Anybody been to a Catholic service?

I have been to a midnight mass and to a Charismatic mass. So put me down for "2"

 

We recently attended a Requiem Mass for Rob's late aunts funeral. As Baptists we were amazed and upset on the emphasis on Mary throughout the service. We found it very upsetting.

If Rob's aunt hadn't been so special to us I doubt we would have gone. I would be very reluctant to attend another catholic service.

Blessings

followinghim

 

Yes, for half my life.
I don't recommend that you go, but if you do, sit near the back so you won't be conspicuous. There is different sitting, standing, and kneeling positions. Take the attitude of an observer and just sit through the entire mass. Remember that they are not worshiping the same God as a true believer. In front of you will be a large crucifix, that is an idol. All will be bowing down in front of that idol which is idolatry. Whether or not they admit that as idolatry is beside the point. The Bible says that bowing before an icon as such is idolatry. Observe, do not partake, and above all things never go and partake of their communion service. The Bible speaks clearly against that.

1 Corinthians 10:19-20 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
DHK

 

I once went along to funeral which was a Catholic one, and as DHK suggested, sat towards the back so I wouldent have to be conspicious on the whole sitting, kneeling, standing thing.

I am not trying to be rude to Roman Catholics, but if anyone wants to learn a little about why people have strong feelings about idolatry in churches, the film "Luther" starring Joseph Finnes is well worth watching.

 

It is impossible to predict what you will attend in this modern period that the RCC has enspoused.

A lot of modern churches have stripped out all iconography etc.The orientation of the pews and the altar may be novel.

If you attended a Tridentine Mass, you would attend a very different Mass. Never the less you will hear the Word of God.

You will not be expected to do anything extraordinary but I hope you avail yourself to an opportunity to witness for yourself and ask the questions that arise from the Mass with your friend.

 

When Eve, out of curiosity decided to sit and listen to the serpent, look what happened to her. Voluntarily going to listen to deception is not a good idea. I would not set my feet upon the devil's enchanted ground if I were you.


Not that I am saying catholics are all wicked, but the Roman Catholic system of religion is..

Ps:26:5: I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.


"Protestants have tampered with and patronized popery; they have made compromises and concessions which papists themselves are surprised to see and fail to understand. Men are closing their eyes to the real character of Romanism and the dangers to be apprehended from her supremacy. The people need to be aroused to resist the advances of this most dangerous foe to civil and religious liberty.

Many Protestants suppose that the Catholic religion is unattractive and that its worship is a dull, meaningless round of ceremony. Here they mistake. While Romanism is based upon deception, it is not a coarse and clumsy imposture. The religious service of the Roman Church is a most impressive ceremonial. Its gorgeous display and solemn rites fascinate the senses of the people and silence the voice of reason and of conscience. The eye is charmed. Magnificent churches, imposing processions, golden altars, jeweled shrines, choice paintings, and exquisite sculpture appeal to the love of beauty. The ear also is captivated. The music is unsurpassed. The rich notes of the deep-toned organ, blending with the melody of many voices as it swells through the lofty domes and pillared aisles of her grand cathedrals, cannot fail to impress the mind with awe and reverence.

This outward splendor, pomp, and ceremony, that only mocks the longings of the sin-sick soul, is an evidence of inward corruption. The religion of Christ needs not such attractions to recommend it. In the light shining from the cross, true Christianity appears so pure and lovely that no external decorations can enhance its true worth. It is the beauty of holiness, a meek and quiet spirit, which is of value with God.

Brilliancy of style is not necessarily an index of pure, elevated thought. High conceptions of art, delicate refinement of taste, often exist in minds that are earthly and sensual. They are often employed by Satan to lead men to forget the necessities of the soul, to lose sight of the future, immortal life, to turn away from their infinite Helper, and to live for this world alone.

A religion of externals is attractive to the unrenewed heart. The pomp and ceremony of the Catholic worship has a seductive, bewitching power, by which many are deceived; and they come to look upon the Roman Church as the very gate of heaven. None but those who have planted their feet firmly upon the foundation of truth, and whose hearts are renewed by the Spirit of God, are proof against her influence. Thousands who have not an experimental knowledge of Christ will be led to accept the forms of godliness without the power. Such a religion is just what the multitudes desire." -Great Controversy, pg. 566 EG White

 

I remember one time I was going to go to a Catholic service and I had a dream which caused me to decline from going.

I dreamed that I was in a congregation of people and a priest was speaking but the Pope was behind him and was really speaking.
As I listened to the Pope I noticed my feet were involuntarily lifted off the ground and I started floating over towards him..

When I woke up I immediately thought of the Bible verse that says we need to be rooted and grounded in the truth... and right then I knew that I couldnt go to this Catholic service, for if I did, the devil would take advantage of any weakness I had whatsoever to lead me away from God.

My mother was a Catholic Nun till she married my father and I remember going to church every sunday at the Catholic church till I was age 14. I have no idea why but I would often faint (pass out) at the church services.

...It gives me the creeps just thinking about it. Now that I know better, I wouldnt set my feet upon the devil's territory. You are asking to be deceived. And even if you dont at the time know you are being deceived, it is almost sure to make you have less of an objection to the Catholic Church and to feel more friendly toward it, just by going there.

Claudia

 

I attend a catholic service every Sunday; the Anglican Church. I have not had any weird experiences, trances or illusions. We have blessed services uplifting to Christ Jesus. The scripture exhorts us to trust Him and serve Him, and to carry His good news into all the world.

It is funny how some outsiders enter our services and find the devil. They must bring him with them. Our invitation is to Jesus, and for all who enter to find Him.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Jim,

I think I called it a dream with a warning from God, not a trance or an illusion.

Claudia

 

You are right.

 

Eliyahu,

Thank you I appreciate you saying so

Claudia

 

I see Pope E.G. White has spoken again!

Cheers,

Jim

 

Jim,

I dont understand something...

An Anglican is the same thing as a Catholic?

Or if there is any difference between them, what is the difference?

and what is an "Orthodox"?

Claudia

 

..and I have to have Ellen White since I am incapable of thinking for myself

I a stupid dumb head.

 

I fully agree with DHK, especially about communion. And Catholics will even agree that you are not to partake in their sacraments not being a Catholic. I of course assume that you are talking about the Roman Catholic Church here.

Besides, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what
communion hath light with darkness? (and believe me, they are in darkness).
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
And what agreement hath the temple of God (your body) with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." 2 Cor. 6:14-17

And no, that does not only apply to marriage. In fact I would argue that marriage is not even the context of this portion of Scripture. So my recommendation is not to go at all unless it's for a funeral service for a loved one. (I don't think they have Masses for weddings, but that would be O.K. as well).

I went to a Mass for my Catholic mother's funeral last year and to my horror my saved sister went up for communion with her young Christian son thinking that communion is communion. I had to straighten her out on that later after the service.

 

Jim.
I think that AServant4Him was talking about the RCC.

 

DHK said...

Agree 100%.

The only times I have been in Catholic services since I was born again were a couple of funerals I had to go to. But I watch Catholic masses sometimes on EWTN.

All the idolatry, cultism, heresy, paganism, and superstition is still there. The false gospel is still there. The true gospel is still absent. All this talk about how its changed so much since Vatican 2 is nothing but a smokescreen.

May God have mercy on those in its clutches and open their eyes to the true gospel, and to enable them to embrace it.

Mike

 

I have to wonder do you guys have nothing better to do than to spend time calling Catholics pagans and cultists?