I Believe in Jesus, Not Doctrine

You cannot separate what a person believes from who they are. This is the reason why doctrine is so important.




Some people say, “I do not believe in doctrine; I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; I’m saved, I’m a Christian, and nothing else matters”. To speak in that way is to invite disaster.



We are to guard ourselves against being tossed “to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” (Eph 4:14).



If your doctrine goes astray your life will soon suffer as well. This is why the New Testament warns us against this very danger:



“Test everything; hold fast to what is good.” (1 Thess 5:21)



And again:



“Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 Jhn 4:1)



It’s in our best interest to study doctrine so that we may safeguard ourselves against erroneous and heretical teachings that are as common today as they were in the days of the early Church.



- Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Catholics are born again and saved!

Yes, they believe in Jesus. And yes, they try to live Christian lives. When a Catholic says that he has been "born again," he refers to the transformation that God?s grace accomplished in him during baptism.

The only biblical use of the term ?born again? occurs in John 3:3-5 ? although, as we shall see, similar and related expressions such as ?new birth? and ,regeneration? occur elsewhere in Scripture (Titus 3:5; 1 Pet 1:3, 23). In John 3:3, Jesus tells Nicodemus, ?Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.? The Greek expression translated ?born again? (gennathei anothen) also means ?born from above.? Jesus, it seems, makes a play on words with Nicodemus, contrasting earthly life, or what theologians would later dub natural life (?what is born of flesh?), with the new life of heaven, or what they would later call supernatural life (?what is born of Spirit?).
Nicodemus' reply: ?How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?? (John 3:4). Does he simply mistake Jesus to be speaking literally or is Nicodemus himself answering figuratively, meaning, ?How can an old man learn new ways as if he were a child again?? We cannot say for sure, but in any case Jesus answers, ?Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born again.?' (John 3:5-7).

Here Jesus equates ?born again? or ?born from above? with ?born of water and the Spirit.? If, as the Catholic Church has always held, being ?born of water and the Spirit? refers to baptism, then it follows that being ?born again? or ?born from above? means being baptized.

Clearly, the context implies that born of ?water and the Spirit? refers to baptism. The Evangelist tells us that immediately after talking with Nicodemus, Jesus took his disciples into the wilderness where they baptized people (John 3:22). Furthermore, water is closely linked to the Spirit throughout John's Gospel (for instance, in Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:9-13) and in the Johannine tradition (cf. 1 John 5:7). It seems reasonable, then, to conclude that John the Evangelist understands Jesus' words about being ?born again? and ?born of water and the Spirit? to have a sacramental, baptismal meaning.

Catholics must never forget the following text because they clearly refute the Evangelical position: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of the Father who is heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 7:21),"

All Christians (both Catholic and non-Catholic alike) believe that the Old Covenant foreshadowed the New Covenant. We agree that the Old points to something that is Reality in the New. For example...the rite of circumcision was how one entered into the Old Covenant. Nobody disagrees with that. When a person (usually when they were eight days old unless the individual was a Gentile convert to Judaism) was circumcised they were then joined into the covenantal family of God.

So, if circumcision foreshadows something in the New Covenant...what was it?

According to St. Paul, in Col 2:11-12, circumcision was replaced with Baptism in the New Covenant:

11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ; 12 and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

And so we can see that Christians are circumcised in a special way: in the circumcision of Christ when we are buried with Him in baptism. Therefore, circumcision foreshadowed baptism. And if that is the case then it follows that whereas one entered into the Old Covenant via circumcision one now enters into the New Covenant via baptism. And this fits perfectly with the passage cited above. For St. Paul is telling his readers that in baptism we are "buried WITH Christ" so that when God "raised" Him from the dead we too (meaning those who were first buried with Him in baptism) can rise AGAIN.

This theme is also seen quite clearly in Romans 6:4 in which St. Paul says:

"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

And here we can see that a person who is born physically alive but spiritually fallen and dead can be regenerated into new life. How? By being baptized INTO the death of Christ - by being mysteriously joined to Him in death - so that by the power of the Father through the working of the Holy Spirit - when Christ is raised from the dead we too will rise WITH Him into "newness of life."

