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‘Deep Down, I Knew There Was 1 Truth’ (OPC convert to Catholicism)
National Catholic Register ^ | 27-04-2011 | Brian Kemper

Posted on 04/28/2011 8:24:27 AM PDT by Cronos

The problem I had was that what I had been told about Catholicism was simply not true; it was distorted teaching from Protestants who did not bother to discover the truth. ....

Over the last several years, I have known deep down that the Catholic Church must be more than I thought it was. I fought myself and denied all the signs I was seeing. I was afraid; even though I knew deep down there can only be one truth, I would always find something to dismiss Catholicism

At this time I had been a member of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church for almost 10 years.. I had also been in a constant journey for God’s truth, studying his word as well as church history. The problem I began to see, however, was that my church had no authority for how it interpreted Scriptures. We claimed to be sola scriptura, and yet to hold office in the church you had to subscribe also to the full truth of the Westminster Confession of Faith

(Excerpt) Read more at ncregister.com ...


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events
KEYWORDS: catholic; opc; orthodoxpresbyterian
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To: taxcontrol
What I find interesting is that this person did not want to subscribe to the Westminster Confession, but rather chose a far more restrictive set of confessions in the form of the catechisms.

I'm not sure that's the way to look at it. To me it sounds like he's saying he thought there was a contradiction between claiming a "sola scriptura" standard AND the Westminster Confession as a another standard.

It's not that he found anything in particular wrong with the content of the Westminster Confession itself. It was that saying Bible ALONE PLUS Westminster Confession struck him as having a kind of self-incompatibility.

Maybe I'm projecting. It was something SORT of like that that persuaded me finally the leave the Episcopal Church. Particular teachings prompted me to look around, but it was the manner in which those teachings were arrived at, adopted, and discarded that persuaded me the Episcopalians simply could not be right.

21 posted on 04/28/2011 8:56:01 AM PDT by Mad Dawg (Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.)
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To: Alex Murphy

Ah, alex, the OPC really does hate Christians doesn’t it. However, the OPC keeps lying


22 posted on 04/28/2011 8:57:33 AM PDT by Cronos
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To: Alex Murphy
Anglican Ordinariate Adds 900 Members
Can it Be [Mary Kochan]
The Steady Stream Home [of people converting to the Catholic Church] Marcus Grodi
Ex-Anglican Priest, Father of Eight, [Ian Hellyer] Gives Up Job to Become Catholic
New U.S. Catholics Include Former Abortion Clinic Administrator, Marine, Seven Family Members

US Catholic Church finds astonishing variety of people joining this Easter
Thousands Joining [Catholic] Church at Easter in US [Catholic Caucus]
The Journey Home - 4/11/11 - Brian Robbins Convert from Judaism
EWTN - The Journey Home - 4/4/11 - Michael Matthews, former Baptist Minister
My Journey Home To The Catholic Church – Why I Am Converting To Catholicism [Bryan Kemper]
3,400 [Catholic] Converts in Hong Kong
EWTN - Journey Home - Mar. 7 - Tom Peterson (founder of Catholics Come Home)
EWTN Journey Home - Feb. 28 - Jeffry Hendrix - Former United Methodist pastor
Lutheran Convert: Richard Lane [Son of Dick "Night Train" Lane]
Former Planned Parenthood director, now pro-life, to become Catholic [Catholic Caucus]

Journey Home - 1/31/11 - Eben Emerson, Former Church of Christ Minister
Former Planned Parenthood director to become Catholic
Former Planned Parenthood director to convert to Catholicism
Former Planned Parenthood director releases book
Escape from Abortion: A Review of unPlanned by Abby Johnson
From Ignorance to Bliss - My Journey to the Catholic Church [Eric Sammons]
Journey Home - January 10, 2011 - Denise Bossert, Former Presbyterian (conversion story)
From Pastor to Parishioner: My Love for Christ Led Me Home [Drake and Crystal McCalister]
(why am I Catholic?) Because I Awoke from a Long, Bad Dream [Webster Bull]
From the Ark to the Barque (Hadley Arkes Speaks about His Reception Into the Catholic Church)
Because of the Divine Beauty of the Mass [Tom and Terry Fenwick]
Anglican Priest Comes Home! [Tim Gahles and his wife Vanessa and family]
The Conversion of Alphonse Ratisbonne
The Journey Home: June 7 - Michael Cumbie - Former Charismatic Episcopal clergyman
Former Colombian model shares conversion story [Amada Rosa Pérez ]
The Leadership of Jesus - SF Master Sergeant Mike Cutone (Conversion Story/Book Review/Interview)
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Protestant Organist Finds Musical Home in the Catholic Church [Gary Marks]

