mica said:
you aren't allowed (by the RCC) to know and understand God's word, only that of the RCC (as it tells you it is).
No it isn't. If it was you'd be able to support what it teaches with scripture. catholics can't do that.What the Church teaches is true, because it is the pillar and foundation of the truth.
how can it be the pillar and foundation of the truth (of God) when it doesn't know it or teach it and restricts its followers to how they can read and understand it? did Paul put restrictions on how the Bereans searched scripture to validate his teachings? if so, post the verses that support that.
what is the base of what the RCC teaches? it isn't scripture. What does it hold up to its followers and the world as truth? not scripture. That it doesn't is shown in what it teaches in catholic schools, in 'teachings' at a Mass, in pope writings and proclamations etc.
mica said: - Believers don't pick and choose what 'suits us'. We believe and follow His word, not that of man. But then, our hearts have been changed by God and we have a great desire to read, search and understand His word. Catholics do not have that desire.
you know a whole lot of people who don't want to know the truth at the expense of their comfort zone. That which they've grown up in, been taught as truth all of their lives. yes, the truth will turn your world upside down - all for the better and for His glory, not that of the RCC.I don't know anyone who doesn't want to know the truth.
what's orthodoxy to you? that which the RCC teaches or what God's word teaches? they aren't the same. catholics aren't on the narrow way and they're already in error. I wouldn't want to be on that wide road or in error again. I was in it for many years as a young person. Finding His truth did turn my world upside down (actually it turn it right side up in Christ). It did cause turmoil - amongst my unsaved family (of many catholics) and my unsaved friends. Most of them are still living in the turmoil of this world (and catholicism).It's when people think for themselves, in opposition to orthodoxy, that they are in danger of leaving the narrow way and find themselves in error. Why would you want to do that?
mica said: - otoh, it must 'suit you' to believe the false teaching of the RCC instead of God's word OR you would dig into His word, read it and study it. But catholics don't do that, they are in bondage to the RCC, not to God. Some catholics actually do dig into His word and find His truth, they end up leaving the RCC when they realize they've been taught lies all of their lives in catholicism. God changes their hearts, He calls them out of catholicism and to Himself. They are saved and become part of His body, His church.
no, it isn't any body of Christ. individuals become part of the body of Christ when they're born again. they're placed into it by God. The RCC has nothing to do with it. It obviously doesn't even know how it happens since it doesn't teach the truth of it. It gives itself the credit for that instead of God.The Catholic Church is the Mystical Body of Christ.
Where did Peter (the alleged 1st catholic pope) teach about the body of Christ? please post the verses for us.
been over that time and time again. The RCC isn't and it doesn't. catholics must be afraid to open His word and start reading. there's good info out there on how to read and study it. look it up. learn about the timelines, who is speaking and to whom, why they are saying whatever it is and read in context. like the whole chapter, even the previous one and the one after it. pull a verse apart word by word... track verses in the NT back into the OT. look up the meanings of the words - in a lexicon.Yes it is; yes it does.
If lightening strikes you, then you can blame me for that.
please explain what that is and why it is - in your own words.The ministry of reconciliation.