Each day I give God praise for granting me the treasure of the Catholic faith. I’m sorry to learn that F.C.F.C. staff lived impoverished faith lives while Catholics. Uncounted millions have blessed experiences with Catholicism. On every ground: Scriptural, logical and historical the claims of the Catholic religion are valid and altogether irresistible. She is the original Christian church, the one church founded, constituted and sanctioned by Christ Himself.
We see in the vitals of the Catholic church the image of Christ. In the reception of her sacraments we feel His comforting hand; in her pronouncements we hear His authoritative, cogent voice; in her manifold world-wide charities we see His love and compassion; in the way she is harassed and vilified we see His agony and humility on Calvary; in her worship we feel His Spirit girding our souls. This compels our obedience. All else is shifting sand.
V.K. of Bowling Green, OH
Dear V.K.,
The Catholic church reminds me of the story “The Emperors New Clothes” wherein she struts around the world asking everyone to admire her beautiful apparel, when in reality she is naked (Rev.3:17) and no one has the courage to admit this truth except one small voice. You see V.K., the Catholic church in all her pomp denies the simple truth of the gospel, that Jesus died for our sins and paid the full price. No amount of glitz and glitter can outshine that fact! I was caught up in all her whorish trappings for 30 years. I even considered becoming a nun and went to a convent in PA where the “Sisters of the Holy Ghost” treated me very kindly. I took papers home for my father to sign so that I could spend the rest of my life serving God. My dad refused to sign the papers (And I thank God every day for that decision! I have a wonderful husband, three loving sons, the sweetest daughter-in-law, and soon the joy of being a grandmother - March!). You seem to think that we all had horrible experiences that caused us to leave the Catholic church. Not so! I was teaching C.C.D. classes at St. Paul’s in Canton. Rev. Coleman (now deceased) took me before the whole church to commend me as a teacher. I really loved the Catholic church with all my heart. But truth is truth, and the Bible is the truth! When I was faced with the decision to believe the Roman Catholic church or the Bible, I chose the Bible. When I left the Roman church, I didn’t know where I was going. I had never been involved with other churches, so I didn’t know anything about the Protestants, Evangelicals, etc. I had no preacher standing outside the church warning me of the dangers of Catholicism, instead I heard people telling me that the Catholics were Christians, and that I shouldn’t say anything bad about another man’s religion. Then there was the family! Many tears and prayers were spent being a Christian, yet for all this, I have an inner peace. I know God’s Word is TRUE! That is a sure foundation that when the winds blow (and they will blow) the house will not fall. My faith is not based on the traditions of men (shifting sand).
Your claim is false that Jesus “constituted and sanctioned” the Roman Catholic church. Read the Bible and you will not find the Catholic church or her sacraments there! God’s authority is His Word “...the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” (Jn.12:48)
When you speak of “impoverished faith” lived as a Catholic, the saddest part is that we didn’t know we were impoverished. We were quite satisfied in our ignorance imagining that “feelings” were a guide for truth. But alas, “...the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts, and intents of the heart.” (Heb.4:12) Please V.K., read your Bible and ask Jesus for guidance. Isaiah 34:16 says, “Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail...” You have trusted in men. God said “Cursed be the man that trusteth in man...Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.” (Jer.17:5-7)
Sincerely,
Rebecca A. Sexton
Dear Former Catholics for Christ,
A friend of mine let me borrow some of your newsletters. Please add me to your mailing list. I enclosed a small donation. It's not much, but after the financial drain of Christmas (which I totally agree is more pagan than Christian), it's about all I can send. You didn't mention in your Dec. 1994 newsletter about the name "Christmas". Does it mean "mass or Christ," or something like that? Is the name itself CATHOLIC? I discovered last year the passage of Jeremiah 10, and since have not wanted to have a tree. It's difficult to explain to people why we don't have one (it's easy to blame it on pets or a non- controversial reason), when even your pastor tells you it's okay, and even churches have them! Do you believe a relative (a Catholic) actually called us pagans for not having one?!?! Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!! Yet I know over 99.9% of Christians don't realize the history of it.