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An inspiring story of one man’s journey to becoming Catholic[Jeremy Feldbusch]
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Man Who "Died" 5 Times Is Becoming Catholic [Jeremy Feldbusch] (Thousands to Enter Church at Easter)
EWTN - The Journey Home - Monday March 22 - Fr. Donald Calloway
Mystery, Meditation, Media: An Interview with Matt Swaim - (Former Presbyterian)
The Reasons for G.K. Chesterton's Conversion
Fr. John Corapi's Conversion story - March 6 at 10pm on EWTN
Responding to the Pope’s Anglican Invitation (priest relates journey from Pentecostalism) [Father Douglas Grandon ]
In the Breaking of the Bread (conversion story of Tim Drake)
Australia's Traditional Anglicans Vote to Convert to Catholicism
Church of England Bishop Converts to Rome [Bishop Paul Richardson}
From Krishna to Christ: The Conversion Testimony of Father Jay Kythe
Ex-Protestant at home in Byzantine Catholic Church {Father James Barrand]
In Iraq, soldier finds a new faith (Muslim converts to Catholic faith)
Why I Left Anglicanism [Fr. Longenecker]
EWTN - The Journey Home - Oct. 26, 2009 - David Twellman, former United Methodist
Senior Anglican bishop reveals he is ready to convert to Roman Catholicism, Rev John Hind
Book: "You Have Not Chosen Me, But I Have Chosen You..." (23 Surprised Converts)

