WHY CATHOLIC BIBLES ARE BIGGER?

"I warn every one who hears the words of prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book" (Rev. 22:18)

Another verse...

"[A]nd if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city which are described in this book" (Rev. 22:19)

Note: The author states "THIS BOOK" - Author is speaking about the book of Revelation, not the entire bible.

However, the blog relates to WHY CATHOLIC BIBLES ARE BIGGER?

Let me explain...

I agree with all my Christian brothers and sisters that no one has the right to add or subtract books from the bible.

Let me begin by saying that "The books that comprise Scripture were not canonized until centuries after CHRIST. Even when that list was established in A.D. 382, the writings were not collected into a single book until after the printing press came into existence". (Jason Evert - How to Defend the Deuterocanonicals~www.Catholic.com)

Protestants always argue that; the seven books (also known as deutercanoncials) were added by the Catholic in order to justify invention and that these books were added after the council of Trent in (1546). Well my friends that is a Myth.

BUT IN ACTUALITY IT WAS THE COUNCIL OF ROME in 382.
Church decided upon a canon of 46 Old Testament books and 27 in the New Testament.

"Further, if Catholics added the seven books (also known as deutercanoncials) in 1546, then Martin Luther beats us to the punch: He included them in his first German translation, published the Council of Trent. They can also be found in the first King James Version (1611) and in the first Bible ever printed, the Guttenberg Bible (a century before Trent). In fact, these books were included in almost every Bible until the Edinburgh Committee of the British Foreign Bible Society excised them in 1825". (Jason Evert)

It is historically demonstrated that Catholics did not add the books - PROTESTANTS took them OUT.

Now the question is if the Protestant and Catholic Bibles was the same, then when did the Protestants remove the seven books (deutercanoncials), well that was exercised in 1825.

Now, someone may make this argument after reading this blog that there is no mention or nor does the New Testament make any reference to these books, so for that reason these were excluded and should not be read.

Actually, the New Testament does make reference to these seven books, the problem is that the New King James Version or the Protestant Bible not having the deutercanoncial books cannot relate to these references. Example

Hebrews 11:35 verse can be referenced in the Catholic Bible in the book of 2 Maccabees 7. There are many more verses that reference the seven books, but the problem as stated before is that Protestants cannot find them as their Bible has missing scriptures which are inspired books of the Bible.

I hope this clarifies some of the confusion, and for that reason the Catholic Bible are bigger and have all the inspired books.

References:

(Jason Evert - How to Defend the Deuterocanonicals~www.Catholic.com – This Rock Magazine)

Infant Baptism

Born again Christians believe that Catholic Church errs in baptizing infants.

According to born again/Bible Christians only adults baptism should be administered. Once an adult under goes the "BORN AGAIN" experience and accepts Jesus as his/her personal savior and only at that time they should receive baptism.

WHY IS THAT LET's SEE......

Born again or Bible Christians do not consider baptism as a sacrament but recongize it as an ordinance. It doesn't symbolize "GRACE" it is merely a symbol, a public manifestation of the adult conversion. - (Karl Keating Catholicism & Fundamentalism)

According to Born again/Bible Christians infants and young are automatically saved no matter what - only person who has reached the age of REASON and have accepted Jesus can reach heaven.

CATHOLIC CHURCH understand baptism differently, first it is a sacrament, that accomplishes several things.

1. Remission of both original sins and actual sins



2. Original sins incurred by birth (Sin committed by Adam& Eve)



3. Actual sin which infants don't have as they are incapable of comitting.

Clearly in the scripture its written about infant baptism

" Repent, Peter said to them, and be baptizeed, everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ, to have your sins forgiven; then you will receive the gift of Holy Spirit"

- Note it states "Everyone of you" - which includes children, it doesn't say only be baptized if you're at the age of reson.

"This promise is for you and your CHILDREN, and for all those, however far away, whom the Lord our God calls to himself" (Bible verse - Act 2:38-39)

Also, another verse from the Holy Scriptures - "Rise up, and receive baptism, washing away your sins at the invocation of his name" (Bible verse - Act 22:16)

THESE COMMANDS ARE UNIVERSAL NOT RESTRICTED TO ADULTS (Karl Keating)

Christ's Law applies to infants and adults. "Jesus said that no one can enter heaven unless he has been born again of WATER and HOLY SPIRIT (Jn 3:5)

NO ONE - BORN AGAIN OF WATER - see the relationship.

His words can be taken to apply to anyone capable of having a right to the kingdom. He asserted such a right even for children: "Let the children be, do not keep them back from me; the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these" (Bible verse - Matthew 19:14) - (Catholicism & Fundamentalism).

