re: https://www.thecatholicthing.org/2018/10/07/people-who-are-just-christians-dont-have-a-clue/

This is a reply to the article “People who are “Just Christians” Don’t Have a Clue” posted at https://www.thecatholicthing.org/2018/10/07/people-who-are-just-christians-dont-have-a-clue/

My reply?

1 Peter 4:14-16; 1 Corinthians 4:1-13

Even the first “pope” – Peter himself – said we suffer for the name of Christ – as Christians. Nothing about Catholics, Protestants, denominations, sects, heresies, philosophies, etc.

And the whole point of 1 Peter is to stress that we suffer for what is right, not for what is wrong. 1 Peter 2:20; 3:17; 4:19.

Setting yourself up as a human head of the church on earth is clearly wrong, since only Christ is head of the church in heaven and on earth. Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; 1 Peter 3:21-22.

Claiming a foundation for the church that is other than Christ and the original apostles, is clearly wrong. Matthew 16:18-19; 18:18; 1 Corinthians 3:10-11; Ephesians 2:19-22.

Dividing Christ’s church into denominations is totally against Christ’s will which urges us to be “perfected in unity.” John 17:20-23; 1 Corinthians 1:10-15; 3:1-4:7; Ephesians 4:1-6.

Christians are nourished by the word of God, and only the word of God. Matthew 15:1-14; Acts 20:20,24,27,32; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-15; 1 Timothy 3:15; 6:14,20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13-14; 3:16-17. Since the word ‘tradition’ refers to what is handed on and received, the only tradition that is handed on to be received as authoritative, by those interested in the truth, is the inspired word of the Old Testament prophets, and the inspired word of the New Testament apostles – all of which we have access to in the Scriptures we call the Bible. 2 Peter 1:16-21; 3:1-2.

Jesus once said, “I have come into the world to bear witness to the truth. Anyone on the side of truth listens to Me.” John 18:37. This is what caused Pilate to ask: “What is truth?” John 18:38. Pilate was probably confused. He had heard the Jewish high priest’s version of the truth, and he had heard Jesus’ version of the truth.

We listen to Jesus when we hear and obey his word. Matthew 4:4; 7:13-29; Mark 4:20-25; 7:5-14; Luke 6:46; 1 Corinthians 14:37.

Salvation comes to those who obey Jesus who died to save, and who lives forever to make saving intercession. Hebrews 5:7-9; 7:23-28.

We have no other mediator between God and man. 1 Timothy 2:3-7.

--David Carr