jesus' body, through the Eucharist, so that I will receive the promise he made in John 6 v 54.
Ramon, I don't know whether the Church you belong to, believes in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. If it does, that's fine. If not, then you will need to find one that does, if you are to follow Jesus' teaching in John 6 and also at the last Supper.
But, there is another side to it Ramon. And here I refer you to Luke 24 v 13 - 35. This is one of my favourite scripture passages, the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Notice v 32: They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" And then, v 35: Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognised by them when he broke the bread.
You are truly blessed, Ramon, if these two components make up your regular worship, as they do mine.
Ramon, thank you again for your prayers. Please be assured that I am praying for you.
Yours in Christ
Brian
Dear Brain:
Thank-you for your quick Response.
You said "Ramon, I don't know whether the Church you belong to, believes in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. If it does, that's fine. If not, then you will need to find one that does, if you are to follow Jesus' teaching in John 6 and also at the last Supper."
Just to tell you something. Yes my Church does believe that the Real presence of Jesus is in the Eucharist. Although we never actually said "Eucharist" in my Church but "The Holy Communion". Still means the same thing. We believe that Through the Holy Communion that Jesus is Present, this is why so many people who were sick or ill and have recieve the Holy Communion had been Healed. I really cant believe that some Church's does not accept this. But i will continue to pray for those Church's who does not accept this, to come to light.
Thank-you for your prayers, and i continue to pray for you in my everyday prayers.
God Bless
Ramon
Dear Ramon
Thank you for your prompt reply. I'm very pleased to hear that you and your Church believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in your Communion.
You are fortunate, because many people are deprived of receiving Jesus in this very special way, due to the confusion that arose around the time of Martin Luther.
In fact, as I understand it, Jesus instructed his Apostles, at the Last Supper, to "do this in memory of me". That power was handed down from one generation of Catholic Bishops to the next, until the time of Martin Luther, when many people outside the Catholic Church, actually rejected the Real Presence. This resulted in the Apostolic succession being broken in many cases.
In view of the confusion that arose in the 16th century and later, you might want to follow up the point of the Apostolic succession in the case of your Church, just to be sure.
Ramon, it has given me great joy to correspond with you. Please continue to pray for me. You are in my prayers.
Yours in Christ
Brian
