“You can keep making your circular argument all you want, but that doesn’t make it biblical.”
Sure it does.
“Jesus died so men can be saved, with two conditions — repentance and faith”
Jesus died so that we can be saved if we submit to him. Scripture says nothing about a ‘personal relationship’. Those are your interpolations. Scripture says we must submit ourselves to Christ, because Christ is God, not because he is our boyfriend.
He also says, we must be born again, through water and the Spirit. This means baptism.
“One day, along with the rest of those who have a personal relationship with Christ, I will constitute His bride, as I now (along with the rest of those who have a personal relationship with Him) constitute His body.”
What if he says, “I never knew you?” He calls for submission. He doesn’t want to be your buddy, or your brother. He is God. He wants you to give over your sinful nature to Him, without holding anything back.
“I don’t recall the Bible teaching that Jesus came to found the Roman Catholic church.”
It’s right there when he speaks to Simon Peter. “I shall establish my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail.
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“You are correct, “the gates of hell will not prevail against Jesus’ church” — those who have a personal relationship with Him.”
Where does he say this? These are your interpolations, not His. He never says this. All he says is that he will establish His Church, and the gates of hell will not prevation.” Establish. As in create an organisation.
Enjoy your organization.
I’ll enjoy my Savior, and brother, Jesus, along with my Dad, and the Holy Spirit, my comforter.
You wrote, “Scripture says nothing about a ‘personal relationship’.”
Jesus now calls us “friend.” That sounds fairly “personal” to me.
You asked: What if he says, “I never knew you?”
1. I would be spending eternity with you (humorous answer).
2. I would be lost forever (truth).
3. I could hope someone buys one of Leo’s indulgences from John Tetzel for me, then I could go to heaven without my own righteousness, or Jesus’ (Catholic solution to economic problems which, somehow, I cannot subscribe to).
Do you have any other alternatives?