Thursday, April 23, 2015

Are You Born Again? A Few of the Questions I Answered Wednesday on Catholic Answers Live

by Steve Ray on April 23, 2015

A Few of the Questions I Answered on Catholic Answers Live — Are You Born Again?

To listen on-line, click here. For Podcasts and other options, click here. 

****************************************

1. As a Baptist, what did you used to believe about being born again?

2. How do you now answer if someone asks you if you are Born Again?

3. The thief on the cross didn’t get baptized so how could he get born again and go to heaven?

4. How can you say we are born again through baptism when Paul says it is through faith, not works?

5. Why do you think an infant can be born again through baptism when they are not even old enough to believe?

6. How do you explain Romans 10:9-10 that says we are saved by confession with our mouths and says nothing about baptism?

 A few articles I have written on this topic and many others can be found here.

{ 2 comments }

Feast Day for a Deserter? Yup! Read the Story of St. Mark

by Steve Ray on April 23, 2015

Peter preaching in Rome; Mark writing down his words

His voice boomed over the crowds in Rome as it had done all around the Roman Empire. The large fisherman was aging but his voice was still filled with intensity and conviction. The thronging crowds listened with curiosity.

Rome was the hub of the civilized world and Peter preached the message of a Jewish rabbi named Jesus from the far away country of Israel. Many in the crowd had believed in Jesus and had become part of this new society called the Church—the Church of which Peter was the acknowledged head. Standing at his side was his fellow-worker and secretary John Mark.

Mark was his Roman name, John his Jewish. He lived in Jerusalem with his mother Mary and associated with the apostles (Acts 12:12). As Barnabas’ cousin, he had been one of Paul’s first missionary companions around ad 45 (Acts 13:5; Co 4:10), but left Paul and for a time and journeyed with Barnabas (Acts 15:37).

Mark later ministered again with Paul (Philem 24; 2 Tim 4:11) around ad 61, this time in Rome, sarcastically named “Babylon”, where he was Peter’s fellow-worker and interpreter (1 Pet 5:13). Peter probably baptized Mark himself since he calls him his son. Peter sent Mark to preach the Gospel in Egypt and today the largest church in Cairo is dedicated to St. Mark who first brought the Gospel.

For the rest of the story on St. Mark, click here.

{ 0 comments }