Newt Gingrich on Catholicism and JPII
Mickey Rourke thanks God and Catholic faith for 'second chance'
Catholic convert and political commentator Robert Novak passes away
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Reading Into the Church [Deal W. Hudson]
Gnarly: from abuse victim, to prostitute, to surfer, to minister [Mary Setterholm]
Cathedral rector’s priestly journey began with early conversion [ Fr. Bob Clements]
The Great Philosopher Who Became Catholic [Mortimer J. Adler]
The Greater Blessings [David Mills]
EWTN - Journey Home - June 22, 2009 at 8pm - Dr. Jay Budziszewski - former Episcopalian
Cardinal says Catholics humbled by Anglicans' decision to join church
Catholic convert from Oregon coast becomes a priest (former Evangelical)
EWTN - The Journey Home - June 15, 2009 - Marcus interviews a Muslim convert [Talat Strokirk]
(All Saints) Sisters Doing It For Themselves (Anglican House converting en masse)
Journey Home to the Catholic Church: I Have Jumped into the Tiber to Swim Across (UK minister, Fr. Jeffrey Steel )
EWTN - Journey Home - June 8, 2009 at 8pm - Fr. Jay Toborowsky, Jewish convert
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Newt Gingrich on his conversion to Catholicism
Gingrich Keeps Quiet on Catholic Conversion (received into Church over the past weekend)
Exclusive: Newt Gingrich conversion details; plans release of JP2 documentary
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Catholic Church prepares for tens of thousands of U.S. converts
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Former Episcopal bishop discusses his new life as Catholic priest [Father Jeffrey N. Steenson]
The Newt Evangelization: Gingrich to become Catholic
Conservative Episcopal bishop resigned to become Roman Catholic priest (New Mexico) Rev. Jeffrey Steenson
Converted Muslim Tells Story Behind Papal Baptism
EWTN - The Journey Home - December 1 - Dr. Steven C. Smith (former Willow Creek)
Former Socialist senator who converted to Catholicism calls for end to abortion [Mercedes Aroz]
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Interesting Deathbed Converts
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A Journey in Prayer {Randy Hain} [Ecumenical]
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An open letter to Mr. Stephen A. Baldwin, Actor, and “born again” Christian [ Victor R. Claveau, MJ "
Sick person who suffered accident recounts conversion after traveling to Lourdes [Ecumenical] [Antonio Escobedo Garcia]
Welcome Home! Anglo-Catholic Sisters on the Road to Rome [Ecumenical]
Former Anglican Bishop, Catholic Convert, Jeffrey Steenson on Anglocatholicism [Ecumenical]
Jeffrey Steenson: Why I Became Catholic [Address to Anglican Use Conference]
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A Sexual Revolution (One woman's journey from pro-choice atheist to pro-life Catholic) [Jennifer Fulwiler]
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Assyrian bishop explains his journey into communion with the Catholic Church
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EWTN - The Journey Home - May 19 - Tom Cabeen, former Jehovah's Witness [Ecumenic]
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Who is Mary of Nazareth? [Kenneth J. Howell, Ph. D.}
A story of conversion at the Lamb of God Shrine
EWTN - Journey Home - 4/7/08 - Rosalind Moss - Former Jew & Evangelical Christian
Our Lady’s Gentle Call to Peace [Joan Tussing]
Coming Out of Sodom (Reversion Experience of Once-Active Homosexual) [Eric Hess]
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Dr. Robert C. Koons (former Lutheran) - Journey Home - Monday 3/31 - Conversion Story
The Story of a Convert from Islam – Baptized by the Pope at St. Peter's [Magdi Cristiano Allam]
How Do We Know It’s the True Church? - Twelve Things to Look For [Fr. Dwight Longenecker]
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TURN ABOUT (Carl Olson, former Evangelical and Monday's guest on EWTN's Journey Home)
Former Southern Baptist Pastor Now a Traveling Crusader for the Catholic Church [Michael Cumbie]
All Roads Lead To Rome (A Southern Baptist's Journey into the Catholic Church)[John David Young]
Allen Hunt, Methodist Minister ...Journeys Home (Catholic, Re: Real Presence)/a>
The Challenges and Graces of Conversion [Chris Findley]
An Open Letter...from Bishop John Lipscomb [Another TEC Bishop Goes Papist]
Unlocking the Convert's Heart [Marcus Grodi]
His Open Arms Welcomed Me [ Paul Thigpen}
Why I'm Catholic (Sola Scriptura leads atheist to Catholic Church)
From Calvinist to Catholic (another powerful conversion story) Rodney Beason
Good-bye To All That (Another Episcopalian gets ready to swim the Tiber)
Bp. Steenson's Letter to his clergy on his conversion to the Catholic Church
Bishop Steenson’s Statement to the House [of Bishops: Episcopal (TEC) to Catholic]
Bp. Steenson's Letter to his clergy on his conversion to the Catholic Church
Bishop Steenson Will Become a Roman Catholic
Married man considers turn as Catholic priest
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Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part VI: The Biblical Reality (Al Kresta)
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part V: The Catholics and the Pope(Al Kresta)

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Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part IV: Crucifix and Altar(Al Kresta)
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part III: Tradition and Church (Al Kresta)
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part II: Doubts (Al Kresta)
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Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part I: Darkness(Al Kresta)
Conversion Story - Matt Enloe (former Baptist) [prepare to be amazed!]
THE ORTHODOX REVIVAL IN RUSSIA
Conversion Story - David Finkelstein (former Jew)
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From Calvinist to Catholic
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Catholic Converts - Avery Cardinal Dulles
Catholic Converts - Israel (Eugenio) Zolli - Chief Rabbi of Rome
Catholic Converts - Robert H. Bork , American Jurist (Catholic Caucus)
Catholic Converts - Marcus Grodi
He Was an Evangelical Christian Until He Read Aquinas [Rob Evans]
The Scott Hahn Conversion Story
FORMER PENTECOSTAL RELATES MIRACLE THAT OCCURRED WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD
Interview with Roy Schoeman - A Jewish Convert
Church Is Still Attracting Converts [Jim Anderson]

23 posted on 04/28/2011 8:58:14 AM PDT by Cronos
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To: Alex Murphy
It’s pretty clear
to anyone reading this thread
that when the Church
criticizes your sect,
those criticisms decry
your sect’s perversions and
your sect’s practices
and beliefs
that are anti-Scriptural,

whereas the “strong language”
you seem to employ is simply name-calling.

