Have you actually had a conversation with someone who converted to Catholicism? </font>[/QUOTE]I'm Ex-RC
All the people I know who left a christian church for Catholicism they like the service the people are friendly, my wife made me etc.... [/QB]</font>[/QUOTE]I'm sure that's your experience. I've known people who have gone both ways and I haven't heard of anyone (going from either direction) say that it was not their full desire to do so.
Oh yes, I was firmly "grounded" in the Word of God.
I was "born again" at the age of 5.
At the age of thirteen I went forward for assurance of salvation and was told that I had to repent and be rebaptized because I probably didn't mean it at the age of 5.
So, I repented again and asked Christ to be My Lord and Savior.
I was educated in an IFB School, I was on Bible Quiz team, Bible Memory Association, and an Awana Leader, etc.
Oh yes, I was always in trouble because I was told that my interpretation of the Bible was "too Catholic"
I guess the Holy Spirit was leading me "home" even as a small child.
Wow, you and I have similar stories.
I walked an aisle and was baptized at age 7 and did it again at a revival at age 14.
(I lacked assurance and didn't know if it "took" the first time)
I was an RA and active member of the youth group, had daily quiet times, and was in several discipleship groups.
I could proof text the Bible in support of "Baptistic" doctrines with the best of 'em (and could deftly explain away those troublesome passages...or so I thought...)
It's only been within the past couple of years that my interpretation of the Bible has become decidely more "catholic" (though not necessarily "Roman") after re-visiting some of the more "contraversial" passages (at least to a Baptist) and seeing how they were interpreted by the earliest Christians (ie at face value).
PS:
Hey, Living4Him, what do you think about the "Peter in Rome" thread below?
I'd like to see a Roman Catholic response (there is so few of y'all left here since the "Great Purge").
Wouldn't it have been great if as an IFB teen you could have come to a board like this - seen the RC position asked "hard questions" and seen the RC poster asking their own "hard questions" to see how it all panned out -- before making that leap?
I actually made the "leap" last year, at the age of 35.
Now that I have reconciled to the Catholic Church, I am closer to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I am also more fulfilled in my vocation as a Christian wife, mother, and homemaker.
I actually made the "leap" last year, at the age of 35.
Now that I have reconciled to the Catholic Church, I am closer to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I am also more fulfilled in my vocation as a Christian wife, mother, and homemaker. </font>[/QUOTE]Are you the only Catholic in your family? Your husband and children are still IFB??
I quoted study because I cannot believe that a person who studies to show themselves approved unto God, rightly dividing the word of truth, precept upon precept, would come to the conclusion that the catholicism is preaching the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Just my view from what I have learned from comparing Scriptures to their teachings.