"Fundamentalist (Born again/Bible Christians) do not pay much attention to the historical situation. They defect appeals to history by saying baptism requires faith and children are incapable of having faith. Thus, no baptism of them" - (Karl Keating~C&F)

"Bible Christian's completely ignore infant baptism because they must perserve their concept of how salvation is obtained. They see salvation as coming not through an infusion of grace, which is the Catholic position, but through an acceptance of Jesus as one's personal Lord and Savior. Since only an adult can be saved in this way, they conclude baptism is wasted on infants and young children thus their opposition to the Catholic position" - (Karl Keating~C&F)

Hope this helps you understand why it's important to Catholic's and how sacred sacrament of infant baptism is to the one true Church- THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

Reference - IGNATIUS BIBLE

(Catholicism and Fundamentalism by Karl Keating~The Attack on Romanism by "Bible Christians" - publisher Ignatius press)

EASTER : Is Easter about Bunnies, candies, or chocolate covered eggs?

As we live in this predominately secular and capitalistic world we are marketed by Candy companies about the true meaning of Easter. They advertise these sweet savory delights in a rather less threatening format such as Easter candies, Chocolate eggs and the fluffy bunnies.

Easter is not about colorful eggs or fluffy bunny, it about our Lord conquering over death; Dying on the cross and redeeming us from original and actual sin. I am not condemning Easter bunny or the eggs, actually I like the fluffy bunny myself and especially my daughter who by the way will participate in hunting for eggs on Easter or the spring bash my wife and sister-in-law are putting together for my daughter.

I would like to take this opportunity and say that Easter is also not a pagan holiday, if some of you were told or have come to believe. Let me explain, why it's not a pagan holiday. It's actually based on a Jewish feast, PASSOVER. Easter originated as the first Sunday following Passover, when Jesus was crucified. Easter is derived from Jewish word "Pesach or Passover". Hope that helps....

I was listening to Catholic Radio today and one of the program hosts mentioned about a survey that was recently conducted. On how many Catholic Christians as well as Bible Christian understand why Easter is celebrated. Well to my surprise and shock; only 37% of Catholic knew and 73% Christian. I would applaud the Bible Christians for having a high percentage.

Well, the reason for this lack of knowledge is our Catholic education. Catholics apparently do not take the time to teach or are rather afraid for some reason, to openly claim the resurrection of our Lord to their friends, family members and even to their children. I wouldn't blame them, with Americans becoming more liberal in their beliefs and views. Americans want to be more polite towards others and are not out to ruffle anyone's features with their political or religious views.

Which I consider myself being part of as well. I am as guilty as everyone else. But, as soon as I am done writing this blog I will sit with my four year daughter this evening and will explain on a G rated level about the true meaning of Easter.

My only concern is that, more and more Catholic Christians are losing the battle to secularism, liberalism and avoiding the true meaning of our faith. So, I pray my friends that our Lord will give you every opportunity that you can share the true meaning of this wonderful feast with your family, your children and your friends. God bless.

Have you been Saved?

Or in other words the question generally possed by born again Christians - Don't you wish you had assurance of Salvation?

Most born again Christians believe and conclude from the Bible that Christ actually promised that heaven is theirs in exchange for remarkably simple act.

All they have to do at just one point in their lives, is "Accept Christ as their personal savior". Then it is done. They may live exemplary lives thereafter, but living well is not crucial. It does not affect their Salvation.

No matter what happens later, no matter how evil they might live the remainder of their days, their Salvation is assured. But in no way can they undo their Salvation, because it has nothing at all to do with the intrinsic worth of their souls or with what Catholic term actual sins.

It comes down to Galatian 2:20. " The son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me". Christ is seen as one's personal saver, and that is why these words are a favorite with born again or Bible Christians.

FOR CATHOLIC, Salvation depends on the state of the soul at death. CHRIST has already redeemed us, unlocked the gates of heaven as it were (Note - that redemption is not the same as Salvation but is a necessary prelude)

Jesus did his part on the Cross, it our responsibililty to cooperate.

One can sober up Sunday morning, got to Church heed the altar call, announce to the congregation an acceptance of Jesus as personal Lord and Savior, and, so long as that is really believed all is well. Nothing can be done no sin can be committed, no matter how heinous, that will forfeit salvation.

The reason is that "accepting Jesus" has nothing to do with turning a spiritually dead soul into a soul into a soul alive with sanctifying grace. The soul remains the same. Accepting Christ accomplishes one thing and one thing only. It makes God cover one's sinfulness. It makes him turn blind eye to it. It is a thought he hides the soul under a cloak. It is not a real eradication of sin, but a covering or nonimputation. It is not an inner renewal and a real sanctification, only an external application of Christ's justice.

Catholic Church not surperisingly, understands justification differently. It sees it as a true eradication of sin and a true sanctification and renewal. The soul becomes objectively pleasing to GOD and so merits heaven.

So if asked are you SAVED? Answer as a true Catholic according to the teaching of the Holy Church. " I AM REDEEMED".

Do an examination of conscience, get to confession and ask for graces from our Lord that you may remove yourself from sin and work each day to fight off temptation of fresh.

Catholicism and Fundamentalis by Karl Keating.