"If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained" (John 20:23).
This is the first clue we have in the bible that if we confess and forgive sins our sins will be forgiven in heaven by our father as well...but if we retain our sins and not forgive those sins those sins will or may not be forgiven by the father.
More can be read on this subject by following this link;
http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=375892
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Catholic Sacraments
There is a lot of speculation that we "force" our children into our religion because we baptized them as infants. It is also said that we are not Christians because we do such things. We are not "Christians" because we do not follow the bible. Well that is wrong and so far off from the truth. In our daily masses our readings come directly from the bible...the old and new testaments. In that bible it says that we must baptize all of our household. So that is why we baptized our children too. However baptizing our children does not hold them accountable as an adult to our religious laws and beliefs. As we all know, parenting is hard enough as it is, trying to add our belief system there can be a bit testy at times. Even sometimes when we do, children may believe in their own ideas. So I will explain as best I can what baptism is to us.
In other religions, in example Baptists, baptism is left up the individual. In that religion it is viewed that baptism is when a person CHOOSES to accept Christ as his/her savior. Well we have the same thing...sort of.
Baptism for a catholic is not about choosing to believe and accept Christ as our savior. It is a promise made to GOD, to Christ that we as parents will teach the child christian beliefs morals and understanding. Of course we understand that a child can not make the decision if he wants Christ to be his savior. On that hand, weather or not you want Christ as your savior he already is your savior. He died for us on the cross. He died for sinners...usually those who did not want to be saved. However, that being said, baptism for us is a promise between the child's parents and godparents that it will be our responsibility to guide that child with good moral values and convictions of the world.
CONFIRMATION is much like baptism or just about equal to that of a baptist baptismal. confirmation is done by a young adult usually at the age of 14. Confirmation is when the person who has been baptised already says to GOD and Christ that he/she believes in the faith the catholic church and all of what she stands for. The he/she will be responsible for her own practices and will therefore accept all consequences he or she will come about for their actions. When we CONFIRM our belief in GOD we are saying LORD I BELIEVE IN YOU AND I TRUST IN YOU. I ACCEPT YOU AS MY SAVIOR!
So its not much different from each other. Yes we do it different. In the end its all the same. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ.
In other religions, in example Baptists, baptism is left up the individual. In that religion it is viewed that baptism is when a person CHOOSES to accept Christ as his/her savior. Well we have the same thing...sort of.
Baptism for a catholic is not about choosing to believe and accept Christ as our savior. It is a promise made to GOD, to Christ that we as parents will teach the child christian beliefs morals and understanding. Of course we understand that a child can not make the decision if he wants Christ to be his savior. On that hand, weather or not you want Christ as your savior he already is your savior. He died for us on the cross. He died for sinners...usually those who did not want to be saved. However, that being said, baptism for us is a promise between the child's parents and godparents that it will be our responsibility to guide that child with good moral values and convictions of the world.
CONFIRMATION is much like baptism or just about equal to that of a baptist baptismal. confirmation is done by a young adult usually at the age of 14. Confirmation is when the person who has been baptised already says to GOD and Christ that he/she believes in the faith the catholic church and all of what she stands for. The he/she will be responsible for her own practices and will therefore accept all consequences he or she will come about for their actions. When we CONFIRM our belief in GOD we are saying LORD I BELIEVE IN YOU AND I TRUST IN YOU. I ACCEPT YOU AS MY SAVIOR!
So its not much different from each other. Yes we do it different. In the end its all the same. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ.
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