There’s never ever ever ever ever a core to your argument.

No discussion of
your sect’s faith,
your sect’s practices,
your sect’s beliefs,
your sect’s perspectives,
your sect’s ideology,
your sect’s theology,
etc.

There’s hardly even a mention of your sect.
Are you afraid of your sect’s reputation?
Your sect’s history?
Your sect’s incoherence?
Most people are delighted
to share with others
the community that helps
them to experience and know true faith in God.

But with you, all we get is blather. The OPC is a rabidly anti-Semitic group that has lately been trying to promote it's anti-Israeli message on FR with posts like:

  1. Easter greetings from Israel - a hoax video aiming to smear Jews and that is as disgusting as the Protocols of the Elders
  2. Jerusalem, the have-not whore
  3. Israel -- where there is a comparison of Biblical Israel to Modern Israel -- and you can guess it's not a pleasant one
  4. All Israel will be Saved, but not all Israel
  5. Jerusalem, Mother of all Harlots
  6. The restoration and conversion of Israel -- this soon descends into a fre for all anti-semitic fest

What is disgusting is that this group (the OPC/PCA) pretends to be Christian while spouting it's hatred for Jews and Christians alike

24 posted on 04/28/2011 8:59:54 AM PDT by Cronos
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To: Alex Murphy
Let us take the Nicene Creed and compare with the OPC's beliefs:

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all that is, seen and unseen.

So far, the OPC is on track.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father.

Well, not really; they think of Jesus as a lesser God than the Father. The OPC says that:

Jesus is God's doorway through the wall. God appointed his Son to be the substitute for those whom he would save. Jesus loved the Father with every fiber of his being. He obeyed the Father's holy will completely. He died on Calvary's cross as the atoning sacrifice, bearing all the sins of his people. He rose again from the dead and was exalted to the place of glory at the Father's side.

For the OPC, Jesus is a lesser or messenger god to God the Father, much like Mercury was the messenger of Jupiter in the Roman Pantheon of gods. This is not Christian.

As well, The OPC says that:

Christ is, in reality, the one true worshiper.[5] Our worship is a participation in his. Further, our worship in Christ is by the Holy Spirit.

Here, the OPC says that Christ worships God the Father, and the Holy Spirit worships Christ. Not Trinitarian, but polytheist.

Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation, he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary,

Here, they more or less agree with Christianity.

and became man.

Here, they depart from Christianity inasmuch as Christianity believes that Jesus is fully God and fully man at the same time.

The OPC says:

"The Son of Man"

Jesus affirms that he is "the Son of Man." This was his favorite self-designation. The Gospels mention his calling himself the Son of Man some eighty times. William White, Jr., explains that this title reflects Daniel 7:13, where the "Son of Man" is one to whom is given universal and eternal authority, glory, and sovereign dominion. He is one from among men to whom is given divine prerogatives. Since only God can receive such prerogatives, the Son of Man is a God-man (Daniel 10:16). Thus, the Son of Man, Jesus, descended from heaven (John 3:13) and was dependent on God, as He had nowhere to lay His head (Matt. 8:20). He exercises an authoritative and redemptive mission (John 3:14). He is the universal Lord (Matt. 28:18; cf. Dan. 7:13-14) and has total responsibility and authority for judging the world (Matt. 13:41-42; 19:28). (Theological and Grammatical Phrasebook of the Bible, p. 102 [Moody Press, 1984]. Cf. Geerhardus Vos, The Self-Disclosure of Jesus [Eerdmans, 1954].)

So when Jesus calls himself the Son of Man, he does much more than identify himself as having a human nature. He reveals himself as God incarnated as the Last Adam, the true Man, the Man of God's right hand, the Messiah, the King, the Savior, Lord, and Judge! Compare Daniel 7:9-14 and Revelation 1:12-18. It's an amazing claim.

