Pure Catholicism

Hello, are you a Catholic? I mean are you a real Catholic? If you are, then we share in a blessed experience and believe in some wonderful truths! Let us review some of those truths.

First of all, as Catholics we believe the Bible is the Word of God. Jesus testifies to its authority. "For verily I say unto you, till Heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven." Matt 5:17,18

St. Paul also explained the place and authority of the Scripture in our lives. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect thoroughly furnished unto all good works." II Tim 3:16,17

St. Peter also amens Paul’s teaching because he states.

"And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also other scriptures, unto their own destruction. II Peter 3:15,16.

Thus, Jesus and His two major apostles show us the very essence of pure Catholicism. The very word catholic means universal. Jesus, Peter, and Paul teach us that the scriptures are our catholic (universal) authority. Its teachings are binding upon all that claim to be part of the pure universal Church. (1 Cor. 1:10.) St. Paul further states, rather strongly, that scriptures he wrote are commandments of the Lord. (I Cor 14:37) He warns that those who do not obey these commandments are to be shunned until he repents. (II Thess 3:14)

Therefore pure Catholicism teaches that the Bible is the final authority for the Christian. It is the record of the commandments of the Trinity and the Apostles.

As Catholics, we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the spokesman of the Trinity. Hear Him. "Then said Jesus unto them, when you have lifted up the Son of Man, then shall ye know that I am He, and that I do nothing of myself: but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things." (John 8:28) Because of Him we know God’s will for our life and the way to Heaven. "Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not Mine but His that sent me. If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. And this is the will of Him that sent me, that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no man cometh unto the Father by me. And ye will not come unto Me, that ye might have life."(John 6:40,47)

As a member of the pure Catholic Church, we believe in being born again by faith because Jesus, Peter, and Paul taught it.

"Jesus answered, and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3: 3,16)

St. Peter echoes " Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... Being born again, not of corruptible seed, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever."(I Peter 1:3-5,23)

St. Paul amens in different imagery, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (II Cor 5:17)

St. John the Evangelist caps it off and gives the invitation to these teachings when he says, "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name." (John 20:31)

Now, how would we answer non-Catholics who do not believe in these truths? The Old Testament law stated that in the mouth of two or three witnesses everything shall be established. Men were sentenced to death if three witnesses agreed. We have at least four with Jesus, Paul, Peter and John. Since Jesus said that He only spoke what the Father told Him and that the Holy Spirit would call to remembrance all things that Jesus said thus affirming/testifying to the truthfulness of Jesus. With the Father and the Holy Spirit, we now have six witnesses. Twice the amount needed to condemn. So all non-Catholics are doubly condemned by God and His Word because of their unbelief. Those who do not accept the record of God are thus sentenced to die twice. (Rev. 20:14,15)