Roman Catholic Beliefs- Part 8- The only true Church?- 4 of 5

Part 8 of "Cathechism Chat"

Jesus said, "Search the scriptures, for you think in them to have life everlasting; and the same are they that give testimony of me. And you will not come to me that you may have life."
(John 5:39,40; Douay Version)

        This article is to the Roman Catholics once again. Last time that I was speaking to the Catholics. I was on question 6 in their book, "A Catechism for Adults" by William J. Cogan in "Lesson 16:The Church." As I said in the last article, I'm going to skip the next few questions because they deal with the same things that I've answered before in other messages. So I'll go to question 9,
"9. Why is the church of Jesus called "Catholic"?
Because His church is for all people of all nations and all times and teaches all the doctrines of Jesus. Catholic means universal, embracing all."

         Seems contradictory in terms, first I read that it is called Catholic meaning universal but then I talk with them and they are Roman Catholic. And that isn't a universal term, Roman Catholic. And as I shared last time that there are liberal Catholics, Charismatic Catholics, conservative Catholics, traditional Catholic and others. And they don't believe the same things. There are even those within the Roman Catholic Church that don't believe what the Roman Catholic Church calls dogma like literally eating the body and drinking the blood of Jesus, that the Pope is infallible on subjects regarding faith and morals when he speaks 'ex cathedra' or in reference to a purgatory, they don't believe in that. So I go on to tell these people that they are not really Roman Catholics, they just think that they are. They must believe these things and many more or they are 'accursed, as far as the 'Council of Trent' is concerned.

         Question 10 asks when was the name 'Catholic' first used in the church? I'm skipping that one too, it doesn't really matter when the word 'Catholic was first used. It reminds me of other churches? which say they are the true church because of the name like 'Church of Christ', or 'Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints'. God is not looking at the name of a particular building but at the heart. Is he in it? Are you a born-again child of God? Have you received Jesus personally into your life? Not are you religious? Do you go to church? And a million and one other questions that the world comes up with? What it boils down to is, "Do you personally know the Lord Jesus Christ?" He's calling, he's convicting, he's drawing. Come to Jesus for life. The word says, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" Question 11 says,
"Is the Catholic Church spread all over the world?
(ans.) Yes, its 840,000,000 members are from all races and colors in all sections of the world. The marvelous growth of the Church, in spite of great obstacles and fierce persecution, is certainly a sign that it is the Church of Jesus."

         This is very poor logic as far as the word is concerned because the bible says, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matt. 7:13,14)(KJV)

        So size doesn't necessarily say anything, I hear the same logic from other false religions when I go to their churches to share the true Jesus and true salvation. I also hear about persecutions from them too and all that I can say to that is what persecutions? The Catholic Church killed millions of Christians in the dark ages and they talk about persecutions, I really want to know, what persecutions?

         One time when I went to a Mormon ward to witness, a lady asked me, why was I persecuting them? All I was doing was standing outside, giving out pamphlets about Jesus, comparing what Mormonism teaches and the bible teaches. I said, "Ma'am, if you really think that this is persecution, then you are in deep trouble when real persecution comes along? If you think that giving out little pieces of paper is persecution? The men in the car just laughed and they drove off. I've had Catholics ask me why am I harrassing, persecuting them? I don't force anything on anybody, I don't have to force Jesus on anybody, when they really begin to see and understand what I have, they just naturally want him. Jesus Christ said, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (KJV) The world, those locked up in false religious systems, everybody everywhere needs to see that God really cares and he came to set us free from sin and all that it is doing to us and those around us. He offers life, not religion. If you see that you are just existing and not really living then give him a chance. Enough for now.

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