I come from what must be considered a protestant background. Indeed, my parents and family are all protestant. There is a long story about that, but needless to say that it wasn't always that way for my Dad's side of the family.
Having been baptized a Lutheran at the tender age of 1, my parents never attended church or got 'religious' until I was 10. We were living in Georgia at the time, and they became quite active in a Baptist church. Having been 're-baptized' (something I do not agree with since there should only be one baptism), I too had become a baptist.
For many years I served in a baptist church, and was even considering entering into the ministry. Yet something kept nagging me about the divisiveness of Christianity. My own church hated catholics, and believed that they were the only true faith. Yet, early on, it was apparent that the baptists didn't have all the answers.
I began to seek out discussions with other christians; Lutherans, Catholics, Methodists, Episcopalians, Disciples of Christ, Quakers, Pentecostals, Charismatics...and so on.
It seemed to me that one of the major dividing points amongst Christians is over the sacraments (or, in non-litugical churches; ordinaces).
Baptism: It is clear from scripture that to be re-baptized is wrong, since there should be only one baptism. But who could be baptized? Believers only? Well that makes sense from the perspective of the 1st century Christians, but what of their children and grandchildren. Also, it is apparent from Acts chapter 2 that children were also included.
Communion, or Eucharist, was what really began my path towards conversion to catholicism for me. In a baptist church, the belief is that the Lords Supper is a memorial meal, that the elements of bread and wine (grape juice is used instead because alcohol is believed to be sinful), are merely symbols. Of course wine in the bible is alcoholic, and Jesus 1st miracle was when He created wine. When we would pray over the elements, we would often state our doctrine within our prayer (lest we fall into idolatry like others had). That really bothered me. But the major part was when we would quote scripture--it was always from 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. This passage talks about the institution of the Eucharist, but the second half of the passage (23-34) was never read or commented on. Clearly the people were taking it in an unworthy manner, sinning against the actual Body of the Lord.
From that point on I became obsessed with this fact. I then discovered the Apostolic Fathers, the disciples of the Apostles who held to the real presence of the Lord in the Eucharist. And then I believed the truth.
I do believe that the Catholic Church is the true church, and begining this summer I will begin the process of becoming a catholic.
Other reasons;
Catholic writings; besides the Apostolic Fathers, there was also the writings of several of the churches saints which have inspired me. (Please see my blog in which I learned first hand to the truth of their experience).
Saints; such as Francis. The saints as our brothers and sisters have and continue to help us, and I find great comfort in that fact. In fact, it is often their writings which inspire me to want to know the Lord more.
Catholic Charites; have helped me and others. I have often been humbled by the steadfastness and true concern that they have shown.
The Sacraments; I have come to believe in the 7 sacraments.
Pro-Life; while I know that several churches are pro-life, it solidified an early appreciation for the catholics during the Clinton administration. Mother Teresa had been asked to be the speaker at the Presidential prayer breakfast. Now I've heard great preaching before (baptists are pretty good at that), but never anything as the simple, direct, concerned, humble, loving, and above all, holy words spoken by Mother Teresa. Before the President of the United States, she spoke the truth in love to the most powerful man in the world, a man who had signed inthe partial birth abortion. She respected the Lord and life more than power, and she quite clearly spoke the truth. I've never forgotten that, since it was her strength of character that showed me the truth of the Catholic Church.
Anyways, I apologize for rambling on, but I thought it necessary to explain how I, as an outsider can testify to the light of truth that the Catholic Church so clearly shines forth.
