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Lutheran, Catholic, Baptist, Methodist... I don't know which one is right!
What's different about Catholicism?
What makes the Catholic Church, the right church?
One of Jesus' most ardent prayers at the Last Supper was
his desire that all of his followers be 'one' as He and the Father are 'One'.
In the Acts of the Apostles, it says that the community of believers was of one mind and one heart.
It was that harmony and that unity that brought new people into the faith,
because they saw how they loved each other...
this discipleship, this community of believers.
For the first thousand years of Christianity, that unity was lived out.
It wasn't until the 11th century that the Eastern and Western Churches split.
In the West, it wasn't until the 16th century that Roman Catholicism had groups that splintered away,
beginning with people like Martin Luther and John Calvin and Henry VIII in England.
They all broke over particular issues
and today we have literally thousands of different versions of Christianity around the globe.
We may wonder, "Is one as good as the next?"...
"What do they all believe?"...
"What's the difference between them?"
As Catholics, we are convicted that the Catholic Church is the one, holy, apostolic church,
founded by Jesus Christ, as the sacrament of his presence and life extended through time and space.
Having said that, however, we also believe, that we participate in a communion-
an imperfect communion-but a communion nevertheless, with all other Christians.
Every Christian believes in the Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Every Christian believes that Jesus Christ is both God and human
and that it's through his life, death and resurrection that we achieve salvation.
The ecumenical movement then is a dialogue, a conversation, beginning with what we hold in common
and seeking to restore and regain that lost unity in Christ.
There are differences between us, but what unites us in Christ is more central and more important.
It's there that we begin both formal conversations, but also one-on-one conversations.
So, when you talk to other Christians who are not Catholic, ask what they believe about Jesus
and be willing to share what you believe, yourself.
When it comes to discussions about the Church, share YOUR convictions about the Catholic Church
and see in their belief, sincerity and a desire to follow the Lord as well.
It's the Year of Faith and we're connecting Christ and the Catechism of the Catholic Church!
Ignite your faith!
Share this video with a friend and spark-up a spirited conversation today!
So what's the next C-4 all about?
We invite you to come back and "C-4" yourself!