I took some time after a surgery in 1993 to study Catholicism. At that time, I knew nothing about it, and was shocked at the beliefs I read about, and which you confirm in your newsletters. I've also had the opportunity to study the Orthodox religion (which is similar to Catholicism, but for a few minor, and a few major, differences). If you ever need any literature or information on Orthodoxy, please let me know. I have a lot.
I look forward to reading future issues of The GOOD NEWSletter. We, too, believe the KJV is the preserved Word of God. Keep being Bereans.
God bless,
H.M.M. of Massillon, OH
P.S. I have changed my will to read that I do not want my son raised as a Catholic (and I went into detail). I think people should be conscious of this or else their children, if left to Catholic relation or in-laws, may not come to understand Biblical truth and a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. If you ever need help typing on issues, let me know. I type 110 wpm and have a dictation tape transcriber at home.
Dear H.M.M.,
Thank you for your kind donation, in spite of the “financial drain” that Christmas has on those who practice it. Can a child of God honestly join in the non-biblical celebration of Christmas which is characterized by alcoholism, suicide, depression (last year's newspaper gave daily advice on how to deal with depression during the holidays), sexual license (sometimes instigated by an innocent kiss under a mistletoe), shop-lifting and theft (to pay for the gifts), much wasting of finances on unneeded luxuries (it's hard to play Santa and fulfill all the desires of a child's heart), idolatry (setting up of dumb pagan idols, whether it be Santa, or images of Mary with the helpless baby in her arms, or a Christmas tree), and to think, all this is done in Jesus' name! Satan has outdone himself on this one!
Christmas means "Christ" - "mass" a term taken because of the Catholic Church's midnight Mass on the eve of the pagan Roman festival. The diabolical paradox here is that many unbelievers, pagans, drunkards, and various cults will shout "Merry Christmas" (Merry Christ’s crucifixion), while believing Christians are returning the same greetings. After all, the Catholic mass is nothing more than the blasphemous killing of Jesus in an unbloody manner for the remission of sins, so why would any thinking Christian want to wish someone a "Merry Christ’s crucifixion"?
Wow! You type 110 wpm! I thought my 35 wpm was good! After the way I messed up Mr. Sungenis's rebuttal, I may take you up on your offer. Thank you.
By the way, Moses was raised from a baby in the house of Pharaoh, yet the Lord brought him out. Nothing is too hard for our God! What joy and peace we have in Him!
A Friend in Christ,
Rebecca A. Sexton
Dear F.C.F.C.,
I am writing to tell you how much we enjoy your newsletter. My husband is the man you have had in your newsletter a couple times who left the Catholic Church at 81 years of age. I also left that church although I hadn't been a member for very long. I only joined it seven years ago when I married ____ because I thought it would make him happy, which it did. And I would ask him questions about the church, but he would seldom know an answer. I also found that true in asking things of other Catholic people. Which led me to believe that many Catholic people are only Catholic because they have been born Catholic, that their families have been Catholic for many generations. We have joined a Baptist church and are very happy there. Our minister would like very much to be put on your mailing list. Please accept this small donation toward your good work.
E.S. of Creston,OH
Dear E.S.,
Thank you very much for your encouraging letter and your generosity. Your husband’s testimony brought joy to all of us here, and I'm sure to many of our readers. It is amazing how strong and courageous we are in Him. You are right, most of us were born into Catholicism. But praise Jesus! He is bringing thousands of Catholics a year out of her clutches. I can still remember the joy I felt when I found out that there were others who were like me and had been delivered from the Catholic church. We hope to be a comfort to our brothers and sisters who also know what it's like to escape the gates of hell: "Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death." (Prov.7:27) I'm glad you found a place where the gospel is read. It is so refreshing to hear God's Word rather than men's. Your minister is on our list. Keep us in your prayers as you are in ours. May Jesus use each and every one of us to "...earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3), "...for the time is at hand." (Rev.1:3)
In Jesus name,
Rebecca A. Sexton
Dear F.C.F.C.,
Thank you for your newsletter. You should realize that bitterness hurts the originator more than it does the recipient. What an unhappy bunch you must be spending all your time doing negative things when there are so many positive things that need to be done. Your apologetics and defenseness accomplish little. Do the things you feel the church is not doing and you will find what you seek.
