An important question for non-Catholic Christians on what you yourself believe?

[ezri]

[14] But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
[15] And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

[hillocke]

[14] But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
[15] And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

I am a born again Christian of many years and have studied the Scriptures over a long time. I am NOT Catholic. Scripture is clear that the Pope has no right to be the leader of any church ot religion as "The Rock" Jesus was referring to when talking to Peter was in fact Himself and definitely not Peter. How do we know this? The Lord has many names in Scripture and "The Rock" is one of those names and appears something like 40 times throughout the Bible. One example that comes to mind is 1 Corinthians 10:4 which reads as follows; "And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." Revelation 17:1-9 spells out the end of the Catholic "organization" for the reasons given in those verses accordingly, anyone who follows its teachings should search the Scriptures for themselves as we are told to do in John 5:39. The Lord holds everyone accountable to do this for themselves and not simply follow a set of rites and rules as laid down by a religious organization. Religion cannot save anyone. As for eating pork or bacon or anything else, these were restrictions placed on the Jews only and never the Gentiles as the law was only ever given to the Jews and definitely not to Gentiles. With the New Testament, the law was fulfilled and this requirement was done away with for the Jews. 1 Timothy 4:1-5 clearly tells us that it's totally permissible for us to eat anything we like as the law no longer applies to the Jews. May I suggest that you read those verses as they clear up the issue of foods which can be eaten.

[ahanu]

So your question is? You are just using the supposed format of a question to get on your soapbox apparently for your Catholic beliefs. Christianity is a personal relationship with Christ not just with a particular church. Foundational beliefs are:
1. Jesus was born of a virgin, Mary chosen of God.
2. He died on the cross for our sins
3. He rose again on the third day and sits at the right hand of the Father.
4. We must accept Christ as our personal savior and make Him Lord or our life.
5. Christ is coming again to take His Church and defeat Satan forever.

Man is not perfect. He was born with a sin nature. Salvation through Christ is a journey of becoming more Christlike and following His will for our lives. Do people still sin? Yes. Can they seek forgiveness and be restored? Yes. (You Catholics go to confession with your priest). We Protestants believe that Jesus Christ is our intercessor. We can go directly to Him to seek forgiveness, for prayer, for everything.

It is the Protestants impression that Catholics revere or maybe even worship Mary more than Christ. Mary does deserve our respect and honor but who died for our sins? Where did all the Saints Catholics pray to come from? I don't find them in the Bible. It is my understanding that they go back to pagan gods. The Catholic Church is full of traditions of man that are not found in the Bible. Protestant churches are too at times. Seek to find the difference between Biblical Christianity and the traditions of man that have gotten intertwined with the Church.

I respect your Pope and he probably is a holy man. I don't know him well enough to know. The Catholic church believes that the Pope is Peter the rock. Matthew 16:18 says "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." Peter had just answered Jesus question about who Peter thought Jesus was. Peter said "you are the Christ, Son of the living God". That truth is the rock or the foundation of the Christian Church. Not Peter, the Pope, or a person. Think about it. That truth will never change while following a man can fail.

Regarding eating pork, read Mark 7:18. It has been found that pork is not necessarily healthy but it is permissible to do so according to this verse. Eating pork was a Jewish Law. Circumcision was a Jewish law, not required of Gentiles. The Apostle Paul writes of this. Salvation is by grace and faith in Christ, not from an act like circumcision or abstaining from port. Does God like divorce? No. That was not His plan. Unfortunately things happen. Many times people leave a marriage too quickly without trying to resolve their issues. What about if there is abuse, unfaithfulness? Divorce is not unforgivable yet your church treats it like it is and basically outcasts hurting people. The ONLY unforgivable sin is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

Follow Christ, not a church, man or organization. As the Bible says we should not forsake the gathering together with fellow believers but know the Bible so you can evaluate what the church teaches. Study the Bible for yourself.

[bing49]

The only path to Salvation is through Jesus, not through your pope. This is why today the catholics are not Christians. They ignore the teachings of Jesus in the Bible and teach the teachings of their church instead.

Do not listen to what the pope says for he is not a Christian following God. Do not listen to the teachings of the catholic church. Instead read the Bible and see the Truths from God that the catholic church refuses to follow.