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Pastimes : Prophecy -- HYPE or HOPE? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Emile Vidrine who wrote (5309)	10/3/2013 3:15:23 PM
From: Broken_Clock	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 5569

I would suggest this: The various denominations often times have their individual strengths and weaknesses. Catholic = feed the poor, very consistent fellowship schedules, antiwar, etc. Evangelical = sharing the gospel, holy spirit, reading the word, etc. Having the benefit of partaking in both avenues has made you a 'fuller' (well rounded) believer I always remember the three catholic nuns i met 45 years ago in Reno at a prayer breakfast. These women had already devoted their lives, consecrated their lives to Jesus. Once they became filled with the Holy Spirit they were off the charts as believers.

To: Emile Vidrine who wrote (5309)	10/3/2013 4:04:15 PM
From: Stan	Respond to of 5569

The effect on your freedom from sins is noteworthy, but it does not prove any exclusive or even global efficacy of RC sacraments. I can testify that the Lord granted me victory over my sins without ever having become an RC or partaking of their sacraments. In fact, in my early life, being raised by devout RC parents and attending Mass and using the sacraments, I was as miserable about sin's persistence as you testify concerning your Protestant minister days. I also find that RCs struggle like you did as a Protestant despite access to the sacraments. Whether John 20:21-23 proves a purely apostolic authority to forgive sins (and the claim that their successors/priests retain it), or if it was granted to the disciples at large is debated between both camps (I side with the second camp), but the other issue of confession is a good one to bring up. Protestants neglect this powerful command to their loss. They believe in the efficacy of private confession, as I do, and I have found peace through that means. Luke 18 provides an example of it in the Publican. The Lord testifies he went home justified, yet there is no record of human mediation as RCs now insist must be present for them. The thing is, there are certain sins that one might find much more difficult to defeat. He needs the help of another believer (Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. Eccl. 4:9). James 5:16 gives us a very clear directive about this: "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. As you say, the proof is in the pudding. I found the same victory you say you did by simply employing this verse with a fellow (non-clerical) believer I trusted. The reason confession to another who will then pray for you is so powerful is that where 2 or 3 are gathered together in his name, Christ Himself is present in their midst. Since Christ's single mission is to save us from our sins, he is present in such a small gathering to effect this work. You don't have to switch denominations to find such grace, just obey his word.