Blessings,
Fr. Tom Pontolillo
Healing Ministry. CA
Dear "Fr." Tom Pontilillo,
We have nothing to be bitter about! We escaped the Catholic church. If anything, we are grateful and because of that indebted to our Lord Jesus Christ for saving us. It seems that the only people who consider us bitter are those who disagree with us!
We will not sit idly by while millions of Catholics perish. Our ministry is not one of flattery, but rather confrontational. We feel there are plenty of flatterers out there already. Alexander Hislop, in his book The Two Babylons, 288-289, expresses our sentiments perfectly:
“If there be those who, within the last few years, have been revived and quickened - stirred up, not by mere human excitement, but by the Almighty grace of God’s Spirit, what is the gracious design of this? Is it merely that they themselves may be delivered from the wrath to come? No; it is that, zealous for the glory of their Lord, they may act the parts of true witnesses, contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, and maintain the honour of Christ in opposition to him who blasphemously usurps his prerogatives. If the servants of Antichrist are faithful to their master, and unwearied in promoting his cause, shall it be said that the servants of Christ are less faithful to theirs?”
Instead of trying to judge our hearts, try comparing the things we say with the Bible. Look up the Scriptures, pray to Jesus and trust in Him as the Bible says to do, (Heb.12:2) instead of Mary, saints, angels, rosaries, scapulars, etc., since that is what the Bible says to do!!! You have a healing ministry? How can the soul be healed if one lives in torment never knowing whether or not they are going to be with Jesus when they die. Fear of death brings torment. The Catholic church forbids her subjects to have that blessed assurance, and would charge anyone who claims to, to be guilty of the “sin of presumption”. I don’t know of your ministry, but if you are Catholic, you need a personal healing of your own.
Most Sincere,
Rebecca Sexton
Hello:
Would you please send me your phone number so I can talk to someone about this goodnews letter which I have been getting in the mail. I want to know what its about. I tried to contact you by phone but could not get any listing of any kind. I have read the newsletter all the way through. I don't understand it. Is it a new religion all its own? Or is it part of the Catholic Religion? Either call me and give me your phone no. so I can talk to someone or write to me. I'll be glad to pay phone charges on this end.
Thank you,
I. B. of Canton, OH
Dear I. B.,
Thank you for writing us.The reason you were put on our mailing list from the beginning is because you have a Virgin Mary statue in your yard. When we first started our newsletter, we wanted as many Catholics as we could find. If we erred and you are not Catholic, it does not matter, for our purpose is also to awaken Christians and churches to the reality that Catholics who adhere to the official dogmas of the Roman Catholic Church are not saved.
This newsletter began with the intent to expose the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church that oppose or nullify the true Gospel. We hope to urge people to abandon anything that opposes or nullifies the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. We pray that we are able to persuade (even one) to personally place their complete trust in Jesus Christ, His word, His grace, His redemption, His perfect sacrifice, His substitutionary atonement, and His finished work, so that they may be saved. This is not a new religion, but the common faith of all who are the children of God.
If you are in confusion over terms that we use such as sacraments, purgatory, rosaries, "imprimatur and nihil obstat", etc. it is because they are not terms found in the Bible, but rather, invented by the Catholic church. It would be to your advantage to read Mystery Babylon by Ralph Woodrow. He explains very simply the major flaws of Catholicism. You almost have to have a Catholic dictionary near you to understand what the Catholic's are talking about unless you were raised by the system (and even then their babble is hard to understand). Everything's a mystery no man can understand! That way they don't have to explain anything.