Newness of life = born again. Get the connection?

Now this presents some great difficulties for Evangelicals who claim that we are born again ONLY by a conversion experience BEFORE we are baptized (a baptism only being seen as an after-the-fact symbolic-only act of obedience).

Why?

Simply stated, it is because if we are born again by our conversion experience before baptism, then it renders Paul's words as absurd. One cannot be "born again" BEFORE one is buried into death can one? If we are born again (in a conversion experience) and then afterwards are baptized into the death of Christ (wow that second life sure was short) and then rise again in "newness of life" does that mean that we are born again - again??? Are we born a third time?

And so the term "born again" has ALWAYS meant to all Christians everywhere (until the modern era in which Evangelicals - primarily in America - hijacked the term) to refer to baptismal regeneration. That was what Jesus was referring to when, in John 3:5, He spoke of the necessity of being born again of "water AND the spirit." That is also why Peter said that "baptism now saves" us (1 Peter 3:21). Simply stated, we are saved ONLY by the grace we receive in the New Covenant and the New Covenant is entered into via baptism. * See Footnote below.

All that being said, we are NOT saying that if we are baptized that we are therefore automatically saved no matter what. No. For we also teach that those of us old enough to know and understand the Lord - and hence old enough to actually sin and rupture our relationship with God - we MUST also be conformed to Christ. We MUST be interiorly converted to Christ. We must repent of our sins and we must walk in His footsteps making Him our personal Lord and Savior.

And so both Catholics and Evangelicals agree that we must be converted and we must be born again...but how it is that we define the phrase itself is under dispute in this modern era.

So, are baptized Catholics "born again"? Yes. Are they saved merely by their baptism even if they have not converted their lives to Christ? No. Both are necessary to salvation.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, in Mark 16:16, said as much when He said this:

"He who believes and is baptize will be saved..."

Faith AND baptism are both necessary, no matter in what order they manifest themselves.

Amen.

One cannot be saved, unless they are born again (John 3:3) and accept Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. This is partially true but the meaning is distorted. The verse non-Catholics like to quote, John 3:3, is not completed by Jesus, or let us say interpreted until verse 3:5. Let us look two verses ahead at John 3:5. In John 3:5, Nicodemus is confused about being born again. Jesus clarifies what He states to Nicodemus stating:

(John 3:5) - Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

Here we see that born again means the sacrament of baptism! If the non-Catholic would only read a little further he would find the true meaning of being "born again."

Do Catholics believe that the good works they do will get them into Heaven? Catholics do believe that works will get them to Heaven accompanied by faith and God's grace. There are so many verses in the Bible stating that entrance into Heaven is not as simple as saying "I accept Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior." Let us see what the Bible has to say about salvation:

(Phil 2:12) -?work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

(Rom 2:5-6) - ?the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

(James 2:14) - What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?

(Mt 16:27) - For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

(2 Cor. 5:10) - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

(Mt. 25:31 46) - (the verse is too long to quote, here is a summary) Jesus states that He will separate His sheep from the goats. Jesus goes on to say; when I was hungry did you feed me? When I was thirsty did you give me drink? When I was naked did you clothe me? When I was sick did you visit me? When I was in prison did you visit me? When I was stranger did you take me in and clothe me? Jesus then states that anyone who has done these things for his brother did so for Himself and He invites the righteous into life eternal. Those who did not help his brother in need, were sent into everlasting punishment.

In the verses above, it is quite clear to see that salvation is not as simple as stating that one proclaim Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. It is a nice thing to say and should be said every day, but there is more to salvation then accepting Christ as one's personal Lord and Savior.

Supporting verses: John 3:1?21, Titus 3:4-7, 1Cor 3:2, John 14:16-18, Isaiah 59:21

All Christians are called to be royal priest.

A Priest is one who intercedes for a person, a family, a city, or a nation, before God.


All Christians are called to be royal priest.