It sure is. It affirms that the OPC believes that Jesus is a lesser God - is totally dependent upon God and therefore is not the God of Christianity, but a messenger or harbinger, much like John the Baptist was for Jesus.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

Okay in this section.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

Here we come to a major parting of the ways between the OPC and Christianity. The OPC says that:

The resurrection of the dead in general, therefore, is primarily a judicial act of God."[13] Stated simply, the resurrection is not the penultimate event prior to the final judgment; the resurrection is the final judgment.

This little piece of paganism is the source for so many of the nonChristian pronouncements of OPC adherents. Can you imagine a greater departure from the Gospel message of Jesus? Resurrection is a replacement for Judgement and if you are resurrected, you will not go to hell!!!! Now, what about those going to hell? More on that later...

and his kingdom will have no end.

They do agree that Jesus will reign forever.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son.

See above. The OPC believes that Jesus worships God the Father and the Holy Spirit worships Jesus.

He has spoken through the Prophets.

The OPC really likes its new Prophets like Machen - if it weren't for Paul, their theology would consist of Isaiah with a splash of Jeremiah.

25 posted on 04/28/2011 9:00:57 AM PDT by Cronos
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To: Cronos

“so if they had to hold to sola scriptura, why also HAD to subscribe to the Westminster Confession?”

Because it’s in there. The Westminster is a topical confession, and proclaims it is subject to Scripture. There is no contradiction.


26 posted on 04/28/2011 9:01:46 AM PDT by esquirette ("Our hearts are restless until they find rest in Thee." ~ Augustine)
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To: Alex Murphy
And of course, dear Alex, your own cult, the OPC is at 10,000 adults and pederasts, slowly shrinking and heading for its third and final split, because it is a non-Christian, anti-Christian cult that preach:

This is what an ex-Ruling Elder of the OPC says about this group:

From the Trinity Foundation


27 posted on 04/28/2011 9:03:38 AM PDT by Cronos
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To: esquirette
Because it’s in there. The Westminster is a topical confession

So why hold on to it if you have sola scriptura? Shouldn't the minister just say "I hold to SS" and not "oh and also the WC"?

28 posted on 04/28/2011 9:05:01 AM PDT by Cronos
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To: Cronos

Gee it’s good to have you back posting!

Kemper as all protestants do, turns over questions on theology and Sacred Scripture that can never be answered where in places history is wiped out, then stunted, then revised, by first the heretics, followed by the Reformed Church of Individual Interpretation, which by necessity actually has to become the faith. Naturally it spreads but then divides, coughing up the various sects located on every corner. Decades of “been there” has brought so many of us Home, no longer a trickle but a flow.


29 posted on 04/28/2011 9:06:05 AM PDT by RitaOK
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To: Cronos

I watched Kingdom of Heaven again last night. Interesting take on religion vs Christianity.


30 posted on 04/28/2011 9:10:51 AM PDT by RobRoy (The US today: Revelation 18:4)
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To: Alex Murphy
"A sign that the Catholic Church is hemmoraging members, and needs to trumpet every conversion to mask the problem."

Keep telling yourself that, Alex. I'm sure you believe it and you probably have a group of followers at the local OPC cake & coffee meet & greet you can convince of it too, but the facts are just not with you on it. The Catholic Church is growing and the OPC is dying out.

Google is a great tool for those of you who have to find experts who agree with you. Sure you can find and post anecdotes and flawed studies and polls that support your beliefs but that still doesn't make it true.

31 posted on 04/28/2011 9:11:14 AM PDT by Natural Law
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To: Cronos
We join with you in rejecting the anti-Christian groups like the OPC

Do you have some piece of information that makes you believe OPC should be called "anti-Christian", or lumped in with Westboro "Baptist", which is a church started by a guy for his family?

32 posted on 04/28/2011 9:15:06 AM PDT by CharlesWayneCT
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To: Cronos

Sorry if my writing was incoherent to you. Please let me know what you did not understand.

