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NASB | Acts 11:26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 11:26 and when he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. For an entire year they met [with others] in the church and instructed large numbers; and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians. [Acts 26:28; 1 Pet 4:16] |
Bible Question:
How do you explain to a person between being a catholic and a christians? Why is it hard for some people to show how they really feel about God during a service? But when you are at home praying and praising God it feels much easier. |
Bible Answer: Hello, As for your first question, One of the main differences between being Christian and being a Catholic was started by the Catholics themselves. When the Great Reformation grew more and more, the Catholic church excommunicated most of those involved. As a result, those people were viewed not only as non-catholic, but non-christian as well. In fact, you will find it a popular belief among catholics that the Catholic church is the only true christian church and all others are phoney. In addition to that, they believe that they haven't changed since Christ first started the Church, which is laughable when you read some of their history and beliefs. The "true" church is stated clearly with in the Bible (Old and New Testament). When you look at some of the Catholic traditions and practices, you see many heresies, falsehoods, and questionable practices. For example, there is no office of Pope mentioned by name, described, or explained at all in the Bible. According to Catholic beliefs, the Pope is infallible, sinless, and the head of the Church. That is the description of Jesus Christ alone, not some man. In fact, Paul in Romans clearly teaches that all people have sinned. Paul also teaches that Jesus alone is the head of the Church. Jesus christ himself even confirms all of this in numerous places. It is clear that the office of Pope is a non-biblical role, and is even heretical because it goes against Biblical teachings. Another example, from many, is their teaching about Mary. According to Catholic tradition, Mary was born of a special birth just as John the Baptist and Jesus was. According to tradition, if I remember correctly, Mary's parents were visited by an angel and told about the importance of their future daughter. Now, on the surface, this appears to be okay. However, it goes against the Old Testament Prophecies. Allow me to clarify. The Prophet Micah speaks of a period of darkness in which the Prophets will go blind, and where God will NOT speak to mankind at all. According to Micah, this period of Darkness begins with the return of the Isrealites to their homeland after the Babylonian Exhile, and ends with the coming of the Messiah. Now, the Prophet Malachi, the last prophet of the Old Testament period, prophecied during the Return from the Exhile. He prophecied that the Messiah will arrive after Elijah. A prophet will come before the Messiah, will be in the spirit of Elijah, and will prepare the way for the Messiah. So, in all, you have the Period of Darkness ending with the Coming of Elijah, or John the Baptist as Jesus confirms. Now, according to biblical teachings, an angel being sent to earth is the same as God speaking. Any miracles happening is God speaking. So, if Catholic tradition is true, then Mary the Mother of Jesus is Elijah returned, John the Baptist is the Messiah, Jesus is wrong, the entire Bible is false, and we've all been practicing the wrong religion for 2000 years. Athiests could have a field day with this one! Also, those two prophecies of Micah and Malachi prove that the Apocrypha is not canon and should not be in the Bible. Why? The Apocrypha is proven to have been written during the 400 year period between the Testaments. To be canonical, a book must be insired, or spoken, by God. So, how can the Apocryphal books be canonical if they were written in a time when God was not speaking? See my point? As you can see, the Catholic church has some major areas to work on if they want to be concidered the "True" Church. Now for you other question. The matter of not being able to show how you feel about God in church is a matter of tradition, privacy, and fear. First off, the main factor is fear. Many people are afraid to show anything in public for fear of looking like fools. The Second factor is privacy. Jesus commanded that our prayers should be private. In fact, many of the prayers in the Bible were done in private. IN fact, the Bible teaches that our relationship with God should be largely private. The idead being that if our private lives are in sinc with God, then our public life will reveal that as well. The final factor involves tradition. This goes all the way back to the hebrew worship practices. Much of the hebrew worship services were quiet occasions. Then add on the Catholic Church's influence on that, and you have people not speaking or anything during worship. Also you have the verse from Paul being majorly distorted that reads, "Women should keep silent in church ...". Bring all of these together, and you have your answer. Jesus Loves You! Jesusman |