(Exodus 19:5-6 NKJV) 'Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. {6} 'And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel."

(Leviticus 6:7 NKJV) "So the priest shall make atonement for him before the LORD, and he shall be forgiven for any one of these things that he may have done in which he trespasses."

(Leviticus 16:15-17 NKJV) "Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering, which is for the people, bring its blood inside the veil, do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and before the mercy seat. {16} "So he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions, for all their sins; and so he shall do for the tabernacle of meeting which remains among them in the midst of their uncleanness. {17} "There shall be no man in the tabernacle of meeting when he goes in to make atonement in the Holy Place, until he comes out, that he may make atonement for himself, for his household, and for all the assembly of Israel.

(Numbers 12:3 NKJV) (Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.)

(2 Chronicles 30:18-20 NKJV) For a multitude of the people, many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, "May the good LORD provide atonement for everyone {19} who prepares his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he is not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary." {20} And the LORD listened to Hezekiah and healed the people.

(Job 1:1-5 NKJV) There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. {2} And seven sons and three daughters were born to him. {3} Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East. {4} And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. {5} So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, "It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did regularly.

(Job 42:7-10 NKJV) And so it was, after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has. {8} "Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him, lest I deal with you according to your folly; because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has." {9} So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD commanded them; for the LORD had accepted Job. {10} And the LORD restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

(Psalms 106:23 NKJV) Therefore He said that He would destroy them, Had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach, To turn away His wrath, lest He destroy them.

(Isaiah 58:6 NKJV) "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?

(Isaiah 59:16 NKJV) He saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.

(Ezekiel 22:30 NKJV) "So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.

(Matthew 16:19 NKJV) "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

(Matthew 18:18 NKJV) "Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

(Luke 23:34 NKJV) Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots.

(John 20:22-23 NKJV) And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. {23} "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

(1 Corinthians 7:14 NKJV) For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.

(Galatians 6:1-2 NKJV) Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. {2} Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

(1 Timothy 2:1-4 NKJV) Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, {2} for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. {3} For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, {4} who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

(Hebrews 4:14-16 NKJV) Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. {15} For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. {16} Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

(Hebrews 5:1 NKJV) For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.

(1 Peter 2:4-5 NKJV) Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, {5} you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

(1 Peter 2:9 NKJV) But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

(1 John 5:13-17 NKJV) These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. {14} Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. {15} And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. {16} If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. {17} All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.



(Revelation 1:5-6 NKJV) and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, {6} and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

(Revelation 5:9-10 NKJV) And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, {10} And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth."

(Revelation 20:6 NKJV) Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Which Scripture Verse Was The Catholic Church Founded ?

Adam had only one bride, and her name was Eve...
Genesis 4:1
Eve was created by GOD from a rib removed from
the side of the 'sleeping' Adam...
Genesis 2:21-24
Jesus Christ is the last Adam...
1Corinthians 15:45
Jesus Christ has only one bride, and she is the Church...
Jeremiah 16:9, John 3:28-29, Revelation 18:23, 19:7-8, 21:9
The only Bride of Christ was created while Jesus Christ 'slept' on the cross.
"...but one of the soldiers opened His side with a lance,
and immediately there came out blood and water."
John 19:34
The Old Testament prefigures the New Testament in so many ways.
Both brides were created through openings in the side,
through the rib cage, and next to the hearts of the two Adam's.
Some would say the Church was founded in Matthew 16:18,
but therin Jesus Christ said He 'will' build His Church on the 'rock' of Peter...
Others say the Church was founded at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles in Acts 2:1-47.
However that was when the Apostles were given the knowledge, and wisdom, and authority, with which to build the Church upon the cornerstone,
which is Jesus Christ.

Why I am Proud of the Catholic Church and to be Catholic?

Why I am Proud of the Catholic Church and to be Catholic?


1.Catholic Church was prefigured by Old Testament prophets.

2.Catholic Church has a Holy Founder in Jesus Christ.

3.Catholic Church was built upon the Rock of Peter and the foundation of the Apostles.

4.God guaranteed that the Gates of Hell would not prevail against it.