But I don’t see what good confirmation does if the kid immediately goes right on with his sin! There is no modicum of repentance whatsoever - he overtly lived a life of sin, and is fine continuing to do so. The way you define confirmation is that it’s completion of an educational course - he supposedly now KNOWS of his ways, and that’s it - even an attempt at repentance is not required?

If that’s what Catholics teach today, I’m glad I left the faith. While the most liberal Protestant churches would probably agree with your rationale, I believe most Bible-believing churches would at least try to get the kids to marry in hopes of raising a child in a stable home. God even provides Joseph and Mary as an example!

I Cor 6:18 “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”

The kids may actually not even know that God CLEARLY spells this out in His Word, and it is up to the church to tell them this! Going along with today’s societal sin is not the way the church should operate!


33 posted on 04/28/2011 9:15:15 AM PDT by Joann37
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To: Cronos; Alex Murphy
"Ah, alex, the OPC really does hate Christians doesn’t it. However, the OPC keeps lying"

....and dying.

The loss of one OPC member to the Catholic Church (1/20,000) is statistically the same as 60,000 Catholics becoming OPC (60,000/1,200,000,000). That would increase their total numbers by 300%! (waiting for the narrow gate, its not about numbers, except when numbers favor us counter argument). Apparently "maff" isn't favoring them either.

34 posted on 04/28/2011 9:19:59 AM PDT by Natural Law
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To: Cronos

So why hold on to it if you have sola scriptura? Shouldn’t the minister just say “I hold to SS” and not “oh and also the WC”?

________________________

It’s doctrine. Keeps everybody on the same page. They do not contradict. Scripture is the plumb line against which all is held. The Confessions state topical doctrine so we do not have to reinvent the theological wheel.


35 posted on 04/28/2011 9:30:14 AM PDT by esquirette ("Our hearts are restless until they find rest in Thee." ~ Augustine)
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To: Joann37

The innocent infant is baptized, thankfully. The ordinary Catholic Baptismal Rite of infants and youngsters calls on the parents or guardian and the properly selected god parents to commit to raising the child Catholic. To validate this commitment at least one or both parents/guardian must be Catholic, meaning they are “confirmed” in the Faith prior to baby’s baptism. (Dispensations from the Rites are made only in the event of imminent death of baby where the emergency trumps the status of parents.)


36 posted on 04/28/2011 9:32:07 AM PDT by RitaOK
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To: esquirette
"It’s doctrine. Keeps everybody on the same page."

So you are saying that Protestantism needs some king of central authority to interpret Scripture, kind of like a Magesterium, but not as comprehensive or "Catholic"?

37 posted on 04/28/2011 9:33:15 AM PDT by Natural Law
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To: Natural Law

So you are saying that Protestantism needs some king of central authority to interpret Scripture, kind of like a Magesterium, but not as comprehensive or “Catholic”?

_______________________________

Nope. I am saying that the Westminster Confession is a topical restatement of doctrine as found in Scripture, with Scripture as the final authority.


38 posted on 04/28/2011 9:41:31 AM PDT by esquirette ("Our hearts are restless until they find rest in Thee." ~ Augustine)
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To: Natural Law; Alex Murphy

“A sign that the Catholic Church is hemmoraging members, and needs to trumpet every conversion to mask the problem.”

Alex is stuck in the Western slant on all things Church. As protestants must, their universe has to be kept small. The ebb and flow of numbers has to be of great account to them for their $urvival$, forgetting that the many will say, “Lord, Lord, I cast out demons in your Name”, but alas, only a remnant will be saved even of the Church. Lord have Mercy on us sinners!


39 posted on 04/28/2011 9:44:10 AM PDT by RitaOK
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To: Cronos

Yeah,, that’s what Jesus said. Baptize babies,,, it’s just a ritual without assent of the one being baptized. And Jesus never describes anything like the roman church. It resembles a highly legalistic feudal system, which appeals too some personality types. But its fair to say its an enormous contrast to the organization Jesus built while he was here.


40 posted on 04/28/2011 9:44:46 AM PDT by DesertRhino (I was standing with a rifle, waiting for soviet paratroopers, but communists just ran for office)
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