Posted on 02/02/2011 10:04:55 AM PST by Alex Murphy
What would a baptized and confirmed Roman Catholic need to do in order to join the Orthodox Presbyterian Church?
Allow me to answer you question with a brief autobiographical anecdote. I was born, baptized, raised, confirmed, and educated in the Roman Catholic system. In fact, it was while I was at a Roman Catholic college (of all places) that I was converted by the grace of God. After realizing how different the teachings of the RCC are from Scripture, I joined with a Baptist church. And that church required that I be rebaptized as an adult. So, I went through that process and became a member. Several years later I came to understand the doctrine of the Bible as it was taught in Reformed churches like the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC). Joining them was quite easy. I went before the session (a group of men who are officers in the church) where they interviewed me to make sure I had a credible profession of faith in Jesus Christ. The following Sunday they put me before the congregation where I publicly professed my faith in Jesus Christ in the form of several membership vows. And that was it. I was a member!
So, being baptized and confirmed in the RCC is no big obstacle if you want to become a member of the OPC. As long as you have come to trust in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation, and you trust not in any of your works. When asked the question "What must I do to be saved?", the response of Paul and Silas was "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31), and that is still true today. What is important is to put your full trust in Jesus. If you have done that, if you have repented of your sin and trust in Jesus alone, you are welcomed into the fellowship of the OPC. There is no need to be re-baptized and there is no need to renounce your confirmation.
At this point I would strongly encourage you to seek out the pastor of a local OPC, and he can guide you through the details of the steps toward membership in the OPC. If you need assistance finding an OPC in your area, you can check out our Directory of Churches. May God bless you and may you "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 5:18). If we can be of further assistance, just let us know!
A conversion does not mean a loss of faith and it is unfair to dismiss it as such. It means a decision has been made that you no longer believe the Catholic church has the fullness of truth and that she is in error in certain doctrines. It does not mean you no longer have faith in the basic tenats of Christianity.
I love my Church but if someone is hindered from serving God with their whole beings should they remain then I wish themn godspeed to another worship home.
The author didn’t mention what specifically the vows were. Was one of them to profess belief in the Westminster Confessions, or is that not required?
YEP
Are you now a member of the OPC?
Nope... But I am reformed
The two groups have radically different theologies, which is why I ask.
Both denominations accept the 5 solas ... The difference is the nazarene church holds a doctrine in common with the catholic church..that is that one can lose their salvation... That is, in reality , a non essential doctrine .
I can go an worship with my brothers and sisters in the Nazarene Church and know I am in the presence of family
No where in scripture are we taught that we earn our salvation..
It’s called the Sacrament of Baptism. And a person is marked forever with that mark.
My typo. Sorry
We welcome
This comment need not go to me FRiend but to the original poster. I just tell my own experience. Others may decide for themselves. Hopefully in prayerful consideration with the Lord. I know what God wants for me. For you and others? Let the Lord lead you all thus and may we all always ask His guidance in all things. How can we all best serve the Lord Jesus Christ today?
Like the 15% of the catholics do on Sunday?
To be an elder or a deacon, yes but to be a member of the church, no. At least that is how it works in the Presbyterian Church in America. I assume the OPC works in a similar fashion.
I checked the definition before I posted to be sure I was using correct terminology. If you believe that no one can be a Christian unless they belong to the Roman Catholic Church, then I can understand why you don’t recognize what you consider the only way to believe in God is a denomination. Nevertheless, it is. And all who are saved through the blood of Jesus belong to the catholic Church but not necessarily to the organized religion known as the Catholic Church.
My understanding is that the word “catholic” in the Apostle’s Creed is rarely capitalized in English-speaking churches today and that it means of, relating to, or forming the church universal, the ancient undivided Christian church, or a church claiming historical continuity from the ancient Christian church. It is not intended to refer specifically to the Roman Catholic Church.
This thread is about the OPC. This experience you describe does not sound like it happened in an OPC congregation. Are you being deliberately ambiguous in order to slander the OPC?
Thank you for that update. I read the meaning you provided. Does that mean that all religions should be more universal than we actually are? The ancient undivided Christian church? Should we be more united? i think overall all Christian religions believe in the good morals but just have differences in some areas. However, some religions are taking a moderate look at homosexuality which the Catholic Church will never do IMHO. I guess bottom line is that it is a difficult situation to change your religion. I could not imagine not being Catholic but I know some people find other Christian religions to be more social than the Catholic Church.
100% of our Deacons are former Protestants.
Neither are we schismatics. We cordially recognize as members of Christ's visible Church on earth, all those who profess the true religion together with their children. We are not only willing but earnest to hold Christian communion with them, provided they do not require, as conditions of such communion, that we profess doctrines which the Word of God condemns, or that we should do what the Word forbids. If in any case any Church prescribes such unscriptural terms of fellowship, the error and the fault is with that church and not with us.
"Fantastic" in the sense of "imaginary"?
Definition of FANTASTIC:
1.
a : based on fantasy : not real
b : conceived or seemingly conceived by unrestrained fancy
c : so extreme as to challenge belief : unbelievable
Sciolism is not helping you.
You wrote:
“I checked the definition before I posted to be sure I was using correct terminology.”
You’re not using it correctly in any sense if you apply it to the Church.
“If you believe that no one can be a Christian unless they belong to the Roman Catholic Church, then I can understand why you don’t recognize what you consider the only way to believe in God is a denomination.”
You seem to be babbling nonsensically. I said nothing about non-Catholics not being Christians. I don’t even know any Catholics who believe that non-Catholics are not Christians just because they’re not Catholics. I suggest you actually know what you’re talking about before you ascribe beliefs to people.
“Nevertheless, it is.”
No, it isn’t.
” And all who are saved through the blood of Jesus belong to the catholic Church but not necessarily to the organized religion known as the Catholic Church.”
No. There is only one Catholic Church. And if you’re not in it, then you’re not in it.
Are you aware that some people find other Christian religions to be more Christian than the Roman Catholic Church?
Which means that 0% of generational Catholics were found worthy for the post.
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