5.Jesus Christ said it would last forever, as He would be with it always.

6.Therefore it can be found in every day, in every century, from the time He said it.

7.Jesus Christ left His legacy, the Kingdom of GOD, His Church, to the care of the Apostles.

8.Catholic Church is guided by the Holy Spirit. Acts 15:28

9.Catholic Church is a living Church.

10.Catholic Church is the Mystical Body of Christ.

11.Catholic Church can neither be confused nor separated from its head.

12.The thread of the Church is woven throughout Holy Scripture.

Catholic Church is a Christ based Church, whereas the Bible is Catholic Church based.

13.Catholic Church has all of the pieces to the puzzle.

14.Catholic Church is indefectible. Ephesians 5:27

15.Catholic Church is The Bride of Christ.

16.Catholic Church is infallible in matters of faith and morals since it is guided by the Holy Spirit.

17.Catholic Church is infallible in its teaching of Holy Scripture since it is guided by the Holy Spirit.

18.Catholic Church fits the blueprint laid out for it in Holy Scripture.

19.Catholic Church is a visible Church that could not be hidden.

20.Jesus Christ would be the invisible head and we, the body of His Church.

21.His Church would cover the earth. Matthew 28:19, Acts 1:8.

22.GOD appointed a visible Father Figure to shepherd His flock on earth, as He had always done.

23.Catholic Church is the Pillar and the Foundation of Truth. 1Timothy 3:15

24.Catholic Church alone has the fullness of truth.

25.GOD's Church would have an hierarchal form of government.

26.GOD's Church would have Bishops, Priests, and Deacons within it.

27.Catholic Church has a system of Apostolic Succession in order to perpetuate the visible Church on earth.

28.Catholic Church is traceable through an unbroken line of Apostolic Succession all the way back to St. Peter.

29This unbroken line is shown in secular encyclopedias as well as Catholic archives.

30.Catholic Church has a succession of truth in teaching all the way from 31.Jesus Christ down to present day Bishops.

32.Catholic Church is almost 1500 years older than the oldest Protestant church.

33.Catholic Church has the authority to abolish or enforce rules of conduct, through binding and loosing.

34.Catholic Church has the authority to forgive or to retain sins, through binding and loosing. John 20:21-23

35.Catholic Church teaches that we are not automatically saved, but our salvation depends upon us as well.

36.Catholic Church has the authority to form Councils when needed, in order to settle the issues that arise. Acts 15

37.Catholic Church was given the authority to decide the Canons of both the Old and New Testaments of Scripture.

38.Catholic Church decided the Canon of both testaments by infallible decision of several Councils.

39.Catholic Church more finely develops revealed public revelation.

40.Catholic Church does not twist Scripture to conform to its teachings. It conforms its teaching to Scripture.

41.Catholic Church has faithfully copied and preserved Holy Scripture down through the ages.

42.Catholic Church has known that The Word was Heard and not Read by the masses before the printing press.

43.Catholic Church has the final authority. Matthew 18:15-18

44.Catholic Church holds many traditions which are followed by Catholics and Protestants alike.

45.Catholic Church is an "And" Church, not "Or".

46.Catholic Church is a teaching Church as commanded by Holy Scripture.

47.Catholic Church is consistent in its teaching and does not 'flip-flop' as do other churches for the whims of people.

48.Catholic Church faithfully feeds the sheep as commanded by Jesus Christ.

49.Catholic Church is rock solid and unchanging in its teaching.

50.Catholic Church stands upon a solid three legged stool, of Scripture, of Apostolic Tradition, and the Magisterium.

51.Catholic Church is the guardian of both Sacred Scripture and of Sacred Tradition.

52.Catholic Church has the True Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Matthew 26:26

53.The Apostles knew that the truth was in Jesus Christ and in His one true Church.

54.Catholic Church has Eucharistic Adoration.

55.Catholic Church offers a clean oblation around the world and around the clock, in the Holy Mass. Malachi 1:11

56.In every minute of every day, a Mass is being celebrated somewhere.

