CHRIST IN THE CHURCHES

JESUS CHRIST FOUNDED ONLY ONE CHURCH WHY ARE THERE SO MANY NOW ?
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Peter was personally appointed by Jesus Christ. He was the first Pope in a long list that continued uninterrupted up to the present with Pope Benedict XVI as the 265th. Therefore it is an established fact, by record & by tradition that the Roman Catholic Church is the true Church. It was to Peter to whom our Lord gave the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven to administer His church on earth. He was given the assurance that whatever you will bind on earth will be bound in Heaven .... (Matt 16:1819)

PETER WAS APPOINTED HEAD OF THIS CHURCH

THE CHURCH PROMULGATED RULES TO ESTABLISH ORDER

THERE WERE TWO GENERAL CLASSIFICATIONS OF RULES THAT WERE ESTABLISHED : 1. The Rules on Faith and Morals deals with the relationship of God and man and those revealed by God for man to follow and observe. 2. The Rules on Ceremonials and Administration deals with the relationship of man to man and those derived from the instructions of God for mans observance in maintaining his relationship with God.

. . . . WHY SO MANY CHURCHES NOW ?

Christ Himself predicted the division of the Church and the rise of other Churches when He said, For false Christs and false Prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray even the elect. (Matt 24:24) There are other sheeps, which belong to Me that are not in this sheep pen. I must bring them too: they will listen to My voice and they will become one flock with one shepherd. (John 10:16)

PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF THE DIVISION OF THE CHURCH

POWER MONEY WOMEN

 The Immaculate Conception The Virginity of Mary The validity of the Celebration of the Mass (The Lords Supper) The adoration of Statues and Images The infallibility of the Pope The Bible alone is the basis of faith, Tradition of the Church, No! That Faith alone saves, faith with good works, No! The subject of Divorce The celibacy of Priests The existence of Purgatory Women Priests Some practices of the Catholic Church: Baptism by infusion, Baptism of an infant, Fees for services, celebrating feasts on the wrong dates e.g. Christmas (Dec. 25 not mentioned in the Bible)

SOME DIFFERENCES IN BELIEFS THAT EXISTS BETWEEN CATHOLICS & NON-CATHOLICS

Some terms . . . .
ANTI-CATHOLIC they attack & destroy NON-CATHOLIC they respect & co-exist SCHISM refusal to submit to the authority of the Pope HERESY the formal denial or doubt by a baptized person of any revealed truth of the Catholic Faith APOSTASY the total rejection of his faith by a baptized Christian

THE FUNDAMENTALIST
The Fundamentalist insist that their sessions are Ecumenical and that Catholics can join. But they point glaring Catholic errors on doctrine and practice, especially as regards to our use of images and the veneration of Mary and the Saints.
Here are some characteristics of the Fundamentalists: Exclusive reliance on the Bible as one and only source of teaching for our salvation. Very literal translation of Biblical passages quoted out of context and given a meaning foreign to the intention of the human and divine authors An aggressive attack and hostility towards Catholic teachings and practices like our teaching on the Blessed Virgin Mary and veneration of images An exaggerated conception of Biblical inerrancy A one-sided emphasis on salvation by faith alone, which leads to a practical marginalization of the Church, Divine Tradition, and Sacraments

 Their insistence on the importance of the word of God. Their emphasis on a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. The warm welcome and fellowship they accord to members and prospective members. The liveliness of their worship services.

HOW DO FUNDAMENTALISTS ATTRACT CATHOLICS

RESPOND TO THEIR CHALLENGE

1. To read and study, pray over, and live the Bible. 2. To provide a catechesis which will enable Catholics to defend their faith. 3. To devise pastoral approaches, which will reach out to all and make every member feel he really belong to the Catholic Church.

ECUMENISM
This word was first used by the Protestants in 1919 to designate the work for the unification of the various Churches or denominations. Today they are feeling the need for unity that led to the formation of the World Council of Churches. Not all Protestant denominations are members of the Council. Unification still seems elusive

Catholics must be aware of the scandals in our own ranks. Dissensions among Christians are the chief causes of weaknesses in the modern world and the greatest obstacle to propagation among non-Christians.

Let us be kind to them and not regard them as enemies but as separated brethren.
The obstacles are great and seem to be getting out of hand. But all things are possible with God.

Catholic should give good examples. The more intensely all Christians try to live the Gospel the closer they will come together. Most important is Charity shown to all.
We should avoid discussions that only serve to increase bitterness. We should know how to present our faith clearly and honestly and be aware of the basic truths that unite all Christians

WHAT SHOULD THE CATHOLIC ATTITUDE BE TOWARDS NON-CATHOLIC CHRISTIANS ?

THE LIFE OF GRACE IS NOT A MONOPOLY OF THE CATHOLICS.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH DESIRES THAT ALL CHRISTIAN CHURCHES WOULD ONE DAY BE UNITED IN JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. SINCE THERE IS ONLY ONE SHEPHERD...... THERE SHOULD ONLY BE ONE FLOCK. AMEN ! ! HAPPILY, THERE ARE SOME BELIEFS THAT WE AGREE ON : 1. That JESUS CHRIST IS LORD AND SAVIOR 2. The authenticity of the NEW TESTAMENT 3. The HOLY TRINITY 4. The RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD 5. The SALVATION OF THE SOUL 6. The power of CHRISTIAN LOVE

IF WE WOULD NOT, WHO WILL. IF NOT NOW, WHEN ?

CAN THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BE A DECISIVE FACTOR IN THIS UNIVERSAL MISSION OF THE CHURCHES TO UNITE THE PEOPLE OF GOD UNDER THE ONE SHEPHERD ONE FLOCK PRINCIPLE ?