Stuck in Catholic tradition

[Tadhg]

I am raised Catholic my hold family are Catholics and I am a practicing Catholic for the last 6 years. I started to read the bible and realised that the church tradition wasn't scripture. A friend of mine Is a baptist and I met him a few times I could see the love of Christ he had when he spoke about him. I wanted to know more about how to build a relationship with Christ through scripture. I be doing good and them BOOM I get anxiety and I run back to Catholic tradition. It spiritual drains me and bothers be but I can't let go of the safe of Catholic tradition. I don't meet to offend anyone here or any Catholics because in the end of the day it's a personal relationship with Christ that counts but I know in my the Catholic Church isn't for my but I can't understand why I'm so fearful to let it go.
Can anyone help me or have any suggestions how and what to pray around this.
Thanks again my intentions isn't to upset or disrespect anyone's believes.

 

[rockytopva]

It is my belief that since the Bible writings ended with the Apostles, that the Revelation was meant to prophecy of things that would come to pass in the future. It is of my beliefs that the first seven churches would roll about in ages, and will continue to stay lit until such time as the Lord Jesus comes again for her...

Ephesus - Messianic - The Apostle Peter began the first church
Smyrna - Gentile - The Apostle Paul began the gentile church
Pergamos - Orthodoxy formed in this time... Pergos is a tower... Needed in the dark ages
Thyatira - Catholicism formed in this time - The spirit of Jezebel is to control and to dominate.
Sardis - Protestantism formed in this time- A sardius is a gem - elegant yet hard and rigid
Philadelphia - Wesleyism formed in this time - To be sanctioned is to acquire it with love.
Laodicea - Charismatic movement formed in this time - Rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing?

Now that is a generalization. For more specifics the Lord says...

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. - Revelation 2:7

I have graphically designed an image of the first four chapters of Revelations as I would see it...

1. The seven stars are the Christians in each church age
2. The seven candlesticks are the seven churches
3. The seven seals seal each of the church age.
4. The book is the Lambs book of Life

1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. - Revelation 5

If this is not the Lambs Book of Life why all the ado? As far as the Catholic church her star has been lit since about the days of Charlemagne. She has had issues over her time but so have all the churches. It would be nice to declare one church perfect and above the rest, but that will not be so long as we are in this fleshly body.

 

[Tadhg]

It is my belief that since the Bible writings ended with the Apostles, that the Revelation was meant to prophecy of things that would come to pass in the future. It is of my beliefs that the first seven churches would roll about in ages, and will continue to stay lit until such time as the Lord Jesus comes again for her...

Ephesus - Messianic - The Apostle Peter began the first church
Smyrna - Gentile - The Apostle Paul began the gentile church
Pergamos - Orthodoxy formed in this time... Pergos is a tower... Needed in the dark ages
Thyatira - Catholicism formed in this time - The spirit of Jezebel is to control and to dominate.
Sardis - Protestantism formed in this time- A sardius is a gem - elegant yet hard and rigid
Philadelphia - Wesleyism formed in this time - To be sanctioned is to acquire it with love.
Laodicea - Charismatic movement formed in this time - Rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing?

Now that is a generalization. For more specifics the Lord says...

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. - Revelation 2:7

I have graphically designed an image of the first four chapters of Revelations as I would see it...

1. The seven stars are the Christians in each church age
2. The seven candlesticks are the seven churches
3. The seven seals seal each of the church age.
4. The book is the Lambs book of Life

1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. - Revelation 5

If this is not the Lambs Book of Life why all the ado? As far as the Catholic church her star has been lit since about the days of Charlemagne. She has had issues over her time but so have all the churches. It would be nice to declare one church perfect and above the rest, but that will not be so long as we are in this fleshly body.

My issue isn't with the history of the church. My issue is do you believe scripture or tradition

 

[rockytopva]

My issue isn't with the history of the church. My issue is do you believe scripture or tradition

I am basically your Wesleyan Pentecostal. My scriptures and traditions are in the Wesleyan revival. In which I grieve and sorrow over the fact that we could not keep the revival going. Give the Wesleyan branch 3 generations and that is about what the revival is good for.

I do like to visit Catholic churches from time to time. I simply cannot take issue of their traditions as I am not Catholic.

 

[rockytopva]

“if you should be in Rome, live in the Roman manner; if you should be elsewhere, live as they do there” - St Ambrose

...These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; - Revelation 2:1

Notice that Christ walks among the seven candlesticks. In which he says...

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. - Matthew 18:20

I also like to visit Baptist churches as well. I believe that Christ walks in the midst of all churches who call on his name. Now, there may be differences of doctrine, but while I am in the midst of those of other doctrinal persuasions, I simply do not bring it up.