57.Catholic Church venerates Christ on the Cross as a sacrifice and not just a plain cross devoid of Christ.

58.Catholic Church preaches the Gospel to the whole world. Matthew 24:14

59.Catholic Church has produced many thousands of Holy Saints.

60.The Church venerates the Mother of GOD. Luke 1:26-56

61.The Church venerates the Saints who have done so much for it.

62.The Mother of GOD is also the Mother of the Church. John 19:26-27

63.Catholic Church has all seven Sacraments.

64.Catholic Church treats marriage as a Sacrament.

65.Catholic Church has an annulment procedure.

66.Catholic Church has many varied Devotions.

67.Catholic Church can be found by its name, the Catholic Church, in thousands of early writings.

68.Catholic Church can be shown from these same writings that it is the same Church which Jesus Christ founded.

69.Catholic Church houses the remains of all of the Apostles and Gospel writers.

70.Catholic Church is the New Jerusalem.

71.Catholic Church is our Mother Church.

72.Catholic Church has withstood the ravages of thousands of detractors and heretics from its very foundation.

73.Catholic Church has performed many successful exorcisms.

74.Catholic Church is unbending and unmovable in its pro-life stance.

75.Catholic Church has scores of separate services of help. 1Corinthians 12:28

76.Catholic Church preaches the Word of GOD to the entire world through E.W.T.N. and other resources.

77.Catholic Church tries to unite all of Christianity into one fold.

78.Catholic Church has incredible openness.

79.Catholic Church Has provided us with a comprehensive catechism.

80.Catholic Church has a vast influx of intellectuals.

81.Catholic Church has had a spectacular growth, with over one billion Catholics in the world now.

82.Catholic Church has the Holy Spirit dwelling within it.

83.Catholic Church has humbled itself by apologizing to GOD for the past sins of some of its members.

84.Catholic Church is the most outspoken advocate of morality on earth.

85.Catholic Church has issued so many beautiful Papal documents which are guidelines for the whole world.

86.Catholic Church has the largest collection of authentic Christian documents in the world in the Vatican archives.

87.Catholic Church is the last refuge for those who are persecuted.

88.Catholic Church is because the "Pillar and the foundation of truth" has said so.

89.Catholic Church is because common sense tells us so.

90.Catholic Church is the undisputed leader of Christianity in the world.

91.Catholic Church is its own City-State, and is represented in the United Nations. Acts 1:8

92.When Rome speaks, the whole world listens.

93.Catholic Church is the only Christian Church which proclaims Jubilee years.

94.Circumstantial evidence points to the Catholic Church and only the Catholic Church.

95.The Catholic Church hears and listens carefully to Jesus Christ, her founder.

96.Catholic Church always has what the world is lacking.

We know because The Catholic Church is the Most Hated Christian Church in the World.

Just as the Catholic Church is the Body of Christ, so she naturally must follow the trials and tribulations of her founder and Head. His physical body endured an unmerciful persecution and scourging, and so must His Mystical Body, the Catholic Church, endure the same.



A comparison between Jesus Christ and His Mystical Body. They are one and cannot be separated.

What happened to the One also happens to the other.



Jesus Christ persecuted..................................His Mystical Body, the Catholic Church persecuted...

They rebelled against His Authority......................They rebel against its Authority. 2Peter 2:10

They said Crucify Him.........................................They have tried to destroy it for 2000 years.

He is called Beelzebub..........................................It is run by Satan. Matthew 10:25.

He is a false messiah............................................It is a false church. Luke 22:70-71

He called Himself the Son of GOD.......................It claims it was founded by GOD, Matthew 16:18.

He called Himself Truth.......................................It claims to be infallible, 1Timothy 3:15.

He called Himself King........................................It says it is the only true Church, Matthew 16:18.

He could not sin...................................................It has no spot or wrinkle, Ephesians 5:27.

