Social Media comments and my response #1
How is Christianity any better?
I wanted to post an answer that I gave to someone on YouTube. My prayer is that it may answer not only this person's questions but yours. I feel like what this person is saying is very common. People don't understand the Christian message the way Jesus wants us to. For one this is because God has not revealed it to them yet. Jesus says, "For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up." Jn 6:44
Something like this is repeated by St. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians. He is reminding us that faith comes from The Holy Spirit. "Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit." 1 Cor 12:3
And second it is because they are not open to it. You must be open to God in your life to have God in your life and to have Jesus in your life. Even this day in the 21st century most people still have never really read the bible for them self with an open mind. Most importantly with the eyes of faith. The bible was not written for unbelievers. It was written by those closest to God, by the Church and put together for us by The Church.
The bible is a collection of 73 books from various human authors with The Holy Spirit as the driving force behind it. These books were written with thousands of years in between them yet with one message and that is Jesus Christ. St. Augustine said, “New Testament lies hidden in the Old and the Old Testament is unveiled in the New.”
Christianity is a term used to describe the followers of Christ. The bible tells us that the followers of Christ were first called Christians in Antioch see Acts 11:26. The word Catholic simple means universal and is indicative of the Church Christ founded to be spread throughout the whole world, Acts 9:31. Jesus founded a Church that is for all people both Greeks, Jews, Gentiles, etc... Interesting fact is that the Christian Church was first called Catholic also in Antioch. For more information see my article titled Where is Catholic in the Bible?
With that said here is a question that I got from someone on YouTube when I commented on a video. My goal here is that through this dialogue you may find inspiration to read more deeply into the sacred scriptures asking God to reveal His Son, Jesus Christ to you. I will post more like this to this blog as I am inspired to do so.
Thank you for your time!
We know He is the real deal #1 all of the Old Testament prophesies have been fulfilled perfectly in Jesus The Messiah. There has never been anyone else who fits that description. Here we are 2,000 years later and still talking about Jesus. We have to admit there is something different about Him.
#2 the things Jesus said Himself or through His Apostles has been happening. Read book of Matthew for starters.
#3 Jesus performed miracles, see book of John. This has been corroborated with non Christian writers in the first centuries. So not just the bible writers saying so.
#4 Jesus formed a Church while on earth 2,000 years ago. Jesus said, "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18)
#5 this Church has lasted just as Jesus said it would. Hell has tried to destroy Christ's Church but never will. This Church is called "the church throughout" (Acts 9:31). Also known as the universal Church or by the short version of the same thing Catholic Church. So the Church that Christ's established is still operating for 2,000 years.
Catholicism is the fulfillment of Judaism. Jesus said "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them" (Matthew 5:17)
These are just what I got right now. Jesus is an historical fact and what He built still stands for us. Grace is a real thing but you have to experience it to know it. Ask Jesus to help you. He is always listening to those who call on His name.
About the bible.
The bible wasn't written for unbelievers. The Old Testament was written for God's people to have an account of His interactions with man to make a long story short. The first 5 books of the OT is attributed to Moses, we then have a few more writers.
The New Testament was written by priests of the true Church in the first centuries. It was written for the Church, and to be read in the Church. That is why we have the letter books also known as Epistles which is Greek for letters. The Gospels were written some time after Christ ascended into heaven.
The New Testament books are written by those who had knowledge of the events which took place and probably knew the Apostles and other followers of Christ personally. We believe that the Holy Spirit has made it all possible.
Anyway there's a lot here but I included what I felt was important to answer your question.
by Joanne Utke
Thank you for taking the time to read this!
As always feel free to go to the Welcome and ask any specific questions you like.
Please pay attention to the links on this page for further research.