What do Baptists and Catholics have in common?

How can we work together to "win the lost for Christ", when we preach two radically different gospels?

 

Here is the hypocrisy.
Here is what Catholic's say they believe and don't.
1.

Not a chance!

2.

Does an infant have a "credible profession of faith" when he or she is baptized? Sheer hypocrisy!

 

So you took a Baptist Statement of Faith and just posted your views that it is also what Catholics believe? That's not sufficient.

For one thing, while they may say they believe the Bible is the word of God, they give equal authority to Tradition and to certain statements from the Pope. The RCC adds to the Bible. That is the issue with them (along with some of their interpretations of certain passages).

For another thing, you can't go by Catholic Jane Doe down the street. You have to use the Catechism, the official doctrine of the RCC.

The catechism also says that the Church is your "mother," meaning of course, the true Church, the RCC.

Matt is Anglican and Agnus Dei is Eastern Orthodox; they are hardly authoritative on the RCC. I am not clear about Lori who joined as a non-Catholic but now I think considers herself one. Not sure.

 

The most authoritative statement I have seen, at least for Southern Baptists vis-a-vis Catholics, is found in a couple of joint statements posted by them.

The first, http://www.usccb.org/seia/sbrctounderstandeachother1989.shtml, is a joint statement pertaining to doctrine.

The second, http://www.usccb.org/seia/southernbaptist.shtml, is a joint statement pertaining to sacred scripture.

It evident we hold a lot of things in common but there are also many things on which we disagree, primarily as to the sacraments, apostolic succession, prayers to Mary and the other saints, authority of the church and purgatory.

 

I highly recommend the book,
Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Differences by Ralph MacKenzie and Norman Geisler

Several Roman Catholics endorse this book, but not because Geisler or MacKenzie (a former Catholic) are soft on Catholicism; rather, because the approach is fair and loving. Although agreements are discussed, the differences are not watered down at all.

I have not read it all - just parts - and I may not totally agree with it, but one thing I am sure of is that the information is accurate.

Read the reviews on Amazon - some by Catholics, some by evangelicals.

 

>Does an infant have a "credible profession of faith" when he or she is baptized? Sheer hypocrisy!

Catholic infants are not offered communion. A Catholic makes a credible profession of faith before joining the congregation in communion.

Does anyone believe that every person who is not baptized as an adult goes to Hell?

If no one believes this then the question is moot and simply argumentative for the sake of argument.

 

At the very least we have a passion for Our Redeemer...:godisgood::1_grouphug:

 

Au contraire.

Catholicism usurps Christ's mediatorial office, proclaiming itself as the "sacrament of salvation." The "Church" dispenses salvation to her faithful in small portions, starting at baptism and continuing throughout life. Forgiveness can only be obtained through the sacrament of penance. The benefits of Christ's sacrifice are accessible through the sacrifice of the Mass. Instead of teaching the faithful to rest in Christ by faith, Catholics are taught to perform religious works to "merit grace" and to do penance to make satisfaction. Even after death, Catholics remains dependent on the "Church" to relieve their suffering in Purgatory by masses and indulgences.

Doesn't sound like any Gospel I've ever heard a Baptist preach, much less any I've ever found in the word of God.

I see. So then, do you believe that Mormons preach the same Gospel, as well?

 

Catholics are saved by grace through faith. That is what the church teaches. You cannot work your way to heaven. Johndeerefan, that is a lot of hooey! Read the joint Lutheran-Catholic declaration on Justification again.

 

"If any one saith, that by faith alone the impious is justified; in such wise as to mean, that nothing else is required to co-operate in order to the obtaining the grace of Justification, and that it is not in any way necessary, that he be prepared and disposed by the movement of his own will; let him be anathema" (Council of Trent, Canons on Justification, Canon 9).

"If any one saith, that man is truly absolved from his sins and justified, because he assuredly believed himself absolved and justified; or, that no one is truly justified but he who believes himself justified; and that, by this faith alone, absolution and justification are effected; let him be anathema." (Canon 14).

 

I don't understand your first point. Catholics actually believe that according to their Catachism. Your second point only suggest you haven't made a differentiation between infants and adults. Certainly the point is made for Adult Catholic converts. Infants are a different catagory are they not?

 

I'll take you up on that suggestion.

 

There is no mediatorial office. That just sounds of nonsence. Christ provides satisfaction by his crucifixion and resurrection. Catholics only "merit" grace once they have faith. A similiar way of looking at it is this way.
If you have no faith in Jesus no matter how much good works you do you are not "saved" and cannot be saved by your own activities. However, if you have been saved then every good thing you do will be judged by God and you will recieve a crown for such obedience.

 

Really? Catholicism doesn't have priests? That's news to me.

 

First, I read the OP a little too quickly and didn't realize she was quoting from a Baptist statement of faith. So I was reading it, thinking that some Catholic composed it. Thus in my mind it came across as a pack of lies.

In the first point the statement of faith reads:
We believe that those who repent of their sins and trust Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit.
--The RCC does not believe this.
1. Most, like myself, are admitted into the RCC through infant baptism. How can an infant repent of their sins? How can an infant trust Jesus Christ of their Savior? And consequently be regenerated by the Holy Spirit? All three are impossible. The Catholic Church does not believe in any of this. To say so is just hypocrisy. Even an adult does not believe this in the RCC to gain admission. They go through a process of confirmation classes. It is not Christ they trust; it is the Church and the Catechism.

2. The Church
We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, work and fellowship. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of giving the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world. (Matthew 16:16-18; Acts 2:38-41; Ephesians 2:19, 22, 5:25-27)

Again the same point is made. Very few people become Catholics outside of infant baptism. Those that do become Catholics as adults don't have a clue about regeneration. They believe that baptism is a part of regeneration or salvation, which it is not. The statement of faith here says: "baptized on a credible profession of faith," which means the profession of faith," the statement that "Yes now I am a Christian" comes before baptism. Baptism has nothing to do with salvation according to this statement of faith. Catholics don't believe this. Why pretend that they do? It is hypocrisy to say that they do.

 

You're claiming Jesus has a mediatoral office. He is the mediator between God and man. Its not an office.