He was not be believed by many...........................It is not believed by many. Luke 22:67

He was denied by many........................................It is denied by many. Luke 22:57-60

Not understanding Him, they walked away...........Not understanding it, they walk away. John 6:66

He had false accusers...........................................It has false accusers. Mark 14:56-59

He was mocked....................................................It is mocked. Luke 23:35-37

He was scandalized..............................................It is scandalized. Luke 17:1-2

He was hated without a cause...............................It is hated without a cause. John 15:18-25

His accuser, Judas, died.......................................Its accusers die, but still, the Church lives on.

His enemies would stumble and fall......................Its enemies stumble and fall. John 18:6

We have no king but Caesar.................................We have no need of it, as we have the Bible.

Can anything good come out of Nazareth?............Can anything good come from Rome? John 1:46

They cried out, "Not this one but Barabbas".........It is also rejected by the world. John 15:18-25

He bore His Cross................................................It bears a cross also, the cross of persecution.

He died on the Cross............................................It has thousands of martyrs, many on crosses.



1970 years later, He lives, stronger than ever........1970 years later, it lives, stronger than ever.



However, no matter how hard the persecutors try...

His Kingdom will last forever, Daniel 7:14, Hebrews 1:8.

His Church will last until the end of the world as promised by Him in Matthew 28:20.

"BEHOLD, I HAVE GIVEN YOU POWER TO TREAD UPON SERPENTS AND SCORPIONS, AND OVER ALL THE MIGHT OF THE ENEMY; AND NOTHING SHALL HURT YOU."

Luke 10:19



"Do not be a stumbling block to Jews and Greeks AND TO THE CHURCH OF GOD"

1Corinthians 10:32

Anyone who persecutes the Catholic Church has made himself/herself a stumbling block to the Church of GOD. It is a clear violation of Holy Scripture.



"For I am the least of the Apostles, and I AM NOT WORTHY TO BE CALLED AN APOSTLE, BECAUSE I PERSECUTED THE CHURCH OF GOD." 1Corinthians 15:9



"Do not be surprised, brethren, IF THE WORLD HATES YOU." 1John 3:13



"IF THE WORLD HATES YOU, KNOW THAT IT HATED ME BEFORE YOU.

IF YOU WERE OF THE WORLD, THE WORLD WOULD LOVE ITS OWN. BUT BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT OF THE WORLD, BUT I HAVE CHOSEN YOU OUT OF THE WORLD, THEREFORE THE WORLD HATES YOU.

REMEMBER THE WORD THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU: NO SERVANT IS GREATER THAN HIS MASTER. IF THEY HAVE PERSECUTED ME, THEY WILL PERSECUTE YOU ALSO; IF THEY HAVE KEPT MY WORD, THEY WILL KEEP YOURS ALSO.

BUT ALL OF THESE THINGS THEY WILL DO TO YOU FOR MY NAME'S SAKE, BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KNOW HIM WHO SENT ME.

IF I HAD NOT COME AND SPOKEN TO THEM, THEY WOULD HAVE NO SIN. BUT NOW THEY HAVE NO EXCUSE FOR THEIR SIN. HE WHO HATES ME HATES MY FATHER ALSO. IF I HAD NOT DONE AMONG THEM WORKS SUCH AS NO ONE ELSE HAS DONE, THEY WOULD HAVE NO SIN. BUT NOW THEY HAVE SEEN, AND HAVE HATED BOTH ME AND MY FATHER;

BUT THAT THE WORD WRITTEN IN THEIR LAW MAY BE FULFILLED, 'THEY HAVE HATED ME WITHOUT CAUSE', (Psalms 35:19)".

John 15:18-25

I would say that Jesus Christ said it all in these verses written with the inspired pen of Saint John wouldn't you?

Name another Church which is attacked so much on a daily basis as is the Catholic Church?

Jesus Christ warned us, "You will be HATED BY ALL NATIONS for My Name's sake."

Matthew 24:9



"Blessed are you when men reproach you, and persecute you, and speaking falsely, say all manner of evil against you, for My sake. REJOICE AND EXULT, BECAUSE YOUR REWARD IS GREAT IN HEAVEN; for so did they persecute the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12



Everytime you see someone persecuting the Catholic Church, or speaking falsely against her, be happy, because those people are merely helping Catholics to gain their eternal reward in Heaven.