Please feel free to write us. We will gladly explain anything you may not understand. Not only do we wish to expose the confusion of Catholicism, but share with our readers the simplicity that is in Christ, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Rom.10:9-10)
Rebecca A. Sexton
Dear Rebecca:
I have been reading your newsletter with interest. It seems to me that you are very confused as to who the Pope is and what his role is within the Catholic Church. By the way, I am not Catholic, but am very interested in accuracy in journalism.
First, I do not see by what authority you seek to define, condemn, and disrespect the Pope.
Second, it is of great concern to me that you discuss the above issue without choosing to cite Catholic sources of information. The Pope is, after all, Catholic. You conveniently forget this.
In his book, Crossing the Threshhold of Hope, the Pope responds to the question of who he is when he writes from the works of Saint Augustine, “Vobis sum episcopus, vobiscum christianus.” What Saint Augustine and the current Pope mean by this, as the latter explains in the above tome, is that he is a Christian with you and I, and a priest for us. In other words he serves Christians and is a Christian. I think the Pope’s suggestion in this work that persons who struggle with this notion holds merit: read Patrologia Latina by J. P. Migne.
Many of your writings appear to have as their purpose to create fear and confusion. The Pope responds to people who read the writings of such persons as you and to you as an author by saying, “Be not afraid!” He expounds on his reason for quoting these words of Christ in the work I first mentioned by saying, “And for this Christ severely reproached him, but He did not reject him.” Here the Pope is explaining that Christ’s love for Peter overshadowed Peter’s inability to accept Christ’s inevitable death on the cross.
Likewise, you must overcome your own fears, which compared with the rational teachings of the Vatican are simply irrational. The Pope explains and acknowledges that he is a mystery. The Pope further explains that Pascal once wrote that the Pope is either mysterious living proof of the Creator of the universe or the central protagonist of a millennial illusion.
The Bible is a history of how to respond to the question of who the Pope is. And you are well aware of this. Do we not have an obligation to look at historical facts? Who charged you with the privilege of disregarding history? Who are you to judge that the Pope is to be condemned? Who are you to report to others that the Pope has done no good service in the name of Christ?
I will not presume to speak for the Pope. In the same tome I first introduced you to he responds eloquently as he writes, “After all I have said, I could summarize my response in the following paradox: In order to set contemporary man free from fear of himself, of all the world, of others, of earthly powers, of oppressive system, ...it is necessary to pray fervently that he will bear and cultivate in his heart that true fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom.”
K.W. of Bowling Green, OH
P.S. How about a subscription?
Dear K.W.,
I am suspect of your sincerity for “accuracy in journalism” when you falsely state “The Bible is a history of how to respond to the question of who the Pope is.” It would be to your advantage to read a book before you critique it, and then perhaps you would find the questions to all those answers you posed. We do not disregard history but rather encourage our readers to study it well. It is healthy to look at both sides of an issue. If I only read what Catholics say about the pope, I would be getting a very biased opinion, and that goes both ways. We enjoy reading what the early popes said because it differs so much from today’s popes. The bulk of the material that we quote from are official Catholic writings. We make it a point to look for the “nihil obstat and imprimatur”.
The only fear we have here at FCFC is for the lost souls who will burn in the lake of fire if they do not accept Jesus.
We hope you enjoyed this month’s subject, maybe it shed some light on the role of the pope. For further information concerning the Catholic Church and the pope that rules her read Revelation 13-18. There you will find a perfect picture of the system you so admire.
Most Sincere,
Rebecca A. Sexton
Why, why, why are Christians accused of being self-righteous and boastful because they know for sure they are going to heaven? Is it because the accusers fail to understand it is not what man does for God that qualifies him for heaven, but what God has done for man.
Why, why, why would Janet Reno say “A cultist is one who has a strong belief in the Bible and the second coming of Christ...who home-schools his children...who distrusts big government”?[Washington Post, May 8, 1995] If our government can define a cult, will they then tell us which church is the true church...and what church do you think that will be? (Keep in mind that the majority of Congress is Catholic!)