I have found that though I thought I knew a bit about Catholicism, I'm left vury confused. Is there a way someone can explain it in the simplest manner to understand?
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Catholicism?
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As a recovering Protestant, I've found the following link to be a valuable resource: www.catholic.com
The central difference is that Protestants deny the teaching authority of the Church (this is what convinced me to convert). Read the gospel accounts of the last supper, particularly staring around John 14 (I think). Jesus makes very specific promises to the Apostles that the Holy Spirit will prevent them from ever teaching error, and that the true gospel message will be maintained every day, forever. As I started to read the writings of the early church fathers (who were scattered all over the ancient world), what I found was the same teachings and liturgical practices that are found in the Catholic Church to this very day.
As I thought about this and considered all the implications, I became convinced that the Catholic Church is the church that Christ founded, and that I had to join it in order to obey His will.
The central difference is that Protestants deny the teaching authority of the Church (this is what convinced me to convert). Read the gospel accounts of the last supper, particularly staring around John 14 (I think). Jesus makes very specific promises to the Apostles that the Holy Spirit will prevent them from ever teaching error, and that the true gospel message will be maintained every day, forever. As I started to read the writings of the early church fathers (who were scattered all over the ancient world), what I found was the same teachings and liturgical practices that are found in the Catholic Church to this very day.
As I thought about this and considered all the implications, I became convinced that the Catholic Church is the church that Christ founded, and that I had to join it in order to obey His will.
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Bushido216
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What do you want to know?
The Catholic Church was started when Jesus came to Saint Peter and asked him:
Here we see, St. Peter givien the keys to the kingdom of God. Jesus promised to bulid his Church on Saint Peter! That is why, St. Peter is our first Pope.
After St. Peter, the next pope was St. Linus (67-76) and then St. Anacletus (76-88), and then St. Clement I (88-97)! This gones on and on up until the 265th pope, Pope John Paul II!
The Catholic Church was started when Jesus came to Saint Peter and asked him:
Here we see, St. Peter givien the keys to the kingdom of God. Jesus promised to bulid his Church on Saint Peter! That is why, St. Peter is our first Pope.
After St. Peter, the next pope was St. Linus (67-76) and then St. Anacletus (76-88), and then St. Clement I (88-97)! This gones on and on up until the 265th pope, Pope John Paul II!
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KGirl said:
I'll attempt to answer "in the simplest manner". (I tend to ramble.)
The Catholic Church is the continuation of the Church built by Jesus upon Peter and the Apostles. Our Bishops are of the direct line of succession from the Apostles.
The Catholic Church preserves the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Apostolic Traditions.
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MattMMMan17
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Congratulations KGirl, I never thought anyone could cause me to jumble so many thoughts with such a simple question 
I agree completely with all of the answers that have been given. You might want to try the book "Catholicism vs. Fundamentalism" to see the differences and "Catholic Questions, Catholic Answers" for easy to read explanations for beliefs in the Catholic faith. God bless!
I agree completely with all of the answers that have been given. You might want to try the book "Catholicism vs. Fundamentalism" to see the differences and "Catholic Questions, Catholic Answers" for easy to read explanations for beliefs in the Catholic faith. God bless!
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KGirl said:
K, buy yourself a copy of "The Catechism of the Catholic Church". It is lucid, simple, authoritative and beautiful!
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MattMMMan17
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Haha wow, I suggested some LIGHT reading first. But hey KGirl, if you do like to read, the Catechism is THE way to go.
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And, when you start reading the CCC, you can ask ask us questions. We'll be here for you, at your disposal, really.
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VOW
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To KGirl:
Little question, BIG answer, huh?
I grew up in a God-believing home, but with no particular faith or church. That bothered me, a lot. When I got old enough to need answers, I studied just about everything I could get my hands on. I even took college-level classes, "The Bible as Literature."
They were an excellent starting point. The Old Testament is studied, and I developed a profound respect for the Jewish faith and the Jewish people. I concluded on my own that the Jews were indeed "God's Chosen Ones." If I didn't already believe in Christ, I may have even become a Jew!
But, I knew I was a Christian. So, once again I turned to history. I already understood the basics, that the Catholic Church considers it to be the first Christian Church, and that all other Churches branched from Catholicism.
I made a mental list of the points I supposedly "disagreed with" when it came to the Catholic Church. Number One on the list was the Pope. How could one man have such an authority over people like that? I realized that the Number One on this list was the basic stumbling block I had towards Catholicism.
I went to the Bible to find my answer. And it was right there, too! Jesus turned to Simon and said, "You are PETER, and upon this ROCK I will build My Church." At the bottom of the page, there was an explanation that the name "Peter" meant "Rock."
It was like the Holy Spirit thumped me on the head and said to me, "Okay, THERE is your answer!"
After that, any other questions seemed inconsequential.
Peace be with you,
~VOW
Little question, BIG answer, huh?
I grew up in a God-believing home, but with no particular faith or church. That bothered me, a lot. When I got old enough to need answers, I studied just about everything I could get my hands on. I even took college-level classes, "The Bible as Literature."
They were an excellent starting point. The Old Testament is studied, and I developed a profound respect for the Jewish faith and the Jewish people. I concluded on my own that the Jews were indeed "God's Chosen Ones." If I didn't already believe in Christ, I may have even become a Jew!
But, I knew I was a Christian. So, once again I turned to history. I already understood the basics, that the Catholic Church considers it to be the first Christian Church, and that all other Churches branched from Catholicism.
I made a mental list of the points I supposedly "disagreed with" when it came to the Catholic Church. Number One on the list was the Pope. How could one man have such an authority over people like that? I realized that the Number One on this list was the basic stumbling block I had towards Catholicism.
I went to the Bible to find my answer. And it was right there, too! Jesus turned to Simon and said, "You are PETER, and upon this ROCK I will build My Church." At the bottom of the page, there was an explanation that the name "Peter" meant "Rock."
It was like the Holy Spirit thumped me on the head and said to me, "Okay, THERE is your answer!"
After that, any other questions seemed inconsequential.
Peace be with you,
~VOW
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