It is a promise from Jesus Christ Himself.

Peter's commission:

Here are some of the attributes of Jesus Christ which He passed on and shared with Peter by working through him...

Jesus is: Peter is:

The Good Shepherd, John 10:11-14 Shepherd of the Church, John 21:17


The Door of the Sheep, John 10:7 John 20:21-23, 21:17

The Rock, 1Corinthians 10:4 Matthew 16:18

The Foundation, 1Corinthians 3:11 Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 2:20

The Key Holder, Revelation 3:7 Matthew 16:19

Infallible, John 14:6 Luke 10:16, 22:28-32

The Recipient of GOD's Word, John 5:30 Matthew 16:17, Acts 15:7

Having the Authority, Matthew 28:18 Matthew 18:15-20, Acts 2:14-40, 15:7

A Worker of Miracles, Mark 2:2-12 Acts 3:6-12, 5:15

Able to raise the dead, John 11:43-44 Acts 9:36-42

The Invisible Head of His Church, Eph 5:23-24 The Visible Head of Christ's Church, Matt 16:18



What is the History of Your Church?



Church Year Established Founder Where Established



Catholic 33 Jesus Christ Jerusalem



Orthodox 1054 Schismatic Catholic

Bishops Constantinople



Lutheran 1517 Martin Luther Germany



Anabaptist 1521 Nicholas Storch &

Thomas Munzer Germany



Anglican 1534 Henry VIII England



Mennonites 1536 Menno Simons Switzerland



Calvinist 1555 John Calvin Switzerland



Presbyterian 1560 John Knox Scotland



Congregational 1582 Robert Brown Holland



Baptist 1609 John Smyth Amsterdam



Dutch Reformed 1628 Michaelis Jones New York



Congregationalist 1648 Pilgrims and Puritans Massachusetts



Quakers 1649 George Fox England



Amish 1693 Jacob Amman France



Freemasons 1717 Masons from four lodges London



Methodist 1739 John & Charles

Wesley England



Unitarian 1774 Theophilus Lindey London



Methodist Episcopal 1784 60 Preachers Baltimore, MD



Episcopalian 1789 Samuel Seabury American Colonies



United Brethren 1800 Philip Otterbein &

Martin Boehn Maryland



Disciples of Christ 1827 Thomas & Alexander

Campbell Kentucky



Mormon 1830 Joseph Smith New York



Methodist Protestant 1830 Methodist United States



Church of Christ 1836 Warren Stone &

Alexander Campbell Kentucky



Seventh Day Adventist 1844 Ellen White Washington, NH



Christadelphian (Brethren

of Christ 1844 John Thomas Richmond, VA



Salvation Army 1865 William Booth London



Holiness 1867 Methodist United States



Jehovah's Witnesses 1874 Charles Taze Russell Pennsylvania



Christian Science 1879 Mary Baker Eddy Boston



Church of God in Christ 1895 Various churches of God Arkansas



Church of Nazarene c. 1850-1900 Various religious bodies Pilot Point, TX



Pentecstal 1901 Charles F. Parkham Topeka, KS



Aglipayan 1902 Gregorio Aglipay Philippines



Assemblies of God 1914 Pentecostalism Hot Springs, AZ



Iglesia ni Christo 1914 Felix Manalo Philippines



Four-square Gospel 1917 Aimee Semple

McPherson Los Angeles, CA



United Church of Christ 1961 Reformed and

Congregationalist Philadelphia, PA



Calvary Chapel 1965 Chuck Smith Costa Mesa, CA



United Methodist 1968 Methodist and United

Brethren Dallas, TX



Born-again c. 1970s Various religious bodies United States



Harvest Christian 1972 Greg Laurie Riverside, CA



Saddleback 1982 Rick Warren California



Non-denominational c. 1990s various United States





(This article source is from http://home.inreach.com/bstanley/)