 

[Thursday]

I am raised Catholic my hold family are Catholics and I am a practicing Catholic for the last 6 years. I started to read the bible and realised that the church tradition wasn't scripture. A friend of mine Is a baptist and I met him a few times I could see the love of Christ he had when he spoke about him. I wanted to know more about how to build a relationship with Christ through scripture. I be doing good and them BOOM I get anxiety and I run back to Catholic tradition. It spiritual drains me and bothers be but I can't let go of the safe of Catholic tradition. I don't meet to offend anyone here or any Catholics because in the end of the day it's a personal relationship with Christ that counts but I know in my the Catholic Church isn't for my but I can't understand why I'm so fearful to let it go.
Can anyone help me or have any suggestions how and what to pray around this.
Thanks again my intentions isn't to upset or disrespect anyone's believes.

Scripture is Catholic tradition. I was born again as a Baptist and converted to Catholicism.

We wouldn't even know what books belong in the New Testament without the Catholic Church.

Don't worry, the Catholic Church is the Christian Church.

Study the early Christians and what they believed, those who lived right after the apostles. You'll find that they believed just as the Catholic Church of today believes.

Some quotes for you to consider:

Ignatius of Antioch, a disciple of John the apostle, writing in 107 AD:

"Consider how contrary to the mind of God are the heterodox in regard to the grace of God which has come to us. They have no regard for charity, none for the widow, the orphan, the oppressed, none for the man in prison, the hungry or the thirsty. They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, because they do not admit that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, the flesh which suffered for our sins and which the Father, in His graciousness, raised from the dead."

"Letter to the Smyrnaeans", paragraph 6. circa 80-110 A.D.

And this, from Irenaeus in about 180 AD:

The Catholic Church possesses one and the same faith throughout the whole world, as we have already said. -- Saint Irenaeus of Lyons


And from St. Augustine:

"The Catholic Church is the work of Divine Providence, achieved through the prophecies of the prophets, through the Incarnation and the teaching of Christ, through the journeys of the Apostles, through the suffering, the crosses, the blood and the death of the martyrs, through the admirable lives of the saints. When, then, we see so much help on God's part, so much progress and so much fruit, shall we hesitate to bury ourselves in the bosom of that Church? For starting from the Apostolic Chair down through successions of bishops, even unto the open confession of all mankind, it has possessed the crown of teaching authority."
The Advantage of Believing, 391 A.D.

 

[chandraclaws]

Doesn't Catholicism say that if you leave the church you will lose your salvation and go to hell? I can see how fear of that happening could scare anyone into staying around. The thing is, though, Jesus didn't ever say that. The only way to lose your salvation is to completely reject Christ. Rejecting a church organization is not rejecting Christ. Christ is greater than any fear mongering religion and you can always trust Him because He will always love you. Perfect love casts out fear, and Christ is perfect love. Praying that you will experience His perfect peace.

 

[rockytopva]

There are congregations within the Christian church that make people believe that they have the corner on everything. When I was in the Baptist church I was very much surprised to find out that speaking of tongues can be of God and that there were those outside the Baptist church going to heaven

It is my estimation that people teach denominational superiority to keep their flocks from flying the coup and taking others with them. I personally believe that the Messianic, Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, Wesleyan, and Charismatic congregations are all part of the Christian church.

 

[Thursday]

Doesn't Catholicism say that if you leave the church you will lose your salvation and go to hell?

Not exactly. The Church teaches that if you know the Catholic Church is true but reject it you will go to Hell.

Also, Jesus said,

"Whoever rejects you rejects me" And, "If he refuses to listen even to the Church, treat him as a pagan or a tax collector".

 

[rockytopva]

Not exactly. The Church teaches that if you know the Catholic Church is true but reject it you will go to Hell.

Also, Jesus said,

"Whoever rejects you rejects me" And, "If he refuses to listen even to the Church, treat him as a pagan or a tax collector".

I usually shy away from churches who think they have arrived at some truth, and if you do not accept their teachings as absolute, and everyone else in the Christian world wrong, that divine retribution awaits you!

 

[Thursday]

I usually shy away from churches who think they have arrived at some truth, and if you do not accept their teachings as absolute, and everyone else in the Christian word wrong, that divine retribution awaits you!

Jesus only started one Church.

Which Church do you think it is?

 

[Albion]

My issue isn't with the history of the church. My issue is do you believe scripture or tradition

Well, there are plenty of Protestant churches which hold to Scripture and reject Tradition as being equal to it or an alternative. I appreciate your problem and one thing that occurs to me is that you may be uncomfortable because you've chosen a Protestant church (mainly because of your connection to your friend) that is quite unlike everything you've come to know in the Catholic church. It's a big switch from Catholic to Baptist.

I'd suggest giving a try to one of the more traditional Protestant churches that are like the Catholic church BUT NOT when it comes to the Scripture vs Tradition thing or whatever else puts you off about Roman Catholicism.

An Anglican/Episcopal church, for instance, or a Lutheran or Methodist one, for example, might solve that issue for you.

