2. I am Catholic
because the Bible is a Catholic book. Let me ask you
some questions.
a.
Do you believe
that the Bible is 100% inspired by The Holy Spirit? (2Timothy 2:16). We do.
b. Do you believe that you need to have the Holy Spirit to interpret
the Bible? (2Peter 1:20, 21) We do.
c.
Do you believe
that you need the Holy Spirit to recognize which books in the Bible actually
belong in the Bible? We do.
If you answered YES to all three questions then consider this: It
is a historical fact that the Roman Catholic Church put the Bible together as
we have it today at the Councils of Rome (381 A.D.), Hippo (393 A.D.), and
Carthage (397 A.D.). Any Encyclopedia should address this fact for confirmation
if you don’t believe me. Since it was the Roman Catholic Church that clearly
had the Holy Spirit to put the Bible together and to recognize (see proposition
c. above) which books were inspired, wouldn’t they have the same Holy Spirit to
know the interpretation of those books? I believe they do, and if you are a
Bible reader and believer, you should believe as well. When you hold that Bible in your hands, you
are holding the work of the Holy Spirit through the Roman Catholic Church.
3. I am Catholic
because of how she interprets the Bible.
Jesus didn’t just give us a book. He
gave us a whole message only by word of mouth. (I realize that the Old
Testament is written, but I am here speaking specifically of the New Testament
Gospel). The Apostles had in themselves authority to preach this Gospel. Jesus
said in Luke 10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me;
and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. (KJV) So to hear the
apostles was to hear Jesus. In time, not right away, they wrote some of this
Gospel message down to be sent to different groups for different reasons. Here
is my point though, not only did the Apostles write, but they preached as well.
And not only did the audience receive the message, but they received the
interpretation of that message which is equally as important. St. Paul says
this: 2 Thessalonians 2:15
Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been
taught, whether by word, or our epistle.(KJV) We need to hold on to both the word
and the epistle. Christians debate over the meaning of the Gospel, but
certainly the Apostles knew its meaning, do you believe they passed this on as
well with the written word? We believe they did. Let me ask you, which is more
important, that I have the whole Bible memorized and not know what it means, or
know what it means but not have it memorized? Certainly you agree it is better
to know the meaning. Now, we know historically who preserved that written word
through the centuries before the printing press: The Roman Catholic Church. So
if God used the Catholic Church to preserve the text, wouldn’t it also make
sense for Him to use the same vehicle to preserve the meaning as well? We
believe He has. So, not only did God use His Catholic Church to protect the
Word of God through the ages, but also used the Catholic Church to protect its
meaning as well.
4. I am Catholic
because of the Saints. Yes I know the
Bible calls all those who belong to Christ “saints” (Ephesians 1:1). Saint just means holy and if you belong to Christ
you are holy. What I want to talk about here though are those Christians who
have gone before us who have taken the medicine of Christ and His Church
religiously (pun intended). Yes, we are sinners and the media has picked up on
our past and present sins and scandals. But while we are all scandal makers to
one degree or another, I am talking of those who are bright lights in history,
e.g. St. Francis, Mother Theresa, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine, St. Therese
of Lisieux and thousands of others. These people were faithful Catholics and
lived holy and miraculous lives for Jesus. Jesus said that a tree is known by
its fruit (Matthew 7:17, 18). But there is an objection here: What about all those scandals? Doesn’t that
disprove your argument? Now, if these scandals flowed from the teaching of Christ
and His Church I would agree. Jesus warned us of scandal makers (Luke 17:1, 2) and the Bible is filled
with examples of them, yet God is faithful always to his Church (2Timothy 2:13). We don’t look at test
subjects of a new medicine who don’t take the medicine faithfully. We look at
the results of those who have taken it as prescribed by the doctor. If you want
to see the fruits of the faith of Catholics look to the saints and examine
their lives. They are the ones that have taken the medicine of Christ and His
Church most faithfully, and none other can compare in the results of their
fruit.
5. Roman Catholics
profess ONE faith. Jesus prayed
that his followers would all be one (John
17:20, 21). Well Christians of course disagree about how “one” we are
supposed to be but St. Paul gives us some clarification.
a.
He says in 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you;
but that ye be perfectly joined
together in the same mind and in the same judgment.(KJV)
b. He says the same in KJV Philippians 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that
ye be likeminded, having the same love, being
of one accord, of one mind.(KJV)
Not only do Catholics today profess the same
faith together, but it has been the same faith for the past 2000 years.
6. I am Catholic
because the miracles that have been done by God through her members are unlike
any other except those in Bible times. Jesus said John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me,
the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (KJV)
Jesus himself says that greater things would be done by those who have faith in
Jesus. This has happened in the history of the Catholic Church up until this
very day.
a.
In the time of Joshua 10 the Sun
stood still for a time while a battle was being fought. In October 13, 1917 the
Sun “danced” in the sky in Fatima, Portugal and was witnessed by 70,000 people.
This occurred as a sign that people should repent from their sins and become
more fervent.
b. Just as the bones of Elisha 2Kings 13:21 restored a man to life so
also today are the remains of saints channels of many miracles.
7. Finally, I am
Catholic because it is plain that it is the Church the devil hates the most. Go to your local movie store, how many movies bash Baptists,
Methodists, or Non-denominational churches? 1, maybe 2? Now, how many bash the
Catholic faith? A great number. Why is this? It is precisely because the devil
knows which one is the sure path to heaven.
