Tract for Passion

After a great deal of prayer on my part, I have decided no longer to distribute the tract. The movie itself does the job that a tract would try to accomplish, much better than my tract could ever accomplish. The viewer who is not a Christian, or is a misguided one, is left with a decision at the end of the movie: Do I follow Christ, who became the very Lamb of God and gave his life for me? Or do I follow the evil one, who in the film is depicted with a dark attration, who faces at the end of the film complete and utter defeat.

The movie asks the question "Where is your relatiosnhip with Christ?" just fine.

 

I'd be more than happy to post the text of the tract, and if you'd like it the three and half pages of scripture references (only the references, not the actual scriptural text) if you'd like.

I had the honor this weekend to lead an anti-Catholic to understand that Catholics can be faithful to their church and be a Christian at the same time despite any minor errors. And we spent the whole time in the Bible too.

 

This is the text of the tract, please remember there is obviously no formatting, that there would be on the printed tract. Please also remember that this tract was written to Christians, not non-Christians

I ain't got nothin' to hide


IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR LOCAL CATHOLIC CHURCH!

If you have seen the “Passion of the Christ”, you may know that Mel Gibson, the producer, is Catholic.

This pamphlet has been issued to Protestants and other non-Catholics in order to explain what is going on in your local Catholic Church. As a Baptist and a Christian, I think it is imperative for you to know this.

It has long been explained that Catholics do not trust in Christ, but in their own works for their salvation, and thus a faithful Catholic usually is not a Christian.

First I want to share with you a creed Catholics use and how that speaks to how they truly merit salvation:

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell: The third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty: From thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead: I believe in the Holy Ghost: I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints: The forgiveness of sins: The resurrection of the body: And the life everlasting. Amen.


As Christians, our founding hope is that we believe and accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, and that it is through faith alone in Christ that one can be saved. For Catholics, the initial process of salvation also cannot come through any merits or any works whatsoever. It must solely be through faith.

[picture of St. Francis]

After salvation Catholics believe it is Christian responsibility to go into the world and evangelize, especially through good works. These merited works are solely through the power of God and by no means are the individuals own doing. Catholics do not “tally” their good deeds. It is merely living life in the Spirit.Catholics trust in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

After being initially saved Catholics work through the power of God to conform their lives to the life of Christ and in doing so lay a firm foundation in faith and fruits, to run the race and eventually receive the inheritance of eternal life- what they refer to as “final salvation”.


Through the sacraments Catholics meet with God in an ancient and intimate way. God gives grace, or unmerited favor, through the sacraments:

· Baptism: In baptism one enters into God’s family.
· Reconciliation: The process of confession and repentance in which one is forgiven and strengthened.
· Confirmation: The process in which one is prepared to go into the world and share the gospel message
· Eucharist: The intimate meeting with Christ where one partakes of Christ’s body and blood.
· Marriage: The union of two souls.· Holy Orders: The laying of hands to ordain a person into the priesthood.· Anointing of the Sick: Wherein a priest prays for the health of the body and soul and anoints one with oil.

Again: Catholics are your Christian Brethren.

They do not worship Mary, but declare her blessed, and blessed the fruit of her womb. She is not the Catholics redeemer, but like Paul, her suffering has been united to Christ’s on the cross, and for the Catholic, that counts for something.As you ask for prayer to God from your family and friends, Catholics also ask the living Saints in heaven (the communion of the Saints) for prayer. As you pledge allegiance to the flag, Catholics may honor those who have lived great lives of faith before them, otherwise known as venerating them.

There is so much more to know, but now you know for future reference: Catholics are Christians, and are part of a 2000 year old faith that can sometimes be hard to understand.


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