 

[rockytopva]

Jesus only started one Church.

Which Church do you think it is?

7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles) - Galatians 2

The Apostle Peter was the Apostle to the Messianic
The Apostle Paul was the Apostle to the Gentile

So as far as the seven churches...

Ephesus - Messianic - The Apostle Peter began the first church
Smyrna - Gentile - The Apostle Paul began the gentile church
Pergamos - Orthodoxy formed in this time... Pergos is a tower... Needed in the dark ages
Thyatira - Catholicism formed in this time - The spirit of Jezebel is to control and to dominate.
Sardis - Protestantism formed in this time- A sardius is a gem - elegant yet hard and rigid
Philadelphia - Wesleyism formed in this time - To be sanctioned is to acquire it with love.
Laodicea - Charismatic movement formed in this time - Rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing?

The Messianic and the Orthodox have the clear seniority.

 

[chandraclaws]

Not exactly. The Church teaches that if you know the Catholic Church is true but reject it you will go to Hell.

Also, Jesus said,

"Whoever rejects you rejects me" And, "If he refuses to listen even to the Church, treat him as a pagan or a tax collector".

I think in that scripture "the church" is meant to be inclusive of all believers in Christ, not just the Catholic Church.

 

[116 Disciple]

I am raised Catholic my hold family are Catholics and I am a practicing Catholic for the last 6 years. I started to read the bible and realised that the church tradition wasn't scripture. A friend of mine Is a baptist and I met him a few times I could see the love of Christ he had when he spoke about him. I wanted to know more about how to build a relationship with Christ through scripture. I be doing good and them BOOM I get anxiety and I run back to Catholic tradition. It spiritual drains me and bothers be but I can't let go of the safe of Catholic tradition. I don't meet to offend anyone here or any Catholics because in the end of the day it's a personal relationship with Christ that counts but I know in my the Catholic Church isn't for my but I can't understand why I'm so fearful to let it go.
Can anyone help me or have any suggestions how and what to pray around this.
Thanks again my intentions isn't to upset or disrespect anyone's believes.

Man I hear you! My family is the same and once I got saved my mother started to realize something was up with ye Catholic Church the reality is, that you have Christ now and need not to worry about any traditions remember when Jesus said don't be like the heathens that pray in vain repetition remember you only need to go to Christ in order for the father to hear you not marry if that's an issue just pray with a broken heart and God will hear cry I will be praying that the spirit of religion be lifted off of you!

 

[Thursday]

The Apostle Peter was the Apostle to the Messianic
The Apostle Paul was the Apostle to the Gentile

Jesus started one Church meant for the entire world.

Acts 15
7After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

1 Cor 12:12
12For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.


Matt 16
18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

 

[Thursday]

I think in that scripture "the church" is meant to be inclusive of all believers in Christ, not just the Catholic Church.

Jesus only started one Church. Jesus gave his Church leaders. He gave these leaders his authority. He told the rest of us to listen to the Church. He promised that the Church would be led into all truth.

How can two churches that teach contradictory doctrines both be part of the same Church?

 

[ScottA]

I am raised Catholic my hold family are Catholics and I am a practicing Catholic for the last 6 years. I started to read the bible and realised that the church tradition wasn't scripture. A friend of mine Is a baptist and I met him a few times I could see the love of Christ he had when he spoke about him. I wanted to know more about how to build a relationship with Christ through scripture. I be doing good and them BOOM I get anxiety and I run back to Catholic tradition. It spiritual drains me and bothers be but I can't let go of the safe of Catholic tradition. I don't meet to offend anyone here or any Catholics because in the end of the day it's a personal relationship with Christ that counts but I know in my the Catholic Church isn't for my but I can't understand why I'm so fearful to let it go.
Can anyone help me or have any suggestions how and what to pray around this.
Thanks again my intentions isn't to upset or disrespect anyone's believes.

Tad,

You have been met by the Holy Spirit - do not run. When we are born again of the spirit of God, we become "with child", and this spiritual child is the new you. This is the child that puts to death (so to speak) your old person and your old ways - you MUST feed your child! If you feed it incorrectly, it will be week and become sick: Feed it food from heaven, you must eat of the Word of God - this is life!

So...now, you must make your old self be like a slave to your new spiritual self - by doing so, we do our part to subdue the world, that His will is done on earth as it is in heaven. Remember, His sheep hear His voice and follow Him. Do not turn back.

 

[rockytopva]

Jesus started one Church meant for the entire world.

Acts 15
7After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

1 Cor 12:12
12For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.


Matt 16
18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

The Holy Spirit still operates in our church... How is it with yours?

 

[116 Disciple]

Jesus started one Church meant for the entire world.

Acts 15
7After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

1 Cor 12:12
12For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.


Matt 16
18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

You do realize that it's not the building itself it's the people that make the church anybody who believes in Jesus and is saved is the "church" this is why the Lord says our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit